Seoul Tower makes one think of a Korean counterpart to the Tower of London: a towering cell for thieves and cutthroats piercing the night sky. In reality Seoul Tower is a breath taking beacon for all of Seoul standing atop of Namsan Mountain in Namsan National Park.
Long ago, before the tower was erected, a fortress stood on the very same land. Today you can still see remnants of the fortress around the mountain top; crumbling walls peek out from the underbrush and the battlements now serve as observation decks where tourists snap shots of the sprawling city below.
Seoul Tower also has places where people can escape the heat and grab a bit of shade. Professional photographers wait on the periphery ready to pounce on that couple seeking a stunning photo op of them and the tower. Food stalls and souvenir stands dot the area, keeping everyone watered and fed and overloaded with knick knacks.
Inside the tower you can choose from several different restaurants like the rotating VIP Grill, Sky Cafe, Sweet Tree, Hancook, or Tous les Jours. There is also an observation deck and a gift shop ready to be plundered. The people I saw laid about on the lounge chairs and simply took in the view while sipping coffee or eating ice cream.
Which makes sense, since the main reason to go to the Tower is for the view. I tend to forget the sheer size of Seoul due to all the subway travel. It’s not until you hit the streets by car or bus or view it from above in Seoul Tower that you remember that the city is truly awesome in size.
The most impressive of the sights is the mountain range that circles the city. The far off roughened peaks gives the city an almost mysterious quality. Next on the best sightings list is the Han river snaking through the city.
Be sure to make Seoul Tower one of your must see places if you are ever in Seoul. You won’t be disappointed.
By Subway:
Chungmuro Station Exit 1 or Dongguk University Statione Exit 6
I’m a blogger, writer, and teacher. I’ve been working in South Korea’s ESL field for the last three years. My one year contract has unexpectedly turned into a journey that I’m still on and loving.
