Originally named Sugang-gung, this impressive palace was constructed in 1419 by King Sejong and is one of the oldest of all existing royal palaces in South Korea. It was built in memory of King Sejong's father, Taejong. Under Japanese colonial rule, the ornate palace and its grounds served as a zoo. It was not until 1911 that the name was changed to Changyong Palace. In 1986, the building was restored to its original glory and opened to the public as a historical monument.
Located in the heart of the city, the Olympic Park was built when the Summer Olympics visited Seoul in 1988. It houses tennis courts, weight-lifting and fencing gymnasiums, a gymnastics arena and an indoor swimming pool. With the games done and dusted, these venues now play host to numerous cultural and sporting events, and the park is a popular tourist attraction by itself. Enter through the majestic Peace Gate with the Olympic flame atop, and soak in the freshness of manicured lawns donned with stone and metal sculptures. An inanimate version of Hodori, the games' mascot welcomes you at the Olympic Museum to celebrate the history of the games and witness various exhibitions.
Located in central Seoul, Namsan Park is a great place to view the entire landscape of the city. The remains of the old city walls and Seoul Tower are two attractions of the park. Seoul Tower has various facilities like an observation deck and game rooms. Springtime is the best time to visit the park, as cherry blossom trees and other flowers are in full bloom. In addition, there is also a botanical garden, a small zoo, and a library at Namsan.
With a height of 338 meters, this mountain is located in Jongno-gu, downtown Seoul. Many huge granite peaks form the summit of this mountain and each rock has its own interesting name, such as Train Rock (kicha bawi), Dress Rock (chima bawi), Dew Rock (isul bawi), Hat Rock (moja bawi), and Worm Rock (jiryungii bawi). From the top, you can get a panoramic view of Seoul. It is especially beautiful at night, when the lights of the city are turned on. Due to Seoul's increasing population, this mountain is now covered with houses and buildings. There is no admission fee.
Recognized as one of the largest amusement parks, Everland is located in the suburbs of Seoul. It is a comprehensive outdoor and indoor leisure facility comprising three theme parks: Festival World, Caribbean Bay, and Everland Speedway. Festival World offers various flower festivals with more than 40 different attractions in addition to a zoo. Caribbean Bay is a huge water park with both indoor and outdoor water facilities. Everland Speedway offers the best racing track in Korea. Everland provides a paradise-like environment for people of all ages.
Yongsan Family Park has come a long way since it was a golf course for the US military base. The golf balls have gone, but there are still plenty of "birdies" to be seen, with geese and ducks frequenting the pond. Many families like to have picnics among the large, lush lawns or play with numerous cheeky squirrels. This is also a perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday Seoul life.