South Korea Travel: A Glimpse of Seoul's Cultural Landscapes (Photos)

Seoul has many cultural landmarks. During my second solo trip, I had only four days, so visiting some representative cultural sights became the goal. On the afternoon of June 13, 2010, we took Subway Line 6 from Itaewon Station, transferred to Line 4 at Samgakji, and got off at Hyehwa Station. Our first stop was Seoul's famous Marronnier Park.

Marronnier Park (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Taking the subway in Seoul is extremely convenient and fast. Over the four days, we traveled around Seoul using Lines 3, 4, 5, and 6, visiting stations such as Gongdeok, Itaewon, Chungmuro, Hyehwa, Jonggak, Samgakji, and Myeongdong. A public transportation card costing 15,000 won per person (about 85 RMB) covered almost all our city travel expenses.

A corner of the park (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Marronnier Park is centered around the symbolic marronier tree and features various open-air cultural event spaces, sculpture exhibition areas, and an arts center. Built in 1974 after Seoul National University moved, the park is surrounded by over 50 small theaters and more than 500 cafes. It is a popular meeting and resting spot beloved by Seoul citizens.

Seoul National University Site Monument (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

On weekends, many people come here to enjoy cultural activities. Musicians and singers perform, dance groups and sketch performers show their skills impromptu. Fortune-tellers and street artists also offer spontaneous readings or drawings.

Intense basketball game (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Located on Daehak-ro (University Road), the park’s entrance features a sculpture resembling three rifles with a flat round ball hanging in the middle.

View of N Seoul Tower in the distance (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Not far inside the park stands the Seoul National University Site Monument. Surrounded by lush greenery, there are several crimson theater buildings to the front and left. The park also houses a monument for journalists and a monument to Gosan Yun Seon-do's Five Friends Song. Near the theater is a basketball court where several college students were playing intensely.

N Seoul Tower at night (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Leaving Marronnier Park, we took Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station. When we emerged above ground, night had fallen. We walked along a steep path for about ten minutes to reach the N Seoul Tower cable car station. Looking up from the station, the brilliantly lit tower seemed to float dreamily on the mountaintop.

Shops inside N Seoul Tower (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

After a cable car ride of less than ten minutes, we arrived at the observation deck of N Seoul Tower. The 'N' in N Seoul Tower stands for both Namsan (the mountain) and 'new'. The renovation cost 15 billion won, featuring new lighting systems adaptable to different seasons and events, and a repainted tower facade. From 7 PM to midnight, six searchlights project a flower-shaped pattern in the sky, symbolizing the 'Seoul Flower'.

Trying on costume for a photo (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Opened to the public on October 15, 1980, the N Seoul Tower observation deck is a famous spot for viewing Seoul's nightscape and is considered a symbol of Seoul. The tower stands 236.7 meters tall atop Namsan Mountain, which is 243 meters above sea level. For over two decades, it has been loved by visitors from around the world. On December 9, 2005, the renovated tower reopened as N Seoul Tower.

Lovers' message wall (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Around the outer hall of N Seoul Tower, there is a long area covered with padlocks left by couples. Each lock carries a small heart-shaped card with vows and messages.

Seoul night view from the tower (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Inside the first floor of the tower, there are shops selling gifts and souvenirs, a multimedia zone showing movie trailers and music videos, a children's experience and learning center, and spaces for exhibitions and performances. Taking the elevator up, we looked out through the glass windows and took in the beautiful, sparkling night view of Seoul.

Teddy bear chef (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

On the first floor of N Seoul Tower, there is another important cultural attraction: the Teddy Bear Museum. Built to showcase the teddy bears beloved worldwide for over a century, the museum displays teddy bears from around the world in two exhibition halls. Visitors can also enjoy time at the museum shop, Western restaurant, and outdoor park with a sea view.

Museum bears (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

The exhibition is broadly divided into a history hall, an art hall, and a special exhibition hall. The history hall features teddy bears reenacting famous historical moments and antique teddy bears, including notable renditions of Michelangelo's "The Last Supper" and the Mona Lisa.

Photo at the Teddy Bear Museum (Photo by Chen Hao)

In the art hall, visitors can appreciate masterpieces that bring teddy bears into the world of art, alongside animated characters popular with children. The museum also houses the world's smallest teddy bear, just 4.5 mm tall. The special exhibition hall displays teddy bears according to different seasonal themes.

Teddy bear feast (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At the N Seoul Tower Teddy Bear Museum, visitors can explore Seoul's journey from Korea's capital to an international city alongside adorable teddy bears, learning about the city's past and present. The teddy bears act as guides, retelling key historical events and presenting contemporary Seoul in every corner.

Photo with teddy bears (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

In the museum, lifelike teddy bears artistically interpret Korean history and culture. The Seoul History Hall shows the transition from Hanyang, the capital of the Joseon Dynasty, to Seoul, the capital of Korea. It traces Seoul's 600-year history as a political, diplomatic, economic, and cultural center, including the reasons and process of becoming the capital, life in the royal palaces, the daily lives of common people, and scenes from the Japanese colonial period.

Photo with teddy bears (Photo by Feng Shi)

In the Seoul Special Hall, modern Seoul is presented: from Apgujeong to Samcheong-dong, showcasing the contemporary cityscape and diverse aspects of present-day Seoul. In the photo zone, visitors can take commemorative photos in a cute teddy bear kingdom. The history hall also displays high-end teddy bear collectibles and teddy bears featured in the popular TV drama "Princess Hours".

Cheonggyecheon Streamside shopping street (Photo by Feng Shi)

At noon on June 14, 2010, our group visited Cheonggyecheon in Seoul. Strictly speaking, Cheonggyecheon is a landscape combining nature and culture. Located in central Seoul, it is a stream over 600 years old that runs north-south through the city. To date, over 170 million people have visited this site.

Teddy bear devotee

Scenery of Cheonggyecheon (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

However, Cheonggyecheon was once heavily polluted, its streambed covered with sludge and garbage, lined with shabby wooden shacks, and filled with wastewater that emitted a foul odor, causing great distress to nearby residents and damaging the city's image.

Photo by Cheonggyecheon (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

After being covered over and turned into an asphalt road, the stream disappeared beneath a commercial center lined with shops. In 2003, it was excavated anew, and after years of restoration, Cheonggyecheon was revived with a clean and pleasant appearance.

Water curtain at Cheonggyecheon (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Today, Cheonggyecheon has clear, beautiful water. The banks provide comfortable leisure spaces and display excellent photographs and paintings, offering an ideal place to experience culture, get close to nature, and observe and learn about the ecosystem.

Clear stream water (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

At the same time, the area is bustling with various businesses, including traditional shops, restaurants, and shopping venues, as well as spaces for experiencing Korean culture and art exhibitions.

Water mist feature (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

With the FIFA World Cup approaching, we noticed dozens of new statues of soldiers in camouflage placed along both sides of the stream, each holding a large LCD screen. These acted as TV walls along the stream for people to watch matches during the World Cup.

Seoul street scene (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Walking along Cheonggyecheon, we saw parents strolling with children, young couples dipping their feet in the water while chatting on the banks, relaxed and carefree. A variety of uniquely designed bridges span the stream, complementing the towering skyscrapers on either side.

Gongdeok Cathedral, Seoul (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Today, Cheonggyecheon has become a representative stream of Seoul. Its water flows at a depth of over 30 cm, and 22 new bridges in shapes like butterflies, grasshoppers, and other local motifs have been built across it.

Photo at Gongdeok Cathedral (Photo by Wang Jue)

Green spaces along Cheonggyecheon feature murals, waterfalls, and fountains. Walking paths 1.5 to 3 meters wide line the stream. In addition, various plazas, combined with landscaping and lighting, create themed leisure spaces.

Busy shopping street (Photo by Feng Ganyong)

Clear Cheonggyecheon flows gently among high-rise buildings, transforming into a vibrant river and a resting space for citizens. At lunchtime, office workers stroll along the stream; at night, couples and families gather against the colorful nightscape, creating cherished memories. In the hot summer, people come here to cool off. Truly, Cheonggyecheon area has become a new center of downtown Seoul. (Text and photos by Feng Ganyong)