1. Bukchon Hanok Village
This traditional Hanok village in the center of Seoul is one of the most famous photo motives to capture traditional architecture.
Bukchon Hanok Village
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Bukchon Hanok Village is the perfect place to view traditional Korean architecture in the center of Seoul. The village is located in the Jongno district and has lots of cute cafes, restaurants, and souvenir shops.
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2. Namsan Baekbeom Square
Namsan Baekbeom Square is a special photo location. Here, you can capture Namsan tower and the Seoul city wall at the same time!
Namsan Baekbeom Square
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Namsan Baekbeom Square, also known as Baekbeom Square Park, is a public space located on Namsan Mountain in the Jung District of Seoul.
The square is named after the pseudonym of Kim Gu (Baekbeom), a key figure in Korea's independence movement. A statue of Kim Gu was erected in 1969 to honor his contributions to Korean history and his role as an educator and politician.
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3. Naksan Park
Naksan Park is another popular place for photographers, to capture the Seoul city wall. Tip: The park is especially beautiful during the sunset!
Naksan Park
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Naksan Park is a hidden gem located right next to Dongdaemun.
The park is also a historical site, with a portion of the old Seoul City Wall running through it, which you can follow all the way to Dongdaemun. It's a bit of a hike uphill to get there, but the panoramic views from the top are totally worth it.
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4. Dalmaji Park
Dalmaji Park is a lesser-known location but offers stunning panoramic views of the city and beautiful night views of the Han River, stretching from Ttukseom Island to Hannam Bridge.
Dalmaji Park
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Dalmaji Park is situated on a rocky hill overlooking the Hangang River, offering visitors stunning views of the surrounding area.
The park's name, "Dalmaji," which means "Welcoming the Moon," comes from an old tradition where people would gather here on the 15th day of the first lunar month to greet the moon and make wishes.
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5. Dongdaemun Design Plaza
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is known for its stunning futuristic architecture. Additionally, its interesting lighting makes it ideal for photos at any time of day.
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
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Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) is a prominent cultural and design hub in Seoul, South Korea, known for its striking neofuturistic architecture designed by Zaha Hadid.
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6. Starfield COEX Mall
The Starfield library inside the COEX Mall in Gangnam is probably one of the most photographed places in Seoul. The towering, floor-to-ceiling bookshelves create a visually impressive backdrop, perfect for wide shots and close-ups alike.
Starfield Coex Mall
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Starfield COEX Mall, located in the Gangnam District of Seoul, is one of the largest underground shopping malls in Asia.
It is part of the larger COEX complex, which includes the COEX Convention & Exhibition Center. The mall features a wide range of facilities including over 260 stores, a large cinema complex called Megabox, the COEX Aquarium, and the famous Starfield Library, which houses over 50,000 books and is a popular spot for both tourists and locals.
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7. Namsan Mountain
From Namsan mountain, you can see stunning panoramic views of the city. Additionally, the iconic Namsan Seoul Tower that stands at the peak of the mountain, offers a stunning focal point for both day and night photography.
Namsan
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Namsan is a very easy hike and you probably won't even need hiking gear to get to the top. But the views of the city are still absolutely breathtaking.
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8. Changgyeonggung
Changgyeonggung is not as well known as the other bigger palaces in Seoul, and thus, it is less crowded. This makes the palace especially appealing for shooting unique photos.
Changgyeonggung Palace
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Changgyeonggung (창경궁) is lesser known (and thus less crowded) than the bigger palaces, such as Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung, but still totally worth a visit.
Originally constructed in 1104 as a summer palace known as Sunganggung, it was later expanded and renamed Changgyeonggung in 1483 by King Seongjong to accommodate his family members, including his grandmother and mother. During the Japanese occupation, the palace was converted into a park and zoo and reconstructed in the 1980s.
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9. Bongeunsa Temple
Bongeunsa Temple a must-visit if you want to capture the mix of traditional and modern elements in the city. The traditional temple is located near the COEX Mall and skyscrapers, making for interesting photo compositions.
Bongeunsa Temple
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My personal favorite temple in Seoul, Bongeunsa Temple, is located in Gangnam.
It is a Buddhist temple that was founded in 794 during the reign of King Wonseong of the Silla Kingdom.
One of the temple's most well-known features is the towering statue of Maitreya Buddha, standing 23 meters (approximately 75 feet) tall.
This is also a popular photo spot in Seoul that lets you capture the combination of tradition and modernity in the city, with the Gangnam skyscrapers acting as a backdrop to the temple.
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10. Heunginjimun Gate
Heunginjimun (Dongdaemun Gate) is the former eastern gate of the Seoul city wall – A historical landmark right in the center of the city, surrounded by modern buildings, and busy streets. The gate is a unique photo spot during the day but also beautiful at night when it is beautifully lit.
Heunginjimun Gate (Dongdaemun)
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Heunginjimun Gate was originally built in 1396 during the reign of King Taejo. It served as the eastern gate of the Fortress Wall of Seoul, designed to protect the city and its essential government facilities.
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11. Cheonggyecheon Stream
This restored stream runs through the heart of Seoul. The stream offers a peaceful, scenic retreat in the center of the city. It's one of my favorite spots to capture the contrast between nature and urban life.
Cheonggyecheon Stream
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In the hotter months, you will see locals gathered around the stream dipping their feet in the water to cool down from the hot weather. During the winter, Cheonggyecheon Stream is part of the annual Seoul Lantern Festival, where the area is illuminated with colorful lanterns.
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12. Eunpyeong Hanok Village
Eunpyeong Hanok Village is most famous for its traditional architecture with the impressive backdrop of Bukhansan Mountain. The cafe "Irin Iljan" offers panoramic views of this traditional village in the north of Seoul.
Eunpyeong Hanok Village
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This Hanok village might be slightly more “off the beaten path,” but coming here is so worth it! The (relatively) newly built Hanok village is absolutely scenic, with Bukhansan as its backdrop.
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Irin Iljan | 1인1잔
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This cafe has been going viral on Social Media for its beautiful view of Eunpyeong Hanok Village. Besides the stunning view, the cafe offers a variety of coffee and other drinks, traditional Korean desserts, cake, and even some lunch options, such as pasta dishes.
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13. Olympic Park
Olympic Park is popular among photographers in Seoul for multiple reasons. First, the park is famous for its seasonal changes, with cherry blossoms in spring, lush greenery in summer, vibrant autumn foliage, and snowy scenes in winter. Additionally, located within the park, is a "wild flower garden" that features seasonal flowers, such as cosmos in the fall, and red poppies during summer.
Olympic Park
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This park is a legacy of the 1988 Seoul Olympics. You can stroll along paths lined with towering trees, including a stunning 2.7km ginkgo tree road that becomes a golden tunnel in autumn.
It's a photographer's paradise, with beautiful photo-taking spots scattered around.
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14. Banpo Bridge
Banpo Bridge might be the most photographed bridge in Seoul. It is famous for its colorful light show that you can see from April through October.
Banpo Bridge
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One of the highlights of Han River at night is Banpo Bridge. The Banpo Bridge crosses the Han River, connecting the Seocho and Yongsan districts. It's famous for its Moonlight Rainbow Fountain, the world's longest bridge fountain. Installed in 2009, it boasts nearly 10,000 LED nozzles running along both sides, extending 1,140m and shooting out 190 tons of water per minute.
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15. Namsangol Hanok Village
Namsangol Hanok Village
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This is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful parks in Seoul! You get to see a historic Hanok village, views of Namsan Tower, stunning nature, and this place even has a Hanok cafe!
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