Seoul City Tour Bus

The Seoul City Tour Bus takes you on a tour of Seoul’s culture, food, and shopping locations. Among the various tours available, the Traditional Market Course, which makes a stop at Seoul Station, is a one-day guided tour that introduces you to Seoul’s traditional markets and major tourist attractions. On this tour, you get to ride on a double-decker bus with an open roof, offering an unobstructed view of the city and all it has to offer. 

Seoul is a city saturated with tourist attractions. It was once the capital city of the 600-year Joseon Dynasty, but since then, Seoul has become a high-tech city with the fastest internet connection speed in the world. It boasts elegant department stores with a variety of luxury products as well as more humble but welcoming traditional markets. At night, the usually gray and oppressive streets become a fantastic sight to see.

The fastest and most convenient way to experience this stunning city is to take a ride on the City Tour Bus. Eliminating the need for extensive pre-trip preparations and time wasted pouring over complicated public transportation maps, the tour bus allows you to enjoy a full and satisfying day in Seoul, with the freedom to get on and off at any stop you like, and take in all the main attractions that Seoul has to offer. 

Similar to the bus tours of Hong Kong, London, or Paris, taking a ride on Seoul’s double-decker open-top bus from Seoul Station will give you a great perspective of the various aspects of Seoul. With just one ticket, you can embark a fantastic day-tour of Seoul. Foreign visitors as well as anyone wishing to rediscover Seoul will be warmly welcomed.

Main Stops of Seoul City Tour’s Traditional Market Course

:: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Dongdaemun History and Culture Park)

 In the Dongdaemun area, there is a cluster of large-scale shopping centers selling fashionable clothing, shoes, caps, and cosmetics. This is “the shopping mecca of Seoul” and the best place to buy high-quality, trendy goods at discount prices. At night, fantastic neon signs light up and travelers pour into the streets. One of the first things you should do is drop by the large shopping malls 
(Doota, Migliore, Hello, Apm, Lotte Fitin, etc.). Near these shopping malls, you can find Heunginjimun (Treasures No. 1 of Korea), the Dongdaemun History and Culture Park, and the Cheonggyecheon. 

 :: Entrance of Euljiro (Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Metropolitan City Hall)

At the entrance of Ejljiro, you can find Seoul Citizens’ Hall (the former Seoul City Hall), Deoksugung Palace, and the Seoul Museum of Art surrounding Seoul Plaza. Deoksugung is the last palace of the Joseon Dynasty, and the changing of the guard ceremony is held at 11am, 2pm, and 3:30pm every day except Monday. The Deoksugung Hall of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is holding an exhibition titled “Masterpieces of Modern Korean Painting” until March 30, 2014. This exhibition offers an excellent opportunity to appreciate the essence of modern Korean painting. If you are an art lover, you must not miss this exhibition. Also, you may like to take a stroll along Deoksugung Doldam-gil (the road along Deoksugung’s stone wall) and Jeondong-gil, which was designated as the Most Enjoyable Place to Take a Walk in Seoul, to get a good look at Korea’s modern cultural heritage.

＊Deoksugung Palace: 09:00~21:00 (closed on Monday), admission: KRW 1,000

 :: Sejong Cultural Center (Gwanghwamun, Gyeongbokgung Palace, National Museum of Korean Contemporary History)

Near the Sejong Cultural Center, you can find Gyeongbokgung Palace, the most popular royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty, and various museums and tourist attractions. Inside Gyeongbokgung Palace, visitors can enjoy looking through the displays of the National Folk Museum and the National Palace Museum of Korea. Under the nearby Gwanghwamun Plaza, there is an exhibition hall displaying the lives of King Sejong and General Yi Sun-sin. 

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History displays the nation’s history since the founding of Korea to the present, as well as a look into the future. 

The Sejong Cultural Center holds various cultural performances and exhibitions, and the Kyobo Book Center is the largest bookstore in Korea. 

* Gyeongbokgung Palace: 09:00~17:00 (winter) (closed on Tuesday), admission: KRW 3,000

  National Museum of Korean Contemporary History: 09:00~18:00 (closed on Monday), free admission

:: Seoul Station (EXIT No. 6, Sungnyemun)

Seoul Station incorporates both old and new architecture in one place, showing us the modern and contemporary history of Seoul at a glance. Trains traveling to destinations throughout the country depart from Seoul Station. There are also trains departing and arriving from Incheon International Airport via the Airport Railroad Line. Seoul Station is a hub of public transportation where Subway Lines No. 1, No. 4, the Gyeongui Line, and the Airport Railroad Line all meet. The old Seoul Station building is a renaissance style building that was built in 1925. 

It has recently been renovated and renamed as Culture Station Seoul 284 and holds several exhibitions. Also, the Lotte Outlet and Lotte Mart adjacent to the new building are popular shopping destinations for foreigners.

:: Namdaemun Market (Bank of Korea’s Currency Museum)

Namdaemun Market is the most representative traditional Korean market. There are over 10,000 stores, inside 58 buildings, selling clothing, food, souvenirs, local products, home appliances, and various imported goods.

You will lose track of time as you walk along the labyrinth of roads in the market. If you get hungry, you can eat at one of the many famous restaurants located in every corner of the market. Also, the Bank of Korea’s Currency Museum is located near the market.

:: Myeongdong

Myeongdong, packed with countless shops, is an incredibly popular spot that is frequently visited by foreign tourists. Many people, from couples to foreign tourists, gather here throughout the year. Most stores here sell trendy clothing and cosmetics. Some attractions include Myeongdong Cathedral and the Myeongdong Art Theater, as well as movie theaters, shopping centers, and restaurants. You can try a variety of snacks on the street while checking out the various products put on display and sold by the many street vendors.

:: Insadong (Unhyeongung, Tapgol Park)

Insadong is Korea’s most popular traditional street. Here, lining the various small alleys, you can find traditional tea shops, Korean restaurants, galleries, antique shops, and souvenir shops, showing the flavor and luxury of Seoul throughout its 600 years of history. Among these small alleys, Ssamji-gil is the most popular in Insadong. On Ssamji-gil, there are about 70 craftworks and cultural shops. On the weekends, various performances are held on the street. Also, from 10am to 10pm, vehicles are prohibited from entering the streets of Insadong. Also located in the neighborhood are Unhyeongung Palace and Jogyesa Temple. 

:: Gwangjang Market

Gwangjang Market is Korea's first permanent market. Along the small roads within the market, there is a wide variety of shops selling food, traditional Korean clothing, fruit and vegetables, and Korean handicrafts. In particular, Meokjagolmok (food alley) attracts many visitors, offering a variety of Korean flavors in one place. You really shouldn’t miss the opportunity to try some Bindaetteok, Makgolli, Tteokbokgi, Sundae, Bibimbab, Koma Gimbab, and various noodles in Gwangjang Market. If you go there to satisfy your hungry, you will not regret it. 

:: Dongmyo, Dokkaebi Market, Seoul Pungmul Market

In Seoul Pungmul Market, you can watch performances of traditional Korean folk music (Pungmul) and pick up some unique locally-made goods and traditional and modern craftworks. On the weekends, flea markets set up in front of Dongmyo and sell antique and second-hand goods. If you are interested in experiencing Korean flea markets, this is the place to go.

* Tip 

  

Departure: Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Dongdaemun History and Culture Park) or any other stop

Departure time: First bus leaves at 9:30am / last bus leaves at 5:10pm (winter), 6:05pm (summer) / Buses depart in 40 minute intervals (every day throughout the year, even on holidays)

How to use: Purchase a one-day ticket. You can freely get on and off at the departure point and any other stop.

Bus fare: Adults: KRW 15,000, Children: KRW 10,000 (You can purchase tickets at designated ticket stations, or when you board the bus (with cash, credit card, or T-Money)

Audio information service is available in Korean, English, Chinese, and Japanese.

For more information, please contact Seoul Tour Bus Travel Co. at 1544-4239.

* The tours currently available are: the Downtown Palace Course, Seoul Panorama Course, Night Course, Traditional Market Course, Gangnam Circulation Course, and the Traditional Market Course. The open-top, double-decker bus only runs on the Traditional Market Course.

<Written and photos by Park Eun-ha>