Top 3 destinations for a seasoned Seoul tourist

Think you’ve explored all there is to see in Seoul? Think again.

Memorial painting at the Odusan Observatory. Image: Abby White for Cherry Chu Magazine.

There is an endless supply of museums and sites to explore in Seoul. We’ve created a list of our top three lesser-known ones for readers who have already experienced the tourist favourites.

War Memorial of Korea (WMoK)

Established in 1989 in remembrance of the lives lost during the Korean War in 1950-1953, the WMoK is an impressive building including a memorial park, Ho-guk Park, the peace plaza, and three floors of exhibits. The museum collects and preserves materials on war, and has three rooms dedicated to exhibits from the Korean War. You can also find exhibits about the ROK Armed Forces and other large military equipment. Donated tanks, cars, boats, and planes are even dotted around the exterior of the museum.

The museum is also home to two impressive monuments: the Statue of Brothers, and the Korean War Monument, which pay important remembrance to the divide created between the North and South during the Korean War.

The Statue of Brothers at the WMoK. Image: Abby White for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Visitors can experience a guided tour of the Korean War rooms one and two, where guides provide insightful facts and figures about the South’s initial unpreparedness for the invasion from the North, all in English for foreign visitors. You can also learn about the involvement of UN member countries in the Korean War in the third Korean War room, including that of The U.K.

If you have an interest in modern Korean history, this museum is a must-see destination!

Location: 29, Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, 04353 (8, Yongsan-dong 1-ga)

Website: The War Memorial Of Korea

Deoksugung Palace

Deoksugung Palace is the lesser known sibling of Gyeongbokgung palace, which is a vast collection of royal palaces dating back to the Joseon dynasty. Although Deoksugung is a smaller group of buildings, it’s equally as impressive and is home to a wealth of history. Surrounding the Deoksugung palace are other structures of historical significance including Jeonggwanheon Pavilion and Jungmyeongjeon Hall, constructed in the 1890s to receive foreign diplomats. Seokjojeon Hall is also an impressive western style building built in the early 1900s directly adjacent to Deoksugung palace.

Deoksugung Palace located in the heart of Seoul. Image: Abby White for Cherry Chu Magazine.

Similarly to the famous Gyeongbokgung, visiting in traditional Korean Hanbok makes for a perfect photo opportunity, with the added benefit of avoiding much of the crowds. Located right next to City Hall, Deoksugung Palace is a great place to explore ancient Korean history and modern Korean history at the same time.

Location: 99, Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul (서울특별시 중구 세종대로 99)

Website: Deoksugung Palace (덕수궁) : VISITKOREA

Odusan Observatory

Although Odusan Observatory is just over an hour outside of Seoul in Paju city, the chance to glimpse at North Korea in real life makes it worth the visit. The observatory houses some interesting and moving exhibits of art from North Korean defectors, including messages to family members still inside North Korea. By looking through the binoculars provided at the observatory, visitors can see a nearby North Korean village over the estuary, and also sometimes see North Korean citizens working on the fields.

The observatory provides a unique opportunity to learn about North Korea first hand, and thanks to its distance from the DMZ and Panmunjom area (Joint Security Area), visitors can avoid the long queues to get a glimpse.

Model of the proximity to North Korea at the Odusan Observatory. Image: Abby White for Cherry Chu Magazine.

If you have the means of travelling a little bit outside of Seoul, Odusan Observatory is a great place for a morning visit before the tourist crowds begin to swarm.

Location: 369 Pilseung-ro, Tanhyeon-myeon, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea

Website: Odusan Unification Observatory (오두산 통일전망대) : VISITKOREA

If you’re planning on visiting any of these sites, make sure to check which day is designated for holiday since many tourist attractions in Seoul choose to close on either Mondays or Tuesdays. For museums, entry is often free or at least discounted for students, and if you want to avoid crowds, aim to arrive just before opening.

We hope this short list provides you with new inspiration of where to visit in Seoul if you have already done a fair few before!

Edited by Gabii Rayner.