Captivating Seoul
- G. Rhodes
- 11 minutes ago
- 6 min read
My Asiana Airlines Airbus A380 flight from New York landed on a Tuesday afternoon at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN), located about 30 miles west of the city center. The airport is a major hub for international travel in Northeast Asia, serving over 150 worldwide destinations. Known for its excellent services and amenities, it consistently ranks among the best in the world and is a major improvement over Gimpo, the city’s prior international hub, which now handles primarily domestic and regional international flights. Incheon is known for its cleanliness, efficiency, and extensive range of amenities, including duty-free shopping, dining options, and cultural experiences, such as the Museum of Korean Culture and the Traditional Culture Experience Zone. It seems they thought of everything as the airport features amenities like nap zones, showers and internet-dedicated areas, all of which cater to the needs of travelers. It’s no wonder they’ve won numerous awards for excellence and commitment to high standards of service, including being named the “Best Airport Worldwide” by the Airports Council International, the trade association of global airports.
Korean Customs and Immigration formalities were simple and fast. And since I normally traveled with a carry-on bag, I was in a taxi and on my way to the Grand Hyatt Hotel in short order. Traffic was heavy during the afternoon rush-hour and, while the hotel was located only about 20 miles from the airport, it took us well over an hour and a half to make the journey. It was well worth it though. This 5-star luxury hotel offered stunning city views. I had reserved a King Room and at check in, it was my good fortune to be granted Club access as well. My room had a mountain view with floor-to-ceiling windows and blackout drapes as well as a 55” flat-screen TV, individual climate controls and complementary Wi-FI. The room featured a modern design with golden-dark furnishings. The bath was equipped with a lovely rain shower and luxury toiletries by La Bottega. The Grand Club Lounge, on the 15th floor offered a luxurious experience with amenities like complimentary breakfast, snacks and evening cocktails with canapés and small plates. This lounge had excellent food offerings, including a breakfast spread with both Korean and Western dishes, and a substantial evening cocktail hour that could actually replace dinner. The Grand Hyatt was an excellent place for me to call home while in Seoul. It boasted a range of amenities including multiple dining options, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, and a fitness center, including the city's largest 24-hour fitness complex called Club Olympus.
Seoul was a fantastic destination that came with a wide range of experiences. I always tried to see some of the sights in between business appointments in most cities I visited before heading home and this time was no exception. The city offered a diverse range of attractions, from historical sites to modern landmarks and vibrant shopping districts. My first stop was the hard to pronounce Gyeongbokgung Palace, the first and largest of the city’s five grand palaces. It functioned as the main royal palace for the Joseon Dynasty, serving as the seat of government and residence for the royal family. While the dynasty existed as a monarchy in Korea until the end of the Japanese occupation, it was abolished after the establishment of the republic. Built in 1395, I found the palace to be a stunning example of traditional Korean architecture with intricate designs and beautiful gardens. The palace was destroyed by fire during the Imjin War in 1592, but was later restored in the 19th century. I took advantage of the free English guided tour and witnessed the daily reenactment of the changing of the Royal Guards. The palace also contains beautifully maintained gardens and remains a significant city monument.
The Hyatt concierge recommended I make a twilight visit to the North Seoul Tower, also known as Namsan Tower. It’s is a prominent landmark offering panoramic views of the city. Serving as both a communications and an observation tower, it offers visitors various options, including observation decks, cafés, and restaurants. Originally constructed in 1969 as South Korea’s first general radio wave tower, it opened to the public in 1980 and has since evolved into a major tourist attraction. The Namsan Tower is nearly 775 feet tall and has been featured in many Korean dramas and reality shows. I took the three-minute cable car from Myeong-dong Station and enjoyed a scenic ride up to the tower at the summit of Namsan Mountain. Next came a quick, 58-second elevator ride to the Main Observation Deck where I enjoyed an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the sprawling cityscape that’s home to over 9 million people. I knew then why the concierge had recommended I visit at dusk, as the lights appeared to be twinkling as darkness descended. The tower’s Digital Observatory featured interactive touch screens that provided information about the landmarks below. This modern addition enhanced the experience for me by offering educational content with augmented reality features and I was pleased to learn the screens were available in multiple languages, including English. Of special mention is the “Locks of Love” area. Here, couples can purchase padlocks, write their names or messages on them, and attach these messages to the fences surrounding the tower. This tradition has come to symbolize eternal love in Seoul and has become a must-do activity for couples and families visiting the tower.
One afternoon I visited the Myeong-dong Shopping Street, known for its vibrant mix of fashion, beauty products and street foods, making it a bustling hub for tourists and locals alike. It's not just a shopping destination I soon realized, but a place to experience Seoul's modern culture through a dynamic atmosphere and diverse offerings. What drew me to the area was the multitude of Korean street food vendors. The area is renowned for its diverse array of street food, including Fish Cakes and Spicy Fried Chicken, as well as more traditional Korean offerings. One of these I enjoyed was Tteokbakki, a popular street food dish consisting of Chewy Rice Cakes simmered in a Spicy, Sweet and Savory Sauce. It’s basically a comfort food, which I loved for its simple combination of flavors. A second was Bulgogi, a favorite Korean barbecue dish of Sliced Beef marinated in a Sweet and Savory Sauce, then Grilled or Stir-fried. A good sampling of the Myeongdong street fare ended up as dinner for me that evening. For those who might prefer other cuisines, the shopping street also featured any number of Western and Japanese restaurants, making it a great place to grab a meal.
I also had an opportunity to explore the National Museum of Korea, which houses a vast collection of the nation’s art, culture and history spanning over 5,000 years. It's the largest and most popular museum in the country, with over 420,000 artifacts, including national treasures and internationally recognized artworks. I found the museum's exhibitions to be very well organized. Thankfully, they included detailed English explanations, which made them accessible to a wide swath of international visitors. One of the most fascinating exhibits to view was the Ten-Story Pagoda dating from 1348. It’s a significant piece of Korean Buddhist art, which is considered to be a fine example of stone work and a valuable national treasure. The museum was laid out with thematic exhibitions on Korean history, art and culture, we well as specific displays on other world civilizations. One bonus was the museum grounds, which feature a park-like atmosphere wherein I later took a moment to relax and enjoy the surroundings in relative peace and quiet.
It was easy to experience Korean hospitality here as I encountered so many friendly and welcoming locals. Although my visit was a brief one, it was long enough to get a taste for the country's rich history and vibrant culture. I hope to make a return journey sometime in the future.
Until next time...safe travels.
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