Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul
Slide Nr 1From film to food, fashion and famously catchy K-pop, South Korea is a powerhouse of cool, churning out global trends in everything from beauty products to fried chicken. We travel to the epicentre of it all – bustling capital Seoul – where local photography blogger Ken Lum Lee shows us around.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 210am: Grab An Iced Coffee And A Quiet Moment – Located in the charming Garosugil district, known for its hip shopping and dining, Le Alaska bakery and coffee shop is the perfect way to start off the morning. Enjoy the Victorian-style interiors during the quiet early hours, while trying their fresh-baked bread and famous “Alaskan Iceberg” iced Americano. [Photo: Sang-hee/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 311.30 am: Take A Stroll Through History – One of the top UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites in South Korea, Changdeokgung Palace served as a main royal residence starting in the 15th century, and is now the resting place of several members of the royal family. Be sure to check out the Secret Garden (the best time to visit will be in autumn or spring), which has been kept as natural as possible, tended to by gardeners only when necessary. [Photo: Republic of Korea/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 41.30pm: Enjoy Cheap Eats At The Market – With just 5 dollars at Dosirak Café in Tongin Market, you can get 20 tokens with which to customise your very own bento of traditional Korean food. Buy your tray and tokens, then walk around the market filling your tray with mounds of local specialties from participating stalls, then take a seat at the dining area with other curious foodies. An easy and affordable way to sample a variety of Korean food. [Photo: Republic of Korea/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 52.30pm: Take A Hike – With nakta meaning “camel” and san meaning “mountain”, Naksan Park is named for its camel-hump-shaped appearance. Its elevation (100 metres) and location in the centre of Seoul allow visitors to the historical park to take in views over the entire city and the iconic Namsan Tower. [Photo: Republic of Korea/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 63.30pm: Say “Baa-Bye” To Stress – Also known as “the sheep café”, Thanks Nature Cafe allows visitors to interact with real live cuddly sheep (only in fall, winter and spring) – an unusual but effective way to beat stress and enjoy delicious desserts all at once. Relax in the cosy sheep-themed café, and make sure to try out their fantastic lattes and famous fruit waffles.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 74.30pm: An Afternoon Of Art And Design – Designed by Zaha Hadid and opened in 2014, The Dongdaemun Design Plaza shows the futuristic side of Seoul. Part exhibition space, part convention centre, part concert hall, this monstrous metallic structure hosts everything from art exhibitions to trade shows and musical performances, while also housing spaces for use by creative industries and individuals in product design, fashion and art. The home of Seoul Fashion Week, Dongdaemun is also the central hub for Korean fashion, so you’ll find a number of shopping malls surrounding the UFO-like structure. [Photo: Wikimedia Commons]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 97pm: Slurp Some Revitalising Soup – Samgyetang, or ginseng chicken soup, is a Korean classic made with a whole chicken stuffed with rice, garlic, ginseng and jujube. Several restaurants have specialised in this beloved dish, but Tosokchon Samgyetang is one of the most famous, producing their own ingredients like 4-year matured ginseng, jujube, pine nuts and other nutritious add-ons. Former president Roh Moo-hyun’s go-to samgyetang place, there’s always a line outside – however, the restaurant is so spacious that the wait is never too long. Revitalise your body with this Korean favourite and its major medicinal benefits. [Photo: Republic of Korea/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 108pm: Hip Vibes In Hongdae – The place where trends are invented and born. A university district, Hongdae boasts an array of unique cafés, trendy stores and “in” restaurants for visitors to try out. For artsy types, the Trickeye Museum as well as numerous art installations can be found scattered across the area. A different vibe hits Hongdae as soon as the sun sets, when clubs begin to blast funky beats and the voices of talented busking musicians echo throughout the university area. [Photo: Republic of Korea/Flickr]
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 1210pm: Go Gangnam Style – The district that never sleeps, Gangnam is a popular meeting spot in the evening; it can get very crowded, but that only adds to the upbeat atmosphere. Cafés, popular restaurants, bars, clubs – you’ll never run out of things to explore here.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
Slide Nr 16Ken Lum Lee was born and raised in London. A Marketing Business major and wannabe photographer, Ken decided to leave the UK to seek all the colour and flavour the world has to offer – hence his move to Seoul and the launch of his blog, seoulstateofmind.com. He’s a coffee and oreos addict, and a lover of all things unique and weird.
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Travel
24 Hours In… Seoul.
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