Songdoc

I’ll be going to Seoul in five days—mostly for business. Here are my questions:

I’ll be staying in the Aloft Hotel (131 Chungdam-dong Gangnam-gu) in the Gangnan district and I’d like to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Bukhansan National Park.

1) Can I easily get to these places on my own? If so, should I take a taxi – or buses/trains? (Bear in mind that I will likely be hideously jet lagged when I arrive.)

2) Would it best to take guided tours of the palaces – to understand what I’m seeing—or are there English recorded audio guides and/or signage?

My concern about a guided tour is that I’m a bit of a photography nut and will want to be taking LOTS of photos.

And one more question: At the end of my trip I'll have a day or two off before I leave. I was looking at day tours that go to Seoraksan National Park. I love scenery and natural beauty, but it seems this will entail at least a three hour drive each way. Is that my best option to see beautiful scenery unique to South Korea?

Thanks so much for any info you can share.

PS. I'm about to begin a very long travel day from the UK to Nashville, so probably won't get to respond for a day or two.

kja

"I’d like to visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Bukhansan National Park. ... Can I easily get to these places on my own? If so, should I take a taxi – or buses/trains? (Bear in mind that I will likely be hideously jet lagged when I arrive.)"

Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace should be easy to reach by public transportation. And taking public transportation in Seoul is, IMO, not only extraordinarily easy, but also a fascinating experience -- easily part of the joy of experiencing another culture, IMO.

As for Bukhansan National Park, I would think it depends on what you want to do there, and so where you want to enter....

And as for jet lag, well, it seriously messes with the formation of memories. So whatever you do while jet lagged, don't expect to remember much. Plan accordingly.

"Would it best to take guided tours of the palaces"

I was glad I took advantage of the free English-language guided tours of these palaces -- even though I read multiple guidebooks before doing so. I don't remember extensive English signage, but then I wasn't looking for it.

"My concern about a guided tour is that I’m a bit of a photography nut and will want to be taking LOTS of photos"

Then go back around after the tours end. ;-) That won't be an option at Changdeokgung's Secret Garden -- but then, IIRC, going without a tour is not an option there.

"At the end of my trip I'll have a day or two off before I leave. I was looking at day tours that go to Seoraksan National Park. I love scenery and natural beauty, .... Is that my best option to see beautiful scenery unique to South Korea?"

Maybe, maybe not. I didn't think so, and I think you have other options. JMO. You know how to find my trip report.

Songdoc

Thank you so much. That's great info. I love the idea of going to the palaces on my own, joining an English speaking tour, then staying longer on my own for photos. It sounds like there's no need to do it as part of a full-day guided tour.

I'll re-read your report when my brain arrives. ;-)

Thanks, again!

shelemm

Adjoining Gyeongbokgung is a National Folk Art Museum with outdoor exhibits featuring village buildings brought to the site from throughout Korea. Folk art is very serious and still practiced in Korea. This is a great place to visit, and you will be there anyway.

There are also great photo opportunities in Gwangjang Market, which is the large old central market. It is a rabbit's warren of traditional Korean items and food.

It is easy enough to get to Bukhansan by metro. You will have a long walk just to get to the trails once you get out of the metro, but it's probably the best way to go. Expect the whole experience to take a full day if you are going on a hike. Get out very early.

Korea is a very mountainous peninsula with enough spectacular coastline and islands to keep you busy for months if not years, so there is no shortage of places to go for nature photography.

kja

When I was there in 2014, I didn't see outdoor exhibits featuring village buildings at the National Folk Art Museum within Gyeongbokgung's walls. Maybe things have changed? I visited a wonderful outdoor museum called the Korean Folk Village outside of Seoul where there were buildings from all over South Korea, and displays of various traditional folk performances. One can get there by public transportation and it makes a nice day trip IMO. The National Folk Art Museum has an extensive collection of artifacts; I was glad to visit with an English-speaking guide (best to reserve in advance to make sure one is there), as she was able to explain a great deal that I would not have known based solely on my advance reading and the available English signage.

Songdoc

kja: you didn't write a trip report--you wrote a guidebook! And I'd say it's an exceptional one. Thank you!

My time will be so limited. I'm reading through a guidebook (as well as kja's report) and narrowing things down.

kja

<blushing> ... I'm glad you are finding some useful information in my report.

Please feel free to post questions on this thread (when you want general input) OR on that one (when your question is triggered by something I wrote, as it might be helpful to future travelers).

I think you will find your time in South Korea very interesting and trust that you will also find it rewarding.

Hoai

Do you recommend visiting Gyeongbokung and/or changdeokgung at night or during the day?