₩1,000Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Heolleung and Illeung Royal Tombs
헌릉과 인릉(헌인릉)
Historic site · Seocho-gu
The tombs of King Taejong and King Sunjo. An ecological forest trail away from the city centre, lovely for walking to birdsong.
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Source: royaltombs.cha.go.kr
Nearby in Seocho-gu
Korea Bonsai Museum
FreeMuseum · 내곡동
Guryongsan Urban Nature Park
FreeMountain & trail · 내곡동
Guryongsan shares a single ridge with Daemosan and straddles the boundary of Seocho-gu and Gangnam-gu; since 1971 the two have been designated and managed as Daemosan Urban Nature Park. At 306 m, it is neither high nor rugged, so
Audium
FreeMuseum · Cheonggyesan Ipgu Stn. (Sinbundang Line)
The world's first audio museum, from Edison's phonograph to 20th-century vintage audio, seen on a 90-minute docent tour that includes actual listening sessions. The building was designed by Kengo Kuma. Free, but all seats must be booked in advance and competition is fierce.
Inneungsan Urban Nature Park
FreeMountain & trail · Cheonggyesan Ipgu Stn. (Sinbundang Line)
The mountain is named for Inreung, the tomb of King Sunjo lying to the north, of which it is recorded as the ancestral mountain. Stretching east to west across Seocho-gu in Seoul and Seongnam in Gyeonggi-do, it rises 327 m and remains much as nature made it
Seocho-gu Naegok Library
FreeLibrary · Cheonggyesan Ipgu Stn. (Sinbundang Line)
Public library in Seocho-gu. Free entry and reading, fully heated and air-conditioned.
Eonnam Culture and Sports Center
₩6,000Sports facility · Yangjae Citizen's Forest Stn. (Sinbundang Line)
Public indoor pool in Seocho-gu with a six-lane adult pool and a children's pool. Open swim costs 6,000 won per session. Open-swim time slots change monthly, so check before you go.
Other historic sites in Seoul
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Gyeongbokgung Stn. (Line 3) Exit 5
Joseon's foremost royal palace. Free on the last Wednesday of the month or in hanbok. The changing of the guard ceremony (10:00 and 14:00) is always free.
Changdeokgung Palace
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Anguk Stn. (Line 3) Exit 3
A UNESCO World Heritage site famed for autumn foliage. Free entry applies to the main palace only; the Secret Garden requires a separate booking.
Changgyeonggung Palace
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Hyehwa Stn. (Line 4) Exit 4
A palace with a Grand Greenhouse and the Chundangji pond. Linked internally to Changdeokgung, and beautifully lit during night openings.
Deoksugung Palace
Free if eligibleJung-gu · City Hall Stn. (Lines 1, 2) Exit 2
A downtown palace where Seokjojeon sits alongside traditional halls. Open until 9pm, it's popular for evening strolls and the stone wall road; the changing of the guard is free.
Jongmyo Shrine
Free if eligibleJongno-gu · Jongno 3-ga Stn. (Lines 1, 3, 5) Exit 11
A World Heritage shrine housing the spirit tablets of Joseon kings and queens, with a meditative path through dense woods. Self-guided visits on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays are the most relaxed.