Seoul, the busy and crowded capital of South Korea, has been quieter than ever after 6 p.m. these days, following the government's nighttime curfew on eateries and cafes as a part of heightened social distancing rules amid continued COVID-19 infections.
At a time when everyone is asked to refrain from meeting people after work, four places that are ideal to enjoy the Seoul's night view alone are recommended by HotelsCombined, to help people to relieve their stress.
Seoullo 7017
| Seoullo 7017 / Courtesy of HotelsCombined |
Seoullo 7017, located near Seoul Station, used to be an overpass that has been remodeled as a park.
This overpass for vehicles used to symbolize the image of Seoul in the 1970s, but was closed due to safety concerns in the 2000s.
After being reborn after renovation as a pedestrian walkway in 2017, it currently serves as a rest area for nearby office workers and residents.
In a section of Seoullo 7017, visitors can enjoy an exhibition of various aquatic plants that are difficult to encounter every day, such as nymphoides indica.
Seoullo 7017 is a place where people can see the most beautiful nighttime view of Seoul, as it is located in the heart of downtown. It is already beautiful with its own colorful lights, but the view of the old Seoul Station and Namdaemun surrounded by large modern buildings offers an interesting juxtaposition of the history of the country.
Watching cars driving underneath Seoullo adds to the splendor of the bustling city.
Naksan Park
| Naksan Park / Courtesy of HotelsCombined |
Naksan Park is a great place to see the old city wall of the Joseon Kingdom era (1392-1910) and get a view of the city at night.
In particular, Hanyang City Wall, the trademark of Naksan Park, offers a feel for the long history of Seoul.
People can also enjoy sightseeing while walking in Naksan Park, as its roads connect to Ihwa Mural Village and Daehangno, an artistic neighborhood in Seoul.
When the sun goes down, the soft lights of the fortress and the night view of the city create a romantic landscape. Even in the middle of the busy and complex capital, Naksan Park is a place where people can feel calm and relax their minds.
National Museum of Korea
| Mirror Pond and Cheongjajeong at National Museum of Korea / Courtesy of HotelsCombined |
The National Museum of Korea is magnificent in appearance and houses more than 300,000 cultural assets.
People can see the museum free of charge except for paid special exhibitions.
In the Immersive Digital Gallery which is overwhelming in scale lets people watch content related to Korea's cultural heritage and experience virtual reality (VR), though only after booking advanced reservations.
The museum is also famous for its large forests, gardens and waterfalls, making it a great place to take a walk.
Mirror Pond, an oval pond with a maximum diameter of 120 meters, and Cheongjajeong ― a celadon pavilion that was erected in the middle of the pond in 2009 ― are more meaningful as they are built according to the principles of traditional Korean gardening.
Also, if people go up the stairs of the Open Plaza, the main entrance to the museum, they can enjoy a night view full of Seoul's lights.
There is a famous photo zone with N Seoul Tower in the background.
Seoul Botanic Park
| Seoul Botanic Park / Courtesy of HotelsCombined |
Located five minutes away from Magongnaru Station, the Seoul Botanic Park is the first botanic park in South Korea that combines botanical gardens and a park.
The Seoul Botanic Park is famous for its huge size ― 70 times the size of a normal football field.
People can see plants from 12 different countries around the world that have developed according to their own terrains and climates. In particular, the theme garden offers a chance for visitors to view diverse trends related to traditional Korean gardens.
The park is also famous for its night view. After sunset, the park's greenhouse is illuminated with 256 different LED lights, giving a rainbow-colored show.
A trail around the park's lake is also lit up at night, which makes it ideal for walks in a mysterious atmosphere.