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| The palaces and temples are beautiful, although tinged with a sadness. While touring Gyongbokgung Palace, a single roof shingled with blue tiles will stand out from the black tiles surrounding. You’ll be told that they all once were blue, but the Japanese grew jealous of the craftsmanship of Korean workers, so they invaded and kidnapped all the best artisans (for the second time in the country’s history). With them went the secrets of the trade, and blue disappeared from the roofs of the country. There are many stories like this.
When visiting the temples, balance a stone upon the other small rocks in certain courtyards, and make a wish or prayer as the locals do (but don’t knock any over). Observe the near-blinding colors of the dragons and fish and deer-fish and walls and pagodas.
If you want some fresh air, Seoul is remarkably green. In the center of town is Mt. Namsan, a huge hill that doubles as one of the largest city parks in the world. At its top is Seoul Tower, tallest tower in the world (if you allow for an assist from the mountain).
There is a folk village which is, in all honesty, more of a tourist trap than a true attraction. Still, the traditional games are fun, and if you’re lucky enough to catch a Korean wedding then it’s worth it (yes, people get married here – the same way some people get married in Colonial Williamsburg).
While you’re in Seoul, you must try one of their famous massage/spa treatments. These come in many varieties, usually involving an insanely hot sauna. The hot rock massages are also popular, with mud wraps and deep scrubs a part of most packages. You can even have strategically-placed suction cups get all the gunk out of your skin while activating pressure points, much like acupuncture (yes, that’s available too). |
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