3 Best Sights in Seoul, South Korea

You may know the White House, but do you know the Blue House? Officially known as Cheong Wa Dae, meaning “pavilion of blue tiles,” this striking former residence of the president in the Jongno-gu district was built on the site of a royal garden, dating from 1104. It’s beautifully backdropped by Bugaksan, one of the city’s most popular hiking mountains, the top of which makes for an excellent vantage point to observe Cheong Wa Dae, Gyeongbokgung Palace, and the entire city beyond. Free history tours are offered year-round in Korean only, but there’s an English audio option—be sure to book at least three weeks ahead of time.

The dome-topped National Assembly Building is the home to the legislative branch of the Republic of Korea’s government. Tours of the capitol, including the Plenary Chamber and Memorial Hall, are offered six days a week and must be scheduled three days in advance. For a last-minute visit, stick to the charming grounds filled with evocative statues depicting various moments in Korean history.

The ultimate combination of old and new, Seoul City Hall is made up of two buildings: the original City Hall built in 1926 and the annex added in 2012. The original City Hall building is now used as a library and is officially referred to as the Seoul Metropolitan Library while most administrative duties are conducted in the stunning annex. Not your average city hall, the eco-friendly annex has wavelike architecture and one of the tallest vertical gardens in the world, the Green Wall, that make it well worth a visit. The plaza outside City Hall often holds events and free performances. On the lower floor is Citizens Hall, a community gathering place with art exhibitions.