3 Best Sights in Seoul, South Korea

Only a short subway ride from central Seoul, Bukhansan is both the tallest and most beautiful of the city's many easily accessible mountains. The mountain and the surrounding 30-square-mile Bukhansan National Park is an ecological island in the city. In addition to fresh air, views of the city, and more than 1,300 species of plants and animals, Bukhansan is home to numerous historical and cultural sights. Of note are the Bukhansanseong Fortress and more than 100 temples scattered throughout the area. Hikers looking for solitude, however, are in for a disappointment. It is full of other hikers year-round and is listed in Guinness Book of World Records as the "Most Visited National Park per Unit Area."

Just northwest of downtown Seoul, Inwangsan mountain rises just 338 meters (1,109 feet) making it an easy place to hike if you want stellar views of Seoul and its ancient fortress wall. A moderate 1.1-mile out-and-back trail takes you along city wall, past rock formations, and to views of the city. It takes about 45 minutes to complete, but note there are some challenging sections.

Seoul's largest park once anchored the southern end of the city. As Seoul grew southward, however, it soon became the city's most central park. Encompassing Namsan mountain and the surrounding area, Namsan Park is crisscrossed with rubberized walking trails and full of trees, wildflowers, and—in the warmer months—swarms of pedestrians. Still, it is worth a visit to see some of the greenery and sites such as the old Fortress Wall, the botanical gardens, and the Seoul Science Center. The highlight is definitely N Seoul Tower, a needle-like tower with excellent night views of the entire city.