From museums to Seoul's night skyline

The National Museum of Korea, in Yongsan, Seoul, is the country's flagship museum and one of the largest in Asia, housing more than 400,000 artifacts that trace Korean history and art from prehistory to the modern era. Highlights include the ten-story Gyeongcheonsa Pagoda, gilt-bronze Buddhist statues, Goryeo celadon ceramics, and Joseon Dynasty paintings and calligraphy. The museum also features a reflecting pool, extensive gardens, and views of N Seoul Tower from the Mirror Pond, and general admission to the permanent exhibitions is free.

The War Memorial of Korea is a large national museum that presents the military history of Korea, including the Korean War. Visitors can explore indoor exhibitions and outdoor displays of military equipment.

N Seoul Tower is a 236.7-metre communications and observation tower atop Namsan Mountain in central Seoul, opened to the public in 1980 and long a symbol of the city. Visitors ride a cable car or hike up Namsan Park before taking an elevator to the observation deck for panoramic views of Seoul, and the surrounding railings are famous for thousands of padlocks left by couples as a symbol of lasting love. The tower also has restaurants, a gift shop, and colorful nightly LED lighting displays visible across the city.

Myeong-dong Cathedral is the oldest Gothic-style Catholic cathedral in Korea and the seat of the Archdiocese of Seoul, completed in 1898 in the heart of the Myeongdong shopping district. Built with red and grey brick imported largely from China, its soaring spire and vaulted interior have made it a symbol of both Catholic faith and, historically, of pro-democracy movements in Korea. The cathedral grounds also hold a small museum and the tomb of Korea's first bishop, and the site remains an active parish welcoming visitors between services.