Things To Do at Namsan Tower
In my previous post, I have shared my experience on visiting Changdeokgung Palace. I have also mentioned that I visited few popular tourist attractions in Seoul as a first timer to the city. This time, I am going to share another popular spot I have visited, the N Seoul Tower or the Namsan Tower. This Seoul landmark is not only popular among tourists, it is popular among the locals as well.
There are quite a number of activities you can do at Namsan Tower and here are the list of activities we did when we were there.
There are quite a number of activities you can do at Namsan Tower and here are the list of activities we did when we were there.
1. Love Lock
Namsan Tower is one of the locations in the world for couple to lock their love. The couples can lock their love padlock to the fences or trees of love lock at the Roof Terrace of the Namsan Tower. Don't worry, there are stores selling love padlock at Namsan Tower if you didn't bring one there.
There is a couple among my friends and coincidentally, their anniversary was around the time when we travelled. So, putting love lock at Namsan Tower has become more meaningful to them. To the guys out there, even though putting love lock has become a widely known romantic gesture to most people out there, it is still always sweet to do this with your loved one. Namsan Tower is definitely one of the best places for couple to visit!
Namsan Tower is one of the locations in the world for couple to lock their love. The couples can lock their love padlock to the fences or trees of love lock at the Roof Terrace of the Namsan Tower. Don't worry, there are stores selling love padlock at Namsan Tower if you didn't bring one there.
There is a couple among my friends and coincidentally, their anniversary was around the time when we travelled. So, putting love lock at Namsan Tower has become more meaningful to them. To the guys out there, even though putting love lock has become a widely known romantic gesture to most people out there, it is still always sweet to do this with your loved one. Namsan Tower is definitely one of the best places for couple to visit!
2. Visit Teddy Bear Museum
Other than the one at Jeju Island, there was another Teddy Bear Museum at Namsan Tower too. Unfortunately, the museum has already closed. The teddy bears were pretty cute. However, I felt that the overall experience was alright. It was not that memorable to me. Perhaps, that is also because I am not a fan of stuffed animals.
Other than the one at Jeju Island, there was another Teddy Bear Museum at Namsan Tower too. Unfortunately, the museum has already closed. The teddy bears were pretty cute. However, I felt that the overall experience was alright. It was not that memorable to me. Perhaps, that is also because I am not a fan of stuffed animals.
3. Watch Sunset
This is my favorite among all the activities we did at Namsan Tower! We actually watched the sunset at Roof Terrace too. Yes, you are right, it is the same area as the one where couples lock their love. Not only us, a lot of people were gathering in the same area, holding their camera or phone to capture the beauty of the sunset from Namsan Tower. How beautiful the scenery was!
This is my favorite among all the activities we did at Namsan Tower! We actually watched the sunset at Roof Terrace too. Yes, you are right, it is the same area as the one where couples lock their love. Not only us, a lot of people were gathering in the same area, holding their camera or phone to capture the beauty of the sunset from Namsan Tower. How beautiful the scenery was!
This was the sunset view taken by me from the Namsan Tower
4. Visit Observatory
After watching the sunset, we went to the highest level of the tower for its observatory to admire the night view of Seoul. The view is beautiful because of the lights that spread across the city. However, it is really difficult to take a nice photo inside an observatory during the night time due to the lighting and the reflection from the observatory glass. I had taken countless shots and the one I shared here is the best I could get. I found that this is a common problem regardless of which observatory you are at. If you have been to observatories around the world, I personally think it is fine if you skip this one. I guess watching Seoul’s night view from the Roof Terrace is better.
After watching the sunset, we went to the highest level of the tower for its observatory to admire the night view of Seoul. The view is beautiful because of the lights that spread across the city. However, it is really difficult to take a nice photo inside an observatory during the night time due to the lighting and the reflection from the observatory glass. I had taken countless shots and the one I shared here is the best I could get. I found that this is a common problem regardless of which observatory you are at. If you have been to observatories around the world, I personally think it is fine if you skip this one. I guess watching Seoul’s night view from the Roof Terrace is better.
Seoul’s night view from Namsan Tower’s observatory
5. Take cable car
There are few transport alternatives to visit Namsan Tower. One of the alternatives is to take cable car from the Myeongdong area. We visited Namsan Tower by taking public bus and we opted to take cable car when we left because we wanted to experience something different and we wanted to visit Myeongdong after that. Besides that, we were supposed to be able to enjoy the night view from the cable car. Unfortunately, it was raining when we took the cable car so the view was not clear. That was quite a pity…
Myeongdong shopping district is within walkable distance from the Namsan cable car station. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes. We ended our visit to Namsan Tower by walking towards Myeongdong for a short window shopping and Korean BBQ dinner. BBQ dinner really suited well on a cold rainy day~
There are few transport alternatives to visit Namsan Tower. One of the alternatives is to take cable car from the Myeongdong area. We visited Namsan Tower by taking public bus and we opted to take cable car when we left because we wanted to experience something different and we wanted to visit Myeongdong after that. Besides that, we were supposed to be able to enjoy the night view from the cable car. Unfortunately, it was raining when we took the cable car so the view was not clear. That was quite a pity…
Myeongdong shopping district is within walkable distance from the Namsan cable car station. It takes around 15 to 20 minutes. We ended our visit to Namsan Tower by walking towards Myeongdong for a short window shopping and Korean BBQ dinner. BBQ dinner really suited well on a cold rainy day~
Though it was raining after we left the observatory, the day still ended well and we very much enjoyed the visit to Namsan Tower. It is a place where I will want to visit again next time. It is no wonder this place is so popular among the locals and the tourists.
If you are visiting Seoul, I would recommend you to plan Myeongdong and Namsan Tower on the same day. You can walk around Myeongdong before you visit Namsan Tower in the late afternoon to catch the sunset. Otherwise, there are also other activities you can do at Namsan Tower such as visiting Alive Museum or just simply having a meal there. If you opted for the latter, I would encourage you to reach Namsan Tower after lunch time so that you have sufficient time for the museum, the sunset and the observatory.
Lastly, just enjoy yourselves when you are there!
If you are visiting Seoul, I would recommend you to plan Myeongdong and Namsan Tower on the same day. You can walk around Myeongdong before you visit Namsan Tower in the late afternoon to catch the sunset. Otherwise, there are also other activities you can do at Namsan Tower such as visiting Alive Museum or just simply having a meal there. If you opted for the latter, I would encourage you to reach Namsan Tower after lunch time so that you have sufficient time for the museum, the sunset and the observatory.
Lastly, just enjoy yourselves when you are there!
Writer: Sherly