Seoulistic

If you’re a tourist, you’ll probably want a few pictures of Seoul to take back with you. But some people are better than others when it comes to photography skills. As luck has it, there’s a few spots in Seoul where you can whip any old camera and get an iconic picture of Seoul. Just go there and say kimchi!

Gwanghwamum Square

This is the center of all tourist activities in Seoul. It’s immediately adjacent to Gyeongbokgung Palace, Korea’s main royal palace, as well as two statues of Korea’s greatest heroes, Admril Yi Susin and King Sejong the Great. Even if you don’t have the best camera or you’re not the best photographer in the world, there’s plenty of opportunity to snag some good looking pictures with the iconic backdrop of the palace gates as well as Bugaksan Mountain. These statues are pretty majestic.

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Head inside of Gyeongbokgung, the main palace of Korea’s last royal dynasty, and you’ll find plenty of picture taking spots for amateur and professional photographers alike. You’ll get a closer view of Bugaksan Mountain, the chance to take pictures with the Gyeongbokgung guards, as well as plenty of traditional Korean architecture to photograph. There’s a plethora of beautiful photo opportunities, but one of the most iconic pictures of Seoul you can take is of Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, a private place in the back of the royal grounds.

Changdeokgung (Secret Garden)

Gyeongbokgung is the main palace, but Changdeokgung is considered the prettiest of them all. And anybody taking photos of Seoul would be amiss to forget visiting this beautiful palace full of photo ops. It’s less crowded than Gyeongbokgung so you don’t have to wait as much for other people to get out of your shot. And there’s also the Secret Garden in the back of the palace. There you’ll find perfect harmony between nature and traditional architecture.

N Seoul Tower

N Seoul tower is one of Seoul’s most iconic landmarks. Jutting out from Namsan Mountain, it sticks out of the Seoul skyline most prominently and can be easily photographed from many places in Seoul. But many photographers take their photos from the base of the tower. It’s here where you’ll find a pavilion with traditional Korean architecture nicely contrasting with modern man’s achievement up above. While you’re there, don’t forget to take pictures of the love locks as well as the entire city from atop the tower.

Bongeunsa Temple & Statue of Buddha

This Buddhist temple in Seoul is located in the most modern district of Seoul, which even has a song named after it (“Gangnam” for those living in a cave). The hyper modern skyscrapers are a beautiful backdrop to the peaceful oasis that is Bongeungsa Temple. Position yourself perfectly, and you’ll have a photo that says the same. Make your way to the back of the temple and head up behind the large statue of Buddha to take a picture of Buddha presiding over the city of Seoul.

Jogyesa Temple & Flowers

Jogyesa Temple is another Buddhist temple located in the middle of the city. But here, you have to look inwards for the best pictures. The temple is home to an array of beautiful flowers the monks garden, which produce the brightest colors seen in most temples. The reds, yellows, greens and blues are dynamic and vivid and are also easily captured in images (best time is spring and summer). 

But the most iconic photos from this temple is from the Lotus Lantern Festival, which celebrates Buddha’s birthday with colorful lanterns strewn across the temple grounds. The festival has yet to announce it’s dates for 2014, but it should be the first weekend before Buddha’s birthday (first weekend of May, 2014).

Cheongyecheon Stream

If you’ve ever searched pictures of Seoul, you’re bound to have come across Cheongyecheon Stream, a popular urban oasis with flowing stream water and shaded rest in the middle of bustling Seoul. It’s a great place to rest and hang out, but it’s also a great photo opportunity, especially at night when it’s all lit up and Christmas-like. The flowing water and night lights are perfect for those with a few camera tricks up their sleeves.

Banpo Bridge

Another spot that’s frequented by tripod toting photographers is Banpo Bridge. It’s where the Rainbow Fountain sprays its colorful jets at night, making for awesome night photography. The Rainbow Fountain Show is only during warmer months (April – October) and at certain hours (12PM, 5PM, 7:30PM), displaying more often during summer months (July – August, 8PM, 8:30PM, 9PM, 9:30PM).

Namdaemum & Dongdaemum Gates

Namdaemun and Dongdaemun are of course popular markets where locals and tourists go to. But these markets are named after the gates that protected them hundreds of years ago. These gates are located on islands with cars literally zooming past them every second. It’s a dream if you’re into time lapse photography. But even if you’re camera stupid, you can hardly mess up. These gates are beautiful from any angle!

Seoul Fortress Wall

Sometimes the pictures you have to work for are the best. Seoul used to have a fortress wall surrounding the city. Although most of it was destroyed, there are still remnants of them scattered throughout the city. The part of the fortress wall that still remains over Seoul’s mountains is part of what makes this photo opportunity so great. Taking a picture up atop one of the mountains allows you to get a view of the entire city while peering into the city’s ancient past at the same time.