I found myself with a few days off in a row and wanting to go somewhere. With cheap and short airfare from Beijing, Seoul, Korea became the destination. A place I had only stopped over in the airport before, Korea is a fascinating place that I’d love to visit again after my three-day adventure.
Seoul is a place with modernity and tradition sitting as neighbors around each corner.
Gangnam-gu
A perfect example of this is Gangnam-gu, a district made famous by Psy’s viral song “Gangnam Style.” Here we found a building with a façade that looks more like a piece of modern art while across the street is a giant pair of golden arms recreating Psy’s dance move from the music video.
Bongeunsa
Just around the corner is a Buddhist refuge that’s been there for more than 1,000 years with a temple constructed in the 15th century. The wooden halls of Bongeunsa climbs a hill surrounded by steel and glass skyscrapers.
We entered through the main gate and snaked our way up the path between lush lotus plants and draped with hundreds of white paper lanterns. At the top we found prayer halls in use with stands of candles burning. At a neighboring building monks were beating drums.
I wandered to the side toward the heart of the complex where a monolithic Buddha statue looks over the district. To get to its plaza, I walked under another wooden hall with a beautifully painted coffered ceiling.
Walking around Seoul
We walked around Seoul along its main drags and narrow alleys. We found delicious food and lively atmospheres. We found sculptures and peaceful retreats.
Mountain parks break the urban neighborhoods of Seoul by popping up covered in green foliage and shrouded by low clouds. The city is filled with museums, palaces, and shopping districts. There is modern and ancient culture. There is a feeling of being a capital city drawing tourists but not too many.
