N Seoul Tower or Namsan Tower opened to the general public in 1980. It’s a place that one must visit to take a look at the jungle stone of South Korea’s proud city, Seoul. It’s also a famous place for a lovesick couple to spend their quality time on the unofficial binding ceremony with a colourful padlock. The tower is open for a visit 365 days a year.
How to get to Seoul Tower
Cable Car
To get there, just walk out from Myeong Dong station (Line 4) Exit 3 and walk towards the Pacific Hotel and follow the roads on the right side of the hotel. But either left or right, you will still end up at the cable car station. However, if you lost your direction, just walk towards the Namsan tower! It will take roughly about 15 minutes walk.
Purchase your ticket on the Ground floor and get the elevator or walk up the staircase to the 3rd floor. You may want to hurry and queue because it’s based on a first come first serve basis. If you missed it, you would have to wait for another 10 minutes provided the crowd in front of you is less than 38 people. The ride will take about 3 minutes.
The ticket price for Namsan Cable Car
Type Individuals Groups (over 30 people)
Adult return ticket 8,500 won 7,000 won
Adult one-way ticket 6,000 won 5,000 won
Children return ticket 5,500 won 4,500 won
Children's one-way ticket 3,500 won 3,000 won
Operating Hours: 10:00-23:00
Walking up to Seoul Tower
If you prefer to walk all the way up to the tower, just walk past the cable car station and follow the road until you come across a staircase called “Samsooni Stairs” on the opposite of the road.
The staircase is named after a drama called “My Name Is Kim Sam-Soon” or “My Lovely Sam Soon”.
From there, it’s 1200 metres to the top. It took me about 45 minutes to walk from Meyongdong Station to the top including taking pictures of the surroundings and also helping other strangers to take their pictures.
What to Do and See in Seoul Tower
The tower changes colour at night depending on the level of fine dust in the city. From Blue (Good) 0~15㎍/㎥, Green (Average) 16~50㎍/㎥, Yellow (Bad) 51~100㎍/㎥ and Red (Very Bad) 101㎍/㎥. However, on a special day like World Blood Donation Day (14th June), in support of the campaign, the colour changes to Red.
If you want to watch the traditional martial arts performance at the Namsan Palgakjeong Pavillion, just make sure to be there at 3 pm every day (except on Monday).
Nothing happening at night; only a beautiful full moon shining at you.
Are you one of the few couples out there who have not left a love padlock as a token of your eternal love?
Love Padlocks represent commitment and love between two people. They were made famous when they were featured on MBC’s “We are Married” in the episodes where Alex and Shinae, Nikun and Victoria visited N Seoul Tower. A love tree made of hundreds of love padlocks is quite a site in itself.
The observatory is located at the 5F & 4F but you won’t get the chance to press the lift as the staff will escort you to the 5F floor. You will be asked to look up to the lift ceiling and enjoy the digital view. You get to buy souvenirs and also mail a postcard from here. Usage of binoculars is chargeable @ 500 won
Opening Hour
10:00 ~ 23:00 (Weekdays & Sunday)
10:00 ~ 24:00 (Saturday)
(Be there at least 30 minutes before closing time to avoid disappointment)
Admission Fees
10,000won (Adult)
8,000won ( 3-12 & 65 years above)
Get to the 4F if you want to take a picture with a costume or if you just want to have a cup of coffee and enjoy the 360 panoramic views. Anyway, you still need to be on this floor as the lift to get off this tower is located on this floor.
Travel Date: 01st December 2016 & 12th January 2017
