The back story
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Neighbourhood guide
Myeongdong, Euljiro and Namsan
The department stores and skincare shops of Myeongdong, the grand hotels of Euljiro and the green slopes of Namsan above.
Neighbourhood guide · Seoul
Myeongdong and Namsan: shops below the mountain
The department stores and skincare shops of Myeongdong, the grand hotels of Euljiro, and Namsan with The Shilla and N Seoul Tower.
What's onThis week in Seoul
What to see and do
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Stone halls by City Hall
Deoksugung
The palace by City Hall, where wooden halls stand beside the neoclassical stone hall of Seokjojeon.
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Seoul from Namsan
N Seoul Tower
The tower on the summit of Namsan: the city in every direction, reached by cable car or on foot.
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By Deoksugung
Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA)
The city’s art museum, in a historic building beside Deoksugung.
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On Namsan
National Theater of Korea
The national theatre on the slope of Namsan: changgeuk, dance and traditional music.
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The mountain in the middle
Namsan Park
The wooded mountain in the middle of the city, crowned by N Seoul Tower and ringed by the old wall.
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On foot
Namsan, from Myeongdong to the tower
Up through the woods of Namsan to N Seoul Tower, beside the old wall.
Where to eat
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One MICHELIN Star
L'Amant Secret
Contemporary cooking at L’Escape Hotel. One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 guide.
26F L'Escape Hotel, 67 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Two MICHELIN Stars
Sosuheon
A sushi counter in Jung-gu. Two MICHELIN Stars in the 2026 guide.
8 Mallijae-ro 21-gil, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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One MICHELIN Star
Gigas
Mediterranean cooking in Jung-gu. One MICHELIN Star in the 2026 guide.
3F, 30 Toegye-ro 6ga-gil, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Two MICHELIN Stars
La Yeon
Korean cooking at The Shilla Seoul. Two MICHELIN Stars in the 2026 guide.
23F, Shilla Hotel, 249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand
Gosari Express
Vegan cooking in Jung-gu. Bib Gourmand in the 2026 guide.
12-10, Toegye-ro 85-gil, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand
Pildong Myeonok
Naengmyeon, cold buckwheat noodles in Jung-gu. Bib Gourmand in the 2026 guide.
26 Seoae-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand
Geumdwaeji Sikdang
Korean barbecue in Namsan. Bib Gourmand in the 2026 guide.
149 Dasan-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Bib Gourmand
Woo Lae Oak
Naengmyeon, cold buckwheat noodles in Jung-gu. Bib Gourmand in the 2026 guide.
62-29 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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By the Great South Gate
Namdaemun Market food alleys
The great market by Sungnyemun, the old south gate, with its alley of noodle and galchi stalls.
Bars
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The city at night
Moon Bar
The Banyan Tree’s bar on Namsan, with the lights of the city spread out below.
Shopping
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The grand old store
Shinsegae Department Store, main store
The flagship of Shinsegae in Myeongdong, its façade lit for Christmas.
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Skincare and street food
Myeongdong
The shopping streets between Euljiro and Namsan: skincare, fashion and evening street food.
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By the south gate
Namdaemun Market
The sprawling market by Sungnyemun: everything from ginseng to kitchenware.
Where to stay
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The city-centre giant
Lotte Hotel Seoul
The great hotel of Eulji-ro, between City Hall and Myeongdong.
30 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Beside the Altar of Heaven
The Westin Josun Seoul
The Josun group’s historic hotel near City Hall, beside the Hwangudan altar.
106 Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Parisian drama on Toegye-ro
L’Escape Hotel
A boutique hotel in the Josun group between Myeongdong and Namsan, with the starred L’Amant Secret on the 26th floor.
67 Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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In the shopping streets
Le Méridien Seoul Myeongdong
A Le Méridien on a side street of Myeongdong, a short walk from the department stores and Namsan.
38 Myeongdong 8na-gil, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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Namsan’s grand hotel
The Shilla Seoul
On the eastern slope of Namsan, with the two-starred Korean La Yeon on the 23rd floor.
249 Dongho-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
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A resort in the city
Banyan Tree Club & Spa Seoul
Fifty rooms on the green slope of Namsan, with the Moon Bar’s night views and the Festa rooftop bar.
60 Jangchungdan-ro, Jung-gu, SeoulExplore View on map
Share your Myeongdong & Namsan tips
Shopped Myeongdong or walked up Namsan? Share the best time to go.
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