San 1-3, Yongsan-dong 2-ga, Yongsan-gu
tel. 02/3455-9277
www.nseoultower.net

HOURS: Observatory Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m.-11 p.m.,
Fri.-Sat. 10 a.m.-midnight

COST: ₩7,000 adult, ₩3,000 child

SUBWAY: Myeong-dong (Line 4), Chungmuro (Lines 3, 4)

This spire on the slopes of city-center mountain Namsan looks much like its counterparts elsewhere in the world, though there have been substantial efforts to spruce it up since it came under new ownership in 2005 with new attractions such as a café, a “forest playground” for the kids, and nighttime light displays, but the main draw remains the stunning view from the tower’s observatory—on a clear day you can see past Seoul’s sprawling cityscape all the way to North Korea.

The tower complex also contains a revolving restaurant, an outdoor garden, performance areas, and a food court.

For those who don’t want to make the trek up the hill, the tower is also accessible by cable car (return fares ₩6,300 adult or ₩4,000 child). The terminus is a short walk from Myeong-dong subway station.