Text by MOOK Travel Life Chen Guanxin, compiled and reported
Celebrating its first anniversary, the Gimpo-Songshan route, hailed by Korea-loving travelers as the “Golden Route,” has prompted the Korea Tourism Organization to launch the “Go Korea, Get Cash!” campaign. Travelers holding a Taiwanese passport who sign up for a participating agency’s group tour departing between April 30 and June 30 and fly with one of the eight sponsoring airlines can enter a lucky draw if their receipts total at least KRW 15,000 (tax included) per person. Aside from weekly draws for KRW 700,000 (approx. NT$20,000) in travel pocket money, prizes also include round-trip flights from Taipei to Incheon, Busan, Jeju, and Seoul, provided by the airlines.
To celebrate the first anniversary of the Gimpo-Songshan route, the Korea Tourism Organization is hosting a special event. Travel to Korea during the campaign period for a chance to win KRW 700,000 in travel pocket money. (Image credit: Moleskine Editorial Department)
This campaign offers three tiers of lucky draws. The first tier, “GO Cash,” features over a hundred KRW cash prizes, with the most exciting being a guaranteed weekly winner of KRW 700,000 in pocket money. The second tier, “Great Deals,” includes economy-class round-trip flights from Taipei to Incheon, Busan, Jeju, and Seoul (24 total), plus premium gifts such as Korean red ginseng tea and Korean beauty face masks. The third tier, “Thank You Gifts,” offers traditional Korean name card wooden boxes, fans, exquisite mugs, USB drives, and more. The campaign features over 300 exciting prizes in total. Campaign website: gokorea.ktoevent.com.
Seoul’s Gimpo International Airport boasts a prime location within the capital region, saving travelers about two hours on average. Its convenience and extensive connectivity significantly reduce transit time to the city center, giving visitors more time to explore and spend. This makes Seoul an even more accessible destination. But for first-time visitors, are you still unsure about the city’s famous attractions? Read on to get up to speed before your trip.
Dongdaemun Market
Dongdaemun, also known as Heunginjimun (Gate of Rising Benevolence), is home to countless traditional markets, modern department stores, and specialty shops. It’s not only South Korea’s largest fashion market but also ranks among the top in Asia. Most shops combine retail and wholesale operations, so they stay open all night without closing their metal gates. Dongdaemun gets livelier as night falls, attracting nearly 1 million visitors daily and becoming the hub of Seoul’s nightlife. No matter when you go, it’s always bustling with energy—the sounds of vendors calling out and tourists bargaining and laughing create an incredibly vibrant atmosphere. It’s arguably the most dynamic place in Korea.
Visiting Dongdaemun will definitely ease any anxiety about not knowing how to spend your travel pocket money. (Image credit: Moleskine Editorial Department)
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Running through the heart of Seoul’s northern area, Cheonggyecheon is an artificial stream that stretches from the Gwanghwamun area near City Hall eastward to the Sangwangsimni area. With a history of over 500 years, it originally formed naturally due to the terrain but was later transformed into its current form through human engineering. In recent years, the South Korean government has undertaken a major restoration project for Cheonggyecheon. Along the narrow waterway, visitors can enjoy lush roadside trees and thoughtful details such as murals inspired by traditional Korean paintings, reconstructed laundry stones used by old-time residents, and various stone bridges. At night, colorful lighting adds a romantic touch, turning this long-developed urban area into a green oasis and a relaxing space for locals.
Cheonggyecheon is a must-visit attraction in Seoul and a popular leisure spot for locals. (Image credit: Moleskine Editorial Department)
N Seoul Tower
Originally called Namsan Tower, N Seoul Tower stands 236.7 meters tall atop Namsan Mountain, which itself rises 243 meters above sea level, bringing the tower’s total elevation to 479.7 meters. As South Korea’s first radio tower, it has long broadcast TV and radio signals to Seoul and surrounding areas. During the day, the area around N Seoul Tower offers a rare glimpse of greenery and fresh air in the city. At night, it’s an even better time to visit—on clear days, you can enjoy the glittering Seoul skyline and see the tower illuminated in neon. The nighttime tower, adorned with vibrant lights, is stunning yet harmonizes beautifully with the surrounding cityscape, avoiding an overly artificial feel.
On a clear night, head up N Seoul Tower for breathtaking views of the sparkling city lights. (Image credit: Moleskine Editorial Department)
Blue House (Cheongwadae)
The Blue House is the official residence of the President of South Korea. It gets its name from the blue-tiled roof of its buildings. Before President Kim Young-sam’s administration, the entire area was a high-security zone, but now parts of it are open to the public. Although visitors can explore certain areas, heavily armed security personnel remain stationed throughout. When taking commemorative photos, be mindful of designated photo spots. Currently, the only permitted photo zones are the plaza in front of the Phoenix Statue and the guard post directly opposite the Blue House.
The Blue House, the official residence of South Korea’s president, is named for its iconic blue-tiled roof. (Image credit: Moleskine Editorial Department)
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