Royal palaces, night markets and K-culture
Seoul packs five Joseon-dynasty palaces into a city of millions, the grandest being Gyeongbokgung with its changing of the guard; many visitors tour it in rented hanbok. Bukchon Hanok Village keeps traditional tiled-roof houses on its hillside lanes, and Changdeokgung's Secret Garden is a UNESCO site. Gwangjang Market serves bindaetteok and mayak gimbap, Myeongdong and Hongdae are all shopping and nightlife, and Namsan Tower looks over it all. Hiking trails reach granite peaks such as Bukhansan within the city limits.