7 Unique and insta-worthy experiences with the Discover Seoul Pass

It’s no secret that the Discover Seoul Pass brings all the perks to the yard, giving you access to the most appealing charms of Seoul at the lowest cost. With one card, enjoy free access to at least 30 attractions in the city. Today, we’ll be bringing you along to visit some of the most photo-worthy spots and experiences around the capital of Korea.

On our feed, we’ve all seen our friends in Hanboks at the Gyeonbokgung Palace, but as beautiful as it gets, we’d definitely recommend a change of scenery and attire for a fresh outlook on Korea’s culture and history.

Still as unique, retro Korean clothing has made a comeback through appearances in dramas such as Mr. Sunshine and Hotel de Luna. The style dates back to the 1960s, with inspiration from old-school private elite schools and celebrities. Characterized by rich, royal colours, an abundance of frills, as well as fashionably exaggerated accessories such as jewelry, hats, and brooches, it is nothing less than regal. 

At Kyungsung Clothes, you can rent an outfit of your choice, with props and styling available for you to make your fashion statement, channel your inner diva, and make full use of the vintage story filters on Instagram. Enjoy the experience at a 30% discount with the Discover Seoul Pass. We’d let Seoul stylists give our wardrobe a makeover if we could!

With the Discover Seoul Pass in hand, enjoy a 10% discount off your experience at SMOO:D. Not to be confused with the smoothie place in Singapore, here in Seoul, it is a brand specialising in neon lights and signs. 

Credit: Discover Seoul Pass

Starting off with a sketch, customise your design with inspiration from signs and street-vibe aesthetics in the store. Some people opt for phrases, while others may choose logos. Select from a wide range of neon light tubes of various colours and thickness, and proceed to learn how to twist the neon light tubes into a work of art under the guidance of a lighting expert. 

Credit: Discover Seoul Pass

Depending on your style, the finished product could range from girly to funky, and the store provides photo zones for you to showcase your work and take photos. It doesn’t just look epic on Instagram; it also makes an amazing gift for your trendiest friends, especially if you feature inside jokes!

Credit: Discover Seoul Pass

Learn about Korean art and culture through a traditional Korean drawing class at Cheongchunihwa, and get a hands-on experience with the pigments on textured paper, silk or traditional cloth that sets the art style apart from anything you’ve tried before. You’ll find that the emphasis on fine lines and details with each brushstroke is almost therapeutic, and that even leaving spaces blank in the artwork takes skill.

Credit: Discover Seoul Pass

Flaunt your artistic side as you engage in the process from brainstorming to painting with the support of experienced instructors. While the traditional art form focuses on nature; with flowers, birds and plants representative of the culture, you are free to let your inspiration flow during the workshop. With the Discover Seoul Pass, you’ll get 20% off the course.

On the northern side of central Seoul lies Ikseondong, the oldest hanok village in Seoul and a quaint district known for its connected alleyways with pleasant surprises at every turn. What’s distinct about the area is the preservation of traditional Korean architecture called Hanoks, forming a network of connected houses mostly untouched since the 1920s. 

Source: Wikipedia

The contrast between the tiled roofs and nearby modern streets creates a blend of past and present within the city. As quite a number of these establishments have been converted into cafes, shops and restaurants, it attracts visitors and locals alike to roam around and spend an afternoon snacking on the famous hotteok (traditional syrup-filled pancake), or hop around cafes of different aesthetics.

Make a beeline away from the bustling city for a breather. Years ago, the Gyeongui railway ran through the area, but with development bringing parts of the track underground, a park now sits in its place. The public green space ties the community together as it is highly accessible with multipurpose areas and facilities, perfect for those who wish to engage in the local culture and mix with people living in the district. In addition, some features of the park include ponds, streams and grassy fields, giving it the name of “Yeon-tral Park” comparing it to New York’s Central Park.

The length of the park includes the most popular neighbourhoods like Hongdae and Yeonnam-dong, which is a great chance to explore Seoul’s heritage and how it was built through the ages. En route are cafes, restaurants and an abundance of museums and galleries.

Source: visitseoul.net

While we’re on the topic of relaxing public spaces, allow us to introduce another park in Seoul, Sangam Sky Park. Also known as Haneul Park, its name’s origin stems from its high altitude among other FIFA World Cup Parks, boasting a bird’s-eye view of Seoul. There are multiple ways to access the park, but we’d recommend walking up the steps to get the best view of the park’s breathtaking scenery and learn about the area. Another option would be to take the electric car from the nearby Nanjicheon Park’s parking lot to get to the summit.

Source: Wikipedia

People flock to Sangam Sky Park in October for the annual Silver Grass Festival, and from the name you can probably guess that the hills are covered with silver grass that glows under the sunlight. It may surprise you that the park was once a landfill, and through urban regeneration, the area has been restored with a newfound emphasis on sustainability and clean energy.

Seoul is no stranger to technological development, with state-of-the-art talent and resources. Here at the Digital Media City situated in Sangam district, the focus is on information technology, culture and media entertainment, showcased at the DMC Gallery. After seeing a virtual sneak peek into what the future looks like, trek on to the nearby Digital Pavilion, where you can change the pictures on the wall with a single swipe of a finger. It’s a fresh perspective to see how innovation is implemented here before it’s integrated into our daily lives.

Source: Digital Media City Official Facebook Page

Around the corner you’ll find the Korean Film Museum, giving you a director’s cut of Korea’s cinematic journey through the past century, and giving Korea’s point of view on various historical events with neighbouring countries. To get around more easily, you can use the public bicycles in front of DMC Gallery to navigate the Digital Media City.

Seoul has a lot to offer in terms of experiences, culture and heritage. With a Discover Seoul Pass in hand, the sky is the limit in exploring the city’s photo-worthy and unique appeal at the lowest price; and given how widely applicable the card is, do consider our recommendations in customising your travel itinerary.