As an ancient city, it’s no surprise that the city is rich in culture and traditions. Here’s a look at where to best experience Korean tradition right in the capital.

The city’s historic neighborhoods are found on the northern side of the river and this is where you’ll find Seoul’s top historic attractions such as the royal palaces and the Jongmyo Shrine. They’re fine enough to explore on your own but to really take it in, opt for the guided tours to learn about the respective palace’s functions, history, and more. The palaces and Jongmyo Shrine offer regular group tours but for a more private tour, the Seoul City Walking Tours offer multilingual guided tours that are also free! It’s a great way to learn about the rich culture of these sites as well as some of the memorable events that have unfolded here.

To experience traditional culture in its full liveliness though, there is perhaps few places that are as great as Seoul’s traditional markets. Gwangjang Market, for example, traces its history back to over 100 years ago when it was the first permanently established daily market. Its home furnishing, hanbok, silk, and street food are famous but for an even greater variety of goods, Namdaemun Market carries everything from toys and imported goods to ginseng and eyewear. Specialty markets are also plentiful in the capital such as the Noryangjin Fish Market, Majang Meat Market, Dongdaemun Market for fashion and textile, Gyeongdong Market for medicinal herbs, and more.

Another, often overlooked, form of traditional markets are the various flea markets that are around the city. Places like the Dongmyo Flea Market, Hwanghakdong Flea Market, and the Seoul Folk Flea Market offers a look at life in the past with its array of everyday household items like LP records, utensils, television sets, clocks, and more.

To experience traditional life in a beautiful setting, the Bukchon Hanok Village with the many picturesque traditional homes cannot be left out. But if the crowds and hustle of this popular neighborhood is daunting, try visiting quieter neighborhoods such as Ikseondong, near Changdeokgung Palace for a less developed and generally quieter experience. Another option is the Namsangol Hanok Village located near Namsan and which is generally much more tranquil. You can also experience the richness of Korea’s Buddhist traditions at one of the many temples in and near Seoul. Many offer cultural classes and experiences for visitors including temple stay programs.

If learning about the culture and traditions of Seoul is more your interest you won’t want to miss museums like the National Folk Museum and the Seoul Museum of History. The exhibitions offer a great detailed look at Seoul’s past eras while the various artifacts and photographs provides an intimate look into traditional life. Specific traditions can also be studied in-depth at places like the Museum of Korean Embroidery, the Museum Kimchikan to learn all about the national dish of kimchi, the tteok (or rice cake) museum, and the Museum of Korean Medical History. To experience the exciting traditions of Korean folk singing, dance, and costumes, check the homepages of venues such as the National Theater of Korea or the Jeongdong Theater for various traditional performances throughout the year. The recently-opened Donhwamun Gugak Theater, just across from Changdeokgung Palace, offers traditional music performances throughout the year in a gorgeous theater that combines traditional hanok and modern architectural styles.

Of course, the best way to experience culture is through direct interaction in which case the recently-launched One More Trip service is highly recommended. There, trusted and approved sellers offer a variety of authentic experiences that can heighten your visit to Seoul. Offered experiences include things like a Korean brewery tour, rice cake making experience, tea ceremony tour, personal seal making, and more. Visit www.onemoretrip.net to see what sort of experiences you can do!