LOTTE HOTEL SEOUL sits in the center of Seoul. Although the neighborhood sees a lot of foot traffic and has busy roads, a short walk gets you to a quiet old palace, as well as Cheonggyecheon where the sound of water resonates. Should you desire, there are many ways to learn about the charm of the old city center retaining the traces of its history. Deoksugung Palace, in close proximity to the hotel, is a 5-minute walk past City Hall. You can either watch the changing ceremony of the royal guards shown three times a day or simply enjoy a warm cup of coffee under cherry blossom trees in the palace. The Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway should not be missed as you can immerse yourself in a unique atmosphere while strolling there. Moving in the direction away from the hotel, you can take the route of stopping by Cheonggyecheon, crossing Gwanghwamun Square, and arriving at Gyeongbokgung Palace. Visit the National Palace Museum of Korea to survey the history of the ancient Joseon dynasty and admire the visitors in hanbok dresses while being surrounded by flower trees and chirping birds before choosing your next destination. Whether to take a detour around the palace wall to get to Seochon or head to Bukchon via Samcheong-dong is entirely up to you. The beauty of Changdeokgung Palace lies, above all, in its wide-open walkways encompassing the famous Secret Garden, Changgyeonggung Palace right next to it, and Jongmyo designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As you feel the rustling texture under your feet, become enamored with the scent of elegant apricot trees, and trace the patterns on the ancient roofs, walking the grounds of old palaces soon turns into a time travel.

Seokchon Lake is one of the top cherry blossom sights in Seoul. The flower trees embracing the round-shaped lake form a giant pink wreath in spring. To the east of the lake sits a 123-story high LOTTE World Tower while to the west is Magic Island, the outdoor park of LOTTE World. It’s only natural that the area gets a lot of foot traffic, having a shopping mall, department store, and a duty-free shop in one place, along with a theme park. Come spring, Seokchon Lake attracts families and couples for picnics and dates with its romantic atmosphere. LOTTE HOTEL WORLD and SIGNIEL SEOUL overlook the lake painted in pastel pink in spring.

Seoul embraces many roads. Some old ones may receive renewed attention, while new ones spring up from time to time. Each of them has its own characteristics and stories to attract people who eventually become city travelers. Gyeongui Line Forest Park, created by putting the Yongsan Line underground and transforming the long and narrow stretch of land left from the construction of the Gyeongui Line and the Airport Railroad into a green space. The most popular part of the forest park is the Yeonnam-dong section, known as “Yeontral Park” after New York’s Central Park, near the Hongik University Station. Fitting for the area frequented by young people, the park is full of carefree ambience and trendy cafes and restaurants including the ones specializing in ethnic Chinese cuisine.