Seoul

Four hours were good enough for a quick tour of major sites in the city:

I had about eight hours between connecting flights on a trip that took me through 10 airports: HKG–ICN–SEA–SLC–MSO–SLC–BOS–ATL–ICN–HKG.

Key was planning in advance for the stop between connecting flights in Incheon international airport: comfortable running shoes, map, & route.

• Exit the airport directly from the plane. Do not enter the transit area. Otherwise, an airline escort would be required to exit.
• Credit card was accepted at train station. Purchase express train ticket along with transfer to final subway station. Express train cost was KR₩9,500 or US$7.95.

I sprinted out of the plane toward the express train for the 45 minute ride to Seoul station. I transferred to the local subway to reach City Hall station near Deoksugung grand palace: painted wood, fountain, & museum.

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All palaces had an entrance fee KR₩1,000–5,000, depending on the site.

Next was Gyeongbokgung royal palace: the largest of five grand palaces in Seoul, built 1395. Guards were practicing some defence art:

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I walked fast or ran between sites until I reached the narrow streets, art shops, & traditional homes of Bukchon Hanok Village.

There were many restaurants to choose from, but was not hungry, nor had much time for a meal. Instead, there was an art shop with hand painted post cards:

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Changdeokgung palace, UNESCO World Heritage, was next with its large ground & garden.

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Buddha’s Birthday was just a few days away. Festival, food, & lanterns near Jogyesa temple:

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Finally, it was the long climb on stairs to N Seoul Tower in Namsa park:

Millions of Shiny Love locks were there: on rails, posts, more rails, & dedicated trees:

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I made my way back to Seoul train station, express train to airport, shower, dinner, & sleep on flight to Seattle.

Recorded 8 May 2019 9:28 on Garmin & Strava ➡️14.88km ⬆️392m ↗️26.3m/km ⏬KML & GPX:

A few days before the trip, I marked points of interest from Lonely Planet Seoul city guide on my world travel map. No hotels or food stops. I only had a few hours in town to run between the sites.

I checked for other ideas in the Essential Seoul City Guide from Going the Whole Hogg.