THE PEOPLE'S MONARCH - Royal Brunei Airlines

Surprisingly, for a city that is fast-trekking to becoming a modern marvel,
Seoul is also a haven for nature. A city surrounded by mountains, Namsan
is at the centre of the megapolis, where locals often take to the hiking trails
on the weekends for a contemplative sojourn. Once at the peak – just 262
metres high – you can see just how fast Seoul is growing, with a great view
of its downtown. The scene is even more spectacular at twilight, when Seoul’s
skyscrapers and buildings light up. The foot trails that snake their way to the
top of the mountain provide a stunning landscape of seasonal fl owers. Cherry
blossoms and azaleas bloom in Spring, while the blazing and fi ery colours of
Autumn come alive when you hike here in September. The Namsan Botanical
Garden on the south side of the mountain is another place to view more of
Korea’s wild fl owers and beautiful pine trees. For a 360-degree view of the
city, drop by Seoul Tower at the peak of the mountain, where a revolving
restaurant provides a delightful place to unwind.
While a walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream may not provide a bird’s eye
view of Seoul, it is a place that offers a pleasant juxtaposition of the past
and future. This non-descript waterway that was once buried beneath an
expressway was revitalised in 2005 and today, provides a popular leisure
point for locals and visitors alike. With willow trees casting its haunting but
beautiful presence along the banks, small waterfalls and almost a dozen
overhead bridges, a stroll here is a peaceful break from the bustle of city life.
ABOVE
The Namsan cable car, which
leads up to the N Seoul Tower
is the fi rst commercial cable car
service for passengers in Korea.
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