Discover Seoul with upgraded tour pass
Tourists with Discover Seoul Pass can ride one of the Seoul City Tour Bus for one day. / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization
City seeks to attract more young foreign tourists
By Jung Da-min
Foreign tourists visiting Seoul will be able to travel around the city more independently with an upgraded version of a tour pass, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said.
The Seoul Tourism Organization will offer the Discover Seoul Pass exclusively to foreigners at a price range from 39,900 won to 70,000 won. A mobile pass is also available.
The pass is similar to passes offered in Tokyo, Japan, and Oslo, Norway.
The organization is aiming to sell the pass to foreigners who will be coming to Seoul alone ― not through travel agencies.
Female foreign tourists in their 20s and 30s had mostly been the holders of the previous version of the pass. Seoul seeks to attract more young tourists with the pass.
A 24-hour tour pass costs 39,900 won ($37.30). The 48-hour and 72-hour pass cost 55,000 won and 70,000 won, respectively.
They can use the pass to ride public transportation such as buses and subways. Also, they can use it for shopping and dining, as well as to watch shows.
The pass will also enable them to take a one-way train between Incheon International Airport and Seoul Station. They can also ride a city tour bus for a day, and rent out a “Ttareungyi” bike.
K-pop, K-beauty and K-medicine
Foreign tourists who are K-pop fans, can use the tour pass to visit places such as SM Entertainment's SMTown Museum that opened in May. The museum is located on the third floor of the SMTown building at COEX in southern Seoul.
They can look around SM exhibitions, featuring albums, photos and music videos of SM Entertainment's singers. They can also see the entertainers' stage outfits and other props.
K-pop fans can also enjoy the hologram concerts of its artists on the fifth and sixth floors of the SM exhibition building.
SM Entertainment's SMTown Museum awaits K-pop fans. / Courtesy of Visit Seoul
They can also get K-pop-themed desserts featuring SM artists.
With the pass, tourists can visit Chung-Ang University's International Healthcare Center and Gangnam Arumdaun Nara dermatology at a 10 percent to 30 percent discount.
O Hui Spa Nonhyeon is another option for those who want to nourish their skin while getting a massage. Skincare products are also available at discount prices.
Foreigners can shop at SM Duty Free, Dongwha Duty Free, Lotte Duty Free, Shilla I-Park Duty Free and Shingsegae Duty Free with the pass.
Enjoy more activities
Travelers can visit an experience zone where they can play a game from the popular variety show “Running Man” in downtown Seoul.
In addition to using the pass to visit historical sites and museums, they can spend time at amusement parks such as Seoul Grand Park, Lotte World and Seoul Battleship Park. The battleship park, which opened last December, is a theme park featuring three retired warships, including a 1,900-ton battleship.
Travelers can also experience Korea's bathing and spa culture at Sealala Spa and Water Park in Yeongdeungpo.
Travelers can play a game from the popular variety show “Running Man” at an experience zone in downtown Seoul. / Courtesy of Seoul Tourism Organization