By Lee Hyo-sik
Mt. Nam in the heart of Seoul is the most popular destination in the capital for foreign visitors, the city government said Friday.
According to an online survey of 1,849 foreign tourists consisting of 1,080 from China, 534 from English-speaking countries and 235 from Japan, 16 percent, or 295, picked Mt. Nam as their favorite spot in Seoul.
They said they most enjoyed hanging a “love padlock” on a fence set up for couples at N Seoul Tower on top of the mountain, and kissing their partners while looking down at the city nightscape.
From Nov. 2 to 20, the city government conducted a survey on its website, asking foreign visitors to name Seoul’s most attractive tourist site.
By nationality, 241 Chinese tourists picked Mt. Nam as their favorite place, followed by 44 English-speaking visitors and 10 Japanese.
Myeongdong, the shopping district located in downtown, came in second as 13.4 percent of respondents, or 247, picked it as their favorite. They said that tourists can purchase high-quality cosmetics products at affordable prices there, as well as taste a variety of Korean and other ethnic cuisines at hundreds of restaurants.
The survey also showed that 10.9 percent, or 201 foreign visitors, liked Gyeongbok Palace the most. They said watching the gatekeeper rotation ceremony will live in their memories for a long time. Tourists were also found to have enjoyed taking a tour inside the place and appreciated the unique building structures of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910).
Bukchon Hanok Village came in fourth, with 10.2 percent, or 189 tourists, picking it as their favorite for having many traditional Korean houses preserved. Shopping at Dongdaemun was named as the favorite thing to do in Seoul by 5.4 percent or 99 visitors, followed by walking in Seoul Forest in eastern Seoul at 5.3 percent and watching a night view from a cafe along the Han River at 5.2 percent.
“This survey found that the majority of tourists from English speaking countries picked Gyeongbok Palace as Seoul’s best tourist spot, while those from mainland China, Hong Kong and other Chinese speaking nations named Mt. Nam,” a Seoul City official said. “Many Japanese tourists were found to most appreciate the Bukchon Hanok Village.”
The official said the city government will conduct a survey of foreign visitors on a regular basis and reflect findings in its tourism-related policies to make the capital a more attractive holiday destination.