To get a sense of the harmonious mix of old and new in Seoul, visit Sogong-dong. This small district has some of the city’s most iconic governmental structures and political monuments.

See the extraordinary glass wall that serves as a façade for the more modern section of Seoul City Hall. The curved frontage looks like a waterfall and stands out as a futuristic architectural gem beside the old city hall building. Chat with some of the local guides about the eco-sustainability of the structures.

Enjoy the open space of Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall. Its central oval hosts all types of ceremonies and events. In winter, go ice-skating in the square. Relax on the grass by the fountain jets and snap photos of the I Seoul U sign. Visit the cafés and restaurants lining the adjacent streets.

Wander through the adjacent park and find welcome peace amid the dense flurry of trees. See how the colors of the leaves darken to stunning effect in autumn. In an opening in the woods stands the majestic Deoksugung Palace, a traditional building that serves as a reminder of old-world Seoul and a contrast to its adjacent modern structures.

The eclectic district of Sogong-dong is in the northern part of central Seoul, between the areas of Jung-gu and Jongo-gu. Take the metro to the City Hall station and travel around the area on foot or by taxi. You can also ride a bus or train to the Seoul central station, just a little south of the district. While you’re in the area, try to visit the surrounding neighborhoods of Myeongdong, Namdaemun and Sinchon-dong.