![4 hours in... Seoul](https://cdn.magzter.com/1450191940/1685026392/articles/eN298CcPS1685083306031/Seol-South-Korean-capital-Gwanghwamun-Gate-Cheong-Wa-Dae-Geunjeongjeon-Hall-National-Folk-Museum-of-Korea-Buddhist-temples.jpg)
1 GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE
Start your tour of central Seoul by delving into the city's empire-rich past at the largest royal palace, which comprises several offices, residences and royal gardens across 40 hectares of land. The palace was first built by the Joseon dynasty in 1395 but the buildings have been damaged and restored several times, first by fire during the Hideyoshi invasion in 1592 and then again during the Japanese occupation (1910-1945). A project to restore the structures to their former glory has been ongoing since 1990. Enter through the main Gwanghwamun Gate and proceed through two more gates to reach Geunjeongjeon Hall, an exquisitely decorated throne room with a captivating dragon-adorned ceiling. The hall was used for events such as coronations and receiving foreign envoys. Further highlights in these expansive grounds include two peaceful pavilions to the north and west, and the National Folk Museum of Korea to the east. Time your visit to coincide with the changing of the guard ceremony, which takes place at 10am and 2pm just beyond the Gwanghwamun Gate. During your visit, you'll notice plenty of people dressed in hanbok, the traditional Korean dress, which can be rented at various shops in the vicinity those sporting the attire get free entry. Tickets start from KRW3,000 (£1.80). Closed on Tuesdays.
2 CHEONG WA DAE
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Business Traveller UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the June 2023 edition of Business Traveller UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Cathay Pacific A350-900, business class LONDON-HONG KONG](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/CyzDaqtAc1719838044589/CATHAY-PACIFIC-A350900-BUSINESS-CLASS-LONDONHONG-KONG.jpg)
Cathay Pacific A350-900, business class LONDON-HONG KONG
BACKGROUND Cathay Pacific serves this route with the Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350. Both aircraft feature the Safran Cirrus seat in business class.
![COMO Metropolitan Singapore](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/b79xgyk1J1719837897845/COMO-METROPOLITAN-SINGAPORE.jpg)
COMO Metropolitan Singapore
BACKGROUND Singaporean brand COMO Hotels and Resorts launched its first property in its home country in September 2023, integrating its lifestyle and wellness brands into the hotel space.
![Voco Auckland City Centre](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/wTMrXvqRY1719837773574/VOCO-AUCKLAND-CITY-CENTRE.jpg)
Voco Auckland City Centre
BACKGROUND New Zealand's first voco hotel opened its doors in May 2022.
![Anantara Grand Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/CwUiqF_8i1719837640879/ANANTARA-GRAND-KRASNAPOLSKY-AMSTERDAM.jpg)
Anantara Grand Krasnapolsky, Amsterdam
BACKGROUND Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas opened its first hotel in the Netherlands in 2022, though the property has been part of Minor Hotels group since 2000 - most recently as a 451-room NH Collection property.
![Locke am Platz, Enge, Zurich](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/dRiD8Fetx1719837466953/LOCKE-AM-PLATZ-ENGE-ZURICH.jpg)
Locke am Platz, Enge, Zurich
BACKGROUND Locke is a design-led serviced apartment brand from hospitality company edyn. It launched in 2016 and has properties in Cambridge, Dublin, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Berlin and Munich (see businesstraveller.com/tried-and-tested).
![AEGEAN A320neo, business class ATHENS-LONDON HEATHROW](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/__Rsdsowv1719837311963/AEGEAN-A320NEO-BUSINESS-CLASS-ATHENSLONDON-HEATHROW.jpg)
AEGEAN A320neo, business class ATHENS-LONDON HEATHROW
BACKGROUND Greece's national flag carrier celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The Star Alliance member has launched a fourth daily service to Heathrow along with new flights to Sarajevo and Vilnius.
![Iberia confirmed as A321XLR launch customer](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/YoJWHDoWw1719837172196/IBERIA-CONFIRMED-AS-A321XLR-LAUNCH-CUSTOMER.jpg)
Iberia confirmed as A321XLR launch customer
IBERIA WILL BE THE FIRST carrier worldwide to take delivery of the Airbus A321XLR (Xtra Long Range') later this year.
![BRITISH AIRWAYS INTRODUCES DISCOUNTED THAMES CLIPPERS FARES TO LONDON CITY AIRPORT](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/-Ec3FlGS01719837096812/BRITISH-AIRWAYS-INTRODUCES-DISCOUNTED-THAMES-CLIPPERS-FARES-TO-LONDON-CITY-AIRPORT.jpg)
BRITISH AIRWAYS INTRODUCES DISCOUNTED THAMES CLIPPERS FARES TO LONDON CITY AIRPORT
BRITISH AIRWAYS HAS LAUNCHED a new partnership with the Thames Clippers service, offering customers discounted fares to London City Airport.
![BRITISH AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO IVALO AND TROMSØ](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/4GZ5rP6ka1719837059948/BRITISH-AIRWAYS-TO-LAUNCH-FLIGHTS-TO-IVALO-AND-TROMS.jpg)
BRITISH AIRWAYS TO LAUNCH FLIGHTS TO IVALO AND TROMSØ
BRITISH AIRWAYS HAS ANNOUNCED new winter routes to Ivalo in Finland and Tromsø in Norway.
![Your attention, please](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/12157/1743623/Y79yD3od61719836648032/YOUR-ATTENTION-PLEASE.jpg)
Your attention, please
After a string of recent turbulence fiascos, we chart the history of the inflight safety video to see if the latest crop is up to the task...