N Seoul Tower, atop Namsan Mountain in central Seoul, is a 236.7-meter communications and observation tower whose tip reaches 479.7 meters above sea level, giving visitors 360-degree panoramas over the Han River and the city skyline.
Built in 1969 and opened to the public as an observatory in 1980, it was Korea’s first multipurpose tower, combining a broadcast antenna with a sightseeing deck. Around its base, the “Locks of Love” fences hold thousands of padlocks left by couples, and the surrounding Namsan Park is a popular hiking and picnic spot.
Reach the tower via the Namsan Cable Car near Myeong-dong or the yellow shuttle bus from Chungmuro Station; the observatory is open 365 days a year, 10:00 AM to 10:30/11:00 PM depending on the day.