63 Building

The 63 Building (known also as the Daehan Life Insurance) sits on Yeouinaru Island in the south central area of Seoul. Open since 1985 it was once the tallest building in Asia.

And once Korea’s tallest building, it offers the visitor many things including first class panoramic views of the city from its ultra stylish skydeck, located (of course) on the 63rd floor.

Its ground floor has recently been remodelled to include a number of trendy eateries along with an IMAX Theatre, Convention Centre, Banquet Hall and Aquarium with some twenty thousand fish on show.

Visiting at night allows for the brilliant sight out across the city. According to ‘Seoul’s Best 100’ tourist guide, “the dark neon-reflecting waters of the Han River can be seen from the observation deck”. For once it is a tourist literature claim that is not exaggerated.

The bridges spanning the Han River are illuminated as are the vehicles snaking down either side of its waters. See the contrasting colours of white headlights and red rear lights. In the middle distance down-town shines brightly and further still, rising on the summit of Mount Namsam is Seoul Tower. Almost all visitors see the view from the tower but to look back the other way on it is just as fine.

The observation deck (7,000won) is spacious, new and modern. There are floor to ceiling windows to lean your camera up against for photographs. Take some. Try walking out onto the glass floor if you are brave enough. See the rainbow tunnel. A café with comfortable seating in the middle of the floor professes a moment to rest.

Seoul Tower may have slightly better views but with the 63 building there is that touch of style (again).

Further it can be quite a romantic place in the evening to bring somebody else. Sitting at a candlelit window overlooking the city sipping on a refreshing smoothie is a guaranteed point winner with whoever your companion might be.

So take a moment before heading straight out to Seoul Tower. Consider the 63 Building. It’ll be hard not to be disappointed with it.

Admission & Operating Hours
63Skydeck 10:00 – 24:00 (last admission 23:00)
63Seaworld 10:00 – 21:00 (last admission 20:30)
63IMAXTheatre (last show 20:10 except Sat, Holiday 21:10)

http://www.63city.co.kr/english/ (All attractions are now open again).

Getting There: Yeouinaru Stn. (Line5, Exit3) then a 10-minute walk.