N Seoul Tower

A communications and observation tower atop Namsan mountain, offering sweeping views over Seoul.

It was first built to send television and radio signals across Seoul, and it was the first tower in Korea to carry signals for several broadcasters at once. Today it is one of the city's best-known symbols and a favourite place for families, couples and visitors from around the world, with millions of people going up every year. Its lights at night can even tell you how clean the air is.

History

Work on the tower began in 1969, and its main shaft and mast were finished in 1971. The observation decks were completed later, in 1975, but at first only broadcasters used the building. Ordinary visitors were finally allowed in from October 1980. In 1999 the news company YTN became the owner, and after a big makeover in 2005 the tower reopened with a new name: N Seoul Tower.

Visiting today

Most visitors ride the Namsan Cable Car, which opened in 1962 as Korea's very first aerial tramway, or walk up the forest paths; private cars are not allowed to drive to the top. Inside there are enclosed viewing decks and a revolving restaurant near the top. On the terraces outside, couples hang padlocks with their names on them as a sign of lasting love. The first locks appeared in 2006, and in 2018 all the locks together were found to weigh about 82 tonnes.

Lights that tell the weather

At night the tower is lit up in colours that change with the air. When there is a warning for yellow dust or very fine dust, the lights turn red. On clear days with very clean air, they glow blue. On other nights the colours shift through different patterns. So, if you live in Seoul, you can glance at the tower in the evening and get a quick idea of how healthy the air is.

On the globe

The model shows the slender tower rising from the top of Namsan mountain in the heart of Seoul. Zoom in to see the tower's round observation level near the top.