[Seoul Nightscape] Lotte World Tower: Touching the Sky at Korea’s Tallest Landmark
Hello, view chasers and night photography lovers! It’s Bitna. After relaxing by the river with a cozy picnic at Yeouido Hangang Park, we are moving to the eastern side of Seoul to witness something truly monumental. Today, we are conquering the crown jewel of modern Seoul’s skyline: The Lotte World Tower (롯데월드타워).
Standing at a staggering 555 meters (1,821 feet) tall with 123 stories, this sleek, silver monolith is the tallest building in South Korea and the 5th tallest building in the entire world. Its unique design is inspired by traditional Korean pottery and calligraphy brushes, blending ancient grace with futuristic engineering. Let’s head up to the clouds!
🚀 Flying to the Clouds: Seoul Sky Observatory
To get the ultimate night view, you need to head up to Seoul Sky, the premium observatory located on floors 117 through 123.
Your journey begins with the Sky Shuttle, an ultra-high-speed elevator that flies up to the 117th floor in just 60 seconds. Inside the elevator, the walls and ceiling are completely covered in seamless LED screens, giving you a thrilling, immersive virtual ride through the history of Seoul as you ascend.
💎 Thrills and Panoramic Views on the 118th Floor
Once the elevator doors open, you are greeted by a breathtaking, 360-degree panoramic view of the entire capital city. On a clear night, the city looks like a massive, glowing grid of neon gold, with the Han River snaking beautifully through the glittering skyscrapers.
📸 Bitna's Top Highlights Inside Seoul Sky:
- The Sky Deck (118th Floor): This is the ultimate test of courage! It holds the Guinness World Record as the highest glass-floor observation deck in the world. Walking across the completely transparent glass floor while looking straight down at the tiny cars driving 478 meters beneath your feet will definitely make your heart race.
- The Sky Terrace (120th Floor): Step outside into the open-air terrace. Feeling the cool, crisp night wind brushing against your face at such a dizzying height makes the glowing city view feel incredibly raw and real.
- 123 Lounge: If you want to celebrate a special occasion, head to the absolute top floor to sip a cocktail or premium tea while sitting right next to the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
🌙 The View from Below: Seokchon Lake & Magic Island
While the view from the top is magical, Lotte World Tower is just as stunning when viewed from the ground, especially from Seokchon Lake (석촌호수) right at its base.
Take a peaceful evening stroll along the circular lake path. As you walk, look across the water to see Lotte World Magic Island—an outdoor amusement park built on an island in the middle of the lake. The brightly lit, fairy-tale fantasy castle twinkling under the reflection of the massive, glowing Lotte World Tower creates a romantic, dream-like atmosphere that feels like a scene straight out of a Disney movie.
💡 Practical Travel Tips from Bitna
- How to Get There: Take Seoul Subway Line 2 or Line 8 to Jamsil Station. The subway station connects directly to the basement entrance of the Lotte World Mall and Tower, so you won't get lost.
- Best Time to Visit: Arrive about 30 minutes before sunset. This allows you to catch the golden hour, watch the sunset colors reflect off the glass tower, and witness the magical moment when the entire city magically blinks to life with night lights.
- Booking Tickets: Tickets can be bought at the counter, but purchasing them online in advance often grants you a good discount and lets you skip the main ticketing queue.
Lotte World Tower is a symbol of how far Seoul has come—stretching from its ancient roots all the way up into the future. Standing at the top makes you realize just how vast, energetic, and beautifully organized this city truly is.
Feel the majesty and beauty of South Korea's National Treasure No. 1 at Sungnyemun Gate. Then, travel across the city to Jamsil to look down at Seoul from the highest peak in the country.
Thank you for exploring the glittering heights of Seoul with me tonight. May your travels always take you to new heights!
See you in the next post!
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