Written By : Essential Expat Experiences
Lotte World Tower hasn't been around for long, but it's made quite an impression on the city and the world. When this 555 meter tall structure was completed in 2017 it was declared the world's fifth highest building, the third tallest in Asia, and of course the tallest on the Korean peninsula. It's also home to the highest glass-floor observation deck in the world, the fastest double-deck elevator, and the longest distance travelled via double-deck elevator according to elevatorworld.com. I think that's worth a visit, don't you?
Photo credit: https://www.lwt.co.kr/en/main/main.do
To enter the tower you need to go to the basement, which is home to many shops and restaurants. It's very easy to get lost, but thankfully the tower employees are more than happy to point you in the right direction. The standard ticket fare for an adult is 27,000 won, however there are many discounts available depending on where you buy your ticket and your method of payment. I got 10,000 won off just for using my NH bank card, and my friend got a 20% discount for showing their KT Membership card.
After buying your ticket you make your way through a maze of hallways, including two photo-zones where photographers snap a picture of you and your friends to be sold back to you later at a ridiculous price. Eventually you make your way to the world-record holding elevators, and are whisked up to the 120th floor. This trip takes less than two minutes and is not for the faint of heart! The numbers on the display tick up and up at a breathtaking speed, and before you know it you'll arrive at the 120th floor.
Here you can enjoy the world's highest glass-floor observation deck, but even more impressive are the views of the city. On a clear day you can see for miles, and if you're brave enough you can even lie down on the glass and take a photo with the city scape stretched out underneath you.
We took the stairs and escalators up a couple more floors to enjoy an even higher view, and walked from one end of the tower to the other and take in everything. The cityscape looked entirely different from that height, and my friends and I tried to identify as many of the building we saw as possible.
On the 121st floor there is a gift shop, and on the 122nd floor is the highest cafe in Seoul. The 123rd is home to an absolutely stunning restaurant and lounge, which is now on my bucket-list to dine at.
After spending an hour or so exploring and taking in the sights, my friends and I returned to the 120th floor to ride the elevator back down to the basement. It was incredible to think that we traveled 121 stories in less than two minutes, especially considering how smooth the ride was!
I'm excited to take my family to Seoul Sky the next time they visit, as I think they would absolutely love the views. However this experience is not for the faint of heart, or anyone who is afraid of heights. The glass-floor observation deck is completely safe, but I would be lying if I said that I didn't hesitate before stepping out onto it.
Seoul Sky changes its hours based on the season, however the current hours of operation are Sunday to Thursday, 11:00 to 21:00 and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00. The last entry allowed is one hour before closing. The address is as follows:
롯데월드타워
서울특별시 송파구 잠실6동 올림픽로 300
B1
Lotte World Tower
Olympic-ro 300, Songpa-gu, Seoul (Sincheon-dong 29)
B1