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Seoul, South Korea (CNN) — The journey to the best restaurant in South Korea begins with a whale show.
The ethereal 123F Lounge sits on the highest ground of the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, 555 meters (about 1,820 ft) above floor. The tower is the tallest constructing within the nation — and the fifth tallest constructing on the planet, in response to its official web site.
But it surely seems, attending to the restaurant is not as easy as hopping on and off an elevator; it is a complete expertise that may simply take as much as an hour.
After shopping for an entry ticket — 27,000 Korean gained (roughly $20) for adults, and 24,000 gained ($18) for youngsters — guests enter a ready corridor, awash in blue mild as whales swim throughout an enormous display screen on the ceiling.
A number of completely different rooms comply with — some with alternatives for skilled images, others displaying the constructing supplies that make up the tower — earlier than a puzzling sequence of whale-themed areas.
A short lived exhibit showcasing whale-themed multimedia shows within the Lotte World Tower in Seoul, South Korea.
Jessie Yeung/CNN
There are two lengthy hallways — one illuminated darkish blue as whales swim beside you on wall-length screens, the opposite with LED ceiling panels rotating by means of colourful mosaic patterns, in sharp distinction with black-and-white whale images on the wall. Vaguely whale-sounding calls add to the underwater ambiance. One other room has pretend clouds suspended midair and whales painted on the wall, showing mid-flight.
(I later be taught that is all a part of a brief exhibition celebrating the work of whale photographer Jang Nam-won.)
Sundown from the Sky Seoul observatory, situated within the Lotte World Tower.
Jessie Yeung/CNN
Stepping out, guests are guided to sit down in a darkish room as a video, apparently a creative rendering of the historical past of Seoul and the Lotte World Tower, performs — earlier than the display screen splits into two big panels, slowly lifting like a curtain to disclose the breathtaking view of Seoul by means of floor-to-ceiling home windows.
The observatory spans a number of flooring, with big home windows that permit a sweeping 360-degree view of the metropolis. One can spot the enduring N Seoul Tower perched on Namsan mountain, bridges stretching throughout the river, parks and sports activities stadiums and even the rides on the close by Lotte World theme park.
Every ground presents completely different points of interest, resembling small cafes on the 119th and 122th flooring. There’s the Sky Deck on the 118th ground, with a glass ground that allows you to see all 478 meters (1,568 ft) between your sneakers and the road far under. There’s the Sky Terrace on the one hundred and twentieth ground, an out of doors balcony with an ideal view of the winding Han River.
The Sky Deck on the 118th ground of Seoul Sky, with a glass ground.
Jessie Yeung/CNN
After the suitable quantity of ooh-ing and aah-ing, you lastly attain the lounge on the 123rd ground.
The restaurant is each spacious and comfy, with soft chairs and lamps on every desk. Home windows make up a complete wall, stretching as much as the excessive ceiling to flood the house with heat mild throughout sundown. A free viewfinder means that you can zoom in on the panorama.
The menu is on the dear aspect by Korean requirements — $28 for a beef stew, $19 for tomato spaghetti and $18 for a Caesar salad — however we took our time, watching the solar dip beneath the horizon, briefly turning the sky fiery orange.
The restaurant additionally presents pizza, sandwiches, steak and appetizers together with a cheese choice.
Window seats on the 123F Lounge boast sweeping views of the Han River in Seoul.
Gawon Bae/CNN
The view was simply as beautiful at nighttime, town a grid of sunshine unfold out earlier than us.
Although the 123F Lounge is an ideal spot for a romantic dinner or particular date, there have been additionally households with kids and younger grownup buddy teams once we visited. The lounge may also be rented for particular occasions resembling wedding ceremony receptions and product launches.
The Lotte World Tower is situated within the Jamsil neighborhood of Seoul’s southeastern Songpa-gu district. It is open all week, although hours depend upon the day, and is accessible by subway, bus or personal car.
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