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Seoul is the capital and the largest city of South Korea, located in the basin of Han river in the northwestern part. Aside from being one of the premier cities, it is also home to the world’s most-liked ancient temples and shrines that are ever-fascinating even long after your stay. It is a Metropolitan Government which first appeared in history in 18 B.C. when one of the three Korean kingdoms established its capital, Wiryeseong, in what is now southeast Seoul. Seoul Metropolitan Government promoted the World Digital Media City, the world’s first complex for high-tech digital technologies in IT, multimedia and entertainment, and the proposed major site for the world’s second-tallest building. Temperatures in Seoul vary greatly between summer and winter. The highest is 38°C (102°F) which occurs between July and August, while the lowest is about 10°C(14°F). If you plan to visit between June and September, it’s likely to be very rainy during this period. The citizen’s desire for green spaces in areas fragmented by roads was successfully met through the acclaimed Seoul Forest. Dubbed as “Central park in Seoul” or “an urban forest where the deer and the water roam,” Seoul Forest has been positioned as a landmark by offering a variety of hands-on-programs and an ecological node where the Han river, Cheonggyecheon and Junghangcheon meet.

Seoul Pictures

Things to do in Seoul

Seoul has year-round activities for both leisure and adventure. Among the major places in Seoul are Gyeongbukgung and Changdeokgung. Favorite places for tourists and visitors are parks like Memorial Cemetery, Boramae Park, Mt. Nmasan Park, Olympic Park, Yangjae Citizen’s Forest Park, and Yongsan Park. The most famous and beautiful mountain range is the Seoraksam National Park, best seen in fall when all the colors change. Korean Traditional Village (near Suwon) bares a lovely spot in the mountains, the traditional replica of the village, as well as the traditional performances. Without spending a fortune, get a feel of the city by walking around one of the fashion towns to catch the performances of amateur actors and singers. The best places for swimming in the island off Incheon is in the parks along Hanggang. Lotte World and Olympic Park are usually open to the public in the afternoons. Rent a bike from Yoeuido to take the cycle paths in the banks of the historical Han River. Watersports like windsurfing, water skiing, paddle boats and jet-skiing can be enjoyed during summer.

Nightlife in Seoul

Boasting its sparkling and mesmerizing nightlife makes Seoul an avant-garde destination. Numerous bars, pubs, karaoke, and night clubs are tailor-made to provide a complete and satisfying entertainment like The Old Tea Shop, Time Out, Murphy’s Bar, and Salon de Flora. Musical shows are performed by world-class entertainers and DJs, dishing out pulsating mixes of classical and latest chart-busters. The sparkling and electrifying ambiance is the highlight of nightclubs other than the wide variety of music ranging from rock to hip-hop which are enjoyed at the spacious dance floors by people of all ages. Offering their mouth-watering local delicacies along with tantalizing dishes from around the world are the things you can avail, aside from the wide range of cocktails and the finest of local beverages.

Dining in Seoul

Culture and heritage melts in the mouth with the Zhongcha Traditional Seven-Sons Tea Cake. Gangnam is the fun area where you will find a lot of familiar chains and restaurants like McDonald’s, Burger King, Kentucky Fried Chicken, and Subway. Organic food can be savored at the ritzy area of Apgujeong. Royal Korean Cuisine is best-served in Cheongdam-dong where no English sign is recognized but the word “Woori-ga” at the front little bamboo garden with stone steps. Courses served are Radish Kimchi soup, Gu Geol Pan (veggies wrapped in thinly sliced radish dipped in wasabi), Shrimp on bed of rice cake, fried and breaded seafood, and pork or beef Kalbi Jim (tender marinated pieces of beef rib slowly char-boiled with sweet potatoes, carrots and chestnuts). Get a taste of the Korean culture by ordering the the boiled silk worm pupae, bundaegi! The most popular condiment served in all small and large restaurants is the country’s staple, Kimchi. As many Koreans put it, “ A meal without kimchi would be like trying to walk without legs.”

Shopping in Seoul

Take a stop on the subway line in Myongdong where festive pedestrians strew in because of the really fun shopping. The lovely and very fun tourist street of Seoul, Insadong, is a great place to check out souvenirs as well as the unique traditional Korean paper that you may want to take home to make those personalized cards for the year-round holidays and celebrations. Small but fun, is the university area of Hangdae. It’s hip and animated on a Saturday and has lots of cool shopping. South of the river Kangnam is the land of upscale Department stores, a real territory for great fashion-diggers. Funky, cool boutiques and luxury brand names are the best finds here. Kangnam underground shopping mall is at B1 of the bus station. If you want to make your own pillows, clothes, and jewelries, this is the place to go. The bargain hunter’s paradise is Itaewon! This is a good place if you like to dig through piles of junk to find treasure. Prices are phenomenal and some of the brands are on sale here.

Seoul Travel Tips

• Cell phones are very rare in Seoul, but there are several public phones around.
• ATM’s in the subway stations do not display English on the screen so you must go to an ATM in a bank.
• Tipping is considered degrading in restaurants, so a nice bow and thank you will do.