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May 24, 2024 · South Korea (한국, 韓國 Hanguk), officially the Republic of Korea (대한민국, 大韓民國 Daehan Minguk) is a country in East Asia. South Korea occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula, with North Korea to the north, China across the sea to the west and Japan a short ferry ride to the southeast.
- Seoul
Seoul is a very well organized city covering over 600 km²...
- Two weeks in South Korea
South Korea is a country in East Asia. Rich with culture and...
- Seoul
South Korea (Korean: 한국, 韓國 Hanguk), officially the Republic of Korea (대한민국, 大韓民國 Daehan Minguk), is a country in East Asia. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. South Korea has emerged from the shadows of its turbulent ...
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Seoul is the largest city in South Korea as well as the political and economic capital. The city houses 11.8 million people, and the metropolitan area has 25.6 million, which is just over half of the population of South Korea. By some measures it is the world's second largest urban agglomeration, after Tokyo. Seoul has a long history stretching far...
By train
Seoul is the northern terminus of the KTX high-speed line. There are three KTX stations within city limits: 1. Seoul Station (서울역) for trains to Busan, Ulsan, Kyeongju, Daegu, Daejeon Cheonan/Asan, and Suwon. Accessible via subway lines 1 & 4. 1. Yongsan Station (용산역), for trains to Mokpo, Gwangju, Daejeon and Cheonan/Asan. Also on line 1 & 4 (Sinyongsan Station). 1. The newly added KTX at Youngdeungpois now running to southern destinations. Nearly all ordinary (non-KTX) services also use one...
By bus
Every weekend approximately 2 million Seoulites leave the city, which goes a long way to explaining why the city has five major intercity bus terminals. 1. Central City Terminal, also known as Honam Terminal, (Metro Lines 3, 7 or 9, Express Bus Terminal stn). Directly adjacent to the Express terminal, serves buses to North and South Jeolla. 1. Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, (동서울버스터미널), Gangbyeon stn (Line 2). Buses to points east of Seoul (Gangwon and some part of North Chungcheong). 1. Seoul Expre...
By boat
There are ferry services to various points in China from the neighboring port city of Incheon. Currently no services run from Japan directly to Seoul. Busanis the main port for ferries to Japan (about 2-2.5 hours by KTX train), where several ferry and hydrofoil options are available. There is a weekly scheduled ferry service (with dbs ferry) linking Vladivostok in Russia, Donghae in South Korea and Sakaiminato in Japan. From March to November it departs from Vladivostok on Wednesdays, arrivin...
For most Koreans, especially upper class, the car is the preferred mode of transportation, which leads to huge traffic jams and chaotic parking situations, throughout the city. Taxis are common to get around since public transport doesn't cover large parts of the city, but are slow since they get stuck in traffic and can get expensive due to the ex...
See also: Korean phrasebook As elsewhere in Korea, a grasp of basic Koreanwill be helpful. If you plan on an extended visit, consider learning to read the Korean written script, hangeul. It takes very little time to pick up the basics, and it can be endlessly helpful. A quick (free) visit to the Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall beneath the Stat...
Palaces
As the ancient seat of Korea's royalty, there are no fewer than 5 major palaces in Seoul, and some are definitely worth a visit. You can pay admission fee with T-money at the entrance(no additional discount applies). ISIC holder can get a discount at ticket office. 1. Gyeongbok-gung(경복궁,景福宮), Yulgukno (subway Gyeongbokgung or Gwanghwamun). This is Seoul's grandest Joseon Dynasty-era palace and the seat of power for centuries before it was razed in 1592 by a Japanese invasion (and again by the...
Mountains
Seoul offers many excellent opportunities for hiking. The mountains in Seoul are at most 800 m (3,000 ft), accessible by public transit and the trails range from easy to difficult. 1. Mount Inwang(인왕산) – Located in central Seoul, contains some shamanist shrines, and is the starting point for an easy hike along the old city wall that nevertheless offers possibly the best view of the city. Easily accessible from Dongnimmun Station on Line 3. 1. Mount BukhanOffers probably the best hiking opport...
Parks
1. 4.19 Memorial Cemetery– 224 people were killed during the April 19 Movement, and were buried in this cemetery. It became a national cemetery in 1995. This place has a museum, several statues, and a mausoleum. It is a popular park to learn about culture and heritage. 1. Boramae Park– Formerly the site of the Korean Air Force Academy, which in 1986 turned into a park - Boramae, or hawk in English, symbolizes the Air Force. The size of the park is about 360,000 square meters and its sports fa...
There are so many various activities to do 24/7 around Seoul. The city is full of energy at night, where most shopping centers and markets are open until midnight. Every experience is very convenient and enjoyable.
Cooking, Sports, and Pottery are important aspects of Korean culture. Learning and understanding the concepts on how to make and do things are very popular.
There is an immense demand for ESL (English as a Second Language) instruction in Seoul. See the main South Koreaarticle for details. Note that Seoul municipal government has decided to phase out foreign (non-Korean) teachers of English in all public schools. Although it has yet to be seen if this will be successful in practice, it may have an effec...
Markets
1. Gwangjang(광장시장), This covered market near Dongdaemun offers a great array of Korean streetfood, and is particularly lively in the evenings. Walking distance from Euljiro 4-ga Station (Lines 2 and 5) and Dongdaemun Station (Lines 1 and 4). 1. Namdaemun, . The largest traditional street market in Korea. This market is located in the center of Seoul and is a famous shopping place for tourists. Clothing for children and accessories are the most-commonly sold goods in this market, but there's l...
Fashion
Fashion shopping in Seoul isn't a mere industry, it's an art form. Myeongdong, is probably the largest and best-known area; it is definitely the most tourist-friendly fashion area. In the spring and summer, fashion models/sidewalk promoters can be seen strolling the streets of Myeongdong promoting various cosmetics, stores or other fashion-related products. Many regular people also tend to catwalk their newest outfit on these streets. Rows of stores are available to look for that perfect acce...
Duty free
Won, Yen and US dollars are accepted, along with major credit cards. Most shops have staff who can speak Japanese and Mandarin. There are duty-free shops in both the Incheon airport and the major department stores: Lotte, Shilla Hotel. There are other duty-free shops at Walkerhill Hotel, SKM DFS in COEX Mall.
Much of Korean social life revolves around food and the city is packed with restaurants, so it would take a determined person to starve to death in Seoul. This fate may still befall you if you insist on English menus and meals consisting only of easily identifiable, familiar ingredients, so see South Korea#Eatfor a quick Korean menu reader. An alte...
From Seoul's glittering nightlife to Seoraksan National Park's vertiginous hikes, South Korea offers the traveler a dazzling range of experiences, beautiful landscapes and 5000 years of culture and history.
Our South Korea Travel Guide shows you where to go, what to see, and when to travel. Start your journey with itinerary ideas and pre-travel tips, the best day trips, and lots more essential Korean travel advice.
May 15, 2024 · Whether you’re a first-time traveller to Korea, or you’ve visited before, this South Korea travel guide will show what to see, when to travel, and which places to visit, as well as help you avoid any difficult situations or surprising culture shocks.
Jul 17, 2023 · A comprehensive budget travel guide to South Korea with tips on things to do, costs, ways to save, transportation, accommodation, and more!
