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Seoul - Wikitravel
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Seoul is a huge city with several district articles containing sightseeing, restaurant, nightlife and accommodation listings — have a look at each of them.
Location
Quick Facts
Government
Capital of South Korea and South Korea Special City
Changdeokgung (Changdeok Palace) is one of several palaces within the city of Seoul, and the only one inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Seoul (서울) is the capital of South Korea. Before, Seoul was the capital of the Korea from 1394 until the formal division of the country In 1948. With a municipal population of over 11.8 million, and a metropolitan population totaling over 25.6 million, Seoul is by far South Korea's largest city and one of East Asia's financial and cultural epicenters. Seoul also serves as the cultural, economic, business and political center of South Korea where skyscrapers towers over its buddhist temples. A fascinating blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge digital technology, home to endless street food vendors and vast nightlife districts, an extraordinarily high-pressure educational system and serene Buddhist temples, a trend-setting youth culture and often crushing conformism, extraordinary architecture and endless monotonous rows of grey apartment buildings, Seoul is a city filled with stark contrasts.
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 back into Korea's dynastic past. There is evidence for settlement in this area as far as 18 BC but Seoul as the capital city of Korea has a history back to the 14th century. Originally named Hanseong (한성; 漢城), the city was the capital of the Joseon Dynasty from 1392 to 1910, and remained the capital of Korea during the period of Japanese colonial rule which followed under the name Gyeongseong (경성; 京城), or Keijo in Japanese. The Joseon Dynasty built most of Seoul's most recognisable landmarks, including the Five Grand Palaces and Namdaemun. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, the city was re-named to its current name, Seoul. Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, Seoul has been the capital of South Korea. Occupied twice during the Korean War by Communist forces, the city was extensively rebuilt and today is one of Asia's primary metropolises.
While few historical points of interest remain (most of the temples and palaces are reconstructions), much of Seoul's infrastructure is exceptionally modern and clean. Skyscrapers and high rises abound. The subway system is the third-largest in the world and perhaps one of the finest. Seoul is truly vast - though the casual traveler can see most of the main sites in a few days, a dedicated traveler could spend weeks exploring all the alleyways and far-off neighborhoods. As the capital of a country that has gone through massive development in the past sixty years, it is constantly changing at an incredible pace, matched only by the mainland Chinese cities. This frantic pace of life is reflected everywhere - in Seoul's cutting-edge digital technology, in the millions of commuters rushing to work everyday, in one of the vibrant nightlife scene, and in the thousands of buildings still under construction.
In recent years, Seoul has been swamped with tourists from China, Japan, and Southeast Asia, following the success of Korean pop culture. Travelers will frequently overhear Japanese, Mandarin, or Cantonese; many restaurants and stores, especially in the more touristy areas like Myeongdong, will have signs in Japanese and Chinese as well as Korean and English. Long popular among Asians, Seoul has been relatively unknown in the West and frequently passed over by Westerners for nearby Shanghai, Tokyo, Beijing, and Hong Kong. However, recently things have been changing; tourism numbers to Seoul have been exploding in the past five years or so, with no indications of slowing down or stopping.
Seoul is a very well organized city covering over 600 km² with a population of around 11.8 million. It is a new modern city built on an ancient and shining history. The city is located in the north-western portion of South Korea approximately 40 km east of the Yellow Sea and 60 km south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The city is roughly bisected by the Han River (한강 Hangang), which runs east to west across the city. Seoul blurs seamlessly into its surrounding satellite cities, most of which are also served by the Seoul metro. The largest of these is Incheon (to the west) in which Seoul's main Airport, and the area's main seaport, are located. Other satellite cities include such as Ilsan (to the north), Gwacheon and Anyang (to the south).
Administratively, Seoul is divided into 25 districts (구 gu), each with an area and population comparable to a small city. The districts are then further subdivided into 522 sub-districts (동 dong). The Han river bisects the city, splitting it into two halves: Gangbuk (강북), the northern, more historical half, and Gangnam (강남), the southern, wealthier and more modern half. The sheer size of the city means that travelers to Seoul will find it difficult to locate a true "center" of Seoul; instead, Seoul is almost more like a collection of cities that happen to be bunched together, each with their own central business and commercial districts. The two largest core areas are Jongno/Jung in the north, and Gangnam in the south. For travelers with more time, there are many more, smaller centers and districts to be explored, such as the island of Yeoui-do and the college district of Hongdae/Sinchon. For the typical traveler, it would be useful to divide the city into the following areas:
Jongno (종로) – The Joseon-era historical core of the city, containing most palaces and government offices. This district, along with Jung (중) district immediately to the south of it, makes up one of the main centers of the city. Here you can find the most famous of the Five Grand Joseon Palaces, Gyeongbokgung, with a long avenue attracting many tourists leading up to the main gate. To the east of Gyeongbokgung are clustered Changdeokgung and Changyeonggung, two more of the Five, and Jongmyo Shrine, the main Confucian shrine in the dynastic era designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. Sandwiched between these two areas is Bukchon, a quaint housing area filled with 'hanok', beautiful traditional Korean houses that also date back to the dynastic era. South of Bukchon is Insa-dong which is the largest antiques market street in Seoul and the cultural heart of the city, and further south is Cheongyecheon, a renovated stream and park that runs through the heart of the downtown area.
Jung (중) – This district makes up the other half of the historic core, with Cheongyecheon stream as its northern border. It holds some of the few remaining European-style government buildings left over from the Japanese imperial colonialism era - the City Hall and the Bank of Korea, both in the west, centered around a large plaza often serves as a rallying point for protests and soccer games. Immediately to the southwest of the City Hall is Myeongdong, an large upscale shopping district that gets extremely busy at night and on weekends, and one of the top ten most expensive shopping districts in the world by rent. To the south of the City Hall is Namdaemun Market, another large shopping district that is decidedly cheaper than neighboring Myeongdong. Further south of Namdaemun is Seoul Station and Namsan Mountain, with the Seoul Tower at its summit. Finally, the eastern part holds Dongdaemun, an enormous fashion district with dozens of clothing malls, complexes, wholesalers, and department stores.
Seodaemun/Mapo (서대문/마포) – These two districts lie immediately west of Jongro and Jung, and contain dozens of universities and colleges. As such, this area is home to some of Seoul's most active nightlife districts: Hongdae (홍대) and Sinchon (신촌). Sinchon is close to Yonsei University, one of the most prestigious in Korea, and has hundreds of restaurants, bars, clubs, and stores that are open well into early morning, packed with throngs of students during the weekend. Hongdae is famous for being the center of Seoul's indie and underground arts scene – expect to see street performers, indie rock bands, graffiti, and independent stores. During the night, Hongdae really comes alive, even more crowded than Sinchon and absolutely enormous – it's easy to get lost inside this huge nightlife district, and has the second highest concentration of foreigners, after Itaewon.
Yongsan (용산) – Yongsan is home to the US Army Military Base as well as one of the largest electronics markets in the world, Yongsan Electronics Market. On the top floor of this market is a Starcraft Arena - and yes, computer-obsessed Korea does, in fact, regularly broadcast Starcraft matches on national television. This is also where you'll find Itaewon (이태원), perhaps the most culturally diverse area on the entire peninsula and home to dozens of restaurants featuring cuisine from the world over, numerous shops selling everything from custom-tailored suits to antiques, and several Western pubs and bars. Itaewon also has the only mosque in Korea, and as such there are a growing number of Middle Eastern and Pakistani immigrants. Talks are also finalizing on Yongsan International Business District, a $28.8 billion dollar project that when completed, will have a 665m centerpiece tower, the second tallest in the world.
Gangnam (강남) – Gangnam is the glitzy center of modern Seoul, home to hundreds of glass and steel skyscrapers, neon billboards, and some of the most expensive real estate in the country. The core business district runs along Tehran-ro from Samseong Station to Gangnam Station. Gangnam station is the true center of Gangnam - with dozens of high rises, hundreds of restaurants and bars, and thousands upon thousands of neon signs lining Gangnam street, this area is not only a major commercial and nightlife center for young adults, it is Korea at its futuristic, digital, high-tech best. Samseong station at the other end of Tehran-ro is connected to COEX, a huge underground shopping mall with a movie theater, aquarium, hotels, food courts, and a Hyundai Department Store. To the north of this business district (but still in Gangnam) is Apgujeongdong and Cheomdangdong, some of the most affluent areas in Seoul, and home to hundreds of upscale luxury brands and department stores.
Songpa – a primarily residential district east of Gangnam where you'll find Lotte World, Olympic Park, Seoul (Jamsil) Sports Complex, and the Sincheon nightlife district. Lotte World is an unusual place - just a few bus stops away from COEX, it is yet another enormous shopping and entertainment complex, but with a twist: It holds one of the largest ice-skating rinks in Korea, and the largest indoor theme park in the world. Good for families with children, but be warned: on a rainy day, the shortest lines may be an hour or longer. Sincheon (신천, not to be confused with Sinchon, 신촌) is a large, crowded nightlife area, mainly populated by an older, local business crowd due to its location near Gangnam.
Yeoui-do (여의도) – An island in the Han River in Yeongdeungpo-gu (영등포-구) and the closest Seoul gets to Manhattan with skyscrapers, the National Assembly and the Seoul Stock Exchange. Though it may seem attractive for tourists, in reality there isn't too much to do here, and the island gets pretty desolate during the weekends.
Yangcheon – a district of western Seoul with the Mok-dong area at its centre, home to some of the tallest residential buildings in Seoul, a large Hyundae department store and an ice rink.
Seoul has a temperate climate with 4 distinct seasons that is heavily affected by the east asian monsoon season and Siberia. Winters are cold and dry and warm clothes are definitely recommended. Most of the season's winds blow from eastern Siberia, leading to colder temperatures than cities in the same latitude such as Niigata and Qingdao in Japan and China respectively. Most nights drop below -5°C (23°F) and days usually remain just above freezing. When strong cold waves hit the country, Seoul is usually one of the first cities that gets affected leading to temperatures sometimes below -10°C (15°F) and on extreme cases below -15°C (5°F). The most recent occasion was in January 2016, when a very strong cold wave affected a large part of Asia, the mercury in Seoul dipped to -18°C (0°F) for the first time in 15 years. The lowest recorded temperature is -22°C (-8°F). Precipitation is usually limited to around 60-70 milimeters each year (2.5-3 inches) and most of it falls as snow.
Spring and fall are by far the best times to visit since the city doesn't have neither too warm nor too cold temperatures. Just keep in mind that March and November still have chilly nights and that September falls in the Asian Typhoon Season.
Summer is warm and very wet. Temperatures usually hover between 20°C (68°F) and 30°C (86°F) but occasional heat waves can push them as high as 35°C (95°F). The record high is 40°C (104°F) but such high temperatures are rare. What a visitor really needs to watch out during summer are the torrential rains, brought by the East Asian Monsoon. Most of it falls in July and August, in the form of thunderstorms, with these two months accounting for more than 60% of the yearly precipitation. Flash flooding can occur in the mountainous areas so one needs to be careful when venturing there and the weather forecast calls for rain. Typhoons very rarely hit Seoul itself but the remnants of those that hit the southern coast of Korea can bring heavy rainfall.
Upon arrival, it is worth visiting a convenience store to purchase a T-Money card. This is a rechargeable transport card that can be used on subways, city/local buses, a reasonable number of taxis and can even be used to make purchases at convenience stores. Along with ₩50 discount upon each bus/subway use, it also gives you discount for connecting buses from subway, or vice versa up to 5 times within 30 mins. You will be surprised that the ATMs in the airport don’t accept most foreign credit cards, therefore bringing cash can be very helpful.
AREX or 'airport train 공항철도' connects Incheon airport to Seoul Station (for further connections to KTX high-speed services) and Gimpo Airport (most domestic flights and some International flights from/to Japan, China, and Taiwan), operating from 5:20 AM until midnight. Two versions exist: Express services to the city (every half hour) takes 43 minutes and cost ₩9,000 or ₩7,500 with a group discount (with WiFi available on board), while all-stop trains (every 6 to 12 minutes) take 59 minutes and cost about ₩4,000. Some subway lines of Seoul are connected directly to the all-stop train, so consider it if you have plans to take subway to go on. If you show your boarding pass from Asiana or Korean Airlines you get a discount when buying the ticket for the AREX Information Booth [3].
By Airport Limousine Bus
If you have a lot of luggage, limousine buses are a good option. Limousine buses(₩10,000 - 15,000 to/from city for one way, ₩6,500 to/from Gimpo Airport. They travel directly to major areas and big hotels in Seoul, while public buses (₩8,000-9,000) will take you to major transit hubs. If you're visiting for the first time, it's worth paying a bit extra for the limousine bus. For either bus type, consult the big maps or staff to figure out which route best suits your needs; you can then find the shuttles outside 1st floor arrivals (if possible get this information from your hotel before arriving). Or simply, walk out and ask the many ticket sellers (they are wearing vests) which bus goes to your hotel because if it's a popular one or in a popular area, they'll surely know which you'll need. It's best to buy tickets at any of the ticket gates near the bus arrival area but you can also pay the fare using won or a T-Money card. The limousine bus drivers are extremely friendly but don't count on them knowing too much English. There are maps inside the buses letting passengers know which stops are upcoming and these are also announced in Korean and English. Pressing any of the red buttons inside signals to the driver you want off at the next stop.
If you have a late flight and plan on getting into Seoul via bus, make sure you get out to the curb as soon as you can. The last buses run shortly after the last flights land. If you miss your bus, you'll be stuck paying for a taxi, as the trains will stop running too.
By Taxi
A taxi direct to Seoul will cost around ₩60,000-90,000 depending on your destination. You are expected to pay any road tolls on top of the meter fare (usually 6,500 for the main bridge linking to Seoul). Having your destination written down in Korean will be very helpful. As both buses and taxis are subject to traffic, allow extra time for rush hour delays. Beware of drivers that might take detour or fake taxis that charge "tourist prices".
Book a taxi, van, minibus, coach in advance[4] to have the driver meet you upon arrival and pay fixed prices (no surprises). If you have children in tow, big group or lot of luggage, door-to-door service would be helpful.
Getting to Incheon Airport from Seoul
Take AREX, taxi or Limousine Bus. Leave ample time considering the traffic if you are taking taxi or bus. Rush hours are usually weekdays 8-10am, 5-8pm, all day on weekends or holidays. Traffic will get worse just before holidays.
It is worth noting that with some airlines you can check into your Incheon flight in Seoul Station before you get on the AREX train. Immigration officers are also on hand to stamp your passport, which means you are processed and can quickly go through the Diplomatic Departures entrance in Incheon Airport. However note, you can only do this if flying from Incheon on Asiana, Jeju Air or Korean Air.
The closer but older Gimpo Airport[5] (김포국제공항, GMP) caters only to the shuttle services to Tokyo-Haneda, Osaka-Kansai, Taipei-Songshan, Shanghai-Hongqiao and Beijing, as well as domestic flights within South Korea.
Gimpo Airport is easily reached on the A'REX link from Seoul Station or Incheon Airport, as well as subway lines 5 and 9. All lines intersect Line 2 which runs in a large circle through Seoul. Line 9 (Gold Line), a private subway line in Seoul, has three express trains per hour. Travelers coming into Seoul should first have detailed directions to their destination from the nearest station then consult the subway map before deciding on which line and route to take. All three lines cost ₩1,000-2,100 (depending on distance), while a taxi to central Seoul will run around ₩30,000. Discounts for subway fare are available with T-Money cards.
The newly added KTX at Youngdeungpo is now running to southern destinations.
Nearly all ordinary (non-KTX) services also use one or both of the above terminals, but services east to Chuncheon or Gangneung and southeast to Gyeongju via Danyang use Cheongnyangni Station (청량리역), to the east of the city on line 1.
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.
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.
Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, (동서울버스터미널), Gangbyeon stn (Line 2). Buses to points east of Seoul (Gangwon and some part of North Chungcheong).
Seoul Express Bus Terminal, (서울고속버스터미널), (Metro Lines 3, 7, or 9, Express Bus Terminal stn). Also known as Gangnam Terminal and Gyeongbu-Yeongdong Terminal, this is the largest of them all and serves pretty much the entire country, but most services head east (incl. Busan, Daegu, Daejeon). Lines to Jeolla, however, use the Central City/Honam Terminal right next door. For the most part there's no need to buy a ticket days in advance except for maybe during holidays. There's even a ticket window labeled "Tickets for Foreigners" where the attendant can speak English. Fare from Seoul-Busan is about ₩20,000 and buses come continuously throughout the day. Small restaurants and snacks are all throughout the station. Journeys longer than 2 hrs. typically will have a short stop at a rest area. Most buses are very comfortable and extremely safe.
Nambu Bus Terminal, Nambu Bus Terminal stn (Line 3). Serves places southwest of Seoul (Southern Gyeonggi, South Chungcheong and nothern North Jeolla).
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. Busan is 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, arriving at Donghae on Thursdays and continuing towards Sakaiminato arriving on Fridays. The return trip departs Sakaiminato on Saturdays, to arrive on Donghae on Sundays and to Vladivostok on Mondays. From December to February the route is similar with the exception of spending an extra night in Donhae on the way from Japan to Russia and so arriving to Vladivostok on Tuesdays.
No matter where in Korea you start your journey, there will be tolled expressways (Gosok Doro) and national highways (Gook Do) that lead to Seoul; the most important one is the Gyeongbu Expressway, linking Seoul with Busan. To avoid the daily traffic jam on the Gyeongbu Highway near Seoul, take Jungbu/2nd Jungbu, Seohaean, or Yongin-Seoul Expressway.
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 extended travel time during rush hour. Use the subway whenever possible, but try to avoid the rush hour during weekdays. Street and subway signage is usually written in English as well as Korean.
Koreans have been driving on the right side of the road since 1945 when it was more convenient to US and Soviet forces using their imported military vehicles.
Walking however, continued to go on the left side.
It was only in 2009 when it was formally decided to switch walking to the right as well.
You will see many markings on the pavement to encourage people in this.
However. Many people have not changed habits ingrained from childhood (haven't we all...), so many people continue on the left. Be prepared for the ensuing conflicts...
Be cautious when using pedestrian crossings. Cars are legally required to stop for pedestrians but often they won't stop, which can lead to dangerous situations.
In Seoul, you can visit most places by using the subway system, the second most used metro transportation system in the world.
There are currently a total of 18 lines (nine numbered lines, the AREX express airport line, plus a smattering of named suburban lines), all distinguished by different colors.
Some colours are quite similar to others, like the blue (or violet?) and dark blue line. In some representations this can be hard to distinguish, so look carefully. Colours also seem to be changed when there are major upgrades on the services. Some (formerly) blus lines are now shown in green on current maps.
Mobile phone coverage on the trains is excellent, under ground and above.
Wifi is available, too.
Transferring between lines might involve longish underground walks and a lot of stairs or escalators.
Plattforms are accessible through elevators which involves detours, though. While those are clearly marked inside the stations, it can be tough to find them from street level.
Many exits do not have escalators, so you might have to carry luggage up and down stairs (however, there will always be a lift/elevator available, it just might not be the closest exit to your destination).
All signs in the subway system are in Korean (both hangeul and if applicable, hanja) and English. Most signs also have Japanese and Chinese written names. The signs leading to the platform for a particular direction of travel on a given subway line typically list the names of a number of stations in that direction. Stations each have a 3 digit number, but locals rarely make use of these numbers, and they're not on most subway maps, so don't rely on them. Note that the first digit gives the line number.
On the platform, directions are indicated by giving the previous and the next station in the direction of travel.
Be sure to search for updated subway maps as the Seoul metro system is constantly expanding and many maps even on the subway cars may not be the fully updated versions. A subway map can be found here:[6]. Also be sure to download the KakaoMetro app for IOS[7] or Android[8] to transit around Seoul.
Using navigation apps works on the trains, even underground. If in doubt of your direction or the next station, check on your smartphone.
Also, most trains have electronic displays showing the line, the next station and which side the exit will be on in English.
It is a good idea to check the exit you want in advance using a navigation app. Exits are numbered and shown clearly on the platforms in yellow fields.
Some stations are extensive with long underground walks and getting the right exit lets you avoid detours and crossing busy roads.
When entering and leaving a subway turnstile, place the card on the reader (leaving it inside your purse or wallet is fine) and it will deduct the appropriate fare from the card. The same is true for the buses, but be aware that in the countryside only placing it once when entering may be sufficient.
They show the amount remaining on your card or the number of trips made this day for multi day passes.
If planning on using the Metro extensively or staying for more than a few days, you should consider purchasing a T-Money stored value contact-less smart card.
Using this card will allow you to save ₩100 on all trips, and it will account for transfers between bus, train and subway instead of charging a single trip for each type of transport - these are common with Seoul's extensive subway system. It also saves the hassle from figuring out how much you need to pay or waiting in line to buy a single-use ticket.
Cards require a deposit ₩500 (refundable if you return the card at designated machines at each station).
Cash can be charged onto the card as often as you like.
Multi-day passes are available at approx. W10.000 per day and are limited to 20 trips per day. So they are useful from 8 trips per day.
The subway is not open 24 hours, so you may be stranded late at night. The last train on most lines finishes its run by midnight.
Lines stop running earlier(!) on weekends and holidays.
Current locations of stations are available at Seoul Metro website (Korean only)[9], and operating hours are available at Metroseoul (Korean/English/Chinese)[10]
Many stations double as underground shopping areas. All have convenience stores and offer free toilets as well.
They also have lockers (which are in demand, so don't rely on finding a free one too much) and waste bins (which otherwise are hard to find).
Seoul also has a very well connected and extensive bus transportation service.
There are four different kinds of buses: yellow, green, blue, and red and gyeonggi.
Yellow buses have a short circuit usually around tourist areas.
Green buses travel around neighborhoods and connect with the subway.
Blue buses go across town
Red-and-green 'G' (Gyeonggi) buses are intercity buses.
Buses will only stop at designated bus stops and will not wait for indecisive travelers.
Adult fare is as follows:
Cash – ₩1,300
T-Money Card – ₩1,200
By using a T-Money card, you can transfer for up to 30min between bus and subway and don't have to pay twice but less or even 0 depending on the distance. Note that if you do not tag the machine as you leave the bus, you will be charged the maximum fare possible by the route.
The city of Seoul provides an interactive bus map at the following site: Seoul Public Transportation System Guide [11].
There are many types of taxis in Seoul. Standard taxis will be an orange or silver color while deluxe taxis are black with a yellow sign and are more expensive than regular taxis but provide better and more comfortable service. For the most part, regular taxi cabs have leather interiors and the drivers are nice--so, for many people, "regular" in Seoul might be "deluxe" in their hometown. It is easy to hail a taxi any time of the day or night along any relatively major Seoul street with bright LED lights in the front of the windshield to denote an available car (빈차) or off if the car is taken. If the LED screen denotes "빈차" it means it is available and if it denotes "예약", it means the taxi is en route to a previously arranged appointment through a call service which may be used without fee when needed.
You can call a deluxe taxi wherever you are by calling 3431-5100. Sometimes, you can find a visitor's guide taxi or an international taxis exclusively for foreigners, a kind of deluxe taxi, the drivers of which know English and Japanese and can guide you around Seoul.
The basic fare for regular taxis is, as of 2014, ₩3,000 (₩3,680 at night), with a surcharge of ₩100 applied according to time and distance. (The basic fare is up to 2 km, plus ₩100 per 144 m.) In deluxe taxis, the basic fare is ₩4500 and the additional fare increases in increments of ₩200. (₩4500 basic fare for up to 3 km, plus ₩200 per 164 m). International taxi drivers speak at least one foreign language (generally English) fluently. International taxis use the same basic fare as regular taxis, plus an additional 20%.
If there is more than one passenger, and you are traveling only a short distance (like 1-2 metro stops) it is usually cheaper to catch a taxi than to take a bus or subway.
In general, taxi drivers do not speak English or any other foreign language, so have your destination written in Korean to show to the taxi driver. It is also wise to get your hotel's business card in case you get lost. Some may even reject looking at a map so whenever possible, have the location written in Korean.
All taxis advertise a free interpretation service that can be called if you need help. The phone number for the interpretation is on the window sticker of the back seats. Taxis that have an "On Base Authorized" sticker on the side, or a green sticker on their front bumper, are capable of entering US military bases in Seoul. These drivers are required to speak better English as part of their contract and may thus be easier for any English speaking tourists.
Most taxis accept credit cards and T-money cards and thus have a V-shaped orange card sign on the roof of the taxi by the front passenger seat window. However, drivers generally prefer that you pay cash, especially for short rides.
You can also ask for your receipt ("Yeong-su-jeung" 영수증).
As in any other city, there are some bad apples, and some drivers may take you the long way. Although the drivers often have a GPS device on the dashboard of their car, this is relatively meaningless if you do not know the area or cannot speak sufficient Korean to argue the point. Korean taxi drivers have been known to take "the long way" when arriving to destinations when the passenger seems to be oblivious as to how to arrive at the respective destination. Therefore, it is important to be tough-minded to keep the driver in check and to make sure he knows where the destination is. However, you will have no problem getting to a destination if you have an accurate address as no place in Korea is unreachable due to its immaculate GPS systems.
In general, make sure the driver turns on the meter, get an idea of the cardinal direction of your destination (north, south, east, west), and use the interpretation service if you want to agree to a fare beforehand. Meters are standard in every taxi in Korea and it is illegal to haggle for a negotiated fare.
However, keep in mind that there is often road construction or protests around Seoul, so sometimes a long route is necessary. If you suspect you are being ripped off, the most a non-Korean speaker can do is write down or take a picture of the driver's ID (located above the glove box) and report the details to the company. Also, make sure to get into the taxi first then tell the driver of your destination as it is illegal and grounds for prosecution if a driver refuses to take passengers once they have entered the vehicle.
Internationally known car rental companies like Hertz are in Seoul, just be prepared for a driving challenge and long rush hours. In addition, parking spaces are hard, if not close to impossible to find, especially during peak hours. Therefore, unless you are planning to head out of the city, it is not advisable to rent a car and you are better off relying on the excellent public transport system instead.
Getting around in Seoul without a local escort (be it friend or cab driver) can be tricky, since this is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. While Seoul occupies less land than New York City, it can be more confusing. The major roads twist and turn, the various rail lines, rivers and mountains are obstacles and the smaller roads turn into a labyrinth of alleys. Most people will try to help you find your way around but often won't know themselves; best to familiarize yourself with some landmarks and the nearest subway stations. Learn the landmarks closest to where you are staying. The better-known landmarks in Seoul (such as the N Seoul Tower located in the center of town) can prove helpful at times. A compass will still work when a GPS fails.
Once you know your immediate surroundings, you'll find that Seoul isn't such a huge place and the pedestrian approach can be an enriching experience.
There's usually a subway stop within a ten-minute walk in any direction.
Whether on bicycle or foot, the best way to escape traffic is to learn the rivers and streams. Most of these waterways empty into the Han River or another tributary to the Han, so look to the direction of water flow at any creek; chances are, it's headed for the Han. The Han runs right through town, generally moving West (sometimes Southwest; sometimes Northwest), so knowing where you are in relation to the Han is helpful.
The Han River as well as most streams are lined with massive parks that feature outdoor gymnasiums, multiple-lane bicycle paths, and 24-hour restrooms. Cars are generally not allowed. Pedestrian bridges on the smaller waterways are common.
Numerous mountains with hiking trails can be found in the city.
As elsewhere in Korea, a grasp of basic Korean will 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 Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square will give you an introduction to the Korean written language and some interactive exhibits to practice. Thirty minutes there will see you recognising and pronouncing some Korean words.
Shops in major tourists areas, including Insadong, Myeongdong, and Itaewon, will probably have staff that speak at least some English, and some may have staff that speak Mandarin, Cantonese and/or Japanese. While all younger Koreans are required to study English in school, due to a lack of practice, proficiency is generally poor, and most residents of Seoul only know a few simple words and phrases. If lost, a useful tip is to write down your question in simple words and show it to someone young. That being said, it is still possible to get by using only English, though it goes without saying that a basic grasp of Korean will make your trip much smoother.
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.
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 Japanese in 1910). This was the first palace used by the Joseon Dynasty. Large parts have now been restored and the vast grounds also house the Joseon Palace Museum and the Korean Folk Museum. Admission fee is ₩3,000, open 9AM-6PM (open till 7PM on holidays) daily except Tuesdays.
Changdeok-gung(창덕궁,昌德宮), 99 Yulgong-ro, Jongno-gu (Metro Line 3, Anguk station 5 min walk or Line 1, 3, 5 Jongno-3ga Station). This palace is second only to Gyeongbok-gung (the original Gyeongbok-gung was built before Changdeok-gung but wasn't used for as long a time) in historical importance, this was first built in 1405 and was the seat of power between 1618 and 1896. The buildings have all been recently restored and freshly repainted, creating a dazzling but still elegant effect that got the palace listed as an UNESCO World Heritage Site. Buildings of particular note include the blue-roofed Seonjeongjeon, which was the King's office, and the Daejojeon ("Great Making Hall"), his bedchamber, but perhaps most famous of all is the Huwon ("Secret Garden") in the back. Access to the complex is by guided tour only (₩3,000) except on Thursdays when only self-guided tours are available in summer from April to August. Korean-language tours run every half hour (Japanese-language tours also available) but English tours are only offered at 10:30AM and 2:30PM, and last around 60 minutes with a walking distance of about 2.5 km, including some steps and inclines for the Huwon portion (the grounds are wheelchair-accessible for most parts but may have to enter certain areas in a reverse direction from the group). Closed Mondays. Mainline bus (blue): 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272. Branch line (green): no.7025.
Deoksu-gung (덕수궁,德壽宮), (subway City Hall). Located in downtown Seoul across the street from City Hall, Deoksu Palace vividly contrasts to the other nearby palaces like Changdeok Palace. Built during the mid-fifteenth century, the architecture of the buildings inside are heavily influenced with Western designs. Hence, you will see a fusion of both Korean and Western architecture. Closed on Mondays. Admission: Adults (19 to 64 years old): ₩1,000 (groups: ₩800), Children (aged 7-18) and soldiers: ₩500 (groups: ₩400), Children 6 and under, seniors 65 and over: free.
Changgyeong-gung (창경궁,昌慶宮), (Subway line 4, Hyehwa Station 10 minute walk or 20 min walk from Changdeok-gung). Originally built in 1104 as a summer palace for the Kings of the Koryo Dynasty, it became one of the main palaces during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace was used as a temporary home for the King during the time Gyeongbuk Palace was being built. Unlike other palaces that has a North-South orientation, Changgyeong Palace faces East-West. Also, what is famous about this palace is the fact it connects to Jongmyo Shrine, a holy place for the Joseon Dynasty, where sacrificial rites are practiced for previous kings and queens. Closed Tuesdays. Admission: Adults (19-64): ₩1,000 (groups: ₩800), Children (aged 7-18): ₩500 (groups: ₩400), Children 6 and under, seniors 65+: free.
Gyeonghui-gung (경희궁,慶熙宮) and Seoul History Museum (서울역사박물관), (Subway line 5, Seodaemun Station, exit 4). Originally built in the 17th century, it was burnt down twice in the 19th century. It was largely destroyed by the Japanese during the colonial rule to build a school for Japanese children. It was finally restored in 1985 and opened to the public. Free admission.
Klook Hanbok Experience, 2nd Floor, 4 Bukchonro5-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul (walk approximately 300m from Exit 2 of Anguk Station and across the road from Jae-dong Elementary School), [x]. 10:00am-8:00pm. Stroll Seoul streets and palaces in a traditional Korean hanbok with entrance fees to many attractions waived if you wear the Hanbok while visiting.₩13,000 - 4 hours, ₩26,000 - All Day.
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.
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.
Mount Bukhan Offers probably the best hiking opportunities in Seoul. It is in the north of Seoul and can be extremely crowded on holidays. To visit a popular area, take line 1 to Dobongsan station.
Mount Gwanak – Gwanak station, line 1. The sammak temple is located in.
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.
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 facilities, a small zoo, a pond, and walking paths are well designed. The huge pond, which is 9,000 square meters, is surrounded by willow trees and benches, and people love to sit here. The pond is full of cool shades during the summer, and is spectacular when snow falls in the winter.
Namsan Park – Located in the center of Seoul and considered a symbol of Seoul. Namsan Park is an ecology-island surrounded by urban districts. In spite of being an urban ecology-island, wild animals live in the park. Located in the middle of Seoul, the mountain filled with pine trees can be seen from almost every corner of the big city and the residents of the areas surrounding the hills enjoy the fresh mountain air.
Olympic Park – Built for the 1986 Asian Games and the 1988 Seoul Olympics. A lake, a large field covered with the grass, and a square with sculptures are very popular among visitors. It is frequently visited by brides and grooms to take their wedding pictures. There are a couple of courses that are ideal for jogging or walking. In addition, the outdoor stage and the six stadiums are often used for concerts and other special events. Also a well known modern art museum named SOMA Museum is located within the park that features modern artworks of both korean and international artists. the entrance fee for the museum is ₩3,000.
Tapgol ("Pagoda") Park – A small park frequented by the elderly and the footsore traveller, just to the east of Jongmyo Shrine. Contains 500+ year-old namesake pagoda under protective glass, and a nice large gazebo to get out of the sun. This is where the Korean constitution was first read aloud by the public during the 20th century. Acts as a navigation landmark when moving between Myeong-dong, Jong-no and Insa-dong neighborhoods.
Yangjae Citizen's Forest – You will find a forest on your right if you drive through Gangnam Street. It's a park with streams and a clear view of the sky. There are over 106,600 trees planted in it, and it's a very popular picnic spot for young students.
Yeouido Park – More than 30,000 visit it on the weekdays and over 60,000 people visit it on weekends. The size of the park being 230,000 m². This giant concrete field was built for military aviation purposes in emergencies. There is a traditional Korean forest, and in many other places you can enjoy concerts, cycling, or taking walks. Hundreds of trees and flowers offer you shade and an opportunity to relax. It is recommended to visit the three ponds. There are also basketball courts, so feel free to stop by and play. For a nominal fee, one can also rent bicycles or rollerblades for use at the park.
Yongsan Park – Reminds you of famous parks in other countries that you might have seen in some movies. Large grass fields and thick forests will make you feel much relieved from bustling city life ; you will see many kinds of birds and trees. The park once used as U.S military base camps. In 1992, Seoul City bought the land and built the park.
Hangang Citizen's Park – Located along the Han River at 13 districts - Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Gangdong, Ttukseom, Jamwon, Banpo, Ichon, Yeouido, Yanghwa, Mangwon, Seonyudo, Nanji, and Gangseojigu. You can see many people strolling or jogging along the trail paths, as well as in-line skaters, bicyclists, and soccer fields or basketball courts. Yeouido, Jamsil, and Ttukseom districts are especially popular because of the cruise services on the Han River.
Jongmyo Shrine – Certainly the most famous shrine devoted to the royal family members of Korean dynasties. The grounds are a bit more walker-friendly than some of the palaces, admission is cheaper and they also have some interactive equipment available to learn about the rituals and ceremonies used to treat deceased royal family members. ₩1,000. Closed Tu.
Mount Inwang (인왕산 Inwangsan) – (near subway Dongnimmun). This 336 m hill is home not only to the eponymous Inwang Temple (Inwangsa), but also Seoul's most famous shamanist shrine Guksadang (국사당). To get there, take Exit 2 and start climbing uphill following the "Inwang Temple" signs, through the huge construction site (as of 2006) and up through the temple gate. You'll see a map board and several paths, take the left staircase upward, past the bronze bell of Bongwonsa and you'll reach Guksadang. Behind it are several creeks with shamanist offerings and the bizarre rock formation known as the Zen Rocks; there are plenty of trails if you want to poke around, and the Seoul fortress wall can be seen running near the top of the hill. Be careful not to photograph or disturb any rituals you see being performed.
Jogye Temple (조계사, 曹溪寺) – The chief temple of the Jogye order of Buddhism, the dominant branch of Buddhism in Korea. As such, it is one of the most important modern Buddhist temples in the country.
Bongeun Temple (봉은사, 奉恩寺) – Traditionally an important Buddhist temple with rich history in a rural outskirt of old Seoul, the temple is now the biggest, richest, and the most visited temple in Seoul as the area near the temple, GangNam, transformed from rice field backwater in 80s to the most ritzy and opulent borough in South Korea. The temple has impressive array of Buddhist buildings and sculptures, and it provides a quiet resting and pray place to tourists and locals alike in middle of skyscrapers and shopping miles.
3D Black (3D블랙아트), Art 27 Myeongdong 8ga-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul, ☎ +82 222014568, [x].
Bukchon, (북촌). A small and charming district wedged between Gyeongbuk Palace and the Secret Garden, just north of Insadong and Anguk Station. This area was where relatives of the royal family, high public officials and other important families lived for over 500 years as they serviced the nearby palaces. Today, some 900 of their traditional Korean 'hanok' houses remain, making this area one of Seoul's most picturesque centres for arts, culture, food and fashion.
Cheonggye Stream (청계천), (Metro Line 5, Gwanghwamun Station). This is a delightful stream that used to be covered by an elevated freeway. A walk from Gwanghwamun to Dongdaemun is especially nice in the warmer months and a great place for kids to play.
COEX, (Metro Line 2, Samseong stn). This very large mall is located in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu. This state-of-the-art complex was designed for international conferences, and holds 150 specialized exhibitions and 15,000 conventions/events a year. The centre also plays a role in promoting international trade by connecting international buyers with local businesses. A variety of stores and attractions can be found in the COEX including: the COEX Aquarium [12]; a large Western-style "luxury" cinema; a traditional video game arcade; a PC Lounge; hair and nail salons; a large bookstore with many Korean, English, and Japanese publications; and a pharmacy. There are also shopping options in COEX and include mens and womens clothing, jewelery, sportswear, souvenirs, shoes, and electronics. As far as food options, there is a large food court serving several types of contemporary and traditional food cafeteria-style, and western chains such as TGI Friday's, as well as restaurants, hofs and cafes located all throughout the interior and exterior of the COEX. The COEX is also directly connected to the COEX Intercontinental Hotel and the City Air Terminal. Yearly conventions at the COEX include online gaming conventions (such as the popular Korean-originated MMORPG Lineage), anime conventions, and auto shows. It is possible to spend the entire day in this covered mall without setting foot outside, which can be a blessing if very bad weather hits outside.
Dongdaemun, (동대문,東大門), (Metro Line 1, Dongdaemun stn). More formally known as Heunginjimun (흥인지문,興仁之門), the old eastern gate of the city still stands. Though not as impressive architecturally as Namdaemun, the Dongdaemun market is infinitely more interesting than the its counterpart. Since Namdaemun was burnt down in February 2008, it is one of 3 original city gates still standing along with Bukdaemun (북대문,北大門), the Great North Gate more formally known as Sukjeongmun (숙정문,肅靖門) and a smaller minor gate known as Changuimun (창의문,彰義門).
Korean Folk Village, (한국 민속촌,韓國民俗村). (Metro Line 1, Suwon stn.; free shuttle bus departs from Suwon stn to the Folk Village; ask at the Tourist Information Center). A nice outdoor museum located in the Yongin suburb with displays that depict the lives of the different social classes and regions of Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. Also has some live performances of traditional Korean skills. ₩12,000-18,000 depending on the admission package you purchase
Korean Stone Art Museum (우리옛돌박물관), 66 Daesagwan-ro 13-gil, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, ☎ +82 29861001, [x]. Korea has a long history of stone sculpture which is on display at this modern museum.
MBC World (MBC 월드), 267, Seongam-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul 서울특별시 마포구 성암로 267 (상암동), ☎ +82-2-789-3705, [x]. 9:00am-6:00pm. The first hallyu theme (Korean Entertainment) park with VR and hologram exhibitions of popular Korean music groups and set visits of popular Korean dramas. Similar to a studio tour at Universal Studios or Warner Brothers, but focused on Korean popular entertainment. Good for fans of KDrama or KPop mbcworld.imbc.com (website in Korean/Chinese Only) Exhibits available in English/Chinese/Korean18,000 KRW.
N Seoul Tower, (Namsan Tower), (Metro Line 3 or 4, Chungmuro stn or line 3 Dongguk University). Once the tallest tower in Asia, it has the best panoramic view in all of Seoul. Many Seoulites and visitors have visited the tower to catch a glimpse of the city’s landscape while enjoying the nature of Namsan Mountain and a host of other attractive facilities. Owing to the tower's unique structure, the observatory section boasts spectacular views of the changing foliage throughout all seasons. N Seoul Tower was renovated in 2005 with a newly designed high tech multimedia. The tower can be reached on foot, by taxi or, on the south side, by cable car. The cable car is available from 10AM-10:30PM and is reached by a 10 min uphill walk from Myeongdong stn, from exit 2 or 3. Centrally located, it can be seen from nearly anywhere in Seoul and is a helpful reference for visitors on foot. There's also a Teddy Bear Museum at the tower which has lively illustrations of Korean culture. Of course all characters are Teddy Bears. ₩9000
Namdaemun, (남대문,南大門), (formally known as Sungnyemun (숭례문,崇禮門), (Metro Line 1, City Hall stn). The Great South Gate is a symbol of Seoul and has been designated as National Treasure Number 1. Particularly beautiful when floodlit at night, and best combined with a visit to the adjacent Namdaemun Market. Unfortunately, an arson lit fire in February 2008 destroyed much of the structure,and rebuilding is not expected to finish until 2012.
National Museum of Korea, (Metro Line 4 and Jungang Line, Ichon stn). Houses the best of the best collection of artifacts and relics from across Korea throughout different periods and dynasty. Also has some West Asian pieces from Japanese Governor-General of Korea. Open 9:00AM-6:00PM Closed every Monday. English tours offered Tuesday-Sunday from 10:30AM-11:30AM and 2:30PM-3:30PM. Free.
National War Memorial, (전쟁기념관), (Line 4 and 6, Samgakji Station, [Exit 12]). A museum about Korean military history and Korean War. Ancient, Middle Ages, and modern Korean weapons are on display. Also several fighter, bomber, and trainer aircraft which used during Korean War are on display. Open 9:00AM-6:00PM. Closed on Mondays. Free
Seodaemun Prison, 101 Hyeonjeo-dong, Seodaemun-gu, (Metro Line 3, Dongnimmun stn, exit 5). Tue-Sun 9:30 AM-6 PM (5 PM in Nov-Feb). Originally built in 1908, the prison became infamous during the Japanese occupation, when it was used to torture, starve and execute Korean political prisoners. Actual prison cells, wax figures and videos are used to demonstrate the shocking brutality; most signs are only in Korean, but volunteer guides can describe the sights in English. Obviously due to the content, this site is not suitable for young children or those of a sensitive nature. ₩1500.
Unhyeongung, (운현궁,雲峴宮). A museum located in Jongno-gu, formerly the residence of a Joseon Dynasty prince and where the wedding of the second last king of the Joseon Dynasty was held, it has several mannequins depicting the dressing style of the yangban or noble class during the Joseon Dynasty.
World Comic Convention, (Metro Line 3, Hangyeoul station), [x]. Twice a month the SETIC convention center hosts Seoul's World Comic con Festival. Admission is 4,000W but the inside is rather bland unless you are extremely familiar with Japanese and Korean anime. Your best bet is to go during convention hours and mingle with the crowds of Korean teenagers in elaborate cosplay costumes dressed as their favorite anime characters. Most are excited to see foreigners and very glad to have their pictures taken. Check the website (Korean only) to make sure it will be in session while you are in Seoul.
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.
Lotte World, [13]. (Metro Line 2, Jamsil stn) One of the world's largest indoor amusement parks that is located in Seoul by the Jamsil Station. It has a folk museum where one can have an insight into ancient Korean life. Lots of rides, and reopened in the summer of 2007 after a massive reconstruction.
Everland, [14]. The Korean version of Disneyland. It is south of Seoul and transportation by bus is the easiest way to get there. Non-stop buses to Everland leave from various parts of Seoul daily. Has a miniature zoo where one can see a lion-tiger hybrid.
Seoul Land[15]. Theme park located in Gwacheon. This park was opened just before the Olympics in 1988. It is easy to get to by subway and is open year round.
Children's Grand Park, Neung-dong, Gwangjin-gu, [16]. The park was constructed after the decision of the City Planning Facility in 1971 and was opened on May 5, 1973. The park has a zoo, amusement facilities and restaurants. To get there, simply take the subway to Children's Grand Park on line 7. Avoid the weekends as it can get very crowded.
Horse Racing, Seoul Racetrack in Gwacheon. Races are normally only held during weekends, night racing also takes place during August. During the week, visitors can take guided tours of the grounds.
Seven Luck Casino, [17]. Two locations in Seoul: Gangnam, attached to the Grand Intercontinental Hotel, and the Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel in central Seoul. The casinos are only accessible to foreigners (it is illegal for Korean citizens to gamble), so remember to bring your passport. Various card tables and slots are available to play. There is a bar and cafe that serve food and drinks, although expensive.
There is a free shuttle bus starting at 8:10AM from somewhere along Jong-ro (road) that takes you up into the mountain to the Bearstown resort (South Korea, Gyeonggi-do, Pocheon-si, Naechon-myeon, Sohak-ri, 295). Ask you local touist information where the bus stop is exactly. Prices: ₩52,000 half-day skipass, ₩69,000 full-day skipass, ₩22,000 ski or snowboard rent, ₩20,000 cloths rent - however, you will get the equipment and cloths much cheaper at shops further down from the lift station next to the bus carpark, but you need to walk there (300m / 10min).
The shuttle bus back leaves at 5PM. Don't be too late! The bus leaves from the lower bus parking area, not from car park where you where dropped off - it's a 10-15 minutes walk there from the lift station. Some information: [18]
Korea MTB Adventures, 205-402 Samsung Remian Apt, Goyang-si , [19], ☎+82 10 7417 1457, ([email protected]). This company rents mountain bikes, offers guiding services, and supplies equipment such as helmets, gloves, hydration packs, shoes and light systems. They offer half day (3-4 hours - ₩100,000 or $90US with bike and gear) and full day (4-6 hours - KRW150,000 or $135US with bike and gear) tours in a few locations in and around Seoul. Options include downhill riding at Namhansanseong, cross country riding near Goyang, and urban riding through downtown Seoul.
We ride Korea, 40, Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, KTO rm707 (line 1 Jonggak Stn), [20], ☎+82 10 3344 6967, ([email protected]). This company offers guided tours on the Ancient parts of Seoul. They offer half day (3-4 hours - ₩100,000 or $90US with bike and gear) and full day (4-6 hours - KRW150,000 or $135US with bike and gear). Gear includes, helmet, bag, water, two guides, comprehesive insurance. Bikes are a choice Brompton, or ebike. There is also a pdedicab avaiklable for family tours.
Seoul city bike various locations around the city, mostly near mass transport stations eg subway exit [21]
Sejong Center for Performing Arts, 81-3 Sejongno, Jongno-gu, (line 5 Gwanghwamun Stn), [22]. Oldest and one of the largest multi-purpose theatre in downtown Seoul and home of Seoul Philharmonic. Biggest pipe organ in East Asia is in its Great Auditorium, and several video art pieces from Nam June Paik are in the entrance of auditorium.
Seoul Art Center, 700 Seocho-dong, Gangnam-gu, (line 3 Nambu Bus Terminal stn), [23]. Another great place for performing arts and Korean traditional art.
KBS Hall, (line 9 National Assembly stn). Home of KBS Philharmonic Orchestra and KBS Traditional Music Orchestra.
LG Arts Center, 679 Yeoksam, 1 Dong Kangnum gu, Seoul, (Metro line #2, Yeoksam Station, Exit 7), [24] ☎+82 2 2005 0114.Modern, multi-purpose performing arts auditorium opened in 2000, features live musical, theatre and dance performances from Korea and worldwide. Visit website for performance schedule and ticket information. Underground parking is available.
Seoul City Improv, B1, 17-6, Hangang-daero 48-gil, Yongsan-Gu, Seoul, (Metro line #4 & line #6, Samgakji Station, Exit 3), [25]. Popular English-language comedy troupe first founded in 2007, featuring interactive shows with performers from Korea and around the world. Visit website for performance schedule.
Saunas generally take the form of public baths in Korea, and are a popular form of relaxation. Services such as hair cuts and shoe cleaning are generally available. Some saunas also include sleeping areas for overnight stay. These are known as 찜질방, or jimjilbang, and can be a cheap alternative to hotels when you're just passing through an area.
Dragon Hill Spa, 40-713, Hangangno 3(sam)-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, ☎ +82 2-792-0001, [x]. This is a typical jjimjilbang with a lot of additional facilities for entertainment and amusement. It can be very packed sometimes.₩13,000/12h overnight, else ₩11,000.
The Spa Grand Hyatt Seoul, Grand Hyatt Seoul Hotel, 747-7 Hannam 2-Dong, Yongsan-Ku, ☎ +82 2 797 1234 ([email protected]), [x].
Park Club Spa & Fitness Centre, Park Hyatt Seoul Hotel, 995-14 Daechi 3-dong Gangnam-gu, ☎ +82 2 2016 1234 ([email protected]), [x].
JES Massage Center at Incheon Airport, Seoul Incheon International Airport, 2 locations: Passenger Terminal 4th Floor Rest & Relax Zone & Concourse A, ☎ +82 32 743 6925.
Korea has a long history of fermented and distilled alcohol, mainly from rice. In the 1900s, cheap and mass-produced soju(distilled spirit) and makgeolli(fermented, hazy rice alcohol ranging from 5~18% ABV) replaced and almost eradicated a variety of alcohols made within the country. However, many people are now interested in making and tasting different kinds of Korean alcohol.
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.
Korea's cuisine is known the world over for being healthy and spicy. Learning how to make Korean dishes such as kimchi and bulgogi can be messy, but a lot of fun. Fortunately, there are several cooking institutes throughout Seoul catering to foreign tourists.
Cultural Experience Center, 5th floor of M Plaza Building (31-1, Myeong-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul ) (Line 4 Myeong-dong Stn. Exit 6), ☎ +82-2-3789-7961, [x]. 10 am ~ 9 pm. Learn to make authentic Korean Kimchi and make traditional artifacts with Hanji (traditional paper) . You can try to wear on Hanbok (traditional clothing)/court costumes as well.Lessons cost KRW 30,000 per participant.
O'ngo Food Communications, Jongno-gu Nakwon-dong 55-1 3rd Floor, Seoul, Korea (exit Anguk Station (Orange, Line 3) exit 4 walk 5 minutes and make a left at the sign for the road Samil-daero 30-gil), ☎ +82 2 3446 1607, [x]. For class times, inquire in advance. Learn to make authentic Korean dishes in English or Japanese from Korean chefs. O'ngo Food Communications offers classes to make bulgogi and kimchi, Korean barbecue, and Vegan Temple Cuisine. You get a tour of a traditional Korean Market after the classes to see Korean ingredients and people.Lessons cost between ₩65,000-120,000.
Institute of Korean Royal Cuisine(궁중음식연구원), (Anguk Station, exit 2. 20 min walk), ☎ +82 2 744 9092, +82 2 3673 1122, [x]. For class times, inquire in advance. As the name implies, you learn how to prepare royal cuisine, as well as rice cakes and hangwa (Korean Cookies).Lessons cost between ₩50,000 to ₩100,000.
Son's Home(손즈홈), (Yeoksam Station, Exit 3. Five minute walk), ☎ +82 2 562 6829, [x]. 10:30AM-1:30PM, and 5PM-8PM (Groups of at least 5 only). Closed W.. Son's Home specializes in teaching Kimchi preparation.Lessons are ₩70,000, ₩60,000 children under 15.
Cookly Small Group Korean Cooking Experience with Market Tour, 301, 399-2 Mangwon-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Korea, ☎ +82-2-6085-5500. This cooking class that will take you to market tour, experience the korean ingredients, and learn the signature korean dish with the friendly instructor. Very suitable for beginner!₩57,000.
Joungy's cooking class (Traditional Korean cooking with chef Joungy), (Ahyoen station, exit 4 (subway line 2) 3 mins walking), ☎ +82 10 3490 8529 ([email protected]), [x]. 3 hours start at 10:30am/ 6pm. cooking with chef Joungy in a Traditional Korean house "Han-ok" including local market tour 3 course of traditional Korean food(starter,main,dessert) and Kimchi making (you can bring a small package of Kimchi what you made ! ₩55,000. (cooking,)
Korean ceramics are known around the world for their simple beauty unique designs. Visitors can learn how to make pottery at the National Museum of Korea and the pottery villages just outside of Seoul in Incheon and Yeoju.
World Gym, 765-2 Yeosam-Dong, Kangnam-Gu, (closest metro is Hanti). The gym is OK, equipment is very 80s but has dumbells which go upto 50 kg, two smith machines and a couple of benchs among other machines. Not good by Western standards and not as good as Chicago fitness club in Busan but definitely good enough for short term training if you are staying in Seoul.
Baseball, Korean Professional Baseball League is very popular and has recently produced talent worthy of Major League Baseball.
FC Seoul, one of the biggest football clubs in K-League, is also popular for Seoul citizens. You can enjoy high-quality football matches in Seoul Worldcup Stadium, which held the opening match of FIFA Worldcup 2002(Korea/Japan). K-League season usually runs from March to November. The homepage of FC Seoul offers English guidance. [28].
There is an immense demand for ESL (English as a Second Language) instruction in Seoul. See the main South Korea article 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 effect on your options in Seoul. Positions in private schools are still available. It is recommended to obtain a job through a reputable recruiter to avoid sketchy hagwons.
Korea offers a working holiday visa program for citizens from a number of countries across the world. Those who hold this visa will likely be able to find bar/restaurant work in the nightlife spots of Hongdae, Itaewon and Sinchon (although those looking for work ought to be able to speak at least a basic level of Korean).
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).
Namdaemun, [29]. 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 lots of food as well and many outdoor eating options, especially in the evening. There is also a huge digital camera market in this area. Take Seoul subway line 4 to Hoehyeon station and follow signs to exit #5.
Dongdaemun, [30]. This market is of equal historical significance to Namdaemun market. While Namdaemun is an old-fashioned market, Dongdaemun market has large department store-like buildings such as Doota, Migliore, and APM that have trendy shops and stalls grouped together so customers can shop efficiently and save time. Many younger people and tourists come here to shop. One of the buildings here, Dongdaemun General Market, sells Chimachogori, which is a Korean traditional dress, or bedclothes. Some of the shops like Nuzzon are open all night.
Insa-dong. Insadong is known for its art galleries and shops, and is possibly the most touristy place in South Korea. It is a great place to buy cultural souvenirs. There are also a few stores that offer interesting vintage toys and various kitsch. Insadong also contains many traditional tea and coffee shops. It is one of the few places that vegetarian restaurants can be found.
Ewha Women's University. At the front gate of Ewha Women's University, visitors can find a dense market geared towards young women. You can find stores that sell clothes, shoes, hats, handbags, and so on. There are also clothes for men. Recently franchise stores have started to move into the area.
Yongsan Electronics Market. (Metro Line dark blue ,Yongsan stn)Yongsan Station is in IMall which is another huge shopping mall with two storeys full of electronics. Without negotiating you can have cheaper prices when compared to amazon.com. Yongsan is one option in Seoul if you are looking for electronics goods. Made up of over 20 buildings housing 5000 stores, you can find appliances, stereos, computers and peripherals, office equipment, telephones, lighting equipment, electronic games and software, and videos and CDs. A lot of the products are bought in Japan and resold in Korea by dealers. The market has a reputation for fleecing foreigners, particularly due to its proximity to the Yongsan U.S. Army Base. Be wary as Koreans try to avoid Yongsan for their electronics needs and rely instead on internet shopping as sellers in Yongsan are not averse to ripping you off if you don't seem to know a lot about electronics. If you go, it's best to bring a Korean guide so you can ensure you're getting a good deal. The problem is no or very poor English. Only Korean warranty. Cash prefered. At IMALL they add 5% as tax when you pay by Visacard. At Yongsan Electroland it dependes on the seller. Up to 10% addition is possible.
Techno Mart. There are two Techno Marts in Seoul:
the new store at Sindorim station (use Sindorim station exit 2) has most of one floor dedicated to electronics, so it's a bit of a misnomer. It is more like a department store.
the original at Gangbyeon station houses over 2,000 stores across most of its floors that sell a variety of high-tech products. From electrical appliances to computers, you will find everything you need. However, do not expect cutting-edge technology or bargains relative to your home country (pricers are similar to what you would pay in most of Europe, for example).
The basement and first floors have clothing, cosmetics, accessories, and stationeries. The second and third floors comprise Korean-made electrical goods, while the fourth and fifth floors sell foreign-made electrical appliances. The sixth floor sells cell phones and their accessories. Computers are sold on the seventh, and on the eighth music and DVD stores. Aside from all the high-tech gadgetry, there are over a dozen restaurants on the 9th floor, and a cineplex and arcade on the 10th.
the 9th floor also has a roof terrace which offers a great view of the Lotte World Tower across the Han river.
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 accessory, and most of Korea's major brands can be found here: mVIO, Caspi Conus, WhoAU California, AHM, So.Basic, Noxon, Basic House, UGIZ, 1492, nipper, hang ten, A6, Bean Pole, Jambangee, Giordano as well as a few international brands such as Lacoste, Land Rover, Adidas, Gap, Zara, Koolhaas, Uniqlo, Anna Sui, and Forever 21.
Migliore, [31]. One of the biggest fashion buildings in Seoul. It has 17 floors above ground and 7 basement floors. Information boards in Migliore are written in Korean as well as English, Japanese and Chinese for foreign tourists. US credit cards are often accepted, but ask before haggling if you aren't sure. The outside stage features a "talent show" of local dance groups (mostly high school or college student groups) most nights until about 9 PM; typically they are wearing many of the local fashions, and some of the dancers can be located in the various department stores working as employees.
Shinsegae, 2-5 Chungmuro 1-Ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (subway line 4 Hoehyun exit #7, bus 0014, 1016, 7013, 406, 503, 505, 9400, 9402, 9410, 9502, 9710), ☎ +82 2 1588-1234, [x]. 10:30AM-8PM, check in advance. The oldest department store in entire Korean peninsula. Original store building is refurbished in 2008 and becomes high-street boutique. Accepts major credit cards, including Amex and JCB.(37.5610156,126.9826331)
Lotte Young Plaza, [x]. A relatively new addition to the scene, located just across the street from Avatar department store. This department store is oriented towards a younger, upscale clientele, and in addition to the usual Korean brands and international brands, the top floor of the space features an assortment of quality eating establishments to replenish your shopping energy. The wine bar is recommended. Sometimes art installations can be found on the top floor. US credit cards accepted.
Apgujeong (압구정), widely known as "The Beverly Hills of Seoul" is the land of luxury, brand name goods. International brands like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Gucci and Prada sit alongside Korean designer brands.
Hyundai Department Store, 429 Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (subway line 3 Apgujeong), ☎ +82 2 547-2233, [x]. Mo-Su 10:30AM-8PM. Main store of well-known department store chain.
Galleria, 515 Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, [x]. A very popular upscale department store. Just several blocks away from Hyundai Department Store. It has a larger than usual modern men's section. Also has a branch in Seoul Station.
Near the Cheongdam Intersection lies the heart of the Korean shoe scene. Cutting edge shoe shops include Sue Comma Bonnie, Hyaang, Heels and Namuhana.
Following the big main road in front of Cheongnyangni station (37°34′50.44″N 127°02′53.38″E) north-east, many shops such as North Face, Adidas, etc. do appear.
Trends often begin in University areas like Hongdae. Hongik University boasts Korea's most famous art school, thus fashion in this area is often influenced by the students' artistic sensibilities. The shops in this area feature funky, punky, boho, and vintage style. Ewha Women's University also has a big shopping area in front of it’s main gate, as do many of the Women's colleges. Many trends also originate here. There are even seamstresses who can help you make your own designs come to life.
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.
This guide uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget
<₩10,000
Mid-range
₩10,000-25,000
Splurge
>₩25,000
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#Eat for a quick Korean menu reader. An alternative is to just point and eat, your hosts generally will accommodate. If you look in the right places, a good meal (lunch or dinner) including side dishes can cost ₩5,000 or less (try basements of large department stores).
Vendors selling Korean fast food in Gangnam.
In addition to Korean food, Japanese restaurants in Seoul tend to be excellent, featuring excellent sushi and sashimi. Chinese restaurants exist, but are typically adapted to suit local preferences. There are a few Italian restaurants; these are generally excellent, with chefs trained in Italy, although flavors tend to be more or less Koreanized, with sugar in the garlic bread and meatballs.
Big chains are common in South Korea as well, with so many cafes and bakeries. If you ever get a chance to visit Seoul, so many uniquely designed cafes are common there, so one would spend most of their time taking many pictures and eating delicious pastries and dishes.
These are some lists of the well-known chains in Seoul. Paris Baguette and Tous Les Jours are the two main cafes that are situated in some parts of the United States.
Paris Baguette: Very popular in Seoul. This cafe serves tasty and delicious pastries, birthday cakes, rice cake breads, shaved iced creams, coffee, tea, and smoothies. The atmosphere is settle and is a good place to gather with people or study. A small chain is located in the U.S in MA,Cambridge, which opened last year in 2014. This chain cafe already exists in New York City and California in Koreatown. This cafe is spreading across the United States, and is under more developments.
Tours Les Jours: Also very popular in Seoul. This cafe also serves many pastries, cakes, shaved iced creams coffee, tea, smoothies, and rice cake breads. A small chain is located in the U.S in MA, Burlington inside H-Mart, a Korean Food Market as well as in New York City Koreatown.
Hello Kitty Cafe: Everything in the cafe is pink and full of Hello Kitty decorations and servings.
Caffe Bene: Very popular in Seoul. This cafe serves shaved ice cream in various flavors, coffee, tea, pastries and more. This cafe is also open in New York City in Koreatown and Boston, Massachusetts.
Palazzo: Serves gelato and ice cream.
There are many other cafes which are also popular inside Seoul, which are not yet internationally developed across the United States.
Cafes such as Dunkin Donuts, Krispy Kreme, and Starbucks are also diversely known. In Seoul, however, these cafes have much more options to choose from such as drink flavors to pastries that are not seen across the United States.
Seoul has a variety of United States restaurants chain such as TGI Fridays, Baskin Robbins, McDonalds, KFC, and etc. All of these restaurants can be found in the City of Seoul at affordable prices.
Seoul has plenty of budget places to eat. Everything from convenience store junk food and noodles to street stall food and lots of 24 hr Korean fast food restaurants. The 24-hour restaurants are great because they've usually got a wide variety of foods, including mandu, odeng, dokbokki, naengmyeon, udon and ramyeon. Prices do vary from about ₩2,000-9,000 at these restaurants. Also open late into the night are Korean BBQ restaurants, which are everywhere in Seoul. These can be very cheap and are usually of good quality. Barbecue options usually are limited to pork and beef, and they often come with a smattering of side dishes. Korean BBQ is, in itself, an experience that makes you feel like a Seoulite. The larger department stores in the city have basement food courts that offer excellent food (not recommended if you care about atmosphere).
Ala-Too Cafe, (near Dongdaemun Stadium, exit 5). Along with some Russian, Mongolian, and Central Asian restaurants (including the excellent and cheap Ala-Too Cafe, above a bakery). Wander around and discover the area a bit - you'll be rewarded with delicious food and an exotic experience.
Sadongmyenok (사동면옥), 29-21 Jongno Gwanhun (Insadong 8-gil, down the alley). Justly famous for its manduguk, a soup of gargantuan homemade dumplings stuffed with meat and veggies and served with side dishes for ₩5,000. English menu available.
Loving Hut Achasan. Part of a vegan chain, this restaurant serves a mix of vegan Korean and international food, most dishes 6,000w - 10,000w. A soy cutlet is 10,000w and dumplings are 6,000w. It serves food, coffee and non-alcoholic drinks, and has a frozen food section where you can stock up on vegan essentials for home. The menu is in English and Korean and includes pictures. English is spoken by the friendly staff.
Richard Copycat's All-American Diner, Itaewon (Get out of Itaewon subway exit No. 3 and pass the fire station until you see Thai Orchard on your right. Richard Copycat is on the fourth floor of that building=), [x]. The only place in Seoul serving authentic greasy American food. Tons of food and drink. Open from 7am to 2am.₩8,000-23,000.
Shake Shack. For anyone familiar with Shake Shack, there are at least 13 Shake Shacks currently operating in Seoul.10,000 - 18,000.
Everest, Dongdaemun (Dongdaemun stn, exit 3. Walk straight for 100 m. Turn left at the pharmacy and walk 50 m). Nepali restaurant featuring dozens of delectable dishes ranging from mutton curry to butter naan. Bollywood music videos are free.₩8,000-15,000.
The Frypan, Nationwide (http://www.thefrypan.co.kr/). This is a chain serving American-style fried chicken and chips, as well as draft beer. Set apart from the hundred of other chicken bars in the area thanks to a nice, hole-in-the-wall atmosphere and generous portions, not to mention the authenticity of the food.₩14,800 chicken and chips.
Jacoby's, 45-6 Yongsan-dong 2-ga, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea (Noksapyeong stn, line 5, exit north toward Namsan tunnel. When you reach a large intersection, look for kimchi pots on the left side of the street, next to the Yongsan Garrison wall. Head up that side street, continue walking up the hill. On the right up the street, about 400 m past the kimchi pots). 02-3785-0433. Offers a wide variety of burgers, arguably the best for the value, in Seoul. In an area often known as the foreigner ghetto, a popular area for expats to live just west of Itaewon.
Jeonju Jungang Hoegwan (전주중앙회관), Myeong-dong (Myeong-dong Station, exit 5), ☎ +82 2 776-3400. 8:30AM-10:30PM daily. This Korean restaurant specializes in the Jeonju variety of bibimbap, which features different ingredients and spices than other bibimbap dishes. Delicious and healthy.Meals ₩8,000-12,000.
New Delhi Restaurant, Itaewon (Noksapyoung stn exit 1, cross overpass, turn right, 2 min up the hill on your left), ☎ 007. Run by a Canadian-Indian owner, ₩15,000 gets you a a wonderful Indian meal. Try the chicken vindaloo, the garlic naan and the samosas.
Pattaya, Itaewon (Itaewon Station, exit 1. Walk 50 m. Turn right at the KFC and walk to the end of the alley. Turn left and walk 70 m past the 3 Alley Pub). Thai restaurant, and perhaps the best in Seoul. With a menu featuring nearly 100 different items, you're bound to find your favorite dishes and make some new ones, too.Stir-fried rice and noodle dishes cost ₩13,000-18,000, while curry pots and stews can run over ₩30,000.
'Le Pied de Cochon (르코숑), Dogok-dong 419 Kangnam-gu (Meabong 매봉 stn line 3 exit 4, cross overpass, turn left), ☎ +82 2 577-8503, +82 10 6336-8724, [x]. 11AM-1AM. A French restaurant specialised in pastas, pork meat and Rosé wine. Come here to try the "Pied" with a glass of wine.Pastas are around ₩7000 and set menus can run over ₩30,000.
Smokey Saloon, Itaewon, Apgujeong, Gangnam (Itaewon stn, exit 2. Go out the exit and walk 50 m. Turn left at the Hard Rock Cafe and walk 50 m. Turn right and walk 10 m). Featuring a selection of over a dozen authentic American-style hamburgers, freshly made onion rings, and hearty chili-cheese fries, Smokey's is one of the best places to get a taste of the U.S. Burgers range from ₩5.900 for the "Classic" up to ₩10,000 for the deluxe varieties. Jumbo patties are available for an additional ₩3/000. Burgers can be ordered with fries, coleslaw, and a drink for an additional ₩3,500.
Zelen, Itaewon (turn right at the KFC at the Hamilton Hotel. Follow the small alley until the end and turn left. Again walk to the end and take the stairs heading up). Fantastic Bulgarian restaurant featuring lots of stuffed everything - from tomatoes to mushrooms, peppers and chicken breasts. Well worth it as it is very unique to the dining landscape in Seoul.₩15,000-20,000.
Kali, 170-3 2F Myeongnyun 4-ga, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Korea (hyehwa Station Exit 4. Go straight about 100m untill 4 juntion, than turn left go 30m on your right side 2F), ☎ 02-747-5050. 1st,3rd Mon Off. Really good indian food especially for south indian food. Interior is quit exotic. Half Tandoori chicken is ₩9,000, full Tandoori chicken is ₩17,000, Samosa ₩4,000 Lunch set(Curry+Nan+Lassi) ₩9,000 ₩4,000-36,000.
Hanwoori (한우리), Nonhyeondong (south of Apgujung). An upper-end Korean restaurant that specializes in the Korean version of Shabu-shabu, which is a boiling pot to which you throw in vegetables and very thin slices of meat. Their menu is extensive and while their atmosphere may not be cutting-edge, it is classy and clean.
J Pub Ryu, [x]. Amazing food and drinks, specializing in sake. The atmosphere is lively with the occasional celebrity sighting. A definite hot spot any night of the week with an innovative menu of Japanese fusion.
Pizza Hill. An excellent pizzeria close to the Walker Hill hotel in Gwangjin-gu. As its name implies, the restaurant has a lovely view of Seoul on top of a hill and prices higher than the hill it sits on. However, the pizza is well worth the price. Worth a visit if you hit it big at the nearby casino.
CasAntonio. This Italian bistro in Itaewon is a longtime favorite of foodies and gourmets, with high quality of Italian cuisine (and high prices to match).
Seoul features a mind-bogglingly large array of nightspots catering to every taste and budget, often being considered the best and most vibrant in the world. While most cities feature only a few areas for nightlife, Seoul features many such districts in staggering size and array of locations to choose from. Not only the sheer volume of bars and restaurants but also the relatively low cost of soju (the number one alcohol sold in the world) attributes to the lively nightlife atmosphere in the city.
Note: Certain entertainment districts, such as Hongdae, are off-limits to American military personnel, U.S. government employees, contractors and their dependents.
South Korea is the land of the coffee shops. It seems the amount of such places can easily compete with the number of convenience stores. Many Koreans dream of having their own coffee place, although with the oversupply of such places the profit is probably very low. There are many big coffee chains around, which you will see repeatedly. You should, however, opt for any one that is smaller and cosier.
Coffee Bar, 8 Eulji-ro 9-gil Jung-gu, Seoul (Enter the small alley on 9-gil, 40m north of the main Eulji-ro (road)). Closed Sundays. This is a very special place where the owners put a tremendous amount of time into preparing your Americano, Cappuccino or anything else they have on offer. They even roast their own beans using a gas flame and kind of a kids play washing machine. Opt for something with caramel and ask for a real cup. They of course also have WiFi. Exact location: 37°33'59.5"N 126°59'18.7"EKRW3,500 and up.
Itaewon is Seoul's international district, with a wide variety of Western-styled venues to eat, drink and be merry.
Many Itaewon shops, restaurants and bars cater to foreigners, and English-speakers in particular.
Since many foreigners congregate there, Itaewon remains somewhat of a niche nightlife area for Koreans interested in a more international scene. A number of notable bars and clubs spot the area, both on the main street and in the nearby alleys, and the area has become more gentrified as more upscale restaurants and chains move in. Due to Itaewon's proximity to the nearby United States Army base, a large number of American military are found there in the evenings and weekends. However, the US army has decided to move the base to a location outside of Seoul within the next few years, so expect regular changes to the area.
Many bars in Itaewon celebrate Thursdays as Ladies' Night, which often means that women drink free before 12am. There are also a few gay bars located two alleys east of the main street, with a mix of clubs and places to drink.
Richard Copycat's All-American Diner, [32]. Recently moved locations. Tons of great food and drinks. Serves authentic Buffalo wings in Seoul. They also serve American breakfast.
Geckos, (opposite Quiznos). A relaxed bar scene and good food. Very popular with GIs and expats.
Dillinger's. [33]. #in the alley behind Geckos across from Quiznos/Family Mart#. Serves draft and bottled beers and good food. Wednesday night is Wing Night, where 10 wings go for KRW4,000. Sports played on a number of big screens, plus more tables upstairs.
Metro. A lot of older expats and many Koreans hit up this joint. Only one Korean beer on tap, but free pool. The front #or right side when you go up the stairs# seems to be for the expat crowd, while the back #the left door when you go up the stairs# seems to be more hof style for the Korean crowd. They have the typical range of snacks available and free peanuts for beer drinkers.
Bless U is another older expat haunt. You better be good with your pool game or you'll be waiting in a long line to go again. Darts are also available. They have great popcorn and decent draft beers. It changed ownership last year and has been running a tight ship since.
The Rose & Crown. [34]London-style pub with great fish and chips and interior decoration. Darts and sports on the big screen available.
The Soul. Small basement bar across from the Bungalow that plays classic R&B and soul. The friendly DJ/owner is also a sound engineer, thus the sound system is better than most places in Seoul.
Gangnam station (강남) is the more upscale club area in Seoul. Also set up in a grid structure, clubs, bars, restaurants and other entertainment venues decorate this upmarket location. While not as upmarket as Apgujeong, it definitely is busy and lively. If Apgujeong is the place for rich kids to hang out and look cool, Gangnam is the place for those rich kids to party and look sexy. The station is a transit hub and a ton of buses run through the heart of the entertainment area, so finding your way there is extremely easy.
Club 88 (클럽 더블에잇) Located near Sinsa Station.English & Foreigner Friendly. Seperate EDM and Hiphop sections. Bottle service starting at 700,000 KRW ($600). Cover charge of 20,000 KRW can be waived through guest list. English Friendly. English Manager
Club Flex (클럽 플렉스) Located near Sinsa Station, Flex is the old Arena with a new name and "new' owner. Has two floors 1 more EDM and 1 for Hiphop. Overall it is popular because the crowd is young, attractive, and rich. Cover Charge of 20,000 KRW can be waived through guest list.
Phillies. A Canadian-owned sports bar and grill with a pool table and darts in the basement. Beer prices are par and food is OK.
Craftworks, [35]. Located across Haebangchon in the Gyeongnidan area. Find the NOXA bar and walk past it two or three stores down. No pool or darts, but their 8 craft brews are the best beers you'll find in Korea. Seriously.
The Workshop. A South African-owned sports bar and grill. Plenty of TVs to watch sports on.
Sinchon (신촌), home to universities including Sogang University(서강대학교), Yonsei University (연세대학교) and Ewha Womans University, is a great place to soak up a more Korean environment. Not to be confused with Sincheon, which is closer to Jamshil, Sinchon is set up like many Korean entertainment areas in which bars, clubs, restaurants, karaoke boxes and sometimes even motels are structured in a grid-like fashion. The only way to familiarize yourself with the area is to stroll the alleys and discover all of the different places. Korean bars tend to be rather anti-social compared with their Western counterparts, with people sitting at tables with friends and not tending to mix. Yet a number of Western-style bars in the area have opened up.
Woodstock. Around since 1991, the bar has prompted a slew of copycats but is the best place to hear classic rock and pop. The sound system is awesome and the owner/DJ knows his stuff. Expect large crowds Friday and Saturday nights and seeing people dance next to their tables. Great place to mix with Koreans of all ages.
Nori Ha Nun Saram Dul. A basement bar infamous for both its great rock music and its decrepit interior with writing on the walls. Difficult to find and almost impossible to get a seat after 9 p.m. Secure valuables as theft is not uncommon in the bar.
Beer O'Clock. [36] This Canadian-run bar serves great pizzas and other grub in addition to showing sports on the big screen and offering darts. Weekends are pretty wild at this joint.
Hongdae (홍대), short for Hongik University, is the other premier club area in Seoul. Located around Hongik University, clubs and bars are strewn everywhere around the place. The clubs aren't near the station but aren't hard to find.
Some good all-around bars are:
Spill Out Fun spot out Hongdae exit 3 near many of the guesthouses. Good for solo travelers or clubbing pre-drinks. Only 15-20 seats or standing inside, but patio seating is good for warmer months. Run by Americans, good pizza, beer, bourbon, bar snacks, and shot-and-a-beer deals.
B-Dan on Hongdae's main strip, offers up take-out draft beer by the plastic cup.
Suzie Q an LP bar playing classic rock and pop, near the 7-11 around the clubs.
Bricxx A hookah lounge with an intimate atmosphere and a large mixed drink and wine list.
Some of the most popular clubs are:
M2 Trance/techno.
Cocoon Hip-hop and dance music. Entrance: Thursday ₩10,000, Friday/Saturday ₩15,000-20,000.
Miroir, 405-5, Seokyo-dong, Mapo-gu (From exit 4 at Hapjeong station walk in the direction that the traffic flows, when you reach the fake airplane towards the minimart on your right, follow this road (watch out for taxis creeping from behind), turn right at main crossing, follow until you see Family Mart). Psychedelic hippie hangout with psytrance Fri and Sat, 60s and 70s rock during the week. No cover charge.
nb (noise basement) Hiphop.
Q-Vo Hiphop.
Club Saab Small Hip hop Club
Joker Red Techno club
Club Tool House Music club
Club FF Rock music club that is popular with foreigners
Harlem Hip hop club
S Club hip hop club.
Tin Pan (1,2,Euro) A clubs/bars with cheap drinks and a dance floor. You must have a non-armed forces identification to enter.
The place is huge and you could party for a whole week in all the bars and clubs. The best way to see it is to stroll around and find something you like. An interesting note: the entire club district of Hongdae is officially off-limits to U.S. military personnel, Federal employees and their dependents. However, it is not unusual to see crew-cuts here on the weekends since it is rarely enforced.
Near Hongdae Park is Joon's, a popular little venue with a variety of clientele. They have beer pong, darts, and their own DJs.
Apgujeong (압구정) is the upmarket area of Seoul. Walk around the streets and you'll see teenagers valet parking their new Benz or Audi, strutting their new designer threads, and looking generally, well, rich. That said, a lot of people who party here aren't necessarily rich and live far away. Apgujeong is rather subdued when it comes to nightlife though it has a few posh clubs and bars. Places where valet is unavailable are unlikely to be great hits traditionally. There are, however, a few small clubs in the area. Expect English to be more commonly spoken in this area, too, due many Koreans in the area having studied abroad or received a lot of private tutoring. This has also meant, however, a certain desensitization to foreigners, so don't expect people to stare or approach you as much as they would in other parts of Seoul. Consider Apgujeong a great place to hang out, not party. If you want to impress a date for example, this is a great place to go to. The backstreets of Apgujeong tend to sprout and lose new clubs seemingly at random throughout the year, so getting off the main drag from time to time can yield a new "hot club of the month."
Superclub Circle usually playing house music, sometimes hip hop(only availible for private parties as of July, 2009)
Club Air House/Techno club.
Elec Small, trendy club that is quite difficult to find.
Randy's Bar (RAndy's Pub), 동대문구 (Get off HUFS station line 1 and go out exit 6, walk 100 meters and turn left. RAndy's is on the little alleyway on your right), [x]. 5:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.. Foreign-owned bar in front of Hankook University of Foreign Studies known for a varied clientele, great pool table, and affordable prices. Has Red Rock and Hoegaarden on tap.
Seoul's has two unofficial backpacker districts, Jongno (Anguk/Sinseol-dong) to the northeast of the city and Hongdae, Sinchon out to the west. Within walking distance to Dongdaemun Market, Jongno is better located for sightseeing and can be reached directly from Incheon Airport on limousine buses or city bus 6002 to Sinseol-dong stop (₩9,000, 90 min).
Hongdae, Sinchon area is located in university area. Yonsei Univ., Ehwa woman's Univ., Hongik Univ. and Sogang Univ. are around this area. so there are many restaurants, bar, club and shopping center and easy to be reached from Incheon Airport by limousine bus and Arex (Airport express train) in 1 hour.
Alternatively, try a jjimjilbang. ₩4,000-15,000/night. You don't get a room of your own, but you can store your luggage into one of the small lockers and you can live quite cheaply for a long time, sleeping in the public sleeping rooms and enjoying the hot-tub and steam room facilities (sometimes a gym is available, also movies and TV shows often play until 11PM or so). To find a jjimjilbang keep an eye out for the the words jjimjilbang (찜질방) or 24 hr sauna (24시 사우나) in Korean. Not all saunas have jjimjilbang stay-over facilities to watch out for that. E.g. try Dragon Hill Spa at Yongsan station, ₩13,000/12h with overnight stay possible, but quite packed sometimes.
Alps Seoul Guesthouse (알프스서울게스트하우스), 37-1 Namsandong 2-ga, Jung-gu (Metro Line no. 4, Myeong-dong stn, use exit No. 3. where you will see the Pacific Hotel. Walk 100m to your right and you will see Alps Seoul.), ☎ +82 10-5452-5112,, [x]. checkin: 13:00; checkout: 11:00. offers a range of room types that have free Wi-Fi and either shared or private kitchen facilities. It features a private garden with outdoor seating. Alps Seoul is just a 7-minute walk from the traditional Korean shops at Insadong and Myeongdong business district. It offers free parking and is an 8-minute drive from Namsan Mountain. Fitted with wood flooring, air-conditioned rooms have a vanity, minibar and TV. Select units have a dining area, a private kitchenette and bathroom. Laundry facilities and luggage storage are available. ₩80,000 to ₩200,000.
Kimchee Myeongdong Guesthouse, 35-16 Supyo- dong, Jung-gu (Metro Line 2/3, 3 mins walk from Euljiro 3-ga stn, use exit 2), ☎ +82-2-2272-4407/82-10-2332-4407,, [x]. Located near to the main shopping area of Myeongdong in downtown Seoul,Dongdaemun is 2 stops away. Gyeongbokgung Palace/Gwanghwamun Square ,Insadong, Jongmyo Shrine, Gwangjang Market and many other interesting places in Seoul. ₩40,000 and up for a room with private bathroom/shower.
Namsan Guesthouse, 50-1 Namsandong 2-ga, Jung-gu (Metro Line 3, Myeong-dong stn, use exit 3 and walk 100 m up to the right of the Pacific Hotel), ☎ +82 2 752-6363,, [x]. In the shadow of Seoul Tower in Namsan Park. Free internet access, free breakfast, kitchen.₩45,000 and up. (37.55773713333334,126.98468586666667)
ZAZA Backpackers, 32-3 Namsandong-2ga, Jung-Gu. (Metro Line 4, Myeongdong stn Exit 2), ☎+82 2 3672-1976, [37]. Brand new facilities, helpful English speaking staff help you to feel right at home. Free wifi, 24 hr access, Private bathroom in each rooms. 24 hr security, towels and hairdryer for hire, parking. Tour info and booking service. Free international phone.
Prince Hotel address="1-1 Namsandong 2-ga, Jung-gu" directions="Metro Line 4, Myeong-dong stn, exit 2 and walk only 50 m" phone="+82 2 752 7111," url="http://www.princeseoul.co.kr/" price="₩130,000 to 260,000" Free internet access, free breakfast, large 'Blue' rooms with a queen bed and a single bed. Friendly and helpful English-speaking and Japanese-speaking staff.</sleep>
IMI Hotel, Yeoksam 2-dong 718-18, Gangnam-gu, ☎+82 2 3453-4303, [38]. At the higher end of the love hotel spectrum, some rooms feature Japanese spas and oxygen generators. Rooms from ₩60,000/night.
Tomgi Hotel, (right next to Metro Line 4, Jongno 3-ga stn, exit 4) [39]. A fine example of the genre, with a variety of unique rooms to choose from.
Dragon Hill Spa and Resort (드래곤힐스파), Yongsan-gu (From Yongsan Subway/KTX Station Exit 1, turn right and walk about 50 m. Pass under the 24 hr neon clock. If you see a armed military guy peeping out from behind sandbags, you've gone a little too far. Passed by the Seoul City Tour Bus.), ☎ +82-2-792-0001 (Main Desk), ☎+82 18 223-0002 (English), [x]. If you have never been to a jjimjilbang then this is perhaps a good place to start. A little on the pricey side for a bathhouse but the premises is modern, gaudily theme-decorated and incredibly tourist-oriented. Extensive signage exists in English, Chinese and Japanese as well as dedicated multilingual staff, even in the dead of night. Has the usual array of spas, saunas, heated sleeping rooms and Korean restaurants plus a small Japanese-style game arcade, screen golf, swimming pool (swimwear required), terrace restaurant and outdoor cinema on the roof. You can also have your photo taken in traditional Korean attire if you so desire. Sleeping mats are in short supply in line with Korea's favorite running gag, but headrest cubes and blankets are unusually available by request from the locker room attendant with a very hefty deposit: be sure to guard them well in the wee hours. All expenses incurred are charged to a wrist tag and paid for upon departure. Oversize luggage storage available and promise of a Capsule Hotel in the near future.This ''jjimjilbang'' eschews the usual sauna vs. stay distinction in favor of a simpler ₩12,000 for 12 hr access rule.
Silloam Sauna, 10 min walk from Seoul Station. This is a very large jjimjilbang with great facilities, but the family atmosphere of other jjimjilbangs is sometimes lacking. The locker-room staff will stow oversized luggage if you ask, and a morning wake-up call can be arranged. Sleeping facilities are excellent, clean, comfortable and usually fairly quiet. There are two large dormitories for men and women, plus a snorers' room which sounds like a dragon's lair. The dormitories are arranged unconventionally into lines of bunk beds, more like an open capsule hotel than a standard sleeping floor. In the communal area there are various hot rooms, an ice room, a large gym, a PC room, singing and games rooms and a restaurant. The sauna area has 6 main pools with supposedly healthy minerals and showers. One night costs ₩12,000, which includes access to public baths, exercise facilities and various entertainment rooms.
High Street Guest House Hongdae - Address: 81-7 World cup buk-ro 6-gil, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, 03990 (서울시 마포구 연남동 월드컵북로6길 81-7, 03990). Airport rail express from Incheon and Gimpo airport. Only takes 7 minutes walk from the Hongik University Subway Stop Exit 2 or 3. Great review rates from over 300 people. We are especially known for good location (quite neighborhood), cleaness, affordable price and nice staffs, more importantly, Hospitality mindset! We have female dormitories on the female only floor, mixed dormitory and private rooms (2, 3 and 4 guests) and entire flats (can take up to 5 and 6 guests). Dormitory rates (breakfast included) from 14,000 Won (about $12). Check out our facebook page for reservation and more information, www.facebook.com/highstreetguesthousehongdae. ☎+82 10-3302-4973 and E-mail us at [email protected] for any questions and reservation.
Whitetail Backpacker & Hostel - Hongik University/Hongdae, 390-69 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul [address in Korean: 서울 마포구 연남동 390-69번지） (5 minutes from Line 2 Hongik University stn,After got out from Exit 3, walk straight you'll see Bread Comma Cafe on your left. Keep walking until the intersection you'll see Yoger Presso cafe on your left. Turn right to the direction of shops (not the park path direction) and follow the big road, being on the right until you find the blue sign 'Donggyo-ro 38-gil', take a right on that sign and you will see Japanese restaurant Nanohana. Keep on going until you see a tall yellow pole on your left, turn left & keep going, you will see us on the right, black color door with the Whitetail sign.), ☎+82 010-2922-4093, Highly rated on booking sites. clean room with toilets/shower in the room guests. They offer free morning breakfast and free coffee-tea all day, kitchen, lockers, free wifi and use of common computer, XBOX, Retro games, books and movies to watch. Prices from 16,000won, up to 40% discount for long term guest ]
Crossroad Backpackers, 11-1 Wausan-ro 29da-gil, Seogyo-dong Mapo-gu Seoul (Very conveniently located from Hongik University station and the Airport Express Line), ☎ +82-70-7532-1994 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 11am. Right next to Hongik University, this hostel is located within the indie art scene of Hongdae, where art and music, street shopping, entertainment and dining options reside. Comfortable rooms and great atmosphere. Mixed dormitories and private rooms available. Great for girls as there is also a female-only area, with separate dormitory, bathroom and even with a make-up room. Free wifi and free breakfast.Beds from ₩15.000.
YaKorea Hongdae Hostel, 504-11, Changcheon-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Korea (walking distance of Yonsei University, Ewha Womans University, Sogang University, and Hongik University), ☎ +82-2-336-0880 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 12am. Equipped with more than you need, based in the middle of Hongdae and Sinchon, You are in the heart of all the fun. From the always kicking nightlife in Hongdae, to the vibrant student neighborhood of Sinchon, you will never be short of clubs, restaurants or fun experiences.Private Room with bathroom and kitchen from ₩40.000.
Dustin Guesthouse - Hongik University/Hongdae, 346-42 4F, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1 minutes from Line 2 Hongik University stn exit 9), ☎+82 70-4201-0792, email; [email protected]. It's like being at home. Free breakfast + coffee all day from a Italian espresso machine. Wifi, laundry, kitchen, hot showers, pc + printer, lockers. The common area is very nice and comfortable with a wide screen 3D TV and DVDs to watch. There is a roof terrace overlooking Hongdae where the owner sometimes hosts free BBQs. Dustin is very welcoming. He goes out of his way to make sure you are happy. The location is incredible, right in the centre of Hongdae. Mixed Dorm, Male Dorm, Female Dorm available from 18,000W/night. Private Rooms Available from 35,000W.night.
Base Camp Hostel, 383-14 Hapjeong-dong Mapo-gu Seoul (30 second walk from Hapjeong station exit 8), ☎ +82 2-3144-2565 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 3pm; checkout: 12pm. Nice common room. Most guests seem like solo travelers. Great option if you are traveling solo too. Free Wifi + Free breakfast. Beware, they have a pet pig on the roof. Located few steps from the metro. Daily waffle breakfast brings all the guest out of the room in the morning.price start from ₩10000.
Kimchee Hongdae Guesthouse (Kimchee Hongdae Guesthouse), Seoul, Mapo-gu, Yeonnam-dong 570-16 (5 minutes walk from Hongik Univ. Station), ☎ +82-2-6082-6059 / +82-10-2332-4407, [x]. checkin: 3:00 pm; checkout: 12:00 noon. Located in Seoul’s No. 1 Entertainment and Nightlife District, Hongdae / Cozy & Homey Common Area /Full Kitchen for Fun Cooking / Private Rooms and Dormitory Available KRW10,000-60,000. (37.558844,126.919857)
Private Studio Apartment, 10 min from Sindorim subway station, [x]. checkin: 2:00 pm; checkout: 12:00 noon. This is a fully furnished private studio apartment. It is just 10 minutes from Sindorim subway station by foot.Room Amenities include free wifi, laptop, laundry machine and microwave.55 USD.
Seoul I Guesthouse - Hongik University/Hongdae, 561-61- Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu (7 minutes from Line 2 Hongik University stn exit 2), ☎+82 70-8779-6161, www.seouliguesthouse.com email; [email protected]. Easily accessible from the Subway/Metro Line 2 green line and the Airport Express Train. Located in Hongdae (clubs,bars) and close to other famous tourist attractions (Myeongdong,Insadong, Gyeongbok Palace,Han River) Awesome friendly multi-language speaking staff. Staff can help book DMZ tours, provide info on K-pop Concerts and other tourist attractions. No Curfew, Free breakfast (Coffee, Tea, Toast, Butter, Eggs, Jam), Free guest computers, free hi-speed wifi, Free use of Bicycyles (3 available), Free Security Lockers, Air Con + Heating, Large common room with Big Screen TV w/ Cable + Korean Movies, Kitchen w/ stove,fridge,oven,microwave available for use, Monthly BBQ parties. Mixed Dorm, Female Dorm available from 17,000W/night. Private Rooms Available as well. Discounts for long term stays
TIME Hongdae Guesthouse, 255-9, Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (5 minutes walk from Hongik Univ. stn exit 3), ☎+82 10-9696-3223 , [40] email; [email protected]. [Free Service] breakfast (toast, jam, coffee)/ linen and blankets / internet PC, Wi-fi, cable TV / air conditioner / fully equipped kitchen / washing machine, detergent, iron, hair dryer / personal locker / car parking / check-in2:00pm check-out 11:00am rate 18,000-22,000 KRW (16-20 USD) / Female only dorm available from 18,000 KRW. Private Studio available from 80,000 KRW per whole room.
Bangrang hostel, 397-12 Chungnim-Dong, Chung ku (Metro Line 2, Chungjeongro stn, exit 5), ☎ +82 2 6614-2246, [x]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11:30AM. A brand new hotel,opened Jan 2010. distinguished interior. 1 min from subway station, 2 min from airport bus stop.₩18,000~.
Blu Guest House, 464-63 Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, (Metro Line 2, Hongdae stn, exit#1; Line 7, Hapjeong stn),☎+82 70 7692-9484, +82 11 9921-5621, [41]. Free wifi, free laundry, aircon/heating, lockers, breakfast, no curfew. From ₩20,000. Friendly staff, easy accessable. You get what you pay for.
Chocolate Tree, 109-91 Nogosan-dong, Mapo-gu (4 min from Line 2 Sinchon stn exit 7), ☎+82 2 3275-1115, [42]. Friendly and adorable English, Chinese speaking staffs, Free breakfast (Toast, Jam, Peanut butter, Eggs, coffee and tea), free wifi, free international phone call, free laundry, dryer, A/C, hot water, rooftop terrace, common area with kitchen. All rooms are equipped with desktop computer, refrigerator, big flat TV with cableTV on the wall. you can get some chocolates at the reception at anytime. private from ₩50,000/night with own bathroom.
Hongdae Guesthouse (홍대게스트하우스), 159-6 Dongkyo-dong 159-6, Paradisetel unit 302, Mapo-gu (Next to Line 2 Hongdae stn exit 1), ☎ +82 2 336-0003 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: anytime; checkout: 11AM. Clean, spacious rooms with high ceilings, ondol heating, aircon, hot water. English spoken.From ₩19,000. (one night,2 months)
Bibim Guesthouse, 241-28 Yeonnam-dong, Mapo-gu (Metro Line 2, Hongik University stn EXIT 3), ☎+82 10-9197-4753, [43]. Homey, cozy, and clean. A stay at this guesthouse becomes intimate with its outgoing owners Panda and Konda who guarantees every guest a worry-free stay in Seoul. They also help out with itineraries, directions and booking. Guesthouse is easy to find from Hongik Station. You can call the number and ask them to fetch you from the station if you're not sure of the way. Or even before arrival, ask them about directions as it is really easy to navigate. Shared kitchen, toilets and H/C showers and free use of cableTV, internet, computer and washing machine. Korean movies, dramas and documentaries are at the living room on one shelf, while maps, guides, and schedules of Seoul events are organized on another shelf. Continental breakfast included. . No curfew. Dormitory ₩20000/person, single & twin rooms for 2 = ₩55000/room.
Kims' Guest House, 443-16 Hapjeongdong, Mapo-gu, (Metro Line 2/7, Hapjeong stn), ☎+82 2 337-9894, [44]. Comfortable guest house run by a friendly English-speaking family. In the western part of Seoul, 10 min walk from Hapjeong subway station. Share kitchen, toilets and showers and have free use of cableTV, washing machine and internet. Breakfast (jam, toast & coffee) is included. No curfew. Discounts for stays over 1 night. Dormitory ₩20000, single, double and triple rooms; ₩27000/₩37000/₩47000, all have A/C and heating.
Lee & No Guesthouse, 561-29 Yunnam-dong, Mapo-gu (Sinchon), ☎ +82 2 336-4878, [x]. checkin: 1PM~9PM; checkout: 10:30AM. Near Hongdae, has four-bed dorm rooms and doubles.₩22,000.
Soul Guesthouse, Unit#505, 159-6 Paradisetel,Dongkyodong, Mapogu,Seoul, (Metro Line 2, Hongdae stn, exit 1), ☎+82 10 5137-0604, [45]. Female Dormitory. ₩20,000 per night per person. Clean and close to subway. Located at central Seoul.
Seoul Walker Guesthouse, 441-31, Hapjeong--dong, Mapo-gu (nearest to Hapjeon Station, line 2. Directions are on the website and business cards.), ☎ 070-4028-6904, [x]. checkin: 2-10 pm; checkout: 11 am. The owner, Mr. Yoo, speaks Korean, Japanese, and English. He is very friendly and always asks where you will go (in the morning) and where you went (at night). His young daughters hang around the guesthouse while he cleans. Laundry service is available for 5,000/cycle, which he will operate. He offers taxi service to and from Gimpo and Incheon airports, for 30,000 and 60,000 W, respectively. He has many pamphlets in different languages, books, a computer and printer, and WIFI. KakaoTalk and KakaoStory are available for communication. No curfew, but keep silence after 11. There is a code lock for security.14,000 (dorm)-70,000 (family).
ED House hostel, (367-15 Seogyo-DOng (3F), Mapo-Gu, Seoul, +82 10-8974-1802) Small hostel (2-3 rooms) with dormitory, situated in area, close to Hongif University. Subway line 2, stops Hapjeong station (exit 3) or Hongik univ. station (exit 9). The hostel is not the cleanest ever, but the staff there is friendly and helpful. 17,000 Won/night in dormitory
Dustin Guesthouse - Hongik University/Hongdae, 346-42 4F, Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul (1 minutes from Line 2 Hongik University stn exit 9), ☎+82 70-4201-0782 , [46] email; [email protected]. It's like being at home. Free breakfast + coffee all day from a Italian espresso machine. Wifi, laundry, kitchen, hot showers, pc + printer, lockers. The common area is very nice and comfortable with a wide screen 3D TV and DVDs to watch. There is a roof terrace overlooking Hongdae where the owner sometimes hosts free BBQs. Dustin is very welcoming. He goes out of his way to make sure you are happy. The location is incredible, right in the centre of Hongdae. Mixed Dorm, Male Dorm, Female Dorm available from 18,000W/night. Private Rooms Available from 35,000W.night.
Kimchee Dongdaemun Guesthouse, 233-3, Hyoje-dong, Jung-gu, (Metro Line 1, Jongno 5-ga, exit 4, 3 minute walk)(Airport bus NO6002, Jongno 6-ga stop, 1 minutes walk) , ☎+82-2-742-6696/82-10-6315-6696 [47][[email protected]]Located in Seoul Downtown Jongno area. Easy access to Dongdaemun Market, Cheonggyecheon Stream, KwangJang Market, Changdeokgung Palace. Informative English-speaking staff offering detailed information on directions, attractions, good shows, some of the Korea’s most popular restaurants, cafes, bars, and clubs. A wide selection of rooms; from private ensuite rooms from ₩40,000 to a 6-bed dorm from ₩15,000 for the really price conscious traveler.
Able hostel/Guesthouse, NO.205, Unit 1, Kumho twin tower, 89-1, Gwanghui-dong, Jung-gu, (Metro Line 2,4,5, Dongdaemun history & culture park stn, exit 5,7, 1 minute walk)(Airport bus NO6001, Dongdaemun Market. stop, 5 minutes walk) , ☎+82 10 2909 1086 [48][[email protected]] New, comfortable, young atmosphere, with decent bathrooms and a friendly owner amd staffs. Each room has computers available for free internet use, wifi throughout. This place is near Dongdaemun Market but very quiet when you sleep. No curfew. All staff is ready to hang out with guest evertnight. Sometimes they serve korean meal for free. kitchen, free laundry. if you want something they will give you everything they can. just book now.ensuite single room ~ 6 Dorm, ₩20,000~50,000/person/night
Bong House, 117-2 MyeongRyun3Ga MyeongRyunDong JongroGu Seoul Korea (Check website for directions from the subway and airport.), ☎ + 82 2 6080-3346, [49]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11AM. Laid back friendly guesthouse with internet, wifi, purifier, washing machine, A/C, refrigerator, cableTV, gas oven, microwave oven, hair dryer, iron with iron board and dryer for a fee of ₩5,000. The Bong bar which is right next to the Bong house. With each night stay you can claim 1 free beer from the bar. ₩17,000-₩105,000.
Hostel Korea, 178-65 Sungin-dong, Jongno-gu (4 min from Line 1 Sinseoldong stn exit 11), ☎+82 2 762-7406, +82 2 766-7406, [50]. Friendly English/Chinese-speaking staffs, Free breakfast, free wifi, free laundry, A/C, hot water. Private from ₩25,000/night, private ensuite from ₩30,000/night.
Mr. Kim's Friends Guesthouse, 446-11 Seokyo Dong Mapo-Gu Seoul (Metro Line 2 Hongik University, exit 1; or airport bus #6002, to Seogyo Hotel ₩10,000), ☎ +82 2 70 4123-9059, +82 11 9059-7191, [x]. checkin: anytime; checkout: anytime. Internet access, guest kitchen, fax service, card phones, bicycle hire, cable TV, DVDs, common room, library, linen included, security lockers, BBQ area, washing machine/dryer, 24 hr security, towel hire, hairdryer for hire, parking, free parking, bicycle parking, A/C, iron-ironing board, tours desk, luggage storage, 24 hr reception.Dormitory from ₩15,000, private from ₩20,000. (37.5637561,126.9084211)
Seoul Backpackers, 205-125, Namchang-Dong, Jung-Gu, (Metro Line 4, Hoehyeon stn, use exit No 4 and walk down the road; turn left into the next road and you will find the hostel on that road after about 100 m). ☎+82 2 3672-1972 [51]. Backpacker hangout with English-speaking staff. Free breakfast, internet and laundry. Single/double ₩40,000/₩50,000 with own tiny bathroom.
Seoul Guest House, 135-1 Gyedong, Jongno-gu, (Metro Line 3, Anguk stn), ☎+82 2 745-0057 [52]. Basic rooms with air-con in a traditional Korean-style house from ₩35,000/night. Shared bathrooms, internet (wifi) and TV. For a higher price you can purchase a room with a private bath, television and computer with internet. Some find it spartan, other like its homey feel, friendly owner and big, fluffy guard dog.
Songwontel Hostel (as of 02.2012), 102-62 Doneui-dong, Jongro-gu, (Metro Line 5, ChongRo Sam Ga, exit 2 in a small backstreet), ☎+82-2-765-7224. Free wifi. Clean, comfy yet small rooms with private bathroom, ac and tv. The receptionist speaks some english. Double rooms ₩38000/night on week days, ₩45000/night on weekends.
WindRoad & Flower Sharehouse,1F 85-5, Myeongryun-dong 3-ga, Jongno-gu, ☎+82 2 6407-2012~3. ([email protected]), [53]. Long-stay discounts, free WiFi, laundry service (but not free). The friendly staff speaks good english. Dorm from ₩15,000/night.
Yim's House, 33 Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu (Metro Line 3, Anguk stn), ☎+82 2 747-3332 [54]. This excellent value hotel is unsure whether it caters to businessmen or backpackers. Rooms are clean and spacious, and Mr. Yim speaks fluent English. Ensuite singles ₩30,000, doubles ₩38,000.
Golden Pond Guesthouse, 188-16, Myeongryun1ga-dong, (Metro Line 4, Hyehwa stn, exit #4, 5 minutes walk)(Airport bus, SungKyunKwan Univ. stop, 3 minutes walk) , ☎+82 2 741-5621 Cell +82 10 9921-5621 [55][www.goldenpondgh.com] New, comfortable, young atmosphere, with decent bathrooms and a friendly owner amd staffs. Two computers available for free internet use, wifi throughout. This place is near a lot of pubs and restaurants but very quiet when you sleep. No curfew. All staff is ready to hang out with guest every night. Sometimes they serve Korean meal for free. kitchen, free laundry. if you want something they will give you everything they can. The staff are friendly, but the desk is not manned 24 hours a day as advertised. Also, the conditions in the annex are vastly different from the ones in the actual guesthouse (mentioned above). The annex is a pig's sty - the kitchen is just a constantly clogged sink and a fridge, and the bathroom is dirty and unheated in the winter. Make absolutely sure that you book a room in the actual guesthouse (and not the annex), and don't let them bait and switch you to an annex room (which they're known to do).
Bangrang Hostel, 397-12 Chungnim-Dong, Chung ku (Metro Line 2, Chungjeongro stn, exit 5), ☎ +82 2 6614-2246, [x]. checkin: 2PM; checkout: 11:30AM. A brand new hotel,opened Jan 2010. distinguished interior. 1 min from subway station, 2 min from airport bus stop.₩18,000~.
ONL Guesthouse (오늘게스트하우스), 50-5 Umyeon-dong, Seocho-gu (Metro Line no. 3, Yangje Stn, use exit No. 9. Take bus 3412 and get off at Umyeon-Kolon Apt.), ☎ +82 10-7567-3619,, [x]. checkin: 13:00; checkout: 11:00. Offers a choice of accomodation type, shared dormatory style or private family room. Breakfast included. Kitchen facility. Free Wi-Fi. Television in the Common Room. Private locker for every guest. Laundry facility. Features a second-floor outdoor patio with seating area. Private yard and garden with fruit trees. All staff are English speakers. ONL Guesthouse is located at the base of Umyeon Mountain, and a five minute walk from Gwanmun Temple. ₩25,000 to ₩30,000 for dorm-style;₩40,000 to ₩50,000 for private room (season-dependent). (37.474827"",127.025332"")
Best Western Premier Seoul Garden Hotel, formerly the Holiday Inn, located in the Mapo area across from Yeouido Island.
Co-op Residence Serviced Apartments, Samseong, Ul-Jiro (near Dongdaemun Stadium), Western (Dongdaemun), Whikyung, Ohmok, Sincheon. From around ₩80,000 for very small but very comfortable single-bed studios to slightly larger double studios. Depending on the property, super-fast internet is either free or cheap (you need to ask for it). The staff are very nice but don't always speak more then rudimentary English. Some of them have restaurants that serve decent food. The Ul-Jiro Co-op is across from the Dongdaemun Stadium and Market and is a little worse for wear. The Samseong Co-op is newer and has heated floors for winter. All of them are handily located and are a fine place to stay if you are on your own. The bathrooms are tiny, as are the TVs.
Hamilton Hotel, in the heart of the Itaewon shopping district, and next to the Itaewon subway station. Nice rooms, stay here to help reduce culture shock.
Han Suites, in Chungmuro, right near Myeongdong. An unassuming building, it has a range for rooms from ₩80,000 for a reasonably-sized Studio through to ₩250,000 for a two-bedroom 'Premier.' Popular with both Koreans and expats, it also has super-fast internet at a reasonable price, they restock with fridge in the kitchen with free beer and water and a reasonable selection of TV stations (including ABC Asia-Pacific for homesick Australians). It isn't glamorous or in an amazing part of town, but it's a nice walk to City Hall through Myeongdong.
Ibis Hotel Ambassador. Walking distance to the COEX in Gangnam-gu at Samsung-dong, next to line 2 subway system Samsung. Convenient for international travelers as it is very close to the check-in and limousine server at KCAT, Korea Air City Terminal, next to the COEX. Free shuttle to KCAT and free wired internet.
Ibis Hotel Myeong Dong. Across Lotte Young Plaza. 1 min walking from Euljiro-1 station exit 7. Very central, free internet access.
Somerset Palace Seoul (서머셋팰리스서울), 7 Yulgok-ro 2-gil Jongno-gu Seoul 03143, ☎ +82 2 6730-8888 ([email protected]), [x]. The residence is in the heart of the city's diplomatic, business and financial districts. Apartments, ranging from studio to penthouse layouts are fitted with a modern kitchen, washer, dryer, home entertainment system, satellite and cable TV, and broadband Internet access.
Citadines Han River Seoul, 11 Yangpyeong-ro 28-gil, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul 07202, ☎ +82 2 2014 1111 ([email protected]), [x]. Idyllically located on the banks of the Han River, these serviced apartments offer studio units with separate living and dining areas.(37.540812,126.89069)
Seoul's top-end hotels are impressive, but pricey.
Grand Hyatt Seoul, 747-7 Hannam 2-Dong, Yongsan-Ku, ([email protected]), [x]. Set amidst landscaped gardens with good views over the city. Full service spa.
Imperial Palace Hotel, 248-7, Nonhyun-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Near Nonhyun subway station), [x]. Luxury hotel in Gangnam. Shuttle buses from and to Incheon international airport. Very nice spa. A local favourite.
THE PLAZA hotel, 119 Sogongro Junggu Seoul (Near Seoul Cityhall), ☎ 82.2.771.2200, [x]. Completely redesigned as Korea’s luxury boutique hotel in 2010, THE PLAZA is now an exceptionally beautiful, independent five-star hotel, ideally located in the heart of the business, shopping, and entertainment districts of Seoul.
'JW Marriott Seoul, 19-3 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu (In the Central City development, Gangnam, next to the Express Bus Terminal, airport connections via the CCAT), ☎ +82 2 62826262, [x]. Rooms are stylish and fully-equipped. Spa, gym, sauna, indoor running track complex covers 2 floors in the basement. Olympic-size pool, climbing wall and golf driving range and Maska's cigar shop selling Cubans.Rooms from US$200.
Lotte Hotel, Myeong Dong (Subway Euljiro 1-ga), [x]. Grand old lady of downtown Seoul's hotels with 1,300 rooms, all kept in tip-top shape. The obvious choice for ornate Korean luxury.
Millennium Hilton Seoul, 50 Sowol-ro, Namdaemunno 5(o)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, 04637, South Korea, ☎ +82 2 317-3114 ([email protected], fax: +82 2 754-2510), [x]. Luxury hotel near the Central Railway Station and Namdaemun market. Shuttle buses from and to Incheon international airport. Stylish rooms, eight restaurants, various shops and services and a indoor tropical garden.rates start from 250 000 KRW.
Park Hyatt Seoul, 995-14 Daechi 3 - dong Gangnam - gu (In the business district), ☎ +82 2 2016 1234 ([email protected]), [x]. Upscale hotel that is right across from the COEX shopping complex and host to The Timber House featuring live jazz music.
Ritz-Carlton Seoul, (In Gangnam, 2~3 mins walk from Sinnonhyeon station on line number 9, exit number 4.), [x]. checkin: 3:00 PM; checkout: 12:00 Noon. Excellent location being minutes away from the subway station and downtown Gangnam (which has many restaurants and bars in the area). The interior of the hotel has an antique luxury feel to it. Rooms are of course in tip top shape, but the less expensive rooms lack a bathtub in the bathroom. Also, the doors to the rooms do not seem to block sound very well.
Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, [x]. Luxury hotel famous for its casino, swimming pool and seasonal dance parties. Populated with a lively crowd of regular expats.
Shilla Seoul, Namsan, [x]. One of the city's premier hotels
W Seoul, (Located in far east Seoul), [x]. Trendy boutique hotel in Seoul. Has a good Sunday brunch buffet with two seatings, 11AM and 1:30PM.At least ₩140,000/person.
Internet cafes known as PC bang (PC 방) (pr: pee-shee-bang) are ubiquitous in Seoul, and usually cost anywhere from ₩800-2,000/hr.
A Korean keyboard using a Korean OS can type in English or Hangul.
Most have printers at the front desk. These places cater chiefly to gamers, which translates into fairly fast computers, loud sound systems and large screens. Smoking is generally not allowed anymore. Typically, the computers run a Korean version of Windows Vista/7 and use Internet Explorer.
You won't find free WiFi in many places, although larger cafes do offer it and most accommodation will provide you with some level of access. Another way to connect Wi-Fi is going through Wi-Fi password sharing application on smartphone. There are many applications such as Wifi Map, Wifi Master Key and Waple. If you are planning to travel in Seoul, Waple could provide most of Wi-Fi network because this application is from South Korea. There are more Wi-Fi password data than other applications. However, three major telecom companies have licensed airspace almost everywhere (including trains, both subway and regional). These three companies are Olleh, T Mobile and LG's U+. You can buy prepaid vouchers for WiFi access to any one of these networks from convenience stores and they also allow you to buy online using a credit card. If you feel you need to be connected a lot but don't want to use your carrier's data when roaming, this could be a good option.
The high-speed KTX trains offer free WiFi for passengers (30MB limit per session).
Console gaming (Xbox 360, PS3) is widely available, and for those with proficiency in Korean language, you might also be able to enjoy a round of online gaming; the fantasy MMORPG Lineage was created in Korea and a slew of MMORPG titles not available anywhere else can be found here.
Post offices are basically everywhere in Seoul, although many are hidden on smaller roads and alleys. If you cannot spot any post office nearby, it is good idea to visit university (every university has its own post office in it).
The Korean postal insignia is orange and white. It can be spotted on post office signs.
Some post offices are open on Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays (postal service only). Most post offices sell boxes and packing materials. Even the smaller offices typically have at least one English-speaking member of staff.
Seoul CPO (서울중앙우체국), 21-1 Chungmuro 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu (Line 4 Hoehyun stn exit #7). M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. Also has a big philately section in basement.
Gwanghwamun Post Office (광화문우체국), 154-1 Seorin-dong, Jongno-gi (Line 5 Gwanghwanun stn). M-F 9AM-8PM, Sa Su 9AM-6PM (and holidays).
Seoul Gangnam Post Office (서울강남우체국). M-F 9AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM.
Seoul is a remarkably safe city given its size, comparable in safety to Hong Kong or Tokyo. Pickpocketing is not very common and violent crime is minimal if not almost unheard of.
If you happen to be a non-Korean male walking hand-in-hand with a Korean female, drunk older Korean men might give you a tongue lashing or occasionally worse. Note that this is far less of a problem than it used to be.
If you do end up in a fight, remember that Korean law is possibly different to your home country. Just because someone else started the fight does not provide you with legal protection if the attacker ends up hurt. As in anywhere else in the world, get out of such a situation as quickly as you can.
U.S. military personnel now have a curfew 1am-5am 7 days a week on the Korean Peninsula, although the curfew can be extended at very short notice. If you are a westerner then the American Military Police may request to see your ID and, if you refuse, may summon the Korean National Police, who have the right to demand it. (This is done to catch American military personel breaking the curfews.)
Although rare, crimes by American soldiers against Koreans can happen, and when they do they often receive a huge amount of national attention. If you are a westerner then you should exercise some extra care when such a case hits the media, although it is still highly unlikely you would be in any danger.
Large scale demonstrations in Seoul against the government happen from time to time. Often they can result in a riot where there are pitched battles between protesters and riot police. People do get seriously hurt, so try and avoid getting too close to the action.
Over the last 15-20 years Korea has undergone a major English language boom. Korean families are eager for their children to learn English and commonly place them in private language schools. English is also a compulsory subject in public school from elementary grades on. Nowadays, a large number of high school aged to young adult Koreans on the street will have at least a rudimentary grasp of English.
However, note with caution that the majority of Koreans will speak little English if not none at all, particularly the older generations. A few tourist information centers dotted around Seoul are staffed by English speakers, but by and large the average service provider will not speak English.
English signage is visible everywhere in the city, from road signs to subway maps to shop posters.
The Seoul Global Center, 3rd Floor of the Seoul Press Center, 25 Taepyeongno 1(il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul, ☎ +82 2 1688-0120, [x]. Provides foreign language assistance with regard to public services, but also beyond including help with awkward coping necessities like purchasing a mobile phone.
Atlas, [x]. A local concierge service people can message for help. Atlas is a real-time travel assistant with local expertise used often by travelers and expats that need help with anything around Korea. On demand interpretation and personalized services: booking travel, placing food delivery orders, reserving restaurants, recommending activities, etc.
Pharmacies are everywhere in Seoul. While most are labeled only in Korean, the signage and Hangul character is easy to recognize: 약. Most pharmacists speak some English. Pharmacists are not shy about asking about your symptoms and selling you what they think you need.
Medical Referral Service, ☎ +82 10 4769-8212, [x]. 8 am to 8 pm (with emergency only coverage after hours). Seoul provides an English-language hotline to assist with finding doctors and other medical services.
Medical bills can be expensive, but not too, so make sure you have valid travel insurance.
Some people with sensitive stomachs should use caution when dining in Korea as some of the local cuisine is heavily spiced with copious amounts of pepper and garlic.
Air quality in Seoul has improved significantly. However, there is pollution coming from China, Korean industries and the growing number of motor vehicles on the road. When approaching metro Seoul via train a visible dome of smog exists. Asthmatics frequently have acute problems, especially in the low-lying areas of town. Pharmacies carry a variety of allergy and smog masks, both of which are a common sight outdoors. If you are sensitive to such things, you may want to avoid visiting in spring and summer.
Mold is common during the hotter months and the rainy season. While most common nearest rivers and streams, mildew and mold are also at many subway stations.
Mongolian yellow dust storms in spring have always been considered dangerous, but more so in recent years, as these storms blow across China's industrial belt, picking up toxins, before sweeping across the Korean Peninsula. Efforts to mitigate these storms include a donation of several thousand trees from South Korea to China. When dust storms come through Seoul, residents usually wear mask specifically for such dust and try to stay inside. Some locals refuse to travel these storms occur.
Mostly, Koreans are very curious about foreigners. Many will gawk and glare while others will try out their English. For the most part, Koreans are very friendly on the street and will take great pains to be helpful, even approach you on their own initiative, if you seem to need help, despite the above attitudes.
If working in Korea, one should do a little reading on Confucianism and how it translates into social standing.
Panmunjeom — Many tour companies offer DMZ tours which is a day trip from Seoul, the highlight of which is a village lying in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. Note that you cannot visit without booking with a tour company, and that some nationalities (including South Korean and Chinese) are not allowed to visit for security reasons.
Incheon — The place where U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed during the Korean War; it also has the biggest and oldest Chinatown in Korea.
Gapyeong — Popular weekend getaway, east of Seoul. A small town in the mountains of Gyeonggi-do, on the border with Gangwon-do.
Chuncheon — Filmed in many Korean dramas and movies and now accessible by subway from Seoul
Suwon — One of Seoul's satellite cities, located 30 kilometers south of Seoul, the city is best-known as the home of Hwaseong Fortress (화성), a UNESCO world heritage site. Built from 1794 to 1796, the fortress consists of four main gates and a 5.76 kilometer-long wall, and features an archery range and other activities. Suwon is also famous for its local football club Suwon Samsung Bluewings as well as galbi with numerous restaurants serving the dish. And you could also go to " Folk village " from there. Suwon has several stops on Seoul Subway Line 1 and is about an hour away from Seoul Station. Several commuter trains travel from Seoul Station to Suwon Station each day, with the trip taking about 30 minutes.
Busan Take the KTX down to Busan to enjoy the beach in summer. Makes a nice change of pace from Seoul.
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