Seoul (서울; ) is the capital of South Korea.

Understand

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With over 10 million people, a figure that doubles if you include neighboring cities and suburbs, Seoul is by far the largest city in South Korea and the unquestioned economic, political and cultural hub of the country. By some measures, it is the third largest urban agglomeration on the planet, after Mexico City and Greater Tokyo.

Seoul suffers from a partly unwarranted reputation for pollution and traffic jams. These days, strict emissions laws have brought the pollution under control (it's certainly no worse than, say, Tokyo) and, while traffic jams do still snarl up Seoul's streets at rush hour, the extensive subway network means that the traveler can easily shortcut through it almost all of the time. With beautiful palaces, great food and a hopping nightlife, Seoul is worth a visit.

Orientation
Seoul is so vast in size that getting to grips with it takes a while. The city is divided in two by the Han River (한강 Hangang), which runs east to west across the city. The Joseon-era historical core of the city, containing most palaces and government offices, lies on the north side in and around the district of Jongno (종로), overlooked by the 262-meter peak of Namsan (남산). The south of the river, known as Gangnam (강남), is more 'uptown' and more modern. The island of Yeoui-do (여의도), in the river, is the closest Seoul gets to Manhattan with skyscrapers, the National Assembly and the Seoul Stock Exchange.

Get in

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By plane
Incheon Airport
Nearly all international flights to Seoul land at the futuristic Incheon International Airport (인천국제공항) (), west of the city. The airport is well signposted and caters to all your traveler needs, and even includes a sauna, an optician, and a small mall. There are two tourist information offices and many Global ATMs.

The A'REX train link to Gimpo Airport is now open, with express services (28 min, W7900, hourly) and commuter services (33 min, W3100, every 12 min). The rest of the link to Seoul is scheduled to be ready in 2010, but for now, you can continue from Gimpo by regular subway.

Buses run directly to Seoul and are probably the best option for most travellers. Many "limousine buses" (W13000 or so) travel directly to major hotels in Seoul, while public buses (around W8000) will take you to major transit hubs. Consult the big maps to figure out which route best suits your needs; you can then find the shuttles outside 1st floor arrivals. Or simply, walk out and ask the many ticket sellers (they are wearing vests) which bus goes to your hotel.

A taxi direct to Seoul will run around W40000/60000 regular/deluxe. As both buses and taxis are subject to traffic, allow extra time for rush hour delays; one possible shortcut is to take the subway to Gimpo and transfer to the train there (see below).

If you have time to kill at the airport but don't have the time or energy to face Seoul's traffic, see Yeongjong Island or Incheon for some layover suggestions. If you're connecting through ICN to another destination on Korean/Asiana and have over 6 hours to spare, you may be entitled to a free transit tour or hotel — ask at the transit desk.

Gimpo Airport
The more centrally located but older Gimpo Airport (김포국제공항, GMP) caters only to the shuttle service to Tokyo and domestic flights within South Korea. Gimpo Airport is easily reached on subway Line 5 (W1400 and 50 minutes to downtown), and you can transfer to/from Incheon Airport with the A'REX rail link.

By train
Seoul is the northern terminus of the KTX high-speed line to Daejeon, Daegu and Busan. There are two KTX stations within city limits: Seoul Station (서울역), on lines 1 & 4, and just a few stops south, Yongsan Station (용산역), on line 1 & 4(Shin-Yongsan station).

Nearly all ordinary (non-KTX) services also use one or both of the above terminals, but services east to Chuncheon and southeast to Gyeongju via Danyang use Cheongnyangni Station (청량리역), to the east of the city on line 1.

By bus
Every weekend approximately 2 million Seoulites leave the city, which goes a long way to explaining why the city has no less than five major intercity bus terminals.

Central City Terminal, also known as Honam Terminal, Express Bus Terminal stn (Lines 3, 7). 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).

Express Bus Terminal (서울고속버스터미널), Express Bus Terminal stn (Lines 3, 7). 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.

Nambu Bus Terminal, Nambu Bus Terminal stn (Line 3). Serves places southwest of Seoul (South Chungcheong).

Sinchon Bus Terminal, Sinchon stn (Line 2). Buses to Ganghwa Island. Note: That's Sinchon station, not Sincheon, which is also on Line 2 but on the wrong side of the city!

By boat
There are ferry services to various points in China from the neighboring port city of Incheon.

By car

Get around

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Traffic jams are all too common in Seoul, so be careful on the streets and head underground when possible.

By subway
In Seoul, you can visit most places by using subways. There are currently 8 lines (10 if you count the Bundang Line and Incheon Line), with a 9th under construction. The lines are numbered and distinguished by different colors. All signs in the subway system are in Korean, Chinese, and English. 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, however Koreans don't really make use of these numbers and they're not on most subway maps, so don't rely on them.

Subway fares are based on the distance traveled, but the shortest ride costs 1000 Won when using a magnetic ticket. Small magnetic stripe tickets are available for single trip or multiple trips, but the vending machines accept only coins; if there's no manned ticket office, there's usually a bill exchanger lurking nearby. Hang onto your ticket until the end of your trip, as you'll need it to get out.

If staying for more than a day or two, consider purchasing a T-money stored value contactless smart card. You can buy this card at most subway stations and many newspaper kiosks near subway entrances. The card itself costs 2500 Won and cash can be charged onto the card as often as you like. 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. When using a T-money card you'll get a small discount on subway fares, and you can also transfer between subway and bus at a reduced fare.

Although there is only one subway network, lines 1-4 and 5-8 are run by two different companies, so information is available on two websites:

Seoul Metropolitan Subway Corporation

Seoul Metropolitan Rapid Transit Corp

By bus
Seoul also has an extensive bus service. There are four different kinds of buses. The color and size is different for each of them. The color (blue, green, red or yellow) describes the kind of route the bus takes. For example, red buses are long distance routes, and green buses connect subway stations to the surrounding areas.

By taxi
There are three kinds of taxis in Seoul: regular taxi, deluxe taxi and call taxi. Deluxe taxis are colored black with a yellow sign, and are more expensive than regular taxis but provide better and more comfortable service. Regular taxis are silver. It's easy to hail a taxi any time of the day or night along any relatively major Seoul street.

You can call a deluxe taxi wherever you are by calling 3431-5100. Sometimes you can find a visitor's guide taxi which is a kind of deluxe taxi, the drivers of which know English and Japanese and can guide you around Seoul city.

The basic fare for regular taxis is 1900W, with additional fare of 100W applied according to time and distance. In deluxe taxis, the basic fare is 4000W and the additional fare increases in increments of 200W.

If there is more than one passenger, and you are traveling only a short distance (eg 1-2 subway stops) it is usually cheaper to catch a taxi than to take a bus or subway.

Another kind of taxi is the AAFES taxi, although this type is mainly used by US military personnel on post. These taxis generally speak English better than the local taxis and take US$. The basic fare is $2.30 with additional fare of $0.30 according to time and distance. You can call for an AAFES taxi by calling 0505-736-5113.

See

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Palaces
As the ancient seat of Korea's royalty, there are no fewer than 5 major palaces in Seoul, and some are definitely worth a visit.

Gyeongbok-gung, Yulgukno (subway Gyeongbokgung). Seoul's grandest palace and the seat of power for centuries before it was razed in 1592 by a Japanese invasion (and they did a repeat after 1910). Large parts have now been restored and the vast grounds also house the Joseon Palace Museum and the Korean Folk Museum. Entry W3000, open 9 AM to 5 PM daily except Tuesday.

Changdeok-gung, Yulgukno (subway Anguk). Second only to Gyeongbokgung 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 most famous of all is the Biwon ("Secret Garden") in the back. Access to the complex is by guided tour only (W3000) except on Thursdays when only self-guided tours are available. Korean-language tours run every half hour but English tours are offered at 11:30 AM, 1:30 PM and 3:30 PM (as of September 2005). Closed Mondays.

Deoksu-gung, (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 won (groups: 800 won)
Children (7 to 18 years old) and soldiers: 500 won (groups: 400 won)

Children 6 and under, seniors 65 and over: Free

ChangGyeong-gung, (Subway line 4, Hyehwa Station, exit 4). Originally built in 1104 as a summer palace for the kings of the Koryo Dynasty, it became one of the main palace 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 every Tuesdays
Admission:
Adults (19 to 64 years old): 1,000 won (groups: 800)
Children (7 to 18 years old): 500 won (groups: 400)

Children 6 and under, seniors 65 and over: Free

Parks

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 place, for it is rather a park where you can come and take a rest.

Boramae Park, was 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 come. The pond is full of cool shades during the summer, and is spectacular when snow falls in the winter.

Mt. Namsan Park, is 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, was 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.

Tapgol ("Pagoda") Park. A small park frequented by the elderly and the footsore traveller. Contains the namesake pagoda under protective glass, and a nice large gazebo to get out of the sun. Acts a navigation landmark when moving between Myeongdong, Jongno and Insadong 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, respectively. The size of the park is 230,000 square meters. 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.

Temples and shrines

Mount Inwang (인왕산 Inwangsan), near subway Dongnimmun. This 336-meter 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.

Other

Namdaemun (subway City Hall). 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.

Dongdaemun (subway Dongdaemun). 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 couterpart.

Seodaemun Prison, 101 Hyeonjeo-dong, Seodaemun-gu (subway Dongnimmun, 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 signage is only in Korean, but volunteer guides can describe the sights in English. W1500.

COEX This very large mall is located in Samsung-dong, Gangnam-gu, and is conveniently attached to the Samseong-dong station of the Subway Green Line 2. This state-of-the-art complex was designed for international conferences, and holds 150 specialized exhibitions and 15,000 conventions/events a year. The center 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 (call-ahead reservations required) ; a large Western-style "luxury" cinema; the Kimchi museum ; a Sony Playstation Store; an Xbox Store; a traditional video game arcade; a large bookstore with many Korea publications and imported Japanese books, manga and magazines; a chain electronics store to provide the traveller-in-need with batteries, camcorder tape and discs; and a Studio Ghibli store with lots of character goods (for anime fans). There are also shopping options in the COEX, including national brands mVIO, WhoAU California and Caspi Conus. 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. In 2003, a popular entertainment sports bar called GimmeFive opened in the back of the mall, featuring live kickboxing, fashion shows, and a drag queen cabaret show to close the evening; it occupied the space formerly occupied by but then vacated by the Dave & Busters chain. 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.

Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower) Once the tallest tower in Asia, it has the best panoramic view in all of Seoul. Centrally located, it can be seen from nearly anywhere in Seoul and is a helpful reference for travellers on foot. Can be reached on foot, by taxi or, on the south side, by cable car.

The National Museum of Korea Houses the best of the best collection of artifacts and relics from across Korea throughout different periods and dynasty. Closed every Monday. Get off at Ichon Station.

Cheonggye Stream This stream has recently been converted into a tourist attraction from its prevoius state as a tepid misquito breading ground. Located near Cheonggye Plaza near Insadong.

Do

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Horse Racing can be found at Seoul Racetrack in Kwach'on. 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.

Everland is the Korean version of Disney. 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.

Seoulland is a theme park located in Seoul. 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 is located in Neung-dong, Gwangjin-gu. 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. Avoid weekends because the crowds are fierce!

Lotte World is located in Seoul. It has a folk museum where one can have an insight into ancient Korean life. Currently Closed for Construction

Learn

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Tae Kwon Do, Korea's most popular martial art!
For information :Kukkiwon, WTF Headquarters
For training in Seoul: Sangrok Gym

Work

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There is an immense demand for ESL (English as a Second Language) instruction in Seoul. See the main South Korea article for details.

Buy

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Markets

Namdaemun The largest traditional street market in Korea. This market is located in the center of Seoul and is a famous shopping place for tourists. Clothing for children and accessories are the most-commonly sold goods in this market, but there's lots of food as well and many outdoor eating options, especially in the evening.

Dongdaemun This market is of equal historical significance to Namdaemun market. While Namdaemun is an old-fashioned market, Dongdaemun market has large buildings that group similar shops together so customers can shop efficiently and save time. 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, and one of the most popular buildings for shopping is Doosan Tower (aka Doota).

Insadong. Insadong is known for its art galleries and shops. 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.

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. 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. If you go, it's best to bring a Korean guide so you can ensure you're getting a good deal.

Fashion
Fashion shopping in Seoul isn't a mere industry, it's an art form.

Myeongdong is probably the largest and best-known area; it is definitely the most tourist-friendly fashion area. In the spring and summer, fashion models/sidewalk promoters can be seen strolling the streets of Myeongdong promoting various cosmetics, stores or other fashion-related products. Many regular people also tend to catwalk their newest outfit on these streets. Rows of stores are available to look for that perfect 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, as well as a few international brands such as Landrover, Adidas, Gap, Banana Republic, Koolhaas, Fubu, Anna Sui, Giordano, etc.

Migliore, . One of the biggest fashion buildings in Seoul. It has 17 floors above ground and 7 basement floors. Infomation 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.

UTOO (U2) Zone. Another Myeongdong landmark. This department store is oriented towards an older and more upscale clientele. US Credit cards almost always accepted. Currently Closed.

Lotte Young Plaza. . 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. My favorite is the wine bar. 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 the brand name goods. International brands like Gucci and Prada sit alongside Korean designer brands.

Galleria A very popular department store.

Near the Cheongdam Intersection lies the heart of the Korean shoe scene. Cutting edge shoe shops include Sue Comma Bonnie, Hyaang, Heels and Namuhana.

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.

Duty free
Duty free shops: You can use United States＄, Japanese ￥or Korean W. There are clerks who can speak Japanese in nearly every shop. Also the following credit cards are accepted: American Express (AMEX), JCB (Japanese credit card), Mastercard, or Visa.

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.

Eat

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It would take a determined man to starve to death in Seoul — much of Korean social life revolves around food. This fate may still befall you if you insist on English menus and meals consisting only of easily identifiable, familiar ingredients; see South Korea for a quick Korean menu reader. An alternative is to just point and eat, your hosts generally will accomodate. Do be careful with the usually very spicy food if your stomach is not used to it.

Budget
Seoul has plenty of budget places to eat. Everything from convenience store junk food and noodles to street stall food and lots of 24 hour Korean fast food restaurants. The 24-hour restaurants are great because they've usually got a wide variety of foods. Some great stews, soups, rice rolls, rice stir-fries and pork steaks with gravy. Prices do vary from about 2,000won to 9,000won at these restaurants.

Sadongmyenok (사동면옥), Insadong 5-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 W5000. English menu available.

Mid-range

Gae Soon Ok, 91-2 Jeodong 1-Ga, Jung-gu (near Euljiro 1-ga station, in small lane opposite Myeongdong cathedral). 50 years of dog meat soup (bosintang) and still going strong.

New Delhi Restaurant, Itaewon (Noksapyoung station exit 1, cross overpass, turn right, 2 min up the hill on your left). Run by a Canadian-Indian owner, 15000 won gets you a a wonderful Indian meal. Try the chicken vindaloo, the garlic nan and the samosas.

Splurge

Once in a Blue Moon Great food and atmosphere are a plenty at this snappy restaurant/jazz bar. Well worth the money for a nice night out. Live jazz music every night.

J Pub Ryu Amazing food and drinks, specializing in sake. The atmosphere is lively with the occassional celebrity siting. A definite hot spot any night of the week with an innovative menu of Japanese fusion.

Drink

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Compared to western drinking habits, Koreans have adopted slightly different ways to enjoy their night out. Sure, you can find western style bars easily, but going to a Korean style bar (a "hof" or a booking-club as they call them) can be an interesting experience. Hofs (a German word) are just normal beer places, which serve some variations of soju (Korean alcohol) and side dishes. Customers are supposed to order some side dish to go along the beer. Recently, due to growing competition, many hofs have started to install various gadgets etc. for entertainment. Booking-clubs are the Korean version of night-clubs. What makes them interesting is the "booking" part of the name. It's basically a way to meet new people (usually of the opposite sex) done in refreshing way. Booking-clubs are slightly more expensive than normal bars and hofs, but extremely fun. Night-clubs are different from American style clubs, in that in addition to a cover charge, you are pretty much expected to order booze and side dishes (which can be quite pricey), but other than that, the dancing and atmosphere is about the same.

One of the customary things to do at a booking club is to "dress-up" your table or booth by purchasing expensive liquors and fruit plates, which signals your 'status' to the other patrons of the club (especially your gender of interest). American alcohol especially is marked up a great deal in Korea, so don't be surprised to pay very high prices for that innocuous bottle of Jack Daniels. On the other hand, it is a better value overall to buy a bottle of liquor or a "liquor set" than to purchase drinks individually.

On the other end of the spectrum, many locals go out to drink and eat with their friends at the many Korean grillhouses found throughout the city. It is not uncommon for people to consume an entire bottle or two of soju each, and mixing beer and hard liquor is encouraged. Group bonding over liquor and food is a cultural feature across South Korea.

Interesting note: Some bar districts are off-limits to American military personnel, US Federal employees and their dependents. A nationwide curfew (imposed and enforced by the US Military as part of the Status of Forces Agreement) is also in effect for persons subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, American military personnel, US Federal employees and their dependents: midnight Sunday - Thursday and 1 AM Friday - Saturday.

Itaewon is Seoul's international district, housing a variety of western-styled venues to eat, drink and be merry. Being a place where many foreigners congregate, it remains somewhat of a niche nightlife area for Koreans who are interested in a more international scene. A number of notable bars and clubs spot the area, both on the main street and in the alleys off it.

It should also be noted that many bars in Itaewon celebrate Thursdays as Ladies' Night which often means that ladies drink free before 12am. Finally, there are a few gay bars, located two alleys east of the main street. There you can find a club and a few bars near one another.

Due to its proximity to the nearby Yongsan Army Garrison, a disproportionately large number of American military are found here in the evenings and weekends. It is not unusual to see uniformed military wearing CP (Courtesy Patrol) or MP (Military Police) armbands rounding up drunk and disorderly servicemembers, especially near curfew hours.

Geckos, (opposite Burger King). A relaxed bar scene and good food. Very popular with GIs and expats.

Seoul Pub

Hollywood.

Rocky Mountain Tavern, . A Canadian bar for expats living in Korea. Located north of the main intersection.

The Loft

Polly's Kettle

Old Town

The Wolfhound Irish Pub & Restaurant, . (in the alley behind Geckos across from Burger King). Serves a great selection of draft beers and hearty, homemade meals.

The 3 Alley Pub, Popular with the older expat crowd. It's located in an alley off the street near the Itaewon subway station.

For some good House/Trance music, try some smaller bars like

Bricx

Bar Nana

Electric Cat

Spy Club

King Club. Gaudy and a tad sleazy. Located in a seedy part of the neighborhood.

XO

Del Disco. Reportedly a gay club.

Sinchon (신촌), home to universities including the Ehwa Women's University (이화여대 Ihwayeodae) this is a great place to soak up a more Korean environment. (Sinchon is not to be confused with Sincheon, the only difference being the sound of the last o!) Sinchon is set up like many Korean 'play' areas, whereby bars, clubs, restaurants, singing rooms, 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 the different places. Korean bars tend to be rather antisocial compared with their western counterparts, with people sitting at tables with friends and not tending to mix. There are a number of western style bars in the area:

Woodstock

Zen II

Nori Ha Nun Saram Dul. A bar infamous for both its great rock music and it's decrepit interior with writing on the walls.

Zen I. A large club and always popular with young people. There are some motels in the area, making it a nice place to stay for a short vacation.

Hongdae (홍대), short for Hong'ik University, is the premier club area in Seoul by far. 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. The most popular clubs are:

M2. Trance/techno.

nb (noise basement). Hiphop.

Q-Vo. Hiphop.

On a Friday or Saturday expect all of these to be packed tight. Last Friday of every month is Club Day where 15,000 won (15 US dollars) will get you into all of the clubs. Expect squillions of people. There are a number of bars popular with foreigners here too:

Tin Pan

Route 66

Bricxx

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 American military personnel, US Federal employees and their dependents. However, it is not unusual to see crew-cuts here on the weekends.

Apgujeong (압구정) is the upmarket area of Seoul. Walk around the streets and you'll see kids 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 in Apgujeong aren't necessarily rich and actually live far away. There are some clubs and bars here, but it is a rather subdued venue for partying. Nightlife here consists mainly of designer bars and restaurants. Places where it isn't possible to valet haven't turned out to be great hits traditionally. That said, there are a few small clubs in the area. Expect English to be more commonly spoken in this area too, due often to overseas education or excessive private tutoring. However with it comes 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 as a great place to hang out, not rock out. If you wanted to impress a date for example, this would be a great place to go to. The backstreets of Apgujeong tend to sprout and lose new clubs seemingly at random throughout the year, so exploring off the main drag from time to time can sometimes yield a new "hot club of the month."

Gangnam (강남) is probably the second most popular club area. Also set up in a grid structure, clubs, bars, restaurants and various 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, Kangnam is the place for those rich kids to party and look sexy. You will not be lost for something to look at in that respect. The station is central and a ton of buses run through the heart of the entertainment area, so finding your way there is extremely easy.

NB. Full of clubbers pretty much every night of the week. The drawback is they have a rather racist policy of charging foreigners 5000 won ($5 US) more than Koreans. It is however the best club in the area.

Harlem

4X. Popular with foreigners.

Sleep

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Budget

Try a Jjimjilbang for between W4,000 and W12,000 per night. You don't get a room of your own but, if you can get your luggage into one of the small lockers 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 distinctive symbol of a plate with rays of heat rising from it. You may have to investigate as smaller hotels often use the same symbol as well.

Seoul's unofficial backpacker district is Anguk (subway line 3), located just to the north of the city center, within walking distance of the Gyeongsandong and Changdeokgung palaces. You can also reach the area directly from Incheon Airport with bus 602-1 to Anguk-dong stop (W8000, 80 minutes).

Seoul Backpackers, 30-1 Iksundong, Jongno-gu (subway Anguk), tel. +82-2-3672-1972, . Backpacker hangout with English-speaking staff. Dorms W17000, single/double W27000/W37000 with own tiny bathroom. Free breakfast, internet and laundry.

Seoul Guest House, 135-1 Gyedong, Jongno-gu (subway Anguk), tel. +82-2-745-0057, . Basic rooms with air-con in a traditional Korean-style house from W35,000/night. Shared bathrooms, Internet, TV etc. For a higher price you can purchase a room with a private bath, television and computer with internet. Some undiscerning travellers like it, though if you aren't on a skid-row budget you might just find the grime and decrepitude of the place revolting.

Kims' Guest House, 443-16 Hapjeongdong, Mapo-gu (subway Hapjeong), tel. +82-2-337-9894, . This comfortable guest house, run by a friendly English-speaking family, is located in the western part of Seoul, 15 minutes walk from Hapjeong subway station. The dormitory (W15000), single, double and triple rooms (W27000/W37000/W47000) all have air-conditioning and heating. Guests share a kitchen, toilets and showers and have free use of cable TV, washing machine and internet. Breakfast (jam, toast & coffee) is included. No curfew. Discounts for stays over 1 night.

Yim's House, 33 Waryong-dong, Jongno-gu (subway Anguk), tel. +82-2-747-3332. This excellent value hotel is unsure whether it caters to businessmen or backpackers. Rooms are clean and spacious, and Mr. Yim speaks fluent English. En-suite Singles are W30,000 while doubles are W38,000.

Namsan Guesthouse, 50-1 Namsandong 2-ga, Chung ku (subway Myeong-dong, exit 3), tel. +82-2-752-6363. Superbly located in the shadow of Seoul Tower in Namsan Park, this hostel has the usual draws: free internet access, free breakfast, kitchen & laundry and advice with tours. There are no singles but a 4-share costs W60,000 while a twin or double costs W40,000. All rooms are ensuite. Manager Robin is eager to help and speaks near-perfect English.

Love hotels are also a great option. They cost from W25,000 to W80,000 a night, more on Saturday nights and holidays. They are usually in pretty good condition and they sometimes have a PC in the room. They are a lot more fun if you bring a friend or two. Tomgi Hotel , right next to exit 4 of Jongno 3-ga, is a fine example of the genre, with a variety of unique rooms to choose from.

Love hotels are mainly visited by couples who want some private places during day or night, most of the love hotels (especially those in Gangnam district) are exceptionally clean and usually have widescreen TVs, PCs and so forth. Be aware that some love hotels discourage stays of more than one night.

Mid-range

President Hotel - right next to the Lotte and conveinent City Hall metro. Go take a spa break at the Lotte for 18,000 won ($19) with the money you saved.

Hotel Inn (Mapo-gu) - get out of the central business district and stay in a real old-school Seoul neighborhood. Ask where "Mapo meat street" is and eat to your BBQ heart's content. (subway - Mapo). This is also extremely conveient to Yeouido island if you're a financial bigshot.

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.

Splurge
Seoul's top-end hotels are very good, but pricy.

Intercontinental Seoul, 159-8 Samseong-Dong, Gangnam-Gu, tel. +82-2-5555656, .

JW Marriott Seoul, 19-3 Banpo-dong, Seocho-gu, tel. +82-2-62826262, . Marriott's flagship property , well located in the Central City development in Gangnam, right next to the Express Bus Terminal and with good airport connections via the CCAT. Rooms are as stylish and fully-equipped as you'd expect, but the star here is the stupendous Marquis Spa & Gym, which sprawls over two floors in the basement and contains a huge gym complete with indoor running track, Olympic-size pool, sauna and spa facilities, climbing wall and golf driving ranges. Rooms from US$200.

Lotte Hotel, Myeong Dong (subway Euljiro 1-ga), . The 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.

Shilla Seoul, Located on Namsan, this is the premiere hotel in Seoul.

W Seoul. The latest boutique hotel in Seoul, located in far east Seoul.

Hilton Seoul 395, 5-ga, Namdaemun-ro, Chung-gu, Luxury hotel near the Central Railway Station and Namdaemun market. Shuttle buses from and to Incheon international airport.

Imperial Palace Hotel 248-7, Nonhyun-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 135-010. Luxury hotel in Gangnam near Nonhyun subway station. Shuttle buses from and to Incheon international airport. Very nice spa. A local favourite.

Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel. Luxury hotel famous for it's hotel bar, O'Kim's, and it's seasonal dance parties. Populated with a lively crowd of regular expats.

Contact

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Internet cafes known as PC bang (PC 방) are ubiquitous in Seoul, and usually cost just 1,000 won (about 1 USD) per hour. Console gaming (XBox, PS2) are 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.

Stay safe

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Seoul is generally a remarkably safe city, where one can go outside in the middle of the night without worrying so much about criminals. If you have common sense, you should not get into much trouble.

Cope

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Medical bills can be expensive, so try make efforts to ensure this won't be problem. Some people with sensitive stomachs should be careful in Korea, as the amount of pepper and garlic in the local diet is intense.

Get out

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Panmunjeom — A village lying in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, easily visited on a day trip

Yeongjong Island — beaches, hot springs and fresh sea breezes

Jeju Island — unofficially billed as the 'Hawaii' of the ROK, the island's climate and weather are more temperate than that of the mainland due to its more southerly location. Within close proximity to the beach/port town of Busan.

Seoul ('sʌ ul) is the capital of South Korea and is located on the Han River in the country's northwest. The city is situated about 30 miles (~50 km) south of the North Korean border, also known as the de-militarized zone (DMZ). Seoul is an ancient city, having served as the historic capital of the Baekje Dynasty (18 BCE – 660 CE) and Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The city became the capital of South Korea following the establishment of the South Korean government in 1948. Designated the status of a Special City, Seoul is administered directly by the national government.

With over ten million people, Seoul is South Korea's largest city and one of the largest cities in the world by population. Covering an area of only 605 square kilometers, smaller than New York City or Tokyo, it is one of the world's most densely populated major cities. Seoul is also one of the world's most digitally-connected cities with more Internet users than all of sub-Saharan Africa, excluding South Africa.

The Greater Seoul metropolitan area, which includes the major port city of Incheon, has almost 23 million inhabitants making it the second most populous metropolitan area in the world, after Greater Tokyo. Almost one fourth of South Korea's entire population lives in the Seoul National Capital Area, and nearly one half in the Greater Seoul Area, making it the country's political, cultural, and economic center, as well as a center for international business. The city has played a key role in South Korea's economic development and has been referred to as the "Miracle on the Han River".

Seoul hosts more than three million registered vehicles and widespread traffic congestion is common. In recent years, the metropolitan government has undertaken extensive cleanup of the city's air and water pollution. The revival of Cheonggyecheon, a stream that flows through downtown Seoul, was a recent major urban beautification project.

History

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The history of Seoul can be traced back as far as 18 BCE, when it was established as the capital of the Baekje Kingdom. It has thereafter been the capital of various states on the Korean Peninsula. In the Goryeo Dynasty, it was called Hanseong. It became the permanent capital in the Joseon Dynasty. In the Japanese colonization period, many historical parts of Seoul were demolished. The city was almost entirely destroyed in the Korean War, but an aggressive economic policy in the 1960s and 1970s helped to rebuild the city very rapidly. In the 1990s, some important historical buildings were restored, including Gyeongbokgung, the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty.

Names
The city has been known in the past by the successive names Wiryeseong (위례성; ; Baekje), Hanyang (한양; ) and Hanseong (한성; ; Goryeo and Joseon). Its current name derives from the ancient Korean word Seorabeol or Seobeol, meaning "capital city", which originally referred to Gyeongju, the capital of Silla.

Chinese name
Unlike most place names in Korea, "Seoul" has no corresponding hanja (Chinese characters used in the Korean language), and Chinese-speaking countries have continued to refer to the city by its former name "Hànchéng" (meaning "City on the Han River" Traditional: ; Simplified: ; Korean: "Hanseong"). In January 2005, the Seoul Metropolitan Government requested that the Chinese name of the city be changed to "Shǒu'ěr" (/; Korean: 수이 Su-i). This is a close transliteration of Seoul in Mandarin Chinese, where 首 (shǒu) can also mean "first" or "capital".

Chinese communities have gradually adopted this new name. This change was intended for speakers of Chinese only and has no effect on the Korean language name; unlike standard hanja, the Chinese characters were chosen to best represent the Korean pronunciation of a native Korean word.

Geography

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Seoul is in northwest South Korea. Seoul proper comprises 605.52km² of area, roughly bisected into northern and southern halves by the Han River. The city is bordered by eight mountains, as well as the more level lands of the Han River plain.

Climate
In common with the rest of South Korea, Seoul's climate is temperate and continental, despite the fact that South Korea is surrounded on three sides by water. Summers are generally hot and wet, with monsoons taking place from June until September. August, the hottest month, has an average temperature of 22 °C to 30 °C (72 °F to 86 °F). Winters are often very cold when compared to places of a similar latitude, with an average January temperature of -7 °C to 1 °C (19 °F to 33 °F). Winters are generally a lot drier than summers, although on average there are 28 days of snow in Seoul each year.

Cityscape

The traditional heart of Seoul is the old Joseon Dynasty city, which is now the downtown area, where most palaces, government offices, corporate headquarters, hotels, and traditional markets are located. This area occupies the valley of Cheonggyecheon, a stream that runs from west to east through the valley before emptying into the Han River. For many years, the stream had been covered by concrete, but was recently restored through an urban revival project. To the north of downtown is Bukhan Mountain, and to the south is the smaller Namsan.

Further south are the old suburbs of Yongsan-gu and Mapo-gu, and the Han River. Across the Han River are the newer and wealthier areas of Gangnam-gu and surrounding neighborhoods. The World Trade Center of Korea is located in Gangnam-gu and this is where many expositions and conferences are held. Also in Gangnam-gu is the COEX Mall, a large indoor shopping and entertainment complex. Bamson is an island in the middle of the Han River near Youido, downstream from Gangnam-gu, and is home to the National Assembly, major broadcasting studios, and a number of large office buildings, as well as the Korea Finance Building and the world's largest Pentecostal church. The Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park, and Lotte World are located in Songpa-gu, on the south side of the Han River, upstream from Gangnam-gu. South of the sprawling Gangnam area are Namhan Mountain and Gwanak Mountain.

Major modern landmarks include the Korea Finance Building, Seoul Tower, the World Trade Center, the six-skyscraper residence Tower Palace (Usually quoted as residence of upper-classes), and I-Park Apartments (A luxury apartment located in Gangnam-gu). These and various high-rise office buildings, like the Seoul Star Tower and Jongro Tower, dominate the city's skyline. Seoul has the greatest number of skyscrapers in Asia. Seoul is now planning on building a 580-metre business center in Sangam Digital Media City district and planning on an 800-metre Lotte World 2 Tower in Jamsil (pronounced "Jam-shil") district.

Urban and civil planning was a key concept when Seoul was first designed to serve as a capital in the 14th century. The Royal Palaces of the Joseon Dynasty still remain in Seoul, with the main palace (Gyeongbokgung) currently being restored to its original form. Today, there are eight major subway lines stretching for more than 250 kilometers, with a ninth and tenth line being planned.

The most historically significant street in Seoul is Jongno, meaning "Bell Street," on which one can find Poshingak, a pavillion containing a large bell. The bell signaled the different times of the day and therefore controlled the four gates to the city. The only time it is normally rung is at midnight on New Year's Eve, when it is rung thirty-three times. It was however rung on the day that President Kim Dae-jung took office.

Seoul's most important streetcar line ran along Jongno until it was replaced by Line 1 of the subway system in the early 1970s. Other notable streets in downtown Seoul include Euljiro (을지로; 乙支路), Teheranno (테헤란), Sejongno (세종로; 世宗路, Chungmuro (충무로; 忠武路), Yulgongno (율곡로; 栗谷路), and Toegyero (퇴계로; 退溪路).

Administrative divisions

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:Main article: Wards of Seoul
Seoul is divided into 25 gu (구; ) (wards), which are sub-divided into 522 dong (동; ), which are sub-divided into 13,787 tong (통; ), which are further divided into 102,796 ban in total.

Dobong-gu (도봉구; )

Dongdaemun-gu (동대문구; )

Dongjak-gu (동작구; )

Eunpyeong-gu (은평구; )

Gangbuk-gu (강북구; )

Gangdong-gu (강동구; )

Gangnam-gu (강남구; )

Gangseo-gu (강서구; )

Geumcheon-gu (금천구; )

Guro-gu (구로구; )

Gwanak-gu (관악구; )

Gwangjin-gu (광진구; )

Jongro-gu (종로구; )

Jung-gu (중구; )

Jungnang-gu (중랑구; )

Mapo-gu (마포구; )

Nowon-gu (노원구; )

Seocho-gu (서초구; )

Seodaemun-gu (서대문구; )

Seongbuk-gu (성북구; )

Seongdong-gu (성동구; )

Songpa-gu (송파구; )

Yangcheon-gu (양천구; )

Yeongdeungpo-gu (영등포구; )

Yongsan-gu (용산구; )

Demographics

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Nearly all of Seoul's residents are Korean, with some small Chinese and Japanese minorities. Today, there are an estimated more than 200,000 foreign nationals living in Seoul. These include people from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. The crime rate in Seoul is very low. Although about half of the population describe themselves as not religious, two major religions in Seoul are Buddhism and Christianity (each around 25%). Other religions include Shamanism and Confucianism, the latter seen more as a pervasive social philosophy rather than a religion.

Economy

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As headquarters for some of the world’s top corporations such as Samsung, LG Group, Hyundai, and Kia Motors, the service sector in Seoul has thrived, bringing development and a healthy economy to the country as a whole. South Korea derives 63.2% of its GDP from the service sector, which is above the average for the upper income nations(World Bank 2004). The major exports are electronics, automobiles, and machinery. This economic development has also helped keep unemployment low at around 3.4% and ensured that the informal economy of Seoul is negligible. Foreign direct investment is also high at around $2 billion(World Bank 2004); however, South Korea was expected to be threatened with a slowing economy which could hurt it and its development. As one of the "Four Asian Tigers", it experienced rapid growth in the 1990s. Nonetheless, the CIA fact book denotes that South Korea has shown a moderate economic growth between 2003 and 2006 by 4-5% on average. The constriction of consumer consumption has suffered the maximizing economic growth of South Korea, but the consumption has begun to be rekindled gradually. Seoul and South Korea have a thriving economy that helps to make South Korea a major player in the world economy. As the center of the service sector for South Korea, Seoul is the hub around which the economic growth and health of the country reside in order to ensure the continuing growth of the nation. Seoul's per capita GDP in 2005 was US$ 30,510.

Education

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:See also: Education in South Korea, List of universities in Seoul

There are a large number of universities in Seoul. Most of the country's most prestigious universities are located in Seoul, including the so-called "SKY" schools: Seoul National University, Korea University, and Yonsei University.

Culture

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Historical structures and museums
The Joseon Dynasty built "Five Grand Palaces" in Seoul:

Changdeokgung (창덕궁; 昌德宮)

Changgyeonggung (창경궁; 昌慶宮)

Deoksugung (덕수궁; 德壽宮)

Gyeongbokgung (경복궁; 景福宮)

Gyeonghuigung (경희궁; 慶熙宮)

This is a relatively minor palace:

Unhyeongung (운현궁; 雲峴宮)

Museums

National Museum of Korea(국립중앙박물관; 國立中央博物館)

National Folk Museum(국립민속박물관; 國立民俗博物館)

War Memorial(전쟁기념관; 戰爭紀念館)

Outside the metropolitan area:

Samjeondo Monument

Namhansanseong(남한산성; 南漢山城)

Bukhansanseong(북한산성; 北漢山城)

Namsan Park(남산공원; 南山公園)

Temples and shrines

Jongmyo(종묘; 宗廟)

Dongmyo(동묘; 東廟)

Munmyo(문묘; 文廟)

Jogyesa(조계사; 曹溪寺)

Hwagyesa(화계사; 華溪寺)

Bongeunsa (봉은사; 奉恩寺)

Parks and outdoor attractions
Due to the efforts of the government with respect to the environment, Seoul's air pollution levels are now on par with those of Tokyo and far lower than those of Beijing. Seoul's metropolitan area accommodates six major parks, including Seoul Forest, which opened in mid-2005. The Seoul National Capital Area also contains a green belt aimed to prevent the city from sprawling out over the neighboring Gyeonggi Province. These lush green areas are frequently sought after by people resting on the weekend and during vacations.

In addition, the Seoul area is also home to three amusement parks: Lotte World, Seoul Land, and Everland (located in the nearby city of Yongin). Of these, Lotte World is the most frequently visited. Other recreation centres include the former Olympic and World Cup stadium, the Korea Finance Building, and the City Hall's public lawn.

Sports
Seoul hosted the 1988 Olympic Games as well as the 1988 Paralympic Games and also served as one of the host cities of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Taekwondo is Korea's national sport and Seoul is the location of the Kukkiwon, also known as the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), the world headquarters of taekwondo.

The city is home to two baseball teams in the KBO: the Doosan Bears and the LG Twins & two basketball teams in the KBL: the Seoul Samsung Thunders and Seoul SK Knights.

There is one professional football club in Seoul, FC Seoul, which plays in the K-League. Two K3 League teams are based in the capital, Seoul United and Eungpyeong Chung-goo FC.

Festivals

Hi Seoul Festival

SICAF

Transportation

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Seoul's transportation boom dates back to the era of the Korean Empire, when the first streetcar lines were laid and a railroad linking Seoul and Incheon was completed. Today, as a result of the diversification of Seoul's transportation network, it has become a great transportation hub for Asia.

Airports

There are two airports that serve Seoul. Gimpo International Airport, formerly in Gimpo but annexed to Seoul in 1963, was the only airport for Seoul from its original construction during the Korean War. Multiple airports were built in and around Seoul immediately before, during, and after the war. The most famous was on Yeouido, which once served as the country’s gateway to the world.

Upon opening in March 2001, Incheon International Airport on Yeongjong island near Incheon changed the role of Gimpo Airport significantly. Incheon is now responsible for almost all international flights and some domestic flights, while Gimpo serves only domestic flights with the exception of flights to Haneda Airport in Tokyo. This has led to a significant drop in flights from Gimpo Airport.

Meanwhile, Incheon International Airport has become, along with Hong Kong and Singapore, a major transportation centre for East Asia. The 2005 AETRA passenger survey, jointly administered by the IATA and Airports Council International, voted it the best airport in the world. It was named by Skytrax as the world's 5th best airport for 2006.

Incheon and Gimpo are linked to Seoul by highways, and Gimpo is also linked by subway (line #5). The Incheon International Airport Railroad, a rail line connecting Incheon Airport to Gimpo Airport opened in March 2007, but the line to Seoul Station in central Seoul will take at least a year more to open. Shuttle buses transfer passengers between Incheon and Gimpo airports.

Bus

Seoul's bus system is operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, with four primary bus configurations available servicing most of the city.

Seoul has many big intercity/express bus terminals. These buses are connecting Seoul and cities all around Korea. Major bus terminals are

Seoul Express Bus Terminal in Seocho-gu

Central City in Seocho-gu

Seoul Nambu Terminal, also in Seocho-gu

Dongseoul Bus Terminal in Gwangjin-gu

Sangbong Terminal in Jungnang-gu

Subway
Seoul has eight subway lines that interlink every district of the city with one another and with the surrounding area. The majority of the population now uses the public transportation system due to its convenience and low cost. With more than 8 million passengers a day, Seoul has one of the busiest subway systems in the world. In addition, in order to cope with all of these transportation modes, Seoul's metropolitan government employs several mathematicians to coordinate the subway, bus, and traffic schedules into one timetable.

Train

Seoul is connected to every major city in Korea by railroad. Seoul is also linked to most major Korean cities by the KTX bullet train which features a normal operation speed of more than 300 km/h, making commuting between cities extremely convenient for commuters and tourists. Major railroad stations include:

Seoul Station, Jung-gu - Gyeongbu line (KTX/Saemaul/Mugunghwa-ho), Gyeongui line (Saemaul/Commuter)

Yongsan Station, Yongsan-gu - Honam line (KTX/Saemaul/Mugunghwa), Jeolla/Janghang lines (Saemaul/Mugunghwa)

Yeongdeungpo Station, Yeongdeungpo-gu - Gyeongbu/Honam/Janghang lines (Saemaul/Mugunghwa)

Cheongnyangni Station, Dongdaemun-gu - Gyeongchun/Jungang/Yeongdong/Taebaek lines (Mugunghwa)

Sister cities

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Seoul has many sister cities. Washington, D.C. is the latest to become a sister city of Seoul. The year each relationship was formed is shown in parentheses below.

Gallery

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Geography of South Korea

Large Cities Climate Leadership Group

Mayor of Seoul

List of Korea-related topics

List of cities in South Korea

Names of Asian cities in different languages

Seoul National Capital Area

External links

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Official sites

Seoul Metropolitan Government

Tourism and living information

Go Seoul City: Comprehensive guide to the city

Highlights of Seoul: by Korean National Tourism Organization

Seoul Style - "Hip tips on life in Seoul"

Seoul, South Korea Travel & culture portal

Maps and images

Photos of Seoul

Seoul Photo Gallery

Map of Seoul

Map of Central Seoul

Seoul subway map (ZIP file)

Map of Seoul and environs

Architecture and Skyscraper Community of Korea

Others