Photo: Stéphan Valentin / Unsplash
About Seoul
Seoul moves at a different speed to other Asian capitals — faster, sleeker, more technologically ambient. Ancient palaces and Buddhist temples sit between glass towers and neon-lit street markets. Insadong is the antique and craft quarter; Hongdae is university nightlife and street performances; Gangnam is exactly what the song suggested. The food culture is serious and omnivorous: Korean BBQ at midnight, sundubu jjigae for breakfast, tteokbokki from a street cart at 3am. The Han River parks on a summer evening — thousands of locals picnicking, cycling, and eating chicken delivered by scooter — is an experience unique to Seoul.
Highlights
Gyeongbokgung Palace at opening — Joseon dynasty architecture, change of guard ceremony Gwangjang Market — the original Seoul street food market, bindaetteok and raw beef Han River park on a summer evening — BYOB, chicken delivery, and half the city Bukchon Hanok Village — a residential village of traditional hanok houses between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung; in its Red Zone, tourists may visit only from 10am to 5pm Noryangjin Fish Market — 24-hour wholesale fish market, eat your purchase upstairs Namdaemun Market — Seoul's largest traditional market, open since 1414
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Practical Info
Entry rules depend on your nationality. Check before you travel: Korea Visa Portal (Ministry of Justice)
South Korean Won (KRW). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, but carry cash for small vendors and markets.
Tipping is not customary in South Korea and can even be refused. Upscale restaurants and hotels often include a service charge.
Seoul is very safe with low crime rates, but be cautious of pickpockets in crowded areas like markets and public transport.
Prepaid SIMs from SK Telecom or KT are sold at Incheon Airport.
Korean is the official language; English is widely understood in tourist areas but less so in rural or residential neighborhoods.
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