Information
City: SeoulCountry: South Korea
Continent: Asia
Seoul, South Korea, Asia
Overview
Seoul, South Korea’s bustling capital, hums with neon-lit streets and quiet temple courtyards, blending cutting-edge technology with traditions that have shaped the city for centuries.Sitting on the banks of the Han River, it’s the nation’s hub for politics, culture, and commerce, where skyscrapers gleam in the afternoon sun.Seoul blends glassy skyscrapers with bustling markets, grand palaces, and centuries of history, making it a city of striking contrasts that has something for every traveler.Seoul sits in the northwest corner of South Korea, with the Han River cutting straight through its heart.Mountains ring the city-Bukhansan, Namsan, and Inwangsan among them-offering sweeping views where glass towers meet green slopes.The city’s streets weave between glassy skyscrapers and quiet hanok courtyards, with grand old palaces rising nearby, blending past and present into one vivid skyline.Seoul’s story stretches back more than 2,000 years, when its hills and riverbanks first became a vital heart of Korean civilization.Long ago, the land we know as Seoul began as Wiryeseong, the Baekje Kingdom’s capital from 18 BCE to 660 CE, where stone walls once ringed the city.Over the years, it became the seat of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897), anchoring Seoul as the beating heart of Korea’s culture and politics, where royal decrees once echoed through palace halls.During the Joseon Dynasty, Seoul blossomed into the kingdom’s beating heart, where royal decrees echoed through palace halls and scholars filled the markets with lively debate.Builders raised iconic landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and the quiet stone courtyards of Jongmyo Shrine, sealing the city’s place as a cornerstone of Korean heritage.During the Japanese occupation from 1910 to 1945, Seoul faced harsh conditions-empty markets, soldiers on every corner-yet it stayed a vibrant center for Korean culture and defiance.Post-war, after the Korean War ended in 1953, Seoul rose as South Korea’s capital, its streets buzzing with construction cranes and neon lights as the city surged through rapid economic growth and urban transformation, becoming one of the world’s most advanced and lively metropolises.Culture and Identity Seoul is South Korea’s cultural heart, where centuries-old palaces stand beside neon-lit streets.The city’s deep roots in history, along with its art, music, and fashion, shape a culture that’s vibrant and full of life-like the hum of a crowded street at dusk.Korean heritage lives on in the swish of a silk hanbok, the curved roofs of hanok houses, and age-old customs you’ll still find in places like Insadong and Bukchon Hanok Village.Modern pop culture pulses through Seoul, the beating heart of K-pop, K-dramas, and glossy K-beauty trends.The Hallyu wave has turned Korean pop culture into a worldwide sensation, drawing throngs of fans to Seoul, where neon-lit streets buzz with music and late-night chatter.Culinary tradition runs deep here, with flavors that stretch from sizzling Korean BBQ and hearty bowls of bibimbap to modern street treats like fiery tteokbokki and icy-sweet bingsu piled high in a metal dish.Top attractions, starting with number one.Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁), with its sweeping tiled roofs and grand gates, stands as the most iconic of the Five Grand Palaces from the Joseon Dynasty.This architectural gem sits amid lush, fragrant gardens, with the National Palace Museum and the National Folk Museum just a short stroll away.Visitors can watch the traditional changing of the guard, hear the sharp snap of flags in the breeze, wander past the palace’s graceful rooftops, and uncover stories from Korea’s royal past.Number two.Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) is a charming neighborhood lined with hundreds of wooden-roofed hanok homes, many built during the Joseon Dynasty.As you wander its narrow lanes, you catch glimpses of curved tiled roofs and wooden gates, a living picture of traditional Korean life.The village offers a warm welcome to anyone eager to join cultural workshops and try their hand at local arts and crafts, from weaving bright cloth to shaping clay by hand.Three.Perched high on Namsan Mountain, N Seoul Tower (N서울타워) gives you sweeping views of the city, from glittering high-rises to the winding Han River.In Seoul, it’s one of the most iconic sights-couples flock here to snap photos and fasten little heart-shaped locks along the railings.You can ride the cable car or hike the trail up to the tower, then take in the sweeping view and wander through the observatory and cozy restaurants at the summit.Number four.Changdeokgung Palace (창덕궁), a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famous for its stunning gardens, especially the Secret Garden (Huwon), where willow branches brush the surface of a quiet pond.It’s a great spot to dive into Korean royal history, with quiet stone paths and far fewer crowds than Gyeongbokgung.The palace combines sweeping mountain views with intricate stonework, making it famous for its harmony of nature and design.Five.Insadong (인사동) is a lively neighborhood where you can wander past art galleries, sip tea in quiet wooden houses, and browse antique shops that smell faintly of old paper.It’s a great spot to soak up traditional Korean culture, where you can browse handmade pottery, elegant calligraphy scrolls, and all sorts of souvenirs.On weekends, the place bursts with life-guitar strings hum in the air while artists splash color across their canvases.Number six.Myeongdong (명동) is one of Seoul’s busiest shopping hubs, where you can browse global fashion labels, sample fragrant Korean skincare, and snack on sizzling tteokbokki from street stalls.The place buzzes after sunset, when food stalls light up and the smell of sizzling skewers drifts through the crowd.If you’re into fashion or beauty, you’ll fall for Myeongdong’s endless rows of sleek boutiques and shelves lined with the latest must‑have shades.Seven.The Dongdaemun Design Plaza (동대문디자인플라자), or DDP, is a sleek, futuristic landmark designed by Zaha Hadid, its silver curves catching the light like ripples on water.It’s a lively meeting place for design, fashion, and technology, where you might catch a runway show, wander through an art-filled gallery, or try out a glowing interactive display.With its striking architecture and crackling creative energy, the DDP stands out as one of the city’s most innovative spaces.The number 8 sat there, smooth and perfectly balanced, like a loop of ribbon frozen in midair.Hangang Park (한강공원) runs for miles beside the Han River, offering shaded paths and quiet spots where the city’s noise fades into the sound of water.You can hop on a bike, paddle across the water, or spread out a picnic blanket while the river glitters beneath the city skyline.The park offers winding paths for a stroll and sturdy outdoor fitness stations, where the metal bars are cool to the touch in the morning shade.Cuisine Seoul is a food lover’s paradise, serving everything from sizzling bulgogi to inventive modern dishes.Korean cuisine bursts with bold flavors and spices, from the tang of kimchi to the heat of gochugaru, and it’s prized for its health benefits.Kimchi (김치) is a must-try-tangy, spicy fermented vegetables, usually crisp cabbage or crunchy radish, coated in a vivid red chili paste.Kimchi anchors Korean cuisine, turning up at almost every table-from breakfast rice bowls to sizzling barbecue spreads.Bibimbap (비빔밥) is a warm bowl of rice piled with colorful vegetables, a fried egg, and a dollop of fiery gochujang, often finished with tender slices of beef or another protein.Samgyeopsal (삼겹살), thick slices of sizzling pork belly, grill until the edges turn golden and crisp.
Landmarks in seoul
