When touring a place for the first time, do you usually visit the countryside, have a taste of the nightlife, go to off-the-beaten-path destinations or take in the sites usually travelled? Whether you like doing just one or all of these, you can rest assured that Seoul in South Korea is the place to be.
Seoul as the City that Never Sleeps
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Seoul is the capital of South Korea, one of the most hardworking nations in East Asia. It is exactly this trait which makes them the center of culture and finance in the region. It’s also the largest city which has a population of more than ten million, with a history which dates as far back as the 14th century.
Over the years, Seoul has earned an unwarranted reputation of being a bane in city traffic, but stricter emission laws have greatly improved the situation. However, you might still get caught up in a traffic jam, especially considering the fact that Seoul is a city that never sleeps. There’s something happening in every nook and cranny at almost any hour, so you will not be lacking in things to do and places to visit.
Perhaps one of the most memorable tourism pictures of the city is a shot of Seoul at night, with colorful lights, towering skyscrapers, and sleek freeways.
Seoul’s All about Culture!
This is not to day that Seoul is lacking in culture. In fact, it is one of the very few cities in the world which marvels both in modernity and tradition as it preserves its ancient culture. Despite having a cosmopolitan feel to the city, you will still have a taste of what traditional South Korea is like once you immerse yourself in its cultural scene.
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When you go to Bukchon, for example, you will see how the streets are lined up with traditional hanok homes. Garosugil is a tree-lined boulevard which has numerous shops, Euro-style cafes and restaurants. Seafood lovers would have a blast visiting Noryangin Market, one of the biggest fish markets in South Korea.
Other must-see spots include the five grand palaces, Namsan Mountain and the folk village of Namsangol. Seoul is the ancient seat of Korea’s royalty, so the grand palaces will give you a taste of its traditional culture.
The five palaces include:
- Changdeok-gung
- Changgyeong-gung
- Deoksu-gung
- Gyeonghui-gung
- Gyeongbok-gung
There are also a multitude of parks, pagoda parks, temples, shrines, interesting suburbs, folk villages, amusement parks, markets – the possibilities are practically endless when you’re having a tour of a city that’s as culturally rich as Seoul.
Lastly, your visit to South Korea and Seoul in particular will never be complete without sampling what the local cuisine has to offer. Food plays a major role in Korean culture, and Gwangjang Market is the place to be if you want to sample the local fare. Korean barbecue, tori tang which is a spicy chicken dish, fresh seafood and Jeonju bibimbap are just some of the sumptuous dishes that you must have a taste of.
To sum it all up, the ‘soul’ of Seoul, South Korea lies in its food, people, culture and the wide array of traditional and modern attractions that the place has to offer – so make sure to pay the city that never sleeps a visit.
