Seoul Hotels

And if you’re worried about it turning into a pumpkin after midnight, don’t be – because Seoul’s nightlife is every bit as a charming and alluring as its daytime attractions.

Whether you’re marvelling at the natural beauty of Mount Inwang, home to South Korea’s most impressive temple complex, or staring, awestruck, up at the Namsan Tower (which, although it has been pipped at the post as the tallest skyscraper in Asia, still packs quite a visual punch), Seoul is sure to impress. A city of 23 million souls, Seoul has the enthusiasm and hospitality of a country town. Its residents delight in visitors, and the charming, quirky, almost childlike joy of its population belies the violent history it has suffered.

Soak up history at the Namdaeum Gate (currently being restored to its former glory), shop up a storm at the world-class boutiques of Apujeong or delight in the array of incredible food on offer all over the city. It’s charming, invigorating, innovative and exciting.

In short, Seoul’s got soul – and is set to live happily ever after.

24 Hours In Seoul

Seoul. Gorgeously chaotic Seoul. As motley as bibimbap and fiery as gochujang, the capital of South Korea is a complex, savoury stew. One most difficult to grasp in 24 hours. The second-largest metropolis on the planet has come a long way. Indeed, it is nigh on impossible to imagine what Seoul was like before the “Miracle on the Han River”; that modern allegory of seismic financial reform that shepherded a dud post-war economy to a trillion dollar economy in less than four decades. Heady, intoxicating stuff. The fact that Seoul has sufficient economic clout to compete with the likes of Tokyo, London, Paris and New York, however, is just a statistic. For the average visitor, what makes the city so compelling a travel target is how all that financial growth and subsequent surge in confidence manifests Seoul’s singular swagger. The vibe of the city is purposeful, optimistic and brash. You can feel it in the smoky university gamer dens, aromatic and nocturnal gogigui shops, phantasmagorical malls, ultra-luxe golf clubs, hip boîtes of Hongdae, chaebol-lifer soju dives and in bold new urban development plans, like Dongdaemun Design Plaza and Park. It all makes for one tantalizing prospect. With that, try to scratch some of these items off your Seoul itinerary.

Seoul’s Top 10

Seoul History

• National Museum of Korea – This is the largest museum in South Korea.
• Gyeongbokgung Palace – This beautiful historic site also houses the National Folk Museum of Korea.
• Changdeokgung Palace – This UNESCO World Heritage Site dates from the 1600s and offers a secret garden tour.
• Seoul Fortress Wall – The stretch of ancient wall from Mt Bugaksan to Inwangsan may be the best preserved in Seoul.
• War Memorial of Korea – These exhibits and statues provide historical perspectives on Korean wars.

Seoul Art & Culture

• Nanta Theatre – The free comedy performance about preparing a wedding feast is Korea’s longest-running show.
• Leeum Samsung Museum of Art – This beautiful building houses traditional Korean art and modern Western works.
Cheonggyecheon – This once-polluted stream is now a place to walk and appreciate art and the beauty of Seoul.
• Insadong – This traditional neighbourhood is the place to go to experience Seoul as a local.
• Hanok Stays – A number of guesthouses offer hanok stays, or accommodations in traditional Korean houses.

Seoul Shopping

• Samcheong-dong Bukchon – There are many little shops and great coffee shops here.
• Lotte Mart Seoul Station – This mall offers modern shopping, although not cheap prices.
• Myeongdong – This beautiful mall has been described by many as a shopper's paradise.
• Gwangjang Market – This market is a prime destination for food lovers and popular with tourists and locals.
• Namdaemun Market – This street market sells charming goods to remind you of Seoul.

Gay & Lesbian Seoul

• Trance – Foreigners and locals mix at this Seoul nightclub, with its own special drag queen entertainers.
• Why Not? – There’s no reason not to dance here until the sun comes up.
• Barcode – This friendly pub welcomes gays from around the world.
• Soho – This crowded, mixed nightclub offers a stage and stripper poles for the uninhibited.
• Queer-Bar – This easy-to-miss cellar bar is a great place for weeknight drinking.

Seoul Outdoor

• South Mountain (Namsan) Park – This beautiful park has a cable car leading to the distinctive N Seoul Tower.
• Bukhansan National Park – This large park offers great hiking in a scenic surrounding.
• Han River Boat Cruise – A day or night cruise on this river provides great city views.
• Seonjeongneung Royal Tombs – Ancient ruins where Korean kings and a queen are buried.
• 63 City – This skyscraper features sky-high city views and Sea World.

Seoul Sport

• Tour the grand Seoul World Cup Stadium, even if there are no football games scheduled.
• Watch an exciting game of Korean baseball at the Jamsil Baseball.
• See the top FC Seoul football team play at Dongdaemun Stadium.
• Cheer for your favourite horse at the Seoul Racecourse Park.
• Learn the basics of taekwondo, Korean’s national sport, at the famed Kukkiwon.

Seoul Local

Itaewon

A bustling international locale with a plethora of eateries, drinking holes and shops within its boundaries, if you’re into faux Vuitton, this is the place for you Itaewon boasts the dubious status of being one of the best places in the world to bag imitation designer wares. Come nightfall, this place (while still fun) can turn a tad seedy. Strip clubs and prostitutes bring in busloads of drunken lads with their seductive siren songs, so be warned. But if you feed on the sordidness and feel like a good dance, Club Volume, one of the hottest clubs in the city is well worth a visit.

Hingdae

This hipster-heavy area around Hongik University is perfect if you’re looking for cool cats to chill with and a stack of stores with funky goods on offer. Since it’s such a young area, the nightlife is intense and the parties here stretch well into the wee hours.

Insadong

Once the home of aristocrats and royalty, this upmarket end of Seoul is now packed with art galleries and stores selling handicrafts. Start with some shopping and follow it up with a stroll through the Jogyesa Temple and the Bosingak (a pretty bell pavilion). After you’re done and dusted, take in some people-watching with a truly excellent drop at one of the local teahouses.

Gangnam

The most affluent area of Seoul offers high-end restaurants and world-class shopping. It is home to the famous COEX Mall, a complex that also houses an aquarium, movie theatre and games centre. Apgujeong, Seoul’s answer to Beverly Hills, can also be found in Gangnam. If you want to check out fake boobs, fancy wheels and Korean incarnations of Paris Hilton, this is the place to be.

Jamsil

The highlight of this place? Lotte World (Seoul’s answer to Disneyland)! It’s a mammoth recreation complex that’s home to the largest indoor amusement park in the world, plus an outdoor theme park called Magic Island. For those with more refined tastes (or delicate stomachs), there is also a range of quality museums and art galleries in the area.

Seoul Eat & Drink

Seoul Events

Seoul Lunar New Year brings the city to a halt every year with massive celebrations. A great starting point for visitors are the festivities at the Seoul Namsan Traditional Theatre. January or February of every year, depending on the calendar.

If you find yourself freezing your caboose off during winter in Seoul, take the time to head to Gangwon for the Sokcho Seorak Snow Festival. Snowmen are built, sleighs are ridden, ice sculptures are licked and fireworks explode during this tourist favourite February.

The Lotus Lantern Festival marks the birthday celebrations of Lord Buddha and is one of the most vibrant parties of the year. The night lights up with rows and rows of lotus-shaped lanterns and an outdoor-stage and markets entertain the crowds. The date of the event varies slightly but always falls in May.

Hi! Seoul Festival in Hangang Park every May sees Seoul residents coming together to celebrate their city’s brilliance. This event is famed for the cultural performances on show as well as the general bonhomie it inspires throughout the city.

Visit the Seoul International Cartoon and Animation Festival in July for some hilarious mascots (one’s called Bummy and the other one’s a chilli pepper) and good ol’ childhood reminiscing. Check out the exhibition to learn about Korean cartoons and their roots. Plus, your friends back home will love you forever if you buy them a Bummy shirt!

When To Go

Winters are torturously cold and summers are uncomfortable hot and humid, so spring (March to May) is the best time to visit. Watch Seoul bloom with fresh cherry blossoms and azaleas while you soak up its warm sun.

• Average spring temperature: 18°C (64°F)
• Average summer temperature: 28°C (82°F)
• Average autumn temperature: 10°C (50°F)
• Average winter temperature: -2°C (28°F)

What To Miss

Time for a lesson in South Korean etiquette! Koreans are incredibly polite, sensitive people and will be greatly offended if you don’t follow the rules when it comes to manners:

• Unless you’re close friends or familiar with each other, don’t touch a South Korean person in any way. No playful slaps on the back or pats on the shoulder.
• Don’t point at things or people with your index finger.
• If you’re a guest in someone’s house, take your shoes off and leave them in the designated area. Make sure you bring some form of gift, whether it be flowers, fruit or chocolate.
• When accepting or passing something over, always use your right hand and be gentle – no grabbing!
• When greeting, always bow to the person of higher status.
• Never refuse food or a drink.

Avoid being wiped out by a car or bus by always using crossings and being ultra-careful. While Seoul’s residents stick closely to social etiquette, traffic rules are notoriously ignored.

If you really value your sobriety, you may want to rethink your visit to this city. Koreans are big drinkers and pretty much always follow their meals with a lengthy drinking session. One of their favourite tipples is soju, the infamous rice wine that’ll put you straight on your back after a few shots, to much raucous laughter from your Korean drinking buddies. You have been warned…

Getting Around

The subway (Seoul Metro) is one of the most advanced underground systems in the world and the way most people make their way around the city. A ‘Traffic Card’ represents the best value for multiple trips. There is also a bevy of colourful buses and a train line (Korail) at the ready.

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