The city of Seoul South Korea markets itself as the “Soul of Asia”. A modern city that still retains old world Asian charm blended with the new high tech lifestyle, it is an exciting and progressive place to visit or live. Located in the center of the Korean peninsula, Seoul and its suburbs are home to 24 million people and host thousands of visitors a year.
Seoul is a collection of districts that are both unique and yet still essentially Korean but all offer something different to the visitor. The extensive subway system, bus system and the trains all connect downtown Seoul with its many suburbs and outlying communities. The subways are modern, air conditioned and reasonably priced making them an ideal way to get around the city. Taxis are inexpensive but the traffic can often be excruciatingly slow during the day making the trip above ground much longer and more costly than necessary.
An old country with a rich yet violent history, the Korean peninsula has long been a desirable military location in Asia. Ownership of the peninsula has changed hands many times but the inhabitants have strived to keep their heritage and unique culture alive. A visit to the Seodaemun Prison Museum will give you a good understanding of the history of the occupation of Korea by the Japanese and how the Independence Movement helped Korea become the country it is today. Today’s population is young, educated and affluent and Seoul reflects this lifestyle in its restaurants, shops and clubs.
Shopping is best done at one of the many markets in the city. Every neighborhood will have a food market but the best tourist market in Insadong, located in the city center. Those who want to seek out the latest Korean fashions or shoes should head to the Dongdaemun Market where shoes are sold curbside and the large market building offers hip clothing to the discerning shopper while the high end western style shops can be found in Itaewon.
Try one of the many BBQ restaurants in the city for lunch or dinner. Hot and spicy are the traits of any good Korean dish and dishes are meant to be shared. Feast on pork or beef BBQ cooked by you or your friends at your own table. BBQ dishes comes with an assortment of side dishes including various types of kimchi that are best washed down with a glass of Soju or Insamju, Korean’s favorite beverages. Try Bebimbap which is fried vegetables with egg, or Bulgogi, sliced marinated beef that cooks at the table. Insadong has a variety of reasonably priced BBQ restaurants located in nooks and crannies down the side streets.
Nightlife in Seoul is best enjoyed in one of the many clubs in Insadong or Itaewon. Insadong is the main downtown area of the city while Itaewon, home to high end restaurants and shopping, is frequented by foreigners including American service men stationed in Korea. Stretch your vocal cords at a Noraebang, the Korean version of karaoke or take in live music at one of the cities many nightclubs.
The best day trips from Seoul included a visit to Suwon, the ancient walled city and UNESCO World Heritage site located an hour out of Seoul. A day trip the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) will take you to the border of North and South Korea and give you a glimpse of the forbidden North. Consider booking the USO (United Services Organization) tour to the DMZ as is rated as the one of the best. The home of Korean ceramic pottery is found in Icheon, where the pottery museum and village showcases this ancient Korean art form.
Seoul Korea is a vibrant city with an ancient past and exciting future. A blend of Asian and Western cultures that add a unique flavor to this Asian city making it the “Soul of Asia” with a distinctly Korean personality that attracts visitors from all over the world.
