Seoul, Korea

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About Korea

The Korean Peninsula is located in North-East Asia. It is bordered by the Amnok River (Yalu River) to the northwest, separating Korea from China, and the Duman River (Tumen River) to the northeast which separates Korea from both China and Russia. The country itself is flanked by the Yellow Sea to its west and the East Sea to the east. There are several notable islands that surround the peninsula including Jejudo, Ulleungdo and Dokdo. The Korean peninsula is roughly 1,030 km (612 miles) long and 175 km (105 miles) wide at its narrowest point. Korea's total land area is 100,033 sq km, and it has a population of 49.8 million people (2011). Because of its unique geographical location, Korea is a very valuable piece of land and an international hub of Asia.

About Seoul

Seoul is the capital of Korea with over 600 years of history. It is the heart of Korea’s culture and education as well as politics and economics. Seoul is home to many old historic sites like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung Palaces, and places of traditional culture like Bukchon Hanok Village, Insa-dong, and Namdaemun Market. The shopping and entertainment districts of Myeongdong and Apgujeong, and Asia's largest underground shopping center COEX Mall also draw a large number of tourists every year. The Hangang River, which runs through the center of the city, is also a distinctive landscape of Seoul that offers a myriad of resting areas for citizens.

Experiencing Seoul: The Best of the City

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Myeong-dong

Myeongdong Street may be the epitome of downtown Seoul now, but during the Joseon Dynasty it was a residential neighborhood. Having become a business district since the Japanese Colonial Period, it is now the center of shopping where culture and art and all kinds of brands are concentrated, and there are things to see and things to eat galore making it one of Korea’s most prominent tourist attractions. more

Gyeongbokgung Palace

Gyeongbokgung Palace was the first royal palace built by the Joseon Dynasty, three years after the Joseon Dynasty was founded. more

Namsan Seoul Tower

Namsan Seoul Tower was built in 1969 as Korea's first integrated transmission tower beaming television and radio broadcasts across the capital.. more

Insa-dong

Insa-dong, located in the heart of the city, is an important place where old but precious and traditional goods are on display. more

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

DDP selected as one of the "Top 52 Places to Visit in 2015" by the New York Times and was the most Instagram tagged location in Korea in the year 2015 more

Dongdaemun Market

Dongdaemun Market is a large commercial district comprised of traditional markets and shopping centers that covers the entire area around Dongdaemun Gate, a prominent landmark in Korea. more

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Cheonggyecheon is a 10.9-kilometre-long (6.8 mi), modern public recreation space in downtown Seoul, South Korea. The massive urban renewal project is on the site of a stream that flowed before the rapid post-war economic development caused it to be covered by transportation infrastructure. more

Seoul City Wall

Excursions Along The Wall. The wall, which follows the ridges of Baegak (Bugaksan), Naksan (Naktasan), Namsan (Mongmyeoksan) and Inwangsan, the four main mountains surrounding the center of Seoul, has been constantly managed since its initial construction in 1396. more

The National Museum of Korea

The National Museum of Korea is located about 1.5 km away from Yongsan Station. It is the largest museum in Korea and houses precious Korean cultural assets that tell the story of Korea’s fascinating history, from ancient times to the modern era. more

Yeouido Hangang Park

Situated in Yeouido, the heart of politics, media, banking and finance, Yeouido Hangang Park is easily accessible via public transportation. As one of the most popular parks along Hangang River, the park attracts many visitors, residents, and office workers. more

Bukchon Hanok Village

Regarded as Seoul’s most representative traditional residential area, Bukchon features a cluster of traditional hanok between Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine. It is also referred to as a ‘street museum in the city center’ as the area is full of historic sites, cultural heritages, and folklore materials. more