Welcome to 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. Currency is won.
Korea
has four seasons, with a wet monsoon/summer season in the middle of the year,
and a cold winter from November to March. The island of Jeju off the southern
coast is the warmest and wettest place in the country. The ideal time to visit
Korea is during the autumn months (September-November). During this time, the
country experiences warm, sunny weather, skies that are cobalt blue and
spectacular foliage that is perhaps the biggest draw. Winters are cold and dry
and are a good time to visit if you are interested in winter sports as there
are numerous ski resorts. Spring (April-May) is also beautiful with all the
cherry blossoms in bloom. However, it is very busy and one needs to book in
advance to ensure accommodation is available. The summer months are muggy and
hot, and rather crowded. It is also when the monsoon season begins so many
activities are subject to the fluctuations of heavy rain.
Below are the attractive cities
of South Korea:
Seoul
Korean
capital city, Seoul, is located in
the Midwest of the Korean peninsula.
It
has been an area of strategic importance since prehistoric times, particularly
in the realms of politics, economics, society and culture. During the Era of
the Three States (4th to mid-7th centuries), the area was frequently used as a
battleground among the ancient ruling kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla.
It was designated as Korea’s capital city during the Joseon Dynasty
(1392-1910). Since then, the city has continued to grow to become the largest
in the country. Following Korea’s independence from Japanese colonial rule in
1945, the city was named Seoul, which means ‘towering high.’ In 1949, it was
designated as a metropolitan city by Korean government.
Seoul
hosted the Summer Olympic Games in 1988 and the FIFA World Cup in 2002. Seoul
has overcome many adversities and, with such tenacity, risen from the ashes of
the Korean War to become a leading global city.
Korean
capital city Seoul is home to more than 10 million inhabitants from all over
the country and around the world, living and working in modern skyscrapers and
moving rapidly through sophisticated infrastructure. At the same time, diverse
forms of nature thrive and permeate throughout, while abundant cultural
heritage assets coexist with modernity in this nation’s capital of over 600
years. Essentially, Seoul is traditional yet modern, technological yet natural.
In
the heart of Seoul stand royal palaces designated as UNESCO World Cultural
Heritage and high-tech buildings occupied by global institutions. Asia’s
largest underground street shopping mall lies near the 15th century royal
tombs. The vast subway system transports millions of passengers daily to their
destination, as Hangang River, which bolstered the nation’s miraculous economic
development, flows calmly through the city. Finally, a plethora of social and
cultural outlets know no limit in time and space, begetting creativity and
excitement across the city and among its residents. We invite you to begin your
Korean travel here, in this ever fascinating, evolving and harmonious city of
Seoul.
Below
are the attractive places in Seoul:
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Until
it was restored in 2005, Cheonggyecheon
Stream existed only as a neglected watercourse hidden by an overpass.
Today, it has been transformed into a haven of natural beauty amidst the bustle
of city life.
Narae
Bridge, expressing a butterfly in flight, and Gwanggyo Bridge, symbolizing the
harmony of the past and future, are just two of the more than twenty beautiful
bridges that cross the stream. The ‘Rhythmic Wall Stream’, lined with fine
marble, sculptures, and Korea’s 8th stone building, Palseokdam, adorn the
Cheonggyecheon Stream.
Cheonggyecheon
Stream passes close to Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza, the Sejong Center,
Insa-dong Street, Changdeokgung Palace, and Changgyeonggung Palace, allowing
visitors to easily visit major tourist sites after a leisurely stroll along the
stream.
Operation: Open
all year round
Access:
Buses: Take
any bus bound for Gwanghwamun or Jongno.
Subway: Line 1:
City Hall, Jonggak, Jongno 3-ga, Jongno 5-ga, Dongdaemun, Sinseol-dong; Line 2:
City Hall, Euljiro 1-ga, Euljiro 3-ga, Euljiro 4-ga, Sindang, Sangwangsimni; Line
3: Jongno 3-ga; Line 4: Dongdaemun History & Culture Park; Line 5:
Gwanghwamun
Address: Seoul-si
Jongno-gu Taepyeongno1-ga
Insa-dong
Insa-dong ,
located in the middle of the city, is an important place where old but precious
and traditional goods are on display. There is one main road in Insa-dong with
alleys on each side. Within these alleys are galleries, traditional
restaurants, traditional teahouses, and cafes.
The
galleries are the heartbeat of Insa-dong. There are about 100 galleries in the
area and you can see every example of traditional Korean fine art from
paintings to sculptures. The most famous galleries are Hakgojae Gallery, which functions
as the center of folk art, Gana Art Gallery, which promotes many promising
artists, and Gana Art Center. The best way to visit these galleries is to use
the “Art Gallery Tour Bus.” It will take you to over 10 of the most famous
galleries at a very reasonable price.
The
teahouses and restaurants are the perfect complement to the galleries. At first
they might be hard to find, but if you take the time to stroll around the
twisting alleyways, the window shopping in itself can be very entertaining. The
shops in Insa-dong are very popular among all age groups, because each one is
unique.
Every
Saturday from 14:00 – 22:00 and Sunday from 10:00 – 22:00, some streets are
blocked off from traffic and it becomes a cultural space. Stores set up booths
outside and others set up shops (Korean candy merchants and fortune tellers.)
There are traditional performances and exhibits as well. Insa-dong is
especially popular with foreign tourists. This is where they can experience and
see traditional Korean culture firsthand, and also purchase pieces of fine art.
On the street you can eat Korean taffy and traditional pajeon (Korean pancake),
and see many foreigners lost in all the joyous festivities of the street.
Access:
Buses: Jongno
2-ga: 101, 103, 143, 150, 160, 201, 260, 262, 270, 271, 273, 370, 408, 470, 471,
601, 708, 710, 720, 721; Jongno Police Station: 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272,
601, 708
Subway:Anguk
Station (Subway Line 3), Exit 6. Go 100m straight, then turn left; Jonggak
Station (Subway Line 1), Exit 3. Go 300m straight, then turn left. Go 100m
straight, then veer left into Insa-dong alleyway.
Address: Seoul-si
Jongno-gu Insa-dong
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Built
in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also
commonly referred to as the “Northern Palace” because it is the furthest north
when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and
Gyeongheegung (Western Palace). Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most
beautiful and remains the grandest of all five palaces.
The
premises were destroyed by fire at the time of Japanese occupation from
1592-1598. However, all of the palace's 7,700 rooms were later restored under
the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong
(1852~1919) .
Remarkably,
the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoe-ru Pavilion
and Hyangwonjeong Pond are still relatively in tact. Woldae and the sculptures
of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculpture of
contemporary art.
The
National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the
National Folk Museum is located east within Hyangwonjeong.
Admission Fee:
Adults
(ages 19-64) 3,000 won / Group 2,400 won (10 or more people)
Youths
(ages 7-18) 1,500 won / Group 1,200 won (10 or more people)
Age
6 and under are free.
Operation:
9am-6pm
(March to October); 9am-5pm (November to
February) ; Close every Tuesday
Access:
Use
exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station (Subway Line 3),
From
Exit 2 of Ganghwamun Station (Subway Line 5), walk 400 meters
Myeong-dong
Tourist Destination
Myeong-dong
is one of the busiest places in Seoul and is among Korea’s premier shopping
destinations. Over 1 million shoppers pass through this area each and every
day. Located in the heart of Seoul, Myeong-dong market has been a witness to
Korea’s tumultuous modern-day history as a center of city politics, economy,
and culture. To international visitors, Myeong-dong is a stunning shopping
district with countless shops and restaurants. Its wild popularity has led to
similar shopping districts springing up all across the country.
International Shopping District
Two
anchor department stores (Lotte and Shinsegae) and a number of large shopping
malls lie along the streets of Myeong-dong. Shops for clothing or cosmetics can
be seen at every corner, and street stalls dot the spaces in between, offering
tasty snacks, inexpensive clothes, or sparkling accessories. The air is abuzz
with the mix of foreign languages as shopkeepers and international tourists
haggle in English, Japanese, and more. The area’s well-developed transportation
grid makes it the ideal place for visitors who may not yet be familiar with the
city.
Fashion, Skincare, and the
Works
Thousands
of brands are sold in Myeong-dong. The two major department stores sell mostly
luxury brands while shopping malls such as H & M and Migliore offer
selections at more modest prices. Relatively inexpensive products can be easily
purchased at street stalls and other shops.
Every
Korean cosmetic brand has a branch in Myeong-dong. The market is home to
roughly a thousand cosmetic shops and hundreds of skin-care stores, with
several large cosmetic shops clustered around the central street (Jungang-gil)
and Myeongdong Theater. Sales associates usually can speak a few foreigner
languages (to some degree), which makes for a pleasant shopping experience for
international visitors who don’t speak Korean. For the added convenience of
international shoppers, many fliers are written in other languages as well.
Aside
from shopping, visitors can check out the Myeongdong Cathedral and the nearby
Namdaemun Market, a market with over 600 years of history. Myeong-dong’s
combination of historical significance, nearby tourist attractions, and prime
shopping has established it as the ultimate tourist destination in Seoul.
Bukchon Hanok Village
Surrounded
by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon Hanok Village is home to
hundreds of traditional houses called 'hanok' that date back to the Joseon
Dynasty. The name, 'Bukchon,' which literally translates to 'northern village,'
came about as the neighborhoods that the village covers lie to the north of the
two significant Seoul landmarks, Cheonggyecheon Stream and Jongno. Today, many
of these hanoks operate as cultural centers, guesthouses, restaurants and tea
houses, providing an opportunity to experience, learn and immerse in Korean
traditional culture.
Access: Anguk
Station (Line 3), Exit 2. Go straight for about 300m to arrive at Bukchon Hanok
Village.
Address: Seoul-si
Jongno-gu Gahoe-dong, Jae-dong, Samcheong-dong, Gye-dong,
Wonseo-dong
