Seoul Travel Guide

Travel guide to Seoul, South Korea with comprehensive information about events, shopping, and major Seoul sporting events to help you enjoy your visit more.

Seoul Overview

Seoul is the capital of South Korea, located to the northwest of the country and sitting alongside the Han River. With a population of 9.7 million people it is one of the most heavily populated cities in the world.

The city incorporates within it the remains of the Old City, with the new elements built around and alongside it. This is clearly illustrated by The South Gate, known also as Namdaemun. Originally built over 500 years it stands as a testament to the skill of the people of that time and was put there so that every visitor to Seoul had to pass through it in order to enter the city. With its wonderfully ornate roof it acts as a beautiful reminder of the past, and one that is very highly regarded.

The modern parts of the city have glorious elements too, and it this sharing between new and old that really strikes a chord with visitors. The spiritual aspects of Korean culture are so apparent in the architecture that they seem to affect visitors, leaving them with a more serene outlook, for a while anyway.

Top Seoul Attractions

With such a strong cultural heritage Seoul is full of temples, shrines and palaces, all of which are so evocative of the East. In addition there are many museums where the history and background is explored and displayed. A visit to the Korea War Memorial is also highly recommended. Looking back over 5,000 years the history of the area in this context is closely examined, taking the visitor right up to the present day.

Shopping in Seoul

As with many Far Eastern cities there are two separate shopping options available. The first is the mainstream one, where top quality brands are sold in lovely stores in bright malls and stores. Lotte Department Store being one of the best known of these. Alternatively though there is another way of getting designer goods, well sort of anyway. There is a huge market for copied items, at Itaewan for example near to the American Military Base well known brands can be bought for knock down prices.

Seoul Sporting Events

Seoul has worked hard to get back into mainstream sports, and has been rewarded with the 1988 Olympic Games and the 2002 Football World Cup. Both helped make the city a recognised international sporting location. In addition one of the most popular spectator sports here is Baseball, with the Doosan Bears and LG Twins representing the city in the national league.