Official language: Korean
Time zone: UTC +9
Currency: South Korean won (KRW)
South Koreans adore alcohol of all kinds. Pubs and bars are open all night long and serve a wide range of alcoholic beverages. In the stores, you’ll even find hangover-curing ice creams.
Particular attention should be given to Gangnam-gu, the district known as The Beverly Hills of Seoul. It became famous worldwide thanks to PSY and his hit song. Luxurious hotels, high-class apartment buildings, and pricey boutiques are all to be found here.
The Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a neo-futuristic architectural gem of Seoul and its cultural, trade, and business center housing fashion shows and international art exhibitions.
The capital city of South Korea is one of the largest business and cultural centers in Asia. Seoul is famous for modern architecture, a number of city parks, and delicious cuisine. Everyone here is well-acquainted with advanced technology. In terms of the number of neon signs, Seoul can compete with Tokyo or New York. It is also a Mecca for e-sport fans and shopaholics. Taking a stroll through the district of Myeongdong gives the opportunity to shop at exclusive stores and boutiques. You should also visit the Namdaemun market where you’ll get souvenirs, clothes, and variety of gadgets. The city bustles with life all day long. Any time you visit Seoul, there will be some festival going on and you’re very likely to catch free Wi-Fi almost everywhere.
You might think that you won’t find any monuments in such a modern metropolis. Nothing further from the truth. Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, N Seoul Tower, Jogyesa Buddhist Temple, or Namsangol Hanok Village – these are just a few historically significant spots in the city. Another place worth a visit is Children’s Grand Park, a huge entertainment complex for the entire family. It offers a number of free attractions appealing to the youngsters (i.a. zoo, playgrounds, museum, and open-air restaurants).
Food in Seoul – served either at the restaurants or on the streets – is richly varied. Korean cuisine is a mixture of spicy, sweet, and sour flavors, so even those who are not into Asian food should find here something to suit their taste. Regardless of whether we eat at the fancy restaurant or food stall at Gwangjang Market, we will always get fresh products. The staple food for the majority of South Koreans is rice and kimchi (salted and fermented napa cabbage). In Seoul, it is as popular as ever to go to the restaurant to prepare your own food. “Cook-it-yourself” restaurant with the grill in the middle of the table is a must-go when you visit the city. Recommended restaurants are, e.g., Maple Tree House Itaewon and Yeonnamseo Sikdang where you can try grilled meat, fish, and seafood. But if you’re looking for more sophisticated cuisine, go to Jungsik or La Seine restaurants.