Seoul

Seoul is both the capital and the heart of the Republic of Korea, containing about 10.8 million of the nation's 43.7 million people. Seoul is the financial, political, commercial, recreational, educational, and cultural center of Korea, home to major corporations, banks, government offices, leading schools and universities, theaters, and entertainment facilities. There is a rich and satisfying variety of things to see and do, both for the local resident and the visitors.

Seoul was a seat of government in the Paekche Kingdom, more than 1,500 years ago. But the city's real genesis began in 1394, when it became the capital of the Choson Dynasty(1394-1910). Seoul will celebrate its 616th anniversary in 2010. The Choson Dynasty, famed for its culture and accomplishments, is vividly seen in the city today : five of the original gates and parts of the 10-mile city wall have been restorated, and four major Choson Dinasty palaces and a garden with royal ancestral shrines add to the color and charm of modern Seoul

Toksugung Palace

Toksugung Palce is just beside City Hall. This palace complex is dotted with commanding structures. Taehanmun, the main Gate; Chunghwajon, the throne room or audience hall; and Sokchojon, a Renaissance-style building which was the first of its kind in Korea and now houses a cultural institute that offers monthly public audio-visual program. The palace and grounds are open to the public all year round

Kyongbokkung Palace

 The entance to the Kyongbokkung Palace grounds is a gate in its northeast wall. This 40-acre complex was built in 1394, the third year of the Choson Dinasty. Kunjongjon, the largest and most impressive palace building, served as the throne room and audience hall. Kyonghoeru, a spacious two-story pavilion, is situated over a man-made pond just northwest of the throne hall. It served as a place to host feasts for royal ministers and diplomatic delegations. Hyangwonjong, a secluded pavilion nestled in the middle of a lotus pond at the northern end of the palace complex, is where the royal families enjoyed special private occasions.

Kyongbokkung Statue

National Museum

Kwanghwamun Gate, at the end of Sejongno street, was once the original entrance to Kyongbokkung Palace. The main National Museum is just behind the gate. This impressive stone building, built in the 1920s, houses over 100,000 items from ancient times through the Choson Dynasty. It is a place where Korea's 5,000 years of culture can be seen and felt.

National Folklore Museum

This building is also in the complex. It displays items related to daily life in the past.

Changdokkung Palace

East of Kyongbokkung Palace, is a favorite destination for tourists. It is best known for the Secret Garden (Piwon), 78 acres of superbly landscaped gardens with pavilions, ponds, and wooded areas.

Changyonggung Palace

Also adjacent to this palace is another royal structure, Changgyonggung Palace. In its restored palace complex, magnificent gates and elaborately arched bridges from earlier era are well preserved.

Chongmyo ( Wooded Garden )

Chongmyo is heavily wooded garden, which contains the royal ancestral tablets from the Choson Dynasty.
On the first Sunday in May the courtyards and shrine buildings are opened to the public for annual Confucian ceremonial rite, one of the most interesting festivals in Korea

T'apkol Park

T'apkol Park is on Chongno Street. Named after a Choson Dynasty Pagoda in its center, the park is also known as "Pagoda Park". A landmark in the struggle against Japanese colonial rule, it was here at T'apkol Park that the March 1, 1919 Independence Movement, a nationwide nonviolent demonstration against Japanese occupation, was launched. Brass plaques along the eastern wall of the park tell the story of the movement and its suppression by the Japanese.

Chogyesa Temple

Chogyesa Temple, the headquarters of the Chogyejong sect of Korean Buddhism. This is the one of the major temples within the city limits and is famous for the Lantern Festival, a grand ceremony held every year in spring on Buddha's Birthday.

Tongdaemun( East Gate )

Tongdaemun and its market are by far the most interesting and fascinating places along Chongno street. The public market spreads east, west and south of Tongdaemun, which is one of the original gates that pierced the city wall. Market visitors find a variety of bargains in everything from bolts of colorful fabric to clothes and household goods.

Poshingak( Bell Pavilion )

It is a historical bell pavilion, cast in 1468, once tolled the closing of the city gates at dusk and their opening at dawn. The original bell is in the National Museum and the replacement, dedicated in 1985, is rung on New Year's Day and other special occasions. The original has been designated Korean National Treasure No.2.

Namdaemun Market

Namdaemun Market is named after Korea's National Treasure No.1, Namdaemun( South Gate). The market is easy to reach from major hotels and is popular among local residents and tourists alike for its bargains in everything from clothes to flowers and foodstuffs. Its crowded streets are lined with tiny shops selling almost every product imaginable

Seoul Station

Seoul Station, the main railway depot in the city, is to the south of Namdaemun. Most of the trains connect Seoul Station with Korea's other major cities, such as Pusan, Taejon, Kyongju, Taegu, and Kwangju.

Namsan Park

Mt. Namsan is a granite mountain in the heart of the city. At its summit, Seoul Tower provides an unsurpassed panoramic view of the city, along with a sky deck restaurant for a drink or a meal. The mountain is a public park with a national theater, botanical garden, and statues of famous historical figures. The mountain's interior is crisscrossed by three tunnels which connect the city's northern and southern districts.
On the northern slope of mount is Korea House, an excellent examples of traditional architecture. Authentic Korean food is served in dining rooms and banquet halls. There is also a small auditorium hall for performances of traditional Korean music and colorful dance presentations.
On the eastern Slope is located the National Theater. It houses large and small performance halls, and experimental and outdoor stages. The large theater has a capacity of 1,500 seats. All the stage systems, lighting and sound effects are of world-class standard.

It'aewon

It'aewon is probably the most familiar area known to foreigners for shopping bargains and entertainment. It is certainly the are that has contributed most to Seoul's international reputation as a Shopper's Paradise.
The area's main street runs for little more than a mile and is lined with stores, stalls, and discos. During the day It'aewon is bustling with shoppers, while in the evening the place lights up with spirited entertainment.

Han-gang River And Youido Islet

Originally the Han-gang river was the southern limit of Seoul. However, with the city's rapid growth since the mid 20th century, Seoul has expanded southward and eastward across the river, necessitating continuous bridge construction.
Han-gang River has also undergone a sparkling transformation. Over 20 miles of the river bank has been converted into recreation facilities, paths and gardens. Once again the Han-gang River is clean, and tourists can enjoy a leisurely view of Seoul's modern skyline and Mt. Namsan from one of the cruise boats playing between Youido Islet and Chamshil. Water sports are also becoming increasingly popular on the river.
Because of its transformation into a sophisticated government and financial center, the island of Youido is sometimes called "the Manhattan of Seoul". Youido is home to the National Assembly, the Korea Stock Exchange, many large corporation headquarters, and Korea's three broadcasting station; KBS, MBS, and SBS

Seoul Vicinity

Inch'on

One of Korea's most important port, Inch'on, is less than an hour away and is the end of subway system (KNR Line). Ferry services operate from here to the Chinese mainland. On a small knoll overlooking the harbor is Chayu Park, with its statue honoring General MacArthur's famous Inch'on Landing in 1950.

Suwon

Suwon, a walled city dating back to the Choson Dynasty. There are two other popular attractions near Suwon: Korean Folk Village and Yong-in Farmland

Korean Folk Village

Korean Folk Village is a living museum which recreates the lifestyle of several centuries ago. There are traditional potters, weavers, blacksmiths, and other craftsmen. There are 240 traditional houses as well as a small amphitheater for music and folk dances.

Yong-in Farmland is the site of an amusement park. It also offers one of the finest private collections of Korean art in the world at its Hoam Museum.
In addition, there is an open zoo with safari bus ride though a "jungle" that delights youngsters and another attraction at Yongin farmland is the "Global Village", which exhibits various traditional cultural scenes from 21 different countries.

Yongnung

Near by Yoju is Yongnung, the tomb of Sejong, Korea's most celebrated king, famed for the creation of HAN-GUL, the Korean Alphabet.

Kanghwado Island

This island lies to the west of Seoul where the Han-gang River meets the West Sea (Sohae). On the island there is a huge dolmen attesting to one of man's burial methods during Neolithic times, and Ch'amsongdan Altar, where the Korean ancestors paid their tributes to the heavens.

Chondungsa Temple

Chondungsa Temple is another historic tourist site on the island. The temple dates back to the ancient Three Kingdoms Period about 1,600 years ago. The unique style of its architecture and iron bell is rarely seen any more. In addition to the historic sites, local products such as Ginseng and Rush Mats make Kanghwado Island a fascinating destination.

Suburb of Seoul there are several royal tombs scattered about grassy areas ideal for picnicking. There is a tomb site called Tonggurung in the northeastern of Seoul, the largest tombs of which were built in the Choson Dynasty. Some 25 miles to the north lies Kwangnung, where a Choson king and his queen are interred.

Namhansansong Fortress

Around Seoul there are several hiking trails and sections of the old mountain fortresses which once provided defense for the city. Namhansansong Fortress located a top a mountain near the satellite city of Songnam, was the southern fortification. Puk'ansansong Fortress, the northern fortification, encircles the impressive peaks of Mt. Samgaksan. It formed a northern boundary for the ancient city of Seoul.
Further north is P'anmunjom inside the Demilitarized Zone. P'anmunjom was the site of the armistice negotiations which ended the Korean War in 1953, and it has remained the site of ongoing peace dialogues.
Traveling up along T'ongillo (Unification Highway), the tour buses cross Freedom Bridge to reach the truce camp. The visitors are escorted by a military tour guide to Freedom House for view of North Korea. The visitors can also  visit nearby Mt. Odusan Unification Observatory, this facility also provides a good view of North Korea.
To the northeast of Seoul there are recreation areas such as the Ch'ongp'yong Reservoir, with boating and water skiing, and an island resort called Namisom. A bit further north lies Ch'unch'on, another pleasant lake resort area with fishing and other water sports.