Seoul

Korea-Seoul-Cheonggyecheon-2008-01 - Seoul/Jung#QQ95437|Cheonggyecheon creek in central Seoul

Seoul (서울) is the capital of South Korea. With a municipal population of over 10.5 million, and a metropolitan population totaling over 20.5 million, Seoul is by far South Korea's largest city and one of East Asia's financial and cultural centers. A fascinating blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge digital technology, home to endless street food vendors and vast nightlife neighborhoods, an extraordinarily high-pressure educational system and serene Buddhist temples, a dynamic trend-setting youth culture and often crushing conformism, extraordinary architecture and endless monotonous rows of grey apartment buildings, Seoul is a city filled with stark contrasts, contradictions, and paradoxes.

Districts

Administratively, Seoul is divided into 25 neighborhoods (구 gu), each with an area and population comparable to a small city. The neighborhoods are then further subdivided into 522 sub-neighborhoods (동 dong). The Han river splits the city into two halves: Gangbuk (강북) and the northern, more historical half, and Gangnam (강남) and the southern, wealthier and more modern half. The sheer size of the city means that travelers to Seoul will find it difficult to locate a true "center" of Seoul; instead, Seoul is almost more like a collection of cities that happen to be bunched together, each with their own central business and commercial neighborhoods. The two largest core ares are Jongno/Jung in the north, and Gangnam in the south. For travelers with more time and there are many more, smaller centers and neighborhoods to be explored, such as the island of Yeoui-do and the college neighborhood of Hongdae/Sinchon. For the typical traveler, it would be useful to divide the city into the following areas: - 37.56|126.98|width=570|height=520|show=mask,go|staticmap=Seoul_neighborhoods_png.png|1280px]] QAAAAA|fill=#B383B3 Seoul/Jongno|Jongno (종로) QAAAAA|fill=#D5DC76 Seoul/Jung|Jung (중) QAAAAA, |fill=#B5D29F Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|Seodaemun-Mapo (서대문/마포) QAAAAA|fill=#AC5C91 Seoul/Yongsan|Yongsan (용산) QAAAAA, |fill=#8A84A3 Seoul/Yeongdeungpo-Guro|Yeongdeungpo-Guro (영등포 / 구로) QAAAAA,Q0395|fill=#D09440 Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho|Gangnam & Seocho (강남 / 서초) QAAAAA, |fill=#4F93C0 Seoul/Songpa|Songpa-Gangdong (송파 / 강동) QAAAAA, , , , |fill=#578E86 Seoul/North|North QAAAAA, , |fill=#D56D76 Seoul/South|South QAAAAA, , , |fill=#71B37B Seoul/East|East QAAAAA, |fill=#71E37F Seoul/West|West

{{Mapshapes|Q16950

{{Regionlist | region1name=Seoul/Jongno|Jongno (종로) | region1color=#B383B3 | region1items=Jongno-gu | region1description=The Joseon-era historical core of the city with the famous Joseon Palace, Gyeongbokgung. Bukchon has beautiful traditional Korean house and Insa-dong has the largest antiques market street in Seoul. Cheongyecheon has a renovated stream and park that runs through the heart of the downtown area.

| region2name=Seoul/Jung|Jung (중) | region2color=#D5DC76 | region2items=Jung-gu | region2description=This neighborhood makes up the other half of the historic core as well as the shopping neighborhoods of Myeongdong and Namdaemun Market. This area contains Seoul Station and Namsan Mountain, with the Seoul Tower at its summit.

| region3name=Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|Seodaemun-Mapo (서대문/마포) | region3color=#B5D29F | region3items=Seodaemun-gu, Mapo-gu | region3description= These two neighborhoods lie immediately west of Jongro and Jung, and contain dozens of universities and colleges. As such, this area is home to some of Seoul's most active nightlife neighborhoods: Hongdae (홍대) and Sinchon (신촌).

| region4name=Seoul/Yongsan|Yongsan (용산) | region4color=#AC5C91 | region4items=Yongsan-gu | region4description=Yongsan is home to the U.S. Army Military Base as well as one of the huge Yongsan Electronics Market. This is also where you'll find Itaewon (이태원), perhaps the most culturally diverse area in Korea and home to dozens of restaurants featuring cuisine from the world over, numerous shops selling everything from custom-tailored suits to antiques, and several Western pubs and bars.

| region5name=Seoul/Yeongdeungpo-Guro|Yeongdeungpo-Guro (영등포 / 구로) | region5color=#8A84A3 | region5items=Yeongdeungpo-gu, Guro-gu | region5description=Covering Yeoui-do on the Han River as well as an area on the south side, this is often referred to as the 'Manhattan of Seoul'. Guro is one of the IT venture company clusters.

| region6name=Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho|Gangnam & Seocho (강남 / 서초) | region6color=#D09440 | region6items=Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu | region6description=Famed for 'Gangnam Style', this affluent area is the glitzy center of modern Seoul, home to hundreds of glass and steel skyscrapers, neon billboards, and some of the most expensive real estate in the nation.

| region7name=Seoul/Songpa|Songpa-Gangdong (송파 / 강동) | region7color=#4F93C0 | region7items=Songpa-gu, Gangdong-gu | region7description=A residential neighborhood east of Gangnam where you'll find Lotte World, Olympic Park, Seoul (Jamsil) Sports Complex, and the Sincheon nightlife neighborhood.

| region8name=Seoul/North|North | region8color=#578E86 | region8items=Nowon-gu, Seongbuk-gu, Gangbuk-gu, Dobong-gu, Eunpyeong-gu | region8description=Northern area including Eunpyeong, Seongbuk, Gangbuk, Dobong and Nowon. Mt. Bukhansan and Mt. Dobongsan area.

| region9name=Seoul/South|South | region9color=#D56D76 | region9items=Dongjak-gu, Gwanak-gu, Geumcheon-gu | region9description=Area south of the Han river including Dongjak, Gwanak and Geumcheon. This is where you can enjoy fresh seafood at the huge Noryangjin fish market.

| region10name=Seoul/East|East | region10color=#71B37B | region10items=Jungnang-gu, Gwangjin-gu, Seongdong-gu, Dongdaemun-gu | region10description=Dongdaemun, Jungnang, Gwangjin, Seongdong with greenery and some interesting cultural sites.

| region11name=Seoul/West|West | region11color=#71E37F | region11items=Gangseo-gu, Yangcheon-gu | region11description=Western area south of the Han river and including Gangseo and Yangcheon

Seoul Halal Travel Guide

"S.E.O.U.L. Call it with me and the beautiful world that makes my dreams come true!" — The Seoul Song by Girls' Generation & Super Junior

Gangnam - Gangnam neighborhood by night

With over 10 million people, a figure that doubles if you include neighboring cities and suburbs, Seoul is the largest city in South Korea and unquestionably the economic, political and cultural hub of the nation. By some measures it is the second largest urban agglomeration on the planet, after Greater Tokyo.

Seoul has become a favourite with tourists from China, Japan and Southeast Asia, following the success of Korean pop culture. Aside from the native Korean, travelers will frequently overhear Japanese, Cantonese or Mandarin as well; some Halal restaurants and stores, especially in the more tourist areas like Myeongdong, will have signs in Japanese and Chinese, as well as Korean and English. However, this travel destination, long popular amongst Asians, is still relatively unknown in the West and frequently passed over by Westerners for nearby Tokyo, Kyoto, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing.

However and the traveler who does visit will not be disappointed. This sprawling metropolis is truly vast - though the casual traveler can see most of the main sites in a few days, a dedicated traveler could spend months exploring all the alleyways and far-off neighborhoods. As the capital of a country that has gone through massive development in the past sixty years, Seoul is constantly changing at an incredible pace, matched only by the mainland Chinese cities. This frantic pace of life is reflected everywhere - in Seoul's cutting-edge digital technology, in the millions of commuters rushing to work everyday in the world's third largest subway system, in one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the world, and in the thousands of high rises and apartment buildings still under construction.

Considering all of this, one may be forgiven for forgetting that Seoul has a long history stretching far back into Korea's dynastic past. There is evidence for settlement in this area as far as 18 BC but Seoul as the capital city of South Korea has a history back to the 14th century. Originally named Hanseong (한성; 漢城) and the city was the former capital of the Joseon Dynasty from 1392 to 1910, when Korea was occupied by the Japan. The Joseon Dynasty built most of Seoul's most recognisable monuments, including the Five Grand Palaces and Namdaemun. After the Japanese surrender in 1945 and the city was renamed to its current name, Seoul. Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, Seoul has been the capital of South Korea. Occupied twice during the Korean War by Communist forces from the North and the city was extensively rebuilt and today is one of Asia's primary metropolises. Much of Seoul's infrastructure and facilities, such as the buildings, stadiums and transport systems, are exceptionally modern and clean.

Orientation

Seoul is a relatively well organized city covering over 600 km² with a population of around 10.5 million. It is a new modern city built on an ancient and shining history. The city is in the north-western portion of South Korea roughly 40 kilometers east of the Yellow Sea (황해 "Hwanghae") and 60 kilometers south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The city is roughly bisected by the Han River (한강 Hangang), which runs east to west across the city. Seoul blurs seamlessly into its surrounding satellite cities and towns, most of which are also served by the Seoul metro. The largest of these is Incheon (to the west) in which Seoul's main airport, and the metropolitan area's main seaport, are located. Other satellite cities include such as Ilsan (to the north), Bucheon (to the west) and Anyang (to the south).

How is the Climate in Seoul

Seoul lies between a subtropical and a humid continental climate zones. November to April tend to be more continental, while warmer months are more subtropical with hot, humid summers. There are monsoon conditions in June and July and an average of 28 days of snow during winter.

Travel to Seoul

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Seoul

Incheon Airport

Incheon Airport - Incheon Airport

Travel Guide: Incheon International Airport

Most visitors arrive via Incheon International Airport GPS 37.4488,126.4513 - Incheon_International_Airport - (IATA Code: ICN) on Yeongjong Island in the neighboring city of Incheon.

The A'REX train link connects the airport to Seoul Station (for further connections to KTX high-speed services) and Gimpo Airport (most domestic flights), operating from 5:20AM until midnight. Two versions exist: express services to the city (every half hour) take 43 minutes and cost ₩8,000 (with WiFi available on board); while commuter services (every 6 minutes) take 53 minutes and cost ₩3,700. The gates to KTX and A'REX at ICN are separate but face each other (large hall with an ice rink is in between them.)

If, however, you have a lot of luggage or are heading to southern parts of Seoul (e.g. Gangnam) and the airport buses remain your best option.

A taxi direct to Seoul will cost around ₩50,000/70,000 regular/deluxe.

Gimpo Airport

• Gimpo Airport - 김포국제공항, IATA Code: GMP 37.556944, 126.7975 - Gimpo International Airport Gimpo airport - Closer but older. Caters only to the shuttle services to Taipei -Songshan, Tokyo -Haneda, Osaka -Kansai, Beijing Capital International Airport and Shanghai -Hongqiao, as well as domestic flights within South Korea, mostly to Jeju.

Gimpo Airport is easily reached on the A'REX link from Seoul Station or Incheon Airport, as well as subway lines 5 and 9. All lines intersect Line 2 which runs in a large circle through Seoul. Line 9 (Gold Line) and the first privately run subway line in Seoul, has three express trains per hour. Travelers coming into Seoul should first have detailed directions to their destination from the nearest station then consult the subway map before deciding on which line and route to take. All three lines cost ₩1,000-2,100 (depending on distance), while a taxi to central Seoul will run around ₩30,000. Discounts for subway fare are available with T-Money cards.

Muslim Friendly Rail Holidays in Seoul

Seoul is the northern terminus of the KTX high-speed line. There are three KTX stations within city limits:

• Seoul Station (서울역) for trains to Busan, Ulsan, Gyeongju, Daegu, Daejeon Cheonan, and Suwon. Accessible via subway lines 1, 4, and AREX(from Incheon International Airport). KTX trains for the Pyeongchang and Gangeung starts here as well during the olympic season. The AREX train has an All-Station Stop train (about an hour from Incheon Terminal 2 to Seoul Station) and an Express train that only stops in Incheon Terminal 1, Terminal 2, and in Seoul Station. The express train costs ₩8,500 and take 43 minutes from Terminal 1 and 51 minutes from Terminal 2 to reach Seoul Station. The express train and the regular train leave from different platforms and have different ticket buying booths. You can pay for the express train with a credit card. You need cash or a T-money card to use the All-Station Stop train. The express train departs in about every half hour. The All-Station train departs more frequently, so it may be faster to you the All-Station train to reach Seoul. If you're in Seoul going towards Incheon, you need to get inside the subway station area using a single-entry card or T-money to access the AREX platforms. The charge is refunded when you buy a ticket.
• Yongsan Station (용산역), for trains to Mokpo, Gwangju, Daejeon and Cheonan. Also on line 1 & 4 (located separately, Sinyongsan Station).
• Suseo Station (수서역) is connected to Line 3 and Bundang Line. It is mainly for the southeast residents and uses differently-branded name, SRT. It is also slightly cheaper.
• Few KTX trains from Seoul stops at Youngdeungpo, but this takes longer time because train uses older tracks. (This train is mainly for Suwon residents)

Nearly all ordinary (non-KTX) services also use one or both of the above terminals, but services east to Gangneung and southeast to Gyeongju via Danyang use Cheongnyangni Station (청량리역), to the east of the city on line 1. KTX to Olympic region also stops here.

The subway system also serves as a commuter train network for nearby cities and towns in Gyeonggi.

Travel on a Bus in Seoul

Every weekend roughly 2 million Seoulites leave the city, which goes a long way to explaining why the city has five major intercity bus terminals.

• Central City Terminal, commonly called Honam Terminal, (Metro Lines 3, 7 or 9, Express Bus Terminal stn). Directly adjacent to the Express terminal, serves buses to North Jeolla|North and South Jeolla.
• Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, (동서울버스터미널), Gangbyeon stn (Line 2). Buses to points east of Seoul (Gangwon and some part of North Chungcheong).
• Seoul Express Bus Terminal, (서울고속버스터미널), (Metro Lines 3, 7, or 9, Express Bus Terminal stn). Also known as Gangnam Terminal and Gyeongbu-Yeongdong Terminal, this is the largest of them all and serves pretty much the entire country, but most services head east (incl. Busan, Daegu, Daejeon). Lines to Jeolla, however, use the Central City/Honam Terminal right next door. For the most part there's no need to buy a ticket days in advance except maybe during holidays. There's even a ticket window labeled "Tickets for Foreigners" where the attendant can speak English. Fare from Seoul-Busan is about ₩20,000 and buses come continuously throughout the day. Small restaurants and Snacks are all throughout the station. Journeys longer than 2 hours. typically will have a short stop at a rest area. Most buses are very comfortable and extremely safe.
• Nambu Bus Terminal, Nambu Bus Terminal stn (Line 3). Serves places southwest of Seoul (Southern Gyeonggi, South Chungcheong and northern North Jeolla).
• Sinchon Bus Terminal, Sinchon (Underground) stn (Line 2) or Sinchon stn (Gyeongeui Line). Buses to Ganghwa Island. (That's Sinchon station, not Sincheon, which is also on Line 2 but on the wrong side of the city!)

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Seoul

There are ferry services to various points in China from the neighboring port city of Incheon. No services run from Japan to Seoul; many Koreans take the coach or KTX train to Busan, where several ferry and hydrofoil options are available.

By car

No matter where in Korea you start your journey and there will be tolled expressways (Gosok Doro) and national highways (Gook Do) that lead to Seoul; the most important one is the Gyeongbu Expressway, linking Seoul with Busan. To avoid the daily traffic jam on the Gyeongbu Highway near Seoul, take Jungbu/2nd Jungbu, Seohaean, or Yongin-Seoul Expressway.

How to get around in Seoul

Traffic jams are all too common in Seoul, so be careful on the streets and head underground when feasible. Street and subway signage is usually written in English as well as Korean.

By subway

Seoul subway linemap_en.svg|Seoul subway map

In Seoul, you can visit most places by using the vast subway network. There are nine numbered lines plus a smattering of named suburban lines, all distinguished by different colors. All signs in the subway system are in Korean (both hangeul and if applicable, hanja) and English. The signs leading to the platform for a particular direction of travel on a given subway line typically list the names of a number of stations in that direction. Stations each have a 3 digit number, but residents rarely make use of these numbers, and they're not on most subway maps, so don't rely on them. A subway map can be found here].

Subway fares are based on the distance traveled, but the shortest ride costs ₩1,250 (base charge) plus card deposit ₩500 (refundable if you return the single-ride card at designated machines at each station). The base charge roughly covers up to 10 kilometers of the journey and ₩100 is added for every 5 kilometers beyond that. Cards can be purchased from vending machines only. All vending machines accept coins and bills, up to ₩10,000 notes (and some ₩50,000 notes, but cash exchange machines are at each station). Hang onto your card until the end of your trip, as you'll need it to get out. Most of Seoul's automated card machines are equipped with touchscreen and full English support (along with Chinese and Japanese). Since ticket machines may be crowded, buying two cards (one for each way) is recommended.

If planning on using the Metro extensively or staying for more than a couple of days, you should consider purchasing a T-money stored value contactless smart card. You can buy this card from a staffed desk at most subway stations, many newspaper kiosks near subway entrances, and convenience stores with the T-money logo. The most basic card costs ₩2,500, and cash can be added to the card as often as you like. When entering and leaving a subway turnstile, place the card on the reader (leaving it inside your purse or wallet is fine), and it will deduct the appropriate fare from the card. Using this card will allow you to save ₩100 on all transfers (these are common with Seoul's extensive subway system), and you can get all but ₩500 back if you have unused credit. Any value on the T-money card never expires. Credit refund up to ₩20,000 can be received in most convenience stores. Above ₩20,000 you can still get a refund, but the procedure is more complicated, so it's wise to keep your credit below that figure.

Typically for most travellers staying less than a week in Seoul, purchasing this card may not be cheaper, but other factors should be considered: it can also be used for taxi fares, buses, storage lockers, pay phones, etc. The T-money card is far more convenient than buying per trip ticket. Using a transportation card is highly recommended if you wish to use it between subways and buses, simply for its ability to transfer for free since you will not have to pay for the basic fare twice for a single journey when using two modes of transport. Take notice the subway doesn't not operate late at night.

If you're in Seoul for only a couple of days and don't plan to use the subway much, don't buy the T-money. Otherwise, buy it.

If you're using the AREX in Seoul, you still need to buy a ticket or use the T-money card to enter the subway station area from which you reach the AREX platforms. You'll get a refund later on when you buy an AREX ticket.

Here are some things to know when riding the subway.

• At the edge of the train vehicle and there are specially marked seats for the elderly and disabled person. It is de facto mandatory to leave this seat for others, unless you really need them. Also, some trains have pink seats for pregnant women.
• Gyeongui-Jungang Line between Gajwa, Sinchon (KORAIL), and Seoul Station has very, very few trains, about a one during an hour. It is mostly for people commuting from Goyang, so check the timetable. Also, Seoul Station for Gyeongui-Jungang Line is separated from other lines. It arrives at the older station building.
• Line 1, 9, and several other trains to nearby cites have a 'express train'. It stops at fewer station and more faster. No extra fees. And again, check the timetable.
• Seoul Metro(Operator of line 1~8) have some info on their 'Theme Tour'] section. You can check the timetable at there as well.

Travel on a Bus in Seoul

Seoul also has an extensive bus service. There are four different kinds of buses: yellow, green, blue, and red. Yellow buses have a short circuit usually around tourist areas. Green buses travel around neighborhoods and connect with the subway. Blue buses go across town, while red buses are intercity buses. Buses will only stop at designated bus stops and will not wait for indecisive travelers.

Adult fare is as follows:

Cash – ₩1,150

T-Money Card – ₩1,050

By using a T-Money card, you can transfer between the bus and the subway for free up to 30 minutes after your last scan. That is to say and the base charge of ₩1,050 won't be charged twice. If, for example, you travel 10 km by subway, transfer to a bus and travel a further 5 km, ₩1,050 will be deducted once you leave the subway, nothing will be deducted when you enter a bus, but you will be deducted ₩100 for the extra 5 km journey you made on the bus. If you do not tag the machine as you leave the bus, you will be charged the maximum fare feasible for the route.

Best way to travel in Seoul by a Taxi

[[20101018 kia k5 taxi 01 - A KIA taxi

Deluxe taxis are black with a yellow sign and are more expensive than regular taxis but provide better and more comfortable service. Regular taxis are silver. For the most part, regular taxi cabs have leather interiors and the drivers are nice—so, for many people, "regular" in Seoul might be "deluxe" in their hometown. It is easy to hail a taxi any time of the day or night along any relatively major Seoul street.

You can call a deluxe taxi wherever you are by calling 3431-5100. Sometimes, you can find a visitor's guide taxi, a kind of deluxe taxi and the drivers of which know English and Japanese and can guide you around Seoul.

As of March 2019 and the basic fare for regular taxis is ₩3,800 (₩4,600 at night), with a surcharge of ₩100 applied according to time and distance. (The basic fare is up to 2 km, plus ₩100 per 132 m.) In deluxe taxis and the basic fare is ₩6500 and the additional fare increases in increments of ₩200. (₩4500 basic fare for up to 3 km, plus ₩200 per 151 m). International taxi drivers speak at least one foreign language (generally English) fluently. International taxis use the same basic fare as regular taxis, plus an additional 20%.

If there is more than one passenger, and you are traveling only a short distance (like 1-2 metro stops) it is usually cheaper to catch a taxi than to take a bus or subway.

In general, taxi drivers do not speak English or any other foreign language, so have your destination written in Korean to show to the taxi driver. It is also wise to get your hotel's business card in case you get lost. Some may even reject looking at a map so whenever feasible, have the location written in Korean.

All taxis advertise a free interpretation service that can be called if you need help. The phone number for the interpretation is on the window sticker of the back seats. Taxis that have an "On Base Authorized" sticker on the side, or a green sticker on their front bumper, are capable of entering US military bases in Seoul. These drivers are required to speak better English as part of their contract and may thus be easier for any English speaking tourists.

Most taxis accept credit cards and T-money cards and thus have a V-shaped orange card sign on the roof of the taxi by the front passenger seat window. However, drivers generally prefer that you pay cash, especially for short rides.

You can also ask for your receipt ("Yeong-su-jeung" 영수증).

As in any other city and there are some bad apples, and some drivers may take you the long way. Although the drivers often have a GPS device on the dashboard of their car, this is relatively meaningless if you do not know the area or cannot speak sufficient Korean to argue the point.

In general, make sure the driver turns on the meter, get an idea of the cardinal direction of your destination (north, south, east, west), and use the interpretation service if you want to agree to a fare beforehand.

However and there is often road construction or protests around Seoul, so sometimes a long route is necessary. If you suspect you are being ripped off and the most a non-Korean speaker can do is write down or take a picture of the driver's ID (above the glove box) and report the details to the company.

By car

Gangbyeonbukro in Rushhour 2 - Rush hour on the Gangbyeonbuk-ro (lit. Riverside North Road) in Seoul

Internationally known automobile rental services can be found in Seoul; just be prepared for a driving challenge and long rush hours. In addition, parking spaces are hard, if not close to imfeasible to find, especially during peak hours. Therefore, unless you are planning to head out of the city, it is not advisable to rent a vehicle and you are better off relying on the excellent public transport system instead.

On bicycle

If you like cycling and there are many bike rental stations in Seoul (and other cities). Seoul City government operates Seoul Bike(nicknamed 따릉이(Ttareungyi)), and you can get around easily for affordable price. There are many voucher options, but Day voucher is enough for tourist to use. At the homepage or official app, purchase the voucher and receive the rental number. At the nearby rental spot, press the button on the bike you want to rent and type the digits. You have to return the bike to the rental station within 1 hour(2 hours if you bought the Premium voucher). You can rent it as many times as you want for 24 hours, as long as you are returning the bike for respective period of time. Regular voucher is ₩1,000 and premium one is ₩2,000.

When riding the bike, be sure to obey the traffic rules and try to wear the helmet. Read the warnings on the signage and ride with care. Official app shows the location of rental station and how many bikes are there, so plan your journey while knowing where to return. Naver map or Kakao map can show the bike roads and have a direction search option for the bikes.

If you know the Korean and sign up for them, you can use the weekly, monthly, and yearly option.

Other than that and there are other private bike rentals at Han river park and Yeoido.

On foot

Getting around in Seoul without a local escort (be it friend or cab driver) can be tricky, since this is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. While Seoul occupies less land than New York City, it can be more confusing. The major roads twist and turn and the various rail lines, rivers and mountains are obstacles and the smaller roads turn into a labyrinth of alleys. Most people will try to help you find your way around but often won't know themselves; best to familiarize yourself with some monuments and the nearest subway stations. Learn the monuments closest to where you are staying. The better-known monuments in Seoul (such as the North Seoul Tower in the center of town) can prove helpful at times. A compass will still work when a GPS fails. Google maps are not that useful in South Korea, for security reasons. Use Naver map or Kakao map, since these support English.

Once you know your immediate surroundings, you'll find that Seoul isn't such a huge place and the pedestrian approach can be an enriching experience.

There's usually a subway stop within a ten-minutes walk in any direction. And you can see the local map at the exit of the station.

Whether on bicycle or foot and the best way to escape traffic is to learn the rivers and streams. Most of these waterways empty into the Han River or another tributary to the Han, so look to the direction of water flow at any creek; chances are, it's headed for the Han. The Han runs right through town, generally moving West (sometimes Southwest; sometimes Northwest), so knowing where you are in relation to the Han is helpful. The Han River as well as most streams are lined with massive parks that feature outdoor gymnasiums, multiple-lane bicycle paths, and 24-hour restrooms. Cars are generally not allowed. Pedestrian bridges on the smaller waterways are common. Also, numerous mountains with hiking trails can be found in the city.

Local Language in Seoul

See also: Korean phrasebook

As elsewhere in Korea, a grasp of basic Korean will be helpful. If you plan on an extended visit, consider learning to read the Korean written script, hangeul. It takes very little time to pick up the basics, and it can be endlessly helpful. A quick (free) visit to the Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall beneath the Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Plaza will give you an introduction to the Korean written language and some interactive exhibits to training. Thirty minutes there will see you recognising and pronouncing some Korean words.

Shops in major tourists areas, including Insadong, Myeongdong, and Itaewon, will probably have staff that speak at least some English, and some may have staff that speak Mandarin, Cantonese and/or (Japanese). While all younger Koreans are required to study English in school, due to a lack of training, proficiency is generally poor, and most residents of Seoul only know a few simple words and phrases. If lost, a useful tip is to write down your question in simple words and show it to someone young. That being said, it is still feasible to get by using only English, though a basic grasp of Korean will make your trip much smoother.

What to see in Seoul

Deoksugung-02 - Deoksugung palaceOpening at night of Gyeongbokgung Palace - Opening at night of Gyeongbokgung PalaceGwanghwamun(광화문) - GwanghwamunWhile Seoul today is mostly known as a super-modern mega-city that is home to skyscrapers, malls, and millions of electronic-mad Koreans and the city contains over 2,000 years of history. The city contains 4 UNESCO sites marking important monuments from its 505 years as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty. Originally a walled city with 20 ft stone walls and narrow lanes inside. Though many buildings were destroyed or damaged during the violent events of the first half of the 20th century, much of its historic core remains. So, anyone staying in Seoul should visit the many historical treasures the city has to offer, including the many Seoul/Jongno#Palaces|palaces and Seoul/Jongno#City_Gates|city gates within the Seoul/Jongno|Jongno neighborhood.

Palaces, shrines, and walls of Joseon Dynasty

Seoul has been a capital of Korea since the Joseon Dynasty. Starting from the Gyeongbokgung, many palaces were built for kings and royal family. The most important of them are called Five Grand Palaces(5대궁). Gyeongbokgung Palace is the first and main palace, and holds the site of Joseon Palace Museum and Korean Folk Museum. The main gate of the palace, Gwanghwamun, and its plaza are the center of Seoul. Changdeokgung, one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sties, was the most favored palace of many Joseon Royal Family. It also has the beautiful garden named Secret Garden(Also was called 'Forbidden Garden'). Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung are less famous due to its damage after the fall of the kingdom; Changgyeonggung was once a zoo, and Gyeonghuigung was once a high school. Finally, Deoksugung was used during the last years of the monarchy. It has a harmony of both traditional and western building design.

• Gyeongbokgung Palace. In 1-91, Sejongno, Jongno-gu. The Gyeongbokgung, Which means "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven.", was built in 1395 in Joseon Dynasty. It was the heart of Joseon Dynasty because the government ministry neighborhood was focused here. Even after it was razed by the Japanese during Hideyoshi invasions of 1592-1598, it was reconstructed in 1876, only for many buildings to be razed again by the Japanese during the occupation from 1910-1945. Nevertheless, Gyeongbokgung remains one of the most magnificent and historically most significant places in Seoul, and restoration to its pre-Japanese occupation state continues to be take place at a painstaking pace. It opens everyday except Tuesday. There is also a free guide tour for tourists every day (English : 11:00, 13:30, 15:30). It is also good to take the opportunity of night opening, which is held a few days every a year, you have to reserve a place online. You can access the palace by subway(Gyeongbokgung Palace station Exit 5, Subway line 3) or Seoul City Tour Bus.

Parks and mountains

Seoul is full of parks. Along the Han River(Hangang, 한강) and there are Hangang Citizen's Park. It is in many neighborhoods, and each have a distinct spots. You can cylce along the river or buy a snack or souvenir at the night market. Among those, Banpo Hangang Park is most famous. You can see the fountain on the Banpo bridge, go to Some Sevit(an artificial floating island), or exercise at the Seorae island.

Other famous park include Seoul Forest, Olympic Park, Worldcup Park, Children's Grand Park, Dream Forest, Seonyudo Park, and many more. Look for the article in each neighborhood.

Seoul is also surrounded by many mountains(san, 산). You can hike along the people and feel the nature in the middle of city. Notable mountains are Namsan(남산), Gwanaksan(관악산), Bukhansan(북한산), Suraksan(수락산).

• Hangang Citizen's Park Alongside the Han River through 13 neighborhoods - Gwangnaru, Jamsil, Gangdong, Ttukseom, Jamwon, Banpo, Ichon, Yeouido, Yanghwa, Mangwon, Seonyudo, Nanji, and Gangseojigu. You can see many people strolling or jogging along the trail paths, as well as in-line skaters, bicyclists, and soccer fields or basketball courts. Yeouido, Jamsil, and Ttukseom neighborhoods are especially popular because of the cruise services on the Han River.

Notable museums

Seoul has been a capital for more than 600 years, and has a lot of museums. The most important museum is definitely National Museum of Korea at Yongsan. This houses the highlight of 5,000 years of Korean history and its exquisite treasures. Other historical museums include National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, National Folk Museum, Joseon Palace Museum at Jongno.

If you are fan of art and there are many art museums as well. Seoul Museum of Arts is near the city hall and is free. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts, which used to be at Gwacheon, has a separate Seoul branch near Bukchon and inside the Duksugung Palace. Leeum Museum at Itaewon is one of the best private-owned museums in Korea, and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza hosts the exhibition from Kansong Museum.

There are other interesting museums in the city; War memorial of Korea houses military armor and aircrafts, National Hangul Museum shows the history of Korean writing system, Seodaemun Prison preserves the actual prison used during the Japanese Colonization period.

Best things to do in Seoul

Watch the fashionable Seoulites shop and sip coffee in Seoul/Gangnam-Seocho|Gangnam.

Explore the huge fresh fish market in Seoul/South|Noryangjin and enjoy fresh sashimi afterwards.

Enjoy the nightlife in Seoul/Yongsan|Yongsan.

Go hiking in the mountains surrounding the city. They are at most 800 m (3,000 ft), accessible by public transit and the trails range from easy to difficult. Mountains include Bukhan, Gwanak, Samseong and Inwang. (Mostly found in the Seoul/North|North of the city). If you do not like the mountain, walk along the Cheonggye Stream.

Study in Seoul

Muslim Friendly Universities in Seoul

Seoul is home to many universities, including Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University and the three most prestigious universities in Korea, with the former being Korea's uncontested number one university. There are opportunities for potential international and exchange students to enroll in these universities and live in Seoul for an extended period of time. Many of these universities also conduct Korean language classes for foreigners, including some 5-week long summer intensive programms that might be useful for short-term visitors to learn the Korean language.

Pottery

Korean ceramics are known around the world for their simple beauty and unique designs. Visitors can learn how to make pottery at the National Museum of Korea and the pottery villages just outside of Seoul in Incheon and Yeoju.

• National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관) | Ichon Station, Exit 2. 10 minutes walk ☎ +82 2 2077 9000 | Opening Hours: For class times, inquire in advance

Sports

• Taekwondo Gym -

How to work legally in Seoul

There is an immense demand for ESL (English as a Second Language) instruction in Seoul. See the main South Korea#Work|South Korea

Travel Guide for details. However and the Seoul municipal government has decided to phase out foreign (non-Korean) teachers of English in all public schools. Although it has yet to be seen if this will succeed, it may have an effect on your options in Seoul.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Seoul

Korean.clothes-Hanbok-01 - Hanbok, traditional Korean dresses at Dongdaemun market

Fashion

Fashion shopping in Seoul isn't a mere industry, it's an art form. Trends often begin in University areas like Hongdae. Hongik University boasts Korea's most famous art school, thus fashion in this area is often influenced by the students' artistic sensibilities. The shops in this area feature funky, punky, boho, and vintage style. Ewha Women's University also has a big shopping area in front of its main gate, as do many of the Women's colleges. Many trends also originate here. There are even seamstresses who can help you make your own designs come to life.

Duty free

South Korea is a major shopping destination for Chinese and Japanese these days, with many dedicated duty free shops available in Seoul. Korean Won, Japanese Yen and US dollars are accepted, along with major credit cards. Most shops have staff who can speak (Japanese). There are duty-free shops in both the Incheon airport and the major department stores: Lotte, Shilla Hotel. There are other duty-free shops at Walkerhill Hotel, SKM DFS in COEX Mall.

Halal Restaurants in Seoul

This page uses the following price ranges for a typical meal for one, including soft drink:
Budget	<₩15,000
Mid-range	₩15,000-35,000
Splurge	>₩35,000

Much of Korean social life revolves around food and the city is packed with restaurants, so it would take a determined man to starve to death in Seoul. This fate may still befall you if you insist on English menus and meals consisting only of easily identifiable, familiar ingredients, so see South Korea#Eat for a quick Korean menu reader. An alternative is to just point and eat, your hosts generally will accommodate. If you look in the right places, a good meal (lunch or dinner) including side dishes can cost ₩5,000 or less (try basements of large department stores).

Street Vendors - Vendors selling Korean fast food in Gangnam.

In addition to Korean food, Japanese restaurants in Seoul tend to be excellent, featuring excellent sushi and sashimi. Chinese restaurants exist, but are typically adapted to suit local preferences. There are a few Italian restaurants; these are generally excellent, with chefs trained in Italy, although flavors tend to be more or less Koreanized, with sugar in the garlic bread and meatballs.

Bakeries are found throughout, including some of the common big chains.

Seoul has plenty of budget places to eat. Everything from convenience store fast food and Noodles to street stall food and lots of 24 hours Korean fast food restaurants. The 24-hour restaurants are great because they've usually got a wide variety of foods, including: mandu, odeng, ddeokbokki, naengmyeon, udong and ramyeon. Prices do vary from about ₩2,000-9,000 at these restaurants. Also open late into the night are Korean BBQ restaurants, which are everywhere in Seoul. These can be very affordable and are usually of good quality. Barbecue options usually are limited to Beef and beef, and they often come with a smattering of side dishes. Korean BBQ is, in itself, an experience that makes you feel like a Seoulite. The larger department stores in the city have basement food courts that offer excellent food (not recommended if you care about atmosphere).

Public trash bins around Seoul are rare. If you're eating street food, you can hand back leftover trash, like skewers, to the food vendors or throw it away in their trash bags. Some leave a box for trash in front of their stand. Other places to find trash bins are restrooms and convenience stores.

Seoul features a mind-bogglingly large array of nightspots catering to every taste and budget. Hongdae and Sinchon in Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|Seodaemun-Mapo are Seoul's most active nightlife neighborhoods. Itaewon in Seoul/Yongsan|Yongsan is Seoul's international neighborhood, with a wide variety of Asian-styled venues to eat and drink. Since many foreigners congregate there, Itaewon remains somewhat of a niche nightlife area for Koreans interested in a more international scene. Much nightlife in Seoul revolves around soju. Soju is a traditional Korean spirit that comes in many varieties, including original and many kinds of fruit-flavored soju.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Seoul

Seoul - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Seoul, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Seoul. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Seoul and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Seoul. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Seoul. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations inSeoul: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Seoul.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Seoul: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Seoul, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Seoul.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Seoul, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Seoul, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Seoul and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Seoul, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Seoul, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Seoul without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Seoul is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Seoul.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Seoul is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Seoul, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Seoul Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Seoul

eHalal Group Seoul is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Seoul. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Seoul.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Seoul ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Seoul. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Seoul, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Seoul are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at realestate@ehalal.io

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Seoul has two unofficial backpacker neighborhoods, Seoul/Jongno|Jongno (Anguk/Sinseol-dong) to the northeast of the city and Seoul/Seodaemun-Mapo|Hongdae-Sinchon out to the west. Within walking distance to Dongdaemun Market, Jongno is better located for sightseeing and can be visited directly from Incheon Airport on limousine buses or city bus 6002 to Sinseol-dong stop (₩9,000, 90 min). There are many good accommodation places across Seoul. Hongdae, Itaewon, Myeongdong and Jongno (Hanok area) are traditional locations for Foreign Individual Travelers(FIT). Furthermore Gangnam is emerging thanks to the huge success of the eponymous song. Hongdae, Sinchon area is in university area. Yonsei Univ., Ehwa woman's Univ., Hongik Univ. and Sogang Univ. are around this area. so there are some Halal restaurants, bar, club and shopping center and easy to be reached from Incheon Airport by limousine bus and Arex (Airport express train) in 1 hour.

Gangnam has a wide range of luxury with the Imperial Palace Hotel and the Park Hyatt Seoul and the Ritz-Carlton Seoul.

Most points of interest are along subway lines 1, 2, 3, and 4. So it's best to reside somewhere near a station on one or two of those lines.

Telecommunications in Seoul

Internet cafes known as PC bang (PC 방) (pr: pee-shee-bang) are ubiquitous in Seoul, and usually cost anywhere from ₩800-2,000/hr. Samsung K652V - A Korean keyboard using a Korean OS can type in English or Hangul.Most have printers at the front desk. These places cater chiefly to gamers, which translates into fairly fast computers, loud sound systems and large screens. Most PC Bangs have smoking sections. Typically and the computers run a Korean version of Windows 7 and use Internet Explorer and Chrome.

Console gaming (Xbox 360, PS3) is widely available, and for those with proficiency in Korean language, you might also be able to enjoy a round of online gaming; the fantasy MMORPG Lineage was created in Korea and a slew of MMORPG titles not available anywhere else can be found here.

Post offices are basically everywhere in Seoul, although many are hidden on smaller roads and alleys. If you cannot spot any post office nearby, it is good idea to visit university (every university has its own post office in it). The Korean postal insignia is orange and white. It can be spotted on post office signs.Some postal offices are open on Saturdays, Sundays and other holidays (postal service only). Most postal offices sell boxes and packing materials. Even the smaller offices typically have at least one English-speaking member of staff.

• Seoul CPO - 서울중앙우체국 | 21-1 Chungmuro 1 (il)-ga, Jung-gu Line 4 Hoehyun stn exit #7 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 6PM, Saturday 9AM Monday - 1PM Also has a big philately section in basement.
• Gwanghwamun Post Office - 광화문우체국 | 154-1 Seorin-dong, Jongno-gi Line 5 Gwanghwanun stn Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 8PM, Saturday Sunday 9AM Monday - 6PM (and holidays)

• Seoul Gangnam Post Office - 서울강남우체국 - Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - 6PM, Saturday 9AM Monday - 1PM

Useful contact numbers are as follows:

• Emergency

• Police: ☎ 112
• Fire Department: ☎119

• Travel Information: ☎ 1330
• City Information(다산콜센터): ☎ 120

Stay Safe

Seoul is a remarkably safe city given its size, comparable in safety to Hong Kong or Tokyo. Pickpocketing is not very common and violent crime is minimal, if not unheard of.

If you happen to be a non-Korean male walking hand-in-hand with a Korean female, drunk older Korean men might give you a tongue lashing or occasionally worse. This is far less of a problem than it used to be.

If you do end up in a fight, remember that Korean law is possibly different from your home country. You may not have legal protection just because someone else started the fight if the attacker ends up hurt.

U.S. military personnel have a curfew 01:00-05:00 everyday on the Korean Peninsula, although the curfew can be extended at very short notice. If you are a westerner and the American military police have the legal right to request to see your ID and arrest you if you cannot provide it. (This is done to catch American military personnel breaking curfew.)

Unfortunately, crimes by American soldiers against Koreans do happen, and when they do they often receive a huge amount of national attention. If you are a westerner then you should exercise some extra care when such a case hits the media, although it is still highly unlikely you would be in any danger.

[[2013-12-28 KCTU General Strike 1 - Protesters gathered in Seoul city hall plaza.

Protesting: Large scale demonstrations in Seoul against the government happen from time to time. Often they can result in violence where there are pitched battles between protesters and combat police. People do get seriously hurt, so try to avoid getting too close to the action.

Fake monks have been known to operate in Seoul, notably around the Jogyesa temple. They are dressed as Buddhist monks requesting donations from people on the street in return for blessings, although they do not actually belong to any Buddhist order and just keep the cash for themselves. Actual monks would never seek donations in this manner.

Cope

Language issues

South Korea has undergone a major English language boom over the past 20 years. South Korean families are eager for their children to learn English and usually enroll them in private language schools.

Seoul is probably the easiest place to talk to people in English, although most people will find conversation challenging. Often writing down simple questions in English is more effective. Many of the older generation have learned little or no English at all. A few tourist information centers dotted around Seoul are staffed by English speakers, but do not assume an English speaker will be available at most shops, sites and venues.

English signage is visible everywhere in the city, from road signs to subway maps to shop posters. One exception is in buses where the route information is completely in Korean script.

• The Seoul Global Center | 3rd Floor of the Seoul Press Center, 25 Taepyeongno 1 (il)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul ☎ +82 2 1688-0120 - Provides foreign language assistance with regard to public services, but also beyond including help with awkward coping necessities like purchasing a mobile phone.

Medical

Pharmacies are everywhere in Seoul. While most are labeled only in Korean and the signage and Hangul character is easy to recognize, 약. Most pharmacists speak some English. Pharmacists are not shy about asking about your symptoms and selling you what they think you need.

• Medical Referral Service - ☎ +82 10 4769-8212 | Opening Hours: 8 am to 8 pm (with emergency only coverage after hours) Seoul provides an English-language hotline to assist with finding doctors and other medical services.

Medical bills can be expensive, so make sure you have valid travel insurance.

Some people with sensitive stomachs should use caution when dining in Korea as some of the local cuisine is heavily spiced with copious amounts of pepper and garlic.

Air quality

Air quality in Seoul is fine and improving. However, Seoul inhabitants sometimes wear different types of masks outdoors for allergies, smog and yellow dust storms (mostly in March–April). Mongolian yellow dust storms were regarded as dangerous long before industrialisation began in Asia. Now these storms pick up trace amounts of toxins in the Chinese industry belt. Smog in Seoul is becoming less of a problem. In general, air quality has been improving since the early 2000s. Check the Korean Meteorological Administration for real-time weather info.

Embassies & Consulates in Seoul

South Korea hosts a large number of embassies in Seoul.

Afghanistan - 27-2, Hannam-Dong, Yongsan-Gu ☎ +82 2 793-3535 +82 2 795-2662

Argentina | urlhttp://ecore.cancilleria.gov.ar/en 5F Choon Woo Bldg, 534 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 796-8144 +82 2 792-5820

• Australia | seoul-@ 19F Kyobo Bldg, 1 Jongno 1-ga, Jongno-gu ☎ +82 2 2003-0100{{flag|Austria
• Austria | seoul-@ Kyobo Bldg, Rm 1913 1-1, Jongno, 1-ga, Jongno-gu ☎ +82 2 732-9071 +82 2 732-9486

{{flag|Bangladesh

• Bangladesh | 310-22 Dongbinggo-dong, Youngsan-ku ☎ +82 2 796-4056 +82 2 790-5313

{{flag|Belgium

• Belgium | 737-10 Hannam-2 dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 749-0381 +82 2 797-1688

{{flag|Bhutan

• Bhutan - Consulate | 123-5 Nonhyun-Dong, Kangnam-ku ☎ +82 2 738-4970 +82 2 738-4974

• Brazil | 4F-5F 141, IHN Gallery Bldg, Palpan-dong, Chongro-gu ☎ +82 2 3444-5961 +82 2 3444-4384

{{flag|Cambodia

• Cambodia | 653-8 Hanan-dong ☎ +82 2 3785-1040 +82 2 3785-1041

{{flag|Canada

• Canada | 16-1, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu ☎ +82 2 3783-6000 +82 2 3783-6239 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 8AM Monday - 11:45AM and 12:45PM Monday - 4:30PM

China | chinaemb@ 54 Hyoja-dong, Jongno-gu ☎ +82 2 738-1038{{flag|Czech Republic

• Czech Republic | 1-121 Sinmunno 2-ga, Jongno-gu ☎ +82 2 725-6765 +82 2 734-6452

{{flag|Denmark

• Denmark | 5F Namsong Bldg, 260-199 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 795-4187 +82 2 796-0986

Egypt | 46-1 Hannam-dong ☎ +82 2 749-0787 +82 2 795-2588 Ethiopia | 657-26 Hannam-dong, Yangsan-ku ☎ +82 2 790-8927 +82 2 790-8929

• Finland | 18F Kyobo Bldg, 1 Jongno 1-ga, Jongno-gu ☎ +82 2 732-6737 +82 2 723-4969 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 9AM Monday - noon

• France | 30 Hap-dong, Seodaemun-gu ☎ +82 2 3149-4300 +82 2 3149-4310
• Germany | 32, Jangmun-ro, Yongsan-gu - ☎ +82 2-748-4114 +82 2-748-4161* Greece | gremb.sel[at]mfa.gr - ☎ +82 2 729-1400 +82 2 729-1402

{{flag|Hong Kong

• Hong Kong | seoul@ Rm 1515 West Wing, Hanshin Intervalley 24, 707-34 Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu ☎ +82 2 2183-3851 +82 2 2183-3850

{{flag|Hungary

• Hungary - 1-103, Dongbinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 792-2105 +82 2 792-2109

• India | 37-3, Hannam Dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 798-4257 +82 2 796-9534

Indonesia | 55 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu ☎ +82 2 783-5675 +82 2 780-4280 {{flag|Ireland

• Ireland - 13F Leema Bldg, 146-1 Susong-dong, Jongro-ku ☎ +82 2 721 7200 +82 2 774 6458

{{flag|Italy

• Italy | 3F Ilshin Bldg #714 Hannam-2-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 796-0491 +82 2 797-5560

{{flag|Jamaica

• Jamaica - Consulate | Olympica Centre 5F, 828-10 Yeoksam-dong, Kangnam-ku ☎ +82 2 555-4271 +82 2 745-8545* Japan | 5-1 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 796-7387 +82 2 796-0827

{{flag|Kenya

• Kenya | @mbassy.or.kr 243-36, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 3785-2903 +82 2 3785-2905

{{flag|Laos

• Laos | 657-9 Hannam-Dong Yongsan-Gu ☎ +82 2 796-1713 +82 2 796-1771

{{flag|Luxembourg

• Luxembourg - Consulate | #475-9 Pyeongchang-dong, Jongro-ku ☎ +82 2 316-6101 +82 2 311-8650

{{flag|Malaysia

• Malaysia | 4-1 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 795-9203 +82 2 794-5488

{{flag|Mexico

• Mexico | 33-6 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 798-1694 +82 2 790-0939

{{flag|Mongolia

• Mongolia | 33-5 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 794-1951 +82 2 794-7605

{{flag|Myanmar

• Myanmar | urlhttp://www.meseoul.org/ 723-1, 724-1, Hannam-dong Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 792-3341 +82 2 796-5570

{{flag|Nepal

• Nepal | 445-7, Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 3789-9770 +82 2 736-8848

{{flag|Netherlands

• Netherlands - 10F Jeong-dong Bldg, 15-5 Jeong-dong, Jung-gu ☎ +82 2 311-8600 +82 2 311-8650

Nigeria | 310-19 Dongbinggo-dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 797-2370 +82 2 796-1848 {{flag|Norway

• Norway | 13F Jeong-dong Bldg, Jung-gu ☎ +82 2 727-7100 +82 2 727-7199

• Pakistan | 258-13 Itaewon 2-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 796-8252 +82 2 796-0313

{{flag|Peru

• Peru | Daeyungak Bldg Ste 2002, 25-5, Chungmuro 1-ga, Jung-gu ☎ +82 2 757-1735 +82 2 757-1738

• Philippines - @seoul.com 5-1 Itaewon 2-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Korea 140-201 37.5683, 126.978 Maeul Bus No. 3 from behind Exit 1, Samgakji Station, go down at arang, 1 stop before Grand Hyatt, 100m ☎ +82 2 796-7387 (to 89) +82 2 734-4528 Opening Hours: 09:00-15:00

{{flag|Poland

• Poland - 70 Sagan-dong, Jongro-Gu ☎ +82 2 723-9681 +82 2 723-9680

{{flag|Portugal

• Portugal | 2F 171, Wonseo-Dong, Chongno-Ku ☎ +82 2 3675-2251 +82 2 3675-2250

{{flag|New Zealand

• New Zealand | 8F Jeong Dong Bldg, Jeong-dong, Jung-gu ☎ +82 2 3701 7700 +82 2 3701 7701

{{flag|Romania

• Romania | 1-42 UN Village, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 797-4924 +82 2 794-3114

• Russia | 34-16 Chong-dong, Chung-gu ☎ +82 2 318-2116 +82 2 754-0417

{{flag|Singapore

• Singapore | singemb@ 28F Seoul Finance Centre, 84 Taepyungro 1-ga Chung-gu ☎ +82 2 774-2464 +82 2 773-2463

{{flag|Slovakia

• Slovakia | 389-1, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 794-3981 +82 2 794-3982 Opening Hours: Monday Wednesday to Friday 10AM Monday - noon

{{flag|Slovenia

• Slovenia - Consulate | Rm 402 Young Choice Bldg, 1359-46, Seo-cho 2-dong, Seocho-gu ☎ +82 2 569-3535 +82 2 569-2350 Opening Hours: Monday Wednesday to Friday 10AM Monday - noon

• South Africa - @mbassy.or.kr 1-37 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 792-4855 +82 2 792-4856
• Spain | 726-52 Hannam-dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 794-3581 +82 2 796-8207

{{flag|Sri Lanka

• Sri Lanka - Ste 2002 Kyobo Bldg, Chongno- 1 ka, Chongno-ku ☎ +82 2 735-2966 +82 2 737-9577

{{flag|Sweden

• Sweden - 8F Danam Bldg, 10 Sowol-ro, Jung-Gu ☎ +82 2 3703-3700 +82 2 3703-3701 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00; Consular affairs close at 11:00

{{flag|Switzerland

• Switzerland | 32-10, Songwol-dong, Jongno-gu ☎ +82 2 3703-3700 +82 2 3703-3701

{{flag|Taiwan

• Taiwan | 6F, Kwang Hwa Moon Bldg, 211 Sejong-ro, Chongro-ku ☎ +82 2 399-2780
• Thailand | 653-7, Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu ☎ +82 2 790-2955 +82 2 798-3448

{{flag|Tunisia

• Tunisia | 7-13, Dongbinggo-dong, Yongsan-ku ☎ +82 2 790-4334 +82 2 790-4333

{{flag|United Arab Emirates

• United Arab Emirates | 5-5 Hannam-dong, Yougsan-ku ☎ +82 2 790-3235 +82 2 790-3238
• United Kingdom - Consular.@ Sejong-daero 19-gil 24, Seoul Jung-gu ☎ +82 2 3210-5500 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00

United States - seoul@ 188 Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, ☎ +82 2 397-4114 | Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-11:00 and 13:00-15:00; Closed Wednesday afternoons

• Vietnam - 123 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu ☎ +82 2 720-5124, +82 2 725-2487 +82 2 720-4864

Travel Next

• The DMZ (Korea)|Korean Demilitarized Zone is the 'last frontier of the cold war', and is very close to Seoul. This includes the famous peace village of Panmunjeom where negotiations have taken place for the past 50 years. Many tour companies offer DMZ tours which is a day trip from Seoul and the highlight of which is a village lying in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. You cannot visit without booking with a tour company, and that some nationalities are not allowed to visit for security reasons while others (including South Koreans and Chinese) require additional procedures.
• Yeongjong Island — Beaches and thermal spas (Muslim Friendly) and fresh sea breezes.
• Yongin — south of Seoul, home to Everland, Korea's most popular theme park as well as the Korean Folk Village, where traditional Korean arts are regularly performed in a living museum of the Joseon Dynasty, as well as MBC Dramia, an outdoor set built by Korean televsion company MBC for the filming of period dramas.
• Incheon — The place where U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed in the Korean War; it also has the biggest and oldest Chinatown in Korea.
• Gapyeong — Popular weekend getaway, east of Seoul. A small town in the mountains of Gyeonggi-do, on the border of Gangwon-do.
• Chuncheon — Filmed in many Korean dramas and movies and now accessible by subway from Seoul
• Suwon — 30 kilometers south of Seoul and the home of Hwaseong Fortress (화성), a UNESCO world legacy site. Subway line 1 can take you there in about one hour. Good for a half-day trip from Seoul.
• Busan

Take the KTX down to Busan to enjoy the beach in summer. Makes a nice change of pace from Seoul.

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