Seoul Things to Do
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Gyeongbokgung Palace
Among the Four Royal Palaces in Seoul, Gyeongbok Palace is the most popular for tourists and is the one included in a half day City Tour of Seoul if you have a really long layover from Incheon Airport if riding Asiana or Korean Airlines (these tours are complimentary). Gyeongbok Palace was the Main Palace of the Chosun dynasty until it got...
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Namsan (South Mountain) and Seoul Tower
We took a ride on the ropeway up to the top of the mountain, and then went up the tower to have a look around. It gives you a good idea of the scale of Seoul/Incheon. My favourite thing was though, that in the building that houses the ropeway entrance, there is a restaurant where I had some excellent bulgogi! Update May 2016 We revisited Seoul...
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DMZ - DeMilitarized Zone - Tours
I came here with my friend, it's a hour and half driving far from Seoul. Anyway it's plenty of bus tour leaving from the capital. Ticket price for 3 hours tour is 8700 wong. You are suposed to have your passport with you, bt if you ignored that as I did and you have a Korean friend with you, then he/she can guarantee for you, she will guarantee...
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Seoul Hotels
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Oakwood Premier Coex Center
This is an extended stay hotel with outstanding amenities for business travelers and their families....
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Metro Hotel
This hotel was budget friendly compared to other hotels in the area. The room was more spacious than...
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Lotte Hotel Seoul
We stayed here for a week. It is very nice but DO NOT have your laundry done by them, a piece of...
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Seoul Restaurants
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Street Vendors
Seoul is no exception than any other Asian country, street food in Seoul is remarkable. I was so curious about their local specialty. At first I'm doubting, this is a first time in my life see this kind of food. I have to stare at it for long time before I able to try it Now I'm on the food, which is one of the better aspects in Seoul. Tasty,...
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Korean Customs
We lived near Namsangol Hanok village which was full of restaurants and cafes around. As it was my 21 Birthday, we decided to go the Korean BBQ restaurant. This type of restaurants is more expensive than usual Korean restaurant, but we loved this place! Korean BBQ restaurant means that you will cook meat by yourself ( System: customers decide, how...
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Kimbab Heaven (Cheonguk)
If you have not tried kimbab, you are missing out on a real Korean treat. Kimbab is made from a layer of dried seaweed, covered with a thin layer of rice, with a few strips of ham, veggies, and cooked egg in the middle. This is rolled into a log about 1 1/2" thick and 9" long, then sliced. One of the cheapest places for kimbab is the Korean...
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Seoul Nightlife
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Western Bars and Hofs (Korean Bars)
A must Go in Itaewon, just to taste the milk cocktails, but also to fell that the atmosphere is different from the other bars, it look like you are not in Seoul anymore but in a strange parallel world inspired by Stanley Kubrick, mannequin are everywere in the bar and staff is costumed ! After travelling a lot i just open this place for making...
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Hip Hop/Clubs
There are many clubs in Korea, especially in the posh Gangnam district. However, Club Arena is the most exclusive out of all clubs in Korea, where Korea's socialites and celebrities are frequently spotted. The music is mainstream EDM but it is the atmosphere and the crowd here that differentiates club Arena from other clubs. If you are looking for...
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Live Music Bar
Unfortunately, this fantastic place to relax and enjoy rock/blues music -built around the original founder's private music collection- with some nice refreshments in Gangnam is a bit hard to find. I was happy enough to be back for a couple of days a little while ago - so here's a snap of their small outside sign, which you will need to spot in...
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Seoul Transportation
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Subway - Metro
The undergound transport system in Seoul, the Metro, is good and easy to understand. The trains run often, the stations are numbered in addition to their names and both names and numbers are shown in the station and in the train, in Korean, English and Chinese. Some trains are express trains and do not stop at all stations, but this is indicated...
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Buses
We took this bus, it was our cheapest option. The last bus depart when the last flight landed. We landed in Incheon almost midnight due to delayed and so concerned about the train and bus to Seoul that stops running at 12 midnight. Arriving in Seoul, the ticket desk were closed already, we asked the people around what's the best way to reach Seoul...
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Taxies
I took normal taxi on my hotel (incheon) to Thai embassy (Seoul) and cost was 45000krw to embassy and 40000krw to back hotel (price included toll cost), taxi driver waited me when i was in embassy. I took the taxi drivers phone number to take me same trip next day, but unfortunately he was propably sleeping when i tried to contact him so i had to...
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Seoul Shopping
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Dongdaemun (Great East Gate)
Dongdaemun is a famous shopping area near the Dongdaemun -- or Great East Gate. It has sporting goods, clothing, used books, carpets, and many other things at great prices. We spent about three hours here one afternoon and we saw just a quarter of the market or less. We looked at clothes, military surplus items, books, jewelry, kitchen supplies,...
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Myeongdong
We have no intend of do some shopping in Seoul, but we are looking for souvenir and restaurant. So in our mind we could find it in shopping street of Myeongdong. Our hotel is nearby so walking is not very far. Before I realize Seoul has to be a shopper's paradise and I know Myeongdong is one of the very well-known shopping street in Seoul. This is...
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Electronics
Well after spending 10 days in Seoul last week on business I was excited to visit the worlds largest electronic market which has been advertised as having the largest selection and best prices. I have to say I was terribly disappointed. Not only did virtually every vendor carry EXACTLY the same products but the prices were highway robbery. I am...
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Seoul Local Customs
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Eating & Drinking
Do Koreans really eat dog meat? You bet they do... it's called Kaegogi, literally "fire dog." It's really a summer-time delicacy (for the "dog days" of summer!). Koreans are very sensitive to the Western belief that dog should not be eaten, therefore, they will rarely talk about eating dog, will seldom eat it in front of a Westerner, and would...
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Gift-giving
bought them as gifts to female friends. it cost about 5,000 won each if your buying 5 or more and 7,000 won if youre buying one. (no haggling means 7,000 won for 5 or more and 10,000 won for a single piece). Available in any market.
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Customs & Oddities
There are several places in Seoul where you can hear traditional Korean music. From major professional theaters to the casual, outdoor Seoul Nori Madong (Jamsil-dong) you can easily find these performers playing their ancient music on drums, silkstring instruments, or bamboo pipes.
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Seoul Warnings and Dangers
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Protests
Seoul has frequent protests throughout the city, usually at the US military bases, the US embassy, or the Korean ministry of defense. Occasionally these protests will get violent, such as when the president was impeached in March 2004. You would probably be safest if you avoid these gatherings. Say no to US cows no matter what they say to you.
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Language Barrier
Due to the imperfect nature of translating Korean writing into romanized characters, you will find a lot of confusing variation in place names. For instance "G" and "K" seem to be used interchangably and what is spelled with a G on map might be spelled with a K on signs. An example is that Gyeonbok Gung palace is alternatively known as Kyongbok...
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Driving
In addition to some of the various other rules you might see in Seoul or other areas, beware that buses are on a schedule and stop lights, signs and various traffic controllers do not apply to them. They will make left turns around other traffic stopped at a stop light from the right turn lane, et al. Terminator trucks, ditto. These are 4 axle (or...
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Seoul Tourist Traps
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Itaewon
My 1st time in Korea, read a lot about Seoul and Itaewon. It is a very big let down, day and night. Its raining, and the fake apparels by the road side is not as I had expected. Compared to the sprawling bangkok with lots more everywhere. At night, the bars are too mild for my liking. I ended up early to bed and read the emalis. I wanted to get a...
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Getting Around
We just finished shopping in Dongdaemum district and about to go back in the hotel but it rained so hard so my friend and I decided to take a taxi. We were waiting for a taxi when this big black cab that just looked like a private car stopped in front of us. It's a taxi with a writing that says "TAXI" and with other writings that clearly says its...
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Other Stuff
it costs 30,000 won to pose with pictures at Gyeongbok Palace (included in it is the wardrobe rent plus posing with beautiful korean girls in Hanbok dresses plus a glass framed picture of it) well what can i say, I fell for it hehe! but seriously, if you don't like to shell out big bucks, then just refuse them ok! you have the power of choice, you...
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Seoul What to Pack
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Essentials to Bring
I still don't like to bring Digital SLR Camera in my travels as these cameras as to bulky and cumbersome to operate and you must change the lens often and since I'm not a professional Photographer, prefer to bring a pocket ultrazoom camera that you can combine taking pictures and videos at the same time like an Olympus SZ MR-31 and a water proof...
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Ready for the Weather
Seoul is a shoppers nirvana catering to all budgets and tastes. If you have forgotten something make a beeline to E- Mart, a local, mid priced supermarket where you will find most things you need on your trip. Seoul have cold but pleasantly sunny winters. Cotton jackets and coats are not suitable for the dry cold which will seep into your bones if...
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Clothing
A Big 24" luggage (preferably extendable and of light material) and a little carry-around bag for the to keep your important stuffs inside. (for autumn and start of winter... that's the time I went, so I'm not quite sure about the rest of the seasons) Thermal wear, plain comfy clothes and a good down-feather or appropriate autumn/winter coat....
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Seoul Off The Beaten Path
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Other Place to Go
On our first visit to Seoul we did a day trip to Suwon on the underground. We found people here really helpful. At the information stand near the station they wrote me down bus information, gave me maps and free postcards. None of them could speak English but they called out to passers-by until someone who could speak English came to help. We...
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Hiking
There are some smallish mountains (hills) near Gupabal Station that have some well-maintained trails carved through a densely wooded setting. In this area it is also possible to see: - A very large artificial waterfall (See Photo #4) - Some remnants from the Korean war, or that's what I think they are (See Photo #3) - Modern luxury apartment...
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Korean Historical Landmark
While trying to find a path through to take pictures of the buildings along the river I came across this shrine. Although of relatively recent construction (1984), the building is of pleasant traditional Korean architecture. Where many holy sites in Korean charge admission, this site offers free admission. Check their website for a history. Check...
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Seoul Sports & Outdoors
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Skiing
High1 is the best winter resort I've seen in Korea. A brand new resort, '08 is their first full season of winter operations. A multitude of slopes and lifts, and their terrain actually has real snow instead of the typical man-made crap most of the other resorts here offer. They run 5 chairlifts (4/6 person) and 3 gondolas (8 person). I think a...
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Baseball
If you want to watch a baseball game, go to the Jamsil Baseball stadium and you can watch either the LG Twins or the Doosan Bears. Both of these teams call this stadium home. Tickets are really cheap.. about 6,000 Won and fans really get into it. One difference from Major League baseball is that there are Cheerleaders at Korean baseball games.
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Football/Soccer
This place are The opening ceremony of 2002 Korea Japan World Cup opening ceremony and Semifinal of Korea Japan World Cup. it was completion 12.27. 2001. Sangam 2002 World Cup Stadium is the Top 10 most beautiful stadium of the World.
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Seoul General
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Other Stuff
Speak a little Korean. So here's the Korean ABC for you to practice. Well, it's always good to learn Good morning, Good afternoon and Good evening; and Hallo how are you and Thank you! Counting is a second to learn, but as most salesmen have calculators; just punching numbers starts the business.
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Shopping & Money
South Korea's monetary unit is the won (KRW) and due to the financial crisis, It had depreciated 35% to the US Dollar. The Exchange rate today is 1 USD: 1,380 KRW! The Won is available into ₩1, ₩5,₩10, ₩50, ₩100, ₩500 coins and ₩1000, ₩5000, ₩10000 denominations! Foreign Currencies can be...
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Gyeongbokgung (Palace)
Gyeongbokgung was the main palace during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). One of five palaces in Seoul, it has a 500 year history. It was built by the founding King of Joseon dynasty, Lee Seong-Gye, in 1395 as he moved the capital city from Gyeseong to Seoul. Located in the northern part of Seoul, it is sometimes called “Bukgwol.” Gyeongbokgung is...
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Explore Deeper into Seoul
- Korea House & Namsan Hanok Folk Village
- Things to Do
- Insa-dong
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- Namdaemun (Great South Gate)
- Shopping
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Things to Do
- Itaewon
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- Lotte World
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- Deoksugung Palace
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- Biwon - Secret Garden
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- Insadong
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- Nightlife
- Area Reviews
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- COEX Mall
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- Health & Well-Being
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- Aggressive Entertainment
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- By Air
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- Ewha Women's University (E-dae) Area
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- Plane
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- (Ballroom) Dance
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- Off The Beaten Path
- Ceremonies & Holidays
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- What to Pack
- Samkyetang (Korean Ginseng Chicken Soup)
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- Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market
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- Information & Sources
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- Dongdaemun Market Street Vendors
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- Top Cloud Restaurant
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Comments (1)
Hope to visit again soon!