Cities > Seoul Travel Guide: travelgasm.com
Seoul, South Korea (Republic of Korea) — commonly regarded across Asia as the capital of cool — is a city known for establishing new trends. Following decades of heavy government investment in cultural exports; Asian trends in clothing, hair and makeup, music, movies, and television, in particular; often start in Seoul and are bound to hit the streets elsewhere in the region.
Largely because of its status as a trendsetter, Seoul is one of the most popular destinations for Asian tourists, but it tends to be less popular among Westerners than some other Asian hotspots like Bangkok, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. However, this may change should the "Korean Wave" of pop culture get stronger outside Asia.
In terms of its built environment, Seoul was damaged heavily by Imperial Japan and years of war — which technically has yet to end — as well as sometimes questionable development during extremely fast population growth in the 1960s and 1970s. In recent years, though, development and redevelopment largely both have been improving. Consequently, across a cityscape that often can seem monotonous and gray, there are lively and colorful pockets of both well-planned historical redevelopment and new construction that are enjoyable to explore via Seoul's massive and spotlessly clean Metropolitan Subway (Metro).
Although Seoul is not an inexpensive city, travelgasm.com has found that recent geopolitical uncertainties means that perhaps now is a more affordable time to visit Seoul than in past years. Read on to make the most of your adventure...
From historical landmarks like Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) and Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을) to modern developments like Cheonggyecheon Stream (청계천) and Lotte World Tower (롯데월드타워) and great walking streets for shopping and nightlife in Insadong (인사동) and Hongdae (홍대), Seoul has an abundance of things for tourists to do and see. Among popular Seoul attractions, travelgasm.com's top seven are...
