24 Hours in Seoul, Korea.

Seoul is home to 10 million people.`However its land area is only half of New York’s. Seoul is nestled next to the Han river. The Han river is a very big river about 482km long. Seoul is the economic and cultural center of South Korea. It flaunts its highspeed internet, ultraefficient public transportation system and quality goods at low price. Seoul is also teeming with street markets, ancient palaces and too many people! A haven for enjoyers of all types. Seoul is a perfect city that never sleeps, providing safe public transportation and high speed internet, cafes or pubs that are open 24 hours, making visitors comfortable to brush up on their culture and satisfy all kinds of their tastes.

FRIDAY

12 pm

Seoul has many hotels and guest houses that are accessible to anywhere. You can find suitable hotels on booking websites. Hotels in the center of Seoul are usually expensive. Even if you don’t choose a hotel in the center of Seoul, you can go everywhere by subway or bus. If you want to stay at luxury hotel, I’ll recommend “The SHILLA” hotel.(249, Dongho-ro, Jung-gu 100–856; 82–2–2233–3131) You can go to there from Incheon airport by airport limousine bus. (about 90 minutes, $15) If you want to pay a low price, I’ll recommend “TravelersA hostel” (106–2, Jugyo-dong, Jung-gu; 82–2–2285–5511) You can go to there from Incheon airport by airport limousine bus(#6015/#6002) or airport train + subway(about 75 minutes, $4.50)

3 pm

At first you should go to the Gwanghwamun Square in Jong-ro. This place is my favorite place in Seoul. This place is in the center of Seoul. And Gyeongbokgung palace is next to the Gwanghwamun Square.

This palace is a very historic palace. If you study about the Joseon Dynasty period, you can understand well about the palace.

The Cheonggye stream is a nice place to rest. The other palaces are located in nearby Jong-ro, so you can look around many historic places in a day.

7pm

You should have dinner at Hwangsenga Kalguksu.(84, Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu) It has been around for more than 30 years and is always packed even on rainy days. You can enjoy Korean handmade chopped noodles and pay only $7~15. You can also look around the area. Because the restaurant is located on beautiful area named “Samcheong-dong” You feel old school of street and do window shopping. It’s a very cool place!

11pm

After having dinner if you want to experience to Korean style pub, I recommend ‘WARAWARA’ This pub is popular for young people and located in everywhere. They have a lot of good tasty foods and alcohol. You totally enjoy the atmosphere of Korean pub. And if you have the energy after drinking, you should go to nightclub in Gangnam. Especially ‘Syndrome’ is newest nightclub and very cool place to play. (587–1, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu) The entrance fee is $30, but if you will arrive in there before 12am, you can enter free! So if you want to enjoy both of them, it is better that you go to Gangnam than other places. (subway line 2 in Gangnam station)

Saturday

6am

A visit to the Han river is a must. The Han river is the biggest river in Korea. Sometimes it looks like a sea! You can walk or run along the Han river park. The length of park is almost 41.5 km! It is such a nice place to rest, meet people, drink and exercise. You also rent public bicycles at the park. (A single bicycle : $3 for an hour ,couple bicycle : $6 for an hour and +50 cent per over 15 minutes.)

The most popular the Han river park is located in Yeouido. You get there by subway(Line 5 or 9 in Yeouido station or Yeouinaru station)

12pm

You can eat fusion Italian food in ‘Miz container’ It is very popular restaurant for young people. Almost everything on the menu is cheap and is large in quantity. It is located in Hongdae and Gangnam. So you can choose which place is easier to go for you. The interior is decorated like construction site and all staff are so kind and friendly, so you will feel comfortable. I recommend ‘salad pasta’ and ‘pan pizza’ These menu items are the most popular foods. ($12~18, subway line 2 in Hongdae station or Gangnam station)

2pm

You should visit ‘Myeongdong’, ‘Dongdaemun’ and ‘Nam mountain’. Myeongdong is totally the shopping and cultural center of Seoul. You can buy everthing what you want.

Dongdaemun is originally not only a traditional place but also a shopping place. Dongdaemun is especially known for cheaply priced clothes. A lot of shopping malls are located in here, so you should look around here if you want to buy clothes at a low price.

Finally ‘Nam mountain’ is a small mountain in Seoul, but it is a very cool place. Nam mountain is good for walking, resting and going on a date with your boy/girl friend! Also you can see a gorgeous view of Seoul on the top of the mountain. You should go to Nam mountain! (subway line 6 in Yaksu station and transfer to #02 bus)

5pm

You have 2 choices. First, if you want to eat traditional Korean table d’hote, you can go to ‘Giwa’ (40–712, Hangangno 3-ga, Yongsan-gu; 82–2–710–7777, $20~30 per person) The price is a little expensive but you can enjoy a lot of awesome Korean food. Second option is streetfood.

We call this ‘Bunsik’. For exanple spicy stir-fried rice cake(Tteok-bokki), Sundae, fish cake(oden) and so on. It’s very cheap, delicious and easy to eat. This is sold everywhere. I recommend ‘Ahddal’. This store is one of Bunsik brands and very clean, so you can eat in clean condition. If you eat ‘Bunsik’, you will feel weird of it, but after then you will keep thinking while you eat it! Because it is very addictive food.

Welcome to Seoul and enjoy!