Seoul

Capital of K-culture: Gyeongbokgung in hanbok, Hongdae and Myeongdong, and the Han River parks—an Asian trendsetting city that entered Euromonitor's top ten for the first time.

Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea, on the lower reaches of the Han River in the central-west Korean Peninsula. With a population of about 9.4 million, it is the center of politics, economy and pop culture (K-pop, K-dramas, beauty). The Han River divides the city into Gangbuk (north) and Gangnam (south). Gangbuk is the historic core, concentrating traditional and shopping areas such as Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Bukchon Hanok Village, Insadong, Myeongdong, N Seoul Tower on Namsan, Dongdaemun and Hongdae. Gangnam is a new district developed since the 1970s, with Gangnam Station, Apgujeong, Cheongdam-dong, COEX, Lotte World Tower and Jamsil, while Seongsu-dong to the east is the trendiest district for cafés and boutique shops in recent years. The four seasons are distinct: in spring, cherry blossoms in early April (Yeouido Yunjung-ro, Seokchon Lake), with pleasant temperatures in April–May; in summer, the rainy season from late June to July and muggy heat of 30 °C or more in August; autumn from mid-October to early November, with ginkgo and autumn leaves (Namsan, Deoksugung Stone Wall Road, Changdeokgung's Secret Garden), is the most beautiful season; and winter from December to February often drops to –10 °C, dry, with snow. Getting there: from Incheon Airport, the AREX express train takes about 43 minutes to Seoul Station and the all-stop train about 60 minutes. More than 20 subway lines in the city reach every attraction, and a T-money card or Climate Card (foreigners can buy a 1- to 5-day unlimited-ride version) is the most convenient. Taxi flag-fall is ₩4,800, and you can hail rides with Kakao T or Uber. From September 2025, Chinese tourists can enter South Korea visa-free on group tours (please verify the specific policy before you travel), while individual travelers still need a visa or K-ETA. Suggested length: 4–5 days—1 day for the palaces and hanok, 1 day for Myeongdong and Namsan, 1 day for Hongdae and the Han River, 1 day for Gangnam and Seongsu, plus an optional day at Everland in Yongin or Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. Notes: most shops accept Alipay/WeChat, but it's still wise to carry some cash and a card for foreign currency. Tipping is generally not expected at restaurants. Gyeongbokgung is closed on Mondays and Changdeokgung on Tuesdays; entering the palaces in hanbok is free of charge.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries