"Seoul - When can I return?" Top 5 Page for this destination Seoul by Ewingjr98

Seoul Travel Guide: 3,322 reviews and 6,303 photos

Kimchi -- Korea's favorite food

Seoul, with 12 million people, is the 4th largest city in the world and it is surrounded by mountains and farms. Even though Koreans flock to the city during the week to work, they flock to the national parks on the weekends to hike. Within Seoul, you have modern skyscrapers next to 800 year old palaces. There are military installations (both US and Korean) beside beautiful parks.

The capital of South Korea, Seoul is a very modern city with a relatively high standard of living compared to other east and southeast Asian nations. There is a lot to see and do across the spectrum of Korean history (palaces & fortresses), Buddhist temples, parks (like 1988 Olympic Park), hiking, culture, great restaurants, and lots of nightlife...

Many Buddhas near Dobongsan, Seoul

I absolutely loved the city of Seoul and all that it offered. Almost every weekend, I got to go sightseeing, visit the parks and historic sights, or just wander through different neighborhoods.

While in Seoul, I also visited Busan, Incheon, Songtan, Suwon, and the North Korean border at the DMZ.

I have only been gone since May 2004, and I still miss Korea!

From Korea, I also made side trips to:
Fukuoka and Okinawa, Japan
Taipei, Taiwan
Saigon and Hanoi, Vietnam
Hong Kong and Macao, China
Singapore
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Bangkok, Thailand
Angkor Wat, Cambodia

Pros and Cons

Pros:Good food (even kimchi!), many great sights, friendly Korean people
Cons:The overpowering aroma of hundreds of people who had kimchi for breakfast all crammed into an air-tight subway car

Last visit to Seoul: May 2004
Intro Updated May 6, 2009
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Reviews (160)

Reflection of a pavilion at the west of the pond - Seoul

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Comments (21)

meljmorgan Apr 22, 2011 at 12:09 PM Report Abuse

I move to Seoul in a couple of weeks and have found your tips really inspiring. This is my first foray into the website and I`m really impressed. Can`t wait to try out some of your recommendations.
arschaaf Jul 13, 2008 at 11:25 PM Report Abuse

Not to mention the "All you can eat AND all you can drink" buffet that happens 6-10pm (except Sundays) at the Gangnam location. Call ahead to reserve. The beer is actually good too!
volopolo Jun 20, 2008 at 12:30 PM Report Abuse

Excellent page about Seoul!
xxgirasolexx May 29, 2008 at 8:37 AM Report Abuse

What? Why is kimchi listed in the "con" section? KIMCHI IS THE BEST!
atufft May 17, 2008 at 10:55 AM Report Abuse

Now, rereading, I'd like to see photos of some of those huge Christian Churches, some of the world's largest Christian congregations I understand. In fact, I understand that their are more Presbyterians in Korea than in the USA!
liveseoul Feb 10, 2008 at 12:03 AM Report Abuse

Now a juciy bar. No live music.
b1bob Dec 15, 2007 at 10:14 PM Report Abuse

Very informative page on Seoul! I like it.
Rachelli Oct 26, 2007 at 12:46 AM Report Abuse

The main reason that eating dogs is not widely spoken about is because of the inhumane way they are killed. Koreans believe that adrenaline will make the dog meat more tasty and being beaten to death is the best that can be hoped for. :(
JessH Jun 12, 2007 at 3:23 AM Report Abuse

Hello! Fascinating insights into Seoul. Great page with superb info here, thanks for sharing. It's just a shame that so many Asian countries, incl. Korea, have so little respect for all non-human creatures... Greetings from Dubai / Jess
G.U.Esswho Mar 14, 2007 at 4:15 AM Report Abuse

The prices of most books might be more expensive than amazon, but taking import and shipping costs into consideration, amazon is more expensive.