| Page Views: 4,914 Last Visit to Seoul: - I Used To Live Here | Seoul - gigantic, traditional yet modern by Vita500 - last update: Aug 8, 2008 |
|  | What Seoul has to offer: More than 20 million people, one of the world's largest subway network, thousands of cosy coffee-shops, modern buildings and gigantic underground shopping-malls, 600-year-old palaces, indoor amusement parks, 40+ kilometers of riverside (perfect for cycling, inlining, etc.), a magnificent mountainous landscape, shop-to-dead experiences... Seoul offers everything you can possibly imagine!
Considering the fact that almost 50% of Korea's total population is living in Seoul and adjacencies (10+ million in Seoul city, another 10+ million in the adjacent surroundings!), most visitors are stunned by the crowds of people that can be found simply everywhere and at any time of the day.
Nevertheless, Seoul has a pretty efficient public transportation network and in spite of traffic jams on the streets, transportation by subway or bus (mainly thanks to the newly introduced bus-only lanes) is really fast, reliable and cheap.
For visitors, I can only recommend to put on a pair of comfy shoes and spend as much time as possible on the streets, exploring the various sections of Seoul on foot. However, don't underestimate the vast distances...
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Quick facts: World Ranking
Third to fifth largest city in the world (depending on source)
Geography
Area: 605 sq km (234 sq mi)
Population: ~ 10.3 million (2006 - only Seoul city!); about 23 million in the metropolitan area
Latitude (approx.): 37 - 35' North
Longitude (approx.): 127 - 03' East
Located in the Northwest of Korea, close to the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone), Seoul is divided into two halfs by the Han River which is emptying into the Imjin River just before entering the Yellow Sea (West Sea for Koreans).
Administration
The city is divided into 25 big wards (Gu) and 15,267 smaller districts (Dong), which are further divided into the smallest division, called 'Ban'.
Check out the below Travel Tips for more information and feel free to leave a comment to communicate how you like my tips or submit suggestions for improvement!!!
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| Have you lived here for too long...?!??? |
| | NEW: Check out the Signs You Have Lived In Korea For Too Long and let me know if there is anything that I should add. Aim is to achieve a similar number to the list of Hong Kong... we're definitely getting closer but are still about 20 signs behind... hence, any input is highly appreciated!!! Thanks & have fun...! |
> Add to your Custom Travel Guide [What's This?]
| Pros: | "Find everything you want in one huge place" | | Cons: | "Always crowded... whether it's shopping, having a stroll along Hangang or a hiking trip" | | In A Nutshell: | "From historic sites in the North to modernity in the South" |
Vita500's Seoul Travel Tips
 Vita500's Seoul Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for Vita500 about Seoul | | | | |
seokmin Tue Nov 3, 2009 11:52 UTC
I'm Alex, live in Korea. I have a little bit different point of view. I think that there is many dangerous situations even in small mountain. So I recommend you to prepare some protective equipment for your safety. | DSwede Tue Mar 25, 2008 06:36 UTC
There are so many in your "too long in Korea list" that are dead ringers. I know I've been here too long because I know the hourly schedules of the express buses. | ftho Sun Nov 11, 2007 08:56 UTC
I was in Seoul Oct 30 - Nov 3 guided by tips on your page. I found yr tips & yr sharing of yr travel experience helpful . Tell you one thing, I could not find the Sauna due to language problem. TQ for yr reply to my query prior to my tour of Seoul. | sakikot Tue May 15, 2007 08:53 UTC
What a helpful page:D Thank you~!!! |
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