"Seoul" Seoul by elPierro

Seoul is one of the worlds largest cities. With an urban area of more than 22mln inhabitants this is a big congestion worthy the match for Tokyo and New York.

Seoul is active 24hrs a day and though it looks just like another city, it's much much bigger than just any other city. You really see the size of the city, cross the river and be amazed on the size of the river only and the never ending line of buildings on both sides. Or go on of the higher points like the hills/mountains. Seoul is big, bustling and increadibly polluted as well.

Though South Korea's largest treasure is the beautifull nature, Seoul has an attractive vibe. Though it's polluted, crowded and has got a lot of nasty habits, for some reason it is an attractive spot as well. It's not your ordinary citytrip.
The Korean culture is very alive here. Seoul and many other Korean places are fully capable of foreign tourism. The only thing is they simply don't get that much foreign tourists, only the neighbouring countries discovered Korea, but white people are still a curiosity, especially outside Seoul. So basically it's like your own private beach, all facilities are there, and it's all for you.

Try out Korean food: The South Korean kitchen is the probably the best I have ever had. The snacks from the foodstands on the streets are superb, bakery products are amazingly tasty let alone all the traditonal food like Kimchi, Bulgogi, and naturally the Korean Barbeque where you learn to appreciate spicy food and garlic.
Of all countries I have visited, South Korea has been the only place in the world where I really considered it a waste to go to McDonalds, so I didn't.

Olympic Park: The Olympic Park is a pleasant place, though it's a bit dated this is the only really decent park in Seoul.

Gyeongbukgung: A superb imperial palace, with a very good museum as well. Make sure to see the change of guards.

Hiking: Get up on a hill. There's Namsan Hill right in the citycenter which is convenient for those without condition (cablecar available). For those with a sense of adventure and a good condition, go climb Mount Bukhansan. It's a 3km trail up to the 840m high mountain just north of Seoul and the highest point around Seoul, the view is astonishing and worth the climb. You will also find out Koreans love to climb mountains as the route can be jampacked on weekends (which still is good fun, Koreans are good climbers so queue's don't really appear).

Seoul is big, and even the subway can keep you underground for over an hour to get from one point to the other. Also busses don't really speed-up.

Koreans are very traditional, they are extremely helpfull to foreigners so expect some people spontenously dragging you around in the subway. Koreans also tend to be very physical, so when a strange man grabs your hand, it's pretty common.

Spitting... spitting and scraping your throath is very normal, as is making a lot of noise with your mouth. I don't think you get ever used to it if you are not into that culture, but be aware...

Koreans like to practice their English, and their curiousness will overwinn their shyness. So many people will start talking to you, especially asking after your job/study, if you are married and your religion. Those are 3 very important things in Korea.

• Pros:Big, quite some attractions, still to be discovered
• Cons:Smog and spitting