"Seoul - gigantic, traditional yet modern" Seoul by Vita500

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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Map of South Korea

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...!

• 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