I like Seoul. I love this city for no reason even though I've only been here 3 times. I feel that in him I am calm, distant from any negativity. I just love to walk the streets, look around, at people passing by. Ride the subway, snack at myriad eateries and drink great Korean beer. Last year, I again visited the city just out of love for it, I could have gone to Chuncheon or Busan, but once again I chose Seoul. I wanted to walk and take pictures of every corner, every house, street, people, but no matter how much time there was, there was always not enough time, and the weather was not very favorable. Therefore, the story will be small, within the framework of what he saw in one day.
It just so happens that the first place I get in Seoul is the subway.
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I can't compare it with any other subway yet, but I think it's very difficult to get lost in Seoul. Everything is so simple and straightforward that you don't have to worry about any other transport (buses, taxis, etc.). Almost any point can be reached without any problems. Of course, it is advisable to have a metro map, then any tourist, and not tourist routes can be calculated very quickly. You can get a map directly in Seoul, but it is better to take the brochure "travel guide to Korea" at the Consulate. The first thing you have to pay attention to is buying a ticket, where and how to buy, but this is also not a problem, since the Koreans are always happy to help you) They themselves come up and offer help, but as they say, they have been married for several years). Although every year some new items appear in the metro. For example, if 3 years ago tickets could be bought at the box office, then the next year only at the machine. This year the vending machines have become even more sophisticated and you can already program the ticket cards as you need. When you buy a card, you always pay a little (like 500 won), but when you leave at your station, this money can be returned by putting the card in a special machine or add more money and reprogrammed for another trip. In general, everything is simple) so do not be afraid to take the subway in Korea) and it is also clean and there are clean toilets on every corner, which is oh, how important it is in Korea (for me in any case).
From the metro, along numerous lines I go out into the city and ...
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... I just walk around watching the passers-by.
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But the incessant rain forces you to adjust the route, driving into various shopping centers, museums and other institutions with a roof over your head) The first was Techno-Mart at the Gangbyeon subway station. Huge center, 9 floors. 7 of them are crammed with various appliances (photos, videos, computers, phones, household appliances)
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Moving on escalators or elevators
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Various cafes and restaurants are located on the last floors. ten. 
In the meantime, men are passionate about the choice of technology, and the kids are eating ice cream in a cafe, women can take a walk and buy clothes and various accessories on the lowest floor. eleven. 
I must say that another electronics center located at the Yongsan station is practically no different from Techno-Marta and I did not notice the difference in price.
The next shopping complex became COEX. It is located at the Samgseong subway station. There was such a beauty at the entrance
And so this
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Since I'm not keen on shopping, I just walked around the center out of curiosity, had lunch in one of the many cafes and bought something in a souvenir shop.
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At every step in Coex "e there are signs to various boutiques and halls with entertainment. The most interesting for me were the Khimchi Museum and the Aquarium. But in fact they can be visited only once, no more. Although the Aquarium for children will undoubtedly be interesting.
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And of course the metro in the opposite direction
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I'll tell you a little about where I stayed. Dongdaemun Subway Station. This is practically a Russian quarter. In local cafes, restaurants and shops you can meet Russians, Kazakhs, Ukrainians, etc. There are inscriptions in Russian. In nearby hotels and motels there is always a person or a phone number where you can call and explain in Russian what you need (for example, it may be special requests regarding the room, or, say, a transfer to an airport, port or another city, etc.) ).
I stayed at the inexpensive YuSungJang Motel. The cost of a room with one double bed is 30,000 won (just under $ 30). Conveniences are usual - cable, wired internet, air conditioner, refrigerator with free fortified Korean drink)) dispenser with cold and hot water, shower, toilet. And in order to rest at night I didn't need anything else.
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Seoul (Korean 서울, Soul - literally "capital") is a city, the capital of the Republic of Korea. It forms the only city of special status in the country, divided into 25 self-governing districts. The official name of the city is the City of Special Status Seoul (Korean: 서울 특별시 Soul Thukpoolsi) Population - 10.1 million people (2015), or 19.5% of the country's population. It forms the Seoul-Incheon metropolitan area with a population of 23.5 million (2015), the fifth largest in the world. Located in the northwest of the Republic of Korea near Of the yellow sea, on a plain surrounded by mountains, on the banks of the Hangang River, 24 km from the border with the DPRK. Chief political, economic and Cultural Center Republic of Korea. One of the leading financial centers in East Asia. Since 1394 under the name Hanyang - the capital of Korea, since 1948 under the name Seoul - the capital of the Republic of Korea. During the Korean War, the city was badly damaged. Remains of the fortress wall with gates have been preserved, and the 14th century Gyeongbokgung palace complex has been restored. There are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
City name
The word Soul comes from the ancient Korean sable or sorabol ("capital") of the Silla period. Then this word was referred to the city of Gyeongju, the former capital of Silla. In hanjche, kyon (京) means "capital"; this syllable occurs, for example, in official name administrative unit on the territory of Seoul during the years of Japanese colonial rule (Gyeongsong / Keijo) and in the names of railways and highways (Gyeongbuson, 경부선 - Seoul-Busan railway line; Gyeongin kosoktoro, 경인 고속도로 - Seoul-Incheon expressway).
Chinese transcription
Unlike most Korean geographical names, the word "Seoul" has no analogue in Hancha, and in Chinese the city is called its former name (漢城 / 汉城, Chinese reading Hancheng, Korean Hanson; meaning "a fortress on the Han River", but if desired, it can be interpreted as "Chinese fortress "," fortress of the Han people "). In January 2005, the city government requested that the city's Chinese name be changed to 首 爾 / 首 尔 (Shǒu'ěr, Shou-er), which is an approximate reproduction of the Korean pronunciation in Chinese (in Korean itself, however, 首 爾 reads 수이, Su-i). Moreover, 首 (show) means "first" and "capital". The Chinese adopted this name. This change only affects media Chinese and does not affect the Korean name of the city.
Main article: History of Seoul The first name of the city - Vireson, was the capital of Baekje state since 370 BC. NS. In Goryeo's time, it was known as Hanson (漢城, "fortress on the banks of the Hangang River"). During the Joseon Dynasty, which began in 1394, it was the capital of the state and was called Hanyang (漢陽)). During the years of Japanese colonial rule, the administrative unit Gyeongsong (京城, Keijo) was located on the territory of the city, the name Seoul was finally approved in independent Korea in 1946. Baekje, one of the three Korean kingdoms, was founded in 18 BC. BC, with the capital in the city of Wireson in the area of modern Seoul. Since then, have survived ...
Traditional Korean hanbok costume captivates many people with its beauty, and fitting this outfit has long become a fashionable cultural trend among travelers visiting Korea. Therefore, in the vicinity of the royal palaces and other major attractions there are a huge number of shops offering hanbok rental services, and tourists can increasingly be found on the streets walking in this elegant attire. At the rental locations, you can also pick up a headband, a tengi headband, a headdress, a bag and other accessories in the traditional style for hanbok, and the rental time varies from 2 hours to 2 days. In this article, we'll walk you through how to dress up in hanbok and introduce you to the main attractions in the capital, where you can take the most beautiful souvenir photos.
- First you need to choose a skirt
The arsenal of hanbok rental shops has a huge number of the most different models, so the choice is not easy. We advise you to start by choosing your favorite “chhima” skirt (plain color, lace or with embroidery), and then choose the upper part of the “chogori” for it. A skirt should be chosen so that the hem only slightly touches the floor.
- Selection of accessories
To make the hanbok look even more beautiful, various accessories and hair ornaments can be added to the outfit. Owners of long hair are advised to braid their hair in a braid and decorate with a special tape "tengi", or, carefully collecting the hair, accentuate it with a hairpin, while girls with short hair are advised to use traditional headbands with embroidery. For a complete hanbok look, you can also choose traditional hats, shoes and a handbag for various little things.
- Mandatory Hanbok Attribute - Sokchima
The sokchima petticoat helps the hanbok to keep in shape, making the skirt more voluminous and the outfit more graceful and elegant. We advise you to choose sokchimu 2-3 cm shorter than the outer skirt.
- UNESCO cultural heritage site
Changdeokgung is one of the royal palaces built during the Joseon Dynasty. The complex includes the palace premises from where the king ruled the country, and the secret Huwon garden - the residence and resting place of the king and queen. Incredible beauty the secret Huwon Garden is distinguished with dense groves, a pond and small and large pavilions. Trees that are more than 300 years old have also been preserved here.
Being an object cultural heritage The UNESCO Changdeokgung Palace is of immense historical and architectural value. There is perhaps no better place to walk in traditional Korean dress. After visiting this place, be sure to take pictures against the backdrop of the majestic buildings of the palace complex.
Seoul, env. Jongno-gu, st. Yulgok-ro 99 (서울 종로구 율곡로 99)
How to get there
about 10 min. walk from Exit 6 of Jongno 3 (sam) -ga Station (종로 3 가역, Jongno 3 (sam) -ga Station) Seoul Metro Line 1, 3, 5
Opening hours
February - May 09: 00-18: 00 / June - August 09: 00-18: 30 / September - October 09: 00-18: 00 / November - January 09: 00-17: 30 (The entrance of visitors stops 1 hour in advance before the closure of the palace)
Day off - every Monday
Entrance fee
Adults 3,000 won / Children 1,500 won
For visitors in Hanbok, as well as on the last Wednesday of every month, admission is free.
Phone for information
02-3668-2300 (short)
in seoul
Another obligatory place For walks in hanbok is the Bukchon folk village with traditional Korean hanok houses. In the past, the area was inhabited by members of the royal family and high nobility, and to this day, only the houses with tiled roofs from the Joseon dynasty have survived. Bukchon Village, with more than 1,400 hanok houses, is located on an elevated position with magnificent views of the Seoul countryside.
There are 8 photo zones in Bukchon village: the first of them is a panoramic view of Changdeokgung Palace, the second is located at the end of the alley with stone walls, the third - in the vicinity of the Gahoe Museum, the fourth photo zone - a hill near the house number 31-ponzhi in the Kahwe-don area, the fifth - the lane leading down the Kahwe-don area, the sixth - the alley leading up the mountain in the Kahwe-don area, the seventh - the surroundings in the area of house number 31-ponzhi in Kahwe-dong and the eighth - a stone staircase in the Samcheon-dong area.
Seoul, env. Jongno-gu, st. Kedon Keel 37 (서울 종로구 계동 길 37)
How to get there
walk about 9 minutes. from the 2nd exit of the "Anguk" station (안국역, Anguk Station) of the 3rd line of the Seoul subway
Opening hours
Entrance fee
is free
Phone for information
02-2133-1372 (short)
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)
Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), located at Historical and cultural park Dongdaemun ”is a multifunctional cultural space where various exhibitions, forums, fashion shows and other cultural events are held. The DDP building is famous for its unique architecture and is the largest three-dimensional and atypical structure in the world.
At first glance, it might seem that Dongdaemun Design Plaza is not a very suitable place for pictures in the Hanbok, but the graceful Hanbok looks quite harmonious against the modern architecture of the DDP building. It is especially beautiful here at night when the lights in the LED Rose Garden are lit. Be sure to take some memorable photos here as well.
Seoul, env. Jongno-gu, st. Eulji-ro 281 (서울시 중구 을지로 281)
How to get there
walk about 3 minutes. From Exit 1 of Dongdaemun Historical and Cultural Park Station (Dongdaemun Yoksa Munhwa Kongwon) (동대문 역사 문화 공원 역, Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station) Seoul Subway Line 2, 4, 5
Opening hours
Museum Zone: weekdays 10: 00-19: 00, Friday and Saturday 10: 00-21: 00 (day off - every Monday)
Design Lab: weekdays 10: 00-21: 00, weekends and holidays 10: 00-22: 00 (day off - the third Monday of each month)
LED Rose Garden: ignition at 19:00, off at 00:00
Opening hours in the Art Hall area may vary depending on the opening times of the respective events.
Entrance fee
is free
Phone for information
02-2153-0000 (cor.)
Modern Hanok Baek In-je House
Baek In-je House, an unusual modern-style hanok located in Bukchon village, was built in 1913 during the Japanese colonial rule over Korea. Unlike other similar traditional houses, the windows in hanok are not made of changhoji paper as usual, but glass. The mansion consists of a main house, a guest house, large garden and an outbuilding. The entrance is free, so you can freely walk here, exploring the surrounding beauty.
The filming of the movie "Assassination" (2015) took place in hanok Baek In-je House. The buildings are neat and well preserved, so it's nice to walk here and take pictures against the backdrop of traditional architecture. There is a specially designated area in the courtyard, where vats are lined up for storing soy sauce, and with the arrival of spring, the fences are covered with a flower blanket of forsythia. You can take pictures as much as you want!
Seoul, env. Jongno-gu, st. Bukchonro 7-keel 16 (서울 특별시 종로구 북촌 로 7 길 16)
How to get there
walk about 9 minutes. from the 2nd exit of the "Anguk" station (안국역, Anguk Station) of the 3rd line of the Seoul subway
Opening hours
09: 00 ~ 18: 00 (The entrance of visitors ends at 17:30, day off - every Monday)
Panorama of Seoul on the map for online viewing of the city streets. Travel through interactive map Seoul - street panorama. with search discussed earlier. You move through the city streets in real time
Panoramic photo of the streets of Seoul
We look at the sights and the city plan in the photo, what to see, pictures of the province. You can enlarge or reduce the panoramas of Seoul streets using the Zoom +/- tool. Nearest locality and surroundings nearby - Incheon
A virtual tour of the streets of Seoul and the roads of the neighborhood is entirely up to you. Panoramic photos - pictures provide control using arrows in photo images from Google Maps - show the interesting in the world! It's even simpler - where you clicked with the mouse, we moved there. To see the location of the streets in detail now
Pictures-panoramas of Seoul (Seul) and the province in South Korea are available to everyone for passing online tour without leaving your computer. They also work on mobile maps of cities and towns. You can commit virtual walk-excursion around the area, navigate in real time along the roads of the region. Show your route with names and type of area, look for nearby shops and banks. Look at your house and a panoramic view of the suburb on the map, search for places nearby, find out how to get on foot or get to the street
Coordinates - 37.551506,126.96240
Seoul map (South-Korea) with photos - image and panoramas of the world provided by Google Street View map service
Customs formalities went through very quickly, there was no queue at all. We also received the luggage immediately.
In total, from the moment of landing to the exit from the airport, it took us no more than 30 minutes.
HOW TO GET FROM INCHON AIRPORT TO SEUL
To get from Incheon Airport to Seoul, you can take a bus that takes about an hour to the city center and stops at many popular hotels. The cost of travel 15000 KRW per person.
You can sit on high-speed train that goes up railway station non-stop in 50 minutes. The cost of travel 8000 KRW per person.
The third method - the regular metro - is the most economical, and we chose it.
All three methods are described in great detail on the site. VisitKorea do not be lazy, read.
PLEASE NOTE that to buy a metro ticket at the airport you will need local money - won. We brought won with us from Russia, you can also exchange dollars in the airport building, or withdraw cash from the card.
So we chose the metro. How to get to Seoul.
There is nothing difficult and scary in this, even if you are traveling for the first time. After collecting your luggage, watch and follow the Airport Railroad signs and follow the direction arrows. If you suddenly get lost, do not hesitate to ask for help, Seoul people are very sympathetic people and someone will definitely tell you the way.
We read in great detail about the metro and how to get to the city in the blog "DISCOVER KOREA TOGETHER" and we advise you. We will not focus on this, there is a lot of information on the internet - look through.
ABOUT METRO IN SEUL
We, as already mentioned above, got to the city by regular metro, the cost of the trip to Seoul Station (railway station) is 4250 KRW per person. We didn’t buy a metro pass because we didn’t plan to travel a lot on the subway in 4 days, we would have to pay 5000 KRW for the cards for two - we didn’t. Every metro ride we took a new card, for it you need to pay a deposit of 500 KRW. When he left, he returned to us. Then you will understand why we did not spend money on a travel card, since in total, we went down the metro no more than 5 times. If you plan to stay in Seoul for more than 4 days and travel mainly by subway, then with a pass it will be much more convenient, and most likely cheaper, since without a card each trip costs 100 KRW more.
Be sure to download to your smartphone subway map app- mega-handy thing. Works offline, shows all stations, builds a route, calculates the cost of the trip and even says how long it will take for the next train to arrive. Without one of these apps, you will be “blind” on the Seoul Subway.
We had two of them:
Both apps are on English language, in Russian no.
We used SEOUL METROPOLITEN app more often.
To the station Seoul Station we drove from the airport for about an hour. Time flew by quickly, we admired the views outside the window, studied the metro map and made plans for the evening.
From Seoul Station we had to get to the station City hall, next to which our hotel was located. It's just one stop. We got out, bought a new ticket and drove off. note that ticket must be kept until the end of the trip; when exiting, it must be applied to the turnstile in order to exit.
So at about 17 o'clock we ended up next to our hotel.
KOREANA HOTEL is our hotel in Seoul
We lived in Koreana Hotel near the city hall at City Hall station, from it it is convenient to get to any part of the city.
All major tourist attractions are within walking distance from the hotel. Near the hotel there are excursions on tourist buses; upon arrival, we rode around the night Seoul in a bus with an open roof. A few steps from the hotel Jyeonggyecheon Stream, a large street with cafes, and a huge food corridor across the street. Very close Deoksugung Palace, Gwanghwamun Square and the main Seoul Gyeongbokun Palace... Five minutes walk to the main shopping street myodong... Also close central market of the city... Across the street from the hotel, there is a shuttle bus stop at City Hall Station to Everland Amusement Park. The airport bus stops right outside the hotel.
