Seoul
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overview : Seoul is now 600 years as the capital of Seoul, since the founding of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). From the beginning, it was not called Seoul. During the Joseon period was called "Han Yang", and was released only after the liberation from the Japanese occupiers in 1945, the city of Gaeseong the meantime called by the newly formed Republic officially renamed in Seoul.
There is, moreover, Korea's only city with a purely Korean name that has no Hanjas (chinese-korean characters). This capital of South Korea has an area of 605 sq km. The North Korean border is about 40 km from the city centre. Four majestic mountains surround the city and invite in the winter for skiing. In the fall you will receive colorful autumn foliage and the many hiking trails to invite to walk. The city is controlled by the Han River into a northern part and a southern part of divided city. In the north of Seoul dominated the culture and the history, in the palaces and in districts like Daehagno, Sinchon and reflect Hongdae. The South, however, is rather as a business centre. Nowadays Seoul has become a bubbling big city metropolis developed in the Seoul metropolitan area of more than 10 million people and became one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. Seoul is the political, economic, social and cultural center of Korea.
Sightseeing : In Seoul Modern and Ancient directly mixed well together side by side, skyscrapers alongside old temples, gardens are peaceful oases of shimmering skyscrapers surrounded and in the palaces still listed as ceremonies held once before hundreds of years.
The highlight at first visit in Seoul is The Jongmyo Shrine which was included in the World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, because the ancestral ceremonies and traditional music even completely survived. It is this ritual the oldest fully preserved in the world. Every year on the first Sunday in May is a unique opportunity to witness this traditional ceremony.
Very charming place is the "secret gardens" Changdokgung next to the palace. In addition, seeing some museums - notably the Korean National Museum and the National Folklore Museum. The National Museum provides a cross-section of more than 5000 years of Korean history.
Moreover, some interesting markets can be found in Seoul. Tongdaemun market at the old east gate is the largest and colorful throughout Korea. Many of the stores are no bigger than a closet. The diversity of the offer makes this shopping district, which is about ten blocks to end, a colorful bazaar. One can find shoes and fabrics (especially silk - the largest selection in Korea!), But also ready-made clothing, furniture, household goods and electrical items. Some shops have only one or two articles specialized - for example, on buttons or zippers.
The Namdaemun market in the old city gate Namdaemun is hardly less than the Tongdaemun market. In the quarter on artists Ta'apkoi Park is the market Insa-dong. There are many art galleries and antique shops. The market "Itaewon" (In Itaewon district) was specially designed for foreigners and set up. Here's clothing particularly cheap. Over one hundred tailor shops offer tailored suits, silk dresses, and a fraction of the cost of what you would spend in Europe.
In the tourist zone Itaewon with its vibrant night life, but also over 2,000 shops and even hospitals. It has many pubs and nightclubs in the western style and the famous "Hooker Hill" where men have women serving drinks to pay excessive prices. This place also called "boiler-houses" where your soju, distillierter grain brandy, and fruit juices can enjoy. On summer weekends will find many parties. Most bars will open until dawn.
|
City Guide
