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SEOUL
SOMMAIRE
For a few years, the country's culture has been shining in Europe, particularly in France, under the name of Hallyu, the "Korean Wave." Through its cinema, cuisine, music, language, and cosmetics, Korea has established itself as a true cultural beacon worldwide.
Like the courtship display of a peacock with its thousand colors, Seoul, the capital, proudly showcases all aspects of this culture. This spectrum of arts and traditions enchants visitors, sometimes from all corners of the world.
From its lively boulevards to its narrow, winding alleys, from modern skyscrapers to traditional wooden houses, from bustling shopping centers to serene temples, from lively neighborhoods to vast green spaces… Seoul perfectly balances urban excitement and tranquility. A rare harmony, where modernity blends seamlessly with tradition, an equilibrium that all great capitals strive for.
Before you go ....
Language : Korean, written in Hangul
Currency : Won
Flight Time (from Paris) : approx. 12 hours
Time Difference (from Paris) : +7 hours
Documents (from France) : A valid passport for travel and an international driving permit to drive
Basic Vocabulary :
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Hello .................. Annyeonghaseyo
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Thank you .......... Gamsahamnida
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Yes ...................... Ye
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No ...................... Aniyo
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Good bye .......... Annyeonghi gaseyo
THE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS
With an area nearly six times that of Paris, Seoul is a large city, divided into 25 districts (-gu), each made up of various neighborhoods (-dong). Each district, even each neighborhood, has its own identity, giving the city a fascinating diversity, forming a rich and unique whole.
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Bukchon & Isadong (Jongyo-gu)
This historic neighborhood is, without a doubt, one of the places in the city with the highest concentration of traditional homes, called "Hanok". A pleasant stroll through its steep alleys allows you to discover Korean architecture dating back to the 15th century. Here, minimalist cafes harmoniously blend into the old wooden houses, giving the area an authentic atmosphere. Located in a traditional Hanok and surrounded by a quiet courtyard, Café Onion Anguk is a must-see. Shoes are left at the entrance to maintain the traditional atmosphere of the place. The Tapagol Historical Park, rarely visited, showcases a beautiful colorful pagoda at its center.
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Itaewon (Yongsa-gu)
This neighborhood is home to the largest concentration of cultural diversity in the city. This mix is particularly evident on the stalls of the Antique Street, where objects from all over the world and various beliefs decorate the shops. A true cosmopolitan crossroads, the neighborhood is perfect for nightlife enthusiasts, those craving international cuisine, or lovers of art and history museums.
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Myeongdong (Jung-gu)
This central neighborhood is a true tourist hub in the city. The Myeongdong Night Market is a must-visit to experience Korean street food. Numerous small stands, each more appetizing than the last, offer specialties such as lobster rolls, cheese sticks, or strawberries dipped in syrup. The main street, Myeongdong Street, is the commercial heart of the neighborhood, offering a wide selection of fashion stores and beauty products, perfect for shopping addicts.
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Seongsu (Gwangjin-gu)
Near Seoul Forest, there is a former industrial neighborhood that has been transformed. These former shoe factories are now trendy spaces housing cafes, restaurants, and hip boutiques. Under Stand Avenue, with its repurposed prefabs, is one such example. This student district, where murals and fusion cuisine thrive, has become a playground for creators and entrepreneurs. At night, bars and restaurants lit by neon lights animate the streets.
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Hongdae (Mapo-gu)
This youthful and vibrant neighborhood is full of cafes and concept stores perfect for browsing during the day. At night, it turns into a neon-lit wonderland, with stores open late on Hongdae Street, where you can enjoy waffles at 11 PM, do a photoshoot at midnight, or sing karaoke at 3 AM. Amidst the crowd, impromptu street concerts echo, perhaps performed by a future K-pop star yet to be discovered.
Near Hongik University Station, the Gyeongui Line Forest Park stretches. It is a lovely green pathway, more sheltered from the crowd.
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Gangnam (Gangnam-gu)
If a businessman and a K-pop idol merged into one neighborhood, it would be Gangnam. This modern and impressive district is home to many of the city’s major businesses and iconic shops. The famous Gangnam Street hosts a variety of stores, ranging from airsoft shooting booths to the official Kakao Friends store. A little further, statues representing the most famous K-pop groups line K-pop Road. It is also home to the Coex Center, where a statue pays tribute to PSY’s "Gangnam Style," the first global icon of Korea’s soft power.
The Kakao Friends are the ambassadors of the city, indeed, the adorable mascots are everywhere. These cute animal characters are shaped and used in all forms. The range of merchandise is incredible, from transport cards to phone cases, and even sunscreen. The brand is also behind the Kakao Talk messaging app and Kakao Map, forming a true empire of cuteness.
The city is filled with different palaces, each with its own charm and atmosphere.
You can visit them all with a combined ticket for the 5 palaces. Valid for 3 months, it allows flexibility to visit the palaces on several days at a discounted rate. It costs 10,000 Wons (6.7€) instead of 14,000 Wons (9.4€) for individual entrance to each palace. Each palace has its own hours and days of operation.
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Gyeongbokgung (the most majestic)
Although located in the city center, this palace is the largest of the five. The courtyards follow one another through increasingly majestic gates topped with red and green pagodas decorated in gold. As the crowd disperses, a beautiful garden reveals itself, with a pavilion in the middle of the water. Throughout the walk, the mountains of Bukhassan National Park rise in the background, providing a beautiful contrast to the hustle and bustle of the city.
THE DIFFERENT PALACES
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Changdeokgung and its garden (the most beautiful)
This palace is, in many ways, the most splendid of all. A vast complex consisting of several courtyards that intertwine, creating a maze of calm and serenity. It becomes clear, as you visit, why this palace was favored by some members of the royal family, hosting ceremonies and receiving foreign emissaries. The visit would not be complete without discovering the secret gardens, a true green sanctuary reserved for visitors accompanied by a guide. An example of perfect harmony between nature and tradition, with the royal library and its lotus pond being the highlight.
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Deoksugung (the smallest)
This small palace, located in the heart of the historic city center, is much more modest in size than its counterparts. The traditional pavilions, dressed in bright colors, contrast pleasantly with the surrounding urban landscape. This touch of originality gives the place all its charm, where you can still witness the changing of the royal guard, which happens three times a day at 11 AM, 2 PM, and 3:30 PM.
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Jongmyo
I didn’t have the time to visit this long palace.
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Changgyeonggung (the most natural)
This more discreet palace is located at the heart of a lush park. Unlike other temples with their ornate facades, everything here is quite simple. Situated on the edge of Changdeokgung Palace, it is easily accessible from its walls.
Entrance to the temples is free for those wearing a Hanbok, the traditional outfit. Small merchants rent them around the palaces for a few hours, around 20€.
NAMSAN TOWER AND ITS PARK
From the top of the tower, located 240 meters above the ground, you get one of the best panoramas of the city, offering a 360° view of all of Seoul. The brave can climb the mountain on foot, while a cable car regularly transports groups of 20 people directly to the main platform (round-trip for 12,000 Wons, approx. 8€). Lovers enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the place, hanging locks of all colors everywhere. The summit of the tower is accessible for an additional 21,000 Wons (approx. 14€).
STARFIELD LIBRARY
The Starfield Library, located in the heart of the vast Coex Center, is worth a visit. This gigantic library, located in a glass hall, rises nearly 10 meters in height. Despite the surrounding hustle and bustle, it exudes an atmosphere of serenity. Surrounded by books, you can enjoy a coffee, flip through a few pages, or simply be charmed by the unique architecture of the place.
BONG-EUNSA TEMPLE
At the boundary of the lively Gangnam district, where skyscrapers dominate, stands a modest Buddhist temple. This religious complex, filled with serenity, contrasts sharply with the buzz of the neighborhood. Upon entering, visitors wander beneath an elegant gallery of lanterns. Access to the site is free, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustle of shopping centers. Here, the monks’ chants resonate humbly under the watchful gaze of Maitreya, a major Buddhist figure perched 28 meters above their heads.
CHEONGGYECHEON GREENWAY
Not far from the palace district, Cheonggyecheon, a stream now known as "the clean stream," winds through the city for 11 kilometers between buildings. You can stroll along its banks, enjoying a moment of tranquility, far from the busy boulevards and lulled by the sound of the water. Depending on the season, the vegetation and colors change, always bringing a new beauty to the place. These banks also host many local activities, such as sports classes or art exhibitions.
After the Korean War and the departure of Japanese authorities, the stream became polluted, raising concerns among local authorities. At that time, the city decided to cover it with a huge concrete highway. In the 2000s, as part of a qualitative environmental initiative, the new government dismantled the highway to reveal and restore the current waterway. Today it is a pleasent area for a stroll.
BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE
Near the palaces lies the charming residential neighborhood of Hanok Bukchon. This typical area, with its traditional Korean houses, appears frozen in its 15th-century architecture. Although this place attracts many visitors, you only need to stray a little from the crowd to discover the authentic Bukchon, just minutes on foot, where the streets are almost deserted, except for the residents. As this neighborhood is primarily residential, it's important to respect the daily lives of its inhabitants. This is why visiting hours are limited, from 10 AM to 5 PM.
THE FOLK VILLAGE
In the garden of the Folklore Museum, accessible from Gyeongbokgung Palace, lies a charming recreated village from the "Street of Memories." Though you might be skeptical about visiting "reconstructed folk villages," this one stands out for its authenticity and playful nature. Small houses recreate old businesses, each offering a unique experience: an arcade game at the grocery store, a paper exam at school, a vintage clothing fitting room at the tailor, or a coffee dispenser at the local bar. Everything is self-service and free, as long as you respect the equipment. A fun detour if you're in the area.
GWANGJANG MARKET
This iconic market, formerly called Dongdaemun Market, is a true center for Korean street food, with specialties like Tteokbokki, Kimbap, Hotteok, Mandu, and many more. The essence of this place lies in its many steaming stalls inside the market hall. The atmosphere is noisy, with food smells everywhere, and locals and tourists alike share counter space to have lunch. Behind the stalls, small grandmothers, passionate and attentive, prepare delicious dishes, adding an authentic and warm touch to the experience. It’s a full immersion in Korean street food culture.
Stand No. 34 serves excellent local dumplings. The owner is very attentive and carefully explains the menu, which is helpful for indicating the level of spiciness — something that can vary depending on Korean or French taste buds.
IKSEON-DONG STREET
This narrow pedestrian street houses the most Instagrammable cafés in the neighborhood: Cheese Industry, dedicated to cheese, Nakwon Café, located on old rails, Cheong Su Dang Café, famous for its sugar-coated cake, or Soha Salt Bakery, with its huge mounds of fake salt. The place is very touristy, and it’s common to have to queue in front of these micro-cafés, whose size is often inversely proportional to their popularity.
To go further ...
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Lotte World Park : for the Korean equivalent of Disneyland
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Bukhansan National Park : to admire the view of Seoul from the mountains
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BUSAN City: to enjoy the sea 2 hours by train
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JEJU Island : to immerse yourself in nature 1 hour by plane
TO EAT & DRINK
1. Han Suk Wa, 5, Dongmak-ro 15-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul
This small Korean restaurant is run by an adorable man cooking alone in the kitchen. The only dish on the menu is bibimbap for 7€, made with rice and vegetables, slightly modified from day to day.
2. Kanda Soba, 5 Jahamun-ro 7-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
In this small restaurant, you dine by yourself. The specialty here is Mazesoba, a Korean dish made with noodles, minced beef, and a raw egg yolk on top.
3. Stand 34, 88 Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno District, Seoul
Among the 1001 stands at the Gwangjang Market, number 34 offers excellent homemade dumplings. Behind the counter, the cook takes the time to serve her customers with care.
4. Salt House Deli, 19 Bukchon-ro 4-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
Not Korean cuisine at all, here you’ll find excellent deli sandwiches. It’s a comforting and high-quality place for a ham and butter sandwich.
5. Daelim Warehouse, 78 Seongsui-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
This café is set in a former industrial complex. The contrast between the rough concrete and the sophistication of the pastries is striking.
6. Café Onion Anguk, 5 Gyedong-gil, Jongno District, Seoul
This local chain offers lovely coffee in old buildings, sometimes industrial, sometimes traditional. Very popular with tourists and some locals, these café spaces serve beautiful pastries.
TO SLEEP
The hotel is ideally located to explore the city from the lively Hongdae district. It's very well connected to the rest of the city, close to public transport, and centrally located to major attractions. The staff is attentive, and the hotel's café on the ground floor is pleasant. The amenities are excellent, with a beautiful, modern, and minimalist decor.
The apartment is well-located to explore the city from the lesser-known Seongsu district. Right by the Konkuk University subway station, it provides easy access to the rest of the city. The accommodation is well-equipped and offers a stunning view of Seoul, with a responsive host. It's worth noting that you’ll be sleeping on a futon on the floor in the traditional Asian style, which may not be for everyone !
