Enthralling Seoul Facts: A Place You Must Visit In South Korea

Seoul is the capital of South Korea.

The beautiful city of Seoul sits on the banks of the Han River, which is a very important trade route and is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Seoul covers an area of 234 sq mi (605 sq km) and is divided by the Han River into northern and southern halves.

Seoul, also known as Seoul Special City, is the largest city in the South Korean peninsula. It is a well-developed city with a vibrant economy. That is why Seoul is ranked among the most livable cities in Asia. South Koreans living in Seoul are called Seoulites. Interestingly, more than half of South Korea’s entire population lives in Seoul.

Seoul's History

Seoul is more than 2,000 years old, and in ancient times it was known as Wiryeseong. It was the capital of Baekje, a kingdom that lasted from 18 BC to 660 AD in southwestern Korea. This modern city was once a part of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.

Joseon dynasty that was in power between 1392-1910 renamed it 'Hanyang,' and later it came to be known as 'Hanseong.' This translates to 'the fortress city of the Han River.'

This city was originally surrounded by a large stone wall, and gates were opened and closed every day during the rule of the Joseon dynasty. These gates can still be seen in the downtown area of Seoul.

Seoul welcomed modernization in the late 19th century, and due to its relationship with France and the United States, it was the first east Asian city to have water, phone lines, and electricity. Today, this city boasts of having the world’s fastest internet connection.

In 1910, the Japanese invaded Korea and ended the rule of the Korean Empire. Seoul was renamed 'Keijo,' which means capital city. The Japanese remained in power for 35 years and destroyed many palaces during this tenure. The country was finally freed from the Japanese in 1948.

The city went back to its original name of Seoul after World War II and remained the capital of South Korea after it became a republic. Koreans have a rich cuisine, which is mainly based on rice, vegetables, seafood, and meats. One of the oldest and most loved Korean food is kimchi.

During the Korean War, which lasted from 1950 to 1953, Seoul was controlled by the Soviet or Chinese-backed forces of North Korea and South Korean forces backed by America, which left it badly damaged. On March 14, 1951, United Nations forces finally took control of this city in South Korea.

After the war, in the '60s and '70s, Seoul began to rebuild and tried to modernize by taking over several of the surrounding towns and villages.

The Climate In Seoul

The climate of Seoul is similar to that of the rest of South Korea. It witnesses all seasons. Summers are hot, and the humidity is high, whereas monsoon occurs in June and July and is impacted by the East Asian monsoon season. Winters are cold, and the city receives an average snowfall of 28 days per year.

Therefore, Seoul falls between humid subtropical and humid continental weather conditions. The average low temperature, which usually occurs in January, is 21 F (-6 C). The average highest temperature is 85 F (29.5 C). Spring and autumn are the best times here when it is neither too hot nor too cold.

Tourist Attractions In Seoul

Seoul is famous for its modern architecture and striking skyscrapers. The Zaha Hadid’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza, which features a curvaceous metallic façade, is a display of marvelous architecture.

Lotte World Tower is the fifth tallest building in the world. This tower has one of the largest indoor theme parks in the world. However, the capital city of South Korea has much more than these towering buildings.

Seoul is home to five UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) World Heritage Sites. Changdeokgung Palace, located in Jongno-gu, is one of the Five Grand Palaces built by the Joseon dynasty rulers and is set in a large park.

However, this palace was burnt during the Japanese invasion in 1592. It was rebuilt in 1610 and added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1997. It is the most well-preserved of all the royal palaces in Seoul.

Hwaseong Fortress, also called Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, was built between 1794 and 1796 by King Jeongjo in honor of his father. This is another structure built by a Joseon dynasty ruler. Jongmyo Shrine is the oldest royal Confucian shrine according to UNESCO. It is dedicated to the kings and queens of the Joseon dynasty.

Namhansanseong is located southeast of Seoul and was an emergency capital for the Joseon dynasty. It is a fortress city about 1574.8 ft (480 m) above sea level. Royal Tombs in Seoul house 40 tombs of the deceased members of the Joseon dynasty.

Another interesting place is the Gyeongbokgung Palace, which is one of the most popular tourist hotspots in Seoul. It was built by King Taejo in 1395 and had more than 300 buildings, including the National Folk Museum and National Palace Museum. This palace now serves as the residence of the President of South Korea.

Nansangol Hanok Village is a great place to experience South Korean culture and take a look at traditional Korean houses known as Hanok. There are also a few parks and museums here. Lotte World has the world's largest indoor theme park, Magic Island, an outdoor amusement park, shopping malls, a Korean folk museum, and much more.

Banpo Grand Bridge on river Han is the longest bridge fountain in the world. With 380 nozzles, these fountains send water sprays down into the river in time to various pieces of music. This fountain is lit by LED lights in the evening and offers a glittery view to tourists.

Seoul has one of the best transport systems in the world. You can easily get around the city by subway, bus, or taxi. Did you know that the taxis here are color-coded? Black cabs are more luxurious, whereas regular taxis are orange, gray, or white.

Two airports are close to the capital city of South Korea, the Gimpo International Airport and the Incheon International Airport, which makes it quite accessible and easy to visit. Seoul is among the most visited cities in the world.

Industries In Seoul

Seoul plays a crucial role in South Korea's economy as it is home to many Fortune Global 500 companies, including Hyundai and LG group. It is a part of the Asian Tiger Countries that also includes Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.

China, Germany, Vietnam, Japan, and the United States are their main partners for trade. South Korean companies are well-known and recognized in most parts of the world.

Large family-run business groups are known as Chaebols in South Korea. These are an essential part of the economy of South Korea. Some of the major chaebols are international companies that have their headquarters in Seoul. These are Hyundai, LG Electronics, and Samsung, among others.

Guro District of Seoul is where the Guro Digital Industrial Complex is located. It plays a key role in industrial development and is known for textile manufacturing and other industries. From 1967, this area has evolved into an IT hub.

Dongdaemun is the largest wholesale market in South Korea, and it is located in Seoul. The retail industry is very strong in this city, especially in Myeongdong, which is the entertainment and shopping area in downtown Seoul.

There are many fashion boutiques, mid and high-end stores, and international brand stores located here. Dongdaemun Design Plaza here is a futuristic design that has to be seen to be believed.

The oldest market in Seoul is the Namdaemun market. Traditional and modern Korean art pieces, including sculptures and calligraphy, can be found in the cultural art market of Insadong. Shops with works of local designers and artists can be found in smaller art galleries in Samcheong-dong.

The largest electronics market in Asia, the Yongsan Electronics Market, is located in Seoul. The World's permanent 35 mm cinema screen is located in Times Square, one of the largest shopping malls in the city. It is no wonder that this city is considered to be the most visited city in the world.

This capital city of South Korea is probably the plastic surgery capital of the world.

The N Seoul Tower, an observation and communication tower in central Seoul, offers the best scenic and panoramic views of the city. Built in 1971 on Namsan Mountain, this Seoul tower is the second-highest point in the city.

Other important industries in this city of South Korea are food processing, printing, and publishing.

FAQs

Why is Seoul so rich?

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea. This city has witnessed progressing economic growth since 2009, and today, it stands among the richest Asian countries.

Seoul is also a hub for culture, economy, education, transportation, and politics in South Korea. Also, changes in export policy and other economic reforms have led to a boost in the economy of South Korea.

What is Seoul known for?

Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is a unique city famous for its skyscrapers, shopping malls, and royal palaces. The capital of South Korea was where K-pop originated, which has become a global phenomenon.

Is Seoul a safe place?

Seoul is quite a safe city, and its crime rates are similar to those of European cities. Violent crime is also rare in this city. South Korea is a very safe country in general and is a great place to travel to.

Where is Seoul located?

Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, is located on the Korean Peninsula on the banks of River Han.

What is the population of Seoul?

The population of Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, was 9,765,869 in 2021.