A gigantic city where the future meets the present, Seoul symbolizes the dynamism of South Korea, and of all North-East Asia. A city steeped in history, it is home to an impressive number of sites of exceptional quality that bear witness to its glorious past, and which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. But it is also a world shopping capital, with bustling student districts, gigantic business centres and unspoilt traditional neighbourhoods. While spring is undoubtedly the best time of the year, zoom in on one of the most fascinating capitals on the planet.
Seoul is a capital with many faces. Among all these faces, many will be able to delight travellers on a first stay or even for those planning to stay again. Seoul is indeed metamorphosing at an incredible speed. Lovers of contemporary architecture will not fail to admire how the unique Jongno Tower stands out in such a special way in the city's starry night, or how GT Tower East simply seems to emerge from the ground. Or, for a panoramic view of this sprawling city, they will not fail to go to the top of the N Seoul Tower in Namsan which, at 137.7 metres, is an excellent observation post to admire the architectural changes that are shaking up the South Korean capital. Tower 63 also offers another view of the city, this time further south. From bottom to top, Seoul will be able to show itself in a new light each time. And we are not talking about the future Lotte Tower 123 which should silence all existing prejudices about the monotony of Korean cities...
Shopping paradise
But Seoul is not only a succession of contemporary and antique architectural wonders, it is also a city where shopping has long since become a full-fledged activity thanks in large part to its countless shops and gigantic markets... Seoul is a real paradise for shopping addicts. It is not surprising then to see hordes of young Japanese women in the streets of Myeongdong, who have come there especially for their shopping. Because shopping in Seoul is often feminine, with fashion and cosmetics in mind. But this destination is also a destination for gentlemen, not least because it is home to the latest products in electronics and computers, with the advantage of the same sockets as in Europe
So Seoul is the shopping capital of the world? The name is not too much and you will probably not know where to start, as the spaces are so numerous and varied and the choice of products is unlimited: one stay will not be enough to cover everything!
From giant shopping malls with shops, restaurants and leisure facilities under one roof, such as Central City, Park Mall or D-Cube City, to traditional markets such as Dongdaemun, which specialises in trendy fashion items, or the famous Namdaenum market, which offers an unlimited choice of items, the choice of what to bring back will soon become a difficult one
Especially since outside of these places, Seoul is also known for its countless neighborhoods, each with its own identity, but which are all good places to get closer to Korean culture and get a glimpse of the modernity of the South Korean capital
From neighborhood to neighborhood
During his stay, he will try not to miss the electronics market of Yongsan and Techno Mart where all the geeks of the world are rushing to discover the latest gadgets from the bowels of gigantic South Korean companies (the famous "chaebol"); the district of Itaewon, cosmopolitan par excellence where young people from all over the world meet for their night outings, or even the district of Insa-dong which offers countless traditional articles and antiques by the thousands, or the district of Hongdae surrounding the University of Hongik. Here, young people rush to unique cafés, cosy art galleries and tasty restaurants that make this neighbourhood one of the most renowned for its avant-garde culture. The most dreamy will also be able to survey the Jongno district that follows Cheonggyecheon, a river that reopened to the public in 2005 after decades underground, and is now one of the most popular places in Seoul for walks at any time of the day or night. It is one of the charms of the city to offer this special blend of tradition and modernity, future and past. The whole being constantly intertwined as if to remind us that Seoul was not built in a day
One of the capitals of Asia
Here, the extreme modernity and hyperactivity typical of Asian cities rub shoulders with the serenity of carefully renovated old buildings, and the liveliest neighbourhoods are often only a few minutes' walk from authentic places where the tranquillity makes you forget that you are in the heart of one of the most dynamic cities on the planet
It is to accentuate this impression that the municipality did not hesitate to reconstruct a traditional village known as Namsangol Hanok Village, a stone's throw from the city centre and the Myeong-dong district. This village of almost 80,000 square metres of traditional houses offers visitors not only perfectly reconstructed houses, but also a traditional Korean garden and the "Time Capsule Square", whose presence once again represents Seoul's link between past, present and future, to the delight of the eye. In fact, this square actually covers a huge hole dug in 1994 to commemorate the city's 600th anniversary and which was intended to bury a hermetically sealed capsule of 600 objects representing daily life in Seoul at that time, along with CD-Roms and microfilms. This capsule is to be opened in 2394, during the 1,000 years of the capital. This link between eras does not only exist in this small reconstructed village, but also in the alleys of Bukchon where the most talented craftsmen of the country revive traditions that were thought lost in old houses; while in the heart of Myeong-dong, a true temple of fashion, the alleys full of fashionistas flourish with dynamism and youth. And also in the pedestrian alleys of Insa-dong, where dozens of restaurants with tasty specialties are concentrated, contrasting again and again with the wide avenues of the modern districts on the southern bank of the Han River
Yes, in Seoul, the most modern skyscrapers, proud symbols of economic power, compete in elegance and cohabit with palaces frozen in time, when the kings of Korea ruled their country. Yes, in Seoul, it is all this and more that make this city that never sleeps, a place where you can experience the future in the present
Smart info
When? Spring and autumn are the best seasons, as the air is cool and the days are sunny. The summer is hot and humid (with abundant rainfall from June to August). Winters (late November to early March) are Siberian with a dry cold
Getting there. The average price of a return flight from Paris to Seoul varies between €700 and €1,300
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