Seoul Hotels

The city is a major lynchpin in the social and financial fabric of Asia. With a metropolitan area of 23 million people, with a bullet, Seoul precedes only Tokyo in urban population in the world. While not necessarily for people on a travel budget, Seoul offers a sumptuous array of tourist pleasures.

Attractions

Mount Inwang is home to the most famous temple complex in Seoul and has put South Korea on the map for housing one of the most beautiful temples in the world. Shaman rituals still take place at the Guksadang shrine and a network of trails run past unusual rock formations and ancient fortress walls.

While the Namsan Tower is no longer the skyscraper of record in Asia, it still affords the most impressive views of the vast Seoul cityscape.

The National Museum of Korea is a paramount experience as the best education in the history of the complex nation, with priceless Imperial relics from a variety of periods.

Seoul contains no less than five former royal palaces, of which Gyeongbok-gung is the most important and pristine, despite destructive raids by the Japanese in 1592 and 1910.

Namsan is a landmark icon in Seoul. The mountain park sits in the centre of the city and offers a spectacular panoramic view. With botanical gardens, a wildlife refuge and aquarium, the cable car ride to the top is well worth it.

Olympic Park is a vivid reminder that Seoul did indeed put on a memorable Summer Games in 1988. The scenic park contains a sculpture garden, grassy spaces, trails, open air concert venues and is easily accessible via the subway.

Namdaemun is a traditional street market that comes to life after sunset with phenomenal food stalls.

Famous as a technologically-progressive city, Yongsan Market is the best place in Seoul for cutting-edge electronics.

Events

Celebrations in South Korea to mark the Lunar New Year in January or February bring the country to a standstill. Seoul's Folk Village is the place to be for the premier national holiday, with traditional performances on hand.

The Seoul International Drum Festival, held in October or November in front of City Hall and the Sejong Centre for the Performing Arts, is the paramount display of a traditional and venerable Korean art form.

The Lotus Lantern Festival commemorates the Buddha's birthday every May with traditional and contemporary celebrations in and around Jongno Street in Seoul.

The Hi Seoul Festival is a spring carnival in April or May with a diverse itinerary of events throughout the city. From music and dance performances to light shows, fireworks and food fairs, the popular festival has it all.

Climate

Seoul has a humid continental climate with four seasons. Monsoon rains accompany the intense summer heat and the winter months receive regular snowfall.

• Winter (December to March) -7-10°C

• Spring (April to May) 7-23°C

• Summer (June to September) 17-30°C

• Fall (October to November) 3-20°C