Seoul/Jung

Jung is in Seoul, constituting the southern half of the historic core of Seoul, along with Jongno. Jung is busier than its tranquil neighbor, with hundreds of offices buildings and endless streets of frantic shopping, but scattered among the hustle and bustle are more historic gems. To begin with, Jung has some of the only remaining European-style buildings left over from the Japanese Colonial period, the City Hall, the Bank of Korea, and the old Seoul Station. Next to the City Hall is the only one of the Five Grand Palaces outside of Jongno, Deoksu-gung. South and southeast of the City Hall are the famed shopping districts Myeongdong and Namdaemum Market. Further to the east is the largest fashion shopping district in Korea, Dongdaemun, with dozens of huge department store style fashion complexes.. If the shopping ever gets too much for you, retreat to Namsan Mountain, which has a pleasant park, library, hiking trails, and the N. Seoul Tower, which offers panoramic views of the city from the summitt.

See

• Deoksu-gung (덕수궁,德壽宮), (subway City Hall). Located in downtown Seoul across the street from City Hall, Deoksu Palace vividly contrasts to the other nearby palaces like Changdeok Palace. Built during the mid-fifteenth century, the architecture of the buildings inside are heavily influenced with Western designs. Hence, you will see a fusion of both Korean and Western architecture. Closed on Mondays. Admission: Adults (19 to 64 years old): ₩1,000 (groups: ₩800), Children (aged 7-18) and soldiers: ₩500 (groups: ₩400), Children 6 and under, seniors 65 and over: free.

• Namdaemun, (남대문,南大門), (formally known as Sungnyemun (숭례문,崇禮門), (Metro Line 1, City Hall stn). The Great South Gate is a symbol of Seoul and has been designated as National Treasure Number 1. Particularly beautiful when floodlit at night, and best combined with a visit to the adjacent Namdaemun Market. Unfortunately, an arson lit fire in February 2008 destroyed much of the structure,and rebuilding is not expected to finish until 2012.

• Dongdaemun, (동대문,東大門), (Metro Line 1, Dongdaemun stn). More formally known as Heunginjimun (흥인지문,興仁之門), the old eastern gate of the city still stands. Though not as impressive architecturally as Namdaemun, the Dongdaemun market is infinitely more interesting than the its couterpart. Since Namdaemun was burnt down in February 2008, it is one of 3 original city gates still standing along with Bukdaemun (북대문,北大門), the Great North Gate more formally known as Sukjeongmun (숙정문,肅靖門) and a smaller minor gate known as Changuimun (창의문,彰義門).

• N Seoul Tower, (Namsan Tower), (Metro Line 3 or 4, Chungmuro stn or line 3 Dongguk University). Once the tallest tower in Asia, it has the best panoramic view in all of Seoul. Many Seoulites and visitors have visited the tower to catch a glimpse of the city’s landscape while enjoying the nature of Namsan Mountain and a host of other attractive facilities. Owing to the tower's unique structure, the observatory section boats spectacular views of the changing foliage throughout all seasons. N Seoul Tower was renovated in 2005 with a newly designed high tech multimedia. The tower can be reached on foot, by taxi or, on the south side, by cable car. The cable car is available from 10AM-10:30PM and is reached by a 10 min uphill walk from Myeongdong stn, from exit 2 or 3. Centrally located, it can be seen from nearly anywhere in Seoul and is a helpful reference for visitors on foot. There's also a Teddy Bear Museum at the tower which has lively illustrations of Korean culture. Of course all characters are Teddy Bears.

Do

• Seven Luck Casino, [1]. The Seven Luck Casino here is located at the Millennium Seoul Hilton Hotel. The casino is only accessible to foreigners (it is illegal for Korean citizens to gamble), so remember to bring your passport. Various card tables and slots are available to play. There is a bar and cafe that serve food and drinks, although expensive.

Buy

Myeongdong

Probably the best-known area; it is definitely the most tourist-friendly fashion area. In the spring and summer, fashion models/sidewalk promoters can be seen strolling the streets of Myeongdong promoting various cosmetics, stores or other fashion-related products. Many regular people also tend to catwalk their newest outfit on these streets. Rows of stores are available to look for that perfect accessory, and most of Korea's major brands can be found here: mVIO, Caspi Conus, WhoAU California, AHM, So.Basic, Noxon, Basic House, UGIZ, 1492, nipper, hang ten, A6, Bean Pole, Jambangee, Giordano as well as a few international brands such as Lacoste, Land Rover, Adidas, Gap, Zara, Koolhaas, Uniqlo, Anna Sui, and Forever 21. Nearby are the Lotte and Shinsegae department stores (see below).

• Shinsegae, 2-5 Chungmuro 1-Ga, Jung-gu, Seoul (subway line 4 Hoehyun exit #7, bus 0014, 1016, 7013, 406, 503, 505, 9400, 9402, 9410, 9502, 9710), ☎ +82 2 1588-1234. 10:30AM-8PM, check in advance. The oldest department store in entire Korean peninsula. Original store building is refurbished in 2008 and becomes high-street boutique. Accepts major credit cards, including Amex and JCB.

Namdaemun

[2] The largest traditional street market in Korea. This market is located in the center of Seoul and is a famous shopping place for tourists. Clothing for children and accessories are the most-commonly sold goods in this market, but there's lots of food as well and many outdoor eating options, especially in the evening. There is also a huge digital camera market in this area.

Dongdaemun

[3] An enormous fashion shopping district comprised of not one, not two, not ten, but no less then twenty four large department store-like buildings such as Doota, Migliore, and APM, each with anywhere from two to seventeen stories of trendy shops and stalls grouped together so customers can shop efficiently and save time. This market is of equal historical significance to Namdaemun market, with the obvious difference being Dongdaemun's modernity. Historically, Dongdaemun was a nightmarket, open from 1 am to 1 pm the following day; now it opens midday, but still remains active well into the early morning, with many shops finally closing between 8 am and 10 am. Some stores don't close at all, running 24 hours. Come on Friday or Saturday night to see Dongdaemun at its most hectic, with huge crowds of thousands flooding the streets hunting for their next bargain. The energy is almost palpable.

• Migliore, [4]. One of the biggest fashion buildings in Seoul. It has 17 floors above ground and 7 basement floors. Information boards in Migliore are written in Korean as well as English, Japanese and Chinese for foreign tourists. US credit cards are often accepted, but ask before haggling if you aren't sure. The outside stage features a "talent show" of local dance groups (mostly high school or college student groups) most nights until about 9 PM; typically they are wearing many of the local fashions, and some of the dancers can be located in the various department stores working as employees.

Drink

Dongdaemun

• RAndy's Bar (RAndy's Pub), 동대문구 (Get off HUFS station line 1 and go out exit 6, walk 100 meters and turn left. RAndy's is on the little alleyway on your right). 5:30 p.m. - 2 a.m.. Foreign-owned bar in front of Hankook University of Foreign Studies known for a varied clientele, great pool table, and affordable prices. Has Red Rock and Hoegaarden on tap.

Sleep

Budget

Myeongdong

Love hotels, are also a great option. They are usually in pretty good condition and they sometimes have a PC in the room. Love hotels are mainly visited by couples who want some private places during day or night, most of the love hotels (especially those in Gangnam district) are exceptionally clean and usually have widescreen TVs, PCs and so forth. Don't let the name fool you...some of these are the best bets for budget travelers! Be aware that some love hotels discourage stays of more than one night. Main love hotel districts in Seoul include Teheran Street near Yeoksam station in the Gangnam district, Nambu Terminal in Seocho-dong, Bangi station in Jamsil and the area near the Nakwon market in Jongno. ₩25,000-80,000 a night, more on Saturday nights and holidays.

Alternatively, try a jjimjilbang. You don't get a room of your own, but you can store your luggage into one of the small lockers and you can live quite cheaply for a long time, sleeping in the public sleeping rooms and enjoying the hot-tub and steam room facilities (sometimes a gym is available, also movies and TV shows often play until 11PM or so). To find a jjimjilbang keep an eye out for the the words jjimjilbang (찜질방) or 24 hr sauna (24시 사우나) in Korean. Not all saunas have jjimjilbang stay-over facilities to watch out for that. ₩4,000-12,000/night.

• Namsan Guesthouse, 50-1 Namsandong 2-ga, Jung-gu (Metro Line 3, Myeong-dong stn, use exit 3 and walk 100 m up to the right of the Pacific Hotel), ☎ +82 2 752-6363,. ₩45,000 and up. In the shadow of Seoul Tower in Namsan Park. Free internet access, free breakfast, kitchen.

• ZAZA Backpackers, 32-3 Namsandong-2ga, Jung-Gu. (Metro Line 4, Myeongdong stn Exit 2), ☎+82 2 3672-1976, [5]. Brand new facilities, helpful English speaking staff help you to feel right at home. Free wifi, 24 hr access, Private bathroom in each rooms. 24 hr security, towels and hairdryer for hire, parking. Tour info and booking service. Free international phone.

• IMI Hotel, Yeoksam 2-dong 718-18, Gangnam-gu, ☎+82 2 3453-4303, [6]. At the higher end of the love hotel spectrum, some rooms feature Japanese spas and oxygen generators. Rooms from ₩60,000/night.

• Tomgi Hotel, (right next to Metro Line 4, Jongno 3-ga stn, exit 4) [7]. A fine example of the genre, with a variety of unique rooms to choose from.

• Dragon Hill Spa and Resort (드래곤힐스파), Yongsan-gu (From Yongsan Subway/KTX Station Exit 1, turn right and walk about 50 m. Pass under the 24 hr neon clock. If you see a armed military guy peeping out from behind sandbags, you've gone a little too far. Passed by the Seoul City Tour Bus.), ☎ +82-2-792-0001 (Main Desk), ☎+82 18 223-0002 (English). This jjimjilbang eschews the usual sauna vs. stay distinction in favor of a simpler ₩12,000 for 12 hr access rule. If you have never been to a jjimjilbang then this is perhaps a good place to start. A little on the pricey side for a bathhouse but the premesis is modern, gaudily theme-decorated and incredibly tourist-oriented. Extensive signage exists in English, Chinese and Japanese as well as dedicated multilingual staff, even in the dead of night. Has the usual array of spas, saunas, heated sleeping rooms and Korean restaurants plus a small Japanese-style game arcade, screen golf, swimming pool (swimwear required), terrace restaurant and outdoor cinema on the roof. You can also have your photo taken in traditional Korean attire if you so desire. Sleeping mats are in short supply in line with Korea's favorite running gag, but headrest cubes and blankets are unusually available by request from the locker room attendant with a very hefty deposit: be sure to guard them well in the wee hours. All expenses incurred are charged to a wrist tag and paid for upon departure. Oversize luggage storage available and promise of a Capsule Hotel in the near future.

• Silloam Sauna, 10 min walk from Seoul Station. This is a very large jjimjilbang with great facilities, but the family atmosphere of other jjimjilbangs is sometimes lacking. The locker-room staff will stow oversized luggage if you ask, and a morning wake-up call can be arranged. Sleeping facilities are excellent, clean, comfortable and usually fairly quiet. There are two large dormitories for men and women, plus a snorers' room which sounds like a dragon's lair. The dormitories are arranged unconventionally into lines of bunk beds, more like an open capsule hotel than a standard sleeping floor. In the communal area there are various hot rooms, an ice room, a large gym, a PC room, singing and games rooms and a restaurant. The sauna area has 6 main pools with supposedly healthy minerals and showers. One night costs ₩12,000, which includes access to public baths, exercise facilities and various entertainment rooms.