Introduction to Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is located at the north-west corner of South-Korea, 50 km from the border of the De-Militarized-Zone (DMZ) with North-Korea. Toward the west is the neighbouring major port-city of Incheon, which is normally included in the Greater Seoul Area. Seoul itself covers an area of 600 km2, but Greater Seoul includes Incheon and numerous satellite cities. The city is surrounded by 8 mountains, with Namsan Mountain in the middle, and is split by the Han River, passing through the city and flowing into the Yellow Sea. The time zone is one hour earlier than Malaysia and the Korean currency is called Won, 1 Myr = 252.62 Korean won.

South Korea border with North Korea is at a ceasefire line which was established at the end of the Korean War in 1953 and corresponds roughly to the 38th parallel. The country has a long history that was dominated by either China or Japan until the end of World War II, at which time Korea was divided into North and South Korea. Today, South Korea is densely populated and its economy is growing as it is known for producing high-tech industrial goods. In 2004, South Korea opened a high speed rail line called Korea Train Express (KTX) which was based on the French TGV. The KTX runs from Seoul to Busan and Seoul to Mokpo and transports over 100,000 people daily.

Culture

1. Harmony

One of the enduring qualities of Korean culture is the desire to maintain harmony within the community and society as a whole. In Korean society you will find that the well-being of the community comes first. This shows in all facets of life from sharing food, respecting elders and traveling in groups. Enjoy the intimate friendships that flourish as a result of Korean community culture.

2. Food

Enjoying food and drink is a high priority in Korean culture. Be prepared to spend a lot of time eating and drinking in large groups. In fact, eating out in South Korea is often cheaper than cooking at home, which is easily noticed when walking by packed restaurants in Seoul. Meals consist of a large variety of food in small quantities, including rice, meat, seafood, soups, and an array of seasoned and pickled vegetables. Kimchi is a spicy, pickled vegetable integral to every Korean meal and it can come in the form of cabbage, radish, cucumbers and many other forms. Dive in and experience the spice of Korean life!

3. Festivals

The Lunar New Year, on the first day of Spring, and Thanksgiving (Chusok), before the Autumnal equinox, are the most important holidays in Korea. Every year these days change on the solar calendar but tend to fall around February and September respectively. Koreans travel to their hometowns and gather with their immediate and extended family members to celebrate these holidays. The Lunar New Year is a chance to celebrate renewal by cleaning your home, getting haircuts, and buying new clothes. For Chusok, the harvest celebration, Koreans pay respects to the spirits of their ancestors by cooking traditional food, visiting tombs, and performing rituals.

Population

Seoul is one of the most populated cities in the world. The Greater Seoul Area has almost 23 million inhabitants of which 10.3 million are residents of the Seoul city itself. Therefore, the Greater Seoul Area is the second most populated metropolitan area in the world, following only Greater Tokyo. Because of Seoul's relatively small area it is also one of the densest cities in the world.

Geography

South Korea occupies the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula, which extends some 1,100 km (680 mi) from the Asian mainland. This mountainous peninsula is flanked by the Yellow Sea to the west, and the Sea of Japan (East Sea) to the east. Its southern tip lies on the Korea Strait and the East China Sea. The country, including all its islands, lies between latitudes 33° and 39°N, and longitudes 124° and 130°E. Its total area is 100,032 square kilometres (38,622.57 sq mi). South Korea can be divided into four general regions: an eastern region of high mountain ranges and narrow coastal plains; a western region of broad coastal plains, river basins, and rolling hills; a southwestern region of mountains and valleys; and a south eastern region dominated by the broad basin of the Nakdong River.

Weather

South Korea tends to have a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate, and is affected by the East Asian monsoon, with precipitation heavier in summer during a short rainy season called jangma, which begins end of June through the end of July. Winters can be extremely cold with the minimum temperature dropping below −20 °C (−4 °F) in the inland region of the country: in Seoul, the average January temperature range is −7 to 1 °C (19 to 34 °F), and the average August temperature range is 22 to 30 °C (72 to 86 °F). Winter temperatures are higher along the southern coast and considerably lower in the mountainous interior. Summer can be uncomfortably hot and humid, with temperatures exceeding 30 °C (86 °F) in most parts of the country. South Korea has four distinct seasons; spring, summer, autumn and winter. Spring usually lasts from late March to early May, summer from mid-May to early September, autumn from mid-September to early November, and winter from mid-November to mid-March. Rainfall is concentrated in the summer months of June through September. The southern coast is subject to late summer typhoons that bring strong winds, heavy rains and sometime floods.

Tourism

In 2012, 11.1 million foreign tourists visited South Korea, making it the 20th most visited country in the world, up from 8.5 million in 2010. Due to Hallyu, South Korea welcomed more than 12 million visitors in 2013 with 6 million tourists coming from China alone. With rising tourist prospects, especially from foreign countries outside of Asia, the South Korean government has set a target of attracting 20 million foreign tourists a year by 2017. Hallyu's positive effects of the nation's entertainment industry are not limited to within its culture industry, according to a study by the Hyundai Research Institute. The Hyundai Research Institute reported that the Korean Wave has a direct impact in encouraging direct foreign investment back into the country through demand for products, and the tourism industry. Among Asian countries, China was the most receptive, investing 1.4 billion in South Korea, with much of the investment within its service sector, a sevenfold increase from 2001. According to economist, Han Sang-Wan, shown an analysis that a 1 percent increase of exports of Korean cultural content pushes consumer goods exports up 0.083 percent while a 1 percent increase in Korean pop content exports to a country produces a 0.019 percent bump in tourism.

In 2005, South Korea recorded total international visitors of 6.0 million. The majority of international visitors were Japanese at 2.4 million which accounts approximately 40% of the total international visitor arrivals, followed by China and the US at 11% and 9%. While total international visitor arrivals increased in subsequent years, Japanese visitation levels decreased at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 19.5% between 2012 and 2015 due to an unfavorable exchange rate between the Korean Won and Japanese Yen. However, following the easing of visa restrictions for mainland Chinese, the Chinese market registered very strong growth, more than compensating for the decline in Japanese visitors further boosting the local tourism industry.

In May 2015, Korea experienced the outbreak of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which led to the death of 38 people and negatively impacted the Korean tourism industry. During the MERS outbreak, from June to August, South Korea recorded a significant drop in foreign visitors of 40%, compared to a 12.4% increase for the same period in 2014. July 2015, the worst of the three months, registered a 53.5% drop.

Due to the government support and promotion such as President Park visiting China for military parade commemorating the defeat of Japan after World World II and advancing the dates for the Korea Grand Sale, to October 2015, the decline in inbound tourism was reversed, reaching 3.65 Million visitors for the last quarter of 2015. From January to May 2016, Korea recorded a increase of 10.6%, while June to August registered an increase of 100.9% over 2015 and 20.6% over 2014, showing a healthy growth and full recovery.

Subway

In Seoul, you can visit most places by using the subway system, the second most used metro transportation system in the world. The subways usually run non-stop approximately from 5:30 am until midnight every day.  All the stations display signs both in Korean and English. When they do announcement for the next stops, it is also in Korean, Japanese and English.

There are 15 subway lines.  Each subway line has its own representative colour and name.  There are also maps placed throughout each subway station which makes it easier for traveling.

Line 1 - blue

This was the very first subway line. Seoul Station is at the very center of this line, and it extends all the way to Suwon, Incheon, Cheonan and other areas outside of Seoul.

Line 2 - green

This line goes in a loop and connects such popular stations as Hongik Univ., Shinchon, City Hall, Dongdaemun History and   Culture Park, Jamsil, Samseong and Gangnam.  It is frequently packed back-to-back.

Line 3 - orange

This line stretches all the way from Ilsan in Gyeonggi Province to the southern part of Seoul. On this line you’ll find Sinsa, Apgujeong, Express Bus Terminal, which are popular stops in the Gangnam area, as well as Anguk and Jongno 3-ga Stations, from which you can access the popular tourist neighborhood of Insadong.

Line 4 – sky blue

This line connects parts of northern and southern Seoul. One this line you’ll find Daehangno (Hwehya Station), Dongdaemun Market (Dongdaemun Station), Myeongdong, Namdaemun, and Seoul Station, which are all great tourist areas.

Line 5 - purple

This line connects Gimpo Airport to Seoul. You can connect to lines 1 and 3 at Jongno 3-ga Station.

Line 6 – brown

On this line you can find World Cup Stadium as well as Itaewon, a popular hangout for foreigners and great for shopping and eating a wide array of international food.

Line 7 – olive green

This line starts in Euijeongbu in northern Seoul and extends south to the Gangnam area. The high class Cheongdam area can be found off this line.

Line 8 - pink

This line connects southern Seoul to Seongnam. On this line you’ll find the famous Munjeong-dong shopping area (from Munjeong Station) neighborhood as well as Seoul’s biggest market, Nongsanmul Market, and Garak Market, which is a popular fish and agricultural market.

Line 9 - gold

This line was completed in July 2009. Aside from the all-stop local train, this line also has an express train, which can go from Gimpo Airport to the Gangnam area in just 30 minutes.

Bundang – yellow

This line links the Gangnam area to the residential area of Bundang. It starts at Seolleung Station in Gangnam and goes down to Yongin City in Gyeonggi Province.

Sinbundang - red　

This is Korea's very first driverless train line and connects Gangnam, Pangyo, and Jeongja. On this line you'll find Yangjae Citizen's Forest and Jeongja-dong's Cafe Street in Bundang.

Jungang - emerald

This line connects Yongsan Station in central Seoul to Yongmun Station in Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province.

Gyeongui - light emerald

This line extends from Seoul Station to Munsan Station, which is the closest station to the North Korean border. You can get off at Munsan Station, and tour the DMZ and visit Dorasan Station, which is actually on the Gyeongui line but is not used by civilians at this time.

Gyeongchun – seafoam green

This line was completed in December 2010. It connects with Line 7 at Sangbong Station and ends at Chuncheon Station in   Gangwon Province. On this line you’ll find Cheongpyeong, Gapyeong and Chuncheon.

 Airport Rail

This line connects Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport with downtown Seoul. Express trains operate from Incheon International Airport to Seoul Station in just under 50 minutes. All-stop trains stop at multiple stations around the city.

Subway fares are based on the distance travelled, but the shortest ride costs ₩1,250 which is RM5 (base charge with T-Money card) or ₩1,350 which is RM5.35 (single-ticket journey), plus card deposit ₩500 which is RM2 (refundable if you return the card at designated machines at each station). The base charge roughly covers up to 10km of the journey and ₩100 which is RM0.40 is added for every 5km beyond that. Single-ride cards can be purchased from vending machines ONLY. All vending machines accept coins and bills, up to ₩10,000 notes (and some ₩50,000 notes, but cash exchange machines are at each station). Hang onto your card until the end of your trip, as you'll need it to get out. Most of Seoul's automated card machines are equipped with touchscreen and full English support (along with Chinese and Japanese).

If planning on using the Metro extensively or staying for more than a few weeks, you should consider purchasing a T-Money stored value contact-less smart card. Cash can be charged onto the card as often as you like. When entering and leaving a subway turnstile, place the card on the reader and it will deduct the appropriate fare from the card. The same is true for the buses, but be aware that in the countryside only placing it once when entering may be sufficient. Using this card will allow you to save ₩100 on all trips, and it will account for transfers between bus, train and subway instead of charging a single trip for each type of transport - these are common with Seoul's extensive subway system. It also saves the hassle from figuring out how much you need to pay or waiting in line to buy a single-use ticket.

There are few ways that you can get into Seoul, Korea:

By plane (Malaysia Airlines, Air Asia, Korean Air): 

1. Incheon Airport (most visitors arrive here), located on Yeongjong Island
2. Gimpo Airport (caters only to the shuttle services to Tokyo, Osaka, Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing and domestic flights within South Korea)