Seoul is the capital and largest city in South Korea. As Korea’s political and economic center, Seoul is generally the first stop for tourists to Korea.
Seoul consists of 25 districts including Gangnam, Mapo, Yeongdeungpo, Jongno, and Dongdaemun. It is easy to get around in Seoul with most of the attractions accessible by subway. Gyeonggi Province surrounds Seoul and borders North Korea on the 38th parallel, forming a bustling metropolitan area.
The village of Paju, the historical village of Suwon, the ancient city of Suwon, and Panmunjom are popular tourist attractions in Gyeonggi Province. The cities of Gyeonggi Province are easily accessible by KTX high-speed train from Seoul. The area around Seoul includes famous attractions such as Gangwon Province and Busan. Nami Island, Petite France, and Gangneung and other places within Gangwon Province are also worth visiting, and Pusan is a famous port city.
Ideally you need 4-6 days when visiting Seoul; you can spend 4 days checking out the city's major attractions, and the other 2 days visiting the surrounding cities, going skiing, or heading to Nami Island.
Seoul is cold in winter and hot in summer. Spring and autumn are the most suitable for travel with mid-May to mid-October the best time. Try to avoid the rainy season, from June to September, when the temperature is higher. Spring is a great time to visit and see the cherry blossoms. If you want to enjoy some water sports, choose summer. In autumn, you can visit Seoraksan and the ancient palace to see the autumn leaves. In winter, Gangwon Province around Seoul is ideal for skiers.
As the capital, there are a wide selection of hotels in Seoul. Myeongdong, Hongdae, and Dongdaemun are the most popular areas for tourists thanks to the local attractions and distinctive Korean culture there.