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Seoul

Seoul is ancient and modern. Some of the palaces in its heart date back 600 years; next to them stand ultra-modern buildings.The Han River divides the sprawling metropolis into two and each side of the river has its own subculture.The pace of life in this vibrant city of 10 million is hectic. Yet, in the middle of it all, there are areas where you can take leisurely strolls and hear the birds sing.

 

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01
Essentials

01 Don't be offended when people bump into you and offer no apologies. Koreans have a small personal space.
02 Virtually everything can be done 24 hours a day - eating, drinking, shopping, haircuts, massages.
03 It is a myth that Korean women are docile.
04 City traffic is unpredictable, allow plenty of time when meeting clients.
05 Drinking etiquette requires that you pour drinks with two hands. Accept the drink with two hands too.

Independent and easy
The Pacific Hotel
31-1 Namsan-dong
2-ga, Jung-gu
+ 82 2 777 7811
thepacifichotel.co.kr

Dependable chain
Park Hyatt
521 995-14 Daechi 3 dong Gangnam-gu
+ 82 2 2016 1234
seoul.park.hyatt.com

Premium
The Shilla
202 Jangchung-dong 2-GA, Jung-gu
+ 82 2 2233 3131
shilla.net

Dining
Fast breakfast
Wood & Brick Bakery
1-6 Sinmun-no, Jongno-gu
+ 82 2 735 1151
woodnbrick.com

Business breakfast
The Ninth Gate at the Westin Chosun Hotel
87 Sogong-dong, Jung-gu
+ 82 2 771 0500
echosunhotel.com  

Mid-morning coffee
Namusairo
102 Morning of Gyeonghui Palace Complex
Naesu-dong, Jongno-gu
+ 82 705 900 885

Working lunch with colleagues
Yum China
160 Samseong 1-dong, Gangnam-gu
+ 82 2 562 0779

Need-to-impress-clients lunch
Gramercy Kitchen
621 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu
+ 82 2 512 1046
gramercykitchen.com

Lunch on your own
Café Sobahn
Gwanghwamun Officia Bldg.
134-2 Sinmunno 1-ga, Jung-gu
+ 82 2 730 7423
sobahn.co.kr

Afternoon tea/drink
Lounge Dasoni
Samcheonggak
330-115 Seongbuk
2-dong, Seongbuk-gu
+ 82 2 765 3700
3pp.co.kr

Dinner on your own
Homyeondang
118-4 Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu
+ 82 2 511 9517
homyeondang.com

Dinner with colleagues
Addiction Plus
C Square building,
61-21 Taepyeongro
1-ga, Jung-gu
+ 82 2 737 0005
addictionplus.com

Private dinner
Poom Seoul
358-17 Huam-dong, Yongsan-gu
+ 82 2 777 9007
(At least one day advance reservation required)
poomseoul.com

On the tiles
Volume
Basement of Crown Hotel
34-69 Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu
+ 82 1544 2635
clubvolume.com

 

Reading
Books & CDs
Kyobo Bookstore
Gwanghwamun Store
1 Jongno 1-ga, Jogno-gu
+ 82 2 1544 1900
kyobobook.co.kr

Thank yous
Flowers
Kyukmul Gongboo
Lower lobby, The Westin Chosun Hotel
87 Sogong-dong, Jung-gu
+ 82 2 317 0139

Shopping
Something you can't get anywhere else
Insa Art Center Shop
188 Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu
+ 82 2 736 1020
insaartcenter.com

Lost luggage - where to buy shirts, socks and underwear
Shinsegae Department Store
52-5 Chungmuro
1-ga, Jung-gu
+ 82 1588 1234 department.
shinsegae.com

Something for someone you love
One-of-a-kind jewellery pieces from Jewelbutton Co.
185-4 Buam-dong, Jongno-gu
+ 82 2 3216 1583
jewelbutton.com

Something for yourself
Sophisticated clothing from TROA
113-3 Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu
206 Gahoe-dong, Jongno-gu
+ 82 2 556 8010
troa.co.kr

Two-hour tour
01
Changdeok Palace
Call ahead for guided tour times to the palace and gardens.
+ 82 2 762 8261
cdg.go.kr

02
National Museum of Korea
Vast collection of artifacts and art works provides an introduction to Korean culture
135 Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu
+ 82 2 2077 9000
museum.go.kr

Limousine/car
Mobum Taxi
These black-and-yellow taxis can be found at many hotels, shopping districts and business centres.

Transport
Metro
Seoul Metro
The cheapest and fastest option to get around.
seoulsubway.co.kr

Airport pickups
These buses leave every 20 minutes to and from the city's major hotels.
+ 82 2 1577 2600
airport.or.kr

Fitness
Good running route
Hangang Park
The Hangang Park system offers jogging paths along the river.

Credits

Writer: HooRan Kim

25/25

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