Korea

Arrived in early hours of the day from airport so we had a late breakfast at the hotel. As expected with budget hotels, the breakfast is basic, although the choice of pastries and fruit was OK. Coffee is free flow.

Jas was eager to get outside to "enjoy" the cold weather. We decided to visit downtown Seoul. Temps are just above zero degrees Celsius. The sun is shining but the wind keeps nipping your nose and ears.

The picture shows the old city center, downtown Seoul or Seoul Plaza. Pyeongchang Winter Olympics have just finished. The tent is a reminder of this event. On the left side is the Seoul City hall. The lower gray building is the original city hall, the glass building behind is the new version. Most of the government offices used to be concentrated here, but over time lot of offices, government and commercial, have moved to Gangnam, translated as "south of the (Han) river",and other districts. The place to visit is on the back of this picture. Deoksugung Palace. Because of the cold, we were of the few visitors. It looks a bit dull and barren at this time of the year. In summer it is just the opposite.

It is about noon and we move to the "underground" looking for a quick bite. Subway train stations can have several levels underground. The structure also act as a shelter in case of war (with the North). The one station here is called "City Hall" and has long tunnels. The level, just under street level has a shopping arcade where you can find almost everything including food and it is warm!. It also provides access to malls and hotels.

The Westin Chosun Hotel is just above the shopping arcade. Remember M.A.S.H. and Hawkeye Pierce dreaming of spending some nights in the Chosun? Luc spent many month here in the 90's while working on Seoul subway lines 5, 7 and 8. A quick nostalgic picture.

Next stop: Itaewon. This street was famous with the US military, stationed nearby, in the past. It still has the market and commercial outlets catering to foreigners but most of the (girly) bars have turned to cafe's and restaurants. In summer time the streets are lined with stalls selling garments and gadgets. However in winter only the (indoor) shops are open.

Streets are lined with stalls selling travel wear, gadgets, garments and accessories. In winter time only a few stalls bare the cold weather

Garment Shops sell seasonal wear like this one

Hamilton Hotel, established in 1973, was one of the first hotel in the Itaewon district

Not far from Itaewon is Namsan Tower, or Seoul Tower or N Seoul Tower and more names of this city's Landmark. We thought of doing the stairs to reach the tower base but looking at the long climb we opted for the cable car ride.

Cable car ride to the tower

Reaching the tower base.

Love locks trees

Namsam Tower

More love locks. Copying the Paris Pont des Arts bridge?

City view from Namsan hill

Seoul - History

The history of Seoul probably started in 18 BC, when it was chosen to be the capital of the Baekje Kingdom. After that it has been the capital of various rulers, which all gave the city a new name.

The importance of Seoul as a city really started during the Joseon Dynasty. Former General Yi Seong-gye chose Seoul to be the capital of his empire in 1392. During the next 10 years Seoul grew into a real city, with 100.000 inhabitants. In that period Seoul was a city lead by the Neo-Confucianism philosophy of the Joseon Dynasty. Buddhism and Catholicism were banned into the mountains and the countryside. Till 1910 Seoul was controlled by this feudal system of kings, aristocrats, peasants, slaves and outcasts.

In 1910, the Japanese invasion took the regime of Korea and the city of Seoul. During the following 35 years Seoul was doomed under Japanese colonial rule. Palaces were destroyed and the Korean culture seemed to fade away.

Korea survived and was released from Japanese rule in 1948. During the Korean war Seoul experienced warfare 4 times, only to become the main capital again in 1953. Since that moment Seoul has been growing rapidly and continuously. The expansion of Seoul symbolizes the economical progress South-Korea has made in the past 50 years.

Nowadays Seoul is a highly modern city with a modern, technologically advanced society. The streets of Seoul are filled with skyscrapers, traffic and 10.3 million people. Seoul is not only the capital of South Korea, but also the city where everything is centered. Throughout the year you can experience cultural, traditional and modern events in this modern metropolis of Korea.