Seoul 서울

A view of the Han River from the **N Seoul Tower** in Seoul, South Korea

Attractions List:

Gwanghwamun Gate (광화문)
Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장)
Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)
National Folk Museum of Korea
Cheongwadae (Blue House)
Myeongdong (명동)
N Seoul Tower
Namsangol Hanok Village (남산골한옥마을)

During the Joseon (조선) dynasty (1392-1910), Yi Seong-gye established his capital in Hanyang (modern-day Seoul서울) and brought forth a dynasty that would last more than 500 years; this led to many cultural, scientific, and technological achievements that would define Korean history.

Seoul, today, is home to one-fifth of the country’s population (about 9.8 million) and has remained South Korea’s capital since its founding. Its sprawling metropolis is divided into 25 districts, but it can be visualized as two halves: north and south of the Han River (Hangang). Our guided tour primarily focused on the districts north of the Han River.

We arrived in Seoul on October 5^th from Tokyo, Japan. Upon our arrival, we were greeted by a Hanatour driver, who took us to the Center Mark hotel. After refreshing ourselves, we explored the city on our own that same evening.

Our guided tour began on October 6^th at Gwanghwamun Square (광화문광장) that enshrines a statue of King Sejong the Great, the fourth ruler of the Joseon dynasty and founder of Hangul—the Korean writing system. The Square was the center of the tumultuous history of South Korea; from the March 1^st Independence Movement to civil revolution against the Japanese annexation of Korea to celebration of the Candlelight Culture Festival, the Square withstood these changes and represents the Korean spirit of democracy.