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Seoul — travel, stays & events guide
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Seoul city overview
Seoul is a city in South Korea shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Airport baseSeoul Incheon (ICN)
Known forSeoul, Capital city in South Korea, Seoul planning base 3, Seoul planning base 4
Population~9.7Mcity context
RegionSouth KoreaSouth Korea
Time zoneAsia/Seoullocal time
Founded553historical origin
City history
This area is now in southeastern Seoul. Silla period In July or August 553, Silla took the control of the region from Baekje, and the city became a part of newly established Sin Province.
In 557, Silla abolished Sin Province, and established Bukhansan Province (북한산주; 北漢山州).
In 568, Jinheung Taewang made another royal visit to the northern border, visited Hanseong, and stayed in Namcheon on his way back to the capital.
In 604, Silla abolished Namcheon Province, and reestablished Bukhansan Province in order to strengthen the northern border.
Baekje (18 B.C. – 660 A.D.), once one of the statelets in the Mahan confederacy, became the dominant local power by the 2nd century A.D.
After enthroning himself as King at the capital of old Goryeo in 1392, Yi Seong-gye changed the name of his Kingdom from Goryeo to Joseon in 1393 and began his search for a place.
In the 1930s, as part of Imperial Japan's war efforts leading up to the Second Sino-Japanese War, Yeongdeungpo District was annexed into Seoul on April 1, 1936, to function as an industrial complex for.
In 1945, following the liberation from Japanese colonial rule, the American military assumed control of Korea, including its capital city, then referred to as Kyeongseongbu in line with Japanese nomenclature.
The Korean version of the Charter translated "municipal corporation" as "special free city" (특별자유시; 特別自由市), which later became special metropolitan city (or special metropolitan city; 특별시; 特別市) in the Local Autonomy Act of 1949.
In the 11th century Goryeo, which succeeded Unified Silla, built a summer palace in Seoul, which was referred to as the "Southern Capital".
During his stay, he set Jinheung Taewang Stele, abolished Bukhansan Province, and established Namcheon Province (남천주; 南川州; lit. 'South River Province'), appointing the city as the provincial capital.
It was only from this period that Seoul became a larger settlement. Joseon dynasty Seoul became the planned capital of Korea by Yi Seong-gye, the founding father of the Joseon dynasty.
Seoul became the first city in East Asia to introduce electricity in the palace, which was established by the Edison Illuminating Company.
It only covered the Fortress Wall, marked by the Eight Gates, and the districts incorporated during Japanese rule to prosecute imperial Japan's war efforts.
Worth seeing
Seoul
Seoul is a practical Seoul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city in South Korea
Capital city in South Korea is a practical Seoul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Seoul planning base 3
Seoul planning base 3 is a practical Seoul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Seoul planning base 4
Seoul planning base 4 is a practical Seoul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Seoul planning base 5
Seoul planning base 5 is a practical Seoul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Seoul planning base 6
Seoul planning base 6 is a practical Seoul planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Seoul before booking Seoul hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Seoul by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Seoul, South KoreaFlights & airports
Seoul Incheon (ICN) arrival plan
- Seoul Incheon (ICN)Seoul Incheon (ICN), Seoul
Compare airport access against hotel location, arrival time, rental car pickup, late flights and onward driving before choosing the first night base.
Rental cars
Seoul day-trip car use
Compare rental cars when airport arrival, day trips, parking, luggage, theme parks, coastal routes or nearby regions matter more than staying fully on transit.
Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
Check weather, school holidays, daylight, local festivals and major event calendars before locking in hotel rates or non-refundable tickets.
Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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