Seoul, the capital
of South Korea, crackles with dynamic energy. It is a leading player in
technology, a major force in fashion and a foodie’s paradise. Here beauty
trends are made and innovative lotions and potions created.
Today 10 million
live in the city where drab uniformity melds with the spanking new. Old white
buildings, reminiscent of those in the old communist countries and a
stark reminder of a troubled past, sit beside cutting-edge skyscrapers that
are testament to its place on the world stage and its quest for an even more
powerful tomorrow.
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Courtesy of Korea Tourism Organization
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Over the centuries
Korea has been invaded several times and occupied by its neighbours including
China. From 1910 until 1945 it was under Japanese occupation. This was a
double-edged sword, on one hand the regime was often brutal but on the other
hand it gave birth to many aspects of South Korea’s modern society. Industry
was developed and mass media such as radio and cinema were introduced.
After the Second
World War Korea was, eventually in 1948, divided into two zones, the communist
North and the capitalist South. Two years later North Korea invaded its
neighbour. Three years of intense fighting took place which ended with the
Korean Armistice Agreement in 1953. Millions of Koreans lost their lives as did
many Chinese and American soldiers.
The Korean Peninsula
is still separated by the DMZ. Despite its name, the Demilitarised Zone remains one of the world's most heavily militarised borders. (A day trip to
the DMZ is a must on a visit to Korea as what happens here could affect all our
lives thisdannsworld.blogspot.co.uk)
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| Seoul seen from Nansam Park |
With sheer guts and
determination, Seoul, in relatively few decades, went from rags to riches to
emerge as one of the world’s star performers. It is not just high-tech, food
and fashion that has grabbed it headlines but also its wealth of top-notch
museums, first class architecture and a prominent art scene.
To get to grips with
Seoul you have to understand where it came from as it is not what you would
class as beautiful. So much of it was built out of need. Nobody cared about
winning beauty contests, anything constructed had to be functional so they
could cope with the large number people from the countryside who came to live
and work in the capital.
Seoul’s old palaces
have been destroyed and rebuilt several times over the years. Gyeongbokgung
Palace is the one high on tourists' sightseeing lists. Minutes from the
President’s residence, the Blue House, it was originally built in 1395 and was
the main palace of the Joseon Dynasty that ruled from 1392 until 1910. Gwanghwamum
Gate is the impressive main gate of the palace and a renowned symbol of Seoul.
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| Gwanghwamum , the main gate of Gyeongbokgung Palace |
But, to appreciate
Seoul, you need to get up close and personal with this electrifying 24-hour
city.
On my first day I
took a walk in Nansam Park up to the N Seoul Tower perched on top of Mount
Nansam. On this cold, crisp sunny day, I was treated to a spectacular view of
the capital and surrounding hills.
Bukchon Hanok Village,
another hilly neighbourhood, is where you can see traditional Korean homes,
called hanoks. These date back to the Joseon Dynasty.
Insa-dong captivated
me with its quaintness. Here you can mooch round stores selling Korean
handicrafts or explore the alleys awash with art galleries and typical
restaurants and teahouses.
If you like markets
and want to see if you can get your hands on a bargain, put the bustling
Namdaemun Market on your itinerary. It is said to be the largest traditional
market in the country selling goods as diverse as fine arts to flowers and
ginseng.
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| Gangnam |
For fast fashion,
Dongdaemun Market is a must. There are approximately 20 shopping malls
here stocked with an array of items to tempt you.
Shopaholics will
also want to head to Myeong-dong, one of the main shopping
districts of Seoul. You will find plenty of department stores such as Shinsegae
and Lotte which carry top-noch labels as well of plenty of shops overflowing
with beauty masks for everything as well as the latest products. There are
plenty of restaurants where you can refuel during your shopping expedition.
A must to try is
bibimbap, one of the most renowned Korean dishes. It is a bowl of steamed rice
assorted vegetables mixed with chilli paste. Meat can be added and it is
often topped with a fried egg. Another classic is kimchi, spicy, fermented
cabbage.
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| Itaewon |
Itaewon, an edgy and
gritty neighbourhood, buzzing with bars, clubs and restaurants as well as shops
stocking a wide-range of goods from Korean pottery to jewellery to clothes and
cosmetics. This multicultural area is popular with expats and tourists alike,
especially at night.
Head south of the
Han River to the bustling upmarket district of Gangnam. to get a sense of Seoul
today. High-rises are interspersed with shops stacked high with designer
labels, beauty clinics as well as plenty of cafés and restaurants full of
stylish people taking selfies. From theatres to clubs where you can party all
night long, this exclusive neighbourhood is fast gaining a reputation as
Seoul’s cultural hub. Rapper Psy renowned for his quirky 2012 hit Gangnam Style,
has described the area as the capital of Seoul and from what I have seen I am
in agreement.
When you are
sauntering around Seoul it is hard to image that only 35 miles or so lies
another world, the DMZ. Technically, the two Koreas may still be at war but
judging the atmosphere in Seoul, life could not be better.
By Daralyn Danns
Getting there
When you have flown
Quatar Airlines you realise just how poor BA has become. It is like comparing a
five-star hotel with a three-star
Stay at the Grand
Hyatt Seoul. (For best rates visit seoul.grand.hyatt.com) It has a lovely, warm atmosphere even
though it is a corporate hotel. Rooms are spacious and service good
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