One of the most fascinating countries in Asia to visit is Korea. Within a few short decades, this country that was ravaged by war, famine and economic uncertainty has grown into an economic powerhouse and innovation hub in the region.
Besides that it has one of the best cuisines in Asia, as well as a rich heritage and culture that is known worldwide, due to the popularity of their music, TV and movies. If you don’t know BTS or Black Pink, or haven’t seen a single Korean show on Netflix, you are in the very small minority around the world.
READ MORE: South Korea makes our list of some of the safest places to visit for solo female travellers
In this gallery, we look at some of the awesome photos from Seoul, Korea to help transport you across the world.
Seoul in pictures
A short history of modern-day Seoul
What we know as modern-day Seoul really began to emerge as the construction of infrastructure of the metropolis started to get underway. From the end of the 19th century, the government started the building of electrical facilities, railroads, streetcar tracks, parks, waterworks systems, schools, major port and hospitals.
However, this was derailed slightly due to the Japanese colonialism from 1910 – 1945. What followed after was a slow industrialisation of the city and a growing suburban population that is now the main bubble of Seoul’s local population.
Having fought through poverty and more, in 1950s, Seoul rapidly advanced. Thi was supported by rapid economic growth, and has become a global megalopolis in just half a century. In only 50 years, Seoul overcame various urban problems to grow and advance into a smart city where 10 million people live comfortably.
Why you should visit the city
From delicious and cheap food to beautiful people, who always seem to be well-dressed, Korea has much to offer. Seoul, their capital should be on everyone’s list of places to go if they haven’t been.
We have a thousand reasons, but let’s just share 5 reasons why you should visit Seoul.
- Cheap and awesome food – we already mentioned this, but Korean barbeque is a staple in Korea towns around the world. It is even better and cheaper in Korea. Besides that, they have amazing seafood, great hole-in-the-wall restaurants and unique dishes you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
- The city’s nightlife is top-notch – the city has a “work hard, play hard” vibe that is one of the most fun in Asia. When the locals clock out of the 9-6, they head to the likes of Gangnam, Hongdae, and Itaewon to enjoy a bottle of soju or 7.
- It won’t break the bank – While the capital is not the cheapest in the country and is in no way the most affordable in Asia, it can be travelled cheaply.
- See the future – The country is a hub for innovation as we mentioned, and the capital city is a high-tech wonderland. From having the world’s fastest average internet connection speed to digital media hubs, it is also the home to some of the tech industry’s largest companies, including Samsung.
- Get your dose of culture and history – As the nation’s capital and an extremely old city, it is steeped in culture and tradition. Thousands of people visit the city every year for various cultural events, festivals, and religious ceremonies. There is a huge variety of cultures within Seoul, and they all have a unique way of expressing themselves through the city as a whole.
These images have been provided by the awesome folks from Seoul Metropolitan Government and Penta Press to share the awesome scenes from the capital Seoul.
