About Seoul
“Living together with persons with cognitive impairments in the communities”
23rd – 25th October, 2018 (with optional workshops on 26th October)
SEOUL DRAGON CITY Convention Center, Yongsan, Seoul, Korea
“Living together with persons with cognitive impairments in the communities”
23rd – 25th October, 2018 (with optional workshops on 26th October)
SEOUL DRAGON CITY Convention Center, Yongsan, Seoul, Korea
The Korean Peninsula lies in the center of Northeast Asia. The coordinates of its capital, Seoul, are 37.34° N and 126.59° E, putting it in close proximity to the Yellow Sea. Seoul is within a three-hour flight from 43 cities with populations of over one million people. Korea’s location between China and Japan has been a great geographical advantage for the nation.
The Hangang (River) flows horizontally across Seoul, dividing the city into two sections lying north and south of the river.
There are 25 autonomous districts and 423 administrative “dong” units in Seoul. The city covers 0.28% of the entire peninsula (or 0.61% of South Korea), and spans an area 30.30km north-to-south and 34.78km west-to-east.
Historical Sites in Seoul: Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, Changgyeonggung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Jongmyo Shrine
Located on busy streets of Seoul, the four palaces were built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897). Discover traces of the past as you walk through the old doors guarding the entrance, enjoy beautiful gardens hidden at the back of the palaces, and marvel at the delicate wall decorations.
Dedicated to dead kings and queens of the Korean Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), Jongmyo is an oldest preserved Confucian shrine. The ceremonial ritual accompanied by Korean traditional music is called Jongmyo Jerye, established in 14th century. The ritual was designated as one of the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
(*You can find an Integrated Palace Ticket for the four palaces and Jongmyo Shrine at 10,000 KRW)
Korean Traditional Neighborhoods: Bukchon Hanok Village and Insa-dong
Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, Bukchon neighborhood consists of rows of Korean traditional houses called Hanok. This neighborhood offers a unique mix of traditional and modern sceneries.
Insa-dong is a cultural district well-known for its hand-made arts and crafts and small Gong-Bang’s (small crafts stores) where visitors can make small goods themselves. Visit numerous art galleries and try Kkul-Tarae (“honey skein”, Korean court cake) while you walk around the streets of Insa-dong.
Shopping Districts: Myeongdong and COEX Mall
Myeongdong is a popular shopping destination for visitors. They can find rows of clothes shops and different brands of cosmetics at a reasonable price. In the late afternoon, merchants set up booths to sell snacks, small souvenirs, and other goods.
COEX mall is the largest underground shopping mall in Asia. Visitors have wide ranges of choice for food, clothes, cosmetics, accessories, stationery goods, and daily necessities. COEX mall also has a cinema, aquarium, Starfield Public Library, and provides a stage for cultural events such as music concerts and lectures.
Besides the tourist attractions recommended above, the links to the official tourism websites at the bottom of the page offer detailed information about other sites to visit, how to get there, opening hours etc.
GMT + 9 (Korea Standard Time KST or Japanese Standard Time JST)
Country Code: 82 / Area Code: Seoul 02 (when dialing from overseas remove the zero)
Korea’s official monetary unit is the South Korean Won (KRW or ₩).
The currency consists of notes and coins: 1 USD = 1,141 KRW, an average during the period of 1st September 2017 to 30th November 2017 (Source: KEB Hana Bank, Republic of Korea).
Seoul is a remarkably safe city. The crime rate is very low compared to other major cities around the world.
For emergencies call 112 (local police), 119 (fire department), 120 (Seoul’s call center) or 1330 (a nationwide call center of the Korea Tourism Organization that can connect you to emergency services).
220v, 60hz throughout the country (same type used in France, Germany, Austria)
Average Temperature 12°C (53°F) in October
Tipping is not a traditional Korean custom. Service charges are added to the bill but tipping is not expected. It is also not necessary to tip a taxi driver unless extra services are provided.
Seoul Global Center
+82-2-2075-4180 (overseas) or 02-2075-4180 (in Korea)
Monday to Friday from 9-6 pm
Call to ask any questions about visiting or living in Seoul.
Korea Tourism Organization Information Line
+82-2-1330 or 1330
24 hours a day – Tourism information and translation services.