서울

서울

KR
Population9,635,445
Seoul, officially Seoul Special Metropolitan City, is the capital and largest city of South Korea. The broader Seoul Metropolitan Area, encompassing Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon, emerged as the world's sixth largest metropolitan economy in 2022, trailing behind New York, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Paris, and London, and hosts more than half of South Korea's population. Although Seoul's population peaked at over 10 million, it has gradually decreased since 2014, standing at about 9.6 million residents as of 2024. Seoul is the seat of the South Korean government. Seoul's history traces back to 18 BC when it was founded by the people of Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. During the Joseon dynasty, Seoul was officially designated as the capital, surrounded by the Fortress Wall of Seoul. In the early 20th century, Seoul was occupied by the Empire of Japan, temporarily renamed "Keijō" ("Gyeongseong" in Korean). The Korean War brought fierce battles, with Seoul changing hands four times and leaving the city mostly in ruins. Nevertheless, the city has since undergone significant reconstruction and rapid urbanization. Seoul was rated Asia's most livable city, with the second-highest quality of life globally according to Arcadis in 2015 and a GDP per capita (PPP) of approximately $40,000. 15 Fortune Global 500 companies, including industry giants such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai, are headquartered in the Seoul Capital Area, which has major technology hubs, such as Gangnam and Digital Media City. Seoul is ranked seventh in the Global Power City Index and the Global Financial Centres Index, and is one of the five leading hosts of global conferences. The city has also hosted major events such as the 1986 Asian Games, the 1988 Summer Olympics, and the 2010 G20 Seoul summit, in addition to three matches at the 2002 FIFA World Cup. Seoul is geographically set in a mountainous and hilly terrain, with Bukhansan positioned on its northern edge. Within the Seoul Capital Area lie five UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Changdeokgung, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo, Namhansanseong, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon dynasty. Furthermore, Seoul has witnessed a surge in modern architectural development, with iconic landmarks including the N Seoul Tower, the 63 Building, the Lotte World Tower, the Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Lotte World, the Trade Tower, COEX, IFC Seoul, and Parc1. Seoul was named the World Design Capital in 2010 and has served as the national hub for the music, entertainment, and cultural industries that have propelled K-pop and the Korean Wave to international prominence.

Places to Explore

Curated experiences in 서울

이슬람교서울중앙성원

이슬람교서울중앙성원

The Seoul Central Mosque (Korean: 서울중앙성원; Arabic: مسجد سول المركزي) is a mosque opened in 1976 in Itaewon, Seoul, South …

한국은행 화폐박물관

한국은행 화폐박물관

Bank of Korea Money Museum (Korean: 한국은행 화폐박물관), is an economics and numismatics museum in Seoul, South korea. It was …

탑골공원 팔각정

탑골공원 팔각정

세계장신구박물관

세계장신구박물관

The World Jewellery Museum is a museum in Seoul, South Korea. It contains ancient jewelry from Colombia, tribal ivory ornaments …

서울교육박물관

서울교육박물관

The Seoul Education Museum is an education museum in Seoul, South Korea.

이화장

이화장

Ihwajang (Korean: 이화장; Hanja: 梨花莊) is a historic home in Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea. It is the former residence …

대림미술관

대림미술관

국립대한민국임시정부기념관

국립대한민국임시정부기념관

The National Memorial of the Korean Provisional Government (Korean: 국립대한민국임시정부기념관) is a museum dedicated to the Provisional Government of the …

대한민국역사박물관

대한민국역사박물관

The National Museum of Korean Contemporary History (Korean: 대한민국역사박물관), opened on December 26, 2012, is dedicated to researching, preserving, and …

환구단

환구단

Hwangudan (Korean: 환구단; Hanja: 圜丘壇) was a shrine complex that still partially stands in Jung District, Seoul, South Korea. The …

환기미술관

환기미술관

The Whanki Museum is a private art museum in Jongno-gu, in central Seoul, South Korea. It was established by the …

살곶이다리（전곡교）

살곶이다리（전곡교）

한양도성박물관

한양도성박물관

The Seoul City Wall Museum (Korean: 한양도성박물관) is a museum for the Seoul City Wall in Jongno-5.6 ga Subdistrict, Jongno …

중림동 약현성당

중림동 약현성당

Yakhyeon Catholic Church (Korean: 약현성당; Hanja: 藥峴聖堂) is a historic church in Jungnim-dong, Jung District, Seoul, South Korea. It is …

떡 박물관

떡 박물관

Tteok Museum is a museum located in Waryong-dong, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea. Founded by Yoon Sookja, the chief director …

국립서울과학관

국립서울과학관

서울역사박물관

서울역사박물관

The Seoul Museum of History (Korean: 서울역사박물관) is a history museum located at Sinmunno 1-ga, Jongno District, Seoul, South Korea.

국립민속박물관

국립민속박물관

National Folk Museum of Korea (Korean: 국립민속박물관) is a national museum located on the grounds of Gyeongbokgung in Jongno District, …

63시티

63시티

The 63 Building (Korean: 63빌딩; RR: Yuksam Building), officially called 63 SQUARE (formerly Hanwha 63 City), is a skyscraper on …

서울랜드

서울랜드

Seoul Land (Korean: 서울랜드) is an amusement park opened in 1988, in Gwacheon, a city in Gyeonggi-do province, South Korea. …

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