Seoul

Winter in Seoul

Won (KRW)

All Year Round

Korean

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Seoul is a mosaic of magnificent palaces and temples, skyscrapers with neon lights, cosy little gardens, and loud nightclubs with electronic music or K-pop, which sets trends across Asia. Here, you can go from a historical museum to a contemporary art gallery, , or from a typical Asian market to a fashionable restaurant . Seoul is very diverse.

In Seoul, everyone finds what they’re looking for. Fans of culinary tourism will love the street food. Nature lovers will enjoy marvelous parks while walking in the city and its suburbs. Top it off with beautiful temples surrounded by contemporary architecture, great shopping and a wide choice of cultural activities – and you’ve got a city you’ll want to come back to.

The easiest way to get to the capital of South Korea is by air. Aeroflot operates direct flights from Moscow (about 9 hours). Flights arrive at Incheon International Airport, which is located 70 km from the city centre. The cheapest tickets sell out fast, so the sooner you book your flight to Seoul, the more likely you are to get the best price. Another way to save money is to buy a round-trip ticket.

General flight information Moscow — Seoul

Distance between cities

6 613 km

Time difference in winter

+ 6 h

Time difference in summer

+ 6 h

Average flight time

8 h 40 m

What to see

Seoul is rich in palaces and temples; we recommend choosing two or three to visit so as not to overdo it. One of the most beautiful landmarks is Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main palace of the Joseon dynasty. It includes many buildings, but the most spectacular are Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, set amidst a picturesque lake, and Geunjeongjeon, the Throne Hall. You won’t want to miss Changdeokgung Palace with its fine architecture, multicoloured wall paintings, and atmosphere resembling that of Seoul’s olden days, which is maintained by having visitors dress in traditional clothing.

Must-see temples include Bongeunsa Temple and Jogyesa Temple. These are typical Buddhist buildings: elegant, ornate and stunningly peaceful.

A special part of your programme might involve a visit to one of Seoul’s markets. Here, you can buy souvenirs, trendy clothes and electronics, immersing yourself in local culture and traditions at the same time. Each market has a unique atmosphere and speciality. Gyeongdong boasts long rows of stalls with mysterious oriental herbs; Dongdaemun is always full of stylish young people; and at the huge Noryangjin fish market, you’ll be able to look at, as well as treat yourself to, all sorts of seafood.

It’s best to alternate between markets and museums. The War Memorial of Korea impresses with its vast space and outstanding collection of military machinery. Visitors can climb on many of the exhibits, which makes it a great attraction for kids, as well.

To get a better understanding of the country’s history and culture, go to the National Museum of Korea, a spacious modern building displaying historical artifacts and unique pieces of art. Admission is free.

The Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, founded by Samsung, has two key expositions: traditional 14^th-century Korean art and contemporary art from all over the world, including works by such renowned artists as Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, and Damien Hirst.

Seoul is also a great place to visit with kids. It is home to the world’s largest indoor amusement park, Lotte World. There is an outdoor part, as well, Magic Island, with rollercoasters, merry-go-rounds, a huge covered ice rink, a museum, a theatre and lots of other entertainment.

Before the Champions

In February, the snow-covered Pyeongchang will be on fire: Korea is hosting the Olympic Winter Games. Meanwhile, these slopes are yours

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