Located to the west of the central region of the Korean Peninsula, Seoul, the capital city of the Republic of Korea, has been the center of the country in its long history from the prehistoric era to the present day.

Seoul emerged as the capital city before the Common Era. Its emergence occurred during the early days of Baekje, one of the three kingdoms that existed in the peninsula for over a millennium. Baekje’s rich and brilliant culture became the basis for cultivating Korea’s cultural history. During the Three Kingdoms Era, it was the strategic region all those three rival countries competed for, which illustrates the substantial significance of Seoul during that era.

After the unified Silla period and the Goryeo Dynasty, Seoul again became the capital of the Joseon Dynasty with its foundation in 1394. Since then, the city has been maintained as the historical center of the country.

Now in its 600th year of official history, Seoul is a city where Korea’s traditional and modern cultures coexist. Geographically, it is an extraordinary example of good location, as mountains, rivers and urban spaces all combine to produce a picture-perfect city.

Map of Seoul

(Shilla Hotel , where IMW takes place : 19 on the map)

Palace

source: english.seoul.go.kr

Gyeongbokgung (Palace – 27 on the map), built in the 4th year of King Taejo’s reign (1395), is where the Joseon Dynasty originated. It is the oldest and central palace of Joseon. It is for this reason that Gyeongbokgung is considered the most beautiful and biggest of the 5 palaces in Seoul, and praised as demonstrating the very height of architectural technology from the medieval period of Northeast Asia.  

Han River

source: english.seoul.go.kr

Relaxation in the cool and clean air of the river and the beautiful surrounding scenery are the rewards the ferry cruise can offer you. Han River is the heaven for various water sports and leisure activities, around the year. Some of its riverside parks are equipped with facilities to enjoy motorboat riding, jet skiing, fishing, windsurfing and water skiing. The cool, speedy fun enjoyed on the river flowing through the heart of the city is the biggest nugget of entertainment you can get here.

Cheong-gye-cheon

Clear water streaming through the very heart of Seoul is sure to astonish anyone who visits it. In particular, Seoul streams are welcomed as a precious place to experience a living nature in the heart of a metropolis. Chattering through a forest of buildings like in a fairytale landscape, with a shoal of fish lively swimming in them, Seoul streams give a clean and clear image to the city. (32 on the map)

Experiencing Korean Tradition

source: english.seoul.go.kr

In-Sa-Dong

Almost all foreign visitors to Korea make a trip to Insa-dong. This is because it is the place where “HAN brand,” the traditional culture of Korea as a whole, can be found. At the heart of HAN brand is the intangible nature of culture accumulated over a long course of history. For instance, HANok in Gyeongin Art Museum, HANji (traditional Korean paper) culture whose beauty resonates through your heart, HANbok (traditional Korean clothes) that captures the essence of Korean clothing culture and spirit, and HANsik (traditional Korean food) that exploited the science behind eco-friendly organic foodstuffs hundreds of years ago all make up HAN brand. And in Insa-dong, you can learn about and truly enjoy all aspects of HAN brand. (24 on the map)