The moment you touchdown in the inspired Incheon Airport (boasting high-end boutiques and facilities. Ranging from a cinema to a mini-orchestra...and a shower), you really get a beat of this beautiful place. Even if you are on a long layover to another part of Asia or Australia you can catch a quick break here provided you're not red eyed. And all it will cost you is the time you want to pass too. Nothing is wasted here as the Free Korea Transit Tours offer you a different view and guide of the city for you frequent fliers depending on the time of day. And the coach will get you back in time for your connection...don't even worry. But from temple to skyscrapers take it from us, you're going to want to visit this place properly.
Because there's so much in Seoul. From the steps of a place steeped in history to the illuminating future as bright as the neon that shines like the windows of every office block as sky scraping day turns to night. And then that's where you can get your fill of all the food that this classic city has to offer in every corner you turn. And so what if your eyes are bigger than your belly...lets eat. And make sure you look out for some Korean BBQ, because nothing is hotter than that.
Unless your after the latest fashion. Because Seouls trading shopping district is a grand design. So if you're part of the clothes horse race then you can keep running through the sales until the day pales. As 24 hour opening times mean you can shop until the clock drops. And you can find it all here in this extended mall of a town. Fendi, coach...boyfriends with no free hands.
But if you're part of the, 'why buy what you can online crowd' than Seoul's sites are where it's at. And no landmark takes you higher than the N Seoul Tower planted like a skytree in the heart of Seoul's downtown district, offering you an outstanding view of the whole city it captures from it's tallest point and peak.
And there's a lot to take in that shines from sunrise to sunset like the beer tower like gold of the 63 Building. Many travellers spend their whole lives seeking out the wonders of this world for their Instagram memories and scrapbooks, but Seoul provides a formidable, famous five world heritage sites. Including the Changdeok Palace, the Hwaseong Fortress, the Jongmyo Shrine, Namhansanseong and the Royal Tomb of the Joseon Dynasty. That's a lot to cross off your list by the bucketload.
An arsonist may have burned down the iconic, traditional Namdaemun gate in the middle of this cities roads, but the people of this town that restores you built it back up, brick by brick. Even in the shadow of terrorism or the tyranny of the north, South Korea's Seoul still finds the light like seeing the iconic Mt Bukhan in the beautiful background of anywhere you stand.
There's so much history here no matter who or what tries to take that away and fron the ashes of fire Seoul rises again and again like phoenix. Now a pillar in this modern world and the cultures it connects like the bountiful Banpo Bridge and the majestic Moonlight Rainbow Fountain thay comes alive in the nightime. This city keeps growing street to skyscraper, sidewalk to stadium. Like the Dongdaemun Design Plaza that's modern art architecture and the Asian giant eatery Lotte World sponsered area where you can do more than just grab a bite.
But our place to pick and make a pilgramage to our the sensational Sevit Floating Islands which was the stream that lead to the changing tide of the Korean Wave culture reaching the wide world. This another highlight in a history making place that's about to hold and host the 2018 Pyeong Chang Winter Olympic Games, two years before Japan neighbour Tokyo hosts the biggest five ring flame event for the first time since 1964. But why wait? Right now it's time to make memories in a city that won't just have a place in your heart, but a home in your soul. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
