Seoul, city of magical one hour

An Hour, You are traveling in Seoul now. What does an hour mean to you?

An hour in this city is a magical time that allows you to do anything. If you want to walk around a palace for tracking the path of Korean kings. Within an hour, you can enjoy a stroll in a palace where Joseon kings ruled for over 500 years.

Within an hour, you can get to Gwanghwamun Square from anywhere in the city. In the middle of the square, you can see a statue of the greatest hero of Korean history. Just one hour from downtown, you can experience the suburban environment. A panoramic view of the city unfolds in front of you, standing in a lush green forest. 

If you want to see the ocean, you can just take the subway. Within an hour, you will be facing the clear water and sandy beach of the West Sea.

If you just have an hour, you can go to a national park that is listed on the Guinness Book of World Records. Every year, 8 million people visit this national park. If you like shopping, a lot of great places are within an hour’s distance.You can go to Namdaemun Market, the largest traditional market in Seoul. There is also Myeongdong, the center of Korean fashion.

Do you want to see a river that cuts across a city? Within an hour, you can ride on a sightseeing cruise, going down the river in the middle of the city. This is a city where you can experience anything within an hour. This city of magic is SEOUL, Korea.

Within an hour, you can get to any destination in Seoul. World-Class Public Transportation.
Have you ever taken this magical hour to travel in Seoul?

VANK would like to guide you through Seoul, the city of magical charms.Seoul is a city of miracles that gives hope to developing countries. Only 50 years ago, Korea was one of the poorest countries.

After the Korean War, Korea’s GDP was around $50. It seemed Korea had no hope for the future.
However, Korea created a miracle to become one of the 10 richest countries. Korea’s current GDP per capita reached above $20 thousand.

Among all OECD member nations, Korea is the first to have transformed from a beneficiary to a donor. In the center of the miracles was Seoul, the capital of Korea.  1988. Host of the Olympic Games, 2002. Co-Host of the FIFA World Cup. Seoul is the center of Korean politics, economy and culture. Over ten million people live in this city. Seoul is a city of miracles. It is the symbol of hope for developing countries in Asia and Africa.

Many Asian and African countries are sending their government employees to Seoul.
They want to see the miracle city.  

For over 600 years in Korea’s 5000 years history, Seoul has remained as the center. There are five palaces in Seoul: Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung, Changgyeonggung, Changdeokgung, Gyeonghuigung. Korean palaces adopted unique architectural aesthetics, different from Chinese and Japanese styles.

Korean ancestors avoided altering nature. Their philosophy of construction was to have buildings in harmony with nature.  Buildings become a part of the mountains in the background. Palaces do not block the view of the mountains. The roofs of the palaces are curved to match the curves of the mountains. Exemplary Form of Palace Structure in East Asia Perfect Harmony with its Surrounding Landscape

Communication with common people. Palaces were close to the residence of common people. They were built in the center of the city to reduce the distance between the king and the people. Seoul still communicates with all visitors with open hearts.  This city of palaces presents you its 600 years of history.

The City of National Heroes
Seoul gave birth to prominent leaders, who changed the country. Seoul has an immortal hero from Korea’s 5000 years of national history. Here is the place with the best view in Seoul. It offers unobstructed views of Mt. Bukhan and Gyeongbokgung Palace. Gwanghwamun Square in the Center of Seoul. In the middle of the square are the statues of General Yi Sunsin and King Sejong. 
 

King Sejong, A great leader who is praised as the king that cared about the Korean people the most. He invented Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, to help ordinary people. He allowed female slaves and even their husbands to take maternity leave.

Yi Sun-sin, A brave military leader who is acclaimed as the general that loved the country the most. 23 battles 23 wins He demonstrated exceptional military tactics in unfavorable situations. He had a formidable record that will go down in the history of world naval battles. 

Even after hundreds of years, their life and spirits still influence young Koreans. Young Koreans are motivated to become the new leaders of the 21st century. The City of Marvelous Mountains, Recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
 
The Spectacular One of a Kind City View. Cutting-edge Digital City in the Middle of Beautiful Mountains. Seoul, the City of Picturesque Scenery

Mt. Fuji in Japan Annual Visitors: 2.5 million
Mt. Huangshan in China Annual Visitors: 1.5 million
Mt. Bukhan in Seoul Visited by 8.6 million people in 2010

Listed as the Most Visited National Park per Unit Area in the Guinness Book of World Records.
The international city of beautiful mountains, Seoul, presents unforgettable landscapes to its visitors.

Seoul presents the harmony of nature, history, culture, and miraculous development.
People around the world express different opinions about Seoul. 

Seoul, 3rd in the 31 Places to Go List in 2010 by the New York Times
“Forget Tokyo. Design aficionados are now heading to Seoul.”
Seoul, 3rd in the Worst City to Live in 2010 by Lonely Planet

“It’s an appallingly repetitive sprawl of freeways and Soviet-style concrete apartment buildings,
horribly polluted, with no heart or spirit to it. So oppressively bland that the populace is driven to alcoholism”

People’s view of Seoul now depends on us.

“HASTILY rebuilt after the Korean War, Seoul is shedding its once-gritty image to become one of Asia’s most glittering metropolises.”
- New York Times (11/15/2010)-

Seoul, the capital city of Korea, always surprised the world. There are young Koreans who are ready to surprise you.

With Voluntary Agency Network of Korea VANK,young Koreans become ambassadors for Seoul. With these young Koreans, Seoul is becoming a truly glittering city. Let us show you the charms of Seoul.

Come and Experience Seoul, the Soul of Asia!