Seoul City Town Guide Seoul is a city of extreme contrasts: the gorgeous curves of the wooden royal temples can be seen reflected in the towering glass façades of high-rise buildings. With some 12 million inhabitants, the capital of the land of the peaceful morning has become a giant centre of endless activity. Its very mixed population is full of ardent shoppers, who frequent the immense and colourful markets that provide a typically Asian mix of the modern and the exotic. Five ideas for discovering another side to the city -  Sit and contemplate the pavilions at the Changdokkung palace, which, to this day, is inhabited by descendents of the royal family. The pavilions nestle in a 40-hectare 'secret garden'. -  Meditate in the large downtown Buddhist temple, then amble through the surrounding streets, in which dozens of sellers of religious artifacts compete for the attention of buyers. -  Admire the silks in Tongdaemun market: an aesthetic delight in the midst of one of the two largest markets in Seoul. -  Discover some of the secrets of Korean crafts in the quaint village of Su-Won, near Seoul (accessible by metro). -  Wander through the art galleries of the Insa-Dong district, and pause in a teahouse for a cup of chrysanthemum tea. Time difference Seoul is eight hours ahead of GMT. To call Seoul Dial the international code followed by 82 for Korea, then 2 for Seoul and the 7 to 8 digits of the person you are calling. Climate Korea is in a temperate zone and has four distinct seasons: - Spring (end March-June): mild - Summer: relatively hot and humid. (Beware of July's monsoons and the extreme heat of August.) - Autumn (to end of November): the wind ushers in clear, dry weather. - Winter: cold and dry from December to February. Holidays - 1 & 2 January: New Year - Sollal, the lunar New Year (dates vary) - 1 March: Samil-jol (Declaration of Independence Day) - 5 April: Tree Day - 1 May: Buddha's birthday - 5 May: Childrens' Day - 6 June: War Victims Day - 17 July: Constitution Day - 15 August: Liberation Day - 1 October: Harvest festival (Chusok) - 3 October: Foundation of the Nation Day - 25 December: Christmas Getting around Walking is still the best way to explore the neighbourhoods near the marketplaces and main tourist sites in Seoul. The subway is practical and cheap (its cost depends on the distance you're travelling, as the track extends 50 km from the downtown area!). During peak hours, some cars are reserved for women. Taxis are also cheap, but be forewarned about traffic jams! Municipal buses run throughout the city between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. : every aspect of the city can be seen in 2 and a half hours. An all-day pass allows you to exit and re-board buses to your heart's content. Seoul Tourism Office Seoul Tourism Office 10, Ta-dong, Chung-gu Seoul 110-180, Korea KPO Box 1879 Seoul 110-618, Korea Tel: (international n° + 82) 2 7299 600 Fax: (international n° + 82) 2 757 5997 Seoul on the Web http://www.knto.or.kr (Korean National Tourist Office) See our Cultural calendar Back