East meets West at the heart of Seoul
SEOUL — I was excited to come here for two reasons: to see friends I haven’t seen in a year or two, and because Seoul is currently on The New York Times’ list of “31 Places to Go in 2010.”
Seoul as a tourist destination has become increasingly popular over the last decade, along with the rising popularity of K-Pop music in Asia and North America. In the Philippines, Korean celebrities have become familiar faces via Korean telenovelas and product endorsements.
Seoul itself is an interesting mix of modern Western metropolis with Asian ethnology. In Gangbuk-Gu (north of the Han River) you’ll find Gyeongbokdong (Gyeongbok Palace), an homage to Korean heritage; while situated in Gangnam-Gu (south of the river) is the fashion mecca, 10 Corso Como. And on any given street you might find a Starbucks with a hawker parked in front selling Bondaegi (stewed silkworm pupa).
One of my favorite stops is a street located in Jongno, Seoul’s epicentre. A perfect example of what this city is all about, this is where East meets West with savoir faire. An amusing sight is a Starbucks store with its name written in Hangeul (Korean Alphabet). For Red Devil fans, as many South Koreans are, a Manchester United Restaurant & Bar is at the end of the strip.
Among these pillars of Western society is a road full of street vendors, cafés, antique shops, souvenir shops and art galleries. 
Insa-dong is a popular tourist spot with good reason. Many structures are well-preserved old buildings. In the tiny alleys that line this street, you’ll find quaint little restaurants built inside old-fashioned Korean homes.
Ssamziegil is a stylish 4,000-square-meter complex packed with shops, restaurants and cafés exhibiting South Korea’s modern and traditional arts and crafts. This extraordinary space is connected by walkways forming a slightly sloping spiral. After exploring the modern art gallery in the basement, and passing by artful windows and shops all the way to the top, you will reach Haneulmadang, a restaurant and terrace overlooking the lively street. If there’s one place you have to visit, it’s this building.
You must visit Gyeongbokdong in the morning and walk to Insa-dong for lunch. Explore the rest of Jongno for other interesting spots such as the Jongmyo Royal Shrine to view artifacts from the Choson Dyanasty. Jongno is also a favorite hangout of locals as this area is an endless maze of restaurants and bars.
Travel Tips
Changing money: Unlike our favorite cities in South East Asia (i.e. Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok), Seoul does not have money changing establishments in every corner and mall. I did find one a few blocks away from Insa-dong. There are also a few illegal money changers in Namdaemun Market and Myeong-dong. Banks, if they are open, will change your money.
If you want South Korean Won in hand before entering Seoul, the best place to exchange your cash is at the airport. If you have some Won left after your trip, they will gladly change it into a currency of your choice.
Mobile phones: Not all mobile phones will work in Seoul. Most Korean telecommunication companies use CDMA instead of GSM, so only certain cellphone models will work. I’ve learned that the Nokia E Series and N Series phones are capable of roaming in South Korea. Other than that, you should talk to your service provider about roaming in South Korea.
Another option is to rent a handphone from one of the stalls in the airport. You can ask for a local number or a phone which you can use with your sim card. Most handphone models even have English to Korean dictionaries.
Plan Ahead: I’m not one to make an itinerary when traveling but if you want to see the sights in Seoul, you must plan ahead. The city is massive. Depending on the traffic situation, it can take hours from certain areas in the Gangbuk Region to the Gangnam Region. Taking the subway is ideal for further destinations, but try to stay away from the train during rush hour.
