SEOUL
Seoul - Luxury Travel Magazine
 | |||||
You’ve Got To Get To Seoul | |||||
| By: Katja Grobareck, Issue 43 – Winter 2010 | |||||
| (Seoul – South Korea) | |||||
| THE SOUTH KOREAN CAPITAL SEOUL JOINS THE WORLD’S CHICEST CITIES AS THIS YEAR’S WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL REPORTS KATJA GROBARECK. | |||||
| An old Korean saying goes: “Even if you have to crawl on your knees, get yourself to Seoul!” but if you were waiting for a reason to go there, perhaps this is one: the 600-year-old capital of South Korea has been designated the World Design Capital 2010 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design. The council represents over 150,000 designers from various countries and the award is highly regarded worldwide. Originally known as Hanseong, and renamed Seoul in 1945, the city combines elements of modernity, unique design and ancient architecture. Alongside the hanoks (little traditional wood and black tiled dwellings) and the mighty ancient temples, visitors will see extravagantly designed skyscrapers that host the large conglomerates of the advanced IT sector like Samsung and LG. The design award has attracted global attention to the pedestrian-centered “soft city” a name given to the metropolis for its efforts to become cleaner, safer and a more attractive place for businesses, tourists and especially its citizens, who, according to the city’s new design plan, will play a big part in future considerations concerning design. The booming city’s advanced design management plan was one of the main reasons Seoul was chosen as the World Design Capital 2010, as the designation focuses on the impact design has on urban spaces. | |||||
| WHERE TO STAY | |||||
| Seoul’s transformation into a pulsating tourist-attractive global city is also obvious in the high-quality accommodation options. Among them, The Shilla Hotel Seoul rises from 23 acres of parkland. The luxuriously equipped hotel hosts the world-renowned anti-aging clinic La Clinique de Paris as well as The Guerlain Spa, which can only be found in six other hotels worldwide. Those looking for an active city holiday can use an indoor golf range and The Shilla Fitness Club, which has been selected the best in Asia by the financial magazine Asia Week. The hotel also has its own duty free shop and shopping arcade. Those seeking a more intimate experience can spend a night in a traditional Korean guesthouse like the Rakgojae guesthouse in the Bukchon Hanok Village north of Jongno. Built around a little yard and with wooden pillars most of these houses stick closely to tradition and guests will experience how Koreans lived historically, without televisions or fridges. | |||||
| WHERE TO SHOP | |||||
| In the districts of Myeongdong, Dongdaemun and Gangnam, one high fashion boutique sits alongside the next. You can spend hours window-shopping in the teeming malls and along the tree-lined streets and stop off at one of the many cafes. The Insadong and Samcheong-dong neighborhoods, on the other hand, are home to cozy shops and galleries showcasing authentic Korean artwork and antiques including the famous Korean traditional ceramic ware. | |||||
| WHERE TO EAT | |||||
| When lunch-time hunger sets in head for nearby Gourmet Lover’s Lane in Samcheong-dong where you’ll find numerous established and new restaurants. Guests often sit on cushions on the floor and eat kimchi (fermented spicy cabbage) and jeotgal (matured seafood with salt). An insider tip is to try the alfresco dining at the Do Ga Hun (meaning ‘very beautiful house’). Located in the backyard of Hyundai Gallery, the restaurant serves western-style dishes in a traditional setting. | |||||
| WHAT TO SEE AND DO | |||||
| In the northern part of the historic Seoul, in the district of Jongno-gu and Jung-gu, stunning cultural hideaways can be found including several temples and the Five Grand Palaces, one of which is a World Heritage property. Here you can watch the re-enacted changing of the royal guards, join ancient tea ceremonies and dip into Korea’s major religions of Shamanism, Confucianism and Buddhism. | |||||
|
