Seoul is definitely one of the most interesting cities in Asia: one of those places that stay on your mind even years later.

From Insadong to Namsan village, you will discover a city that buzzes with life anytime of the day.  Get lost in one of the few beautiful royal palaces and feel yourself going back in time a few hundred years ago when Chosun stood a strong and proud dynasty, and then find your way around the market streets when night comes near City Hall, enjoy a good coffee in one of the thousand wonderful cafes around Hongik university while listening to some alternative band playing, and eat always more crazy and spicy food…

But the best thing about Seoul and South Korea in general is that it’s a relatively cheap destination to travel to.

 

It’s not likely things will stay this way for long as South Korea has been developing extremely fast these past years and like everywhere else prices have risen up but with a few good tips and your natural backpacker’s instinct working you should be able to enjoy all the things Korea has to offer: food, music, exhibitions, without making your wallet cry.

 

And more than anything discover Korean’s genuine hospitality; people always ready to help you or just have a little chat… Like this ahjumma from the convenience store giving you free ice-cream because she notices you’re running a fever or this young man seeing you completely lost at a crossroad, taking the time to help you find your way back, or this street stall vendor asking you where you are from and once he knows you’re French won’t stop telling you how much he loved going there when he was young… Like so many little snapshots into people’s life, you’ll take back home all these precious times and treasure them.