韩国首尔自助游终极指南

An old Korean proverb goes 'even if you have to crawl on your knees, get yourself to Seoul!' In South Korea's capital city, the joys of eating, drinking, shopping and merrymaking are inescapable - from chic boutiques to bars and restaurants.

In today's Travel Blog, we'll be following traveller Lv Yuan as she gets caught up in the Korean joy of living, as well as the city's non-stop attractions.

According to Lv Yuan, the most impressive thing about Korea is the Korean people themselves. Although they do not speak perfect English, they can understand and help you find the place you want to go. Body language works just as well.

"For example, when I tried to find a coffee shop in the city, I asked a man how to get there. He didn't speak good English, but he showed us the way using the map on his cell phone."

In Seoul, hiring a taxi is another good was to find your way around. Taxis are inexpensive and drivers don't expect a tip, but finding an available one can take time. Compared to deluxe taxis, regular taxis are a good deal and are cheaper than the bus or subway for three people making a short trip.

For individual travellers, however, it is easier and usually quicker to travel around Seoul by subway. Seoul's subway system is modern, fast, frequent, safe and cheap, but try to avoid rush hours.

"Taking the subway costs about 6 yuan, and buses are around 5 or 6 yuan."

Trains run every few minutes from 5.30am to around midnight, connecting every part of the city. In central Seoul the average time between stations is just over two minutes.

Seoul offers plenty for night owls as some saunas, markets, malls, convenience stores, cinemas, internet cafes and restaurants open all night, while many bars and nightclubs stay open until dawn, particularly on Friday or Saturday nights.

You can go clubbing, watch a movie, nap in a sauna or enjoy some shopping until 5.30am, then catch an early subway train home and save on the taxi fare.

But for Lv Yuan, what she enjoys most is having a cup of coffee at a well-designed coffee bar in the afternoon.

"Korean people like coffee very much. You can find all kinds of coffee bars and takeaway shops, in almost every location. That means as well as tasting various coffees, you can also experience the culture of different coffee bars. In Beijing, when you want to have a cup of coffee in a bar, you probably have to go to certain areas, such as Sanlitun or Nanluoguxiang, but in Seoul you can find coffee bars on almost every street."

Food is a very important part of Korean culture. Visitors to Korea usually discover a wide array of unique and delicious Korean dishes.

"If you are interested in traditional Korean cuisine, I would recommend a street named Insadong, where you can also find many antique shops. You can pick up very good Korean cuisine there. Usually a meal will cost you about 20 to 30 thousand Korean won, which is equivalent to 150 to 200 yuan."

But travellers from other countries also have a chance to taste their own native cuisine in Seoul.

"Itaewon is similar to Sanlitun in Beijing, which is an area inhabited by foreigners. There you will find a large number of international restaurants. During your stay in Korea, when you want to have some western meals, I recommend Itaewon, as you can find French restaurants, Italian restaurants, Spanish restaurants, even Bulgarian restaurants."

Besides offering all sorts of culinary delights, you may also find that Seoul is a good place for shopping.

"As for what to buy in Korea, cosmetics are the best choice. They are very cheap with gorgeous packaging. And you can also buy some well-designed souvenirs. Even a fridge tag possesses something of the city's unique culture."

If you are interested in fashion, Dongdaemun is the right place. You can also head to Myeongdong, where you'll be able to pick up anything you want, as there are not only large shopping stores, but also various designer shops.

In Seoul, Spring, from April to June, is a beautiful season, with generally mild temperatures and cherry blossoms. But try to avoid the height of summer, from late June to late August, which starts off with the monsoon season, when the country receives some 60% of its annual rainfall, and is followed by unpleasantly hot and humid weather.