Seoul, South Korea

I could go on all day about Seoul but here are some quick facts you might find interesting about this bustling metropolis.

* Seoul is the 8th largest city in the world with a population of 10.2 million.

* It is one of the top ten world financial centers.

* It is the most connected internet city in the world.

* Seoul is home to the worlds 3rd largest subway system. I found it to be rather confusing at times because of its complexity.

*Seoul’s population density is twice as concentrated as New York City

I truly enjoyed staying in Seoul for a week. Surrounded by mountains, it has some great outdoor activities to take part in, namely hiking. After backpacking mostly 3rd world countries in Asia, Seoul was a welcome change of pace. The subway can take you anywhere you need to go.

Noryangjin Seafood Market is a must see. This was the largest seafood market I have visited. If it lives in the ocean you can buy it here.  Like most markets there is the typical morning chaos as fresh deliveries and purchases are made. By 3PM it is quiet and the sellers eat a late lunch and discuss the days ups and downs.

We stayed at two different hostels in Hongdae (홍대). I would highly recommend anyone backpacking Seoul to stay in this district located West of Seoul Station. With the help of a large university, the streets are full of students and lined with shops, restaurants, pubs, street vendors, etc.

Taxis in Seoul can be interesting experience. Drivers do not speak any English so you must have an address written in Korean or be able to pronounce where you want to go in Korean. I found these drivers to have a tough time navigating the city even with a GPS. All in all, Seoul is one of my favorite cities that I have visited, the food probably puts it in my top 5 list.