“A temple in the middle of Seoul?” I hear you ask. Indeed, right here before us stands Seoncheonam a testament to Seoul’s rich history. Seoul has been a capital city since 1394 during the Joseon Dynasty. It began as Hanyang in 554.
Seoul’s story is a long and winding road through Korean history. It has been known by many names. These include Wiryeseong Namgyeong and Gyeongseong. After World War II the city became known as Seoul. The name Seoul means “capital city” in Korean. It may have come from Seorabeol the name of Silla’s capital.
Seoul is a city of contrasts where ancient traditions meet modern life. Seoul preserves Hanok houses. This helps maintain cultural identity amid rapid modernization. The city invests to restore and protect traditional Korean houses. Demolitions are prohibited. These houses are excluded from major development projects. Seoul and private investors have restored hundreds of Hanok houses. Some have become museums cafes and cultural hubs.
Today over half of South Korea’s population lives in the Seoul Capital Area. That’s around 26 million people. The Seoul metropolitan area is about the size of Bhutan or Trinidad. It is similar in size to Metro Tokyo and Paris.
Seoul is a global hub and the center of the Korean Wave. Major K-pop labels like YG Entertainment and SM Entertainment call Seoul home. Famous dance studios such as 1 Million are also located here.
Seoul is also known as a city that never sleeps. Almost anything you can think of has a 24-hour option. You can find restaurants cafes bathhouses and karaoke rooms open all night. There are probably over 30000 karaoke rooms in South Korea’s capital. They are known as “noraebang”. Karaoke is a cornerstone of South Korean culture.
Seoul is surrounded by mountains. It also boasts beautiful picnic spots along the Han River. The Han River divides central Seoul into two halves. Bike paths and parks line the river. This makes it a popular spot for recreation. You can rent picnic supplies and enjoy local favorites like chimaek fried chicken and beer.
The city also has a strong street food culture. Specific areas are devoted to key dishes. You can find everything from mung bean pancakes to spicy tteokbokki. The fortress wall around Seoul was built during the Joseon Dynasty. It protected the capital from invaders. The wall follows the ridges of four mountains.
Seoul maintains connections around the world. It has 25 sister cities. In 1978 Samneungno Street in Seoul was renamed Teheran-ro. This honored the visit of Tehran’s mayor.
Even with its modern facade Seoul remembers its past. A tree in Seoul still shows bullet holes from an assassination attempt on President Park Chung-hee. The 200-year-old pine tree stands on the Baegak Mountain Trail.
As we stand here at Seoncheonam we connect with centuries of history. This temple represents Seoul’s enduring spirit. It blends tradition and modernity in its vibrant culture.