Environment

Seoul is in the north-west corner of South Korea. The border with North Korea is only about 40km (25mi) from the city center. This central area is the most important for both sightseeing and accommodation, with Mt. Namsan forming the southern perimeter of this area. Tourists and shoppers are well at home in It'aewon, south of Mt. Namsan. The Han River winds through the city, splitting it in two. The Kangnam area on the south bank is Seoul's most exclusive neighborhood, but on the whole, the southern areas have less interest to the traveler than the historic northern neighborhoods.

Easily the most maddening thing about Seoul is the system of street addresses. Addresses are not given according to consecutive numbers along a road, but as random numbers within an arbitrary block of land. If you've spent time in Japan, you might have some luck understanding the system, but probably have no better chance of actually finding anywhere without a detailed map; even the locals seem baffled by the system. You will need to wander around looking for your destination, as there are virtually no street signs (let alone street names). Most business cards have maps printed on the back.