The capital of what is now South Korea for the last 600 years, Seoul's history is actually much older, as its area is believed to have been inhabited since at least the Neolithic Age. Its geographical position in the heart of Korea, bordered by a navigable river and protected by mountains, has made its location a much coveted one over the centuries. The capital of the Joseon dynasty from 1392 to 1910, the city was named Hanyang before it became Seoul ("capital city").

Devastated several times over by Manchurian and Japanese invasions, Seoul started hiding its riches during the 17th century, leading 19th-century foreign travellers to describe it as a poor and run-down city. What they did not realise was that its dirty alleys and modest dwellings often concealed grand avenues and opulent residences. Under Japanese occupation, from 1905 to 1945, Seoul became the Gyeongseong fortress-capital. The city's modernization was quickly halted by the Korean War, when the city was almost completely razed to the ground, with only a few ancient buildings having survived the conflict.

The city's rapid economic and demographic development during the 1960s eventually led to the creation of today's ultramodern megalopolis of 12 million inhabitants. Though visitors will certainly not be able to totally grasp the city within a day, it nonetheless provides a fine introduction to Korean culture. A somewhat inhuman city at first sight, with its concrete structures and elevated expressways, it remains a fascinating place with several hidden charms. Its low crime rate, excellent public transit system, wide array of attractions and surrounding mountains and waterways provide a welcome contrast to its urban pollution and traffic jams.