Like the rest of Korea, Seoul has four distinct seasons, which means the landscape changes considerably throughout the year. This unique climate is deeply embedded within Korea’s cultural fabric.

Spring in Seoul

Seoul’s average temperature is 12.5°C, and spring begins around March, when the entire city bursts into flowers. Many Seoulites enjoy strolling around Yeouido or other green spaces throughout the city that are filled with an astonishing display of cherry blossoms, forsythias, azaleas, and magnolias. This is the season when the temperature drops sharply after nightfall. Those planning to visit Seoul at this time must remember to pack suitable clothing. A pair of sunglasses and a mask to keep you safe from inhaling the yellow dust that is carried over from China during the spring are essential. The atmosphere can be extremely dry, so take extra care if you have sensitive skin or a sore throat.

Summer in Seoul

Seoul’s long, hot, and humid summer is only interrupted by sporadic monsoon rains in June and July. If you find Seoul somewhat quiet during this period, that’s because many Koreans go on vacation at this time of year. You will also find people gathered around the water fountain in front of Gwanghwamun Square or under a bridge along the Hangang (River). Banpodaegyo (Bridge) is a popular spot that offers a fantastic view of the city

Fall in Seoul

Seoul’s pleasant autumn season lasts from September to November. Seoul is filled with bright autumnal colors at this time of year. It is the harvest season, which is celebrated by paying tribute to the ancestral deities and spirits. It is also the season in which people prepare for the imminent winter. In addition, Seoul Street Art Festival (Hi Seoul Festival), one of Seoul’s major festivals, is held during this period. During this time, Changgyeonggung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace are also open to the public in the evenings, as well as the Seoul Lantern Festival, which lights up the streets at night, offering many spectacles.

Winter in Seoul

Due to the strong influence of icy air from the North, winter is quite cold in Seoul. This is when public areas all over Seoul open skating rinks. The days become markedly shorter, and you will see Seoulites busily going about their business wrapped up against the cold under myriad flashy neon lights.

Seoul’s average temperature and rainfall by month (unit ℃,mm)

Month	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Year
Temperature	-0.9	1	6.3	13.3	18.9	23.6	25.8	26.3	22.4	15.5	8.9	1.6	13.6
Rainfall	11.3	22.7	9.6	80.5	28.6	99	226	72.9	26	81.5	104.6	29.1	792.1

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For more information, please refer to The Official Travel Guide to Seoul. Click here

Seoul’s food does wonders in attracting people to the city. Whatever you have, wherever you are, the food will never fail to satisfy you. From fine dining to casual street food, you will find traditional Korean food, a variety of western cuisine, and fusion cuisine served all throughout the city at restaurants that make you feel like eating at home.

Korean Cuisine

Korean cuisine uses lots of fresh ingredients to create diverse flavors and nutritious, healthy meals and is well-received by foreigners. The food in Korea is relatively cheap but high in quality, and one can find restaurants running late into the night and even ones open 24-hours. The majority of tourists find Korean cuisine suitable to their tastes, and dining out is frequent even among Seoulites.

Bibimbap is a Popular Korean Dish

Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish that contains many ingredients mixed in a bowl along with rice and hot pepper paste. It is also one of the most representative Korean dishes, along with bulgogi and kimchi.
There was a long standing tradition, among Korean ancestors, that any leftover food on New Year’s Eve was not to be kept into the New Year. For this reason, the practice of mixing various ingredients in a bowl with rice was started.

Gimbap (Korean rolls) is a Perfect Picnic Food

Gimbap is a popular Korean food made of steamed rice, seasoned with salt and sesame oil, and made with various ingredients (spinach, radish, carrot, egg, and ham), and rolled in slightly-roasted dried seaweed. It is served in bite-size slices.

Dolsot-bap is a Nutritious Hot pot dish

Dolsot-bap is made of soaked sweet rice, rice, chestnut, julienned jujube, and ginseng. It is cooked in a stone pot and the seasoning is served on the side. According to a legend, this dish was developed during the Joseon Dynasty, when royal court families visited Beopjusa Temple for prayer service. The monks made dolsot-bap with readily-available food ingredients so that they could quickly serve them.

Samgyeopsal (grilled pork belly) is the All-Time Favorite Food of Koreans

Samgyeopsal was named as such because the pork belly cuts have three layers of meat and fat. Samgyeopsal is from the wide and flat area that is located next to the pork chops and extends to the belly area. As the meat and fat form multiple layers, this part of the pig is the most flavorful type of pork and is used in many dishes.

Bulgogi is Foreigners’ Most Favorite Korean Dish

Bulgogi is the most typical Korean beef dish and is one of the most favored Korean dishes amongst foreigners.
During the Goryeo Dynasty, the dish developed into seolyameokjeok, which means a grilled dish people eat on a snowy night. During the Joseon Dynasty, it changed into neobiani, or Royal Court food.

Jokbal (Steamed Pigs' Feet ) and Bossam (Napa Wraps with Pork) are Koreans’ Favorite Mid-Night Dishes

Jokbal and bossam dishes use pork, and jokbal is Koreans’ favorite mid-night food.

Seoul is a city that embraces the beauty of both tradition and modernity. With five ancient palaces and five World Heritage Sites designated by UNESCO, Seoul is living history of 600 years as the capital of the Chooseon Dynasty. You can experience how life was like in the past at hanok villages (traditional Korean houses), learn to make kimchi and traditional handicrafts, learn taekwondo, try making makgeolli (Korean rice wine), and try a temple stay. Many exciting and unique experiences await you in Seoul.

A Peek into Korean Culture

The streets of Insadong, the medicinal herbs market and various traditional markets will present a different type of fun and excitement.

Korea’s Palace: Gyeongbokgung Palace

Built in 1395, the location of the palace was determined based on the principles of feng shui, having Mt. Bukaksan to the back and Yukjo Street to the front along with Gwanghwamun (gate). Further to the front stands Mt. Namsan and the Cheonggyecheon Stream flows through the area, making the location the best spot in terms of feng shui. Perhaps it was indeed because of the auspiciousness of the location, but the Choseon Dynasty reigned for more than 600 years.

A Peek into Korean Culture

Built in 1395, the location of the palace was determined based on the principles of feng shui, having Mt. Bukaksan to the back and Yukjo Street to the front along with Gwanghwamun (gate). Further to the front stands Mt. Namsan and the Cheonggyecheon Stream flows through the area, making the location the best spot in terms of feng shui. Perhaps it was indeed because of the auspiciousness of the location, but the Choseon Dynasty reigned for more than 600 years.

A Peek into Korean Culture

The streets of Insadong, the medicinal herbs market and various traditional markets will present a different type of fun and excitement.

For more information, please refer to The Official Travel Guide to Seoul. Click here