Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FINDING AN ADDRESS
Seoul is divided up into 25 districts (
gu,
eg Jongno-gu) with these districts further divided into subdistricts (
dong,
ie Insa-dong). Under an old system of addresses, buildings were then numbered according to their chro-
nology within the subdistrict. It was all pretty confusing, so the city has decided to move over to a new address
system of logically numbered buildings on named streets (
gil
).
However, until the end of 2013 the old address system will exist alongside the new one. In this guide the
practical details for sights, restaurants, hotels etc provide the basic address information that will help you most
easily locate a business, typically the
dong
and, if the area in a chapter covers more than one
gu
then also the
gu
. If a place is on a well-known street (ie Itaewon-ro) or on a clearly marked new street address (ie those off Insa-
dong-gil), then that information is included too, along with the number you'll find on the building.
If you have the correct full address (either system) these can be used by satellite navigation in taxis or on
phones to locate where you are going. For more information on the address changeover see
Safe Travel
Seoul is a safe city, except when it comes to traffic. Drivers tend to be impatient; many
routinely go through red lights. For those on foot, don't be the first or last person to cross
over any pedestrian crossing and don't expect any vehicles to stop for you. Watch out for
motorcyclists who routinely speed along pavements and across pedestrian crossings.
Drunks in Seoul are better behaved than in the West, so walking around at 3am
shouldn't pose a problem. There's always an exception, of course, and as always it's best
not to antagonise people who have been drinking.
Visitors are often surprised to see police in full riot gear, carrying large shields and long
batons, streaming out of blue police buses that have their windows covered in protective
wire. Student, trade-union, anti-American, environmental and other protests occasionally
turn violent. Keep well out of the way of any confrontations that may occur.
Telephone
Gyeonggi-do code
(
031)
This province surrounds Seoul.
