Seoul, South Korea has emerged as an economic powerhouse within the last few decades. They have experienced explosive economic growth and are considered to be at the forefront of technological development. As a result, the population of Seoul has increased drastically within the last decade. Seoul boasts a population of over 10 million people and is considered to be the world’s second largest metropolitan area with upwards of 25 million people.
Gay Seoul is South Korea’s most gay-oriented city. There are many established gay owned bars and clubs in Seoul located on what is commonly known as “Homo Hill” which is in the Itaewon District. These gay venues are open until the wee morning hours (typically until 5am). If you are looking for somewhere to party then “Homo Hill” should be at the top of your list for places to go. On the weekends Homo Hill can definitely get rowdy so be sure that you don’t get lost and that you remember how to get back to your hotel room.
Seoul in itself is gorgeous, there are tons of things to do and many places to visit. Korea experiences hot/humid and rainy summers, harsh chill bearing winters, so if you are looking for good weather than the best time to go is in the spring or autumn which is in-between the two extremes.
There are many ways for a traveler to get around Gay Seoul. If you want a Big city type experience then head down under and take the subway. There are nine different numbered lines for subways in Korea, and best of all the signs are all in Korean and English! If you don’t want to take the subway then Seoul also offers an extensive public transport bus system. There are four different kinds of buses, yellow, green, blue, and red. Yellow busses will carry you into the tourist type areas, green buses travel around the neighborhoods and to the subways. The blue buses go across town while the red buses are designated for inner city travel.
Remember that the currency is different in South Korea as they use the “Won” as their main form of currency. The Won currency deals in high numbers, so a regular meal may end up costing you 50,000 Won.
When you arrive in Seoul you should never be without something to do for very long. If you simply step out onto the street and look both ways, you are sure to be able to find something to do. If you are into games then Seoul boasts some of the most prominent internet cafes in the world. They also have the world’s fastest broadband network. This is truly a place with many colors, experience it if you have a chance, we recommend it!
Gay Rights in South Korea
The general age of consent in South Korea is 13. Although homosexual activity is legal, the LGBT community still face legal challenges. Same-sex marriage is not socially and culturally recognized. Many prefer not to reveal their gay identity to their family, friends or co-workers. But as in many countries, the society is becoming more accepting of gays and lesbians.
Transgender people are allowed to have sex change surgery in Korea after age 20 and can change their gender information on official documents.
Gay Scene
Seoul remains South Korea’s most gay-oriented city with an international, foreigner-friendly gay scene. A number of well-established gay bars are located in the lively Itaewon area, particularly on the so-called “Homo Hill”. Nearby, there a few popular gay dance clubs that get busy late into the night.
Gay saunas and gay cruises in Seoul are rather small, though they can be found all around the city, especially in popular areas like Itaewon, Jongno and Gangnam. These venues usually stay open 24 hours and can get pretty wild on the weekend.
For a more ‘local’ gay scene, check out Jongno. This area in central Seoul is home to dozens of gay-popular hangouts, karaoke bars and restaurants. Take the subway to Jongno 3-ga station and take Exit 5.
In the evening, The Coffee Bean café at Fraser Suites Insadong hotel is packed with gay customers. The guys come in various ages, shapes and ethnicities. Popular for pre-clubbing, this is the place to see and be seen.
Getting to Seoul
Most visitors arrive via the Incheon International Airport (ICN) located on Yeongjong Island in the neighboring city of Incheon. The closer but older Gimpo Airport handles most domestic flights as well as shuttle services to Tokyo, Osaka and Shanghai.
The A’REX train, which connects the airport to Seoul Station, operates from 5:20am until midnight. There are two versions – the Express leaves every half hour and takes about 40 minutes, while the commuter train leaves every 6 minutes and takes about 50 minutes.
Getting around Seoul
Bus
Seoul also has an extensive bus service. There are four different kinds: yellow, green, blue, and red. Yellow buses have a short circuit usually around tourist areas. Green buses travel around neighborhoods and connect with the subway. Blue buses go across town, while red buses are intercity buses. Buses will only stop at designated stops and will not wait for indecisive travelers.
Taxi
There are two kinds of taxis. Deluxe taxis are black with a yellow sign and are more expensive but provide more comfortable service. Regular taxis are silver, and most have leather interiors. It is easy to hail a taxi any time of the day or night along any relatively major Seoul street.
Car
Renting a car is possible but not advisable as traffic is usually bad and parking is extremely difficult to find.
Subway
The most convenient way to commute in Seoul. You can visit most places via the subway. There are currently nine numbered lines plus a few suburban lines, all differentiated by colors. All signs in the subway system are in Korean and English.
Walk
Since Seoul is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, walking around in the city can be confusing. Most people will try to help you find your way around but often won’t know themselves. The best thing to do is to familiarize yourself with some landmarks and the nearest subway stations.
Where to Stay
If you want to stay close to all the action, there are several great-value Mid-Range & Budget Hotels near all the gay bars, dance clubs and entertainment venues in Itaewon area and the local nightlife in Jongno district.
Better hotel choices and some the best Luxury Hotels in Seoul are located in Myeongdong and Seoul Central District.
Things to See & Do
National Museum of Korea – the largest museum in Korea with six permanent exhibition galleries.
Namdaemun – the largest traditional street market in Korea.
Myeongdong NANTA Theatre – 90-min world-famous non-verbal performance with audience participation.
Leeum Samsung Museum of Art – located in Itaewon and showcases beautiful Korean and international art collection.
Samcheong-dong Bukchon – neighbourhood with interesting coffee shops, restaurants, clothing stores and galleries.
Changdeokgung Palace – this UNESCO world heritage site is a 15th century palace with quiet, natural surroundings.
Namsan Park – a great place to walk and exercise offering beautiful views and an outdoor gym; home of the Seoul Tower.
Insadong – historic neighbourhood with a nice collection of shops and restaurants.
Gyeongbokgung Palace – built six centuries ago and home to The National Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum.
Yongsan Electronics Market – huge shopping mall with two floors full of electronics.
When to Visit
Korea has four seasons and experiences harsh winters and hot, humid and rainy summers. The best time to visit Seoul is in Spring (late March – beginning of June) or Autumn (mid September – November).
Money
The currency in South Korea is the South Korean Won (KRW). The won currency deals with high numbers. A restaurant meal could cost KRW50,000. Get to know the currency before you arrive.
Visa
Most countries have joined a visa waiver agreement with the Republic of Korea and are allowed to enter Korea without a visa for the purpose of tourism and travel.
Another visa agreement is the designated visa-free entry. The length of stay depends on the agreement made between South Korea and your country (usually 3 months).
Search Hotel South Korea in here:
Booking.com
Gay Seoul is South Korea’s most gay-oriented city. There are many established gay owned bars and clubs in Seoul located on what is commonly known as “Homo Hill” which is in the Itaewon District. These gay venues are open until the wee morning hours (typically until 5am). If you are looking for somewhere to party then “Homo Hill” should be at the top of your list for places to go. On the weekends Homo Hill can definitely get rowdy so be sure that you don’t get lost and that you remember how to get back to your hotel room.
Seoul in itself is gorgeous, there are tons of things to do and many places to visit. Korea experiences hot/humid and rainy summers, harsh chill bearing winters, so if you are looking for good weather than the best time to go is in the spring or autumn which is in-between the two extremes.
There are many ways for a traveler to get around Gay Seoul. If you want a Big city type experience then head down under and take the subway. There are nine different numbered lines for subways in Korea, and best of all the signs are all in Korean and English! If you don’t want to take the subway then Seoul also offers an extensive public transport bus system. There are four different kinds of buses, yellow, green, blue, and red. Yellow busses will carry you into the tourist type areas, green buses travel around the neighborhoods and to the subways. The blue buses go across town while the red buses are designated for inner city travel.
Remember that the currency is different in South Korea as they use the “Won” as their main form of currency. The Won currency deals in high numbers, so a regular meal may end up costing you 50,000 Won.
When you arrive in Seoul you should never be without something to do for very long. If you simply step out onto the street and look both ways, you are sure to be able to find something to do. If you are into games then Seoul boasts some of the most prominent internet cafes in the world. They also have the world’s fastest broadband network. This is truly a place with many colors, experience it if you have a chance, we recommend it!
Gay Rights in South Korea
The general age of consent in South Korea is 13. Although homosexual activity is legal, the LGBT community still face legal challenges. Same-sex marriage is not socially and culturally recognized. Many prefer not to reveal their gay identity to their family, friends or co-workers. But as in many countries, the society is becoming more accepting of gays and lesbians.
Transgender people are allowed to have sex change surgery in Korea after age 20 and can change their gender information on official documents.
Gay Scene
Seoul remains South Korea’s most gay-oriented city with an international, foreigner-friendly gay scene. A number of well-established gay bars are located in the lively Itaewon area, particularly on the so-called “Homo Hill”. Nearby, there a few popular gay dance clubs that get busy late into the night.
Gay saunas and gay cruises in Seoul are rather small, though they can be found all around the city, especially in popular areas like Itaewon, Jongno and Gangnam. These venues usually stay open 24 hours and can get pretty wild on the weekend.
For a more ‘local’ gay scene, check out Jongno. This area in central Seoul is home to dozens of gay-popular hangouts, karaoke bars and restaurants. Take the subway to Jongno 3-ga station and take Exit 5.
In the evening, The Coffee Bean café at Fraser Suites Insadong hotel is packed with gay customers. The guys come in various ages, shapes and ethnicities. Popular for pre-clubbing, this is the place to see and be seen.
Getting to Seoul
Most visitors arrive via the Incheon International Airport (ICN) located on Yeongjong Island in the neighboring city of Incheon. The closer but older Gimpo Airport handles most domestic flights as well as shuttle services to Tokyo, Osaka and Shanghai.
The A’REX train, which connects the airport to Seoul Station, operates from 5:20am until midnight. There are two versions – the Express leaves every half hour and takes about 40 minutes, while the commuter train leaves every 6 minutes and takes about 50 minutes.
Getting around Seoul
Bus
Seoul also has an extensive bus service. There are four different kinds: yellow, green, blue, and red. Yellow buses have a short circuit usually around tourist areas. Green buses travel around neighborhoods and connect with the subway. Blue buses go across town, while red buses are intercity buses. Buses will only stop at designated stops and will not wait for indecisive travelers.
Taxi
There are two kinds of taxis. Deluxe taxis are black with a yellow sign and are more expensive but provide more comfortable service. Regular taxis are silver, and most have leather interiors. It is easy to hail a taxi any time of the day or night along any relatively major Seoul street.
Car
Renting a car is possible but not advisable as traffic is usually bad and parking is extremely difficult to find.
Subway
The most convenient way to commute in Seoul. You can visit most places via the subway. There are currently nine numbered lines plus a few suburban lines, all differentiated by colors. All signs in the subway system are in Korean and English.
Walk
Since Seoul is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, walking around in the city can be confusing. Most people will try to help you find your way around but often won’t know themselves. The best thing to do is to familiarize yourself with some landmarks and the nearest subway stations.
Where to Stay
If you want to stay close to all the action, there are several great-value Mid-Range & Budget Hotels near all the gay bars, dance clubs and entertainment venues in Itaewon area and the local nightlife in Jongno district.
Better hotel choices and some the best Luxury Hotels in Seoul are located in Myeongdong and Seoul Central District.
Things to See & Do
National Museum of Korea – the largest museum in Korea with six permanent exhibition galleries.
Namdaemun – the largest traditional street market in Korea.
Myeongdong NANTA Theatre – 90-min world-famous non-verbal performance with audience participation.
Leeum Samsung Museum of Art – located in Itaewon and showcases beautiful Korean and international art collection.
Samcheong-dong Bukchon – neighbourhood with interesting coffee shops, restaurants, clothing stores and galleries.
Changdeokgung Palace – this UNESCO world heritage site is a 15th century palace with quiet, natural surroundings.
Namsan Park – a great place to walk and exercise offering beautiful views and an outdoor gym; home of the Seoul Tower.
Insadong – historic neighbourhood with a nice collection of shops and restaurants.
Gyeongbokgung Palace – built six centuries ago and home to The National Museum of Korea and the National Folk Museum.
Yongsan Electronics Market – huge shopping mall with two floors full of electronics.
When to Visit
Korea has four seasons and experiences harsh winters and hot, humid and rainy summers. The best time to visit Seoul is in Spring (late March – beginning of June) or Autumn (mid September – November).
Money
The currency in South Korea is the South Korean Won (KRW). The won currency deals with high numbers. A restaurant meal could cost KRW50,000. Get to know the currency before you arrive.
Visa
Most countries have joined a visa waiver agreement with the Republic of Korea and are allowed to enter Korea without a visa for the purpose of tourism and travel.
Another visa agreement is the designated visa-free entry. The length of stay depends on the agreement made between South Korea and your country (usually 3 months).
Search Hotel South Korea in here:
Booking.com
0 Comments