THE PEOPLE'S MONARCH - Royal Brunei Airlines

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FEATURE
MUHIBAH
At a glance, Seoul seems crowded and
competitive, frenzied and unfriendly. Dig
a little deeper and you’ll fi nd a dynamic
city that succeeds at balancing the old with the new; providing endless
possibilities for great and surprising discoveries. Seoul is so wired and
vibrant that it’s not diffi cult to see why it has recently emerged as one
of the most visited cities in Asia.
Leave the tourist sights to experience a Seoul that will leave you
intrigued. A city of contrasts, you’ll not only encounter century-old
buildings shadowed by towering skyscrapers, but a lifestyle so full of
tradition existing alongside a new generation bursting with energy.
Yet it’s hard to imagine that only thirty years ago Seoul was destined to
be just like any other grim industrial town.
To really feel the vibe of the city, head direct to the shopping
areas. It may seem an odd suggestion, but it is exactly in places like
Namdaemun Market where you’ll see and feel the soul of Seoul. Peel
off the fi rst layer of this bustling 600-year-old market and a heady mix
of past and present unravels. This round-the-clock market is essentially
Seoul in a nutshell. Narrow alleys create a labyrinth of retail wonder,
where you’ll fi nd vendors selling everything from seaweed to ginseng,
medicinal herbs to mushrooms, including herbals teas and more. But,
there’s also the other side of the market that sells anything from
trendy clothes to hip accessories and everyday essentials.