Seoul experiences four distinct seasons. Generally humid, hot and rainy, summers have high temperatures of 35 degrees Celsius. Winter lows can sink to ?10 degrees Celsius. Spring and autumn are usually pleasant and moderate. Total annual precipitation is around 137 cm, with large amounts of rainfall during July to September.

International Chamber of Commerce Korea

Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry

The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea

Italian Trade Commission

Brazil

France

Ireland

Italy

Business centers provide a range of services that include secretarial, translation/interpretation, and office services, including computer rentals, audio/visual equipment rentals, cellular phone rentals, copy and printing services, and temporary office space and staff.

Unico Business Center

U.S. Trade Center

COEX

ITS International Translation Service

Korea Translation-Interpretation Service

Star Communications Inc.

DHL

FedEx

TNT

UPS

First Express International

All upper-range and most medium-priced hotels are equipped with dataports that allow guests to use laptop computers. Many hotels offer business centers equipped with computers and Internet access. In addition, there are thousands of PC rooms with high-speed connections and charge between 500-2000 won per hour. Some also offer printing and scanning services and are open 24 hours.

Citizens of the European Union, the U.S. Japan, Mexico, Brazil, and the U.K. do not need a visa to enter Korea. Citizens of the U.S., Japan, Mexico, Brazil, the European Union (except Italy and Portugal who can stay up to 2 months), and the U.K. may stay up to 90 days without visas. Citizens of the People's Republic of China need to obtain a visa to enter Korea. Citizens of the People's Republic of China need visa.

Duty-free allowances are 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, 1 liter of alcohol, 2 oz. of perfume, and gifts worth up to 300,000 won. Illegal drugs and hazardous goods are prohibited.

Country code is 82. The main local area code for Seoul is 02, or 2 from outside the country.

Travel Phone (English-language service for foreign visitors)

Medical Emergency

Police

For local calls, you can simply dial local number without the city code. For long distance calls within Korea, you can dial the city code followed by the local number. Public phones are run by Korea Telecom and take 10 won, 50-won, and 100-won coins. Little beeps during a call indicate more coins need to be inserted. No change will come for 50- or 100-won coins.

GSM 1800 and 900 networks are in use. SK Telecomis the main network provider. KT Freetel and LG Telecom are the other two major mobile service operators. Mobile phone numbers follow the regular telephone number convention, with the telephone number followed by the area code.

If you choose to bring your cellular phone into Korea, be sure to check with your home cellular service provider to establish compatibility of your phone with systems abroad. Rent a locally compatible cellular phone before you arrive to obtain reasonable rates and reliable service.

The local currency is won (W). Notes are in denominations of W10,000, W5000 and W1000. Coins are in denominations of W500, W100, W50, W10, and W1. Money can be exchanged at international airports, hotels, banks, or other authorized money changers. Cash access with your credit card or ATM is possible, but instructions are in Korean. Travelers' checks are the most convenient way to obtain cash in Japan; however, only few stores and restaurants accept them. The most commonly accepted credit cards in Korea are American Express, Visa, MasterCard, and Diner's Club.

Tipping is not an established practice. Hotels and hotel restaurants will add 10% service charge to the bill. Taxi drivers are not tipped unless they help with the luggage, or provide an extra service.

Seoul is nine hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and does not observe Daylight Savings Time.

A value-added tax (VAT) is levied on most goods and services at a standard rate of 10% and is included in the retail price. In hotels, 10% tax applies to rooms, meals and other services and is automatically added onto the bill.

The voltage and current is 110/220 volts AC, 60Hz. Government policy is to phase out the 110-volt supply and many hotels now have a 220 volt supply.

Seoul has an extensive bus network with over 400 bus routes. There are three kinds of urban buses: city, city express, and deluxe express. Seoul also boasts a state-of-the-art subway system with eight subway lines and one surface line. In general, subway trains operate at intervals of 2.5 to 3 minutes during the rush hours, and at intervals of 4 to 6 minutes during the non-rush hours.

Seoul has two types of taxis: general and deluxe. General taxis are white or gray, while deluxe taxis, called "mobum" taxis, are black with a yellow sign on the top. Mobum taxis are considerably more expensive. 20% extra is added to the fare between 12 a.m. and 4 a.m.

No specific immunizations are needed to enter Korea. However, if you plan to visit rural areas, visitors are recommended to seek advice from their doctors concerning immunization against Hepatitis, Tetanus, Polio, Cholera, Malaria and Typhoid.

Very popular amongst visitors, Arirang Minsokgwan features traditional Korean dishes and an opportunity to watch artistic performances while dining. For excellent Korean BBQ, try Sheobul, within the Westin Chosun. The upscale Chinese restaurant Golden Dragon is a favorite among business executives, while Xian specializes in fine Korean/Japanese/Chinese fusion cuisine. La Continentale features sumptuous French dishes and flawless service, and Top Cloud spreads the fusion trend in Seoul with a French-Korean food. Situated inside the Hilton is Genji, a fine Japanese restaurant. Hanazono, inside the Ritz-Carlton, and Benkay, in Hotel Lotte, are two other excellent venues for Japanese food.

Renowned for its shopping, Seoul has wonderful selections that range from designer fashion to custom-made clothing, from fine jewelry to local artisans' wares. For designer fashion, Myongdong is the best shopping area north of Han River, while Apgujung-dong and Chungdam-dong are its counterparts south of Han River. For custom-tailored shirts and suits and leather fashions, Itaewon is worth a visit. Inexpensive clothes and accessories can be found at the Dongdaemun market, while Insa-dong is the place to find antiques, ceramics and craft items.

Seoul is home to a large number of historic attractions. Kyongbokkung is the city's most spectacular palace; it currently is the site of the National Folk Museum and the National Museum of Korea. The Museum of Modern Arts can be found within the lovely Toksukung, formerly a royal residence. The former royal palace Chongdokkung features the elegant Secret Garden. Ancestral tablets of the Yi Dynasty Kings are on display at the Chongmiyo Shrine.

The Seiong Center for the Performing Arts and Seoul Arts Center offer year-round programming, featuring theater, dance, opera, classical and contemporary music. You can enjoy traditional Korean theater at Seoul Nori-Madang. Two spots that afford spectacular views of the city are Seoul Tower on top of Namsan Mountain and 63 Building in Yeouido. Close to the city, the Korean Folk Village simulates traditional Korean culture. The National Museum of Contemporary Art, an hour away from the city, displays interesting contemporary works by Korean artists.

Seoul has a lively nightlife scene. Late-night cafés, clubs, restaurants and karaoke bars can be found in Apgujung-dong and Myongdong districts. The Sheraton Walker Hill Casino, open 24-hours, is for a foreign clientele.