eoul
A new non-stop flight to Seoul makes the South Korean capital more accessible than ever, finds Nick Boulos
DESTINATIONS SOUTH KOREA | ASIA
s
leek and shiny. Polished yet powerful. The skyline of the South Korean capital
appears, at first glance, to symbolise everything this city has come to represent. Recent years have seen an explosion in all things ‘K’, from tech to beauty to pop – but scratch beneath the surface and it’s clear the foundations of South Korea’s moment in the sun are rooted in its past, both recent and ancient. With Virgin Atlantic’s new daily London-Seoul link, which launched on March 29, there has never been a better time to explore the history that lies behind this city’s shiny facade.
DRESS TO IMPRESS
Star of the show is Gyeongbokgung Palace, built in 1395 and the largest of the five grand residences left by
the Joseon Dynasty. Although little of what stands today is original – it was mostly destroyed by the Japanese in the 16th century – the palace remains an impressive sight and also offers a glimpse of one of Seoul’s most curious spectacles: the art of hanbok. Strolling among the lotus ponds,
throne halls and surprisingly colourful wooden shrines are countless people in period costume. Such behaviour might be met with disdain and possibly even offence in other destinations, but in South Korea, where grace, respect and national pride rule supreme, it’s positively encouraged. In fact, it’s an entire industry. Widely available from hanbok rental shops near the palace, the practice of hiring out the eye-catching garments is designed to bring guests closer to Korean culture – with fun photo opportunities too.²
travelweekly.co.uk
14 MAY 2026
31
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