text:
Seoul

Seoul (서울) is the capital of South Korea. With a population of over 10 million (with over 20 million in the wider metropolitan area), Seoul is by far South Korea's largest city and one of East Asia's financial and cultural centers. A fascinating blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge digital technology, home to endless street food vendors and vast nightlife districts, an extraordinarily high-pressure educational system and serene Buddhist temples, a dynamic trend-setting youth culture and often crushing conformism, extraordinary architecture and endless monotonous rows of grey apartment buildings, Seoul is a city filled with stark contrasts, contradictions, and paradoxes.

Districts
Administratively, Seoul is divided into 25 districts (구 gu), each with an area and population comparable to a small city. The districts are then further subdivided into 522 sub-districts (동 dong). The Han river splits the city into two halves: Gangbuk (강북), the northern, more historical half, and Gangnam (강남), the southern, wealthier and more modern half. The sheer size of the city means that travelers to Seoul will find it difficult to locate a true "center" of Seoul; instead, Seoul is almost more like a collection of cities that happen to be bunched together, each with their own central business and commercial districts. The two largest core areas are Jongno/Jung in the north, and Gangnam in the south. For travelers with more time, there are many more, smaller centers and districts to be explored, such as the island of Yeoui-do and the college district of Hongdae/Sinchon. For the typical traveler, it would be useful to divide the city into the following areas:

Understand
"S.E.O.U.L. Call it with me, the beautiful world that makes my dreams come true!"

- Girls' Generation & Super Junior

With over 10 million people, a figure that doubles if you include neighboring cities and suburbs, Seoul is the largest city in South Korea and unquestionably the economic, political and cultural hub of the nation. By some measures it is the second largest urban agglomeration on the planet, after Greater Tokyo.

Seoul is a favourite with tourists from China, Japan, Southeast Asia, and increasingly the West, encouraged by the success of Korean pop culture. Aside from the native Korean, travelers will frequently overhear Japanese, Cantonese or Mandarin as well; many restaurants and stores, especially in the more touristy areas like Myeongdong, will have signs in Japanese and Chinese, as well as Korean and English.

The traveler who visits Seoul will not be disappointed. This sprawling metropolis is truly vast — though the casual traveler can see most of the main sites in a few days, a dedicated traveler could spend months exploring all the alleyways and far-off neighborhoods. As the capital of a country that has gone through massive development in the past sixty years, Seoul is constantly changing at an incredible pace, matched only by the mainland Chinese cities. This frantic pace of life is reflected everywhere — in Seoul's cutting-edge digital technology, in the millions of commuters rushing to work everyday in the world's third largest subway system, in one of the most vibrant nightlife scenes in the world, and in the thousands of high rises and apartment buildings still under construction.

History
Considering all of this, one may be forgiven for forgetting that Seoul has a long history stretching far back into Korea's dynastic past. There is evidence for settlement in this area as far back as 18 BCE, but Seoul as the capital city of South Korea has a history dating back to the 14th century. Originally named Hanseong (한성; 漢城), the city was the capital of the Joseon Dynasty from 1392 to 1910. The Joseon Dynasty built most of Seoul's most recognisable landmarks, including the Five Grand Palaces and Namdaemun. After the Japanese surrender in 1945, the city was renamed to its current name, Seoul. Since the establishment of the Republic of Korea in 1948, Seoul has been the capital of South Korea. Occupied twice during the Korean War by Communist forces from the North, the city was extensively rebuilt and today is one of Asia's primary metropolises. Much of Seoul's infrastructure and facilities, such as the buildings, stadiums and transport systems, are exceptionally modern and clean.

Orientation
Seoul is a relatively well organized city covering over 600 km2 with a population of around 10.5 million. It is a new modern city built on an ancient and shining history. The city is in the north-western portion of South Korea approximately east of the Yellow Sea (황해 "Hwanghae") and 60 kilometers south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The city is roughly bisected by the Han River (한강 Hangang), which runs east to west across the city. Seoul blurs seamlessly into its surrounding satellite cities and towns, most of which are also served by the Seoul metro. The largest of these is Incheon (to the west), the home of the metropolitan area's main airport and seaport. Other satellite cities include such as Ilsan (to the north), Bucheon (to the west) and Anyang (to the south).

Climate
Seoul lies between a subtropical and a humid continental climate zones. November to April tend to be more continental, while warmer months are more subtropical with hot, humid summers. There are monsoon conditions in June and July and an average of 28 days of snow during winter. Daylight in the summer runs from 05:15 to 19:45, and in the winter it is from 07:45 to 17:15.

Visitor information

 * Visit Seoul website

By plane
Seoul ( for all airports) is served by two airports; Incheon International Airport serves most international flights, while Gimpo Airport primarily serves domestic flights, though it is also served by some international flights to China, Japan and Taiwan.

Incheon Airport

 * Main article: Incheon International Airport

Most visitors arrive via  on Yeongjong Island in the neighboring city of Incheon.

The A'REX train link connects the airport to Seoul Station (for further connections to KTX high-speed services) and Gimpo Airport (most domestic flights), operating from 05:20 until 00:00. Two versions exist: express services to the city (every 40 minutes) take 43 minutes and cost ₩9,000 (with WiFi available on board); while commuter services (every 6 minutes) take 53 minutes and cost ₩3,700. The express train and the regular train leave from different platforms and have different ticket buying booths. The express service offers discounts to passengers with flight or train tickets for the same day, as well as returning passengers with a ticket issued within the past 15 days.

If, however, you have a lot of luggage or are heading to southern parts of Seoul (e.g. Gangnam), the airport buses remain your best option.

A taxi direct to Seoul will cost around ₩50,000/70,000 regular/deluxe.

Gimpo Airport

Gimpo Airport is easily reached on the A'REX link from Seoul Station or Incheon Airport, as well as subway lines 5 and 9. All lines intersect Line 2 which runs in a large circle through Seoul. Line 9 (Gold Line), the first privately run subway line in Seoul, has express trains as well. Travelers coming into Seoul should first have detailed directions to their destination from the nearest station then consult the subway map before deciding on which line and route to take. All three lines cost ₩1,000-2,100 (depending on distance), while a taxi to central Seoul will run around ₩30,000. Discounts for subway fare are available with T-Money cards.

By train
Seoul is the northern terminus for most KTX high-speed train services. There are three main stations within city limits:
 *  (서울역) for trains heading Southeast (Busan, Pohang, Daegu, Daejeon, Changwon) and few heading East (Pyeongchang, Gangneung, Donghae) depart here. Accessible via subway line, , , as well as the (from Incheon International Airport and Gimpo International Airport). The Gyeongui line uses a separate platform in the old station building (Culture Station 284). Some trains bound Southwest depart from Seoul station as well.
 *  (용산역) is the main terminus for trains heading Southwest (Mokpo, Gwangju, Daejeon, Yeosu). Metro lines and  pass through the station. Line 4 is at the nearby, about 150m away.
 *  (청량리역) serves trains heading east, including all KTX trains bound for Pyeongchang, Gangneung, Donghae, and Andong. Subway line and  line stops here, with few trains from - and  line.
 * Some KTX trains heading south stop at (영등포역, accessible via subway line ), and some heading east stop at  (상봉역, accessible via subway line,  and  line). Train stopping at Yeongdeungpo takes longer because they use conventional tracks.

Alternatively, the SRT, a private high-speed rail service, departs from  (수서역) and reaches Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, and Mokpo. It is also slightly cheaper than the KTX. Subway line and - line stop at the station.

The subway system also serves as a commuter rail network for nearby cities and towns in Gyeonggi.

By bus
Every weekend approximately 2 million Seoulites leave the city, which goes a long way to explaining why the city has four major bus terminals. Destinations are not strictly divided by terminals (especially intercity buses), so check the exact terminal and schedule on the website (Express, Intercity)

 * , (서울고속버스터미널), (Metro Lines, , or , Express Bus Terminal stn). Also known as Gangnam Terminal and Gyeongbu-Yeongdong Terminal, this is the largest of them all and serves pretty much the entire country, but most services head Southeast (incl. Busan, Daegu, Daejeon). Lines Southwest to Jeolla, however, use the Central City/Honam Terminal right next door. For the most part there's no need to buy a ticket days in advance, except during the holidays. There's even a ticket window labeled "Tickets for Foreigners" where the attendant can speak English. Fare from Seoul-Busan is about ₩20,000 and buses come continuously throughout the day. Small restaurants and snacks are all throughout the station. Journeys longer than 2 hours typically will have a short stop at a rest area. Most buses are very comfortable and extremely safe.
 * , also known as Honam Terminal, (Metro Lines, , or , Express Bus Terminal stn). Directly adjacent to the Express terminal, serves express buses heading Southeast to North and South Jeolla, South Chungcheong, and some routes to Daejeon and North Chungcheong.
 * , (동서울버스터미널), Gangbyeon stn (Line ). Served mostly by intercity buses. Most intercity buses to Gangwon and other parts of Korea departs here.
 * , (남부터미널), Nambu Bus Terminal stn (Line ). Served mostly by intercity buses. Most intercity buses to Southeast to North and South Jeolla and other parts of Korea departs here.

By boat
There are ferry services to various points in China from the neighboring port city of Incheon. No services run from Japan to Seoul; many Koreans take the coach or KTX train to Busan, where several ferry and hydrofoil options are available.

By car
No matter where in Korea you start your journey, there will be tolled expressways (Gosok Doro) and national highways (Gook Do) that lead to Seoul; the most important one is the Gyeongbu Expressway, linking Seoul with Busan. To avoid the daily traffic jam on the Gyeongbu Highway near Seoul, take Jungbu/2nd Jungbu, Seohaean, or Yongin-Seoul Expressway. On Korean highways, the first lane is used as a passing lane. for overtaking. No matter how fast you're going, it's not okay to keep driving in the lane.

Get around
Traffic jams are all too common in Seoul, so be careful on the streets and head underground when possible. Street and subway signage is usually written in English as well as Korean.

By subway

In Seoul, you can visit most places by using the vast subway network. There are nine numbered lines plus a smattering of named suburban lines, all distinguished by different colors. All signs in the subway system are in Korean (both hangeul and if applicable, hanja) and English, as well as Japanese and Mandarin in some stations. The signs leading to the platform for a particular direction of travel on a given subway line typically list the names of a number of stations in that direction. Stations each have a 3 digit number, but locals rarely make use of these numbers, and they're not on most subway maps, so don't rely on them. An English subway map can be found here.

Subway fares are based on the distance traveled, but the shortest ride costs ₩1,250 (base charge) plus a deposit of ₩500 for single-ride cards (refundable if you return the card at designated machines at each station). The base charge roughly covers up to of the journey and ₩100 is added for every  beyond that. Cards can be purchased from vending machines only. All vending machines accept coins and bills, up to ₩10,000 notes (and some ₩50,000 notes, but cash exchange machines are at each station). Hang onto your card until the end of your trip, as you'll need it to get out. Most of Seoul's automated card machines are equipped with touchscreen and full English support (along with Chinese and Japanese).

If planning on using the Metro extensively or staying for more than a couple of days, you should consider purchasing a T-money stored value contactless smart card. You can buy this card from staffed desks at most subway stations, many newspaper kiosks near subway entrances, and convenience stores with the T-money logo. The most basic card costs ₩2,500, and cash can be added to the card as often as you like. When entering and leaving a subway turnstile, place the card on the reader (leaving it inside your purse or wallet is fine), and it will deduct the appropriate fare from the card. Using this card will allow you to save ₩100 on all transfers (these are common with Seoul's extensive subway system), and you can get all but ₩500 back if you have unused credit. Any value on the T-money card never expires. Credit refund up to ₩20,000 can be received in most convenience stores. Above ₩20,000 you can still get a refund, but the procedure is more complicated, so it's wise to keep your credit below that figure.

Typically for most travellers staying less than a week in Seoul, purchasing this card may not be cheaper, but other factors should be considered: it can also be used for taxi fares, buses, storage lockers, pay phones, etc. The T-money card is far more convenient than buying per trip ticket. Using a transportation card is highly recommended if you wish to use it between subways and buses, simply for its ability to transfer for free since you will not have to pay for the basic fare twice for a single journey when using two modes of transport. Note that the subway does not operate late at night.

Be aware that any issues (e.g. unsufficient balance) are not displayed in English at the turnstiles. Only the error code is shown in latin letters. The different error codes are listed at the metro website.

If you're using the AREX in Seoul, you still need to buy a ticket or use the T-money card to enter the subway station area from which you reach the AREX platforms. You'll get a refund later on when you buy an AREX ticket.

Here are some things to know when riding the subway.

 * Some stations have a similar names, so be sure to check the map and destination. For example, Sinchon subway station (Line 2) is located far from Sinchon rail station (Gyeongui-Jungang Line) and both are not transferable. And Yangpyeong subway station (Line 5) is in Seoul, but Yangpyeong rail station (Gyeongui-Jungang Line) is located at Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do (about 50 km away).
 * At the edge of the train car, there are specially marked seats for the elderly and disabled people. It is de facto mandatory to leave this seat for others, unless you really need them. Also, some trains have pink seats for pregnant women.
 * Some terminus stations and branch lines like the Gyeongui-Jungang Line between Gajwa and Seoul Station have very, very few trains, sometimes less than one per hour. Be sure to check the timetables beforehand. Also, the platform for Gyeongui-Jungang Line at Seoul Station is separated from the other lines, in the old station building.
 * There is also a separate class of commuter trains in Seoul. Lines 1, 4, 9, and several others do operate 'express (급행)' services. They are slightly faster, skipping several stops and passing normal service trains. No extra fees are required to use them. Line 1 also has a 'limited express (특급)' service, which makes even fewer stops. Same fare.
 * Seoul Metro (Operator of lines 1 to 8) has some info on their 'Theme Tour' section. You can check the timetable there as well.
 * You cannot use metro stations for crossing streets. If you enter a metro station and leave at another exit, the fare for a single ride will be deducted.
 * If you entered a metro station at the wrong side by accident and return the card will be blocked (or in case of a T-money card the fare for a single ride will be deducted) even if you exited at the same turnstile.

By bus
Seoul also has an extensive bus service. There are four different kinds of buses: 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 bus stops and will not wait for indecisive travelers. Press the red buttons before your stop to let the driver know; some drivers will drive through stops if they see no one waiting at the stop, and no one has pressed the button.

By using a T-Money card, you can transfer between the bus and the subway for free up to 30 minutes after your last scan. That is to say, the base charge won't be charged twice. If, for example, you travel  by subway, transfer to a bus and travel a further, the fare will be deducted once you leave the subway, nothing will be deducted when you enter a bus, but you will be deducted ₩100 for the extra  journey you made on the bus. If you do not tag the machine as you leave the bus, you will be charged the maximum fare possible for the route.

Adult fare as of March 2023 are:
 * from ₩1,200 to ₩1,500 for T-Money Card.
 * and from 1,300 to 1,500 for cash.

In particular, local buses traveling to Seoul from other provinces (mainly Gyeonggi-do and Incheon) will increase from ₩2,300 to ₩3,000 with a transportation card and from ₩2,400 to ₩3,000 with cash.

By Late Night Bus
South Korea has late-night buses called owl buses. Late night buses are characterized by an N in front of the bus number. The fare is a bit expensive at ₩2,500 (cash/card) for adults.

For more information, please click the link.

By taxi
Deluxe taxis are black with a yellow sign and are more expensive than regular taxis but provide better and more comfortable service. Regular taxis are silver. For the most part, regular taxi cabs have leather interiors and the drivers are nice—so, for many people, "regular" in Seoul might be "deluxe" in their hometown. It is easy to hail a taxi any time of the day or night along any relatively major Seoul street.

You can call a deluxe taxi wherever you are by calling 3431–5100. Sometimes, you can find a visitor's guide taxi, a kind of deluxe taxi, the drivers of which know English and Japanese and can guide you around Seoul.

As of February 2023, the basic fare for regular taxis is ₩4,800 (₩5,800 at night), with a surcharge of ₩100 applied according to time and distance. (The basic fare is up to, plus ₩100 per 132 m.) In deluxe taxis, the basic fare is ₩7000 and the additional fare increases in increments of ₩200. (₩4500 basic fare for up to, plus ₩200 per 151 m). International taxi drivers speak at least one foreign language (generally English) fluently. International taxis use the same basic fare as regular taxis, plus an additional 20%.

The base distance has also been reduced from 2 kilometers to 1.6 kilometers, and the

Late-night surcharges have also increased significantly, from 20% to 40% from 11pm to 2am.

If there is more than one passenger, and you are traveling only a short distance (like 1-2 metro stops) it is usually cheaper to catch a taxi than to take a bus or subway.

In general, taxi drivers do not speak English or any other foreign language (e.g. Japanese), so have your destination written in Korean to show to the taxi driver. It is also wise to get your hotel's business card in case you get lost. Some may even reject looking at a map so whenever possible, have the location written in Korean.

All taxis advertise a free interpretation service that can be called if you need help. The phone number for the interpretation is on the window sticker of the back seats. Taxis that have an "On Base Authorized" sticker on the side, or a green sticker on their front bumper, are capable of entering US military bases in Seoul. These drivers are required to speak better English as part of their contract and may thus be easier for any English speaking tourists.

All taxis in Seoul accept credit cards and T-money cards. However, drivers generally prefer that you pay cash, especially for shorter rides. You can also ask for your receipt ("Yeong-su-jeung" 영수증).

As in any other city, there are some bad apples, and some drivers may take you the long way. Although the drivers often have a GPS device on the dashboard of their car, this is relatively meaningless if you do not know the area or cannot speak sufficient Korean to argue the point.

In general, make sure the driver turns on the meter, get an idea of the cardinal direction of your destination (north, south, east, west), and use the interpretation service if you want to agree to a fare beforehand.

However, there is often road construction or protests around Seoul, so sometimes a long route is necessary. If you suspect you are being ripped off, the most a non-Korean speaker can do is write down or take a picture of the driver's ID (above the glove box) and report the details to the company.

By car
Until 2011, Seoul (and South Korea as a whole) used an address system that was similar to that of Japan, where the streets did not have names and houses were numbered according to the position in the lot. This very confusing address system made it harder for tourists to navigate Seoul, and the government has introduced a Road Name Address System, which uses street names and the method of "odd house numbers on one side, even house numbers on the other side". The confusing old address system was discontinued in 2013, and nowadays, Seoul is easy to get around without extra help.

Internationally known car rental companies can be found in Seoul; just be prepared for a driving challenge and long rush hours. In addition, parking spaces are hard, if not close to impossible to find, especially during peak hours. Therefore, unless you are planning to head out of the city, it is not advisable to rent a car and you are better off relying on the excellent public transport system instead.

On bicycle
There are many bike rental stations in Seoul (and other cities). Seoul City government operates Seoul Bike (nicknamed 따릉이 (Ttareungyi)), and you can get around easily at little cost. There are many voucher options, but a day voucher is enough for most tourists. At the homepage or official app, purchase the voucher and receive the rental number. At the nearby rental spot, press the button on the bike you want to rent and type the digits. You have to return the bike to the rental station within 1 hour (2 hours if you bought the Premium voucher). You can rent it as many times as you want for 24 hours, as long as you return the bike for respective period of time. A regular voucher is ₩1,000 and a premium one is ₩2,000.

Be sure to obey the traffic rules and try to wear a helmet. Read the warnings on the signage and ride with care. The official app shows the location of rental station and how many bikes are there, so plan your journey while knowing where to return. Naver map or Kakao map can show the bike roads and have a direction search option for bikes. If you know the Korean, you can use the weekly, monthly, and yearly option.

There are also private bike rentals at Han river park and Yeoido. They offer electric bikes, two-person bikes, and four-person bike. hese bikes usually cost around ₩5,000 per hour.

On shared electric scooters
Shared electric scooters are available for rent with a driver's license. It is mandatory to wear a helmut and you can be fined by the police if you don't. Rates vary by scooter manufacturer, but you can expect to pay roughly ₩300-500 to unlock and ₩1,000-1,200 per minute of us (June 2024).

You have to download the app released by each manufacturer and use it after authentication. A shared mobility company called SWING has launched shared scooters. SWING charges
 * Daytime: ₩1,200 to unlock, ₩180 won per minute
 * Night: ₩1,200 won to unlock, ₩250 won per minute

On foot
Getting around in Seoul without a local escort (be it friend or cab driver) can be tricky, since this is one of the most densely populated cities in the world. While Seoul occupies less land than New York City, it can be more confusing. The major roads twist and turn, the various rail lines, rivers and mountains are obstacles and the smaller roads turn into a labyrinth of alleys. Most people will try to help you find your way around but often won't know themselves; best to familiarize yourself with some landmarks and the nearest subway stations. Learn the landmarks closest to where you are staying. The better-known landmarks in Seoul (such as the N Seoul Tower in the center of town) can prove helpful at times. A compass will still work when a GPS fails. Google Maps are not that useful in South Korea, for security reasons. Use Naver map or Kakao map, since these support English.

Once you know your immediate surroundings, you'll find that Seoul isn't such a huge place and the pedestrian approach can be an enriching experience.

There's usually a subway stop within a ten-minute walk in any direction. And you can see the local map at the exit of the station.

Whether on bicycle or foot, the best way to escape traffic is to learn the rivers and streams. Most of these waterways empty into the Han River or another tributary to the Han, so look to the direction of water flow at any creek; chances are, it's headed for the Han. The Han runs right through town, generally moving West (sometimes Southwest; sometimes Northwest), so knowing where you are in relation to the Han is helpful. The Han River as well as most streams are lined with massive parks that feature outdoor gymnasiums, multiple-lane bicycle paths, and 24-hour restrooms. Cars are generally not allowed. Pedestrian bridges on the smaller waterways are common. Also, numerous mountains with hiking trails can be found in the city.

Talk
As elsewhere in Korea, a grasp of basic Korean will be helpful. If you plan on an extended visit, consider learning to read the Korean alphabet, hangul. It takes very little time to pick up the basics, and it can be immensely helpful. A quick (free) visit to the Story of King Sejong Exhibition Hall beneath the Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square will give you an introduction to the Korean alphabet and some interactive exhibits to practice. Thirty minutes there will see you recognizing and pronouncing some Korean words.

Shops in major tourists areas, including Insadong, Myeongdong, and Itaewon, will probably have staff that speak at least some English, and some may have staff that speak Mandarin, Cantonese and/or Japanese. While all younger Koreans are required to study English in school, due to a lack of practice, proficiency is generally poor, and most residents of Seoul only know a few simple words and phrases. If lost, a useful tip is to write down your question in simple words and show it to someone young. While it is possible to get by using only English, a basic grasp of Korean will make your trip much smoother.

See
While Seoul today is mostly known as a super-modern mega-city that is home to skyscrapers, malls, and millions of electronic-mad Koreans, the city contains over 2,000 years of history. The city contains 4 UNESCO sites marking important monuments from its 505 years as the capital of the Joseon Dynasty. Originally a walled city with stone walls and narrow lanes inside. Though many buildings were destroyed or damaged during the violent events of the first half of the 20th century, much of its historic core remains. So, anyone staying in Seoul should visit the many historical treasures the city has to offer, including the many palaces and city gates within the Jongno district.

Palaces, shrines, and walls of Joseon Dynasty and other traditional sites
Seoul has been a capital of Korea since the Joseon Dynasty. Starting from the Gyeongbokgung, many palaces were built for kings and royal family. The most important of them are called Five Grand Palaces (5대궁). Gyeongbokgung Palace is the grandest and most important palace, and is also the site of the Joseon Palace Museum and Korean Folk Museum. The main gate of the palace, Gwanghwamun, and its plaza are the center of Seoul. Changdeokgung, a, was the most favored residential palace of the Joseon Royal Family. It also has the beautiful garden named Secret Garden (Also was called 'Forbidden Garden'). Changgyeonggung and Gyeonghuigung are less famous due to extensive damage sustained after the fall of the Joseon Dynasty; Changgyeonggung was once a zoo, and Gyeonghuigung was once a high school. Finally, Deoksugung was used during the last years of the monarchy. It has a harmony of both traditional and western building design. All of these palaces have a thicker, more informative pamphlet for ₩500, which is worth the cost.

 * Gyeongbokgung Palace. In 1-91, Sejongno, Jongno-gu. The Gyeongbokgung, Which means "Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven.", was built in 1395 in Joseon Dynasty. It was the heart of Joseon Dynasty because the government ministry district was focused here. Even after it was razed by the Japanese during Hideyoshi invasions of 1592–1598, it was reconstructed in 1876, only for many buildings to be razed again by the Japanese during the occupation from 1910–1945. Nevertheless, Gyeongbokgung remains one of the most magnificent and historically most significant places in Seoul, and restoration to its pre-Japanese occupation state continues to be take place at a painstaking pace. It opens everyday except Tuesday. There is also a free guide tour for tourists every day (English : 11:00, 13:30, 15:30). It is also good to take the opportunity of night opening, which is held a few days every a year, you have to reserve a place online. You can access the palace by subway (Gyeongbokgung Palace station Exit 5, Subway line 3) or Seoul City Tour Bus.

There are several traditional spots in Seoul besides palaces. Jongmyo Shrine is where the kings of the Joseon Dynasty are enshrined, and the Jongmyo Jerye ceremony, in which descendants of the Joseon royal family honor their ancestors, is held here every year. Jogyesa Temple and Bongeunsa Temple are notable Buddhist temples for experiencing Korean Buddhism.

Parks and mountains
Seoul is full of parks. Along the Han River (Hangang, 한강), there are Hangang Citizen's Park. It is in many districts, and each have a distinct spots. You can cycle along the river or buy a snack or souvenir at the night market. Among those, Banpo Hangang Park is most famous. You can see the fountain on the Banpo bridge, go to Some Sevit (an artificial floating island), or exercise at the Seorae island. There are several unique parks that were repurposed from other uses. Seoul Forest was changed from a racecourse to a park with deer and a greenhouse. Olympic Park was built on ancient fortification walls, and holds many venues used in the 1988 Olympics. Worldcup Park was a landfill, but was turned into a large park with a soccer stadium, and is famous for silver grass. Seonyudo Park was a water filtration plant and was changed to ecological park above the remnants of old tanks and reservoirs. Other famous parks include Children's Grand Park and Dream Forest. Haneul Park is one of the largest parks in Seoul.

Seoul is also surrounded by many mountains (san, 산). You can hike along the people and feel the nature in the middle of city. Notable mountains are Namsan (남산), Gwanaksan (관악산), Bukhansan (북한산), Suraksan (수락산).

 * Naksan Park. Naksan Park is the old city street of Hanyang Castle. Nowadays, you can enjoy the scenery by climbing up the city road like a park, and you can also use the Especially, the lights installed on the city road and the panoramic view of the city. It is considered a popular night view spot in Seoul.
 * Naksan Park. Naksan Park is the old city street of Hanyang Castle. Nowadays, you can enjoy the scenery by climbing up the city road like a park, and you can also use the Especially, the lights installed on the city road and the panoramic view of the city. It is considered a popular night view spot in Seoul.

Notable museums
Seoul has been a capital for more than 600 years, and has a lot of museums. The most important museum is definitely National Museum of Korea at Yongsan. This houses the highlight of 5,000 years of Korean history and its exquisite treasures. Other historical museums include National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, National Folk Museum, Joseon Palace Museum at Jongno.

If you are fan of art, there are many art museums as well. Seoul Museum of Arts is near the city hall and is free. National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Arts, which used to be at Gwacheon, has a separate Seoul branch near Bukchon and inside the Duksugung Palace. Leeum Museum at Itaewon is one of the best private-owned museums in Korea, and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza hosts the exhibition from Kansong Museum.

There are other interesting museums in the city; War memorial of Korea houses military armor and aircraft, National Hangul Museum shows the history of Korean writing system, Seodaemun Prison preserves the actual prison used during the Japanese Colonization period.

Do
Enjoy hiking in the mountains around the city. Up to 800m (3,000 ft) is accessible by public transport, with courses ranging from easy to difficult. There are Bukhansan Mountain, Gwanaksan Mountain, Samseongsan Mountain, Inwangsan Mountain, etc. (Mostly [Seoul/North]). If you don't like mountains, walk along Cheonggyecheon Stream.

Watch baseball, a national sport, at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, the home of the Kiwoom Heroes, or Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, the home of the LG Twins and Doosan Bears.

Watch local soccer teams (FC Seoul based at Mapo-gu World Cup Stadium and Seoul E-Land FC based at Songpa-gu Olympic Main Stadium).

In South Korea, indoor sports are practiced until dawn.

Golf and baseball on indoor screens,

beer and bowling under upbeat music and lights.

Order jjajangmyeon and tangsuyuk for delivery and play pool.
 * Nerd activities in Seoul

Universities
Seoul is home to many universities, including Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Korea University, the three most prestigious universities in Korea, with the former being Korea's uncontested number one university. There are opportunities for potential international and exchange students to enroll in these universities and live in Seoul for an extended period of time. Many of these universities also conduct Korean language classes for foreigners, including some 5-week long summer intensive programmes that might be useful for short-term visitors to learn the Korean language.

Pottery
Korean ceramics are known around the world for their simple beauty and unique designs. Visitors can learn how to make pottery at the National Museum of Korea and the pottery villages just outside of Seoul in Incheon and Yeoju.

Work
There is an immense demand for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) instruction in Seoul. See the main South Korea article for details. However, the Seoul municipal government has decided to phase out foreign (non-Korean) teachers of English in all public schools. Although it has yet to be seen if this will succeed, it may have an effect on your options in Seoul.

Fashion
Fashion shopping in Seoul isn't a mere industry, it's an art form. Trends often begin in University areas like Hongdae. Hongik University boasts Korea's most famous art school, thus fashion in this area is often influenced by the students' artistic sensibilities. The shops in this area feature funky, punky, boho, and vintage style. Ewha Women's University also has a big shopping area in front of its main gate, as do many of the Women's colleges. Many trends also originate here. There are even seamstresses who can help you make your own designs come to life.

Seongsu is rapidly becoming the center of fashion in Seoul.

Seongsu was once an industrial complex, but now it's home to new fashions such as hip-hop, reggae, vintage, and gukdu, as the abandoned factories have been redecorated by young people. Nearby is Ttukseom Hangang Park, where you can enjoy Korea's famous fried chicken and beer.

Duty free
South Korea is a major shopping destination for Chinese and Japanese these days, with many dedicated duty-free shops available in Seoul. Korean Won, Japanese Yen and US dollars are accepted, along with major credit cards. Most shops have staff who can speak Japanese. There are duty-free shops in both the Incheon airport and the major department stores: Lotte, Shilla Hotel. There are other duty-free shops at Walkerhill Hotel, SKM DFS in COEX Mall.

Eat
Much of Korean social life revolves around food and the city is packed with restaurants, so you would have to be determined to starve to death in Seoul. This fate may still befall you if you insist on English menus and meals consisting only of easily identifiable, familiar ingredients, so see South Korea for a quick Korean menu reader. An alternative is to just point and eat, your hosts generally will accommodate. If you look in the right places, a good meal (lunch or dinner) including side dishes can cost ₩5,000 or less (try basements of large department stores).

In addition to Korean food, Japanese restaurants in Seoul tend to be excellent, featuring excellent sushi and sashimi. Chinese restaurants exist, but are typically adapted to suit local preferences. There are a few Italian restaurants; these are generally excellent, with chefs trained in Italy, although flavors tend to be more or less Koreanized, with sugar in the garlic bread and meatballs.

Bakeries are found throughout, including some of the common big chains.

Seoul has plenty of budget places to eat. Everything from convenience store junk food and noodles to street stall food and lots of 24 hr Korean fast food restaurants. The 24-hour restaurants are great because they've usually got a wide variety of foods, including: mandu, odeng, ddeokbokki, naengmyeon, udong and ramyeon. Prices do vary from about ₩2,000-9,000 at these restaurants. Also open late into the night are Korean BBQ restaurants, which are everywhere in Seoul. These can be very cheap and are usually of good quality. Barbecue options usually are limited to pork and beef, and they often come with a smattering of side dishes. Korean BBQ is, in itself, an experience that makes you feel like a Seoulite. The larger department stores in the city have basement food courts that offer excellent food (not recommended if you care about atmosphere).

Don't be surprised if you find yourself with 5 plates even though you only ordered one, most main dishes are served banchan, side dishes such as kimchi, fermented vegetables with spices, and soup to rinse your palate before and/or after eating. While this is great, this could also be the reason why some restaurants doesn't accept solo dining, especially in Korean BBQ, since the portions might be too much for a single person, so always make sure to ask if it's ok to eat alone by telling them “han myung” —a table for one person.

Public trash bins around Seoul are rare. If you're eating street food, you can hand back leftover trash, like skewers, to the food vendors or throw it away in their trash bags. Some leave a box for trash in front of their stand. Other places to find trash bins are restrooms and convenience stores.

Drink
Seoul features a mind-bogglingly large array of nightspots catering to every taste and budget. Hongdae and Sinchon in Seodaemun-Mapo are Seoul's most active nightlife districts. Itaewon in Yongsan is Seoul's international district, with a wide variety of Western-styled venues to eat and drink. Since many foreigners congregate there, Itaewon remains somewhat of a niche nightlife area for Koreans interested in a more international scene. Much nightlife in Seoul revolves around soju. Soju is a traditional Korean spirit that comes in many varieties, including original and many kinds of fruit-flavored soju.

Sleep
Seoul has two unofficial backpacker districts, Jongno (Anguk/Sinseol-dong) to the northeast of the city and Hongdae-Sinchon out to the west. Within walking distance to Dongdaemun Market, Jongno is better located for sightseeing and can be reached directly from Incheon Airport on limousine buses or city bus 6002 to Sinseol-dong stop (₩9,000, 90 min). There are many budget accommodation places across Seoul. Hongdae, Itaewon, Myeongdong and Jongno (Hanok area) are traditional hot spots for Foreign Individual Travelers (FIT). Furthermore, Gangnam is emerging thanks to the huge success of the eponymous song. Hongdae, Sinchon area is in university area. Yonsei Univ., Ehwa woman's Univ., Hongik Univ. and Sogang Univ. are around this area. so there are many restaurants, bar, club and shopping center and easy to be reached from Incheon Airport by limousine bus and Arex (Airport express train) in 1 hour.

Gangnam has a wide range of luxury with the Imperial Palace Hotel, the Park Hyatt Seoul and the Ritz-Carlton Seoul.

Most points of interest are along subway lines 1, 2, 3, and 4. So it's best to reside somewhere near a station on one or two of those lines.

Connect
Internet cafes known as PC bang (PC 방) (pr: pee-shee-bang) are ubiquitous in Seoul, and usually cost anywhere from ₩800-2,000/hr. Most have printers at the front desk. These places cater chiefly to gamers, which translates into fairly fast computers, loud sound systems and large screens. Most PC Bangs have smoking sections. Typically, the computers run a Korean version of Windows 7 or 10 and use Internet Explorer and Chrome. That said, there is a variety of WiFi networks available, and there is free access to the internet almost everywhere.

Console gaming (Xbox 360, PS3) is widely available, and for those with proficiency in Korean language, you might also be able to enjoy a round of online gaming; the fantasy MMORPG Lineage was created in Korea, and a slew of MMORPG titles not available anywhere else can be found here.

Post offices are basically everywhere in Seoul, although many are hidden on smaller roads and alleys. If you cannot spot any post office nearby, it is good idea to visit university (most university has its own post office in it). The Korean postal insignia is orange and white. It can be spotted on post office signs. Most post offices sell boxes and packing materials. Even the smaller offices typically have at least one English-speaking member of staff.

Useful contact numbers are as follows:

Stay safe
Seoul is a remarkably safe city given its size, comparable in safety to Hong Kong or Tokyo. Pickpocketing is not very common and violent crime is minimal, if not unheard of.

If you happen to be a non-Korean male walking hand-in-hand with a Korean female, drunk older Korean men might give you a tongue lashing or occasionally worse. This is far less of a problem than it used to be.

If you do end up in a fight, remember that Korean law is possibly different from your home country. You may not have legal protection just because someone else started the fight if the attacker ends up hurt.

Do not try to use drones to take pictures in Seoul, because most of the city (especially north of Han river) is a restricted flight area.

U.S. military personnel have a curfew 01:00-05:00 every day on the Korean Peninsula, although the curfew can be extended at very short notice. If you are a Westerner, the American military police have the legal right to request to see your ID and arrest you if you cannot provide it. (This is done to catch American military personnel breaking curfew.)

Unfortunately, crimes by American soldiers against Koreans do happen, and when they do they often receive a huge amount of national attention. If you are a w Westerner then you should exercise some extra care when such a case hits the media, although it is still highly unlikely you would be in any danger.

Protesting: Large scale demonstrations in Seoul against the government happen from time to time. Often they can result in violence where there are pitched battles between protesters and combat police. People do get seriously hurt, so try to avoid getting too close to the action.

Fake monks have been known to operate in Seoul, notably around the Jogyesa temple. They are dressed as Buddhist monks requesting donations from people on the street in return for blessings, although they do not actually belong to any Buddhist order and just keep the cash for themselves. Actual monks would never seek donations in this manner. If you want to donate money, put into the donation box in temples.

Scam : Be wary of Korean people randomly coming to teach you about Korean culture and inviting you to try a Korean tradition in their studio. They tend to be very friendly to foreigners, offer to try a traditional Korean outfit and see a real-life Korean ceremony and then ask for money during or after it is done.

CCTV : Seoul is a very safe city considering there are very few places where CCTV (cameras) are not present. Therefore, as soon as a problem arises, the situation is easily resolved using camera footages and people can be quickly prosecuted.

Language issues
South Korea has undergone a major English language boom over the past 20 years. South Korean families are eager for their children to learn English and usually enroll them in private language schools.

Seoul is probably the easiest place to talk to people in English, although most people will find conversation challenging. Often writing down simple questions in English is more effective. Many of the older generation have learned little or no English at all. A few tourist information centers dotted around Seoul are staffed by English speakers, but do not assume an English speaker will be available at most shops, sites and venues.

English signage is visible everywhere in the city, from road signs to subway maps to shop posters. One exception is in buses where the route information is completely in Korean script.

Medical
Pharmacies are everywhere in Seoul. While most are labeled only in Korean, the signage and Hangul character is easy to recognize, 약. Most pharmacists speak some English. Pharmacists are not shy about asking about your symptoms and selling you what they think you need. South Korea is a country where the lights never go out at night, but most pharmacies close at night. If you're feeling sick late at night, don't hesitate to head to a convenience store, where you can buy over-the-counter medications like Tylenol.

Medical bills can be expensive, so make sure you have valid travel insurance.

Some people with sensitive stomachs should use caution when dining in Korea as some of the local cuisine is heavily spiced with copious amounts of pepper and garlic.

Air quality
Air quality in Seoul is fine and improving. However, Seoul inhabitants sometimes wear different types of masks outdoors for allergies, smog and yellow dust storms (mostly in March–April). Mongolian yellow dust storms were regarded as dangerous long before industrialisation began in Asia. Now these storms pick up trace amounts of toxins in the Chinese industry belt. Smog in Seoul is becoming less of a problem. In general, air quality has been improving since the early 2000s. Check the Korean Meteorological Administration for real-time weather info.

Embassies
South Korea hosts a large number of embassies in Seoul.

Go next

 * The Korean Demilitarized Zone is the 'last frontier of the cold war', and is very close to Seoul. This includes the famous peace village of Panmunjeom where negotiations have taken place for the past 50 years. Many tour companies offer DMZ tours which is a day trip from Seoul, the highlight of which is a village lying in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea. You cannot visit without booking with a tour company, and that some nationalities are not allowed to visit for security reasons while others (including South Koreans and Chinese) require additional procedures.
 * Gwacheon — connected by short metro ride, it is home to many attractions such as Seoul Grand Park, Seoul Zoo, MMCA Gwacheon, and Gwacheon National Science Museum.
 * Yeongjong Island — Beaches, hot springs and fresh sea breezes.
 * Yongin — south of Seoul, home to Everland, Korea's most popular theme park as well as the Korean Folk Village, where traditional Korean arts are regularly performed in a living museum of the Joseon Dynasty, as well as Yongin Daejanggeum Park, an outdoor set built by Korean television broadcaster MBC for the filming of period dramas.
 * Incheon — The place where U.S. Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed in the Korean War; it also has the biggest and oldest Chinatown in Korea.
 * Gapyeong — a popular weekend getaway, east of Seoul. A small town in the mountains of Gyeonggi-do, on the border of Gangwon-do.
 * Chuncheon — Filmed in many Korean dramas and movies and now accessible by subway from Seoul
 * Suwon — 30 km south of Seoul, the home of Hwaseong Fortress (화성), a UNESCO world heritage site. Subway line 1 can take you there in about one hour. Good for a half-day trip from Seoul.
 * Busan — take the KTX down to Busan to enjoy the beach in summer. Makes a nice change of pace from Seoul.

title: Seoul


text:
Sepang

Sepang is a district in the Malaysian state of Selangor. It is located 50 km south of Kuala Lumpur. Most visitors head to Sepang to get to the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) and Sepang International Circuit are located within the district.

The district centre is Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi.

Sepang is also the name of a small town on Federal Route 5 or the main West Coast road where there are local bus connections to Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan, KLIA, and Banting further north on the Selangor coast.

Understand
Until 2000, Sepang district was just a flat stretch of palm oil plantations. Now it has tens of millions of visitors a year for two reasons: The Sepang International Circuit, and KLIA.

However, outside these two attractions and the areas bordering Petaling Jaya, you will still be greeted with tranquil villages and miles of palm oil plantations.

By plane
As Kuala Lumpur International Airport is in Sepang, visitors can fly from many overseas destinations directly into the district. For information on how to get to or away from the airport, see the "Get in - KLIA" section of the KL article.

By train
Visitors to Sepang, including the race circuit, can make use of the good rail links between Kuala Lumpur and KLIA - see the "Get in - KLIA" section of the KL article for details on the KLIA Ekspres and KLIA Transit high-speed train services which run between KL Sentral, Kuala Lumpur's transportation hub, and the airport where connections to other parts of Sepang can be made.

The KTM Komuter can also be used to reach Sepang. Catch a train to Nilai station in Negeri Sembilan. From there, Sepang Omnibus goes to locations within Sepang district, including KLIA, Salak Tinggi, Sepang (for connections to Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan) and Sungai Pelek.

By bus
You can also use the various bus connections between Kuala Lumpur and KLIA to reach Sepang - see the "Get in - KLIA" section of the KL article for details.

Transnasional has a bus service from Kuala Lumpur's Puduraya bus terminal to Salak Tinggi, Sepang and Sungai Pelek. Transnasional also operates local buses from Sepang and Sungai Pelek to Tanjung Sepat and Banting in neighbouring Kuala Langat district. This journey passes through miles of palm oil plantations and several pretty Malay coastal villages.

Sepang Omnibus has direct local buses from Seremban in Negeri Sembilan to Sungai Pelek via Nilai, KLIA, Salak Tinggi and Sepang; and Seremban to Banting via Nilai, KLIA, Salak Tinggi and Bukit Changgang. It also runs a bus from Sungai Pelek to Port Dickson in Negeri Sembilan via Sepang. Towards the north, Sepang Omnibus operates buses from Sungai Pelek to Tanjung Sepat in neighbouring Kuala Langat district.

By taxi
Except from KLIA, local taxis operate from the main towns of the district. From KLIA, a coupon airport taxi system operates. See the "Get in - KLIA" section of the KL article for details.

To Sepang International Circuit
During race season, the simplest way is to catch the train from KL Sentral to KLIA and then transfer onto shuttle buses which will bring you to the circuit. The operator of KLA Ekspres and KLIA Transit has transport packages which cover the train ride and shuttle bus.

On non-race days, it may be difficult to get to the circuit by public transport. Your best bet is by taxi.

Get around
Public transport within Sepang is limited to the Sepang Omnibus, which connects KTM Komuter's Nilai station to the airport via the Sepang International Circuit race-track (RM 2, every 30 minutes).

Hotels and, when races are on, the F1 circuit run shuttle buses to ferry visitors to and from the airport.

See and do

 * Sepang International Circuit, until 2017 venue for the Malaysian Formula One Grand Prix. Now the biggest event is the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Tickets are quite affordable (at least by international standards) and start from RM 100 for a one-day C3 hill stand ticket - and go up to RM 1,750 for a 3-day "Diamond" upper mall ticket.
 * Sepang Elim Sanctuary, Sunday Services in English are from 10.30AM (local time) to about noon, 50 Jalan Airport City 2, Airport City Business Centre, Kota Warisan. Walking distance from Salak Tinggi ERL station but you have to take the KLIA Transit Rail (not the Express one) to be able to exit at this station.

Eat
The best eating options are at the airport. Levels 2 and 4 (landside) offer food courts serving Malaysian fare at only slightly inflated prices.

 * Eden Restaurant, KLIA Level 5 (Departures). A piece of Hong Kong dropped into the terminal, offers dim sum from carts (breakfast/lunch only) and Chinese seafood. Expensive with most mains over RM20, but worth a visit just for the humongous and tasty ais kacang (a cone with ice shavings with weird and wonderful toppings) at RM8.60.

Options outside the airport at limited.

 * Downtown KLIA Seafood, Jalan KLIA 1 (opposite Concorde Hotel). Fine Chinese/Muslim seafood, offers a range of over 200 choices of eateries.

Sleep
There are only a few places to stay in Sepang itself. See Kuala Lumpur International Airport for hotels on airport grounds. If you have a bit of time to spare, you may want to consider zipping to the city on the KLIA Ekspres (28 min) and staying at the hotels in KL Sentral instead i.e Hilton and Le Meridien.

Budget
A clean, safe & quiet budget hotel located opposite MPR (Majlis Perbandaran Nilai.) Air-Con rooms from 55RM-160RM, free wifi, friendly locals (it's a student town.) good food near by.(5-20RM.) full address & Tel/fax:- PT 12990, Putra Indah 3B Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. Tel/Fax:- +60 6-850-3370
 * Nilai Seri Hotel Less than 30 miniutes from LCCT with taxi (40-50RM.)
 * Nilai Seri Hotel Less than 30 miniutes from LCCT with taxi (40-50RM.)

Connect
There is wireless internet available for free.

Go next

 * Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia's capital city, is just half an hour away.
 * Putrajaya - Malaysia's new capital-to-be, is 15 minutes away by train.
 * Sungai Pelek - a small town in Sepang district which offered some pleasant surprises. The dragon fruit farm and plenty of traditional Foochew delights make this place worth a visit.
 * Bagan Lalang - the beach here was first promoted as a tourism destination by the Selangor Government in the early 1990s. It had little more that its fine sand lined by tall pine trees extending a long way before reaching the sea waters, some ikan bakar spots and chalets to offer.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Sepang


text:
Sepidan

Sepidan is a county in the Fars province of Iran, Ardakan is the capital of the county. Sepidan is in a mountainous area and has cold winters and mild summers.

Get in
Ardakan is in the middle of the road which connects Fars province to Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. Shiraz and Yasuj are the best places to reach Ardakan. There is no airport or railway in the county.

Get around
If you do not want to climb or hike the region (for professionals), car is the best choice to travel inside the county.

See
Nature: Sepidan is a good place for nature lovers. Roanj and Barmefirooz are the highest peaks of the county, 3,720 and 3,706 meters above sea level. This peaks are covered with snow year round and are one of the most important sources of fresh water in Fars province. Landscapes like Abshare Margoon(Margoon Waterfall), Beheshte Gomshodeh (Lost Paradise) and Pooladkaf ski resort are at the foothills of these peaks, and Chellegah is also very beautiful.

History: Though Sepidan is visited mostly for its nature and landscapes, it can be a destination for historical and archeological tourists. Anshan, which is considered as the Cradle of Achaemenid Emire is in Beyza district of this county. Golbahar Tower is another monument of the county which has been built in Safavids.

Do
Mountain Climbing: Sepidan peaks are the most technical ones to climb in Fars province. All of the Shiraz mountain clubs have winter and summer climbs in their plans. Some of the walls of the mountains are also use for technical rock climbing and training.

Alpine Skiing: Sepidan is the only county in Fars province which have ski resorts.

Eat
Sarbast is a village besides the road to Shiraz, Sarbast ice creams are famous as they are still made traditionally.

Sleep
There is a hotel in Pooladkaf Ski Resort.

title: Sepidan


text:
Sepik

The Sepik is a region of Papua New Guinea, consisting of two provinces, East Sepik and West Sepik.

Regions

 * East Sepik has a population of around 400,000. There are a few offshore islands and coastal ranges just inland. Much of the province's geography is dominated by the Sepik River, which flows briefly also through the Papua province of Indonesia and is one of the largest rivers in the world in terms of water flow. Its level can alter by as much as five metres in the course of the year. In the south of the province are mountain ranges that form part of the Sepik's large catchment area that includes swamplands, tropical rainforests and mountains.

European contact on the river began in 1885, when the Germans explored the area. Tourist trips up and down are possible. It is best visited in June to November when there are less mosquitoes. For the truly adventurous it should be possible to rent dugout canoes with outboards and boatman at the river villages closest to the province's capital, Wewak. The people living along the river are noted for their carvings and elaborate manhood initiation ceremonies. Many villages use garamut drums, which are long, hollowed-out tree trunks carved into the shape of totem animals. Many villages have a Haus Tambaran which is a traditional ancestral worship house. The most recognizable forms of this are found around the village of Maprik. The Sepik people are renowned for their superb artistic ability in painting and carving, which is often exhibited in these religious structures. Papua New Guinea's first prime minister, Michael Somare, came from the Sepik region and it is perhaps no coincidence that the design of the country's parliament building in Port Moresby was based on a Haus Tambaran.

The capital of West Sepik is Vanimo, which is a stopping off point for those heading for Indonesia and for expats in Indonesia wanting to renew their Indonesian visas. It is also becoming a popular destination for expert surfers. Also on the coast is Aitape, a town developed around a catholic mission. Close to there is the Sissano Lagoon which was devastated by a tsunami in 1998, killing 2000.
 * West Sepik is also known as Sandaun (sun down) province, as it is, with Western Province, the most westerly of PNG's provinces. The name Sandaun was adopted by the province in order to differentiate it from East Sepik. It is a large province with mountains in the interior, jungles in the lowlands, and attractive tropical coastlines. There are limited road connections along the coast and most inland districts can only be reached by light aircraft or boats. The interior townships of Telefomin and Oksapmin are said to be the most remote towns in the country.

Cities

 * , capital of East Sepik province and gateway to the Sepik river.
 * , capital of West Sepik or Sandaun province and border town for Indonesia.

Other destinations

 * East Sepik Islands. Three small islands just half an hour off the coast from Wewak. Kairiru is volcanic and Mushu a coral atoll with abundant reef fish. Robuin has no inhabitants and is owned by the people of Wom village. It was used as a fuel dump by the Japanese during World War II and extensively bombed by the allies during the Aitape-Wewak campaign which culminated in the surrender of all Japanese forces in PNG by General Adachi. There are a couple of basic guesthouses on Mushu and one on Kairuru.
 * Wuvulu island. Wuvulu is the most western of the islands off Papua New Guinea's north coast, collectively known as the Bismark Archipelago. It has a 19-km circumference, with a surface area of 1,400 ha. The island is flat, nowhere rising above 2 m. The population of around 1000 depend on sweet potato, taro and cassava as staples, plus coconut, cabbage and lots of fish. They live in two main villages and build wooden houses on stilts to maximise the flow of the breeze. Wuvulu is completely encircled by a coral reef and there is no natural harbor. Jacques Cousteau described it as having some of the world's best diving.

Talk
The Sepik has the highest concentration of languages in all of Papua New Guinea (and therefore by extension, in the world). Many people speak Tok Pisin (pidgin) to some extent, few speak English. It facilitates your stay quite a bit if you try to learn some basic pisin words and phrases (locals will be all too pleased to help if asked, and will take great delight in teaching you). When traveling away from Wewak, it is very worthwhile to get a guide to help you in the villages. Conflicts between villages and different language groups is common, and it is a good idea to quiz your guide about current events, his origins and affiliation with the villages you intend to visit.

Get in

 * Air Niugini has daily flights to Wewak and regular flights to Vanimo from PNG's capital Port Moresby, Nadzab (Lae) and Madang.
 * PNG Air connects Wewak with Mt. Hagen in the Highlands and with Madang.

Get around
The provinces depend heavily on Mission Air Fellowship (MAF), which operates twelve planes throughout PNG both supplying mission stations and supporting local communities. It is sometimes possible for tourists to fly with MAF.

See

 * A Haus Tambaran. The best examples of these are around the Maprik area of East Sepik. The male-dominated tambaran culture uses the haus tambaran as a meeting-house and site for rituals and initiations, as well as for worship for the yam cult, the yam being the staple food for the Sepik people. A giant spirit is personified as noises that can be heard coming from the haus tambaran. Haus tambarans contain many paintings. Their preparation is a sacred activity for the Sepik people, and the paintings are taken very seriously.

Do

 * Travel along the Sepik River. This is Papua New Guinea's Amazon and is navigable for most of its length. It is full of amazing birds and wildlife, including a good number of crocodiles. Despite the enormous amount of water, the river flows slowly with little height to lose between when it emerges from the mountains and reaches the sea. It frequently backtracks to form lagoons, small lakes and swamps. The traditional culture is fascinating and each village seems to have its particular style of artistic expression. The villages of Angoram, Pagwi and Timbunke are the only ones on the river accessible by road, from Wewak. Dugout canoe trips up the river are offered by Diversion Dive Travel. For greater comfort, the same company also offers riverboat cruises. Boat cruises are also available from Melanesian Tourist Services. Larger vessels generally have to travel in the wet season, when the water level rises significantly, usually peaking around the time of Easter. Major floods are fairly common (about once every ten years) and, while the people have learned to adapt to them, cholera and dysentery can occur.

Eat

 * Yam. This root crop is central to the culture of the Sepik area and farmers compete to see who can produce the largest yams. There is considerable ritual attached to the planting and cultivation of yams, involving strict rules of diet, sexual abstinence and ritual cleansing.
 * Sago. This flour-like substance is harvested from the pulp of a Sago tree. It is mixed with water and then either steamed or fried into a pancake-like dish. Sago is a strong element of Sepik culture and witnessing a Sago tree being harvested is well worth the walk into the swamp. If you're really brave, you can try eating one of the giant Sago Grubs that live in the tree.

title: Sepik


text:
Sepilok

Sepilok is a small town in Sabah, Borneo that is 26 km from Sandakan. It is most famous for its Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. It also features Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre and Rainforest Discovery Centre.

By bus

 * From Kota Kinabalu: Catch the bus to Sandakan from Inanam station in KK (RM43.5, ~6 hours). Ask the driver to drop you off at Sepilok. From Sepilok road junction take a taxi to the park or any nearby hotel, RM5 per person, taxi drivers usually wait at the Sepilok road junction.
 * From Semporna: Catch the Tung Ma bus to Sandakan (RM40, 5 hr) and catch a taxi from there to Sepilok.
 * From Sandakan: Bus 14 leaves ~hourly from the minibus station in Sandakan from 09:00 to 14:00, with the last bus leaving the park at 16:00. RM6 one way (2016).

By car
The road from Sandakan is well signed making for an easy journey for those self-driving.

By taxi
Taxi from Sandakan center costs approx RM 50 one way and RM 100 for a return trip (2016). Arrangements can be made in advance with your accommodation in Sepilok for a car to meet you at the Sandakan airport, 45 MYR one way per car; the same price will be charged if arranging taxi via taxi booth in the airport (2022).

Taxi ride to Labuk Bay to see proboscis monkeys costs RM45 per person return. Taxi to Sukau (starting point for boat trips on Kinabatangan river) cost RM50 per person one way.

See

Do
There are a couple of trails within the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre area, but only the 1.1 km is possible without a special permit, although this trail is closed until further notice as of Oct 2016. Similarly, there are many trails in the Rainforest Discovery Centre. These also require permits which can be obtained at the entrance ticket booth.

Buy
The fundraising shop at Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre sells postcards, fluffy monkey toys and other touristy merchandise.

Cafeteria near the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre entrance has a small shop inside, also there is a smallish on the road junction leading to RDC. Both are very small and has very limited variety of products. The nearest big supermarket is "Giant", taxi ride there costs 35 RM one way/60 RM return.

No banks or ATMs are available in Sepilok. The closest ATM is at the Mile 8 settlement, and a taxi ride there costs RM 30 one way, RM 40 return (2016).

Eat and drink
Sabah Vegetables are a local specialty. When stir-fried with garlic or other herbs/spices these ferns are tasty and have a texture like crunchy bok choy or asparagus.

Most of the hotels have their own restaurants.

Go next

 * Sandakan. The practical departure point for those travelling by air.

title: Sepilok


text:
Sept-Îles

Sept-Îles (French for "Seven Islands") is a city in Sept-Rivières on the North Shore of Quebec, approximately 230 km northeast of Baie-Comeau, on the Route des Baleines and the Route Nature aux mille délices (gourmet route).

It is the northernmost town in Quebec with any significant population. It is among the northernmost locales with a paved connection to the rest of Quebec's road network. The population is about 25,000 in 2020 according to the 2011 census, with an added population of around 3,000 First Nations (Indigenous) people living in the Uashat mak Mani-Utenam Indian Reserve in the city.

The only settlements on the road network that are farther north are Fermont, Radisson and Chisasibi, the latter two in the extreme western portion of the province at the north end of the James Bay Road. The remaining settlements at higher latitudes in the province are mostly isolated Cree, Innu, or Inuit villages, with access limited to seasonal gravel roads.

Understand
Sept-Îles is the largest city on the north shore in eastern Quebec. This city offers many cultural and artistic attractions (performance halls, artists' and craftsmen's studios, sculpture symposium) and historical points of interest (reconstruction of the Old Post Office and Amerindian prehistory). In addition, with its several sandy beaches, forests as far as the eye can see, countless bodies of water, and privileged sites for hunting and fishing (notably for salmon fishing), Sept-Îles and surrounding areas are a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

By car
To get to Sept-Îles, one of the only options is to come by car. It is about 638 km from Quebec City, and 926 km from Montreal. The trip should take you 7-8 hours and 10-11 hours, respectively. The nearest town is Baie-Comeau, 232 km to the southwest (pop. 25,000), but there are some villages along the way.

The main road through the region is Route 138, which follows the north shore from Montreal through Tadoussac and Sept-Îles to Kegashka, a tiny village just beyond Natashquan. Beyond this point, there is no road at all for 450 km (the few villages are served by outport ferry from Sept-Îles). Route 138 briefly reappears at Vieux-Fort and crosses from Blanc-Sablon into Labrador.

By plane

 * Direct flights to Sept-Îles from Quebec City (1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 45 min).

By boat

By bus

 * Operates the following routes to Sept-Îles:
 * Between Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles including a stop in Godbout. Travel time to Sept-Îles from Baie-Comeau is 3 hours and from Godbout is 2 hours. Operates daily. Same day transfer at Baie-Comeau is available for travel from Quebec City (9 hr 45 min from Sept-Îles), or to Quebec City and Montreal.
 * Between Havre-Saint-Pierre and Sept-Îles. Travel time to Sept-Îles from Havre-Saint-Pierre is 2 hr 45 min. Operates several days per week.

By train
Sept-Îles has trains from Schefferville on an isolated line. It is not connected to the rest of the Quebec rail network.
 * The train runs on the Quebec North Shore & Labrador (QNS&L) line. Schefferville is an otherwise-inaccessible mining community in northern Québec. This line is owned by three First Nations (Indigenous) groups. Tshiuetin means "north wind" in the Naskapi language. This line does not connect to the rest of the North American rail system.
 * The journey is 10-12 hr of spectacular scenery. Departing Sept-Îles: M & Th at 08:00. Departing Schefferville: Tu & F at 08:00. Sandwiches and microwaved meals are available in a dining car. Server may not speak English or French, so brush up on your Naskapi. The northbound train stops at Emerile Jct at about 15:00 and southbound at about 12:00 (Quebec time). Labrador City is a 45-minute drive north on Highway 500 from Emeril Jct, so you should have transportation arranged to meet you. Tickets cost $175 round trip ($115 for Indigenous persons).
 * The train runs on the Quebec North Shore & Labrador (QNS&L) line. Schefferville is an otherwise-inaccessible mining community in northern Québec. This line is owned by three First Nations (Indigenous) groups. Tshiuetin means "north wind" in the Naskapi language. This line does not connect to the rest of the North American rail system.
 * The journey is 10-12 hr of spectacular scenery. Departing Sept-Îles: M & Th at 08:00. Departing Schefferville: Tu & F at 08:00. Sandwiches and microwaved meals are available in a dining car. Server may not speak English or French, so brush up on your Naskapi. The northbound train stops at Emerile Jct at about 15:00 and southbound at about 12:00 (Quebec time). Labrador City is a 45-minute drive north on Highway 500 from Emeril Jct, so you should have transportation arranged to meet you. Tickets cost $175 round trip ($115 for Indigenous persons).

By thumb
Hitchhiking from Montreal to Quebec City is very easy; many people commute daily between those two cities.

Between Quebec City and Sept-Îles, there is only one main road (Route 138) going north-east along the shore of the St-Lawrence river. As such, hitchhiking is pretty straightforward. People travelling on this road are likely to accomplish long distances because towns and cities are few and far between. However, just going from Quebec City to Sept-Îles in your own car takes around 8 hours; add the waiting time, and getting to Sept-Îles is likely to take you 2 days of hitchhiking.

Wild camping is pretty easy during the summer months, but winter in Quebec is quite harsh and camping in winter is impossible without specialized gear (waiting for a ride at -30°C is also dangerous). Nevertheless, if you leave very early from Quebec City (or east of there), it is possible to arrive in Sept-Îles in one day.

Get around
Car is the best way to get around the city. For places within the city, walking is quite easy, but if you want to go to the beach, or any place remotely outside the city, you will definitely need a car.

At the tourist office, you can rent bicycles for $10/day. Helmets and bicycle locks are included.

There are also taxis. If you go out in the evening, a taxi is your only option if you don't want to walk.

See

 * Base Moisie / Rivier Moisie, a beautiful little settlement (formerly a Royal Canadian Air Force base) that is on the edge of the junction of the Moisie river and the St Lawrence River. The view of the junction between the two rivers is truly amazing. The settlement itself does not have much but a little dépanneur (convenience store) a minute walking distance down Chemin des Forges.
 * Base Moisie / Rivier Moisie, a beautiful little settlement (formerly a Royal Canadian Air Force base) that is on the edge of the junction of the Moisie river and the St Lawrence River. The view of the junction between the two rivers is truly amazing. The settlement itself does not have much but a little dépanneur (convenience store) a minute walking distance down Chemin des Forges.
 * Base Moisie / Rivier Moisie, a beautiful little settlement (formerly a Royal Canadian Air Force base) that is on the edge of the junction of the Moisie river and the St Lawrence River. The view of the junction between the two rivers is truly amazing. The settlement itself does not have much but a little dépanneur (convenience store) a minute walking distance down Chemin des Forges.
 * Base Moisie / Rivier Moisie, a beautiful little settlement (formerly a Royal Canadian Air Force base) that is on the edge of the junction of the Moisie river and the St Lawrence River. The view of the junction between the two rivers is truly amazing. The settlement itself does not have much but a little dépanneur (convenience store) a minute walking distance down Chemin des Forges.
 * Base Moisie / Rivier Moisie, a beautiful little settlement (formerly a Royal Canadian Air Force base) that is on the edge of the junction of the Moisie river and the St Lawrence River. The view of the junction between the two rivers is truly amazing. The settlement itself does not have much but a little dépanneur (convenience store) a minute walking distance down Chemin des Forges.
 * Base Moisie / Rivier Moisie, a beautiful little settlement (formerly a Royal Canadian Air Force base) that is on the edge of the junction of the Moisie river and the St Lawrence River. The view of the junction between the two rivers is truly amazing. The settlement itself does not have much but a little dépanneur (convenience store) a minute walking distance down Chemin des Forges.
 * Base Moisie / Rivier Moisie, a beautiful little settlement (formerly a Royal Canadian Air Force base) that is on the edge of the junction of the Moisie river and the St Lawrence River. The view of the junction between the two rivers is truly amazing. The settlement itself does not have much but a little dépanneur (convenience store) a minute walking distance down Chemin des Forges.
 * Base Moisie / Rivier Moisie, a beautiful little settlement (formerly a Royal Canadian Air Force base) that is on the edge of the junction of the Moisie river and the St Lawrence River. The view of the junction between the two rivers is truly amazing. The settlement itself does not have much but a little dépanneur (convenience store) a minute walking distance down Chemin des Forges.

Eat
In Sept-Îles, it is possible to eat very fresh seafood, and it is what many people are looking for when coming here. Truly, all restaurants offer fresh and tasty seafood; it is all a matter of what you are looking for (price and atmosphere).

Drink
Sept-Îles being on the smaller side, there aren't that many places to drink or party. However, it is still possible to have fun.

Connect
There is no GSM mobile coverage in Sept-Îles. Bell/Telus users will get 3G (UMTS) coverage within the city, but no signal anywhere else.

title: Sept-Îles


text:
Sequim

Sequim is a small city on the Olympic Peninsula in Washington (state). Sequim's main claim to fame is that, because of the rain shadow created by the Olympic Mountains to the south, it is the sunniest place in Western Washington, receiving much less rain than even nearby Port Angeles. This unique climate makes it an exceptional place to grow lavender, surpassed only by Provence in France. You may want to bring a bucket to pick lavender, strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Sequim is also famous for the flavorful native Dungeness crab.

By car
US Highway 101 is the main route into Sequim. Along 101, Sequim is 17 mi east of Port Angeles and 104 mi north of Olympia. From Port Townsend, take State Route 20 west for 13 mi, and then US Highway 101 west for 18 mi.

By bus

 * From Port Angeles, take Clallam Transit Route 30 or 123 from Gateway Transit Center.
 * From the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal, Clallam Transit also offers Route 123, The Strait Shot, an express bus which is timed to connect with the ferry from Seattle. It runs twice a day Monday through Saturday, once on Sundays and holidays. Including the ferry ride, the total time from Seattle is 2 hours and 10 minutes.
 * From the Bainbridge Island Ferry Terminal, Clallam Transit also offers Route 123, The Strait Shot, an express bus which is timed to connect with the ferry from Seattle. It runs twice a day Monday through Saturday, once on Sundays and holidays. Including the ferry ride, the total time from Seattle is 2 hours and 10 minutes.

By air

 * The nearest airport with commercial service is Paine Field in Everett. The nearest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
 * The nearest airport with commercial service is Paine Field in Everett. The nearest major airport is Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

By sea
John Wayne Marina is nestled on the west side of Sequim Bay.

Get around
Sequim is rather sprawling, and a car is the best way to get around. Although the core town is so small that you could walk the length of town in under an hour, many of the highlights - such as the lavender farms - lie on the outskirts. So if you're without a car, you should at least bring - or rent - a bicycle. Washington Street, running east-west, is the main commercial street. There is a small, somewhat walkable downtown, centered around the intersection of Washington Street and Sequim Avenue.

By bus

 * Route 30 goes west from Sequim Transit Center, along Washington Street, continuing south on River Road, and then on to Highway 101 and eventually to Port Angeles. Runs every 45 minutes between 6:10AM and 9:36PM on weekdays, and hourly on Saturdays between 8:15AM and 7:55PM.
 * Route 40 goes almost everywhere in town, beginning at Sequim Transit Center and looping around to the south, east, north, west, and then north again, before returning to the transit center. Runs every 45 minutes between 8:35AM and 4:40PM, on weekdays only.
 * Route 30 goes west from Sequim Transit Center, along Washington Street, continuing south on River Road, and then on to Highway 101 and eventually to Port Angeles. Runs every 45 minutes between 6:10AM and 9:36PM on weekdays, and hourly on Saturdays between 8:15AM and 7:55PM.
 * Route 40 goes almost everywhere in town, beginning at Sequim Transit Center and looping around to the south, east, north, west, and then north again, before returning to the transit center. Runs every 45 minutes between 8:35AM and 4:40PM, on weekdays only.

See

 * Olympic National Park
 * San Juan Islands
 * Strait of Juan de Fuca
 * San Juan Islands
 * Strait of Juan de Fuca
 * San Juan Islands
 * Strait of Juan de Fuca

Do

 * Golfing
 * Hiking
 * Biking
 * Beachcombing
 * Ocean kayaking
 * Windsurfing
 * Berry picking
 * Graysmarsh Farm
 * Powered paragliding
 * 7 Cedars Casino

Buy
There are many small quaint shops in downtown Sequim. Lavender products are available at various lavender farm outlets.

Sleep
Many locally owned motels are available in the area as well a few large chains.

Go next

 * Port Townsend
 * Port Angeles - Gateway to Canada via ferry. Location of Fairchild International Airport.
 * Olympic Loop - Take the Olympic Loop for a scenic drive back around the Olympics.

title: Sequim


text:
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are two national parks in the Sierra Nevada region of California. These two adjacent parks offer a variety of mountain and forest scenery.

Understand
Although they are separate national parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon generally operate as a single unit in many ways. One fee ($20 per person or $35 per private vehicle) allows entrance to both parks.

The combined area of these two parks is 865,952 acres (3,504 km²) with most of that area being wilderness backcountry. The elevation in the parks ranges from 1,300 feet (418 m) to 14,505 ft (4421 m). The front country area can be divided into these areas: The Foothills, Giant Forest, Mineral King, Grant Grove, and Kings Canyon and Cedar Grove.

History
Humans have travelled or lived in the Southern Sierra for at least 6-7,000 years. In the higher mountains, and also down into the western foothills, lived hunters and gatherers remembered today as the Monache or Western Mono. West of the Monache in the lowest foothills and also across the expanses of the Great Central Valley were a second group, the Yokuts.

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, Spanish began exploring the edge of the Sierras. Soon afterwards, trappers, sheepherders, miners, and loggers poured into the Sierras seeking to exploit whatever the mountains had to offer. By the end of the 19th century, San Joaquin Valley communities increasingly looked to the Sierras for water and recreation. In the struggle between all these competing interests, two national parks were created that became Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Today the parks protect 265 Native American archeological sites and 69 historic sites. Sequoia, as the nation's 2nd national park (1890) and the first of the California National Parks, is its own historic site.

Landscape
Sequoia is named for its groves of Sequoia trees, the largest trees known, and Kings Canyon is named for the deep valley of the Kings River.

Flora and fauna
Extreme topographic differences and a striking elevation gradient (ranging from 1,360 feet (412 m) in the foothills to 14,494 feet (4,417 m) along the Sierran crest) create a rich tapestry of environments, from the hot, dry lowlands along the western boundary to the stark and snow-covered alpine high country.

This topographic diversity in turn supports over 1,200 species (and more than 1400 taxa, including subspecies and varieties) of vascular plants, which make up dozens of unique plant communities. These include not only the renowned groves of massive giant sequoia, but also vast tracts of montane forests, spectacular alpine habitats, and oak woodlands and chaparral.

The richness of the Sierran flora mirrors that of the state as a whole—of the nearly 6,000 species of vascular plants known to occur in California, over 20% of them can be found within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks support a wide diversity of animal species, reflecting the range in elevation, climate, and habitat variety here. Over 260 native vertebrate species are in the parks; numerous additional species may be present but have not been confirmed. Of the native vertebrates, five species are extirpated (extinct here), and over 150 are rare or uncommon.

There have been some studies of invertebrates here, but there is not enough information to know how many species occur in the parks. Many of the parks' caves contain invertebrates, some of which occur only in one cave and are known nowhere else in the world.

Foothills
These lower elevations (under 4,000 feet) are characterized by mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Precipitation usually occurs from January to mid-May; rain in the summer is rare. Average rainfall is about 26" (66 cm). During the winter, low-hanging clouds often drift in from the west, obscuring the countryside for several days at a time.

Middle Elevations
Summer in this forested area of the parks offers warm days and cool evenings. These elevations (4,000 - 7,000 feet) receive an average of 40-45" (102–114 cm) of precipitation annually. Much of this falls during the winter, resulting in a deep blanket of snow from December to May. Sub-zero temperatures, however, are rare. In the summer, occasional afternoon thundershowers may occur.

In fall and winter, Lodgepole Campground is generally 10-15 °F (6-9 °C) colder than the average middle-elevation temperature shown on the chart.

Summer temperatures in Cedar Grove are generally hotter than the average for the middle elevations, and cooler than the foothills. Temperatures in mid-summer may reach the 90's (35-40 °C). Cedar Grove is closed in the winter due to common rockfalls on the road.

Visitor information

 * Park website

Get in
The parks are distant from major cities and airports, and there is no public transportation to or within King Canyon National Park, only Sequoia National Park

By plane
The closest commercial airports are Fresno Airport and Bakersfield. The nearest international airport is Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). All three offer car rentals. To reach Sequoia Park, take Greyhound to Visalia, then the Sequoia Shuttle to the park.

By train
Fresno and Hanford are the closest cities with an Amtrak station, both served by the San Joaquins Oakland/Sacramento - Bakersfield route. Transfer to the Amtrak or KART county bus to Visalia for the Sequoia Shuttle to Sequoia National Park.

By bus
Greyhound stops in Fresno and Visalia. From Visalia, a $20 round trip shuttle goes to Sequoia National Park.

By car
The parks are on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, and can only be entered by car from the west. The two main entrances are:
 * Route 180 east from Fresno. This enters the parks at Grant Grove and divides there to go either northeast to the main part of Kings Canyon or southeast to Sequoia. This is the recommended route from Northern California, and from Southern California if you intend to go directly to Kings Canyon.
 * Route 198 northeast from Visalia. This enters Sequoia from the south, and is the recommended route from Southern California. This route is not recommended by the park for long vehicles such as RVs. On 12 a mile stretch from Potwisha Campground to Giant Forest Museum in Sequoia Park, advised maximum is . Maximum length limit on the Generals Highway is for single vehicles,  for vehicles plus a towed unit.

Both routes are winding mountain roads; driving speeds will be slower than usual and special conditions will apply in winter.

The Northern park entrance is somewhat more than an hour east of Fresno, with the park centers being another 45–60 minutes, and the total driving time from San Francisco should be close to five hours, and a little less from Los Angeles, using the Southern entrance. Those coming from the South may still prefer to enter the parks via the Northern entrance, since that route is less winding once you enter the parks. Larger vehicles such as RVs are not allowed from just inside the Southern entrance to Giant forest.

The Mineral Kings area is accessed via a separate road off Highway 198. Turn right in Three Rivers, before reaching the Ash Mountain park entrance. The road is single lane, and paved only part of the way.

Gasoline is not sold in the park, except the Grant Grove market which sells cans of emergency gas, so you should be careful to fill up at one of the towns on the way to the park or in the National Forest between Grant Grove and the rest of Kings Canyon.

By foot
The Eastern parts of the park are accessible from trailheads off Highway 395.

The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) is a well-known trail that extends along the crest of the western alpine United States, from Mexico to Canada. It passes through California, Oregon, and Washington State.

Fees and permits
Entrances fees are valid for seven days and allow unlimited re-entry to both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Fees as of 2023 are:

 * $20 Individual on foot or bike
 * $30 Motorcycle
 * $35 Private vehicle
 * $70 Sequoia & Kings Canyon Annual Pass

By car
Roads through both parks are at high altitude, and are generally slow and winding. Navigation is relatively straightforward: Route 198 is the main road through Sequoia, continuing from the Ash Mountain (southwest) entrance north through Sequoia's main sights (most of which are on signposted side roads) to intersect with route 180 at Grant Grove just inside the Big Stump (west) entrance, while Route 180 is the main road through Kings Canyon, continuing north and then east from Grant Grove to the main Cedar Grove area of Kings Canyon. Parking is generally ample at most sights in the park.

By free in-park shuttle
Sequoia National Park provides a free in-park shuttle. There is no public transportation in Kings Canyon National Park.

See

Driving in the parks provide mostly up-close views of trees, so the roadside vista points that do exist should not be overlooked:
 * The road to Cedar Grove provides many excellent views of the narrow Kings Canyon.
 * Between Grant Grove and Lodgepole is only one major lookout. Great view of the Sierras.
 * The steep and winding road from Giant Forest down to the Ash Mountain entrance has some good vistas of the Kaweah River valley.

The following are some of the scenic attractions in Sequoia and Kings Canyon, divided by area. A broad variety of wildlife can be seen in both parks, including deer, birds, and bears.

Visitor Centers

Sequoia

 * Grants Grove, a grove of giant Sequoia trees at the west entrance to the parks.

Do
Sequoia and Kings Canyon both provide many trails for hiking and backpacking, and some facilities for horseback riding.

Eat
Food and shops are available at Grant Grove, Lodgepole, and Cedar Grove visitor centers. Overnight visitors should consider buying some food in advance on the way to the park.

Lodging
Lodging is available at the Wuksachi Lodge in the Lodgepole area (Sequoia), in the John Muir Lodge and the Grant Grove cabins at Grant Grove Village (Kings Canyon) and at the Cedar Grove Lodge in Cedar Grove (Kings Canyon). Reservations are recommended. Cedar Grove closes for the winter in October.

In addition, a range of hotels and motels are available outside the park, including several lodges in the National Forest (on the road from Grants Grove to Cedar Grove) and motels in Three Rivers (on Route 198 near the southwest entrance).

Camping
Camping is the most common way to stay in the park. There are campgrounds available in all areas of the park, although the ones closest to main attractions may require reservations at peak times. All campers should be aware of the presence of bears, and should stow any unattended food in bear-proof containers as instructed by park rangers.

Backcountry
The High Sierra is a backpackers' paradise, and numerous trails wind through Kings Canyon and branch out from Mineral King. Permits are required and may be requested on a first-come, first-served basis at the ranger station nearest the trailhead that is going to be used. Permits are issued the morning of the backpacking trip or after 1PM the day before the trip. The cost of a permit between mid-May and late September is $15 per group. Permits are free the remainder of the year. There is a quota for each trailhead and when it is reached, no more permits are issued for that day. Popular areas may fill well in advance during the summer, so reservations are recommended and can be made after March 1 by faxing in a form (available from www.nps.gov/seki/resform.htm) no later than three weeks prior to the planned start date.

Stay safe
For all emergencies in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, dial 911 (toll free) from any phone.

Wildlife
Do not feed or touch any of the wildlife as there is the possibility of acquiring the plague from fleas that live on the animals. Be aware of rattlesnakes and always check where you are stepping.

Cougars (or "mountain lions") also inhabit the park, but are rarely seen. They look like light brown house cats, but 5–8 feet long (including the tail). In the unlikely event that you run into one, don't approach it, and don't run. A cougar expects prey to flee and will react appropriately. Pick up any small children or pets. Make eye contact, spread your arms to make yourself look bigger, and back away slowly. If it approaches you, make noise and throw things at it; let it know that you're dangerous too. If it attacks, don't curl up defensively... fight back.

The park is prime habitat for black bears and it is very likely that you will see one. Stay a safe distance from bears and be careful never to come between a mother bear and her cub. Never leave food in your vehicle or unattended at a camp site. Bear-proof containers are provided for food storage at camp sites and trail heads. Safely storing food is required by park regulations and is essential for your own safety and also for the ultimate well-being of the bears. You can find more information on bears in the park, how to deal with a bear-human encounter, and park regulations about bears at the National Park Service web site.

Ticks are prevalent in the park and may carry Lyme disease. To avoid tick bites, tuck pants legs into socks and tuck shirts into your pants. If you do find an attached tick, remove it carefully with tweezers and seek medical advice from a ranger or a doctor. If bringing your dog along, make sure to check the dog for ticks after your visit as well.

Natural hazards
Poison oak is also present at elevations up to 5000 feet (1,500 m) in the park. It causes itching, burning rashes in the affected areas and is easily spread. Most trailheads have a bulletin board with a picture of poison oak. If you come in contact with poison oak, wash your clothes and the affected areas immediately. A product named Technu (found in camping stores and drugstores) is good for neutralizing the toxic oils from the plant. Avoid contact with your eyes.

Water from natural sources should be treated or boiled before drinking as it may contain giardia, a protozoa that causes intestinal illness.

Lightning can be a great hazard, especially on rock outcrops, on ridges or in meadows. If a storm approaches, try to get indoors or inside a vehicle. Do not stand under trees or in shallow caves.

Driving
Many of the roads in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are very steep. Use low gears when going downhill to avoid overheating and possible failure of the brakes. Slower traffic must use turnouts to let faster vehicles pass.

Especially in winter, roads can be snow-covered or icy. For up-to-date road conditions, call +1 559 565-3341 then press 9, then 4.

For 24-hour emergency towing, dial +1 559 565-3341, then press 0. In Sequoia NP, AAA service is available 24 hour for out-of-gas, lock outs, jump starts, and minor repairs. Call +1 559 565-4070.

Crime
Due to the remote nature of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, it is sometimes the site of illegal marijuana cultivation. If you come across a marijuana farm, immediately leave the area. Do not linger in the area of the farm as the people who plant the farms are often armed and do not take kindly to visitors. Report to park rangers as well as authorities immediately.

Go next

 * Yosemite National Park
 * Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the contiguous United States, lies on the eastern border of Sequoia National Park. However, it is blocked from view from the developed areas of the park by the Great Western Divide. Unlike other day hikes, hiking in the Mount Whitney area requires a permit. It's a one- or two-day hike; it is very strenuous if done in a single day.

title: Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks


text:
Sequoia National Forest

Sequoia National Forest is a national forest surrounding Sequoia National Park in the Sierra Nevada region of California. The forest contains many groves of giant sequoias, the largest living things in the world, along with many other gems. Sequoia NF is divided into two sections, a northern and a southern, with Sequoia National Park in between. Much of the forest was, in 2000, made into the new Giant Sequoia National Monument.

Do

 * Southern Section

Sleep

 * Buck Rock Campground (free)
 * Quaking Aspen Campground

Go next

 * Sierra National Forest and Inyo National Forest border Sequoia.
 * Sequoia National Park is surrounded by part of the forest.
 * Kings Canyon National Park is also a nice place to start Sierran hikes from (including Whitney).
 * Kernville is a small town on the Kern River.

title: Sequoia National Forest