Seoul, South Korea

Seoul is one of the world's great 24-hour cities — a vast, mountain-ringed capital on the Han River where the deep history of the Joseon dynasty coexists with some of the most advanced, fast-moving urban culture on the planet. The historic core, north of the river, holds five royal palaces led by Gyeongbokgung (with its changing-of-the-guard ceremony) and the UNESCO-listed Changdeokgung and its Secret Garden, plus the narrow hanok lanes of Bukchon Hanok Village and the craft shops and teahouses of Insadong. Around them spread the city's famous districts: Myeongdong for shopping and cosmetics, Hongdae for youthful nightlife and busking near the universities, Itaewon for international food, and, across the river, glossy Gangnam. The skyline is pinned by N Seoul Tower atop Namsan and the supertall Lotte World Tower. But Seoul's defining draw is its living culture — this is the home city of K-pop and K-drama, with entertainment-district pilgrimages, themed cafés and a beauty-and-fashion scene the world follows — and, above all, its food. Korean barbecue, the bubbling stews and banchan of everyday meals, the street stalls of Gwangjang and Myeongdong markets, late-night Korean fried chicken and the café culture make eating a non-stop pleasure. Add the soak-and-sleep ritual of the jjimjilbang bathhouses, serene Buddhist temples like Jogyesa and Bongeunsa, the night markets and design landmark of Dongdaemun, and the easy day trip to the tense, fascinating border of the DMZ, and Seoul rewards far more than a stopover. Its subway is among the world's best — clean, cheap, English-signed — making the sprawling city remarkably easy to navigate. Spring (cherry blossom) and autumn (foliage) are the loveliest seasons; summers are hot and wet, winters cold and dry.