Seoul

===Historical architecture===
[[File:Sungryemun of seoul.jpg|thumb|right|[[Namdaemun|Sungnyemun]] (commonly known as Namdaemun)]]
Seoul has many historical and cultural landmarks. In [[Amsa-dong|Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site]], [[Gangdong District]], neolithic remains were excavated and accidentally discovered by a flood in 1925.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264111 |title=Amsa-dong Prehistoric Settlement Site |publisher=[[Korea Tourism Organization]] |access-date=12 February 2014 |archive-date=22 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222135311/http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/SI/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264111 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Urban and civil planning was a key concept when Seoul was first designed to serve as a capital in the late 14th century. The Joseon dynasty built the "Five Grand Palaces" in Seoul—[[Changdeokgung]], [[Changgyeonggung]], [[Deoksugung]], [[Gyeongbokgung]] and [[Gyeonghuigung]]—all of which are located in the Jongno and Jung Districts. Among them, Changdeokgung was added to the UNESCO [[World Heritage]] List in 1997 as an "outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture and garden design". The main palace, Gyeongbokgung, underwent a large-scale restoration project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/data/data_01.jsp?dep1=2&dep2=1|title=About the Palace|publisher=Gyeongbokgung Palace|access-date=12 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614221413/http://www.royalpalace.go.kr/html/eng/data/data_01.jsp?dep1=2&dep2=1|archive-date=14 June 2008}}</ref> The palaces are considered exemplary architecture of the Joseon period. Beside the palaces, [[Unhyeongung]] is known for being the royal residence of Regent [[Heungseon Daewongun|Daewongun]], the father of [[Gojong of Korea|Emperor Gojong]] at the end of the Joseon Dynasty.

Seoul has been surrounded by walls that were built to regulate visitors from other regions and protect the city in case of an invasion. [[Pungnap Toseong]] is a flat earthen wall built at the edge of the Han River, which is widely believed to be the site of [[Wiryeseong]]. [[Mongchontoseong|Mongchon Toseong]] is another earthen wall built during the Baekje period that is now located inside the [[Olympic Park, Seoul|Olympic Park]].<ref name="toseong"/> The [[Fortress Wall of Seoul|Fortress Wall]] of Seoul was built early in the Joseon dynasty for protection of the city. After many centuries of destruction and rebuilding, about {{frac|2|3}} of the wall remains, as well as six of the original [[The Eight Gates of Seoul|eight gates]]. These gates include the south gate [[Namdaemun]] and the east gate Dongdaemun. Namdaemun was the oldest wooden gate until a 2008 arson attack, and was re-opened after complete restoration in 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sungnyemun to open to great fanfare after more than five years of renovation|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130430000738|access-date=1 May 2013|publisher=[[The Korea Herald]]|date=30 April 2013|archive-date=30 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430200528/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130430000738|url-status=live}}</ref> Located near the gates are the traditional markets and largest shopping center, [[Namdaemun Market]] and [[Dongdaemun Market]].