Seoul, the largest city in South Korea, is also the second largest city in the world based on its metropolitan area. In visiting Seoul, the traveler encounters an amalgam of religious structures, old palaces, and historical settings melded with vibrant nightlife, daylife and outdoor activities. Famous areas include Hongdae (홍대) the college area, Gangnam (강남) the wealthy area, the Han river (한강), and the palace Gyeongbokgung (경복궁).