Although often overlooked in favour of its near neighbours, Beijing and Tokyo, Seoul is one of the most vibrant capitals in Asia. Designated the World Design Capital for 2010, this increasingly creative city will host the Design Olympiad in October in the 1988 Olympic Stadium.
Divided in two by the Han River, Seoul is punctuated by spectacular mountain peaks that allow this city of nearly 11 million people to breathe. Recent beautification projects, such as the downtown Cheonggyecheon stream restoration have revitalised parts of the city centre.
Yet it is the city's energy that grabs most visitors: the swathes of neon in Sinchon, the swarming nightlife of Gangnam, the conspicuous consumption of Apgujeong and the traditional markets of Insadong. Seoul is truly a 24-hour city; it is possible to watch a movie, play video games or visit a sauna at any time of the day or night.
The best way to get your bearings is to head for the hills - Seoul is blessed with numerous peaks, none more inspiring than Mount Gwanaksan which provides views of the city to the north and the countryside to the south.
Go to Sadang Station on the Green Line (www.smrt.co.kr). There is a hiking shop outside exit 4 and the friendly staff will point you towards the start of the trail that winds through thick forest and passes temples and streams before ending at a steep rope climb to the summit.
The views from the top are stunning and on a clear day you can see across the entire city, including Namsan Tower, the needle-like construction that dominates the skyline. The tower marks the centre of Seoul and it looms over the major shopping district, Myeongdong.
Cramped streets, live music acts and tens of thousands of shoppers congregate in the district every day. And now with a weak won there are plenty of bargains to be had for foreign visitors. Head to Lotte Young Plaza (www.lotteshopping.com; 00 82 2 771 2500) for a huge selection of items all under one roof.
If you are worn out by the shopping, relax at a nearby bathhouse. These saunas (or jimjilbangs in Korean) are ubiquitous, but one of the best is in the centre of Myeongdong. The Hurest Well Being Club Spa (www.ispaland.co.kr; 00 82 2 455 3737) features everything from the obligatory hot and cold baths to an oxygen room, a clay mud room and sleeping rooms. It costs US$8 (Dh28) for 24-hours' access.
Once rejuvenated, visit the city centre's northern edge where the five Joseon Dynasty palaces stand, magnificently framed by the mountains behind them. Changdeokgung Palace (eng.cdg.go.kr) is a Unesco world heritage site and probably the most impressive of the palaces, set over lavish gardens and broken up by water features. Visits are by group tour only and cost about $2 (Dh8). Like all of the other palaces, it is closed on Mondays.
Another palace worth visiting is Gyeonghui Palace, where Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas has created the Prada Transformer (www.prada-transformer.com), a rotating structure that hosts cinema, arts and theatre events and is made all the more spectacular by its historical backdrop.
Once the sun goes down and the neon flickers on, Seoul seems like a different city - the nightlife choices are endless. The younger, clubbier crowd head towards Hongdae, a district of alleyways that lies adjacent to Hongik University (Line 2) and features superclubs such as Club M2 (www.ohoo.net) alongside more intimate venues such as the refreshingly decrepit Aura Bar (cafe.daum.net/clubaura; 00 82 2 333 8665).
If you prefer somewhere more diverse, than Itaewon is the best bet, as it is traditionally the district of Seoul where foreigners tend to congregate. While sometimes a bit rough and ready, it has slowly gentrified and venues such as Bungalow Bar (00 82 10 9001 2380) and Above (00 82 2 749 1717) - both of which are situated near the Hamilton Hotel - could hold their own anywhere in Asia.
The mosque that overlooks the centre of Itaewon is surrounded by small, reasonably priced Middle Eastern restaurants.
Budget
Right in the centre of Seoul's student district is Guesthouse Korea, a clean, atmospheric place that sees an equal mix of foreign backpackers and Korean students. Close to the city centre palaces and Insadong market, this is probably the best placed of the city's budget accommodations. Dorm rooms cost from $15 (Dh51) per night.
155-1 kwonnong-Dong Jongno-Gu (www.guesthouseinkorea.com; 00 82 2 3675 2205).
Mid-range
So-called "love motels" are a ubiquitous part of Seoul's streetscape and many offer amazingly good value. The Herb Hotel, located in Southern Seoul, offers a two-person jacuzzi, plasma screen TV, living room and bedroom. This being Korea, high-speed internet and a PC are provided in the room. Rooms start from $40 (Dh150) per night during the week but prices are slightly higher at the weekend.
1601-13 Nambu Terminal, Seocho-Dong, Seocho-Gu (00 82 2 598 6226).
Luxury
The Westin Chosun is right in the centre of the city, a short walk from many of Seoul's tourist attractions. Geared for the business traveller, the hotel has Cantonese, Japanese and international restaurants as well as one of the best fitness centres in the city. The rooms are modern without being overly minimal and the service is superb. Double rooms cost from $240 (Dh880) per night.
The Westin Chosun, 87 Songong-dong (www.echosunhotel.com, 00 82 2 771 0500).
Breakfast
Koreans are not big on breakfast; most eat a smaller version of lunch (think rice and kimchi) so visitors may want to stick to western fare. One of the best of a new breed of breakfast outlets to open is the Flying Pan Blue (00 82 2 793 5285), located in the heart of Itaewon, right next to the Hamilton Hotel. The eggs Benedict with smoked salmon ($14, Dh51) is a winner, as is the calorie-laden French toast and banana nut waffle topped with ice cream ($9, D33).
Lunch
A few minutes from the artsy lanes of Insadong lies the trendy SSamzie Space shopping centre, atop of which lies Oh Mok The (0082 2 739 3211). A favourite with the local business set, the restaurant specialises in bibimbap ($8, Dh30), a delicious mixture of vegetables, egg, rice, meat and chilli paste all cooked in a hot stone pot. If you want something cooler, order the mool naengmyun ($10 Dh37), which combines cold noodles and a beef stew with a spicy edge.
Dinner
Seoul has tens of thousands of restaurants and choosing one can be a daunting task; most restaurants specialise in one dish so it's better to choose what you want to eat first. The most popular dish among Koreans is galbi, which is the Korean version of barbecue. Served with side dishes of soup, rice and lettuce (with which to wrap the meat in), the cuts of mostly beef are cooked in front of you on a hotplate. Many of these joints are rather spartan, but HwaRoGaln in Hongdae is a cut above, with a minimal wooden interior and sunken booths divided by chic chain mail.
For something slightly different but equally traditional, try budaejigae, the Koreans' take on hot pot; it has its origins in post-war Korea where the locals would mix and match any food they could find and make it into a stew. Nolboo (www.nolboo.co.kr) has more than 400 branches across the country that specialise in the dish - with everything from tofu, sausage, noodles, kimchi and vegetables, it's a sure-fire belly filler.
Return flights on Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dubai to Seoul cost from $1,644 (Dh6,000), including taxes.
The Koreans by Michael Breen is an amusing, accurate portrayal of South Korea at the start of the 21st century.
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
The specs
Engine: 77.4kW all-wheel-drive dual motor
Power: 320bhp
Torque: 605Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh219,000
On sale: Now
How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
- Use an offline private key, a physical device that requires manual activation, whenever you access your wallet.
- Avoid suspicious social media ads promoting fraudulent schemes.
- Only invest in crypto projects that you fully understand.
- Critically assess whether a project’s promises or returns seem too good to be true.
- Only use reputable platforms that have a track record of strong regulatory compliance.
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Brighton 1
Gross (50' pen)
Tottenham 1
Kane (48)
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAlmouneer%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202017%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dr%20Noha%20Khater%20and%20Rania%20Kadry%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EEgypt%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20staff%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E120%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EBootstrapped%2C%20with%20support%20from%20Insead%20and%20Egyptian%20government%2C%20seed%20round%20of%20%3Cbr%3E%243.6%20million%20led%20by%20Global%20Ventures%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Mrs%20Chatterjee%20Vs%20Norway
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ashima%20Chibber%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Rani%20Mukerji%2C%20Anirban%20Bhattacharya%20and%20Jim%20Sarbh%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The biog
Name: Mohammed Imtiaz
From: Gujranwala, Pakistan
Arrived in the UAE: 1976
Favourite clothes to make: Suit
Cost of a hand-made suit: From Dh550
Guide to intelligent investing
Investing success often hinges on discipline and perspective. As markets fluctuate, remember these guiding principles:
- Stay invested: Time in the market, not timing the market, is critical to long-term gains.
- Rational thinking: Breathe and avoid emotional decision-making; let logic and planning guide your actions.
- Strategic patience: Understand why you’re investing and allow time for your strategies to unfold.
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
RESULTS
%3Cp%3E%0D5pm%3A%20Al%20Maha%20Stables%20%E2%80%93%20Maiden%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(Turf)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Alfahem%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%20(jockey)%2C%20Ernst%20Oetrel%20(trainer)%0D%3Cbr%3E5.30pm%3A%20Al%20Anoud%20Stables%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Musannef%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E6pm%3A%20Wathba%20Stallions%20Cup%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(PA)%20Dh70%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Rasam%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E6.30pm%3A%20Arabian%20Triple%20Crown%20Round%202%20%E2%80%93%20Group%203%20(PA)%20Dh%20300%2C000%20(T)%202%2C200m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Joe%20Star%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Helal%20Al%20Alawi%0D%3Cbr%3E7pm%3A%20Liwa%20Oasis%20%E2%80%93%20Group%202%20(PA)%20Dh300%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20AF%20Alajaj%2C%20Tadhg%20O%E2%80%99Shea%2C%20Ernst%20Oertel%0D%3Cbr%3E7.30pm%3A%20Dames%20Stables%20%E2%80%93%20Handicap%20(TB)%20Dh80%2C000%20(T)%201%2C400m%0D%3Cbr%3EWinner%3A%20Silent%20Defense%2C%20Oscar%20Chavez%2C%20Rashed%20Bouresly%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
Placing the tape on the graphite and peeling it, they managed to rip off thin flakes of carbon. In the beginning they got flakes consisting of many layers of graphene. But as they repeated the process many times, the flakes got thinner.
By separating the graphite fragments repeatedly, they managed to create flakes that were just one atom thick. Their experiment had led to graphene being isolated for the very first time.
At the time, many believed it was impossible for such thin crystalline materials to be stable. But examined under a microscope, the material remained stable, and when tested was found to have incredible properties.
It is many times times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible. It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent. The world's first 2D material, it is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.
But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
Results
4pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Dirt); 1,400m
Winner: Solar Shower; William Lee (jockey); Helal Al Alawi (trainer)
4.35pm: Handicap; Dh165,000 (D); 2,000m
Winner: Thaaqib; Antonio Fresu; Erwan Charpy.
5.10pm: Maiden; Dh165,000 (Turf); 1,800m
Winner: Bila Shak; Adrie de Vries; Fawzi Nass
5.45pm: Handicap; Dh175,000 (D); 1,200m
Winner: Beachcomber Bay; Richard Mullen; Satish Seemar
6.20pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,800m
Winner: Muzdawaj; Jim Crowley; Musabah Al Muhairi
6.55pm: Handicap; Dh185,000 (D); 1,600m
Winner: Mazeed; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar
7.30pm: Handicap; Dh205,000 (T); 1,200m
Winner: Riflescope; Tadhg O’Shea; Satish Seemar.
Not Dark Yet
Shelby Lynne and Allison Moorer
Four stars
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
