Seoul is very spread out and as I said it is surrounded by mountains.  They are small mountains to be sure, but they still loom impressively in the distant skyscape.  This city is far more connected to nature than Shanghai.  While I haven't had much opportunity to explore the urban environment apart from two supermarket department stores and the Yonsei Campus, I did take up an invitation on Saturday to climb a nearby mountain called Achasan.  This was the first real cultural experience I've had here outside of the university environment.