Which Asian capital stands on the Han River?

The Asian capital that stands on the Han River is Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The Han, or Hangang, runs through the center of the city and roughly divides Seoul into northern and southern sections before continuing west toward the Yellow Sea.

The river helped make the area strategically important long before modern Seoul emerged. Baekje established its early capital, Wiryeseong, near the lower Han River around 18 BC. Later Korean kingdoms competed for control of the river basin because it offered transportation, fertile land, and access across the peninsula. Joseon selected Hanyang, within present-day Seoul, as its capital in 1394.

Seoul’s modern identity is closely linked to the river. Bridges, parks, islands such as Yeouido, and waterfront districts form a major part of the cityscape. “The Miracle on the Han River” is also the name commonly given to South Korea’s rapid postwar economic development. Dhaka has major rivers too, but not the Han.