1. Bukchon Hanok Village
If you are a fan of the K-dramas, it is no wonder you would easily recognise the many filming sites located within the iconic Bukchon Hanok Village. Surrounded by Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine, the Bukchon Hanok Village holds over 600 years of Korean history and is home to hundreds of traditional houses, known as hanok. Today, many of these houses have been preserved and operate as cultural centers, hanok restaurants and museums, providing visitors with an immersive and experiential peek into traditional Korean culture!
Unique Experience:
The best way to immerse yourself in this rich culture, is to dress like one! Make your way to any Hanbok costume rental store located within the village and seize the opportunity to try on the Korean traditional hanbok. What’s more? Take memorable shots down the enchanting alley filled with traditional rich architecture that you can no longer see in modern day society and feel as though you’ve been transported back to the Joseon Dynasty.
Address:
Gyedong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 계동길 37 (계동)
2. Gyeongbokgung Palace
Situated next to the Bukchon Hanok Village, Gyeongbokgung Palace is a must-visit for any first-time visitor and undeniably one of the most visited historic sites in Seoul. Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest of all five grand palaces built in the Joseon Dynasty and arguably the most beautiful among all.
The palace was once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598), however later restored during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919). With the remarkable number of buildings and individual rooms within the Palace, we recommend you to book a guided palace tour in advance or even ride on the free guided tours that start in front of Gyeongbokgung Palace Information Centre available on selected days. Click here to see more information regarding guided tours.
Do take note that the palace is closed on every Tuesday, and tickets are priced at 3,000 won each. Here's a little tip - come dressed in the Korean traditional hanbok and be granted free access into the palace 😉
Unique Experience:
Witness the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony that takes place twice daily (except Tuesday) at 10am in the morning and 2pm at noon. Get your cameras ready and be sure to arrive approximately 15 minutes before to secure a good viewing spot. We will keep you in suspense, but it’s a ceremony not to be missed!
Address:
161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 사직로 161 (세종로)
3. Myeongdong Shopping Street
Undoubtedly ranked one of the best and most famous shopping destinations in Asia, your shopping experience in Korea isn’t complete without a visit to one of the country’s trendiest - Myeongdong shopping street!
Bustling with close to 1 million visitors daily, its seemingly endless stretch of boutiques are lined with several major department stores decked with premium labels as well as retail stores that carry both international and local brands. Wander into the smaller alleys and you may even find yourself bargains tucked away in quieter stores off the main road. During summer, it is also the best time to hunt for summer wear suitable for the Singapore's weather.
If you happen to be passing by the area, make a food stop to satisfy those hunger pangs! From family restaurants to street vendors, be spoilt with a wide array of food choices and make sure to try out some of our recommendations below! (We are not drooling, you are!)
Try Tornado Potato, Korean Egg Toast, Bunggeo-ppang & Cheese Ddeokbokki
Short on Korean won? Money changers are commonly found along the streets, and most of them offer competitive rates and are commission free. Make sure to bring along your passport as it is required for currency exchange services.
Pro Tips:
Got a question?
Drop by the Myeongdong Tourist Information Centre and get your queries answered.
Myeongdong station lockers
Dropping by from elsewhere? Store your additional baggage at Myeongdong station before heading over to the shopping street. Cost of lockers range from 2,000 to 4,000 won per day based on size rented.
Tax refund
Selected stores in Myeongdong may offer immediate tax refunds service that comes with a minimum spending. Take your time to look through and compare prices from different stores to score the best deal!
Address:
66, Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 을지로 66 (을지로2가)
4. Namiseom Island
Looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life? Situated 1.5 hours away from Seoul via subway, Namiseom Island or Nami Island gained popularity as one of the top tourist destinations to visit in Korea, many thanks to its popular homegrown film Winter Sonata.
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway, Nami Island is no better place with its beautifully tree-lined path. Here, you get to experience a different scenic view that changes according to each season.
Spring
Witness the blooming of the cherry blossoms here at Nami Island where visitors are allowed to roam freely under its dense cherry blossom habitat and spend a dreamy day with gorgeous, fluttering flowers. Be sure to check out the bloom forecast prior to your trip as the season comes and goes quickly!
Temperature: 4°C to 12°C
Dress in: Long sleeve t-shirt, lightweight jacket with long pants
Summer
During the summer season, visitors can expect awe-inspiring views of emerald green trees. Rent a bike and ride through the dramatic scenery of Nami Island surrounded by nature's skyscrapers.
Temperature: 21°C to 26°C
Dress in: Comfortable clothes and bring along an umbrella, hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and a portable fan
Autumn (Best season to visit!)
Lauded as the hottest spot in Korea for autumn leaves viewing, watch the island transform into an autumn wonderland as the rows of pine and maple trees turn into various beautiful shades of orange, red and brown. Don’t miss this remarkable sight!
Temperature: 5°C to 13°C
Dress in: Long sleeve t-shirt, lightweight jacket with long pants
Winter
Gear up in your favourite winter wear and get ready to recreate scenes from the classic Winter Sonata. While the weather may seem too cold for some, makeshift stalls selling hot food and campfires are usually set up all over the island during the winter season to keep its visitors warm. Just Imagine, strolling down the beautiful snow-covered island while gobbling down a delicious steamed red bean bun!
Temperature: -4°C to 4°C
Dress In: Thick winter sweater or coat, scarf, beanie, and a pair of gloves or mittens.
To enter Nami Island, you can either take a ferry or upgrade yourself to a 940m Zip Wire ride down via Nami Skyline. The adrenaline rush kicks in right before your turn, however, it is more likely that you’ll be caught flabbergasted as you enjoy sweeping views of the picturesque island during the ride.
Unique Experience:
While it is not a common sight to see wild ostriches roaming the streets, we thought you ought to know that the animals living on this island are allowed to wander freely. Attempt taking a photo with the animal friends but our advice would be not to get too close!
Psstt… Go also on a hunt to spot a Merlion statue located somewhere within the island :P
Address:
1, Namiseom-gil, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do
강원도 춘천시 남산면 남이섬길 1
5. Gwangjang Market
First established in 1905, Gwangjang Market is known to be one of the oldest functioning markets in all of South Korea that has withstood the test of time. It is especially popular amongst the young for its vintage clothing arcade and is said by the locals to be a must-visit for newly-wed couples due to its extensive array of home furnishing, weddings, wedding gifts, Hanbok (traditional Korean clothing), silks etc. The market is also famous for its abundant options of delicious street food that will leave you exclaiming – SEOUL goood! If you have a craving for authentic Korean street food, then look no further!
Pro Tip:
A good rule of thumb is to trust your sense of smell and the queues. The locals generally know where the good and authentic stuff are, and you usually won’t go wrong trying out a local favourite that could also become a favourite of your own.
Address:
88, Changgyeonggung-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 종로구 창경궁로 88
6. Everland Theme Park
The Everland Theme Park is the country's largest theme park that features a wide range of exhilarating rides, fun parades, entertainment and festivals throughout the year. Attractions available in the theme park cater for all ages to enjoy.
There are five unique themed zones in Everland: Global Fair, American Adventure, Magic Land, European Adventure, and Zootopia. Make sure to grab a map from the entrance of the theme park which will come in handy later in the day.
Global Fair
Highlights: Giant Magic Tree, Live Hologram Theatre, Pororo 3D Adventure
(Source: Will Fly For Food)
Step in and be warmly greeted with buildings designed with influences of Victorian, Oriental, and India! The Global fair is the first themed zone you’ll see once you enter Everland, consisting mainly of retail shops and restaurants. Situated conveniently right by the theme park main entrance/exit, the Grand Emporium is Everland’s largest souvenir shop. We recommend you to leave your souvenirs shopping to the last to save all trouble and inconvenience of carrying them around!
American Adventure
Highlights: Hurricane, Columbus Adventures, Double Rock Spin
(Source: Living Nomads)
Get your adrenaline running at American Adventure - featuring Everland’s various heart thumping rides suitable for young teens and adults.
Magic Land
Highlights: Racing Coasters, Magic Swing, Thunder Falls
(Source: Everland)
Built around the theme of fantasy, Magic Land caters for the little ones who are afraid of the thrilling rides!
European Adventure
Highlights: T-Express, VR Adventure
(Source: One Theme Park At A Time)
Enjoy a taste of Europe in South Korea at the European Adventure zone where beautiful seasonal flowers are in full bloom throughout the year. While you are at it, why not challenge yourself and hop on the star attraction of Everland? Dropping from a 77-degree angle at a whopping speed of 104 km/hour, the T-Express is known to be the world’s steepest wooden roller coaster and a not-to-be-missed ride for all adrenaline junkies. However, be prepared as average waiting time can go up to 2-3 hours during peak season!
Zootopia
Highlights: Safari World, Lost Valley
(Source: Everland)
Apart from the extreme rides, visit the Everland’s Zootopia zone and feel as if you’ve stepped into a zoo instead of a theme park! This is a best opportunity for you to get up-close to animals such as tigers, lions, giraffes and more.
If you are travelling as a family with young kids or older folks, you are likely to to spend more time in the Global Fair, Magic Land, and Zootopia zones. For the adrenaline junkies, we recommend you to take on the European Adventure and American Adventure route!
Unique Experience:
Interested in watching the theme park’s performances? Check out the schedule on Everland's offical website as the parade showtime changes daily.
Address:
199, Everland-ro, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 용인시 처인구 포곡읍 에버랜드로 199 (포곡읍)
7. Nanta Show
Since its debut in 1997, NANTA is one of Korea's most popular non-verbal theatrical shows, drawing at least 750,000 foreign visitors per year to enjoy its spectacular performances. As suggested, the storytelling takes place and is performed non-verbally, without any dialogues or spoken words. This serves as a great way to familiarize foreign audiences with the Korean culture without the worries of any language barriers while incorporating entertainment for the local audience at the same time.
(Source: befreetour)
Having bagged several international awards and even an exclusive appearance on New York’s Broadway, the comical live show kicks off with the main characters as chefs going about their regular day in the kitchen. This high energy performance combines dancing, percussion, acrobatics where the storyline will later tickle your funny bones for a night of fun and laughter!
(Source: The Jeju Weekly)
Address:
3F Myeongdong NANTA Theatre. 26 Myeongdong-gil, Myeongdong 2(i)-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 중구 명동길 26(명동2가) 유네스코회관 3층 명동난타극장
8. Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village
(Source: Korea Tourism Organization)
When most people think of Incheon, what often comes to their mind is the country’s international airport. A hidden gem in Incheon - the Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village is located right beside the famous Incheon’s Chinatown, also known as the only official Chinatown of South Korea.
Like a fairy tale, the once old and shabby district seems to have gone under a spell, transforming from a rundown neighbourhood into the wonderland you see today. Whether you are travelling with kids or not, we recommend a visit to the Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village. No matter what age you are, you will never be too old for fairy tales! 😉
Pro Tip:
You know you’ve arrived at the Fairy Tale Village when you spot the rainbow arch-shaped gate!
Address:
38, Donghwamaeul-gil, Jung-gu, Incheon
인천광역시 중구 동화마을길 38 (송월동3가) 일대
9. Hangang River
The Hangang River or Han river in short is a major landmark residing in the heart of Seoul. With the launch of several development projects over the past decades, the government has successfully transformed the surrounding area into a place for leisure, culture, and art. Year round, visitors can be seen cycling, skateboarding, kiting or simply sitting by while enjoying the beautiful sceneries of the Han river. Whether you're looking for leisure or recreational activities, we have compiled a list of top activities where you can experience Hangang River to your fullest.
Splashing Fun
Aside from the swimming pools facilities, the riverside is also accessible with tons of water sports that are either family friendly or catered for the sport enthusiasts. For a more relaxed option, go river cruising or simply rent a swan paddle boat where you can enjoy a memorable and peaceful afternoon with your families or friends. If you are looking to get your adrenaline pumping, challenge yourself to activities including kayaking, water skiing, wakeboarding or flyboarding!
Cycling & Picnicking
If water sports aren’t your cup of tea, try cycling! Cycling covers a lot more ground and there are no other activities that allow you to see as much scenery. Don’t worry if you do not have a bike with you as there are plentiful rental kiosks conveniently located by the riverside. Bring along your camera for some insta-worthy shots or a food basket and mat for a picnic by the riverbanks! Feeling a little local? Try ordering the perfect combination of fried chicken and beer and get them delivered directly to you. Now go on and explore the beautiful parks of Han River!
There is an endless list of things to do at Hangang River, which is why this place is favoured so much by the locals! We recommend you devote a full day discovering the great Hangang River!
Unique Experience:
Located within the Hangang River area, the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain is recognized as the world's longest bridge fountain by the Guinness World Records. Brightly illuminated by a rainbow of 200 LED lights, witness the mesmerising rainbow fountain show as it comes alive at night.
Address:
257, Gangbyeonbuk-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 성동구 강변북로 257 (성수동1가)
10. Namsam Seoul Tower
Heard of the Eiffel Tower of South Korea? You’ve guessed it right! Standing at 236 meters tall on top of Mount Namsan, there are no other landmarks in Seoul as iconic as the Namsan Seoul Tower. Today, the attraction offers visitors an incredible panoramic view of South Korea and it functions as both an observation, and a communication tower.
Besides that, the tower also housed numerous dining options, a game arcade, photo taking hot spots, and even a Hello Kitty exhibition corner! Even if you do not have plans to go up the Namsan Tower, the views from the ground floor platform which are free, are just as equally beautiful!
Unique Experience:
(Source: SnackFever)
One of the popular activities to do for couples visiting N Seoul Tower is to attach their own “love lock”, in hopes of an everlasting love. You can either bring your own padlock or opt to purchase one conveniently from the souvenir store. All you have to do is to inscribe your significant other's name, or even include a short message to complete the ‘ritual’. It’s cliche, yet romantic.
Address:
105, Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
서울특별시 용산구 남산공원길 105 (용산동2가
Hope this helps in your upcoming trip to Seoul, Korea! We definitely can't wait to share more with you again! Till then :)
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