South Korea is entrenched in tradition and ancient cultures and the country offers a plethora of things to thrill the travellers. The mixture of the ancient and modern culture is visible throughout the country such as while taking a tour through the busy streets and shops, visiting a palace or taking a bicycle ride through the countryside. @aussieontheroad will agree that “South Korea is a country of delicious food, ancient temples, quirky K-Pop, breathtaking landscapes, friendly people, zany festivals, and much, much more”. The country offers an incredible amount of tourist attractions. Here are a few things that you should not give a miss while visiting South Korea-
1 Korean delicious food:
Korean culture is inseparable from food. Infact one of the best ways to experience true Korean culture is by trying manifold varieties of authentic Korean food. South Korea lets you indulge in some of the mouthwatering foods like bulgogi, japchae, gomguk ,kimchi, bap (rice) etc. Seoul has its own charm street foods as the major markets are packed with food stalls that serve the best food from all around the country.Relishing different sorts of food is one of the best things about South Korea.
2 Visit Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung Palaces:
Gyeongbokgung Palace- It is the largest palace built by the Joseon dynasty. The palace is composed of fourteen restored buildings including the king’s main living quarters, Gangnyeongjeon. If you want to have a leap back in time make sure you attend the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony. It is all about grandeur and beautiful palaces and museums. Visiting historical monuments is one common things to do in Korea.
3 Namdaemun and/or Dongdaemun Market:
Shopping is one of the most famous love of the people of South Korea. While there are modern- mega malls, the tourists will find browsing these local markets a more rewarding experience. Namdaemun is a day market while Dongdaemun is a night market. However these markets have now more relaxed timings. Take a tour to these places and you will surely be enchanted by it.
4 Take a visit to DMZ:
One of the most popular things to do in South Korea is to make the 48km trip towards north of Seoul to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) where one can still witness the remnants of the Cold War. Located in the Joint Security Area, this bridge shows demarcation between North and South Korea.
5 Visit Bukchon Hanok Village:
Familiarise yourself with the Korean architecture and get to know about traditional Korean houses called “hanok”. Situated between Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace, the best part about visiting this place are the endless winding alleys that twist and turn. You can have a true local experience by witnessing the simple and nascent lifestyle of these people. Devotion to culture is one of the best things about South Korea.
6 Do not miss the street artists:
Street artists performing on InsaDong Street in Seoul is quite a vision and when confused as to what to do in Korea you can simply visit the street artists and pass some leisure time. You can see everything from card tricks, to juggling, and much more. You can even show them your talent and earn quite a few bucks. You can also find a great amalgamation of old and new Korean culture in the cafes, restaurants and shops. Most people often visit InsaDong to see the artistry in the art galleries, tea shops, and boutiques. Meyongdong, Gangnam, Hongdae are few famous streets that you must definitely visit.
7 Ski for some adventure:
If you are visiting Korea in winter months especially between December and March when there is abundant snow you can have some thrilling experience while gliding down the ski slopes. Skiing is one of the best things to do in Korea in winter Pyeongchang that is located in the Taebaek Mountains region, is famous for its ski resorts and has some temples, historic and cultural heritage sites. You can visit other ski resorts that are closer to Seoul by taking a shuttle bus and can be done within a day trip.
8 Don’t forget Lotte world and Everland:
These two theme parks will add some more fun to your Seoul trip. Lotte, which is the world’s largest theme park and Everland which has traditional outdoor thrills both have something for young as well as old. Lotte world is quite famous among kids and includes a folk museum, theme parks , luxury hotels , entertainment, shopping malls and much more. Everland is more for traditional theme park enthusiasts and is a sort of massive Disney-esque park.
9 Jeju Island:
The picturesque scene of Jeju island is a haven that is engulfed in traditions, history and the natural beauty. A dormant volcanic island, this place includes Cultural Heritage Sites, Biosphere Reserve and a Geopark. You can just sit back on the beach or watch traditional women taking a deep dive without any help. You can also witness this Loveland filled with statues dedicated to love and this is one of the most visited places in South Korea.
10 Trip to Busan:
Busan is the second largest city of South Korea and one of the main cities in the South that is quite famous for its local seafood, long modern bridges, infinite beaches, mountains and urban nightlife. As compared to Seoul, Busan offers a hipper attitude, beach resorts and much more. You can take a short 2.5-hour bullet train ride to reach Busan.
South Korea has much more to offer and experience. This place surely must be in your bucket list if you want to experience the rich culture and diverse festivals and if you have a fondness for food and cosmetics. After reading this blog, surely it won’t be too hard to think as to what to do in Korea during your much awaited trip.