South Korea is a little and densely-packed nation, which makes it a delight to explore. Distances are quick, transport hyperlinks are frequent and legit, and you never ought to head very a ways for a trade of scene. Whereas there’s plenty to inquire of and carry out, you don’t ought to spend weeks traipsing round to set apart the most of your time there.
In my abilities, 10 days is the very ultimate quantity of time to ranking a true flavour of what South Korea has to present, from hyperactive cities to pristine pure parks and beautiful historical towns. Whether or no longer you’re there for Ok-Pop or mountain climbing, the implausible meals scene or centuries of spell binding history, it’s effortlessly accessible, and this itinerary entails it all.
After flying in, you’ll originate your time out honest correct in delightful Gyeongju, a beautiful and relaxing historical town that ticked so many boxes for what I’d hoped to inquire of in South Korea. From there, you’ll originate head and stomach-first into the excellent lights of Seoul, with the total never-ending energy that incorporates this world-class capital.
In the end, you’ll ranking to abilities a segment of the nation that I’m convinced would possibly maybe perchance perchance maybe be the highlight of your time within the nation. Seoraksan National Park blew me away with its implausible mountain climbing trails, heavenly mountains and rivers, and mute, mute atmosphere that I of direction didn’t ask of to search out.
In the occasion you’ve got two weeks in South Korea, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance effortlessly add an additional day in and round every of the areas I level out whenever you’d like to mosey more slowly, or tack on an additional job or two: I give about a alternate choices for that at the tip.
Factual, let’s ranking into the factor!
Day 1: Reach in South Korea
Presuming that you’re arriving at one amongst South Korea’s worldwide airports, you’re susceptible to be slightly tired and jetlagged. Moderately than throwing yourself into the chaos of a prime city, then, I’d indicate heading somewhere arrangement more chill lawful off the bat. Gyeongju is that set apart.
Once the political and cultural coronary heart of South Korea, Gyeongju nowadays is a arrangement more relaxed set apart to be. This little city within the south of the nation is recognized as the “Museum Without Partitions”, and even an hour or two of strolling round will clearly repeat why, with mature structures, temples, and burial mounds reputedly round every nook.
Simply about all long-haul flights come into Incheon Airport in Seoul: whenever you land early sufficient within the morning, you’ll maintain no problem attending to Gyeongju at an practical hour. Buses hump there straight remote from the airport, taking about five hours, or probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to steal the metro from the airport to Seoul Self-discipline to win the high-tempo KTX put together instead. Full commute time is set the identical either manner.
Tip: even whenever you don’t realizing to make exercise of it straight away to ranking into the city, set apart particular to ranking a T-Money card from one amongst the merchandising machines at the airport and high it up with a helpful quantity of cash (I spent ₩40,000 following this itinerary). Now not simplest does it set apart every depart a bit more cost effective, it saves a lot of time and energy versus looking to search out individual tickets, severely on crowded buses or at busy metro stations.
In the occasion you don’t land till gradual within the day, correct carry out what I did on my remaining mosey to and guide a night in a resort end to Seoul Self-discipline, then bounce on an early put together to Gyeongju the subsequent morning instead. After a long flight, being ready to steal a bathe, sleep, and originate refreshed within the morning used to be very welcome!
We spent the night at a at ease little guesthouse that used to be perfectly location up for exactly this develop of quick pause, no longer up to a five minute lope from Seoul Self-discipline. Take a look at-in is originate till 10pm: we arrived correct after that, and there used to be a show on the door with our keycode.
The room itself used to be mountainous for a night: the bathe, fridge, and air-con all worked effectively, and the bed used to be nice and pleased. After 11 hours on a airplane to ranking there, it can perchance perchance maybe as effectively were the Hilton. Aside from the Hilton wasn’t within the sort of helpful field, nor did it mark correct $65 USD (₩85,000) a night.
When it comes time to steal the high-tempo put together certain for Gyeongju, it leaves Seoul Self-discipline from early morning till gradual evening, and costs round ₩40-50,000 from Seoul. We took the 8:11am departure, and it took nearly exactly two hours to ranking to Singyeongju KTX reputation exterior Gyeongju.
From there, correct head out of the reputation and veer lawful to search out taxis and buses to steal you into the city: there’s a characterize of the bus stands underneath. The total following buses steal you into town in about half an hour, and value ₩1300: 50, 60, 61, 70, 203, 700.
In the occasion you picked up a T-Money card in Seoul, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to exercise it on this bus as effectively, otherwise you’ll ought to pay in cash. The bus runs along the first avenue through Gyeongju, so correct set apart a show of where your accommodation is so that you understand where to ranking off. It’s one amongst the causes we chose the resort we did: there’s a colossal bridge correct sooner than the give up we wanted, making for a in actuality obvious landmark!
In the occasion you’re the relaxation delight in me, you’re going to favor a little restoration time after a long-haul flight! For that reason, I’ve saved most of the activities for tomorrow to come: for now, correct easy up, rob some dinner, and ranking a lawful night’s sleep in sooner than diving headfirst into things within the morning.
Where to pause in Gyeongju: We cherished our time at this adorable mini resort. It used to be very easy to search out, simplest a pair of minutes from where the bus dropped us off end to the Explicit Bus Self-discipline and a straightforward lope into the centre of town. The manager used to be tremendous-friendly, and more than pleased to explore after our bags when we arrived effectively sooner than take a look at-in time so we would possibly maybe perchance perchance maybe head out exploring straight away.
The room itself used to be spotlessly tidy and pretty colossal for South Korea, and I severely appreciated the coffee machine within the shared kitchen, entire with little takeaway cups so I could maybe perchance perchance maybe rob one on my manner out the door. Paired with the lawful mark (₩55,000/$40 USD a night), I’d entirely pause here but again subsequent time I’m in town.
Day 2: Horny Gyeongju
After breakfast, it’s time to head out and inquire of the city’s greatest attractions: a series of colossal lumps within the bottom.
These aren’t correct any extinct lumps, though: they’re royal tombs and other earthen burial mounts from the Silla dynasty, which dominated powerful of the Korean peninsula from the seventh to the ninth centuries. They’re segment of the wider UNESCO World Heritage position that covers powerful of Gyeongju’s historical district, and so that they’re severely spectacular.
The tombs are in clusters, spread all the arrangement in which through a chain of parks that probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to effortlessly lope to and between from any resort within the city. It’s payment checking them all out, either in one mosey or correct as you explore; they’re in actuality no longer laborious to search out!
The most accepted condominium (the Daereungwon advanced) is also the greatest, with the most tombs. There are several designated photo spots: they’re powerful quieter early within the morning whenever you delight in to maintain a shot with out dozens of different folks in. A bunch of nearby cafes and engaging areas set apart it easy to rob a drink or snack sooner than or after your wanderings.
It’s payment visiting the opposite tomb clusters that lie a bit extra north as effectively; they’re powerful quieter, and there’s a spell binding little museum contained within the Geumgwanchong tomb about Silla history and the event, excavation, and preservation of the tombs that’s certainly payment a mosey to.
The museum is free, with written and video knowledge in English. I simplest ended up in there because I took set apart to be strolling previous and saw the heed, but I’m very pleased I did!
Whenever you’re completed with the tombs, it’s time to head for a stroll down Hwangnidan Aspect street. In the occasion you’ve ever seen photos of gorgeous wooden hanok-type Korean homes in Gyeongju, probabilities are this is where they were taken. Most of them were converted into cafes and outlets now, but they’re no less gorgeous for it: I ended up strolling up and down this avenue doubtlessly a dozen times throughout my pause, and never bored with it.
Lunch: In the occasion you’re feeling peckish by this level, it’s time to give up for bibimbap. In the occasion you’re no longer already conversant in this traditional Korean dish, you maybe would perchance be by the level you permit the nation. Daewha Mandu is a mountainous set apart to originate. The menu at this little restaurant end to the originate of Hwangnidan Aspect street is straightforward, and most of the crew talk about sufficient English that you shouldn’t maintain translation concerns!
The tuna-primarily primarily based bibimbap used to be entirely delightful, but if it doesn’t appeal, there are about a other alternate choices along with dumplings and tteokbokki, any other tasty Korean staple. Recount and pay upfront at the counter.
Whenever you’ve obtained to the tip of Hwangnidan Aspect street, flip left and lope for about a minutes in direction of the powerful Cheomseongdae observatory. Earlier than you ranking there, though, detour south for a block to Lichoya, an ice-cream store with a so a lot of develop of standing.
This set apart is giant on Instagram and Tiktok, on account of the adorable cookies within the form of Cheomseongdae observatory that encompass its cakes. Hold particular to declare the matcha flavour: it’s what they specialize in, and it’s severely lawful!
Ice-cream safely in hand, head again north in direction of the observatory. Honest sooner than you ranking to the extensive park that contains it, though, preserve an inquire of out for a Starbucks that couldn’t be to any extent extra Korean if it tried. You’ll inquire of what I indicate whenever you pass it!
The observatory itself dates again to the seventh century, and is the oldest surviving instance in Asia or, relying on who you ask, the full world. That you would possibly maybe maybe’t mosey within (and no longer simplest since the entranceway is at the very least a dozen ft up the aspect of the tower), so it doesn’t steal long to lope round it.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to be there in spring, and as attention-grabbing as the observatory used to be, it used to be laborious to focal level on it on account of the explosion of color nearby. Fields of flowers lined the strolling paths, carved out with handy photo spots that were in typical exercise as I wandered previous. It used to be in actual fact heavenly, so whenever you’re there at the lawful time of year, set apart particular to steal advantage.
Whereas the observatory is the most effectively-recognized historical position within the park, it’s a ways from the most attention-grabbing one. To be lawful, it wasn’t even the one I enjoyed the most. For that, preserve following the paths south and west in direction of Woljeong Bridge; probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to either skirt all the arrangement in which throughout the fringe of the woodland or (better realizing) hotfoot through it instead. It’s simplest a little patch of woodland, so it’s in general very unlikely to ranking misplaced, and surprisingly mild.
Cherish many of the attractions in Gyeongju, the usual model of the bridge dates again to the Silla dynasty. It’s been fully reconstructed since then, and it’s ravishing to hotfoot all the arrangement in which through, steal photos, and love the views up and down the river.
Hold particular to head up to the pause stage as effectively; there’s a little gallery up there, entire with Korean comedian strips about an spectacular Buddhist monk, and a kiosk where probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to steal a selfie and edit it to set apart yourself explore delight in…effectively, something. A Silla warrior, maybe, though it’s kinda laborious to declare.
As you were crossing the bridge, you most likely seen a chain of stepping stones a little extra down the river off to your lawful. That’s the most attention-grabbing manner to ranking again to the opposite aspect; it has mountainous views again in direction of the bridge, and flat rocks where probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to stand and steal photos whereas letting folks ranking previous. Honest ogle your footing if the rocks are moist; they’re no longer severely slippery, but probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance mute drop in whenever you tried laborious sufficient.
The bridge is lit up at night, so whenever you happen to be within the condominium after sunset, it’s payment stopping previous but again for a so a lot of ogle.
For now, though, you’re very end to the doorway of the Gyochon mature village. It’s a popular position, with renovated hanok-type homes that folk mute live in to nowadays, and a nearly equal series of cafes, engaging areas, and areas renting hanbok (mature Korean costume) by the hour for photo alternatives.
It’s a pretty colossal condominium, so even supposing it’s crowded end to the first entrance and meals condominium, it’s no longer laborious to search out a quieter position in so a lot of areas. Whereas many of the structures are within most residences, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to head within about a of them for the next realizing of how other folks old to live. Give yourself so a lot of time to hotfoot round here; it’s most attention-grabbing explored at a gradual tempo.
Whenever you’re completed, exit on the jap aspect end to the woodland you passed by (or through) earlier, and steal a stroll again throughout the park on one of the most most smaller paths. I in actuality favored this condominium; whenever you head in direction of the Wolseong position, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to lope up a dirt display screen on (very) little hill correct to the north and ranking a pleasant overview from the pause.
This used to be as soon as the first royal palace of the Silla rulers, but there’s nearly nothing left above ground now. Extensive archaeological work continues to search out artefacts at the position, various which pause up within the nearby Gyeongju National Museum. This spectacular free museum is devoted fully to Silla history: whenever you’ve obtained the energy to explore these days, give yourself at the very least a pair of hours within, otherwise lope on previous.
Whenever you’re completed, spoiled the avenue to any other of Gyeongju’s powerful attractions, Donggung Palace and Wolji Lake. That you would possibly maybe maybe maintain seen photos of this lit up at night; if the solar goes down by the level you ranking there, by all capacity wait round till darkish. I contemplate it’s equally ravishing throughout the day, though, and there are a ways fewer other folks round. I went within the early evening, an hour or so sooner than sunset, and the sunshine on the structures and pond used to be supreme.
The grounds are smaller than probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance ask of, and as with many historical sites in South Korea, the structures are replicas of people who as soon as stood here; the originals are long gone. Give yourself an hour or so that you can lope all the arrangement in which throughout the lake. The aspect closest to town is flat and manicured, whereas the opposite aspect of the lake has a more pure atmosphere, with a dirt scurry throughout the trees and benches to take a seat down and love the ogle.
There’s also a little museum end to the doorway, which is a lawful manner to extinguish a little bit of time whenever you’re looking forward to sunset. The entrance price for the grounds is ₩3000 ($2.50) per grownup, and remaining entry is at 9:30pm. Show that there are no longer any pass-outs: whenever you delight in to ought to come but again again later, you’ll ought to pay for a 2nd designate.
And that’s it for the sightseeing these days: you’ve certainly earned a drink finally that exploration!
Dinner: head again to Hwangnidan Aspect street for dinner: there, or about a streets either aspect, is where you’ll gain many of the easier engaging areas in town. I ended up at a Jap set apart called Sasiseuseso (사시스세소), mostly because I had an unexpected hankering for involving soup, and it used to be surprisingly tasty. That you would possibly maybe maybe’t mosey too a ways depraved with most of the effectively-rated areas on this condominium, though; correct ask of the costs to be a bit higher than any other substances of the nation, because it’s effectively favored by each and every home and worldwide vacationers.
Drinks: whenever you’re within the mood for those drinks I mentioned, I’m in a position to highly indicate the cocktails at Bar Boon. They’re no longer severely low-mark, but they’re unparalleled and in actuality fine quality, made with native substances by relaxing, eager young bartenders who are simplest too pleased to chat. Pull up a stool at the bar, or head upstairs to a sexy cosy condominium with tables and chairs.
Day 3: Consult with Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto
This day you’re off to Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, two powerful Buddhist sites that together develop any other UNESCO World Heritage Self-discipline. They’re about 15km (~10 miles) out of town, so that you’ll need some develop of transport to ranking there.
About a so a lot of buses hump time and but again from the Explicit Bus Terminal, through Gyeongju and out to Bulguksa. Honest bounce on the number 10, 11, or 700: probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to pay along with your T-Money card or cash. The buses will even be pretty busy as they commute throughout the city, but ought to be slightly mute after that.
There’s an announcement and electronic signage in English as you arrangement Bulguksa, and the bus drops you off on the first avenue end to a cluster of cafes and comfort retail outlets. It’s a lawful set apart to ranking snacks, drinks, and the relaxation else probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance favor to your time within the park. The entrance is set a five minute lope on a paved course up the hill; there’s so a lot of signage round to repeat you the manner.
In the occasion you’re pressed for time or don’t in actuality feel delight in facing public transport, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to steal a taxi to ranking available within the market instead. Getting between Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto and again to Gyeongju shouldn’t be a topic matter (I saw several taxis waiting within the auto parking space at each and every sites), but your resort would possibly maybe perchance perchance maybe moreover moreover be ready to rearrange for a driver who’s pleased to wait.
Bulguksa
Unruffled a working Buddhist temple, Bulguksa is a prime cultural and historical position that dates again primarily to the eighth century, though a little temple is knowing to maintain existed there up to 200 years earlier. The total structures in it were rebuilt after time, fireside, and pillaging took their toll, but whereas they couldn’t be usual, they’re arrangement more spectacular thanks to it.
Entrance costs were abolished remaining year, so though you’ll mute inquire of the designate set apart of commercial to the lawful of the doorway gate, there’ll be no person in it. Honest lope throughout the entranceway delight in all people else!
Hours vary throughout the year, as underneath: we arrived correct after opening time and had the set apart largely to ourselves for the first hour or so, but by the level we left within the gradual morning, the crowds were certainly rolling in. In the occasion you don’t thoughts the early originate, ranking there early to steer clear of the tour groups, otherwise steal a more gradual arrangement and proper settle for about a more other folks for your photos!
Bulguksa opening hours:
- February: 7:30am to 5:30pm
- March to September: 9:00am to 6pm weekdays, 8:00am to 6pm weekends
- October: 7:00am to 5:30pm
- November to January: 7:30am to 5pm
Earlier than you even ranking to the structures, you’ll gain yourself in a mute pure atmosphere, with a bridge over a little movement and lake that’s surrounded by trees. From there, you correct be aware the course up the gentle slope in direction of the first segment of the position.
Keen lanterns beautify several of the structures and courtyards, and there’s a colossal series of stone cairns which were created by those attempting to gain a little extra lawful success over time. Speaking of lawful success, don’t neglect to rub the golden pig in front of the Geungnakjeon constructing whereas you’re there!
It’s no longer a colossal condominium, so counting to your hobby levels and the arrangement in which swiftly you lope, give yourself an hour or two to totally explore.
Whenever you’re completed, retrace your steps throughout the position, taking within the relaxation you uncared for along the manner, till you pause up again beside the designate booths and first carpark. From here, you’ve got a call: probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to either head mosey into reverse to the first avenue to ranking some lunch at one amongst the cafes, or continue on to Seokguram Grotto.
To ranking between Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto, steal the number 12 bus from either the first avenue or automobile parking space. It runs as soon as an hour, departing Bulguksa at forty minutes previous the hour, and leaving Seokguram Grotto on the hour. There’s also a strolling scurry that runs between the two and takes about an hour, but it no doubt’s currently closed on account of storm injure.
Seokguram Grotto
Piece of the identical UNESCO position as Bulguksa, but sitting round 3km away as the crow flies, Seokguram Grotto dates from all the arrangement in which throughout the identical period within the eighth century as the first structures at Bulguksa. It’s powerful smaller than the first temple advanced, consisting of a stone grotto maintaining a colossal carved seated Buddha that’s 3.5m (11.5ft) giant. A number of different, smaller non secular figures are carved alongside from each and every Buddhist and Hindu custom, all at the again of ground to ceiling glass to present protection to them from over-eager people.
From the carpark where the bus or taxi drops you off, it’s a roughly 500m lope along a delicately-sloping gravel course throughout the woodland to the grotto. Earlier than you carry out that, though, you in actual fact would possibly maybe perchance perchance maybe mute give up at the colossal bell on the left as you lope from the carpark.
For simplest ₩1000 (~75c), you ranking to ring the bell, donating to the maintenance of the position whereas making a spectacularly loud noise that would possibly maybe ranking dozens of different folks to give up what they’re doing, flip round, and explore confusedly at you. If that’s no longer payment the cash, I don’t know what is.
After the ringing for your ears stops, it’s time to head to the grotto. As with Bulguksa, there’s now no longer an entrance price for Seokguram, so correct be aware the indicators in direction of and down the gravel course. Whenever you ranking to the opposite pause, there are about a steps up to the grotto itself: you’re very unlikely to maintain the set apart to yourself, but relying on the time of day, the road will either be correct about a folks, or…plenty more than that.
The grotto itself is little, with indicators outlining expected behaviour. This entails no longer taking photos within, so out of appreciate, I didn’t carry out that. You’ll most likely simplest ranking a minute or less in front of the Buddha statue, but there’s nothing stopping you from re-becoming a member of the road for any other explore whenever you’d delight in one.
Rob some time to love the views in direction of the mountains within the distance, sooner than retracing your steps along the course and again to the carpark. You’ll most likely spend an hour or so in total at Seokguram, though that does count upon how long the road at the grotto is.
As I mentioned earlier, the bus from here leaves on the hour; when it drops you off at Bulguksa, take a look at the published timetable at the give up to inquire of how long you’ll ought to await a 2nd bus again to Bulguksa. That you would possibly maybe maybe steal a taxi from either position if the wait is too long.
Conventional Meal
Whenever you’re again in Gyeongju and feeling hungry, it’s time for what would possibly maybe perchance perchance maybe effectively be the most spectacular meal of your time in South Korea. It’s a giant call, given how very honest correct the relaxation of the meals within the nation is, but I’m slightly confident about my decide here. It’s the very ultimate manner to examine out a colossal vary of native dishes with out having to declare various the relaxation, and is excellent mark for cash.
Hongsi Hanjeongsik is a mature restaurant that’s effectively remote from the first vacationer strip round Hwangnidan Avenue, but mute effortlessly walkable from most substances of town, and simplest about a blocks from the resort where we stayed. If it feels delight in you’re strolling through a residential neighborhood to ranking there, that’s since probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance moreover very effectively be!
It’s originate for every and every lunch and dinner, from 11:30am to 3:30pm, after which but again from 5:30pm to 9:30pm. The location menus are the identical either manner, with two so a lot of diversifications, so correct mosey whenever fits your hunger levels. We didn’t guide upfront on a weekday in Might perchance perchance maybe merely, and had no problem getting a desk.
There’s a translation on the menu and crew talk about lawful English as effectively, but this is effectively a more mature abilities than you’ll most likely maintain in so a lot of areas. By that I indicate that you’ll be sitting on cushions on the bottom at a low desk, and that unless you’re already very conversant in mature Korean meals, you’re unlikely to ogle most of the 20+ dishes that repeat up!
From candied walnuts and pig ft salad to acorn jelly and grilled shark, there used to be plenty on the menu that I’d never heard of. I didn’t abilities the entire lot equally, but there used to be nothing that I in actual fact disliked, and loads that I in actuality cherished.
Hurry in with a sense of dash and a willingness to examine out at the very least a little little bit of the entire lot, and I promise you obtained’t be upset by the abilities. Washed down with so a lot of makgeolli (a delightful milky rice wine that’s one amongst my favourite alcoholic drinks wherever on the earth), it used to be certainly a meal to undergo in thoughts, for the full lawful causes!
Day 4: Stumble on Hongdae, Seoul’s Most Keen Neighborhood
Take a look at up on of your resort and retrace your steps again to the KTX reputation at Singyeongju: it’s time to steal the put together again to Seoul. I’d indicate an early to mid-morning departure, so as that you’re left with a stout afternoon to explore Hongdae, the most hipster of hipster neighbourhoods within the city.
Here’s where aspiring Ok-Pop stars will even be stumbled on acting on the streets every night, the most recent unparalleled trend traits come and mosey within the blink of an inquire of, and the excitement and neon glow of the city never in actuality looks to give up. It also makes for a mountainous deplorable to explore the relaxation of Seoul, effectively-associated by metro and bus to wherever you delight in to ought to head.
Inaugurate your time in Hongdae by dropping your baggage at the resort (we stayed here), then sorting out one of the most most avenue custom that makes it powerful. Avenue art is everywhere in the set apart on this segment of town, some of it by severely proficient artists. You’ll position the entire lot from little items in minute alleyways to colossal photos covering the full aspect of a constructing; I stumbled on one of the most most most attention-grabbing within the little aspect streets round Style Avenue, but locations trade the full time for obvious causes, so don’t be unnerved to hotfoot.
In the occasion to acquire here to Seoul for some retail therapy, you’re in for a tackle. Hongdae is one amongst the homes of getting a explore on this city, with the entire lot from adorable little boutiques to significant multistorey department retail outlets and slightly powerful the relaxation probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to factor in in between.
Inaugurate out at AK Plaza, which is alongside exit 4 of the Hongdae metro reputation and entails a extensive series of effectively-recognized producers all the arrangement in which through its five ground. I spent an hour in here one moist afternoon, having gone in simplest looking to search out a t-shirt and walked out with three of them, having tried on about 15 so a lot of things within the MUJI store alone!
From there, it’s in actuality up to you. Vintage threads, tacky souvenirs, discounted clothing in a store made of (fallacious) shipping containers, even several ground of trend eyewear, it’s all in Hongdae, on the full within about a ft of every and every other.
Speaking of AK Plaza, it’s the very ultimate kicking-off level for a stroll along the Gyeongui Line Wooded field Park. As in many substances of the enviornment, city leaders in Seoul decided to flip a disused railway line into a strolling scurry. They’ve completed a mountainous job, atmosphere up a slim inexperienced oasis that stretches for over six km (3.7 miles) northwest to southeast, with AK Plaza roughly a third the manner along.
On a pleasant day, you’ll inquire of so a lot of different folks out strolling their canines, children, and every other along the paved paths. Aid an inquire of out for the Gyeongui Line E-book Avenue, a part devoted to the enjoyment of studying. Sadly many of the little kiosks and guide retail outlets didn’t appear to be originate to any extent extra after I walked previous, but the public artwork is mute there regardless.
There are never-ending alternate choices for cafes and engaging areas along slightly powerful the full length, so lope for as a ways as probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance moreover very effectively be feeling delight in, then department off a block or two in either course for some refreshment.
Once night falls, the already-bustling streets come even more alive. Evening markets pop up, some stretching for a pair of blocks, with meals vehicles and unidentifiable objects on the market in equal measure. Hold certain you’re wandering round on Hongdae Avenue right this moment; in some sections of this long, semi-pedestrianized thoroughfare, you literally can’t lope a block with out coming all the arrangement in which through a novel neighborhood of avenue performers performing choreographed dance strikes to an ever-altering crowd.
Chicken and beer is a colossal thing in Korea, so powerful so as that there are total streets devoted to it. You’ll gain several rooster and beer engaging areas in general alongside every other on Hongdae Avenue, filled with patrons from gradual afternoon onward. They’re all slightly lawful, but I most accepted the crispy, involving drumsticks at Kyochon Chicken, a pair of blocks again from Hongdae Avenue and proper off the first Yanghwa Aspect street. They were so delightful, I went there twice!
Speaking of beer, whereas the mass-market Terra and Cass are perfectly drinkable and pair effectively with sunny days and/or fried rooster, there’s a increasing craft beer scene in and round Hongdae as effectively. Head to Brew Heim, Craft One, or Deeper to sample one of the most most most attention-grabbing native and worldwide alternate choices.
Whenever you’ve downed a sufficient series of those craft beers, it’s time for karaoke. Here’s serious alternate in Korea, with several 24/7 multistorey structures devoted fully to it on Hongdae Avenue alone. Honest be aware the indicators and head within: you’ll ranking your beget soundproof sales set apart, with an unlimited array of English songs readily available within the market, plus Korean and on the full Jap hits as effectively. You pay by the hour, with a minimal spend on meals/drink as effectively.
After you’ve eaten, inebriated, and sung your coronary heart out, carry out the night at Zzang Games. This colossal arcade has slightly powerful the entire lot, from dance mats and shooting games to driving simulators and a extensive series of those forever-nerve-racking machines where you strive to rob comfy toys and other prizes the exercise of a mechanical claw. Entry is free, you correct pay for every recreation you play.
Where to pause in Hongdae: We splurged a bit for our time in Hongdae, and this heavenly resort couldn’t were more payment the cash. It in actuality is one amongst the most attention-grabbing areas to pause within the city, and pondering that, is slightly lawful mark. Our novel, classy room had very honest correct views, which were bettered simplest by those from the rooftop bar; whether or no longer you drink there or no longer, you certainly ought to head up to steal photos at sunset!
We even obtained a free bottle of wine, a local commute-sized recreation to play and preserve, and a pack of fancy toiletries. No matter being lawful within the coronary heart of this bustling neighbourhood, the sound insulation used to be so lawful that I couldn’t hear any exterior noise at all.
The resort gymnasium used to be increased and much better equipped than nearly any other I’ve old, and whereas the in-room coffee used to be very lawful, the brews from the downstairs café were even better! I’d pause here but again in a heartbeat.
Day 5: Ancient Seoul
If the day prior to this used to be all about novel-day Korea, these days focuses firmly on the nation’s previous. No matter being the sort of trend-atmosphere city in many ways, Seoul’s hyperlinks with its history are never a ways from the outside.
There are five powerful royal palaces, as an instance, all very with out anguish positioned pretty end to every other. Except you’ve got a lot of stamina, though, I’d indicate no longer looking to mosey to them all in a single day: it’s various strolling, and there’s a lawful likelihood you obtained’t treasure powerful of what you’re seeing by the tip of the day!
As an various, I’ve chosen the three must-mosey to palaces, leaving the opposite two as alternate choices whenever you’ve got beyond regular time or ought to skip out on one of the most most opposite activities I level out in Seoul. This affords more time to explore every individual, as well to steal within the total opposite things to preserve out nearby with out being too tired to abilities them.
Let’s originate with Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s the greatest and most spectacular of the five, first built in 1395 and stretching over an spectacular 100 acres (virtually 4.5 million sq. ft)! To ranking there, steal the metro to either Gyeongbokgung Palace reputation (exit 5) or Gwanghwamun reputation, exit 2. Whenever you emerge at avenue stage, it’s very unlikely to miss. Perform show, however, that it’s closed on Tuesdays.
That you would possibly maybe maybe either pay for a individual entry designate (₩3000), or aquire a pass that affords entry to all five palaces for ₩10,000. It’s legitimate for three months, and assuming you’re planning to head to Changdeokgung palace (underneath), will establish you money. Any person wearing hanbok gets in to the total palaces for free: it’s a popular hobby, and there are dozens of nearby outlets renting this mature Korean apparel by the hour or day if that’s something you’d love to preserve out.
A ceremonial altering of the guards takes set apart at 10:00am and 2:00pm day after day; I’ve been to various these all the arrangement in which throughout the enviornment over time, and this is one amongst the most spectacular. Thanks to that, it certainly attracts the crowds, who are inclined to come correct sooner than the ceremony after which spend the subsequent hour or two exploring the position.
For that reason, I’d indicate arriving round opening time at 9:00am and heading straight for the gardens and pond at the rear of the advanced, so that probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to abilities the mute atmosphere with out hundreds of folks round. Whenever you’re completed there, correct work your manner again in direction of the first gate, being certain to come at the very least Quarter-hour sooner than the parade begins so that probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to ranking a lawful position along the roped-off condominium.
Cherish so many of the historical sites in Korea, nothing stays of the usual structures. They were burned to the bottom throughout the Jap invasions within the 1590s, and after being rebuilt within the nineteenth century, were then systematically destroyed by the colonial authorities throughout the Jap occupation within the early 1900s. Entirely ten structures survived that destruction, with the entire lot else being rebuilt since 1989. They’re mute heavenly, clearly; they’re correct no longer usual!
Whenever you’ve taken within the altering of the guard, which takes about Quarter-hour, carry out up having a explore all the arrangement in which throughout the front part of the palace after which head out the first gate. It’s time for some more delightful meals!
Lunch: whenever you’re looking to search out an unparalleled set apart to eat with few other foreigners, head to Tosokchon Samgyetang. It’s simplest a snappy lope from Gyeongbokgung Palace, and has been serving up its powerful ginseng rooster soup for the relaxation several a long time.
It’s a popular position, which is why we skipped breakfast that day and obtained there round 10:30am for an early lunch instead. The restaurant opens at 10am, and contours originate forming exterior rapidly afterward. We went for the dark rooster, which looks unparalleled but doesn’t maintain an heed on the taste, along with a seafood and scallion (inexperienced onion) pancake and the obligatory sides of kimchi and pickled garlic.
The rooster used to be tremendous-style, falling off the bone, and the broth used to be gentle and pleasant. There’s even a helpful handbook (in English) on tips on how to tackle the meal because it would perchance be, which we certainly appreciated: we’d maintain had no realizing otherwise! It mark a total of ₩47,000 for 2 ($35 USD): no longer the cheapest meal we had in South Korea, but entirely payment it for the abilities.
Whenever you’re completed, it’s time to work off some of that tasty soup with a little bit of a lope. Your subsequent give up is Bukchon Hanok Village, a position that’s change into Insta-powerful in newest years for its beautifully comely restored homes that date again to the Joseon era, wedged tightly together on the aspect of a little hill. It’s about a half-hour lope away, on the opposite aspect of Gyeongbokgung Palace.
As with most mountainous views the enviornment over, there’s a little bit of effort required to ranking them. In this case, it’s a slightly steep climb up the village streets to the pause of the hill, so that probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to ranking those long, ravishing views mosey into reverse the slim alleyways. The powerful photo position is helpfully marked on Google Maps.
You don’t ought to spend various time here; because other folks mute live in every individual amongst these homes, there’s no longer plenty to inquire of previous the account for facades. That acknowledged, it is payment having a explore round previous that singular photo position: things ranking powerful quieter simplest a snappy distance away, and the structures are correct as slightly.
Interesting on, it’s time for Changdeokgung Palace: the doorway is set a 15 minute lope from Bukchon village. If it’s a sizzling day and you’re attempting refreshment, give up off at Onion along the manner: this popular café is powerful for its cakes and other baked goods, though I had no realizing of that after I popped in for a coffee and wondered why the road used to be so long! It hurried, though, and it’s the sort of beautiful constructing that I didn’t thoughts the wait.
The palace itself is colossal and pretty attention-grabbing, but for many folk, it’s the Secret Backyard within that they’ve in actuality come to inquire of. Entry to the backyard is simplest accepted as segment of a guided tour, which is supplied in Korean, English, and Jap.
Tickets mark ₩3000 for the palace and a extra ₩5000 for the major backyard: each and every are incorporated within the palace multi-pass I mentioned earlier, but you carry out ought to trade the voucher within the booklet for a timed designate on a guided tour. The palace and backyard are closed on Mondays.
The English excursions hump at 10:30am, 11:30am, 2:30pm, and (instead of Jan/Feb), 3:30pm, and steal about 90 minutes. With that in thoughts, I’d indicate booking yourself on the 2:30pm tour, so that you don’t ought to hump to ranking there and maintain so a lot of time to explore the palace grounds beforehand. There are 100 areas readily available within the market on every tour, with half ready to be booked online up to 6 days upfront, and the others readily available within the market on a lope-up foundation.
In the occasion you didn’t take care of to ranking yourself one amongst the prebooked slots, I’d indicate arriving at the palace by 1:15pm. That manner, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to head straight to the designate set apart of commercial for the major backyard, guide yourself on the subsequent readily available within the market tour, after which explore the relaxation of the grounds whereas you wait.
The gardens themselves are mute and mute, a sexy little cut of nature within the course of a metropolis. Mighty of the home is terribly manicured, with ponds and little structures, but the supreme Quarter-hour or so of the tour goes through a more pure, wooded condominium. Here’s also the steepest segment of the display screen, though that’s in actuality simplest by comparison with the tiresome-flat course that precedes it.
You carry out the tour again end to where you started: whenever you’ve seen the entire lot else of hobby within the palace, it’s time for the supreme appeal of the day: Changgyeonggung Palace. A long way less-visited than the earlier two palaces, it has a arrangement more pure, woodland in actuality feel, with several lakes and reservoirs, and trails that department off in so a lot of instructions.
Very with out anguish, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to entry it through a little gate at the again of Changdeokgung Palace, so that you don’t ought to head the full manner again out and round to the first entrance. It’s the cheapest palace to enter, at correct ₩1000 (but again, entry is incorporated with the multi-pass), and is also closed on Mondays.
There’s an extremely photogenic position within this palace, one which we correct took set apart to bump into as we walked previous. Stone steps lead down to a colossal courtyard that used to be as soon as a residential condominium for the queen and concubines, that are flanked by colossal trees. With the glory of the city’s skyscrapers clearly visible within the distance, it’s one amongst my favourite photos from my total time in Seoul.
We chose to explore the palace grounds at a gradual tempo, taking about an hour to work our manner round and indirectly out to the first entrance/exit gate on Changgyeonggung Aspect street. From there, the number 7101 bus runs time and but again again to Hongdae and takes about forty five minutes: it’s faster and more straightforward than strolling again to a metro reputation.
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Day 6: Cultural Seoul (and Market Madness)
This day, you’re off to Insadong, which is Seoul’s cultural coronary heart and effortlessly one amongst my favourite neighborhoods within the city. I used to be shocked how powerful I cherished it here: it’s the supreme set apart to head looking to search out one-off souvenirs that you obtained’t gain wherever else, eat in little household-hump engaging areas, and proper hotfoot round getting misplaced within the cobbled alleyways that snake off the first avenue.
It’s no longer correct about art and custom, though: tucked between antique retail outlets and minute boutiques promoting gorgeous stationary, you’re correct as susceptible to search out a hipster coffee store as an art gallery. This dwelling is terribly ultimate for exploring on moist days; I saved getting caught in showers throughout the day I spent here, which correct gave the very ultimate excuse to duck within a store or spend a bit longer sipping that coffee!
The neighbourhood itself is end to where you were the day prior to this, a little south of Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces. Arrangement for Jonggak reputation on the metro to originate your day, guaranteeing to examine out the little “solar” backyard contained within the reputation sooner than heading out onto the avenue.
Cherish the day sooner than, we decided to forgo breakfast in favour of an early lunch, this time at Imun Seolnongtang. Famend for the ox-bone soup that they’ve been turning out for over a century (so powerful so as that they obtained a degree out within the Michelin handbook), the set apart is a bit complicated to search out and resembles a college canteen on the within. It in actuality is all about the meals.
There are simplest three alternate choices on the menu, so it’s no longer laborious to identify what to declare even supposing there’s no longer various English spoken. In the occasion you mosey for the soup (and probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance mute), don’t be unnerved to be heavy-handed with the perimeters: the broth is terribly bland by itself, with the realizing that you mix’n’match to precisely your most accepted flavour. We paid ₩13,000 every for our soups.
Whenever you’re completed, the most attention-grabbing manner to abilities Insadong in actuality is correct to hotfoot with out various plot, each and every along the first avenue that’s lined with galleries and boutiques, and the so a lot of alleyways that spider off from it. I’d indicate taking a end to-empty backpack with you; there’s a lawful likelihood it’ll be stout by the level you permit! We stuffed ours with ravishing ceramic mugs, each and every as affords and to preserve as souvenirs: I’m sipping my morning coffee from one as I write this.
One set apart that’s severely payment going, though, is Ssamzie-gil, a four-storey originate air having a explore mall that’s stuffed stout of very honest correct little retail outlets that mostly appear to promote one particular form of item. That you would possibly maybe maybe (and we did) lose so a lot of time within here; we walked away with so a lot of unparalleled earrings, pens, and other random souvenirs that we hadn’t seen wherever else, and can maintain bought plenty more!
In the occasion you’ve worked up an appetite from all that having a explore, it’s time to head in direction of Gwangjang market, made powerful within the west on account of Cho Yonsoon’s starring role as the “knife-lower noodle lady” within the Seoul model of Netflix’s Avenue Foods: Asia sequence.
It’s about a 20-minute stroll from the southern pause of Insadong Avenue to the market, a lope that takes you lawful previous Jongmyo Shrine. Entry is incorporated within the multi designate for the royal palaces whenever you bought one. Mighty smaller than the palaces you visited the day prior to this, there’s scaffolding all the arrangement in which throughout the shrine itself at the 2nd, so it’s no longer wherever end to as stunning as traditional. I used to be fortunate sufficient to mosey to correct sooner than it obtained lined up!
Unruffled, the grounds are ravishing to hotfoot round, and because it simplest takes about half an hour to examine out the first sights, it’s payment the little quantity of effort. In the occasion you didn’t aquire the multi-pass, entry is ₩1000. Show that whereas probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to lope round by yourself at the weekend delight in we did, you’ll ought to affix a (free) tour to mosey to the shrine throughout the week.
From the tranquillity of Jongmyo to the mayhem of Gwangjang market, the variation couldn’t be more coarse. The market is severely busy at weekends: we obtained there at round 2:30pm on a Sunday afternoon, and as probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to inquire of, even transferring round used to be complicated! Early or gradual on a weekday would possibly maybe perchance perchance maybe be an spectacular better option whenever you’re no longer keen on crowds, though show that the majority stalls are closed on Mondays.
In the occasion you’re hoping to mosey to Cho Yonsoon’s noodle stall, preserve an inquire of out for the Netflix indicators within the course of the market, end to where the two “lanes” develop a crossroads. The line used to be extremely long when we visited, so we skipped out on that abilities, but there used to be an never-ending supply of different mountainous meals stalls to favor from.
I severely enjoyed the mung bean pancakes, sizzling and pleasant straight from the deep fryer: several distributors provide them. Many other native dishes are readily available within the market as effectively, most from a pair of stands available within the market: correct be ready to await a seat throughout busy sessions if it’s no longer something probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to declare to head.
How long you spend available within the market will most likely count upon your appetite for every and every meals and colossal groups of different folks. Give yourself half an hour whenever you simplest lope through from one pause to the opposite and rob something to snack on whereas you’re strolling, and at the very least twice as long whenever you intend to take a seat down down at one or more popular spots.
In the occasion you’re completed, leave throughout the southern exit from the market and head for Euljiro 4(sa)ga metro reputation: it’s on the identical line as the Hongik College give up for Hongdae.
Day 7: Gangnam Style
I strive to blot out various tune from the early 2010s, but strive as I could maybe perchance perchance maybe, Gangnam Style is an earworm that I correct can’t ranking rid of. That tune (and damn horse dance) used to be everywhere in the set apart a decade or so within the past, and its commentary on the life of the effectively off and powerful launched the relaxation of the enviornment to each and every Ok-Pop and Seoul’s most high-pause neighborhood. This day, you’re off to Gangnam.
Your first give up is Starfield COEX Mall, an unlimited having a explore and exhibition heart that’s stout of the entire lot from swiftly and high-pause trend to a colossal meals court and a multistorey library that you’ve nearly no doubt seen on Instagram.
Getting there from Hongdae is easy: correct bounce on line 2 of the metro heading counter-clockwise (the “outer circle”) to Dangsan reputation, then swap to line 9 till you ranking to Bongeunsa reputation. It takes about 35 minutes in total: leave the reputation through exit 7, which leads straight away into the mall.
Essentially the most powerful segment of the mall, at the very least nowadays, is the Starfield Library that I mentioned earlier. With multistorey bookcases maintaining hundreds of books and stretching from ground to ceiling, it’s veritably heavenly that it is a accepted position with Instagrammers and Tiktokers. There isn’t a time where you’ll maintain the set apart to yourself, but going early on a weekday capacity that at the very least the friends obtained’t outnumber the books.
Whereas it’s predominantly a library (you’re welcome to steal a guide from a shelf to read at one amongst the nearby tables or sitting on the steps), there are also several tables with titles to browse and aquire as effectively. They’re mostly in Korean, but many of the coffee-desk books would set apart for mountainous souvenirs even whenever you don’t talk about the language.
Whenever you’re accomplished up there, it’s time to explore the relaxation of the mall. In actual fact, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance spend all day within whenever you needed to: with something delight in 300 retail, meals, and drink outlets, I suspect most friends will hump out of time sooner than they hump out of how to spend their cash.
There’s also a colossal aquarium attached to the mall, with round 20,000 sea creatures within along with sharks, rays, turtles, and powerful of more. It’s a mountainous position to steal the youngsters, but is priceless for adults as effectively, severely whenever you’ve never been to a colossal aquarium sooner than. Give yourself round 60-90 minutes to explore round: it’s payment booking online to identify cash on the lope-up mark.
If all that having a explore and sea life-spotting leaves you attempting sustenance, head downstairs to the sprawling meals court, which has what feels delight in an never-ending vary of native and international engaging areas. I wandered round for at the very least fifteen minutes sooner than indirectly selecting a tasty bowl of samgyeopsal from a little stand.
Honest ought to you’d forgotten where you were after the sensory overload of being within a colossal having a explore heart, you’ll be hasty reminded as rapidly as you permit. After the worldwide success of that tune, it used to be deemed simplest acceptable to set up a colossal sculpture of Psy’s folded fingers exterior COEX, entire with “Gang Nam Style” engraved on one amongst the forearms.
The relaxing doesn’t give up there, thoughts you: there’s a colossal condominium of (fallacious) grass alongside, with a video terminal that loudly performs Gangnam Style on ask so as that probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to bounce along to your coronary heart’s snarl. That’s no longer a hypothetical, by the manner: I’d be shocked whenever you didn’t inquire of somebody performing in front of the statue whenever you’re there.
Whenever you’re completed, it’s indirectly time to proceed the mall precinct, but you’re no longer going a ways. Honest over the avenue lies Bongeunsa, a Buddhist temple advanced that’s a mute distinction to the shrine to consumerism that you’ve correct left. It dates again to 794, though it now sits about a kilometre up the avenue from its usual field, and most of the structures are reconstructions after fireside and war destroyed powerful of the advanced within the course of remaining century. Entry is free.
The highlight is effectively the colossal stone Buddha that stands over 20m high, in direction of the rear of the temple advanced. Hold particular to examine out the alcoves surrounding the statue as effectively: every individual has dozens of little statuettes within.
It’s no longer a colossal condominium, but the wooded hillside is ravishing to lope round for half an hour or so. A ceremony is held at 6:40pm every evening where monks beat drums and bang gongs for several minutes: it’s payment sticking round for whenever you’re visiting at the 2nd. There’s a morning model of the ceremony as effectively, but because it happens correct after 4am, it’s a contact less most likely that you’ll be there for it!
In the occasion you happen to be there on a Thursday afternoon, it’s also payment jumping on one amongst the temple experiences that begins at 2pm. Costing ₩10,000 and lasting round two hours, it entails a tour, guided meditation, and a tea ceremony and dialog with temple monks.
After you’re accomplished at the temple, it’s time to set apart a call. If it’s getting gradual within the day and you’re completed with sightseeing, in actuality be at liberty to head again to your resort: assuming you’re staying in Hongdae, I’ve obtained a delightful dinner suggestion for you underneath. In the occasion you’ve obtained the time, though, there’s loads more to inquire of and carry out in Gangnam, along with:
- strolling along Apgujeong Rodeo Avenue and Cheongdam Style Avenue, where it’s easy to inquire of the high-pause type that the home is recognized for. In the occasion you’ve obtained a surprising hankering for an Armani suit or Gucci handbag, this is the set apart to ranking it.
- enjoying the colourful gingko trees (in autumn) on Garosu-gil, any other popular having a explore avenue with adorable little boutiques and more mainstream producers, along with an extremely colossal Apple store.
- getting your Ok-Pop on on Ok Superstar Aspect street, where colossal, brightly-colored undergo statues line a roughly 1km stretch of footpath. The principle attractions are the (shock) Psy and BTS bears, but there are many others.
- heading up to the pause of Seoul Sky at Lotte World Tower (the ultimate constructing in Korea) for mountainous views over the city skyline. Yet again, it’s more cost effective to aquire the tickets upfront than in individual on the day.
Dinner: Relief in Hongdae, head for a dinner at Shin Migyeong Hongdae Dakgalbi. In the occasion you’ve never had dakgalbi sooner than, you’re in for a tackle: it’s in general a involving rooster drag-fry, but that easy description doesn’t come end to describing correct how delightful and relaxing this meal is.
After making about a straightforward menu choices (along with the perimeters and the arrangement in which powerful chili goes into the meals), the meal is cooked out the again, then tipped onto a colossal, heated solid-iron pan at your desk to set apart certain that it stays sizzling. Half sizes are colossal (we obtained one between two) and steal a whereas to ranking through, which affords the very ultimate excuse to work your manner through a bottle of makgeolli as you mosey.
It’s an very honest correct-relaxing, social develop of set apart, and whereas it isn’t colossal, the tables flip over reasonably hasty, so that you shouldn’t ought to wait long for a desk. We went round 6:00pm on a Monday and were seated straight away. It’s an cheap, tremendous-tasty manner to preserve out the day!
Day 8 and 9: Horny Seoraksan National Park
You wouldn’t in actuality know it whenever you’re within the course of a colossal city delight in Seoul, but South Korea is a severely mountainous set apart: over 60% of the landmass is made up of hills and mountains. Mountain climbing is practically the nationwide hobby, and there are some heavenly substances of the nation to preserve out it in.
For the subsequent couple of days, you’ll be in one amongst the very most attention-grabbing of those: Seoraksan National Park. I used to be of direction blown away by how gorgeous this park used to be, and the arrangement in which lawful the trails were: in a pair of hours probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to ranking to the tops of rocky mountain peaks, hotfoot alongside gorgeous mild streams, and stroll previous delightful tumbling waterfalls. It used to be the highlight of my total time in South Korea!
There are about a so a lot of how to ranking there: I’ve written an intensive handbook on tips on how to ranking to Seoraksan, so in actuality be at liberty to read that for the total data you would like. To summarise, though, the simplest option for many folk is to steal a bus from Seoul Explicit Self-discipline to Sokcho, after which a local bus or taxi to the nationwide park.
I’d indicate leaving Seoul reasonably early within the morning, because it takes about 2.5 hours to ranking to Sokcho, and any other half-hour from there to the park.
That you would possibly maybe maybe aquire the intercity bus designate online earlier than time whenever you delight in to maintain certainty about whenever you’re going to proceed, or correct hover it and aquire a designate on the subsequent readily available within the market provider whenever you ranking to the reputation. If that’s what you to determine to preserve out, strive and be ready to ranking a seat on a bus leaving within an hour or so, so long as you’re travelling exterior weekends and high drop colours season in September/October.
From the terminal in Sokcho, spoiled the avenue and await a host 7 or 7-1 native bus heading to the park entrance. That you would possibly maybe maybe exercise your T-Money card on this bus, or pay the fare in cash.
And now the relaxing segment: the total stunning walks and viewpoints!
I in actual fact maintain a full handbook to visiting Seoraksan National Park, which covers off the total so a lot of walks payment doing, where to eat and drink, little print of the cable automobile that goes up to Gwongeumseong Height, and slightly powerful the relaxation else I could maybe perchance perchance maybe contemplate of. You’ll ought to bookmark it sooner than you mosey!
With round a day and a half within the park, you’ve obtained sufficient time to hike the total shorter trails with out being fully exhausted. About a of them are slightly flat and straightforward, others are certainly no longer. I’ve summarised the most attention-grabbing ones underneath, but one amongst the major things to undergo in thoughts when deciding which lope to tackle is what the climate’s doing.
The climate in Seoraksan will even be pretty variable and trade hasty: as a rule, I’d indicate doing the lower walks if it’s cloudy, and hope that conditions breeze in time to tackle the higher trails. There’s no longer powerful level climbing the full manner up to a perspective whenever probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to’t inquire of the relaxation from the pause!
Show that as of remaining year there are no longer any longer any costs to enter the park, which makes it even more appealing to mosey to! Things delight in the cable automobile and onsite parking mute mark cash, though.
The Cable Automobile
Whereas the highlight of Seoraksan National Park is its mountain climbing trails, you don’t maintain to lope to ranking mountainous views. A cable automobile climbs 700m from end to the park entrance up to the pause of Gwongeumseong Height, providing you with most of the views with none of the sweat.
It’s believed there used to be as soon as a fortress at the pause of the hill, but there’s nothing left of it now: the reason to head up there nowadays is for the vista, no longer wandering round fortress ruins.
In the occasion you’re taking the cable automobile, show that your designate is for a particular time, and would possibly maybe perchance perchance maybe simplest be bought in-individual on the day. There are no longer any come tickets, mostly because sturdy winds on the full trigger the autos to give up running at quick glance.
Because the park gets busier as the day wears on, you’re most attention-grabbing to head straight to the cable automobile set apart of commercial whenever you come, and aquire the subsequent readily available within the market designate that matches your plans. Vehicles leave every five minutes and preserve 50 other folks true now: with out reference to that, they on the full promote out fully at high times.
In the occasion you aquire a designate for about a hours later and want to hike one amongst the trails beforehand, exercise the estimates within the part underneath to set apart certain that you’ve obtained sufficient time. Likewise, whenever probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to’t ranking on the cable automobile at all on the day you come, head again first thing the following morning and ranking a designate for later that day instead.
Return designate costs are as follows:
- Adults and children: ￦15,000
- Teens old 3+: ￦11,000
- Infants below 3: Free
The car takes about five minutes to ranking to the pause, where there’s a restaurant, toilets, and viewing condominium. A course to the lawful leads uphill for Quarter-hour to the “fortress” position, which is de facto correct a giant, flat-ish rocky high. Give yourself about half an hour to explore round and steal photos in all instructions sooner than heading again.
Walking Trails
These are the three trails I preserve in thoughts the most attention-grabbing quick-ish walks within the park. Starting from roughly one to four hours in length, there’s something here for folk of all effectively being and mobility levels. Yet again, there’s arrangement more factor in my stout Seoraksan handbook: the underneath is correct a summary to whet your appetite!
Ulsanbawi Rock Dawdle: 7.6km return / 3-4 hours / Arduous
Doubtlessly the greatest appeal within the park, the hike to Ulsanbawi Rock is gorgeous on a clear day. Along with spectacular views over the valley, you ranking to love Ulsanbawi Rock itself, a distinctive jagged granite ridge that sits round 870m (2860ft) above sea stage.
The principle segment beside the river is easy, with a concrete course to lope on and minimal climbing to preserve out. The concrete ends whenever you hit the first location of stone steps, but even this part as a ways as Gyejoam Temple isn’t too complicated.
From there, the scurry continues upwards, previous a colossal boulder that’s payment clambering up on to for a mountainous ogle of Ulsanbawi. It’s no longer up to a kilometre from the boulder to the pause, but it no doubt’s laborious work: in actual fact one long staircase, with many hundreds of steps and no true color whenever you’re above the tree line.
All that effort feels priceless whenever you ranking to the pause, though!
There are about a so a lot of viewing areas at the tip, with so a lot of views of the park and nearby nation-order. Rob a lunch ruin here, or at the very least maintain a drink and a snack: you’ve earned the relaxation!
Whereas the return time out is faster and no longer as powerful of a cardio workout, it’s tricky on the knees after a whereas. Let’s correct whisper I used to delight in to inquire of the tip of the steps and ranking again to some flat ground but again at the bottom!
Biryong Falls Dawdle: 4.8km return / 1-1.5 hours / Practical
Fan of waterfalls? Survey no extra than the Biryong Falls scurry. It’s a pretty quick hike that begins out as an effortless, flat nature scurry throughout the woodland, sooner than climbing progressively alongside the river to 2 so a lot of waterfalls. In the occasion you don’t thoughts a workout, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to also extending the lope up a steep staircase to an observation platform for Towangseong Falls, the tallest within the nation at 320m (1050ft).
After a delicate stroll through woodland, the course turns into steeper and rockier because it approaches Yukdam Falls. You ranking some ravishing views as you arrangement and spoiled the suspension bridge over the falls.
The following part is a bit steeper than the relaxation, but mute slightly easy as you climb up to Biryong Falls. It’s no longer the greatest or most involving waterfall on the earth, but it no doubt’s a lawful set apart for a snack or a drink, with so a lot of seating all the arrangement in which throughout the pool at the deplorable of the waterfall.
Many folk flip round at this level, returning the manner they came again in direction of the first segment of the park. In the occasion you’re feeling fit, however, be aware the heed pointing up to Towangseong Falls Observatory instead. It’s simplest an additional 400m, but you’ll in actuality feel every single one amongst them: it’s stairs, stairs, and more stairs the full manner.
Ask to steal 15-20 minutes to stand up there, and to be more than a little attempting breath whenever you carry out. Once the panting subsides, you’ll gain yourself on a multi-stage observation deck, having a explore out in direction of a slightly critical mountain vary and the tumbling Towangseong Falls within the distance.
You maybe obtained’t spend too long up there, no longer more than five or ten minutes, sooner than starting the dash down the stairs and along the first course again to where you started.
Biseondae Rock Dawdle: 6km return / 1.5-2 hours / Easy
The Biseondae Rock scurry used to be the relaxation hike I did throughout my time in Seoraksan, and one amongst the most attention-grabbing. It’s the simplest of the three walks I level out here: you merely be aware a movement up a valley your entire manner, below tree quilt and mostly on flat paths. It’s all very easy.
The scurry is terribly scenic on the manner to the colossal rock that affords the course its title, but it no doubt’s when things originate up lawful at the tip that it gets severely slightly. I used to be fortunate sufficient to maintain the set apart to myself, and it used to be tremendous-mute, with correct the sound of buzzing insects and speeding water for firm.
To search out myself in such ravishing surroundings after no longer up to an hour of easy strolling made me very pleased, and I lingered for a whereas sooner than indirectly heading again to the originate. It used to be the very ultimate scurry to pause my time within the park, after giving my calves and knees a prime workout the relaxation of the time!
In phrases of what you ranking out of it for what you set into it, I’d doubtlessly ought to set this scurry at the pause of my list. Clear, the views from the pause of Ulsanbawi Height are arrangement more dramatic and giant, but they steal a lot more effort to ranking to as effectively.
Where to pause for Seoraksan National Park: You’ve obtained two choices about which condominium to pause in for Seoraksan National Park: Sokcho, which is the closest city a half-hour bus depart away, or somewhere along the avenue that leads into the park.
We opted for the latter, staying at a mountainous household-hump guesthouse about 3km (five minutes on the bus) from the park entrance. It used to be the most attention-grabbing-rated set apart within the condominium and lived up to its reputation: with friendly home owners, pleased rooms, a straightforward but tasty breakfast, and practical costs, we were very pleased with our decision.
Staying in Sokcho affords an spectacular wider vary of accommodation and meals alternate choices; it correct capacity a half-hour depart to and from the park day after day. Next time I’d doubtlessly pause there to mix things up, maybe at Urbanstay Sockho Seaside. It has tidy, novel rooms, and is simplest a five minute lope from the bus terminal. It’s also very end to the seaside, with mountainous views over the water, and powerful of engaging areas within easy strolling distance.
Day 10: The Meals and Taking a explore Mecca of Myeongdong
Together with your time in Korea drawing in direction of a end, it’s time to head again to Seoul. Take a look at up on of your accommodation after breakfast and head again to the bus reputation in Sokcho to retrace your steps from a pair of days within the past. Yet again, whenever you’re travelling on a weekday exterior high times, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to doubtlessly correct aquire a designate on the subsequent provider whenever you ranking to the reputation. At other times, guide it upfront.
Show that I’m assuming your flight out of Korea is from Incheon or Gimpo airports in Seoul: if it’s one amongst the few that leave from Busan instead, there are a pair of insist buses per day that hump there from Sokcho instead.
This time round, I’d indicate staying in Myeongdong. It’s one amongst the most accepted restaurant and having a explore areas within the city, has a colossal avenue meals market that springs into life every evening, and is handy for attending to the airport the subsequent day. What’s no longer to delight in?
Here’s certainly one segment of town that’s location up for aimless wandering. Myeongdong’s indispensable strolling avenue has so powerful occurring that I used to be very pleased I didn’t ought to preserve an inquire of out for autos: there were a ways too many other attention-grabbing things to explore at! Restaurants, bars, minute boutiques and colossal department retail outlets, it’s a busy, bustling, neon-lit temple to the gods of retail.
In the occasion you’re looking to search out a temple of a so a lot of kind, the oldest Catholic cathedral in South Korea is also in Myeongdong, on high of a little hill a snappy but steep lope from the jap pause of the strolling avenue. Hold particular to mosey to the crypt and museum whereas you’re there; each and every are little but attention-grabbing.
In the occasion you’re on the hunt for Korean skincare merchandise, you’ve come to the lawful set apart. Dozens of retail outlets in Myeongdong specialise in them, along with flagship outlets of major producers delight in Olive Younger and Laneige. In the occasion that probabilities are you’ll delight in a 2nd suitcase correct to preserve your total novel merchandise dwelling with you, never scare: there are so a lot of baggage retail outlets nearby as effectively!
Avenue distributors originate atmosphere up the night meals market along the strolling avenue and surrounding roads from mid-afternoon: there are on the full round 200 distributors on any given day, most devoted to cooking up all forms of delightful avenue meals, but with many promoting souvenirs and other random bits and items as effectively. The souvenirs weren’t the relaxation probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to’t gain in so a lot of areas within the city, but the avenue meals stalls were a delight.
Undoubtedly originate out with an empty stomach, so that probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to strive as many of the so a lot of alternate choices as possible. I severely enjoyed the deep-fried crab and about a of the so a lot of red meat and rooster skewers, but correct hotfoot round and inquire of what grabs you (or what has the longest line). We spent effectively over an hour correct strolling previous the so a lot of distributors, deciding on random things as we went. Most of the dishes are snack-sized in decision to being a stout meal, so that they’re very ultimate for grazing.
Now that you’re stout of delightful avenue meals, it’s time for a snappy lope to work some of it off. As you’ve been exploring Seoul, you’ve doubtlessly seen a colossal hill that’s visible from Myeongdong and much of the busy downtown condominium, entire with an spectacular broadcast tower at the pause. That’s Namsan Hill and N Seoul Tower, the latter of which sits round 500m (1650ft) above sea stage and has commanding sunset views over the city.
Attending to the pause couldn’t be faster or more straightforward: a cable automobile zips between the deplorable of the hill end to Myeongdong and the tower in about three minutes. Whenever you ranking there, the four so a lot of levels maintain a range of engaging areas, multimedia shows, and other attractions to examine out previous correct the spectacular vista.
You ought to aquire the cable automobile and tower entry tickets individually, but it no doubt’s more cost effective and more handy to correct ranking them as a kit instead. The lower cable automobile reputation is simplest a 10 minute lope from Myeongdong metro reputation.
In the occasion you’ve worked up an appetite but again by the level you ranking again, or at the very least a thirst, that rooster and beer avenue I mentioned earlier is effectively payment a mosey to. With so many engaging areas stuffed alongside every other, competitors is fierce and quality is high, so that probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to’t in actuality mosey too depraved with any of them. The toughest segment would perchance be discovering somewhere with a spare desk: it’s a popular position as the night wears on!
Where to pause in Myeongdong: We stayed at a delightful cinema-themed resort lawful within the coronary heart of Myeongdong, and simplest a block or two from the night market. Our room used to be classy and colossal, with a mountainous bathtub, and the crew were ravishing: we even obtained a free salvage of popcorn when we arrived!
There used to be no problem with storing our bags when we arrived sooner than take a look at-in time, either. The resort sits alongside a busy strip of rooster and beer engaging areas, which is terribly handy whenever you’re hungry!
Final Day
Sadly it’s arrived: your remaining day in South Korea! In the occasion you’ve obtained an early flight, then all you’ve got left to preserve out is steal the metro to the airport. Happily that’s very easy to preserve out, since Myeongdong is on the airport line. It takes about 75 minutes to ranking there.
In the occasion you’ve obtained about a hours to spare, though, there are so a lot of how to spend your time previous correct sitting for your resort room! I’ve incorporated a pair of particular suggestions underneath that are effortlessly accessible from Myeongdong; in case your flight isn’t till someday after dinner, you furthermore mght can carry out any of the longer activities I indicate within the subsequent part instead. The set apart we stayed at used to be more than pleased to explore after our bags all day if needed!
Rob within the Tranquility of Cheonggyecheon Circulation
In the occasion you delight in to ought to inquire of an instance of city revitalisation completed lawful, or no longer you can ought to explore no extra than Cheonggyecheon Circulation. The highways that after lined this little waterway were ripped up in 2005, and a as soon as-gruesome thoroughfare used to be changed into into a sexy set apart to lope and mute down.
Sunk underneath avenue stage, the 8km (5 mile) course is surprisingly mute, with so a lot of areas to take a seat down and mute down. We spent a beautiful hour or so strolling the first half, from the doorway end to Gwanghwamun reputation within the west to Dongdaemun. The principle part is effectively the busiest: after that, the atmosphere originate to change into less manicured, with narrower paths and fewer other folks.
Honest lope as a ways as probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance moreover very effectively be feeling delight in: probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to effortlessly ranking again up to avenue stage at any level whenever you simplest maintain a snappy quantity of time, after which steal the metro or a taxi again to derive your baggage.
Peaceable down in Seoul Wooded field
If even the mild surrounds of an city movement aren’t relaxing sufficient for you, how does an unlimited park within the course of the city sound? Seoul Wooded field is mainly where the Cheonggyecheon Circulation course ends, but if that’s where you’re headed, it’s more straightforward to steal the metro instead: line 4 goes straight away there.
Across the five separate parks you’ll gain the entire lot from botanic gardens to playgrounds, engaging areas, and even a stage where concert events are held throughout summer season, but with end to half 1,000,000 trees spread over 300 acres, there’s so a lot of nature (and set apart) for all people.
In the occasion you’re more considering about flora and fauna and woodland, the “Eco Wooded field” is the set apart to head. It’s dwelling to a inhabitants of elk and deer in a chain of enclosures, along with chipmunks and other smaller animals roaming free.
Extra Time
In the occasion you’ve got an additional day or two in South Korea, never scare: I in actual fact maintain about a more suggestions for tips on how to spend them! As well to the three Seoul-primarily primarily based alternate choices I talk about underneath, probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance effortlessly add any other day in Gyeongju so that probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to explore it at a more gradual set apart, or work in a stout day in Sokcho to mute down on the seaside and explore the city. They’re all lawful alternate choices!
Non-obligatory: Outing to the DMZ
Many first-time friends to South Korea ought to mosey to the DMZ, the spoiled 4km (2.5 mile)-extensive no-man’s-land that kinds the border between South and North Korea. The two countries are mute technically at war with out reference to the 70-year armistice, and entry to the condominium end to the border is carefully restricted. Essentially the most attention-grabbing manner to ranking there is on an organised tour, and numbers are diminutive even then.
In the previous, I could maybe perchance perchance perchance maintain incorporated a DMZ tour as an absolute must-carry out, but for now at the very least, it’s simplest non-obligatory as a ways as I’m eager. Why? Smartly, mostly since the Joint Security Self-discipline (JSA)—the powerful blue barracks where North and South Korean troopers stand face-to-face—is currently out of bounds. Since the pandemic, excursions to the JSA were on and (mostly) off, and as I’m writing this now, there merely isn’t a manner to ranking there.
As a consequence, the closest you’ll ranking to North Korea is standing on a hill and having a explore into the nation from afar with binoculars. The upside is that these journeys are powerful more cost effective than the JSA excursions after they’re running, the plan back is that it’s doubtlessly no longer in actuality the DMZ abilities that you were envisaging.
Even these non-JSA excursions are very popular, thoughts you, so whenever probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance moreover very effectively be fascinated about going, don’t leave it till the relaxation minute to favor. It’s no longer unparalleled for spots to be bought out per week or more upfront throughout busy sessions.
On these excursions, you continuously ranking to mosey to 1 amongst the “infiltration” tunnels dug by North Korea in a failed strive to location up a surprise assault, along with the DMZ observatory level and freedom bridge. It’s mute a spell binding and realizing-frightful time out; correct be responsive to what it does and doesn’t have in 2024!
Non-obligatory: Day spent mountain climbing in Bukhansan
Whereas Seoraksan National Park affords very honest correct trails and implausible surroundings, and is entirely payment the mosey to, it does steal a little bit of time and energy to ranking there from Seoul. There are no longer one of these concerns with Bukhansan National Park, though: probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance be ready to literally steal the metro there from downtown Seoul!
Named after the three-peaked Bukhan mountain that kinds the centrepiece of the park, it takes below an hour to ranking there from slightly powerful wherever you’re susceptible to be in Seoul. There are three entrances, every of which is available within the market by public transport, but the simplest is maybe the jap gate. Hold particular to mosey to the (Jeongneung) customer knowledge centre correct within it whenever you come.
That’s for 2 causes: to ranking scurry maps and standard knowledge about the walks on provide, and also to search out out which paths are currently closed. The total popular trails (which given the proximity to Seoul, is de facto all of them) are closed on a rotating foundation to assist provide protection to them from overuse. Hold certain the scurry(s) you intend to lope are originate on that particular day!
I’ve incorporated a pair of lawful scurry alternate choices underneath to ranking you started, but there are many others. The Alltrails app has them all marked out, or as I whisper, ranking paper maps from the shopper centre sooner than you originate. Admission to the park, fortress, and temples are all free.
- Obong Course: this 7.6km loop scurry is reasonably complicated but payment the hassle, winding previous Dobongsan mountain with mountainous views on its manner to the ravishing Songchu falls. It takes 2-3 hours.
- Baegundae Height: it is a annoying one-manner scurry that runs east-west all the arrangement in which throughout the park and climbs to its highest level, at 835m (2744ft). It gets trickier in direction of the pause, with metal cables location into the rocks to assist pull yourself up. Don’t tackle it unprepared, but whenever you’re capable, ask of heavenly views from the pause. It takes 4-5 hours to entire.
Non-obligatory: Consult with to Lotte World
For an dash of a truly so a lot of kind, head to the sprawling expanse of Lotte World. This giant indoor theme park in Sincheon is the greatest of its kind on the earth, covering four tales and lined by an unlimited glass dome. There’s also an out of doors part, dubbed Magic Island: a man-made island that sits in heart of Seokchon Lake that contains most of the rides, along with cinemas, engaging areas, and more.
It’s laborious to even summarise the entire lot on provide here at South Korea’s model of Disneyland: from the amusement park and ice-skating rink to a museum, department store, aquarium, shooting vary, curler coaster, colossal spinning gyro swing, laser and tune presentations, VR curler coasters and arcade games, and who is aware of what else, there’s good sufficient to preserve adults and children alike amused for the full day.
There’s even a monorail that whisks you all the arrangement in which throughout the advanced, which I contemplate affords some realizing of the size of what’s on provide here. To ranking there, bounce on the metro and head for Jamsil reputation (exit 4). As is on the full the case in Korea, it’s more cost effective to aquire tickets upfront than to repeat up and aquire them on the day.
Summary and Pointers
Given how long this itinerary ended up being, I figured it’d be payment inserting together a checklist of all things that you’ll ought to preserve out upfront of your time out, correct to maintain them together in one set apart. I’m hoping it’s helpful!
Additional Learning
- Tech E-book to South Korea for the full little (and no longer so little) differences about things delight in making payments, how taxis and T-Money work, why Google Maps is so inferior in South Korea and what to preserve out about it, plus the most attention-grabbing ways of staying associated and whether or no longer a local phone number is as significant as all people says
- Easy methods to Gain to Seoraksan National Park for the nitty-gritty about transport to and from the park
- E-book to Seoraksan National Park for scurry knowledge, where to eat and drink within the park, cable automobile little print, other things to inquire of and carry out, and so on
Buy
- a physical SIM or eSIM so that you’re associated sooner than leaving the airport. Show that the plastic card that contains the physical SIM also works as a T-Money card, so that you don’t ought to aquire a separate one!
E-book
- Accommodation:
- First night end to Seoul Self-discipline (if critical)
- Two nights in Gyeongju
- Five nights in Hongdae
- Two nights in Sokcho or Seoraksan
- Final night in Myeongdong
- Excursions and tickets:
- Excessive-tempo put together to and from Gyeongju
- Explicit bus to and from Sokcho
- Discounted entry tickets for the aquarium, N Seoul Tower, and Seoul Sky
- Tour of the Secret Backyard at Changdeokgung Palace (no longer more than six days upfront)
- Non-obligatory: DMZ Tour, Lotte World tickets
Get
- Naver Maps – iOS | Android
- Kakao Maps – iOS | Android
- Papago – iOS | Android
- Uber/UT – iOS and Android
- Kakao T – iOS | Android
- XE – iOS | Android
- Airvisual – iOS | Android
And there now we maintain it: my entire handbook on tips on how to spend 10 days (or more) in South Korea! I contemplate I’ve lined the entire lot probabilities are you’ll perchance perchance ought to know, but whenever you’ve obtained any questions, in actuality be at liberty to proceed them within the comments and I’ll carry out my most attention-grabbing to assist. Most of all, abilities your time on this delightful nation!