Seoul is the center and Seoul of South Korea, a spot of puns, and a metropolis stuffed with enjoyable. Seoul’s metropolis model is “I Seoul U” (strive saying that with out an English accent). It’s to signify that Seoul is a spot the place “You” and “I” join and coexist.
Like its model, the town of Seoul is all about coexistence amongst its historical past, fashionable tradition, various nationalities and generations, skyscrapers, nature, and every little thing in between. As one can think about, when it comes visiting, there’s an abundance of issues to do in Seoul. These are a number of of my favorites:
1. Go Cosmetics Procuring
If there’s one factor to do in Seoul, it’s cosmetics buying! South Korea is the cosmetics capital of the world. Please. Do your self (and your pores and skin) a favor and don’t depart this nation with out buying some skincare merchandise or making an attempt out some Korean magnificence developments.
Seoul has an unimaginable collection of each kind of cosmetics retailer you can ever want for. Wander round Garosu-gil or Myeong-dong for the most effective collection of shops and merchandise.
Wish to know my faves? – Most of which you should buy on-line with out even touring to South Korea! Get a listing of my favourite Korean beauty merchandise right here.
2. Go Espresso Store Hopping
Seoul is the last word hub for espresso outlets of each form and dimension. Canine café? Examine. Raccoon café? Examine. Poop café?…um, test? They actually have a Harry Potter café the place you’ll be able to order a butterbeer and [attempt to] fly on a Nimbus 2000 (man, life’s a wrestle while you’re a muggle).
Don’t fear, there are many “tamer” choices, as properly. Seize your beverage of selection and the last word donut. Really feel like a cartoon in a black and white drawing café. Or just pop in to one of many manyInstagrammable cafés you’ll discover wandering round. After your Tour de Seoul, you’ll snort on the subsequent Starbucks you see. These Seoul cafés are life-changing!
3. Trick Eye Museum
This excellent rainy-day exercise will hold you and your mates entertained for hours. Weave by means of this interactive museum, stopping by every show to take an image from a sure angle to make it seem like you’re a part of the scene. For sure shows, you’ll be instructed to show your image upside-down or do one thing foolish to make the scene look extra reasonable. You may even obtain the Trickeye app and make every show come to life!
After you’ve had your enjoyable on the Trick Eye Museum, try the hooked up Love Museum and Ice Museum. The Love Museum is similar idea because the Trick Eye, besides a bit extra … “adult-friendly”. The Ice Museum is only a huge room with every little thing made out of ice. They even have an ice slide you’ll be able to slide down.
4. Lantern Pageant
If you end up in Seoul within the month of November, you’re in luck! Seoul hosts a superb Lantern Pageant that takes place for about two weeks every year. Big, intricate lanterns fill the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Every year, there are completely different themes of the lanterns which might be sectioned-off in numerous elements of the river.
Should you head upstream, you’ll discover a part of the river blocked off for guests to send-off a floating lantern into the river to make a want. The enjoyable half is having the ability to make your individual lantern. Pay a small payment for the provides and observe step-by-step directions to create your lantern earlier than sending it down the river.
Can’t make it to Seoul in November? Don’t fear, Koreans like to rejoice. From artwork festivals to jazz festivals, summer time festivals and drum festivals, there’s all the time one thing occurring almost any time of the 12 months.
5. Search Out Some Speakeasies
Most nightlife in South Korea consists of soju and partying. Hunt down some quieter (and classier) vibes exploring a number of the speakeasy bars in Seoul. Though speakeasies are genuine to the US, the recognition of those prohibition-themed bars has caught-on around the globe. There are a handful of speakeasies scattered all through the town of Seoul…if you could find them 😉
6. Get Misplaced within the World of Lotte
Lotte Tower, Lotte World, Lotte World Mall, Lotte Lodges, Lotte Mart, and extra. See Seoul from the sky at Lotte Tower’s commentary deck. Be entertained on the world’s largest indoor amusement park at Lotte World. Discover underneath the ocean at Lotte World Aquarium. Store until you drop at Lotte World Mall. Something with ‘Lotte’ on it’s certain to be spectacular.
7. Be a Spectator of Korea’s Acquired Expertise
Okay, it’s not really Korea’s Acquired Expertise, however shut! Head over to Hongik College Avenue in Hongdae to look at and hearken to completely different younger road performers. From rappers, to Ok-Pop, to dancers and extra, you’ll see all of it! They even have digital camera crews round to movie the completely different performances going down concurrently down the road. Be aware that that is weather-dependent and often occurs on weeknights and weekends.
8. Try a Purse Museum
The Simone Purse Museum in Garosu-gil has a set of up to date and historic purses. Even in case you’re not into museums, this one is value a walk-by. The constructing is definitely formed like a purse!
9. Dongdaemun Design Plaza
This architecturally-stunning plaza is unquestionably value a cease both day or night time. Spend a number of hours out and in of the Design Plaza. With loads of buying, artwork, historic websites and fashionable tradition, there’s a lot to do to maintain busy within the Dongdaemun space.
10. Gyeongbokgung Palace
There are 5 palaces within the metropolis of Seoul. Gyeongbokgung is the oldest and largest of all of them. Get free entry to all the palaces in case you present up carrying a conventional Korean Hanbok! (You may lease these conventional formal robes from varied rental outlets across the metropolis). You may even rent a photographer to do a palace photograph shoot of you in your conventional Korean apparel.
11. Namsan Seoul Tower
Namsan Seoul Tower is an iconic landmark to the town of Seoul. Head to the prime commentary deck to catch a chicken’s eye view of the town. Plan to get there early to beat the traces earlier than sundown to get a powerful view of the glowing metropolis – it’s Seoul fairly!
12. Stroll or Run Alongside the Hangang River
The Hangang (Han) River is the river that divides Seoul into North and South. There are numerous Han River parks that line the river with strolling/working/biking paths for locals and vacationers to take pleasure in. Probably the most well-known park, Yeouido Park, can be house to the biggest ‘I Seoul U’ signal and plenty of different colourful items of artwork.
Neighborhoods Price Wandering:
13. Gangnam
Everybody is aware of this neighborhood (properly, at the very least the music). “Gangnam Type” is definitely referring to the type of this neighborhood – hip and stylish. The district is among the most upscale – and due to this fact, costly – areas in Seoul.
With a repute for a number of the prime plastic surgeons in Asia, many vacationers come right here for beauty functions.
If buying within the Instances Sq.-like really feel of Myeong-dong is simply too overwhelming, Gangnam is an ideal resolution. Many outlets are extra upscale, brand-name outlets with high-end boutiques scattered all through, plus all the top-brand beauty outlets. Moreover, Gangnam is house to many artsy cafés, scrumptious eating places, and a few of Seoul’s greatest speakeasies.
14. Ikseon-dong
Ikseon-dong is an older neighborhood in Seoul that’s a part of the bigger Jongno District. But, as a result of new companies, eating places and cafés popping up, it has develop into a more recent, up-and-coming neighborhood.
The tiny pedestrian streets are like mazes. It’s straightforward to get turned-around, however there’s all the time one thing new to see round each nook. You’re certain to see locals and vacationers wandering round with vivid purple ice cream cones in hand. Comply with the crowds till you discover the Ikseon Goro Purpleberry Mushy Ice-Cream Store. It’s not simply the colour that makes this candy deal with so standard within the neighborhood, however this blueberry smooth serve ice-cream is mouthwatering!
15. Insa-dong
Insa-dong is the house of Gyeongbokgung Palace, lovely parks and gardens, such because the Huwon Secret Backyard, fashionable artwork, museums and galleries, and many elderly tea homes. Spend a while wandering the alleyways of Hanok Village, trying out conventional Korean homes, cute cafés and charming outlets. Discover extra outlets, cafés, parks and galleries down the principle road of Insadong-gil.
16. Itaewon
Itaewon is a younger, hip, up-and-coming neighborhood attracting many foreigners and expats. Lacking America a bit? That is the place to go. Right here you’ll discover tacos, burgers, pizza and brunch spots.
The nightlife can get rowdy, however there are various choices for each choice, together with chill bars and speakeasies. There aren’t many cultural points of interest in Itaewon, however the neighborhood does have an amazing view of the Namsan Seoul Tower. With being pretty centralized to the remainder of the town, it’s fairly straightforward to get anyplace from Itaewon.
17. Hongdae
This neighborhood is house to Hongik College. Assume school city. This space is stuffed with leisure, budget-savvy buying choices, fast bites, and naturally, youthful crowds (together with many expats).
Should you’re acquainted with “Korean sweatshirts”, you could find them right here. It’s primarily as if somebody took a phrase or phrase and tried to Google Translate it, but it surely got here out simply not proper. With many spelling errors and questionable phrases, they’re hilarious while you see them. You may even buy your very personal!
Hongdae can be an amazing space to take a look at some enjoyable cafés, together with a meerkat café and the crowd-favorite Harry Potter King’s Cross Café. As soon as the solar units, the events begin. The nightlife in Hongdae is full rowdy bars and golf equipment. Discovering a celebration right here isn’t an issue.
18. Myeong-dong
The district of Myeong-dong is akin to New York’s Instances Sq.. Most every little thing standard to Seoul is crammed into this one neighborhood, making it a one-stop store for scrumptious meals, buying, Ok-pop, cosmetics, cafés and extra.
As one of many most-recommended neighborhoods to go to for first-time vacationers, the chaos is critically actual. Be affected person with the crowds, waft, hold your belongings shut, and ask for assist in case you get misplaced. Many youthful locals who work in Myeong-dong outlets are pretty fluent in English. There are additionally English-speaking informational vacationer staff that wander across the crowded streets to assist with instructions.
This vibrant metropolis has a lot to supply guests, from little scrumptious pockets of meals to cultural wonders. I hope you take pleasure in it as a lot as I do.
What are a few of your favourite issues to do in Seoul?
This text was written by Kylie Loyd. Born & raised in Michigan, New Yorker at coronary heart, journey took ahold of her destiny and introduced Kylie to her [now] husband, who leads her around the globe through U.S. Air Power. Kylie Loyd has lived on three and traveled to 4 completely different continents prior to now two years. With shifting around the globe so often, discovering work with a background in occasion administration was a wrestle whereas dwelling the “drifter life”. Kylie grew to become licensed as a private coach to appease her ardour for health, and in addition began her weblog, gocatchthedrift.com. At this time, she blogs in regards to the journey alternatives for army spouses around the globe, and in addition enjoys together with methods to remain match and wholesome whereas on the street.
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