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Nammireuksa Temple: The Largest Seated Buddha In Asia Is In Jeollanam-do, Korea
I have definitely visited my fair share of Buddhist temples in Korea. I love visiting the temples honestly. They are calming, always quiet, and while many people see a few and think they’ve seen them all, I never think that and have definitely been able to find unique aspects of every one I’ve visited. One such trip to Jeollanam-do had us passing by Nammireuksa Temple (남미륵사) and while there really was nothing else in the area to see, I couldn’t resist a stop. This temple in Korea really does stand out from the rest in a few ways for me so I wanted to do a whole post so more…
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The Majang Suspension Bridge & The Cafes To Visit There Too!
There are so many things to do in Paju, an area just northwest of Seoul in the Gyeonggi-do province and visiting Majang Lake is definitely one of them. Majang Lake was probably not on most peoples’ radar until a couple years ago when the longest suspension bridge in Korea was opened. This beautiful suspension bridge spans the water from what forested side to another that features an observatory. There are numerous gorgeous cafes and restaurants to stop into too. It’s a great area to take a day trip from Seoul and it’s pretty easy to get to as well. Looking for something to do this weekend? This is the spot…
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Guide To Korean Teas: What They’re Good For & When To Drink Them
While most of the world views tea as a beverage made by putting hot water on some type of leaf, Koreans seem to make tea with anything and everything they can put hot water on. Hot water on flowers? Why not? Hot water on some roots from the garden? Definitely. Because of this, traditional tea houses can have long rather substantial lists of teas. It can be overwhelming. It took me forever to remember the names of the Korean teas that I enjoyed and go figure, I often forget when it comes to seeing boxes of teas in the market. Since I’ve taken numerous a tourist to a traditional tea…
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B39 In Bucheon: The Art & Culture Space To Check Out
I LOVE checking out how older factories are being given new life as cafes or restaurants and seeing how old military bunkers in Korea are being given new life as culture spaces for local communities. The new art and culture spaces that are being given back to the community are really intriguing and are definitely great places to see in Seoul and its suburbs. This city is always adapting and changing and as factories close, something else must take their place. Recently, we visited Bucheon, a suburb of Seoul in Gyeonggi-do and stopped into the Bucheon Art Bunker B39 (부천아트벙커 B39). Just opened in 2018, it took an old garbage…
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The Seoul City Tour Bus Guide: What To See & Do When You Hop On Hop Off
If you’ve never joined a City Tour Bus, Seoul is the place to do it. City Tour Buses are a great way to see a city and not have to worry about transportation. See the hot spots of Seoul from the upper level of a bright red bus. I rode my first City Tour Bus in New York City and absolutely loved the experience. It’s just something that is so touristic and fun. Don’t waste money on taxi fares and buses. Don’t get confused in the subway. For your first trip to Seoul, take the time to ride this bus and get views of the city while getting a lay…
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Jangheung: The Secret & Wonderful Place To Take Kids North Of Seoul
On the way up to Majang Lake one time, I took a road through Jangheung and saw lots of colorful facades, interesting signs for art spaces and places, and gardens and so it was put on the list for the next trip out. We’ve since been to this area at least three times and we love it. If you’re looking to take an adventure with your kiddos and want to find a best kept secret, this is the area to go. It’s fun and full of hidden gems. Plenty more that we haven’t yet visited. Here are some great things to do in Jangheung. Also note, this is Jangheung-eub in…
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Pela Phone Case Review: The Eco Friendly Compostable Phone Case
I have now had my Pela phone case for almost one year (51 weeks to be exact), and I wanted to do a review. I purchased this with my own money because I was looking into ways to be more sustainable and continuing my push into eco-friendly living. When I found this sustainable phone case which promotes itself as 100% compostable and eco-friendly, I was ready to try it. Check out my Pela phone case review to see if a sustainable compostable phone case is right for you. While I don’t think I’ll ever be able to have a completely waste free lifestyle, especially not here in Seoul, Korea, I…
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Dalgona Coffee: What It Is, Where It Came From, & Why What You’re Making, Isn’t It!
When you could just make a cup of coffee in less than five minutes, why not spend the next twenty to thirty making dalgona coffee? While Koreans know what dalgona is and where it started, most foreigners don’t despite the challenge’s viral success. I was recently invited out to a cafe in Seoul that makes legit dalgona coffee based off of real Korean dalgona and, surprise!, it is NOT what you’re making at home. They wanted to get the word out about dalgona and asked me to help. Spoiler: The coffee you’re whipping is actually based off an Indian coffee drink, not Korean at all. Mind blown? Yeah, let’s get…
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What To Do At The Sulwhasoo Dosan Flagship Store In Seoul
Sulwhasoo (설화수) is a Korean luxury skin care brand that is renowned for high quality herbal medicine based products and the Sulwhasoo Flagship Store Dosan (설화수 도산 플래그십 스토어) is an absolute must visit for not only KBeauty lovers but any tourist in Seoul interested in unique experiences that you can only have here. After trying my own collection of Sulwhasoo products, I can honestly say they are worth the money and I’ll be a loyal customer forever more. Not only that, but the flagship store is just stunning so any reason to go back there again and again… and maybe again. The flagship store is gorgeously Instagrammable and did…
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Stay At Home Activities For Kids
As a creative person myself, I have loved instilling the love of creation in my daughter. We have spent hours together cooking, dancing, crafting, and learning of course. It’s amazing how much can be learned in more fun and inspiring ways. Whether you’re homeschooling or just have the kids home for the summer, these are great stay at home activities for kids. Great things to do with kids on rainy days and great things just to do together. Here are some of the programs we LOVE and some other ideas too! (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after…
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Juknokwon: Korea’s Most Popular Bamboo Forest In Damyang
Damyang, Korea’s claim to fame is a massive bamboo forest named Juknokwon (죽녹원). It is the most famous bamboo forest in South Korea. While this is the most famous and was even named one of the top things to do in Korea in 2019 by the Korean Tourism Organization, there is also the stunning Taehwagang River Bamboo Forest in Ulsan which features a huge number of brilliantly colored flowers in the spring and summer and one of the best kept secrets on Geoje Island, the Bamboo Theme Park. Bamboo forests dot the southern half of the country, but if you only have time to visit one, Juknokwon Bamboo Forest is the…
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Gunsan, Korea: A Guide For What To See, What To Do & What To Eat!
Wanting to get out and see something different, we decided to take a road trip to Jeolla and our first stop was Gunsan, Korea in North Jeolla Province, or Jeollabuk-do. This port city is a bit deceiving as you drive in as there are huge industrial parks and of course ports all over so it can seem a bit more like a manufacturing city. For me, the most I knew about the city was that it is home to Gunsan Air Force Base for the American military and that it is where the more popular Seonyudo Island is located. (I say more popular because did you know there is a…
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Seoul Station: What To See Nearby, Where To Eat, & So Much More!
How many times have you visited Seoul Station (서울역) in the heart of the city of Seoul, Korea? Whether you’re just passing through or heading to the KTX train to get out of the city, or just want a lively area to shop and eat, Seoul Station is a pretty good stop to make. Coming into Seoul from Incheon International Airport? You’re probably headed here. There’s way more to do around the station that is the central hub for the Seoul subway system though and I wanted to share some of the oft missed places so the next time you’re in the area, you won’t miss all of the fun,…
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How To Get To Seoul From Incheon International Airport: A Guide To All Of The Transfer Options
Are you traveling to Seoul, Korea soon? Most likely you’ll land at Incheon International Airport, Seoul’s airport, which is an amazing airport and the 22nd busiest airport in the world and serves more than 60 million passengers each year. The airport is one of the leading transit airports in the world and honestly, it’s absolutely stunning. Incheon International Airport is one of the few airports I enjoy getting to early because there is plenty of good food to eat, lovely architecture to see, and it’s a great airport with kids because there are play places to find too. Keep that in mind for your way out. To the business at…
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Troiareuke: A Review Of The Prescription Skincare Brand
Troiareuke takes its name from the ancient Greek word “foundation” or “beginning”. Their company offers holistic options like chroma therapy, aromatherapy, and herb therapy for skin concerns such as aging, blemishes, dryness and sensitivity. This is a cruelty-free Korean beauty brand that manufactures all of its products in Korea. The brand actually started as and still is a spa brand that caters to clients with acne and skin problems. Their clients were so happy with treatments at the spa and asked for products to take home so the brand expanded and produced prescription skincare cosmetics for home use. Whether your skin has been affected by environmental factors, emotions, or your…
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Where To See Cherry Blossoms In Korea 2025
Spring in Korea doesn’t really begin until those beautiful light pink cherry blossoms bloom. At least in my opinion. Are you looking for the cherry blossom blooming forecast? You’ve come to the right place. Let’s see cherry blossoms this spring. There are numerous places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul and around Korea with some being more popular than others. You could really walk down the most mundane neighborhood and see cherry blossoms though so while you should and probably will seek to find some of the more major spots, also just keep your eyes peeled for trees along the way. Last year, the first blossoms I noticed were down…