-
The 9 Best Areas To Stay In Seoul, Korea: From Gangnam To Hongdae
The capital city of Seoul in Korea is sprawling and you could easily spend one to two hours on the subway getting across the city. When it comes to deciding where to stay in Seoul, it’s important to focus on what it is you want to accomplish while you’re here. From the traditional sites in Bukchon Hanok Village to the artsy district of Hongdae, there is a lot to choose from and plenty to do. Here is a breakdown of the best places in Seoul to stay and what to do nearby. This guide to the best hotels in Seoul in each area of the city is sure to help…
-
6 Folk Villages In Korea You Can Visit
There are some really popular folk villages in Korea, but there are also some that are retaining the traditions but have lesser crowds. Whether you’re looking for a touristy experiential filled folk village or a living museum folk village, there are different ones to find all around Korea. Folk villages tend to be quieter and less populated areas to tour in my experience and they’re also beautiful year-round. Whether you’re a tourist in Korea or a resident, you need to visit one, or maybe six, folk villages while you’re here. They’re a completely different vibe and really show more of Korean history than you might realize. Take A Trip To…
-
Flower of the Sun: An Historical Korean Musical
Have you seen a musical in Korea? There are plenty to choose from. It’s a popular pastime in Korea to attend a musical and though they may not be in English, many of them involve dance, movements, and songs that will tell the story even if you don’t speak Korean. From musicals about history to acrobatics, there is something fun to see on stages across the country. If you’re interested in tales of Korean history, then one Korean musical you shouldn’t miss is Flower of the Sun (태양의꽃). This gorgeous Korean musical takes place during the Silla dynasty and is playing at the Gyeongju Expo Park in Gyeongju, Korea until…
-
A Guide To the Gyeongju Expo Park
Are you looking for things to do in Gyeongju? Gyeongju is a really beautiful place to discover more about the history of Korea. It was the capital of the ancient Silla dynasty, so there are a lot of historical sites to see. If you’re planning a trip to Gyeongju, check out this guide to Gyeongju for a full picture of all there is to do. In this post, we’ll be focusing on the Gyeongju Expo Park (경주엑스포공원) where there are musicals about Korean history and there are exhibits in the park tower. There’s also a night walk with a story about Silla. You could spend the whole day here. Keep…
-
3 Great Dessert Spots In Seoul To Try Now
It’s heating up outside. Seoul in the summer is hot, sticky, and humid. There are plenty of ways to cool off though whether you’re eating the delicious cold Korean soups, dipping into the pools and streams, or enjoying the air conditioners of the museums. If those don’t quite hit the spot though, maybe some cold ice cream or gelato will. I took an adventure out to try some of the delicious cold treats around town this week and here are three ice cream/gelato joints that offer unique flavors and a great time if you’re looking to cool off this summer in Korea. Frozen treats are the way to go if…
-
Haenggung-dong Mural Village: What To See In Suwon
There are probably more mural villages around Korea than you might realize. They are just everywhere and it is so fun to find them. Mural villages in Korea often provide an artistic and creative hunt with a good walk outside simultaneously. Some you find by chance and others you’ll probably seek out. A few weeks ago we happened upon Haenggung-dong Mural Village (행궁동벽화마을) in Suwon by chance after visiting the Suwon Museum of Art. Just across the street from the art museum and the Haenggung Palace and Hwaseong Fortress Wall, it’s a great area to see something and then get a snack or food by stopping into one of the…
-
Autonomous Cars In Seoul: How To Take A Ride
So you’ve heard there are autonomous cars in Seoul. Yes, there are autonomous vehicles that you can take a ride in. See what the future has in store. Literally. Seoul Mayor Oh Se Hoon said “Seoul will become one of the top five cities leading the self driving technology by 2026.” They are well on their way. There are autonomous taxis in Sangam-dong Seoul right now and they’ll be in Gangnam, around the Cheonggyecheon, and other places before you know it. Read on to figure out how to have a ride in an autonomous car in Korea. Ready to take an autonomous car ride in Seoul? Here’s how: What To…
-
The New Zealand Wine Festival Is Back For 2022!
It’s about to be wine time! After a Covid-related hiatus, the New Zealand Wine Festival hosted by the Kiwi Chamber of Commerce is coming back to Seoul and Busan and you can feel the excitement in the air. Festivals and events around Seoul are kicking into high gear and people are buying the tickets at a fast pace. Don’t be left out of the fun. With a selection of high quality red and white wines from over 20 New Zealand wineries and vineyards, if you’re a true oenophile, or wine lover, you need to be there! Learn more about the New Zealand Wine Festival in Seoul and Busan 2022: When…
-
Is the tap water safe to drink in Korea?
The simple answer is yes, the water is potable. Tap water in Korea is safe to drink. But, if you fill up a glass of water from the sink and start to sip it in front of most Koreans, you might get some weird looks. So, what gives? While the tap water in Seoul goes through more quality tests than most developed cities, citizens of Korea still opt for bottled or filtered water in their homes and outside. Let’s break down what is happening and then you can decide for yourself if you want to drink the tap water in Korea or not. The primary water source in Seoul is…
-
Pil-dong: The Arts & Culture District Near Myeongdong
If you travel like I do, then you’re constantly staring out bus or car windows until something catches your eye and then you quickly tag it on the map to come back to later. That’s how I found the Pil-dong Arts and Culture Street. Located just outside of the Namsangol Hanok Village and the beautiful Korea House in Jung-gu up the road from the popular Myeongdong shopping district in Seoul, Pil-dong is a hidden gem of colorful facades and artistic installations in backstreets where you’d never expect to find them. I love that Seoul has so many of these arts and culture areas. Some of them are much more popular…
-
Best Daytrips From Seoul: 25 Places To Go Near Seoul
Daytrips daytrips are so fun, daytrips daytrips, there’s something for everyone! Seoul is a fantastic city to visit or live in, but sometimes, it’s nice to get out too. There are a TON of places to go near Seoul and I have traveled extensively here, there, and everywhere so let me fill you in. You’d be surprised how far across the country you can get in just one day. Ready for a day trip from Seoul? This is the guide for you with some of the easiest places to get to with public transportation, and some spots nearby that you need a car for. Get ready to travel in Korea.…
-
A Complete Guide For How To Visit The DMZ From Seoul
Not only was I featured on CNN for sharing some hidden gems in the DMZ, but I’ve been there multiple times over my more than 15 years living in Korea. If you want to visit the DMZ or take a DMZ tour, or maybe you’re wondering how to visit JSA, then you’ve come to the right spot for all of the information you’ll need to plan the trek. I say trek, but it’s actually easier than you might think. The DMZ in Korea can be closed for any number of political reasons so you’ll want to know everything you can about where you can and can’t go if the actual…
-
Wonimisan is a Magical Mountain of Azaleas South of Seoul
Cherry blossoms aren’t the only early spring blooms to burst forth each year in Korea and some of the other blooms are really magical. Azaleas (진달래) are just beautiful and you can see them in numbers on the Wonmisan mountainside (원미산) just south of Seoul in Bucheon. Looking for a mountainside of flowers this spring in Korea? Here is where to go. Plan your trip to see azaleas this spring in Korea: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.) How To Get There Address: 21-1san, Chunui-dong, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do…
-
15 of the Most Picturesque Places To See Cherry Blossoms In Seoul
It’s spring in Korea! And I know you’re wondering where to see cherry blossoms in Seoul, right? There are some super popular cherry blossom spots, hidden gems, and everything in between. Literally, you can see cherry blossoms all over the city so don’t think you must head to the “must see” spots. Enjoy any cherry blossom scenery you find here, there, and everywhere. But, if you are looking for the most popular places to see cherry blossoms in Seoul, then I’ll give you a few spots to start and plenty of hidden gems too. FYI, after these iconic light pink cherry blossoms bloom, you should also look out for the…
-
A Guide to KPop Lightsticks: What to Know and Where to Get Them
Having seen a number of KPop acts over the years while living in Korea, the idea of the lightsticks wasn’t new to me. However, I was recently working on a trends project for a company and realized just how vast the KPop lightstick phenom is. I went down the rabbit hole and have found the best websites to buy Kpop lightsticks online right now. These days, whether you’re at concerts in person or watching shows live online, Kpop lightsticks can even sync to the show so those at home can get in on the light fun too. It’s really quite amazing. My husband, who is an indie musician here in…
-
Koo House: A Gapyeong Museum of Art & Design
There are some pretty cool things to do in Gapyeong just east of Seoul, but some get a bit more attention than others. The next time you take a trip to Gapyeong, bypass some of the more popular touristy destinations and find the hidden gems the locals check out. Koo House Art Museum is one of those gems that is a fun stop for everyone and something a bit artsy to see. It’s fun. It’s colorful. It’s a great daytrip option. Plan a trip to Gapyeong that includes Koo House Art Museum: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
