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Gyeongbokgung Palace: A Step By Step Guide To Missing The Crowds + A Map
Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁) is one of the top attractions in Seoul, Korea and as a must-see destination for travelers and locals alike, always holds a prominent place on any Seoul itinerary. With millions of visitors each year, it’s no wonder that this historic site is often filled with tour groups. But with the right plan, you can explore this iconic palace, enjoy its beauty, and even avoid the crowds. Get ready to learn everything about Gyeongbokgung Palace from how to get there, what to expect, and tips for a peaceful, photo-worthy experience. Looking for some specific information? Skip around: (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on…
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Nanji Water Playground: Seoul’s Han River Pool for Families
Are you ready to get outside and go swimming this summer in Seoul? The Nanji Water Playground (난지한강물놀이장) is probably the cheapest infinity pool in Seoul, Korea or anywhere else for that matter. And on top of that, it’s family friendly! If you want a great Han Riverside pool for kids, this is great. Let’s get swimming this summer in Seoul. There are quite a few awesome pools that sit along the Han River, but this is the only one, that I’m aware of, that is set up to emulate a beach slope heading out and then stops just short of the Han River. It’s picturesque, it’s fun, and it…
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What To Do In Bukchon: Gold Leaf Printing Experience
If you’re visiting the traditional Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul, Korea and looking for something to do in Bukchon, try visiting Kumbakyeon (금박연) a Hanok house with a unique experience. Decorate a something simple like a bookmark or something more intricate and learn about the history of gilding, or gold leafing in Korea. There are beautiful Hanboks in history with these intricate details. Make your own! Have a great experience in Bukchon Hanok Village: (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and purchase something, I will get a percentage of the transaction at no cost to you. Thanks for the support!) How To Get There…
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Time Flies & A Passport Says Goodbye
Time flies. That’s it. Time just flies. Ten years ago, about this time I was sitting in front of a camera in a photo shop to get some passport photos so that I could then head to the post office and mail in my documents to receive a passport. I’d had one previously which I’d used to travel to Europe a couple of times with my family and with my senior class, but I needed a new one to start my adventures in Asia. I had gotten a job in Seoul, Korea and I was getting all the odds and ends wrapped up and making appointments to get the things…
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Gwangjang Market: How To Get There & What To Eat
Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is one of the largest traditional markets in Korea and has been one of my top recommendations for any visitor to Seoul for as long as I’ve lived here. If you’re in the city for any amount of time and looking for one of the best places to eat, this is a must visit. The market is well known for fabric and Hanboks, but food is what draws most people now, locals and tourists alike. Several stalls were featured on Netflix’s Street Food: Asia series, which pushed what was already a popular destination into a different category of visibility entirely. On a busy weekend it shows. What…
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Nanji Ecological Park: Finding Solitude in Seoul
A couple summers back, Jae-oo and I headed to the Gangseo Marsh Ecological Park and enjoyed the sights in the rather quiet surroundings on the banks of the Han River. At the time, I didn’t even realize we had our own ecological park right down the street near the Nanji Hangang Park (난지한강공원생태습지원). The Han River Parks have been reinvigorated over the past decade and each park is different and offers something different to enjoy. If you want a peaceful place to visit, rent some bikes and head here. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at…
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The Soul of Seoul Tours: The S(e)oul Derby Recap
On July 17th, fourteen teams came together to set the pace and win that race… if they could. The weather wasn’t superb, but the drizzle gave everyone a little push to move and groove and get indoors that much sooner. The teams included expat teachers, Koreans, service people and families looking to do something a little different with their Saturday afternoon. The premise of the event was that The Soul of Seoul Tours would give out a list of scavenger hunt clues which included things like finding someone walking around in a Hanbok, piling into a phone booth, making funny faces, hunting for kimbap and a host of other cultural, quirky and…
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The Hello Kitty Cafe in Seoul: What Happened to the Original (And Where to Find One Now)
Short answer first, because I know that’s what most of you searching for this actually want: no, the Hello Kitty Cafe in Hongdae is not there anymore. The building has changed hands twice since then. But there is a real, currently open Hello Kitty cafe in Seoul, and it’s in Myeongdong. Here’s the story to know and where to go. Hello Kitty is one of those characters that everyone knows of even if they’ve never seen the actual show. The cute and lovable Japanese character that was created in 1974 has grown to proportions that creator Yuko Yamaguchi likely never imagined. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
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KMF Korea Providing Self Defense Classes in Seoul
I recently had the pleasure of meeting and working with Gideon Roth the regional director and foreign representative for Krav Maga Federation Korea, the only official Wingate Institute accredited Krav Maga school in Asia. With fourteen years of experience in Krav Maga, he is the most experienced instructor in Korea and he wants to spread the word that he has self-defense classes for you. Learn more about Krav Maga in Seoul and the self-defense classes they offer: (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.) Basic Info Address:…
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Jeongdongjin Beach: The Most Beautiful Beach In Gangneung
Jeongdongjin is one of the most beautiful stretches of beach in the Gangneung area of Korea. While everyone else is hanging out on Gyeongpo Beach just north, this gorgeous beach is quiet but epic especially considering the giant and quirky Sun Cruise Ship, oh wait it’s a resort in the shape of a cruise ship, that towers above the the seaside here. When looking for beaches on the east coast of Korea, don’t miss this one. Here’s what to expect when you get to Jeongdongjin Beach (정동진해변). Get ready to see more in Gangneung starting with the Jeongdongjin area: (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on…
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Gangneung’s Sungeut Beach in Gangneung is Quiet and Ideal
The beaches on the northeastern shores of Korea always stun me. The white sands and the emerald blue clear waters that lap against the shore are so dreamy. It’s a wonder that anyone lives in a city NOT on a coast in Korea when the kind of beauty that exists in Gangneung is out there. We took three days and went out to Sungeut Beach (순긋해변). It’s a bit smaller than the other popular beaches in the vicinity and doesn’t offer the numerous cafes and restaurants of the areas surrounding, but that meant it was perfect for our first trip to the coast of the season. Gangneung is a popular…
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Aqua Planet: Sea Life, A Petting Zoo & More
Aqua Planet (아쿠아플라넷) is a aquarium brand you can find all over South Korea. We first visited the Aqua Planet in Ilsan, Korea, but you can find them in Gwanggyo, the 63 Building on Yeouido Island in Seoul, Jeju, and Yeosu. I had initially expected this to be just an aquarium, meaning sea life, sea creatures and the like, but was pleasantly surprised to find birds, a petting zoo with farm animals and just so much more. If you have kids in Korea and want to introduce them to sea life, Aqua Planet in Korea is a great place to go. There are a number of amazing aquariums in Korea,…
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The S(e)oul Derby: Sign Up Now!
Come for some fun. With clues in hand, teams will race to find as many locations as possible from cultural hot spots to traditional architecture and even some friendly local eateries too. The event will be a cross between scavenger hunt searches and amazing race-esque missions. How much do you know about Seoul? Come test your knowledge with some great people and if you have the stuff, you can even win some fabulous prizes. There are more than W1,000,000 in prizes! The event will kick-off near Hapjeong Station and will culminate at 3 Alley a local expat owned pub in Itaewon where we will tally the points while you sit…
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The OTB Lounge in Walkerhill Has Hit Its Stride
A new no-limit off track betting lounge run by the Korea Racing Association (KRA), was recently opened in the Sheraton Grand Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul, Korea and boy is it chic. This lounge specifically caters to foreign customers and allows them to bet more than the maximum per race bet limits that are enforced at the race courses and at other existing OTBs. This is one of thirty-two OTBs that are operated around Korea in addition to the actual race courses in Seoul, Busan and Jeju. Not only is the lounge chic, but the hotel itself is beautiful so you could make a weekend of it, and have a grand…
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The Top Summer Festivals to Hit In Korea
It’s summer in Korea! It’s finally here with the hot gusts of wind followed by the cool breezes sweeping down from the mountains and in from the shores. Sandals, t-shirts and clothing with very little there has suddenly been whipped out of closets. Here’s what to look forward to this summer in Korea from sunny beach fun to townie food based get-togethers. When it comes to summer festivals, there are a lot to enjoy in South Korea. Find one near or far and go have fun! Get ready for summer festivals in Korea: (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and purchase something, I will…
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Learning Korean In Korea: Noisy Salesmen Are Great Teachers
When I first got to Korea, I did not speak Korean. Not a lick and that was cause for quite a few humorous assumptions. Assumptions aren’t always bad. It depends what you do after making assumptions that can be bad. Luckily for me, after awhile, I fell into a group of Koreans that were quick to show me the err in my ways or just to educate the silly foreigner. The education has proven immeasurable and also has given me many funny stories along the way. Today, I’m going to share a couple of those funny tales. Wonder why learning Korean when living in Korea is useful? I’ve got some…
