Gyeonggi-do (경기도)
What to see in Gyeonggi-do. Top things to do in Gyeonggi-do. Where to go in Gyeonggi-do and the tips and tricks to make travel there amazing. (경기도에서 볼거리. 경기도에서 해야 할 일들. 경기도 어디를 가야하는지, 그리고 그곳의 여행을 놀랍게 만들 수 있는 요령과 요령들.)
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The Coolest Rest Stop In Korea Has An Illumination Theme Park
I’ve been in Korea for thirteen years and been driving for six of them. I’ve been on buses that pulled off at rest stops and pulled off at many on my own road trips and up until this month, I didn’t know there could even be a “cool” rest stop in Korea, but there is. Generally, rest stops in Korea feature a large cafeteria space with tables and chairs to eat food from one of multiple fast options. There is a convenience store and large bathrooms. There are also a few coffee shops too, but that’s about it and that’s pretty standard. You don’t really need much more out of…
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Daytrips From Seoul: Oido Island & Daebudo Island
There is more to Korea than Seoul and so often travelers just miss it. Did you know there are islands just off the west coast and some are even accessible via the Seoul subway system? Having coastal spots that are accessible by subway makes them perfect for last-minute weekend escapes. One of my favorite reminders of this came through a day trip to Oido Island and Daebudo Island. From ocean views and salty breezes, glass museums, and observatories, these islands offer a very different side of Korea without requiring a long journey. Get ready to explore Oido Island and Daebudo Island in South Korea: (This post contains affiliate links, which…
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Pocheon: What To See & What To Do Northeast Of Seoul
Pocheon is an area that sits to the northeast of Seoul in the Gyeonggi province. Last summer, I headed northeast to visit the beautiful flowery fields of Nari Park which is just south of the Pocheon area. It was an invitation to explore more in that region this year. Here are some places in Pocheon that are must sees and for those K-drama addicted among us, quite a few recognizable dramas have been filmed in these places, so enjoy! Want a day trip option from Seoul? This is a great area to explore with numerous nature spots and artistic finds too. I’ve got you covered if you’re looking for places…
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Camp Greaves: An Abandoned Military Base With An Artistic Future In The Korean DMZ
The DMZ hasn’t called to me much over most of my years in Korea. I’ve never been drawn to the touristy, photo-zone side of the border area, and the DMZ has an odd way of mixing the genuinely historical with the distinctly amusement-park. But Camp Greaves (캠프 그리브스) is different. It’s one of the rare DMZ sites that feels honest about what it is. It’s an odd thing for me to go someplace that has so much meaning for separated families and people that fought here, then to see an amusement park and photo zones really throws me. Some areas along the line are worth the trip and some just…
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Herb Village: Lavender Fields & Waterfalls Near Seoul
Searching for flower fields in Korea has become somewhat of a hobby of mine. There are flowers everywhere but seeing an entire mountainside covered in azaleas, a field of tulips or the gorgeous fields of Nari Park in the autumn is just breathtaking. This year, I was on the hunt for lavender fields in Korea. There are some beautiful lavender fields in Korea, some closer to Seoul and some make for a great weekend away. For this trip, we opted for the lavender fields at Herb Village north of Seoul in Yeoncheon-gun and decided we would head up there to see what we could see. Herb Village was all that and…
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Where To Go Glamping Near Seoul: Club Lespia
This past weekend, I got a group of 25 people (9 of which were toddlers) together for a glamping adventure just outside of Seoul in celebration of my birthday. Today, I turn… well, I was born in 1984, so I’ll let you figure it out. I LOVE LOVE LOVE getting into nature or just being outside. I’m not so sure my husband feels the same way all of the time though and that’s why I thought glamping would be a good compromise for some fun this year. Last year we enjoyed a great picnic with friends so I upped the ante and this year, glamping it was. BONUS!: It was…
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The Anyang Art Park: Fun, Forests and It’s Free!
The Anyang Art Park (안양예술공원) just outside of Seoul, Korea is one of those places that makes its rounds in the blogosphere almost every year. It’s always fun and always provides cool photos for whoever wants to head south from Seoul just in to Gyeonggi-do. Because of that, I was sort of laughing at myself for taking so long to enjoy the place that is so enjoyable. Make sure to check out the awesome art installations and there ARE a couple maps I’ve been able to find in this post as well. Good luck adventuring to Anyang! Skip around and get all of the info you need to plan your…
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Gamaksan Suspension Bridge: The Gloucester Heroes Bridge Near the DMZ
A few weekends ago, I joined a tour to the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge and the DMZ. I’ll be honest: I’d never been particularly drawn to the Paju-area DMZ before. With so many visitors going through, I wasn’t sure how much was genuine history and how much was tourist trap. The suspension bridge ended up being the highlight of the day, even though it was the last stop. Here’s what the tour actually covers and what to know before you book it. Learn about a common tour you can take to the DMZ area which includes the Gamaksan Suspension Bridge and Imjingak. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
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Namyangju: Strawberry Picking, Abandoned Train Stations & Snow!
There’s a small peninsula that juts out into the Han River where it splits into two rivers just east of Seoul in Namyangju and that is where we found strawberries, abandoned train stations and more this past weekend. If you’re looking for some place that isn’t too far out of the city but will afford you with fresh air, great views and some fun too, then keep reading and look for Nungnae Station, strawberry farms, and even some good food! Plan a trip to Namyangju: (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.…
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Greenhouses, Cafes & Gardens Northwest Of Seoul
One of my pastimes has definitely become falling down Instagram rabbit holes that lead me to beautiful places and cafes in Korea. I’ve learned a few things after searching long and hard long enough. That rabbit hole is what led me to Yangju’s gorgeous Nari Park and then on to the greenhouse cafe set on a mountain in Namyangju. I also found a lot of the cafes in Hongdae I visited recently via this rabbit hole. But I’ve also used that Internet sleuthing skill to find some pretty awesome places northwest of Seoul where we can spread out, get away from the crowds and enjoy nature. There are so many…
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Heyri Art Village In Paju: A Guide To The Sights, Sounds & Eats
Intriguing places, pretty cafes and art too is what you’ll find if you head north into Paju to the delightful artsy spot known as Heyri Art Village (헤이리 예술마을). This is just one thing to do in Paju, but there is really a ton! The Heyri Art Village is less than an hour northwest and was the vision of a book publisher many years back. Home to photographers, painters, artists of all kinds, musicians, architects and writers means it is quirky, artsy and very fun as well as home to galleries, museums and more. To give you an idea about where to start in this eye catching village check out…
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The Prettiest Autumn Spot In Korea: Yangju’s Nari Park
Having lived in Korea for more than a decade, I have seen A LOT of this country and I can honestly say Yangju’s Nari Park (양주나리공원) is one of the prettiest places I’ve seen in the whole country of South Korea. There are numerous parks around the country and each is a bit different in what they offer. Nari Park in Yangju just north of Seoul is purely for the flower lover within you. Expansive plot after plot of curated flowers await in colors like purples, pinks, oranges and bright reds. As the autumn sun heats up the days with cool breezes blowing in, this is where to go to appreciate…
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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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Haengjusanseong Fortress: Where 2,300 Koreans Defeated 30,000
Bike west along the northern side of the Han River in Seoul long enough, and the path eventually seems to end, before actually just turning inland and heading toward Goyang, a suburb of greater Seoul. Goyang has far more to see and do than most Seoulites or visitors realize, and Deogyangsan Mountain (덕양산) is one of its better-kept open secrets. The bike paths curve around the base of the mountain, easy to spot thanks to a victory monument visible at the summit from a distance. This is an excellent mountain to climb, gentle enough that a stroller can make the trip, with paved paths the entire way. Visit in autumn…
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Gone to North Korea… in Namyangju
I’ve lived in Seoul for six and a half years and still haven’t made it to the DMZ. I’m not sure why, but I just haven’t felt the urge to get up there. That and it seems every few months North Korea does something to ruffle the feathers of South Korea and then I think, do I really want to go up there now? The answer was always no. However, some time back I read about an exact replica of Panmunjeom on a film set that was open to the public and that made it onto the list of must-sees. This past week, a friend and I decided to really…
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Namhansanseong Fortress: Hiking a UNESCO World Heritage Site Near Seoul
If you’re looking for a great hike near Seoul that works for all fitness levels, all seasons, and all ages, including families with young children, Namhansanseong Fortress (남한산성도립공원) belongs on the list. Compared to the Seoul Fortress Wall, which can involve some pretty steep climbing in sections, Namhansanseong is far more accessible: the paths inside the walls are relatively even, and even in winter the trails stay walkable without serious gear. Additionally, the Namhansanseong Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a fortress city that served as the emergency capital of the Joseon Dynasty, built on the ruins of a fortress dating back to 672 AD, and defended against a…
