Explore Korea (한국 탐험하기)
Top places to see in Korea. Where to go in Korea and what to do. Want to travel in Korea? See more outside of Seoul. (한국에서 볼 수 있는 최고의 장소. 한국에서 어디로 갈 것인지, 무엇을 할 것인지. 한국에서 여행하고 싶으세요? 서울 외곽에서 더 많이 보십시오.)
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A Guide To Gyeongju, Korea: What To Do, See, Eat & Where To Stay
If you haven’t heard of Gyeongju, Korea yet, then you need to! Though Andong, Korea is often referred to as the most traditional city in the country, I’d say that Gyeongju is the most historical you can visit. Gyeongju is referred to as “the museum without walls” because everywhere you turn you can find another site with historical relevance to see. The city actually has more tombs, temples, pagodas, palace ruins, and other historical artifacts than any other place in Korea. I’d say it’s a must see, but that term is so overused at this point. I visited Gyeongju for the first time over a decade ago and found it…
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Taehwagang River Bamboo Forest: The Best Kept Secret In Ulsan, Korea
The Taehwagang National Garden (태화강 국가정원) is the most beautiful bamboo forest in Korea that I have visited and I have visited a few. When I walked into this gorgeous forest of green bamboo shooting into the sky, I remember wondering why I’d never heard of it. The Damyang Bamboo Forest is known far and wide in Korea and yet, there are other bamboo forests. There’s even a bamboo forest I visited on Geoje Island near Busan that is really off the beaten path too. Suffice to say, this bamboo forest in particular is a stunner… a massive stunner. If you haven’t visited Ulsan, Korea, it’s definitely time and when…
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Museum San: How To Get There From Seoul & What You’ll See
Museum San a couple hours from Seoul in Wonju, Korea is an intriguing museum designed by famed architect Tadao Ando. There’s an iconic photo that is posted on Instagram every so often with visitors standing beneath a bright red archway. The red is striking against the natural surroundings. It’s not the easiest museum to get to in Korea, but it’s definitely one of the most interesting as far as architecture and design. If you’re an architecture enthusiast or a design lover and you’re headed to Seoul, make sure you get this into your itinerary if you’ve got time for a little day trip. Museum San has about 1 million visitors…
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Youngwol Y Park: An Epic Art Museum In The Middle Of Nowhere In Korea
If you like hidden art museums and adventures in Korea, you need to find Youngwal Y Park (젊은달와이파크). It’s in the middle of nowhere in Gangwon-do, but if you can figure out how to make the trek out to Youngwol Y Park, it is so so worth it. Striking red installations stand out against the greens of the natural mountainous surroundings. It’s just beautiful. This year I’ve really enjoyed finding artistic installations in hidden spots like the Hamchang Art Road or in Gimpo at the Gimpo Sculpture Park, which is a bit more of a rustic artistic find, but there is just so much to see if you can manage…
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Alpaca World Korea: How To Get There From Seoul & What You’ll See
We took an adventure from Seoul out to Alpaca World (알파카월드) at the beginning of spring this year and the chilly weather now in the autumn has me remembering it. Pictures of alpacas swarmed my Insta last autumn and I saved the spot to wait until it got warmer for us to go. Yes, there are indeed alpacas in Korea and they’ve come all the way from Australia. Are the alpacas in Seoul? No, but close enough. Do you want to go to Alpaca World? You’ve come to the right place. If you’ve got kids in Seoul and want to find some more spots to introduce them to animals and…
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Resom Forest & The Have9 Healing Spa: The Perfect Wellness Getaway in Korea
Resom Forest (리솜포레스트리조트) is a resort in Chungcheongbuk-do, Korea that seeks to provide healing through nature and water. The resort sits in a forest of trees that has been there for a 1000 years and the buildings were built to coexist with their natural surroundings. Through eco-friendly construction and ideals and providing holistic and natural healing programs, the resort has effectively integrated nature, healing, and even adventure for guests that make the trek out to the area. Resom Forest is a spectacular getaway for the adventurer and might just have the best spa in the country. If you’ve had enough city time in Seoul and needs a break to the…
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Dream Park: The Flower Park Near Seoul You Have To See To Believe
I’ve now been to Dream Park (드림파크) in Incheon, just outside of Seoul, three times. It’s a difficult spot to explain with some quirks but it is also home to an amazing flower park that is relatively unknown and quiet most of the year. If you can get there, it’s worth the trip especially in the autumn, but we found some beautiful flowers in the spring in Korea the first time we managed to find the park so there’s that. Each autumn in Korea, it’s a rush to find all of the flower fields and autumn blooms as well as fall foliage as it bursts into color. From forests to…
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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, 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 a rest…
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Off The Beaten Path In Korea: The Hamchang Art Road In Sangju
There are some great places to go in Korea to see artworks and some are so off the beaten path, you really need to be an art lover… or maybe a small town fan. Personally, I love visiting small towns in Korea and hitting townie festivals like the Icheon Sansuyu Festival or visiting the small Hanok Village in Seongju, Gyeongsanbuk-do. Small towns are charming and the people, too. Hamchang in Sangju lived up to my small town expectations with friendly people and the bonus was the scavenger hunt for art. If you want to get off the beaten path in Korea, take a day trip from Seoul or maybe stay…
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Daytrips From Seoul: Oido Island & Daebudo Island
There is more to Korea than Seoul and so often people just miss it. Did you know there are islands just off the west coast and some are even accessible via the Seoul subway system? We took a day trip down to Oido Island and Daebudo Island and it definitely reminded me that I need to get out that way more. Want to take a trip outside of Seoul for the day or the whole weekend? There are awesome islands to visit like Yeongjongdo Island and Ganghwado Island to name a couple and here are two more spots to look into. You won’t be sorry. From ocean blues and salty…
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Where To Surf In Korea: Surfyy Beach
Surfing and Korea are two words that don’t go hand in hand for most people. Ask around about where to go surfing, and people might think of Australia, California, or Hawaii, but surfing is becoming more and more popular for beach goers in this country that is surrounded on three sides with beaches and waves and Surfyy Beach has been on the forefront of the momentum. Want to have fun this summer in Korea? Here’s where to go! While it would have been pretty bizarre to see surfers just a decade ago, it’s a trendy sport now. I still remember the first time I saw surfers on the east coast…
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Andong, Korea: Everything You MUST See, Do, Eat & Try!
Queen Elizabeth II visited Korea and asked to be taken to the most Korean place in Korea and was taken to Andong, so the story goes. If she had asked for the most historical city, she might have been taken to Gyeongju instead. Andong, also called “the capital of Korean spirit”, in Gyeongsangbuk-do is famous for a number of things including wooden masks, a spicy chicken dish called jimdak, the Andong Hahoe Village, and the Andong Mask Dance Festival to name a few. It took me more than a decade to finally visit, but don’t make the same mistake. This charming city has a lot to offer and plenty to…
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Internet Detox & Healing At Healience Seonmaeul Near Seoul
Living in Seoul, Korea can be amazing, fun, and there’s a ton to see but it can also be overwhelming, stressful, and busy. For those times when the city is a bit too much, there are healing and wellness hotels and resorts around Korea and Healience Seonmaeul is one of the best. A big trend in Korea right now is refocusing the ‘self’ and more healing and wellness-centered hotels and resorts are popping up to help people living the fast-paced life rekindle and replant their roots in nature and take a breath. This year I’m in a Wellness Tourism group that is sponsored by the Korea Tourism Organization so I’m…
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Paradise City Resort: THE Hot Spot Near Incheon International Airport
Recently, I had the privilege of heading out to Paradise City Resort in Incheon, a luxury hotel and resort here in Korea, to write an article for Forbes Travel Guide. I was blown away by the new art and entertainment resort near Incheon International Airport. I had actually gone out to the stunning resort last year but didn’t even go inside. You might ask how, but at the time I was just there to check out some of the amazing architecture… which I’ll get to in a bit. After finally going in to the stunning five-star resort not far from Seoul, Korea, now a few times, I can honestly say…
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What To Do Near Incheon International Airport: Beaches, Parks, Cafes & Flowers
Incheon International Airport sits on Yeongjong Island (영종도) just outside of Seoul, Korea and most people visiting Korea will land and leave as quickly as they arrived departing to to places like Seoul, Busan, or Jeju. There’s plenty to do on this island in Incheon though and we’ve headed out a few times over the years to see what there is to see and take advantage of the numerous spots that there are sans crowds because everyone else is trying to get to the mainland. Enjoy the scenery though people… enjoy the scenery! Have a 24 hour layover at Incheon International Airport? Check out those Instagrammable spots in the airport…
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Ulleung-do: A Guide To The Secret Island You NEED To Visit In South Korea
Set 120 kilometers off the eastern coast of South Korea, Ulleung-do, or Ulleung Island, is about as off the beaten path in Korea as you can get. While plenty of people know of the island, it’s not the easiest place to get to and many people just don’t have the time… and you’ll need some time. If you do get to this remote island only accessible via ferry, you’ll be delighted with karsts rising from the emerald blue seas, towering lush green mountains and island life rarely seen in Korea. Brave the erratic weather that surrounds the secret island and you will be rewarded with views for days and a…
