Explore Seoul (서울탐험)
Top things to see in Seoul. The best things to do in Seoul. Best cafes and restaurants to find in Seoul. Mountains, parks, and more things to do in Seoul, Korea. (서울에서 볼 수 있는 최고의 물건들. 서울에서 할 수 있는 가장 좋은 일들. 서울에서 찾을 수 있는 최고의 카페와 식당. 산, 공원, 그리고 한국의 서울에서 할 수 있는 더 많은 것들이 있다.)
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Fall In Seoul: The Foliage, Festivals & Fun Guide
From fall foliage to roadside eats that send cinnamon and nutty aromas into the air, there is so much to enjoy for the short time that autumn hits the Korean peninsula. Fall is the best time to visit Korea and here is why. Watch as the perfectly shaped maple leaves fall to the ground and look forward to the magnificently yellow Ginkgo leaves lining the streets. Enjoy the air that isn’t humid anymore and the views that are just crisper somehow. Here is a guide to fall in Seoul. Want to skip around this post? Here are the sections to look out for: (This page contains affiliate links. That means…
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A Guide To Yeonnam-dong: The Hot Spot Near Hongdae in Seoul
Yeonnam-dong, a neighborhood near Hongdae, a hotspot for live music, bars, and a local busking scene, has seen a lot of popularity in recent years. The first six years I lived in the area, it was under construction and no one wanted to cross the street to walk the area but as soon as Gyeongui Line Forest Park, also called Yeontral Park as an ode to New York’s Central Park, opened, the neighborhood saw a popularity it hadn’t seen in ages. There are now tons of cafes, restaurants, and a gorgeous, albeit very thing, park where locals and visitors rest, picnic, and walk. If you want to check out one…
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The Complete Guide: The 8 Gates of The Seoul Fortress Wall
The Seoul Fortress Wall runs 18.6 kilometers around the center of the city of Seoul and sits up high on the mountains of Bugaksan, Naksan, Namsan and Inwangsan and sits down low running through Dongdaemun too. Initially built in 1396, it took 98 days and just over 197,000 people helped in the construction. The Seoul Fortress Wall is one of those sites that most tourists don’t directly seek out but will run into at some point while they’re visiting Seoul, Korea. On the other hand, people who become residents of Seoul for a period of time might make it a mission to walk the entire fortress wall during their time…
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A Day At The Horse Races in Seoul
Looking to head to the horse races in Korea? Well, you can. One of only two parks in Korea for thoroughbred flat races, the Seoul Lets Run Park (렛츠런파크서울) in Gwacheon is huge and really takes the cake for a place offering a different kind of fun day out. Head just south of Seoul to Gwacheon, Korea and you can enjoy the Seoul horse races at this family-friendly venue. Experience the horse races in Korea: (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 to keep up this blog. Thanks for…
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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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Cheap Infinity Pool In Seoul: Take Your Kids This Summer
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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Gwangjang Market: How To Get There & What To Eat
Gwangjang Market (광장시장) is one of the largest traditional markets in Korea and was even featured on Netflix’s Chef’s Table. If you’re in the city for any amount of time and looking for one of the best places to eat in Seoul, this is a must visit. Gwangjang traditional market is a well known market for fabric and Hanboks, but it’s also known for eats eats eats and it’s not just visited by tourists, but locals frequent Gwangjang Market, too. The market is one of my top recommendations for tourists, visitors, friends, and family when it comes to where to eat in Seoul. I just love it… and here’s why……
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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 Cutest Thing in Hongdae: The Hello Kitty Cafe
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. There’s a cafe in Hongdae that has the most fun pop-ups and this is one of them. (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 The Hello Kitty Cafe is no longer in Hongdae, but this building is still run by Sanrio and is now…
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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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Unhyeongung Palace: Perfect For Traditional Photos In Seoul
Unhyeongung Palace or Royal Residence (운현궁) sits quietly along the road just south of the touristy and popular Bukchon Hanok Village. This quaint and more rustic collection of historic Hanoks is easily accessible and if you want beautiful photos with Hanok buildings sans crowds, you should definitely visit Unyeongung Royal Residence. With five palaces in Seoul to choose from when visiting the capital of South Korea, it’s easy to head to the biggest and grandest of them all, Gyeongbukgung Palace, and call it a day. I often recommend the palace to tourists saying that if they’ve only a short time, it is a must see. That isn’t to say that…
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Seonyudo Park: One Of The Best Kept Secrets In Seoul
Seonyudo Park sits on an island on the Han River in Seoul, Korea between Hapjeong and Dangsan and is one of the best kept secrets in Seoul. The island, only accessible by foot bridge, walking, or bus, used to house a water treatment plant but in the effort to bring green space back to Seoul, it was released back to nature. Just south of the popular art and live music district known as Hongdae sits Seonyudo Island. There are only a few islands on the Han River that are accessible and this park is one cool one to find. Crossing the bridge from Hapjeong Station to Dangsan Station, I’ve seen…
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Ansan Mountain In Seoul Is A Cherry Blossom Best Kept Secret
If you’re looking for a beautiful cherry blossom spot in Seoul you might not have heard about, here it is: Ansan Mountain. When the cherry blossoms begin to bloom in Seoul, the city awakens from the winter and it is gorgeous. There are some really popular cherry blossom hot spots to find like Yeouido Island, Seokchon Lake or Namsan Mountain where Namsan Tower/N Seoul Tower sits, but there are also just cherry blossoms cherry blossoms cherry blossoms everywhere you look. It’s actually really common for people to walk out their front doors only to realize that their street was lined with cherry blossom trees all year but they didn’t realize…
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Bongeunsa Temple: The Must See Korean Temple In Gangnam
Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사) is definitely one of the most popular Korean temples in Seoul along with Jogyesa temple. The popular temple sits in the ritzy Gangnam-gu area and tourists from near and far stop by as it’s an easy temple to find while out and about. While most of Korea’s Buddhist temples are set up in mountains entailing at least a short walk or hike into a forest, Bongeunsa is one of a few temples in Seoul that sprawls over an expanse that sits just beyond a major thoroughfare, though of course it wasn’t planned to be that way. While I would direct tourists to take the time to hike…
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The Gyeongui Line Forest Park: An Urban Park Near Hongdae
I'm sure by now you've heard of the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail Park that was just completed near Hongdae. This park stretches from Hongik Subway Station exit 3 back to Hongjecheon Stream which could lead you south to the Han River or north to a waterfall if you continued a walk in the area.
