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The Best Places To Go Shopping In Seoul
Shopping in Seoul can be fun, frenzied, and in the hustling bustling shopping neighborhoods, Seoul seems anything but calm. If you’re in the market for K-beauty products, Korean fashion, or just some fun Korean souvenirs, there are plenty of areas you can go. Shopping is a pastime for many a local and some tourists come to Seoul with the sole purpose of filling up their luggage with Korean goods. From the best shopping malls in Seoul to the most popular places to buy Korean fashion, there’s a lot to know and more places to go than you might realize. Here are the best areas to go shopping in Seoul and…
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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. Make sure to take note of that “short” in the first sentence too, because boy is it short. While autumn does exist in Korea, it’s not the month or more long back-to-school autumn of Ohio that I grew up with, but rather a few week long hit or miss sort of season. It will be here and then with one rain, the leaves are down, the temps are down too and welp, there goes fall. Enjoy it while you…
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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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12 Fun Fall Festivals in Korea
Fall is one of those seasons that is just dazzling in South Korea, if you’re not staying indoors depressed that summer is saying goodbye for another nine months. From cultural and traditional events to foodie fun and performances, too, there is much to enjoy all around the country. Here are 11 Fun Fall Festivals in Korea to check out. While festivals might be the best way to enjoy the season, there are plenty of other things to do like find the fall foliage and eat the cinnamon hoddeoks from the street food carts. Of course, do NOT forget that there are some gorgeous flowers that bloom in the autumn and…
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Animal Fun For Everyone at Zoolung Zoolung
Looking for things to do in Seoul with kids? We are always on the hunt for great places to take kids that are clean, kid-friendly, and allow her to experience and learn something. Zoolung Zoolung (주렁주렁) is one of those places just made for the child in all of us and definitely geared toward the children we have tag along with us. Looking for a petting zoo in Korea? A place for your kids to learn about animals and maybe feed a few? This is where to go. What To Know Before You Go: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if…
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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. It’s 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. Gwangjang Traditional 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… Gwangjang Market is…
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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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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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The Soul of Seoul Tours: Hanboks, Tea & Gold Recap
This past weekend, The Soul of Seoul Tours held our Hanboks, Tea & Gold event and boy was it fun, not to mention beautiful! The group started at a Hanbok rental shop at 10:00am and was dressed head, and some, to toe in traditional Korean clothing. Each person chose from a selection of brightly colored skirts and tops, changed and then had their hair done. They had the option to carry a provided purse as well so the whole outfit could be in the style of traditional Korea. After the group was dressed and good to go, we headed to Unhyeongung Palace or royal residence. The residence provided a chance…
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Sea LaLa Water Park: Indoor Family Fun In Mullae-dong
Looking for an indoor water park in Seoul, Korea? I’ve got one to tell you about that is very kid-friendly and parent-friendly too! Sea Lala (씨랄라 워터파크) sits in the area of Mullae-dong which is more popular for the street art and iron works among most expats in Korea, but there are some cool hidden gems there for families living in Korea. If you’re ready to get wet and wild with your kids in Seoul, put this fun spot on your list of places to go. (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…