Discover South Korea
WITH ZIMMIN AROUND THE WORLD.
Namhansanseong: A UNESCO World Heritage Site Day Trip from Seoul
When I was planning my last trip to Seoul, I wanted to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one that was within reach using public transportation. I’d already explored some of Seoul’s more famous attractions, so I started looking for something different, that is how I ended up visiting Namhansanseong Fortress from Seoul. Located in the mountains just outside of Seoul, Namhansanseong Fortress isn’t the first place that comes to mind for most travelers visiting Korea, but this historic fortress is full of history, natural beauty, and stunning architecture. In thig guide, I’ll explain how I got to Namhansanseong Fortress from Seoul, what to see, information on the site, and whether I think it’s worth adding to your Seoul itinerary. Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit my affiliate link page. Thanks for the support! Why I Visited Namhansanseong Fortress It’s simple, I wanted to visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Korea. I’ve already visited a few sites around Korea, but I was looking for an easy one I could do on my own as a day trip from Seoul. While planning for my trip to Seoul, it was either Namhansanseong Fortress or Hwaseong Fortress and Namhansanseong Fortress worked well with my itinerary. While doing research on the fortress, I admired the natural beauty surrounding Namhansanseong Fortress. Based on the landscape and history, I wanted to see Namhansanseong Fortress for myself. zimminaroundtheworld 🇺🇸🇩🇪 A long weekend in Taipei #taipei #taiwan Exploring Seoul’s Night Markets #seoul #nightmarke Instagram post 17921232900184907 Instagram post 17894889621541727 Load More Follow on Instagram About Namhansanseong Fortress Namhansanseong Fortress is a historic mountain fortress located southeast of Seoul and is one of South Korea’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Namhansanseong was originally developed as a defensive stronghold but it was also used as an emergency capital during the Joseon Dynasty. During times of war, the fortress became the Kings emergency palace. It also housed upwards to 4,000 people. Namhansanseong Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its date of inscription is 2014. Looking for More Things to do in Seoul? From more historical attractions and night markets to day trips and skyscrapers. View More How to get to Namhansanseong from Seoul Getting to Namhansanseong Fortress from Seoul is pretty straightforward and can be done entirely using public transportation. I stayed in the Myeongdong area of Seoul. Here is the route I took from Myeongdong to Namhansanseong Fortress. Getting to Namhansanseong at a Glance Euljiro 1 (il)-ga subway station (Green Line) → Jamsil Station (Pink Line) → Sanseong Station → Bus No. 9, 9-1, or 52 → Namhansanseong Fortress I stayed at the hotel, Ehwa in Myeongdong and walked about 10 minutes to the Green Line, Euljiro 1-ga. I took Line 2 from here to Jamsil Station. Jamsil Station is where you get off if you want to visit the Lotte World Tower. At Jamsil Station, I took Line 8 to Sanseong Station. I followed the signs to Exit 2 and walked straight ahead to the bus stop. It’s a small neighborhood bus stop. I boarded Bus 52 that took me directly to Namhansanseong Fortress. To get back to Seoul, I just back tracked and took the same exact route. Explore Namhansanseong and the Area Namhansanseong, in my opinion, makes for a great day trip from Seoul. It’s more then just a historic site. Throughout the area, you’ll find historic buildings, temples, shrines, monuments, and a network of trails. I really enjoyed wandering around Namhansanseong Fortress. The combination of history and beautiful scenery made it feel like I was far from Seoul. Walking the Fortress Walls One of the best ways to experience Namhansanseong is simply to walk along the historic walls. In fact, there are hiking trails that follow the walls. Walking the walls offer views of the historic fortress and scenic views. You don’t have to complete the full route that follows the walls as this would take a full day but feel free to choose sections or just walk to a wall for the views. Namhansanseong’s Historic Gates As I explored the fortress, I noticed the impressive gate, especially the Hannamlu Gate prior to entering Namhansanseong Fortress Temporary Palace. The Hannamlu Gate is a great stop for photos and gave me a better idea of how extensive Namhansanseong Fortress really was. Namhansanseong Fortress Temporary Palace The highlight of my visit was to walk around Namhansanseong Fortress itself. After passing through the Hannamlu Gate, I walked through the maze of shrines, buildings, halls, and pathways. When I visited, it was a cloudy and drizzly morning, but I felt like I had the palace to myself. Other places I recommend seeing within Namhansanseong Fortress Temporary Palace are Inhwagwan and the Bronze Bell of Cheonheungsa Temple, and Looking for More Things to do in Seoul? From more historical attractions and night markets to day trips and skyscrapers. View More Nearby Neighborhood Don’t leave just yet! After visiting Namhansanseong Fortress, cross the street, near the Namhansanseong South Gate Parking and walk around the neighborhood. The architecture of the buildings here were simply beautiful. There are also some cafés and restaurants here that seemed worthwhile. If you are looking for a quick snack, there are convenience stores (GS25 & mart24) as well. FAQ About Namhansanseong Fortress Is Namhansanseong Fortress Temporary Palace worth visiting? Yes, especially if you enjoy Korean history, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exploring historical sites, hiking, or just getting away from the city. How do you get to Namhansanseong from Seoul? The easiest ways to get to Namhansanseong from Seoul is to take public transportation. Take the subway to Sanseong Station on Line 8. From there hop on a local bus to Namhansanseong. How much time do you need at Namhansanseong? I recommend spending at least 24 hours at Namhansanseong Fortress. If you plan on hiking or dining at restaurants there, plan more time. Take transportation into account which can take 1-2 hours each way. Final Thoughts on Visiting Namhansanseong Fortress Visiting Namhansanseong was a little different from the typical attractions I visited in Seoul. I mainly wanted to visit because I was looking for another UNESCO World Heritage Site in South Korea, and it was well worth the effort. If you plan to spend several days in Seoul and want to explore outside the city, I think Namhansanseong is an exceptional option to consider. It’s not as well known as some of Seoul’s major attractions, but that is part of the appeal. Have you visited Namhansanseong or other UNESCO World Heritage Sites near Seoul? Let me know in the comments. Safe Travels! Enjoying my Photos and Want to See More? See and Get Exclusive Images at my Picfair Store, Here. Thanks for the Support! View Store Plan Your Trip: 🗺️ ✈️ 🇰🇷 Everything You Need for Your South Korea Trip From where you sleep to what you do — these are the platforms I use and trust when planning every trip. Tours & Tickets Book your south korea tour Through Get Your Guide, you can browse the many tours from the DMZ to food tours. Get Your Guide Hotels in Seoul Find Your Stay on Booking.com Best rates in Seoul – stay close to Myeongdong or splurge elsewhere in the city. BOOKING Alternative Stays Search on Agoda Great for comparing boutique hotels, B&Bs, and apartments. Often uncovers deals Booking.com misses. AGODA Activities & Day Trips The exact tour i took I booked this food tour through Viator and highly recommend it. VIATOR MORE Seoul TOURS Browse on Klook Find entrance tickets like to the Lotte Tower and other attractions on Klook. Klook Travel eSIM Travel esims to stay connected Airalo is an easy to use eSIM that has great coverage in Seoul. Airalo
Gwangjang Market Food Tour: 14 Korean Foods You Need to Try in Seoul
If there is one place in Seoul that I recommend where you can eat your way through all types of Korean food, in one afternoon or evening, it’s Gwangjang Market. I’ve visited Gwangjang Market a few times now, but on my last trip, I joined a food tour through this famous market and got a chance to try 14 different Korean dishes and drinks, from familiar favorites like kimbap and tteokbokki. I booked my Gwangjang Market Food Tour through Viator, and having a local guide made the experience very enjoyable. Instead of wandering around wondering what to eat, the guide had us try his favorite Korean dishes. In this guide, I’ll take you on a Korean food tour with me and explain the dishes I tried at Gwangjang Market, my thoughts, and more about the tour, Korean food, and Seoul in general. Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit my affiliate link page. Thanks for the support! All You Need to Know About Gwangjang Market What is Gwangjang Market Seoul has a lot of great street and night markets and Gwangjang Market is amongst my favorite. It’s one of the city’s most famous traditional markets and has an incredible selection of fresh Korean food. Gwangjang Market is a great place to explore, even beyond food. Walking through the market, you’ll find rows of stalls selling everything from traditional Korea foods to clothing, fabrics, and handmade goods. Where is Gwangjang Market Located in the Jongno District of Seoul, Gwangjang Market is easily reachable by public transit or on foot, depending where you are staying. If you are relying on public transport to reach Gwangjang Market, I recommend getting off at Jongno 5 subway station on the Blue Line. I stayed in the Myeongdong area of Seoul and ended up walking to Gwangjang Market, it was roughly 20-25 minutes. Brief History of Gwangjang Market Gwangjang Market started in 1905 and is still thriving today. It was a well established market at a time when many other markets were temporary or had limited times. Ultimately the market grew and catered to people traveling between the Jongno and Dongdaemun areas. Because of its location and popularity, Gwangjang Market developed into the large market you see today. What is Gwangjang Market Famous For? Gwangjang Market is popular with both locals and tourists. For many visitors, the food is the main reason to visit. The market is jam packed with stalls, food vendors, and restaurants. Some of the well known food are gimbap, mung bean pancakes, and tteokbokki. I love the sheer variety found at Gwangjang Market. Every time I come here, I visit new stalls and try different dishes. It can be overwhelming, which is why I ended up doing a food tour of Gwangjang Market. zimminaroundtheworld 🇺🇸🇩🇪 A long weekend in Taipei #taipei #taiwan Exploring Seoul’s Night Markets #seoul #nightmarke Instagram post 17921232900184907 Instagram post 17894889621541727 Load More Follow on Instagram Why Take a Gwangjang Market Food Tour? Gwangjang Market is easy enough to explore on your own. In fact, I did when I first visited Seoul. But there are so many food stalls and options to choose from, it can be difficult to know what to try, especially if it’s your first time. Taking a Gwangjang Market food tour means the guide already has everything figured out, from the best stalls to the must-try dishes. My tour allowed me to sample 14 different food dishes and drink sand learn more about what we were eating. If you are visiting Seoul for the first time or don’t want to tackle a market alone, a food tour is the best way to experience Gwangjang Market. Book a Gwangjang Market Food Tour I booked my Gwangjang Market food tour through Viator, it was a great way to experience the market and sample local eats. Check out the Gwangjang Market Food Tour I took ⏰ This is one of the most popular tours in Seoul, so make sure to secure your spot ahead of time by booking online through Viator. 14 Food & Drink we Tried on Our Gwangjang Market Food Tour The thing I love about food tours, is the variety and amount of food you get to try. I’ve done food tours in Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, and many other places and they are always one of the highlights of my trip. Not only did we sample delicious Korean food, we also got to try local alcoholic beverages and learned about Korean customs, culture, and the food itself on this food tour. Below are the Korean dishes and drinks we sampled at Gwangjang Market. 1. Mayak kimbap Our Seoul street food market tour started with a local street food called Mayak Kimbap. Mayak Kimbap is a bite-sized seaweed roll that is filled with rice and vegetables. I am not big on seaweed wrapped rice, but this was actually pretty good. For those that don’t know Korean, “Mayak” means drug as in it is addictive and that refers to the mustard sauce served with the kimbap. The dipping sauce is very good, but pretty spicy. 2. Tteokbokki If you are familiar with Korean food, then you already know, seen, or maybe even tried, Tteokbokki. Tteokbokki is one of Korea’s most popular street food dishes. If you are wondering what to eat at Gwangjang Market, I’d start with Tteokbokki. It’s made from Korean rice cakes and is cooked in a sweet and spicy sauce, traditionally gochujang, which is a red chili paste. The sauce is where the flavor is! The rice cakes are soft and chewy and it’s kind of fun to eat. You’ll see it at all night markets in Korea, they sell them to with chicken. I like it a lot, but honestly I can only eat so many, it’s best in small amounts for me. It is a classic Korean comfort food and one of the dishes I was excited to try during the Gwangjang Market food tour. 3. Kimchi & Gogi Mandu One of my favorite things I tried at the Gwangjang Market was Kimchi Mandu. These are Korean dumplings that are filled with in this case kimchi, but you can also find ones with pork, tofu, and other vegetables. The kimchi mandu is nice because you get a little sweet and spicy from the kimchi. Gogi Mandu are meatfilled dumplings filled with minced pork and green onions. I liked both of the dumplings, so it was nice to be able to sample each one. This tour allowed us to eat as many as we wanted. There is one place at Gwangjang Market that is famous for their Kimchi and Kalguksu Mandu, and it’s Gohyang Kalguksu. Gohyang Kalguksu was even featured on Netflix’s Street Food: Asia. We got to meet the owner, she was super friendly, and we tried numerous other dishes from Gohyang Kalguksu to include Kalguksu and Interested in Visiting Other Markets in Seoul? I wrote a post on some of my favorite markets around the city with recommendations, tips, and more. Read More 4. Kalguksu Another dish we tried from the same vendor, Gohyang Kalguksu was Kalguksu. This is a knife-cut wheat noodle served in a warm and savory broth. The broth had a warm pepper taste to it with seaweed and other vegetables. Trying kalguksu was a nice change of pace from some of the other dishes we tried. 5. Nokdu bindae-tteok Another one of my favorite Korean street food dishes was the Nokdu bindae-tteok. This is a traditional Korean mung bean pancake. We tried two, one plain and one with meat, I loved both but preferred the pork filled one. At Gwangjang Market, you can see vendors making the Nokdu bindae-tteok fresh in front of you. They grind the mung beans and mix with ingredients and then cook on a hot griddle. The combination of the crispy exterior and flavorful filling made it easy to see why it’s a favorite at Gwangjang Market. 6. Gogi-Wanja Along with the Nokdu bindae-tteok, we also tried Gogi-Wanja. Gogi-wanja is a Korean meatball or meat patty. Gogi-wanja is typically made with ground pork but beef is also popular. The ones we had were pork filled and they smashed them like pancakes and fried until golden brown. 7. Yuk-heo Yuk-how is a Korean dish of seasoned raw beef like beef tartare but it’s thinly sliced strips with sesame oil. I really enjoy raw beef and thought the sesame oil paired nicely with the meat. You can’t eat to much of it, so it’s a great appetizer or small side dish. Looking for Things to do in Seoul Beyond Visiting Markets? Seoul is a huge city with so much to see and do. I wrote a post on things that can’t be missed in Seoul. Read More 8. San-nakji San-nakji is a famous Korean dish and a must for first-time visitors to South Korea. It’s fresh raw octopus that is cut into small pieces and served immediately with sesame oil. What makes this dish bizarre is that many of the octopus pieces are still moving or squirming around the plate. The texture can be an issue to some but it’s chewy, sticky, and moves. Don’t let them steer you away from trying San-nakji as it is flavorful and fun to eat. Interested in Bizarre Food? I wrote a post dedicated to bizarre food I’ve tried around the world. Beondegi Made the list. Read More 9. Ddukbulgogi Another soup dish I tried on my Korean food tour was Ddukbulgogi. For the most part, most people are familiar with bulgogi, it’s thinly slices, marinated beef and it’s delicious in anything it goes in. We tried Ddukbulogi at a restaurant while drinking Korean beers and Soju, it pairs nicely with drinks. This dish is a stew made with bulgogi and vegetables, served in a piping hot earthenware pot. 10. Bibimbap Bibimbap is one of my all time favorite Korean dishes and it’s one of Korea’s best-known meals. Bibimbap means “mixed rice” and it’s a unique dish that comes in all sorts of varieties. Bibimbap usually consists of rice with assorted vegetables, meat, a fried egg, and gochujang. The bowl is a hot earthenware pot where the rice caramelizes on the bottom, you then mix everything together. It’s simple and so delicious. 11. Kkwabaegi What better way to end the Seoul food tour then with dessert? Kkwabaegi is a twisted Korean donut made from sweet yeast dough that is twisted and fried. The Kkwabaegi I had was coated in sugar. The texture was light and fluffy, it was delicious and the perfect ending to our Gwangjang Market food tour. 12. Yakgwa Our food tour guide gave us each a Yakgwa. This is a traditional Korean honey cookie made of wheat flour, honey, sesame oil, and other ingredients. The cookie is then deep fried and soaked in a sweet syrup. It’s more of a dessert treat or snack, I took mine with and ate in the next day on the way to Namhansanseong. Honestly, I enjoyed the Yakgwa but it was overly sweet. I could only eat but one at a time. 13. Makgeolli Makgeolli is a traditional Korean rice wine, it’s milky, sweet, and kind of fizzy. I’ve never had this before but it seemed to be quite popular! Again, this is the benefit of joining a food tour in Korea, I found a lot of new to me drinks! The alcohol content is pretty low but served chilled, it was refreshing and went great with food. 14. Soju / Maekju If you travel to Korea and don’t try Soju, then have you even been to Korea? It’s everywhere and seems to be enjoyed by all! This clear spirit is made from grains or starches and has a clean and sweet flavor. To me, it tastes like watered down vodka. But
DMZ Tour from Seoul: My Experience Visiting the Demilitarized Zone
Visiting the Korean DMZ was one of the more interesting experiences I’ve had while traveling in South Korea. A DMZ tour from Seoul was not simply a sightseeing trip. Our tour took us to Imjingak Park, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, the Dora Observatory, a Unification Village, and the opportunity to attend a live talk from a North Korean defector. In this guide, I’ll share exactly what my DMZ tour from Seoul was like, what you can expect from each stop, and whether I think a DMZ tour is worth adding to your South Korea itinerary. Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit my affiliate link page. Thanks for the support! Edit 📍 Location DMZ, South Korea 🚍 Starting Point Seoul ⏰ Duration Full Day (Approx. 7-8 Hours) 🛑 Stops Imjingak Park, Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory, Unification Village 🙋♀️ Special Experience North Korean Defector Talk 🚶♂️ Difficulty Moderate – Especially the Third Tunnel 🪪 Passport Required 💰 Price $$-$$$ 🎫 Tour Seoul: DMZ Tour 📅 Planning Your Own DMZ Trip? I took a guided DMZ tour from Seoul and highly recommend booking in advance. Tours can fill up, and access to the DMZ is subject to military restrictions. 👉 Here is the exact tour I took: Seoul DMZ Tour with JSA Museum and Defector What is the DMZ Officially the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) the DMZ is a strip of land that separates North Korea and South Korea. The DMZ is considered one of the most heavily guarded borders in the world and stretches about 250 kilometers (155 miles) across the Korean Peninsula. The zone itself is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide and is heavily fortified on each side active troops station just outside the boundaries. The area is also filled with watchtowers, fences, landmines, and other military infrastructure. zimminaroundtheworld 🇺🇸🇩🇪 A long weekend in Taipei #taipei #taiwan Exploring Seoul’s Night Markets #seoul #nightmarke Instagram post 17921232900184907 Instagram post 17894889621541727 Load More Follow on Instagram Why Was the DMZ Created? I don’t want to turn this into a Korean War history lesson but a brief description is necessary. This information is what I learned from our guides while driving from Seoul to the DMZ. The DMZ was created at the end of the Korean War in 1953. After years of fighting between North Korea, South Korea, and several other countries involved, a Korean Armistice Agreement was signed on July 27, 1953. Rather than being a peace treaty, the Armistice Agreement was basically an agreement to stop fighting, so technically the Korean War never ended with a peace treaty and the two countries are still at war. Initially after the agreement was signed, the two sides created a Military Demarcation Line (MDL) and it’s been in place ever since. Don’t Miss Out on this unique Day Tour to the DMZ from Seoul Visiting the DMZ is a once in a lifetime experience. I booked this exact tour based on my interest in joining a talk with a North Korean Defector, it was 100% worth it! Click Here for the Exact DMZ Tour I did ⏰ Spots are strictly limited each day. Popular dates sell out weeks in advance — especially in summer and around holidays. Can You Visit the DMZ? Yes, visitors can tour the DMZ but it is not an ordinary tourist attraction. It’s technically a military area, so access is controlled, and areas open to tourists can change depending on military and security conditions. Most people that visit the DMZ do so through tours from Seoul as part of a guided trip. Our guide told us that each tour group has to basically be a bus full of at least 30-35 people. I booked this tour, through Get Your Guide and it took us to several locations around the DMZ to include Imjingak Peace Park, the Third Infiltration Tunnel, Dora Observatory, and a unification village. I also had the opportunity to hear firsthand stories from a North Korean defector, which ended up being one of the highlights of the DMZ tour. Visiting the DMZ was so interesting. I felt like I wasn’t just visiting a historical site, but an active site that is still unfolding to this day. Looking for More Things to do in Seoul? From more historical attractions and night markets to day trips and skyscrapers. View More What You Need to Know for the Tour The DMZ tours are very well planned and organized. But there are a few things I want to mention so you are prepared for your day trip to the DMZ from Seoul. Bring Your Passport Passports are mandatory to visit the DMZ. You are entering an active military zone. Once the bus stops at the check point, a military official enters the bus and checks each visitors passport. There is No Dress Code You are not required to dress a certain way. But keep in mind that there are some physical activities during the tour. The Third Infiltration Tunnel involves a long walk down a steep incline. Dress for comfort, you are outside all day. I had a pair of shorts on and a quick dry shirt. Also, don’t forget an umbrella. It rained the day I visited the DMZ. Photography is Prohibited at Certain Locations The tour guide will let you know immediately that photography is prohibited in certain areas within the DMZ. Photography is prohibited because it’s an active military zone and the current president is trying to improve relationships with North Korea. There are a few areas where photography is allowed, your tour guide will let you know. Don’t be that tourist that tries to sneak a picture and ruin it for the rest of us. There is No Official Lunch Break The DMZ Tour stops at a few locations that do sell food in case you need to eat or want to try local cuisine. But there is no official stop for lunch. There are food options at Imjingak Peace Park, The Dora Observatory, and the Unification Village. But it’s on your own time. DMZ Tour from Seoul If you are looking for things to do in Seoul, I highly recommend putting one day aside and going on a tour of the DMZ. It was one of the most interesting and different tours I’ve been on. If you decide to take a DMZ tour from Seoul, I’ve outlined my experience and tour itinerary below – from what transportation is like to the various DMZ sites I visited that day. Tour, Meeting, and Transportation I booked this exact tourSeoul: DMZ Tour with JSA Museum and Defector. Honestly, the live talk by the North Korean defector really caught my interest. Outside of the Talk given by the defector, many of the other tours have similar if not identical itineraries. I stayed in the Myeongdong area of Seoul which is exactly where the meeting point for the tour was. The bus picked up a group from Myeongdong and from Hongik University area. The bus was a typical tour bus with probably 40+ seats. It was pretty decked out with vibrant lights. The seats were comfortable and had charging for USB-A and USB-C. Depending on traffic, the drive was about 1.5 to 2 hours on a comfortable bus. Imjingak Peace Park Our first major stop on the DMZ tour was Imjingak Peace Park located in Paju, not far from the DMZ itself. Imjingak Peace Park was created as a place of remembrance and hope for millions of people affected by the separation of Korea. Our tour guide gave us a quick 15 minute overview of the Peace Park and then we had some free time to explore the park. One of the most recognizable sights at Imjingak Peace Park is the Freedom Bridge. The Freedom Bridge is a former railroad bridge that crosses the Imjin River. It was used to transport prisoners of war. Another interesting sight was the Steam Locomotive. The locomotive on site was derailed by bombs during the Korean War. There are over 1,200 bullet holes on the locomotive. Beyond the Freedom Bridge and locomotive, there are many monuments, memorials, and observation areas around Imjingak Peace Park. Dora Observatory The Dora Observatory was our chance to actually see into North Korea. The day I visited, it was rainy and overcast so visibility was limited. But I still saw a vehicle driving, agriculture fields, mountains, and infrastructure. It was an unreal experience, I didn’t want to leave. I’d seen photographs of the DMZ before, but actually standing there looking into North Korea was something I’ll never forget. There are binoculars available at the observatory. I looked through them expecting to see what my mind thinks North Korea looks like, but instead it was a peaceful landscape. That is kind of what felt so strange to me. On a clear day you can see the Propaganda Village, known as Kijongdong and another town called Kaesong. The Dora Observatory does have a cafe and restrooms. The Third Infiltration Tunnel Our tour stopped at the Third Infiltration Tunnel after the Dora Observatory. To me, this was the most interesting and most physically challenging stop along our DMZ tour. This tunnel is one of the four known tunnels that were discovered beneath the border between North and South Korea. It was discovered in 1978 and is 1,635 m long and 73 m underground. The tunnel was created by North Koreans to launch a surprise attack on South Korea. Today, visitors can walk 265m into the tunnel. Trust me, it’s more challenging then I expected, although doable if you are fit. The route down into the tunnel is fairly steep and narrow in places. Walking to the end of the tunnel is 100% worth the effort. At the end you will see a series of concrete barriers and an opening where the Military Demarcation Line is. There is no photography allowed inside the tunnel. The DMZ is worth a visit and a unique experience Don’t pass it up! The DMZ is a popular attraction in Korea and can book up quickly, secure your tickets. Book Online Tours Here 📅 Check your travel dates now. Tours can book up during holidays and weekends. Visiting a Unification Village + JSA Museum The DMZ Tour I went on included a stop at their very own JSA Museum, exclusive only to VIP Travel. Since the Joint Security Area (JSA) is no longer possible to visit because someone had to ruin it for everyone, VIP Travel set up a replicate JSA for us tourists to see. Within the museum, there are a few information panels and interactive displays showing events that happened during the Korean War. There is also a replica of the JSA buildings here that you can go inside and take fun photos. The JSA Museum is located inside a unification village. We got to see a little bit of what life is like near the DMZ. There was a market we went to that had local eats and souvenirs. I tried the famous soybean ice cream at the market and it was great, highly recommended! Live Talk from a North Korean Defector One of the reasons I booked this exact DMZ Tour was because it included a North Korean Defector live talk and Q&A. The North Korea Defector that gave the live talk that day was Mrs. Sharon Jang, the author of the book “Girl With Black Makeup.” Mrs. Sharon Jang told us her story, what life was like in North Korea, how she escaped, and what her life is like now in South Korea. The floor was then open to questions and answers. She did an amazing job with providing detailed answers to everyone’s questions. It was so interesting listening to her stories. If interested you can find her book, Girl With Black Makeup, on Amazon, here. DMZ
Seoul’s 5 Royal Palaces: Top Cultural Sites You Can’t Miss
Visiting Seoul’s Royal Palaces is a must when traveling to South Korea’s largest city. There are a total of five royal palaces in Seoul scattered throughout the city. Gyeongbokgung Palace is the grandest and most visited, but they are all unique and worth visiting. Perfect for first-time visitors to Seoul and anyone who loves culture and history, exploring Seoul’s royal palaces is my top recommendation and one of the best things to do in Seoul. ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Seoul’s 5 Royal Palaces Seoul’s five Royal Palaces include: Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung, and Gyeonghuigung. These royal palaces are from the Joseon Dynasty. The Joseon Dynasty started in 1392 until 1897. Scattered across the city, the royal palaces offer a mix of grand throne halls, peaceful gardens, and traditional Korean architecture. Some palaces are more grand then others, but I do recommend adding all five to your Seoul travel itinerary. In case you don’t have time to fit them all in, I recommend starting with Gyeongbokgung Palace, it is the grandest of them all. It took me three visits to Seoul to finally see all five of the palaces. I made this post to provide you with information on each palace to assist with planning and just to provide basic information on each site. Changdeokgung Palace Changdeokgung Palace is one of the mots beautiful and historically significant of the royal palaces in Seoul. It was first constructed in 1405, the fifth year of the 3rd King Taejong’s reign. Unfortunately, the palace was completely destroyed by fire in the late 1500’s during the Japanese invasion. It was restored in 1610. Changdeokgung Palace was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997. This palace is known for its harmonious design that blends naturally with the landscape. Besides Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung Palace is my favorite palace in Seoul and it’s easily within walking distance from Gyeongbokgung. Admission Adults: ￦ 3,000 Children (18 and under): Free *Admission and Hours are from the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center Website. Hours ❌ Closed Mondays February-May/September-October: 9:00 – 18:00 (Last Admission is 17:00) June-August: 9:00 – 18:30 (Last Admission 17:30) November-January: 9:00-17:30 (Last Admission 16:30) Changgyeonggung Palace Changgyeonggung is the neighboring palace from Changdeokgung Palace and is often times overlooked. But I recommend visiting Changgyeonggung Palace especially if you are already at Changdeokgung Palace. Built by King Seongjong in 1483, Changgyeonggung Palace was originally built as a residence for the queens and other royal members during the Joseon Dynasty. Like its neighboring palace, Changgyeonggung was destroyed during the Japanese invasion and was rebuilt in 1616. The palace you see today features elegant halls, beautiful walking paths, and gardens. Admission Adults: ￦ 1,000 Children (18 and under): Free *Admission and Hours are from the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center Website. Hours ❌ Closed Mondays January through December: 9:00 – 21:00 (Last Admission 20:00) Deoksugung Palace Deoksugung Palace stands out as one of the more unique palaces because of its lend of traditional Korean architecture and Western-style buildings within the palace grounds. Deoksugung Palace was a temporary palace and like all the other palaces, it was destroyed during the Japanese invasion. Deoksugung Palace was also under Japanese rule for a 35 year period between 1910 and 1945. Deoksugung Palace is a picturesque palace known for its romantic walking paths, elegant Junghwajeon Hall, and the historic Seokjojeon. Admission Adult: ￦ 3,000 Children (18 and under): Free *Admission and Hours are from the Royal Palaces and Tombs Center Website. Hours ❌ Closed Mondays 9:00 am – 21:00 (Last Admission 20:00) Gyeongbokgung Palace Gyeongbokgung Palace is the largest and most iconic of Seoul’s royal palaces. Built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeongbokgung Palace showcases massive gates, expansive courtyards, and a maze of structures against the backdrop of Bugaksan Mountain. During the Japanese invasion, Gyeongbokgung Palace was entirely destroyed and rebuilt in 1867. When Gyeongbokgung Palace was rebuilt, around 500 buildings were constructed here making it a small city. When visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace today, you can witness the changing of the guards which I find a tad cheesy but fun. Other highlights include the Geunjeongjeon, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, and the National Folk Museum. Admission Adult: ￦ 3,000 Children (18 and under): FreeFree if wearing a Hanbok Hours ❌ Closed Tuesdays January-February: 9:00 – 17:00 (Last Admission is 16:00) March-May: 9:00 – 18:00 (Last Admission 17:00) June-August: 9:00-18:30 (Last Admission 17:30) September-October: 9:00-18:00 (Last Admission 17:00) November-December: 9:00-17:00 (Last Admission 16:00) Gyeonghuigung Palace Gyeonghuigung Palace is the smallest and by far least crowded of the five royal palaces in Seoul. Gyeonghuigung Palace was used as a secondary palace during the Joseon Dynasty. At one point, Gyeonghuigung Palace had over 100 halls. Some of the halls and buildings were rebuilt in 1985. I found Gyeonghuigung Palace to be one of the more peaceful palaces and definitely a hidden gem in Seoul. Admission Free Hours ❌ Closed Mondays 9:00-18:00 (Last Admission 17:30) Conclusion When visiting Seoul, one of my main recommendations is paying a visit to the royal palaces. From the grand scale of Gyeongbokgung Palace to the peaceful gardens of Changdeokgung, each palace is unique and special. Consistently ranked as the top attractions in Seoul, these royal palaces are easy to visit, beautifully preserved, and perfect for first-time visitors. I’d say, no trip to Seoul is complete without visiting these iconic palaces. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺️✈️🇰🇷 Booking Accommodations ⛺️🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖️🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
Overnight Layover at Incheon Airport: Eat, Sleep, and Explore
For many travelers, the idea of a long or overnight layover sounds miserable. However, Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea can be a wonderful place to have a layover. There is plenty to see, eat, and do in the airport. For those that have an overnight layover at Incheon Airport or a longer layover and are itching to experience some of the Korean culture, might I suggest leaving the airport. Just a couple subway stops away is Unseo Station in the Jung District of Incheon. Here you can experience Korean nightlife, eat delicious food, and even stay in a nice hotel, all without going directly to Seoul or getting to far from the airport. Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit my affiliate link page. Thanks for the support! Summary Overnight Layover at Incheon Airport: If you are wondering what to do at Incheon Airport during a long layer then I suggest taking the subway to Unseo Station to experience a slice of South Korea. Where to Stay near Incheon International Airport: Browndot Airport New Town Golden Tulip Incheon Airport Hotel Happy Place Guest House Overnight Layover at Incheon Airport If you have a long layover at Incheon Airport or are staying overnight, I highly recommend leaving the airport. You have several options depending on your length of stay. Automatically, people want to get out and visit Seoul. But I recommend giving yourself plenty of time to do so. The city of Seoul is further from the airport then you might think. The train ride can take upwards to an hour. You can also stay inside the airport. Incheon Airport is huge and has plenty to do. It’s no Changi Airport in Singapore, but the airport does offer great dining options, shops, and a few interesting things to look at. Incheon does have lounges and napping zones which I’ve used in the past. But if you are staying on a long layover in Incheon, especially an overnight layover, I highly recommend taking the train to Unseo Station in Incheon’s Jung District. Staying in the Jung District, Unseo Station Area If you have a long layover at Incheon Airport and want to experience and explore a bit of South Korea, I recommend taking the train from the airport a couple stops to Unseo Station. Outside of Unseo Station, you get your first glimpse of South Korea. You might see street vendors, buildings that are several stories tall full of restaurants, and bars, lots of bars! I’ve been to Seoul several times now and can honestly say skip Seoul if you are limited on time and enjoy a stress free layover here in Incheon. You won’t feel rushed, overwhelmed, or anything else really. Instead you will get a taste of South Korea and be close enough to Incheon International. zimminaroundtheworld 🇺🇸🇩🇪 Exploring Seoul’s Night Markets #seoul #nightmarke Instagram post 17921232900184907 Instagram post 17894889621541727 One of the reasons I love traveling in 🇯🇵 👋 Load More Follow on Instagram Why Spend a Long Layover Here? A Couple Stops by train or easy taxi ride from Incheon International Airport. Less stressful getting to and from the airport because you are so close. Decent nightlife, great bar scene, and craft beer. There are a lot of hotel options from budget friendly to more high end hotels. Amazing restaurants from Korean Chicken to Bibimbap. There is a lot of nature. Perhaps you want to walk in one of the parks or stroll the beach. There are plenty of Convenience Stores: GS25 and CU. Everything is within walking distance from Unseo Station. Recommended Places to Eat The great thing about Incheon in particular the Jung District is that there are so many places to dine at. Just a few stops from Incheon Airport you have this little city with a plethora of food and drink options. In the mood for Japanese? There is a tonkatsu restaurant or a curry restaurant. Want Korean Fried Chicken? There are several places to include Oven Maru, one of my favorites. Or perhaps you want to grab breakfast or a dessert, you have bakeries and places that sell ice cream and macarons. Regardless of what you are after, chances are you can find it here. Based on my layovers and overnight stays in the area, here are some of my recommended places to eat. Oven Maru I was craving Korea Fried Chicken the moment I got off the plane at Incheon International Airport. Based on reviews, I found Oven Maru. Located just outside of Unseo Station, is this mom and pop chicken restaurant. As an English speaker, there was an English menu and the women running the shop understood what I was trying to order. My eyes were bigger then my stomach but everything on the menu looked so delicious. Of course I was not alone, but I ordered Bulgogi Fried Rice and an order of chicken, half and half. I believe I ordered Sweet Garlic and Teriyaki. The Bulgogi Fried Rice was great, you can’t go wrong with that but the chicken was exactly what the doctor ordered! The chicken was huge, flavorful, and the texture was everything you imagine great fried chicken to be like. Overall, I highly recommend Oven Maru. Looking for Things to do in Seoul? Feel free to check out my recommended 12 things to do in Seoul post. READ MORE Kongsim Incheon Yeongjong Branch Another craving we have when visiting Korea is Bibimbap. Bibimbap is a rice bowl topped with other ingredients. It varies, but usually it comes with meat, veggies, and an egg if you are lucky. In our search for Bibimbap, we found a restaurant called Kongsim Incheon Yeongjong. This place was not as English friendly. Thankfully, they had pictures plastered on the wall and I could point to the bibimbap I wanted. Of course it was Bulgogi Bibimbap. We were both completely satisfied with our meals. This place is open 24/7 too which is a plus. So weather you are getting late night food or need breakfast prior to catching your early morning flight at Incheon Airport, Kongsim Incheon Yeongjong has got you covered. Enjoying my Photos and Want to See More? See and Get Exclusive Images at my Picfair Store, Here. Thanks for the Support! View Store Paris Baguette I fell in love with Paris Baguette the first time I visited Korea in 2017. I was surprised to walk past one here in Incheon. I quickly went in and grabbed a few pastries for the following morning. You can find great pastries here and filling sandwiches. Places to Stay To me, it seemed like the whole Jung District was built up to cater to serving Incheon Airport. It’s so conveniently located. Of course there are a ton of hotel options here. You can find everything here from 4-star hotels to guest homes. We basically had two overnight stays here, so I wasn’t to keen on spending a fortune on a hotel I’d only spend a few hours in. So I went with two options that were within walking distance from Unseo Station and reasonably prices: Browndot Airport New Town and the Happy Place Guest House Browndot Airport New Town For just a basic hotel stay in Incheon that is within walking distance from Unseo Station, I recommend the Browndot Airport New Town. I have no complaints about this hotel, check in and check out was simple, the rooms were spacious, comfortable, and clean, not to mention the bathrooms were large. For updated pricing and more information, check out their listing on Agoda. Happy Place Guest House Another affordable stay in Incheon is the Airport Happy Place Guesthouse. This guesthouse is a house with separate rooms, all with private bathrooms. The rooms were very private, comfortable, and had everything you need when staying for a night or two. Happy Place Guesthouse even has a free airport transfer service. For more information and pricing, feel free to view the listing on Agoda. Other Benefits of Staying in the Jung District Outside of a ridiculous amount of restaurants and a nice variety of hotels, there is more to do in the Jung District of Incheon. Surprisingly, there is a decent amount of nature here. There are nice city parks and a tree lined walkway that makes for a great evening stroll. If looking for groceries or just curious what you can find in a Korean supermarket, there is a Lotte Mart. Here you can find everything from snacks and treats to beverages and items to cook your own meals. We stopped in here twice to load up on HBAF, which is a famous brand that sells flavored nuts. There are also convenience stores in Incheon that sell your typical convenient items like drinks and snacks. 7-Eleven and GS25 seemed to be the two dominant convenience stores in Incheon. Looking for Things to do in Seoul? Feel free to check out my recommended 12 things to do in Seoul post. READ MORE Conclusion If planning for a long or overnight layover at Incheon Airport, I highly recommend leaving the airport and taking the train to Unseo Station. The Jung District is the perfect place to experience a little bit of what Korea has to offer. You can get great food here, do some shopping, and experience the nightlife all just a few minutes away from Incheon Airport. Enjoying my Photos and Want to See More? See and Get Exclusive Images at my Picfair Store, Here. Thanks for the Support! View Store Plan Your Trip: 🗺️ ✈️ 🇰🇷 Everything You Need for Your Incheon Trip From where you sleep to what you do — these are the platforms I use and trust when planning every trip. Tours & Tickets DMZ Tour from Incheon Airport Get a chance to visit the DMZ with a Private Tour from Incheon Airport. Get Your Guide Hotels Near Incheon Find Your Stay on Booking.com Best rates in Incheon – stay close to the airport. BOOKING Alternative Stays Search on Agoda Great for comparing boutique hotels, B&Bs, and apartments. Often uncovers deals Booking.com misses. AGODA Activities & Day Trips Browse on Viator Lounge Access, Private Tours, and Express Train Tickets — Viator has a massive Incheon selection. VIATOR MORE Incheon TOURS Browse on Klook Incheon – find airport transfers, private tours and more. Klook Travel eSIM Travel esims to stay connected Airalo is an easy to use eSIM that has great coverage in South Korea. Airalo
Things to do in Seoul: Recommended 20+ Places to Visit & Experiences
Seoul is a huge city with something new around every corner. From ornate palaces and traditional neighborhoods to bustling night markets and a lively nightlife, there are seemingly endless things to do in Seoul. I’ve visited Seoul several times now, and each trip has given me a chance to see more of the city and experience something different. On my recent visit, I returned to some of my favorite places and discovered new attractions. In this guide, I’m sharing my favorite things to do and experiences I’ve had in Seoul that I personally recommend. From attractions you should not miss to day trips that are absolutely worth it. This guide is perfect for first time visitors to Seoul or those like me that have been here multiple times. I want to help you make the most of your time in South Korea’s capital city. Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit my affiliate link page. Thanks for the support! Edit Experience Why Visit Time Needed Gyeongbokgung Palace Historical Seoul 2-3 Hours Bukchon Hanok Village Traditional Korea 1-2 Hours Gwangjang Market Korean Food 1-3 Hours Lotte Tower Seoul Views 2 Hours Myeongdong Shopping & Food 2-4 Hours Hongdae Nightlife 2-4 Hours DMZ Historical 7+ Hours Changdeokgung Palace History & Architecture 2 Hours Starfield Library Shopping & Photography 2 Hours Recommended Things to do in Seoul Seoul, being the largest and most populated city in South Korea has something for everyone. Whether you enjoy nightlife and food or are like me and enjoy seeing cultural and historical sites, Seoul has plenty to offer. If you are a family looking for the best things to do in Seoul or a solo traveler interested in fun things to do, I highly recommend Seoul as a destination. My first time visiting South Korea (2017), I spent two weeks in Seoul and have been back several time since. Each time, I visit some of my favorite places, explore new areas, and even take day trips. I am continuously adding to my list of things to do in Seoul, to help you better prepare your Seoul itinerary, I am listing my recommended attractions and experiences in Seoul by category. Historic Seoul One of my favorite things about Seoul is how modern the city is but you can also find amazing historical sites scattered throughout the city. Throughout Seoul, you’ll find beautiful royal palaces, Hanok neighborhoods, and temples. If you are visiting Seoul for the first time, exploring its historic side is a great way to better understand its history and culture. Here are my recommended historic sites to visit around Seoul. 1. Gyeongbokgung Palace If there is one palace I recommend visiting in Seoul, it would have to be Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s the largest and most iconic of Seoul’s royal palaces. Gyeongbokgung Palace was built in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty. Today, visitors can tour the palace, walk the grounds, and even enter some of the buildings. You can easily spend at least 2-3 hours visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s the big. If you are short on time or looking for a must-see places in Seoul, I highly recommend moving Gyeongbokgung Palace to the top of your itinerary. Interested in learning more about Seoul’s Royal Palaces? For more information and entrance prices, visit my post on Seoul’s Royal Palaces. View More 2. Changdeokgung Palace In my opinion, one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul is Changdeokgung Palace. Constructed in 1405 originally, it was completely destroyed by fire in the late 1500’s and restored in 1610. Changdeokgung Palace was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997 and is known for its harmonious design that blends with the surrounds nature. Each time I visited Changdeokgung Palace, I walked here from Gyeongbokgung Palace. It’s easy to get to on foot or with public transportation. 3. Jongmyo Shrine Located just to the south of Changdeokgung Palace, Jongmyo Shrine is a historic Confucian shrine and another one of Seoul’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Jongmyo Shrine was built during the Joseon Dynasty and used for royal ceremonies. To this day, it remains an important example of Korea’s traditional architecture. Although not as exciting as some of Korea’s royal palaces, it’s significance and peaceful atmosphere is why I recommend visiting Jongmyo Shrine. 4. Bukchon Hanok Village If you are looking for free things to do in Seoul, I highly recommend wandering the traditional neighborhood of Bukchon Hanok Village. This traditional village is made up of hundreds of homes and narrow alleyways. Of course, there are cute shops located throughout the village and a few places where you can sit down and have a drink or bite to eat. Jill and I found a traditional tea house that provided a great break to sit down, drink tea, and escape the heat of the day. 5. Namsangol Hanok Village If you want to visit a Hanok Village without the crowds, I highly recommend Namsangol Hanok Village. Namsangol Hanok Village is another free site to visit in Seoul and provides an outlook of what a traditional Korean village would have looked like in the past. I walked to Namsangol Hanok Village from Myeongdong Station and spent about an hour at the site. Food & Drink in Seoul Food should be a major part of your Seoul itinerary. In fact, I base a lot of my plans on food, restaurants, and markets. Seoul is one of the best food destinations in the world. The craft beer scene is alive and well, so of course, I prioritize trying new beers. But I also discovered new drinks like Makgeolli which is a sparkling rice wine. I’ll cover some of my favorite markets in Seoul, food tours I’ve been on, and nightlife scene. 6. Gwangjang Market Gwangjang Market is one of my favorite places to try Korean dishes. This lively market was featured in Netflix’s Street Food: Asia and the most popular vendor here is Gohyang Kalguksu. There are a lot of vendors here that sell dishes like Tteokbokki and Mayak Kimbap. There are also a lot of sit down establishments and places to drink. Beyond food, Gwangjang Market is full of specialty shops. You can buy or rent Hanbok, which is traditional clothing, these are popular around the palaces. Join a Food Tour! I joined a Food Tour at Gwangjang Market and was glad I did, sampled 14 different dishes and drinks. View More 7. Myeongdong Market Another one of my favorite markets to try food is Myeongdong Market. It’s a popular market, honestly it’s full of tourists, but I love it and all the food I’ve tried is delicious. Sure it’s a tad more expensive, but I always leave here full and happy. Try the egg bread, chicken on a stick, kimchi wrapped in bacon, or bowls of sweet & sour chicken. Myeongdong Market is an active area and popular throughout the day. Here you can find shops like HBAF and Olive Young. 8. Craft Beer Seoul has a growing craft beer scene, with local breweries and taprooms popping up all over the city. I’ve found everything from Belgium triples to hoppy IPAs. Convenience stores in South Korea also have a lot of fun craft beers to try. 9. Korean Fried Chicken Korean fried chicken is a must-try when visiting Seoul. It’s up there with my favorite style of chicken, it’s incredible! Korean fried chicken is known for its crispy coating and flavorful sauces. It comes in many varieties from spicy to soy garlic. Pair it with a cold beer for the classic Korean combination known as chimaek. I hear this is a popular thing to do in Seoul, especially along the Cheonggyecheon Riverwalk. 10. Bibimbap There is so much food to try in Korea but one of my favorite comfort foods has to be Bibimbap. After all, it is one of Korea’s most famous dishes. Bibimbap is found in markets, restaurants, even at small pop-up restaurants along hiking trails. It’s a dish cooked in a earthenware bowl, served pipping hot and consists of rice, vegetables, meat, and sometimes a fried egg. I love to mix all the ingredients together and scrape the burnt rice on the bottom. It’s filling, flavorful, and easy to find! 11. HBAF HBAF, also known as “Healthy But Awesome Flavors,” “Honey Butter Almond Flavors,” or “Honey Butter Almond & Friends,” is a popular Korean snack that is known for their delicious flavored almonds. You’ll see bags of HBAF at local stores, Incheon Airport, or huge HBAF shops in popular tourist areas like Myeongdong. I recommend going to one of the main shops, many times they have samples. You can try flavors like wasabi, garlic bread, carrot cake, tteokbokki, and many others. HBAF makes for great souvenirs from Seoul to take back home. 12. Soju Another classic is Soju. This is Korea’s most famous alcoholic drink and you can’t visit without trying it. Soju is a clear, mild spirit that is enjoyed alongside Korean barbecue, fried chicken, or other shared dishes. To me, it tastes like a watered down vodka. It’s very cheap and can be found in convenience stores, supermarkets, and many restaurants. 13. Breakfast at Paris Baguette or Ediya Coffee The perfect travel day to me always starts off with a good coffee and pastry. Thankfully, there are quite a few bakeries around Seoul that offer just that. I prefer Paris Baguette or Ediya Coffee to satisfy my coffee and sweet treat cravings. Paris Baguette is your typical bakery that has both sweet and savory baked goods. Ediya Coffee is more about the coffee then the food but they offer pastries and other breakfast treats. Attractions in Seoul Seoul has so much to offer, from historical attractions to modern day museums, you can spend days in Seoul jumping from attraction to attraction. Every time I visit Seoul, I try and see a couple new attractions, My last visit to Seoul, I finally made it to the Lotte World Tower. For first-time visitors to Seoul, I still recommend starting off with historical attractions like the palaces. 14. Lotte World Tower At 555 meters high and 123-stories, the Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in Korea and and 6th tallest building in the world. I had absolutely no plans to visit the Lotte World Tower during my latest trip to Seoul, but I walked right by it and could not resist going to the Sky Observatory. I didn’t make a reservation to visit the Lotte World Tour or anything, I simply walked in, paid for the entrance ticket and took the elevator to the observation deck. I was rewarded with panoramic views of Seoul. The tower is also connected to the Lotte World Mall, making it easy to combine this attraction with shopping, restaurants, and other entertainment. 15. Starfield Library Starfield Library inside the Starfield Coex Mall in Seoul is one of the most impressive libraries I’ve seen in person. If you are looking for an Instagram-worthy attraction that is indoors, do not miss Starfield Library. The library itself is located on two levels with book shelves from floor to ceiling hosting an impressive collection of books, approximately 70,000. Even if you are not a big reader, visiting the Starfield Library is a must-visit just to admire the unique design. 16. Seoullo 7017 Another great free thing to do in Seoul is Seoullo 7017. This elevated walkway or “Sky Garden,” is a beautifully designed pedestrian walkway. There are various access points to enter Seoullo 7017. The walkway is lined with vegetation and places to relax. There are even shelters scattered throughout in case you need a break from the heat. I find Seoullo 7017 to be a great escape and place to rest and take in a little nature in the heart of Seoul. It benefits the city as healthy vegetation provides cleaner air,
Exploring the Best Markets in Seoul: What to Eat, Shop, & Know
There are plenty of ways to experience Seoul, but for me, few are as fun or as delicious as wandering through the bustling markets. The smell of fermented vegetables, colorful stalls, and delicious food everywhere! I first wrote about Seoul’s food markets years ago, but I’ve since been back numerous times and have tried a lot more Korean dishes since my first few visits. From the famous food stalls at Gwangjang Market to the touristy but fun Myeongdong Night Market, Seoul’s markets each have their own personality and identity. In this guide to Seoul’s food and street markets, I’ll take you through some of my favorite markets in Seoul, what they are known for, and share tips for making the most of your visit. If you are visiting Seoul and want to experience the city beyond its palaces and cultural sites, putting a market or two on your itinerary is a great place to start. Affiliate Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, please visit my affiliate link page. Thanks for the support! Edit Seoul Market Best For What to Eat/See Location Gwangjang Market Korean Street Food Mayak Kimbap, Kimchi Mandu, Kalguksu Jongno Myeongdong Market Street Food + Shopping Tteokbokki, Fried Chicken, Kimchi wrapped bacon Myeongdong Namdaemun Market Shopping + Food Korean Macarons, Drinks, Souvenirs Jung-gu Hongdae Market Street Food + Entertainent Egg Bread, Seafood, Shopping Hongdae Tips on Visiting the Markets in Seoul Seoul is a safe city and very welcoming to tourists. Even the markets that seem chaotic are very much used to foreigners and the locals are accommodating and understanding. Like any place though, even at home, use common sense and be aware of your surroundings. Regardless, the markets can seem overwhelming, so I came up with a few tips that I found useful when navigating and ordering food at the street markets in Seoul. Cash is King! Credit Card is the preferred method of paying throughout South Korea, but at markets, physical money is KING! Remember, the South Korea Won is the official currency of South Korea. Explore First When I visit markets in Korea, I always like to do an initial walkthrough. I see what vendors are available, what food I am in the mood for, and other potential dishes I haven’t even thought of that look delicious to try. Don’t Expect Vendors to Speak English Korean is the official language of South Korea so don’t expect many of the vendors to speak and understand English. Just be respectful, speak slowly, and if all else fails, point to what you want. The local vendors will be more then happy to assist you. Trash Cans are Not Widely Available It is easier to find trash cans in Korea then say, Japan, but they are still more difficult to come by. Although my last visit to Seoul, I noticed more trash cans and recycle bins around the city. In case you are at the markets and can’t find trash cans, just do what I do and pack trash with you or hold on to it until you find a trash can. During my last visit to Seoul, I noticed a lot of the food vendors at Myeongdong Market had small signs on their carts that they will accept trash. But this depends on the market. Sometimes You Have to be Aggressive I noticed the Korean culture is not standoff-ish like in other countries such as Japan. The people there are not bothered by crowds. This doesn’t only imply markets but I noticed around train stations and busy areas. But I was constantly being shoved or cut in line. So you have to be a little dominant in Korea. Don’t be afraid to be a little aggressive when standing in lines, otherwise people might jump in front of you and order. Try Anything and Everything I love Korean food. There is so much flavor and spice cooked into their dishes. I’ve loved almost all dishes I’ve had at Korean markets. My tip here, is try anything and everything. Most of us are familiar with kimchi or fried chicken, but branch out and try things that look new to you. You might just find your new favorite Korean dish. Recommended Markets to Visit in Seoul I am by no means an expert when it comes to the markets in Seoul, I’ll leave that to the locals. But I did visit many of Seoul’s markets and thoroughly enjoyed each one I visited. Food wise, everything I ordered was fantastic, the atmosphere of the markets is exciting, and I left a happy customer every time. I am sure there are many more markets that are worthwhile in Seoul that I never had a chance to visit. Feel free to drop recommendations in the comments, so I can eat my way through them during my next visit. Below are some of the best food and street markets in Seoul that I visited and highly recommend. Gwangjang Market Considered to be the oldest market in South Korea, Gwangjang Market is a must when exploring the best street markets in Seoul. Gwangjang opened n 1905 and is still thriving today. Gwangjang Market is not just a food market. A large portion of this market does sell other goods like clothing, linens, knock off brand products, and everything in between. But I came here for the food! There are open spaces here with alley ways branching off in what seemed like every direction. So how do you choose what to eat and which vendor to try? I recently joined a Seoul Street Food Market Tour that gave me the opportunity to sample 14 different dishes and drinks at Gwangjang Market. From Kalguksu and Gogi Mandu to drinking Soju and Makgeolli. It’s not all just street food here at Gwangjang Market. There are several food stalls here with tables and chairs, where you can get fresh dishes like Gimbap and Bibimbap. Looking for a Deep Food Market Experience? I joined a food tour that sampled 14 dishes around Gwangjang Market and wrote a post about the experiences. Read More Hongdae Night Market Hongdae is a great area to stay in while visiting Seoul. Hongdae definitely caters to a younger crowd which means you can generally find street food and late night eats. So there is no real night market here in Hongdae, but on weekends there are a lot of food vendors that set up around Hongdae. You can find single carts all over the area selling everything from blood sausage to Egg Bread, which is my favorite. Korean Egg Bread is found in almost every market. It’s a simple yet satisfyingly tasty treat! It’s real name is Gyeran-ppang and it’s a popular menu item in street and food markets throughout Seoul. The bread is usually sweet and the cooked egg adds a nice savory flavor to the bread. You can find the egg toast at every market, but the first time I had it was from a food vendor in the Hongdae and I’ve been hooked ever since! Myeongdong Night Market Myeongdong Night Market was my favorite street and food market while visiting Seoul. In Fact, I went here two consecutive nights in a row, just because there was so much I wanted to try! For starters, there is a lot going on in this area. It is one of the main hopping areas and has everything imaginable. There are a ton of HBAF almond stores here. HBAF is a rand that makes delicious flavored almonds, these make for perfect gifts. There are also massage parlors around Myeongdong. Getting a foot massage at the end of a tiring day is magical! Myeongdong night market is just one of those markets you need to visit in Seoul. The streets and alley ways are several blocks long full of vendors on each side. Food wise, you can find so many delicious items here. Of course, egg toast is everywhere, I also found kimchi wrapped in bacon, and Döner Kebab, not quite as good as in Germany but still very good! Don’t leave without trying some Korean Fried Chicken and Tteokbokki. Namdaemun Market Namdaemun Market was one of the more traditional markets in Seoul that didn’t fully consist of just food. Namdaemun Market was full of cheap shops with vendors selling anything and everything made in China. I can’t complain, I bought a hat for $5. You’d be surprised by what you can find at Namdaemun Market. I mean I saw places selling local alcohol, souvenirs, hand bags, plants, the list goes on and on. If anything, it’s worth just walking the area to see what all the vendors are selling. For those that love trying local food like me, Namdaemun Market does have food vendors. It might not be as large or exciting as Myeongdong Night Market, but surely there is something here for everyone. I enjoy the fish cake snacks on a stick that are sold everywhere, you can even get them with a spicey sauce. Other food items I saw here were fried pancakes, desserts like ice cream, and fresh fruit. Are Seoul’s Markets Worth Visiting? After returning to Seoul and revisiting some of these markets, I can honestly say that they remain some of my favorite places. You don’t have to visit every market on the list, pick one or two that fit your itinerary. Gwangjang Market is an obvious choice for fresh local food, Namdaemun is great for combining shopping and eating, and Myeongdong is great for eating a lot and people watching. After returning to Seoul and revisiting some of these markets, I’ve found that the best part is not necessarily checking another attraction off a list but wandering around, seeing what looks good, and trying something new. Please, if you have any other markets that are a must when visiting Seoul, leave a comment so I can add it to my next Seoul itinerary. Safe Travels! Enjoying my Photos and Want to See More? See and Get Exclusive Images at my Picfair Store, Here. Thanks for the Support! View Store Plan Your Trip: 🗺️ ✈️ 🇰🇷 Everything You Need for Your South Korea Trip From where you sleep to what you do — these are the platforms I use and trust when planning every trip. Tours & Tickets Book your south korea tour Through Get Your Guide, you can browse the many tours from the DMZ to food tours. Get Your Guide Hotels in Seoul Find Your Stay on Booking.com Best rates in Seoul – stay close to Myeongdong or splurge elsewhere in the city. BOOKING Alternative Stays Search on Agoda Great for comparing boutique hotels, B&Bs, and apartments. Often uncovers deals Booking.com misses. AGODA Activities & Day Trips The exact tour i took I booked this food tour through Viator and highly recommend it. VIATOR MORE Seoul TOURS Browse on Klook Find entrance tickets like to the Lotte Tower and other attractions on Klook. Klook Travel eSIM Travel esims to stay connected Airalo is an easy to use eSIM that has great coverage in Seoul. Airalo
Gamcheon Culture Village, Exploring Busan’s Colorful Village
Located in the South Korean city of Busan, is a rather unique place to visit known as Gamcheon Culture Village. This village is terraced alongside a mountain. Gamcheon Culture Village is known as the “Santorini of Korea” or Busan’s “Machu Picchu”. What started off as a refuge area for people escaping war and a former slum is now considered to be one of Busan’s most popular tourist attractions. With it’s colorfully vibrant homes, fun cafés, narrow alley ways, and unique art work, Gamcheon Culture Village is a must when visiting Busan. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! History of Gamcheon Culture Village The true history of Gamcheon Culture Village is up for debate. There is an information sign at the village stating that Gamcheon Village started off as a refuge for citizens that were affected during the Korean War. While doing online research, I read through several sources stating that Gamcheon Culture Village was the result of Taegeukdo, which is a religious community. After the Korean War, about 800 families moved to the hillside village. Many of the homes are multi level, but the good hearted people living in the community terraced the homes on purpose. That way, no ones views would be blocked by the home in front. Instead of letting Gamcheon Village crumble and turn to despair, it was decided to turn this town around and make it more appealing to tourists. In 2009, artists and students added their artistic touches to the village in order to brighten up the village and make it more welcoming to both locals and visitors. Many homes were painted vibrant colors, alleyways were decorated with art work, and cafés, restaurants, and shops, began to open. Gamcheon Culture Village was reborn as one of Busan’s most popular attractions thanks to the hard working and determined community. Getting to Busan’s Most Colorful Village Getting to Gamcheon Culture Village is relatively easy, especially if staying in Busan. Jagalchi Station of Toseong Station are the closest stations. If you are in South Korea as a visitor I recommend downloading the Naver Map App. Since Google Maps does not work in South Korea the Naver Map app worked well and it was easy to navigate the subway stations and directions around Busan From Busan Station head to Toseong Station. Exit 6 is the recommended exit to depart the station toward Gamcheon Culture Village. There are signs as well pointing you in the right direction. After exiting Toseong Station there are a few ways to reach Busan’s famous colorful village. I opted to walk to Gamcheon Culture Village. If planning on walking, be warned, you will walk a lot and it’s all up hill from the station. But you can find yourself going through fun alleyways and narrow residential areas before even getting to the village, it’s an adventure. There is a bus that goes directly to the entrance of Gamcheon Culture Village. There is a bus stop outside the station, make sure to take the 1-1, 2, or 2-2 mini bus. Another option is to take a taxi to Gamcheon Culture Village. The cabs in Busan are easy and inexpensive. Exploring Gamcheon Culture Village Most visitors will start their adventure of Gamcheon Culture Village at the same place. At the top of the hill, there is a main and fairly wide road lined with tourist shops and cute cafés. I highly recommend popping into some of the shops here, visit the small museum, and go to the tourist information center. If you are wondering what there is to do in Gamcheon Culture Village, here are my recommendations on how to explore this beautiful village. Do Some Souvenir Shopping Plain and simple, Gamcheon Culture Village is a touristy area. This part of Busan can be crowded, a bit tacky, but it’s supposed to be this way. Who doesn’t love a good souvenir shop? There are plenty here to browse. You have everything from places selling local art to cheap socks. I am a simple man, I like a good postcard. Traditional souvenirs can also be like postcards, key chains, and shirts can also be found here. Get Lost! Explore the Alley Ways and Residential Areas If you get to Gamcheon Culture Village and are wondering what to do? My recommendation is to wander around the neighborhood and explore. Take the narrow pathways in between structures, go up the steep trail for the views, and find unique art works that are a bit off the beaten path. Simply by getting off of the main path, you can find yourself at places like the Book Staircase and Stairs to See Stars. Another bonus of ditching the crowds and wandering on your own is that you can take pictures without anyone getting in the way! Grab a Drink, Sit on a Rooftop for the Best Views To get that iconic shot of Gamcheon Culture Village, you have to get somewhere high up with no obstructions. Many of the cafés ae two storied with an outside deck, perfect! I found the perfect café that offered refreshing drinks and amazing views. Wooin Cafe made delicious coffee and smoothies. On a hot day, it doesn’t get better then relaxing with a mango smoothy. Take in Some of the Unique Art Besides the splash of colorful houses surrounding the mountainside, I think the art work placed around Gamcheon Village is another popular feature. It’s basically an outdoor art museum as there is modern art scattered throughout the village. Walk Up or Down the Stairs to See Stars The Stairs to See Stars is a staircase in the middle of the village. There are a total of 148 stairs. The name derives from people walking up all 148 stairs, feeling dizzy and seeing stars once they got to the top! I’d lie if I didn’t say this staircase wasn’t steep. But the photos along the Stairs to See Stars are worth the stair climb. Conclusion Visiting Gamcheon Culture Village makes for a great half day to day trip from Busan’s city center. At Gamcheon Culture Village, every alleyway is exciting. Full of art, murals, fun shops, and laid back cafes. This colorful hillside community offers a blend of history, creativity, and culture. If you love art, photography, or just exploring, Gamcheon is the perfect place to visit. Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Plan Your Trip: 🗺 ✈️ 🇰🇷 Booking Accommodations ⛺️ 🛖 For booking recommendations on the best deals and locations, check out Agoda or Booking.com Activities and Tours 🏖 🚁 Find fun activities and things to do through Tripadvisor. If you are looking for tours and day trips, Viator and Get Your Guide have a lot of great options. In need of a car rental? 🚗 🚘 I recommend checking with Rental Cars.
My Pohang Travel Guide – Places to Eat and See
Pohang, is an industrial city located on South Korea’s eastern coast. Pohang is home to POSCO, a huge steel industrial factory that dominates the city and is most likely the reason Pohang has grown into the size it is today, it employees a lot of people! There is more to Pohang then its gigantic steel factory. Pohang has one of South Korea’s largest seafood markets, the fun yet terrifying Space Walk at Hwanho Park, the famous Homigot Sunrise Square and nice beaches. The nightlife in Pohang is hopping and the food is incredible. I created this Pohang travel guide to share what I learned while exploring Pohang along with some of my recommendations on getting around town, places to eat and drink, and unique things to do and see. **This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or banners throughout the page, whether it be TripAdvisor, Booking.com. Agoda.com, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Summary Why Visit Pohang: Pohang is an underrated city in South Korea and deserves a day or two. Visit Pohang for its beautiful coastal scenery, seafood market, and amazing restaurants. Top Things to do in Pohang: Hwanho Park Space Walk. Pohang Jukdo Fish Market. Yeonlidae Beach. Where to Stay in Pohang: I stayed at the Hotel Pohang Galaxy and really enjoyed the rooms and customer service. Consider taking a Guided Tour of Pohang or a Customized Private Tour to expand your visit of Pohang and see its main attractions. Where is Pohang in South Korea? Pohang is on the east coast of South Korea in the North Gyeongsang Province. Pohang is located about 110km from the city of Busan and 360 km from Seoul, South Korea’s capital. 📸 Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Traveling to Pohang – Getting Here Unless renting a car, the best way to get to Pohang is by KTX train from either Seoul Station or Busan Station or by bus. Pohang does have a domestic airport called Pohang Gyeongju Airport. This airport offers flights to Jeju Island and Gimpo International Airport. Pohang Station is just north of the city and is the most convenient and cheapest option. A train ride from Busan is about 1.5-2 hours while a train ride from Seoul is around 3 hours. For Train information, ticket fares and times, I recommend visiting the KORAIL website. Once arriving at Pohang Station, the best option to get to your destination is by a local taxi. The taxi’s in Pohang are fairly cheap and abundant. There is also a bus station in Pohang that serves bus routes to several towns and cities around South Korea. The Intercity Bus Terminal is in the heart of Pohang. There are buses that go between the city of Busan and Pohang. The bus is about 1.5 hours and costs about $10. You’ve been warned, like the taxi drivers in South Korea, the bus drivers are equally as aggressive when it comes to driving. POSCO I can’t write about Pohang without mentioning POSCO. POSCO makes and produces steel and is considered the sixth biggest steel factory in the world. POSCO began in the late 1960’s as the Korean government at the time nominated Pohang as the site for POSCO. In my opinion, POSCO is a big eye-sore during the day but at night with all the lights it looks like a huge city. POSCO does pump in a lot of money to the local economy and has funded other attractions in Pohang like the Space Walk. If interested, you can visit the POSCO website for more information. Where to Stay in Pohang There are a lot of great places to stay in Pohang. Based on price, location, and what was around, I stayed at the Hotel Pohang Galaxy. Hotel Pohang Galaxy was right on Yeongildae Beach. There was an abundance of restaurants within walking distance. The rooms were spacious, unique, and the staff was always pleasant. Things to Do and See in Pohang Although Pohang is not on many visitors radar, this city is not to be overlooked. I wouldn’t say it is a must see destination if visiting South Korea, but there is plenty to see and do around Pohang and the surrounding area. In this section of my Pohang travel guide, I have outlines some of the attractions around Pohang that I visited and recommend. Hwanho Park Space Walk Located within Hwanho Sunrise Park, sitting on top of the hill overlooking Yeongildae Beach is unique attraction of Hwanho Park Space Walk. This was one of my favorite and most entertaining attractions in Pohang. Space Walk is both a work of art, means of exercise, and fun attraction. This attraction was designed by German artists, Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth and was built, funded, and installed by POSCO. This work of art resembles a roller coaster and is free to the public. Pohang’s Space Walk has a total of 717 steps and is around 25 meters at its highest point. I would not recommend walking to the highest point on this attractions if you are afraid of heights. Between the height and the stairs rocking back and forth when windy, it can be a bit unsettling. For those that are curious, no, the upside down portion is off limits and is gated. Visitors have two options here, once entering you can head right or left and end at the gate before returning. I do recommended walking both sides of the Space Walk. Space Walk is a great place to visit especially when nearing sunset as you get amazing views of Pohang and the ocean. If you are looking for free things to do in Pohang, I highly recommend visiting Hwanho Park Space Walk. Pohang-class Corvette Another great free attraction in Pohang is the Pohang-class Corvette. The Combat Corvette is a class of small warships that were designed by the Republic of Korea as a means to patrol the seas around the Republic of Korea. One of the 24 Pohang-class Corvettes (ROKS Pohang PCC-756) is docked in the city of Pohang for visitors to enjoy. This 1,200 ton warship defended the waters around Korea for more then 30 years and was retired in 2009. There were a total of 110 crewmembers on board to include 10 officers and 100 privates. The PCC-756 is open daily from 9:00 until 18:00. Visitors can walk the deck, check out the kitchen area, bunks, and explore various rooms and hallways. 📸 Enjoying my photos and want to see more? Check out my Picfair Store. 📸 Pohang Jukdo Fish Market If you are like me and love exploring local markets, then the Pohang Jukdo Market is not to be missed. This market is recommended in any Pohang travel guide or things to do list. But there is a reason why. It’s one of the largest markets in all of Korea bringing in fresh seafood daily. The Jukdo Fish Market is made up of over 200 shops and vendors selling their catch. Many of the restaurants allow visitors to select from a wide variety of seafood outside the restaurant, where the chef will cook up the fresh food of your choosing. Most vendors had similar marine life such as crabs, several fish species, clams, sea slugs, oysters, lobsters, octopus, squid, and even cuttlefish. The octopus being sold by some of the vendors are huge. I’ve never seen octopus as big as the ones sold at Jukdo Fish Market. Every time, I see the poor octopus in the tiny pools of water, most of the time trapped in nets, I can’t help but feel sorry for them. Especially given how intelligent they can be. But who am I to judge what other cultures eat around the world. Songdo City Park South Korea can be a bit overwhelming sometimes. I certainly felt overwhelmed here and there and felt a need to find a peaceful park to escape the crowds and noise. Just a short walk from the Pohang-class Corvette is the Songdo City Park. This city park is a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. You almost forget, that just outside the park is one of the largest steel producers in the world. What I loved so much about walking around Songdo City Park was the mix of walking trails through pine trees and relaxing activities. There were multiple trails throughout the park, exercise equipment, small streams and pools of water, and reflexology paths. Walk to the Ulleungdo Passenger Ship Lighthouse Just south of Yeonlidae Beach is a trail to the Ulleungdo Passenger Ship Lighthouse. This is by no means a hiking trail but it’s a long paved path from the ferry terminal to the light house. Parts of the trail has a reflexology path while other parts have a cushioned floor. Once you reach the end, there is a small red and white light house that is worth a photo or two. From the walkway, you get nice views of POSCO, Yeonlidae Beach, and the ocean. Yeonlidae Beach Yeonlidae Beach in Pohang is a happening place! At all times during the day and night, there will be people here. Whether they are walking the beach, shooting off fireworks, or zipping around on jet skis, Yeonlidae Beach is definitely a must visit place in Pohang. You can walk for hours on this beach and it’s kept clean. Every morning, I saw groups of people clean the beach. One of my favorite attractions on Yeonlidae Beach was the sand sculptures. The sculptures aren’t really made from sand, but are made to look like it. Regardless if they are made of sand or not, it’s a great addition to the beach. Yeongildae Maritime Pavilion Another free attraction in Pohang and one of my favorites was the Yeongildae Maritime Pavilion otherwise known as the “Floating Pavilion.” The Yeongildae Maritime Pavilion is an observation deck that sits out in the ocean, connected by a pedestrian bridge. From here, you get great views of POSCO, Yeonlidae Beach, the ocean, and surrounding hills. I absolutely loved coming here at night and practicing my slow shutter photos with the calm water and vibrant lights. Places to Eat in Pohang What’s a Pohang travel guide without food and restaurant recommendations? I spent two weeks in Pohang eating out every meal and tried a variety of Korean dishes. From trying famous Korean dishes like bibimbap and kimchi to exploring seafood markets and sampling local food caught fresh from the sea. I even tried bizarre foods like sea snails and beondegi which is a silk worm. I really enjoyed the food scene in Pohang and feel it’s an underrated destination when it comes to food in Korea. Here are some of my favorite restaurants and food experiences in Pohang. Korean Fried Chicken 대구통닭영일대점 (Daegu Tongdak) Daegu Tongdak was one of my favorite restaurants in Pohang. Korean fried chicken is on another level and Daegu Tongdak knocks it out the park! First, the chicken here is inexpensive, you pay around 20,000 Korean Won or about $15 for two plates of chicken, each plate with 10 pieces. You can go all in and get one flavor or mix and match. The texture of the fried chicken was spectacular. It was crunchy and airy, the flavor was just as good, not dry and super flavorful. 청춘통닭 (196 Whole Chicken) 청춘통닭 (196 Whole Chicken) was the second place I went to for fried chicken while staying in Pohang. I liked this place, but the chicken wasn’t as good as Daegu Tongdak. The style was much different. It seemed like they took out pieces of chicken and hacked it up, so you got random bones in the chicken. The chicken was still really good but I liked the atmosphere more. They had great outdoor seating, perfect for enjoying a nice cold beer
Best Cat Destinations Around the World for Cat Lovers
Cats and travel might sound like an unusual combination, but there are cat destinations around the world that travelers like myself flock to. From cute cat cafes in Seoul, South Korea to city parks in Peru. There are unique cat attractions around the world that have become must-visit experiences for animal lovers. Whether you are planning your next international adventure or simply looking for unusual travel ideas, these cat destinations around the world offer memorable experiences, local culture, and plenty of adorable photo opportunities. For cat lovers, these destinations are more then just tourist attractions. They are places where communities care for local cats, and travelers connect over a shared love of animals, every corner seems to come with a furry surprise! ** This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the links or widgets throughout the page, whether it be Viator, Booking.com, Agoda, or any other affiliate, I might receive commission at no extra cost to you. For more information, you can visit my affiliate link page here. Thanks for the support! Best Cat Destinations Around the World Cat tourism has always been popular, but seems to have become increasingly popular thanks to social media, viral travel videos, and a growing interest in animal-friendly experiences. Cat Cafes, cat islands, and cities known for their feline residents seem to offer a slower and more memorable style of travel that appeals to photographers, animal lovers, and cultural travelers alike. I’ve always sought out cat destinations along my travels. I grew up with cats and absolutely love them! Below you can find some of the famous cat attractions and destinations I’ve visited while traveling the world in search for cute kitties. Asia Ojima Island: Okinawa, Japan Connected to Okinawa’s main island by a short bridge, Ojima Island is known as a laid-back fishing village with amazing tempura shops, and a large population of stray cats. You’ll notice cats lounging all over the island and many begging for food. Ojima is not officially one of Japan’s famous cat islands but it’s a hidden gem for cat lovers visiting Okinawa. Visiting Ojima Island is perfect for those that want to try local Okinawan tempura, enjoy the beautiful ocean views, and socialize with the local cat population. Sanagi Island: Kagawa Prefecture, Japan Japan is known for its cat islands and one of my favorites is Sanagi Island. Located in the Seto Inland Sea, Sanagi Island is one of the lesser known cat islands. Sanagi Island, is a small island that is home to a small population of residents along with dozens of cats that roam the quiet fishing villages on Sanagi Island. Sanagi offers a peaceful and authentic atmosphere where visitors can enjoy the slow paced island life, experience rural Japan, and spend time with the local feline residents. Sanagi Island is accessible by ferry from Tadotsu near Marugame. When Jill and I visited Sanagi Island, I felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. We didn’t run into any tourists. It was just us, locals, and the dozens of cats that greeted us while walking around. Houtong Cat Village: Taiwan Tucked away in the mountainous region of northern Taiwan, Houtong Cat Village is one of the most famous cat destinations in the world. What was once a quiet coal mining town has transformed into a paradise for cats and cat lovers. In Houtong Cat Village, there are hundreds of friendly cats, cute cafes, shops, and all things cats. It truly is a cat lovers paradise and it’s an easy day trip from Taipei. The village gained international attention when local villagers started caring for abandoned cats in Houtong and sharing photos. I think social media definitely helped the town go viral. Today, visitors can explore Houtong Cat Village by wandering the alleyways, visiting local cat-themed shops, eating at local cafes, and taking photos of the adorable cats throughout Houtong Cat Village. From Taipei Main Station, the journey by train to Houtong is only an hour. You can combine a day trip with popular places like Jiufen. Cat Cafe’s: Seoul, South Korea We really enjoyed our time in Seoul, South Korea. Prior to visiting S. Korea for our first time we were well aware of cat cafe’s. Surprisingly we only ended up going to one, we did go to a puppy cafe as well which was cute, but this is about cats right? Not dogs! We’ve been to other cat cafe’s around the world, but the one in Seoul stood out and it was around the corner from where we stayed. Here is how it works. You come in, take off your shoes and pay, usually drinks are included. Once you enter you can sit there and pet the kitties, play with them, or just take photos with them. It is funny being in a small space with 10-20 cats at one time. Some of them don’t want to be bothered by anyone while others just love to play. Either way, it is great that the cats get attention and used to people before hopefully being adopted! Mikan the Orange Cat: Kaohsiung, Taiwan In the city of Kaohsiung, located in southern Taiwan, there is a local cat celebrity and honorary station master that goes by the name Mikan. Mikan the adorable orange cat, can be found at the Ciaotou Sugar Refinery Metro Station in Kaohsiung. The station itself and many other metro stations in the Kaohsiung area have embraced Mikan’s popularity with cat-themed decorations and merchandise, creating a fun and memorable stop for both train enthusiasts and cat lovers. Europe Cats of Dubrovnik There was not really a “cat attraction” in Dubrovnik, but the whole city seemed to be a playground for cats, they were everywhere! Dubrovnik seems to be the best place for cats, inside the walls, there are no cars, small alley ways, and plenty of fun places for kitties to explore. Around every corner we would see a kitty, especially in the evening times, there would be groups of them. All the cats were well taken care of. Apparently the restaurants leave out their leftover food at night for the cats, primarily fish. We would see piles of cat food in random locations. At one of the main bus stops, we saw a rough looking kitty, he’s been through a lot. It was great to see that no one forgot about him as he had food in the mornings. People in Croatia seem to love their cats. Plus the weather is always nice there! Cat Obsession: Kotor, Montenegro . Doing our research prior to visiting Kotor, we read that they are obsessed with cats in this small medieval town. We were very much looking forward to visiting Kotor because of this reason. Apparently, back in the day, during time of plague, the cats would eat the rats that spread the horrible disease. Because of this, it is likely cats saved hundreds if not thousands of people, so they are basically worshiped in Kotor. There were cats everywhere, but not as many as we saw in Split and Dubrovnik, Croatia, not sure why? Smaller town and crowds perhaps. There was a cat museum in Kotor, no way in hell we could pass that up, besides it was only a Euro (Montenegro uses Euro’s). Umm, it was not quite what I was expecting. I was expecting displays of cat toys, or famous cats from the area. In reality it was full of very odd paintings, postcards with cats, and photos of men during war with cats on their laps. I don’t think I would say this is a must do, but for a Euro it was fun. North America Save a Gato: San Juan, Puerto Rico This has got to be one of my favorite cat attractions/rescues to date! Save a Gato is a rescue organization in San Juan that traps, neuters, and releases cats in Old San Juan. I believe they also foster and adopt kitties out. But once the cats are taken care of at Save a Gato, they are released back to their colonies, more places need to do this!! The best thing about the cats of Old San Juan is the location. You can walk outside the walls around the Forts along the coast and you will see cats everywhere along the trail, sunning on the rocks, in bushes, etc..it was quite fantastic! Cats love soaking up the sunshine by the beach just like we do I guess! If you come here, you are guaranteed to see cats. They all looked well taken care of and seemed to be friendly. Once you exit the trail and get back into Old San Juan, don’t worry, there are cats all around town. Hemingway House: Key West, Florida Home of the six-toed cats! That’s right, a visit to the Hemingway House is not only famous to view Ernest Hemingway’s belongings and works as a writer, but also to see the popular polydactyl (six-toed) kitty cats. His home lies within Key West, Florida on Whitehead St and is home to about 50 cats that sleep around both inside and outside the house. The cats even have their own replica of the Hemingway House. Apparently six toed cats were popular among sailors in the early 1900’s, for several reasons. They were considered good luck, the extra toe allowed for better grip while at sea and made them better mousers. Hemingway received a six toed cat from a sailor named Snow White and that is where it all began! Now a days, you can tour the Hemingway House and visit the cats. During the day, you can catch them sleeping on the furniture, under tables, or outside relaxing in the shade. The grounds also includes a cemetery for the cats and there is a vet that takes care of them all. Cashnip Kitty, Tulsa, Ok The story goes, there is a small business downtown and they have an office cat. For a few days, the employees would come to work and see a few dollar bills laying right by the door. This would be almost a daily occurrence and they finally found out that drunk people would walk by the business, see the cat in the window and play with it using a dollar bill. Eventually the dollar would fall into the office and the cat would claim victory over their money!!!! Since this occurred so often, the business made it into a thing and now they donate all the money to the local homeless shelter. South America Kennedy Park (Kitty Park): Lima, Peru Kennedy Park (Kitty Park), is kind of where it all began. We were in Miraflores which is an upscale area in Lima, Peru. We were visiting a Pre-Inca Ruin and the tour guide mentioned something about a cat park. Did we hear that right, “Cat Park?” We quickly asked the guide if he really meant a cat park, and sure enough, it was true. We arrived at Kitty Park and saw cats everywhere, I read that there are about 100 cats here give or take, and they are all cared for by a group that spays, feeds, and takes care of them all. For the most part they were all in good health, a few had bandages and medicine on wounds, but it is good to know they are cared for. We spent close to a week in Lima, I believe we stopped here at least three times. The cats were all friendly and enjoyed pets and belly rubs. It was funny, you could look into the bushes and see 5-10 curled up taking a cat nap. They were literally everywhere, on benches, people’s laps, tree’s, trails, etc.. Conclusion From the famous cat islands of Japan to the historic streets of Montenegro and Peru’s cat-filled parks, these destinations prove that travel can be both unique and wholesome. For cat lovers, visiting these places offers more then just cute photos, it creates memorable experiences, connections, stories, and opportunities to
Latest Posts
The Grand Hotel Taipei Review: My Experience Staying at this Iconic Hotel
Namhansanseong: A UNESCO World Heritage Site Day Trip from Seoul
Gwangjang Market Food Tour: 14 Korean Foods You Need to Try in Seoul
Popular Categories
Subscribe to the newsletter
Exclusively for you
