For all those who are wondering what to do on their trip to Korea, here is a list of top things to do in Seoul - the capital city of South Korea; and on Jeju Island - a destination offering gorgeous beaches, picturesque scenery, inactive volcanoes and other fascinating natural wonders.
Top Experiences in Seoul
1. Experience Royal Palace Life
Royal palaces like Gyeongbok Palace, Gyeonghui Palace, Changgyeong Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine are some of the must-see tourist attractions in Seoul. Explore the palace grounds, wear the Korean traditional costume of a royal guard, and participate in the guard-changing ceremony – a truly cultural experience!
2. Bukchon Hanok Village
Take a leisurely walk admiring the beautiful traditional hanok houses in this unique village. Some of these houses are opened as guesthouses and you could choose to stay there for a night to experience traditional Korean lifestyle. Partake of the amazing array of local street food whilst you are there.
3. Lovelock on N Seoul Tower
Located at the top of Namsan Mountain, the N Seoul Tower offers a bird’s eye-view of the city. Its main attractions include multi-coloured digital art projected onto the tower at night, a Digital Observatory, a Roof Terrace, the HanCook Restaurant and the n.Grill Restaurant. The Roof Terrace is popular for its "Locks of Love” where couples write their names on a lovelock and add it to the thousands of padlocks attached to the fence.
4. Han River Cruise
Enjoy a fine dining experience whilst admiring the scenery and the live performances on board the cruise on the Han River.
5. Shopping & Nightlife
Seoul is one of the most lively and dynamic nightlife capitals of the world. Even after midnight, throngs of people wander the streets in major shopping districts and popular downtown areas. The top attractions are Myeongdong Street - one of the primary shopping areas of Seoul; Dongdaemun Market for late-night shopping; and the Hongik University (Hongdae) neighborhood with its concentration of nightclubs. Enjoy local cuisine including Korean street food and fine dining at restaurants which are open long into the night.
Top Experiences on Jeju Island
1. Hike up holy Mt. Halla
Hike up Mt. Halla which rises 1950m above sea level. Designated as a bio-reserve area by UNESCO, it offers breathtaking views of the island. Don’t miss the wonderful crater and lake at the peak of Mt. Halla.
2. Seongsan Sunrise Peak
Experience the mesmerizing beauty of Jeju Island from Seongsan Sunrise Peak. The climb up the peak’s northwest side ridge to the 180-meter highest point takes 30 minutes. A perfect spot to watch the sunrise with your loved ones!
3. Explore the Parks
Visit Jeju Stone Park inspired by Jeju's legendary history about Grandmother Seolmundae who created Jeju Island and the stones of Obaek Janggun (the Five Hundreds Generals). Also visit Jeju Mini Land to take pictures with iconic buildings around the world in miniature sizes, or get lost in the labyrinth in Gimnyeong Maze Park.
4. Relax at the beaches
Experience the golden sands and blue waters of Jungmun Beach during the summers. At Hamdeok Beach, enjoy a banana boat ride and other leisure activities. Visit Hado Beach located in Gujwa-eup for its views of traditional fishing boats at sea and its amazingly clean and serene beach.
5. Partake of the Jeju Island Cuisine
The regional food of Jeju Island, which is located to the southwest of the Korean peninsula, is quite distinct compared to food from mainland Korea. Enjoy the traditional cuisine which is characterized by the spare use of seasonings to highlight the natural flavours of each dish’s ingredients.
