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Narrative Essay: My Trip to South Korea

I had always wanted to visit South Korea and I recently had the chance to spend a week in this amazing country. Unlike its northern neighbor which is pretty much closed to visitors, South Korea is a welcoming and hospitable country. It is an interesting place with a unique culture and a highly developing economy.

I flew into the capital Seoul. On arrival in the city, it was the marked contrast between modern skyscrapers and high design shopping malls and shanty towns that was immediately striking. Wide streets lined by fancy boutiques lead to a labyrinth of narrow alleyways with tiny traditional shops and eateries and there is a clutch of great tourist attractions.

My tour itinerary began on Seoul’s main boulevard, Sejongro, because I wanted to see the Royal Palace (Gyeongbok), the President’s residence, known as Cheongwadae or the Blue House, and the American Embassy. From here it’s a fairly short walk to Bukchon where there is the city’s largest collection of privately owned traditional wooden houses. It’s a charm with beautiful architecture and small courtyards, with the houses interspersed with quaint cafes and art galleries.

Taking the same route the next day, I took a trip into the mountains that peak behind the President’s House, and climbed the one known as Bugaksan. This affords the opportunity to pass through the Sukjeongmun Gate and through the city’s ancient fortress wall. From here the Seoul Fortress is easily accessible and there are also amazing views of Seoul.

Shopping in the Orient is an amazing experience so I made sure to pay a visit to the Shinsegae downtown department store. This huge emporium sells probably everything you can imagine and is a complete charm in the way the bottom floors sell all the basic staples of daily life – including the ubiquitous kimchee (fermented cabbage) and are frequented by Korean housewives while the upper floors cater to the well-heeled and brand conscious. As fascinating as it is, the new rooftop garden is a welcome respite. But, if you are going to shop in Seoul, it’s a must to visit the street stalls and hawkers of the Namdaemum Market where the wares seem to be spread out in a blanket of never-ending stalls. Be prepared to be seriously jostled by the crowds, but it’s also the chance to feast on the best street food.

One of the most surprising sights and a rue delight is the Cheonggyecheon Stream. Running for just under 4 miles through the city, the stream is remarkably quiet given its location, because it is 15 foot below street level. The serene setting, accentuated by waterfalls and bridge is a favorite strolling spot for romantic couples.

With a flying visit to Itaewon, the popular ex-pat neighborhood near to the main US army base, my time in Seoul came to an end. I was enthralled and captivated and hope I get to return one day.

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• South Korea
• 15 Reasons Why You Should...

15 Reasons Why You Should Visit South Korea at Least Once in Your Lifetime

While South Korea might not yet be the number one travel destination for many around the world, there are plentiful reasons why you should visit the country of the morning calm on your next vacation. From history to culture and food to religion, take a look at our guide to the top reasons why you should visit South Korea at least once in your lifetime.

Pulsating culture.

Natural Feature

Due to their long history, South Koreans have a variety of traditions they have kept alive throughout centuries. Still today, you can watch traditional Korean dance and music performances, while people love to dress in traditional clothes ( hanbok ) – you can rent it to wear around Seoul and Jeonju , for example. Even in modern Seoul, you can still find traditional hanok house neighborhoods with lovely teahouses that have been in existence for decades. This mix of old and new is truly fun to explore when traveling in South Korea.

Rich History

The history of South Korea is long and dating back over a thousand years. Due to the natural isolation of the Korean Peninsula, the country’s culture hasn’t changed as much as in other regions. Still today, you can stand in awe of some of the most significant cultural heritage sites of the country, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace , the main palace situated in Seoul . The city of Gyeongju is also a place of historic value and is often called a ‘museum without walls’. Gyeongju was the capital of Korea during the Silla Dynasty from 57 BC – 935 AD and is home to countless royal tombs, palaces, and temples that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Year-round Festivals

When you are for the first time in South Korea, make sure you visit a festival . Every year, there are more festivals in South Korea than one could attend, with a couple of main festivities everyone likes to join in with. When the snow melts and the weather gets warmer, pink and white cherry blossoms transform South Korea into a magical wonderland for a short period at the beginning of spring, and thousands of people come to see the blossoms from all over the country. Buddha’s Birthday is another major holiday celebrated in May with lantern parades and performances at local temples, while in fall, Koreans celebrate their own version of Thanksgiving during Chuseok and honor their ancestors during proudly conducted ceremonies. In fact, there are festivals in every month of the year for every taste.

Exciting Food

Koreans are very proud of their unique cuisine. This is another result of the country’s natural isolation and climate leading to particular food preparation methods. Take kimchi , for example, the country’s number one side dish made from salted and fermented vegetables that are kept in jars for months, one of many practices used to protect food during harsh winters. Over the centuries, Koreans have created a fascinating and rich food culture made up of meat dishes, stews, soups, noodle dishes, seafood and many vegetable side dishes. Visit South Korea and you should spend an entire day roaming street markets sampling your way through this concert of flavors.

Vibrant Cities

While Seoul is arguably the most thrilling city in South Korea, it’s not the only large city that’s worth a visit. Despite its small size, South Korea has plenty of exciting cities from north to south. Busan in the very south, for example, is the country’s second largest city and located on a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches and clear ocean water. Jeonju in the west of the country is one of the last places featuring a traditional old town with Korean hanok houses and a beautiful destination in spring and fall. Each of Korea’s nine provinces has its own local cuisine and attractions that are worth exploring.

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K-pop Culture

South Korea is world-famous for its exciting music culture. K-pop is not only a music genre, it’s part of Korean culture that captures people all over Asia and the world. Walking down main pedestrian streets in South Korea, you will hear the latest hits of the industry. K-pop fans visit South Korea in waves and visit their favorite group’s or singer’s music label, get a K-pop makeover or visit K-pop-themed cafés. If you’re not yet into Korean music, we guarantee you that after you visit South Korea, you will be.

Korean Trendsetters

K-pop and Korean fashion go almost hand in hand. However, in recent years, South Korea has not only become known for coming up with quirky outfits for their boy and girl groups but also setting global trends in regular fashion. Seoul Fashion Week, for example, is becoming more and more visited by international designers and fashion labels who visit fashion shows to import Korean fashion lines to their home countries in Europe, America, Africa and all over Asia. Visiting Seoul, visitors will also notice that South Koreans, in general, are very fashionable and love to experiment and show off their hot streetwear on the streets of Seoul. Visit Dongdaemun, Gangnam or Myeongdong to get your own sets of Korean outfits to take home with you.

Quirky Entertainment Options

Entertainment is very important to South Koreans and they come up with new ways to keep themselves amused almost every month. We have all heard of the quirky themed cafés all over Seoul that offer visitors the chance to pet cats or dogs, play with racoons, cuddle with meerkats and engage with all kinds of other animals. There are also themed cafés that allow you to dress up as a princess and take pictures or eat food shaped like poop. Karaoke rooms have also been part of Korean entertainment for decades and are popular among all age groups. PC rooms are also well-visited, usually by a younger crowd, who compete in a variety of online games with people from all over the world – so much so that South Korea has become a leading force in global e-sports.

You can find even more tranquility and inner peace when joining a one- or two-day templestay program, which allows you to spend some time living like Buddhist monks in temples across Korea. While the Korean templestay program might not be as heard of around the world, it’s a well-established organization offering English-speaking programs to anyone around the country. Whether you want to experience a templestay in downtown Seoul or in rural South Korea on top of a mountain, the options are endless and the results are incredibly rewarding.

Futuristic Modernity

In contrast to its historic landmarks, South Korea is a pioneer in creating new and innovative structures. Looking at Seoul, for example, you are surrounded by futuristic buildings in one part of the city, such as the Dongdaemun Design Plaza by Zaha Hadid, while traditional hanok neighborhoods lie just around the corner. Earlier this year, Seoul proudly opened the world’s fifth largest skyscraper piercing majestically out of the ground overlooking the Han River. It comes with little surprise that some of the world’s leading companies are also located here, including Samsung, Hyundai and Kia.

Make-up and Skincare

Ever wonder why Korean women (and men!) have flawless and stunningly beautiful skin? Koreans see taking care of their skin as an essential part of their daily lives and they spend more money on skincare and beauty than anywhere else in the world. Many Koreans even have a ten-step morning and night routine they strictly follow day after day to maintain their beautiful skin. It’s therefore no wonder that South Korea is home to countless skincare and make-up brands offering the most innovative and futuristic products on the global market. If that’s not a great reason to come to Korea, then we don’t know what is!

Quiet Countryside

As South Korea is not yet a worldwide popular vacation destination like its neighbors China and Japan , you will find untouched rural areas giving insight into traditional Korean lifestyle. While around 20% of all South Koreans live in and near Seoul, it’s especially the small rural villages where you can find peace and quiet. The well-connected railway and express bus systems make it easy to also explore the less visited areas of the country. You’ll be surprised that you can find lush rice terraces and hidden temples right here in South Korea.

Stunning Coastline and Beaches

Due to South Korea being a peninsula, the country offers miles and miles of beautiful coast and stunning beaches. Korea also has a lot of beautiful islands, the most popular and largest one being Jeju Island . Jeju Island is one of Korea’s most visited destinations thanks to its exceptional natural wonders and breathtaking beaches. Another beautiful beach and coastal region is Jeollado in the west of the country. Moreover, the eastern coast is famous for beautiful sunrises, the earliest in the country.

Picturesque Mountain Ranges

South Korean attractions include beautiful national parks. Despite its small size, South Korea is home to 22 national parks with countless mountains. The island of Jeju has the highest peak in South Korea, the shield volcano Hallasan. Another popular hiking area is Seoraksan, the third tallest mountain in the country at 1,708 meters (5,603 feet). You can hike around this national park on Culture Trip’s 10-day adventure around South Korea . It’s exactly this combination of mountains and coast that make South Korea such a thrilling destination.

Four Amazing Seasons

Due to South Korea’s location in East Asia, the country is blessed with changing seasons. This makes Korea an exciting place to travel and live. No matter when you travel to Korea, you’ll be surprised with breathtaking seasonal changes in nature, such as cherry blossoms in the spring, flower fields in the summer, colorful foliage in the fall and a white wonderland in the winter. Besides the changing weather, each season also has special festivals and also dishes, such as the Taebaeksan Snow Festival in winter and cold noodles in summer.

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Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — South Korea — South Korea: an Amazing Country

South Korea: an Amazing Country

• Categories: South Korea

About this sample

Words: 828 |

Published: Aug 30, 2022

Words: 828 | Pages: 2 | 5 min read

Works Cited:

• Haggis, P. (Director). (2004). Crash [Motion Picture]. United States: Lions Gate Films.
• Kellner, D. (2006). Cultural Studies, Multiculturalism, and Media Culture. Film-Philosophy, 10(1), 1-18.
• Leavy, P. (2008). The Oxford Handbook of Qualitative Research. Oxford University Press.
• Liu, J. H., & Hilton, D. J. (2005). Stereotypes and prejudice: Key readings. Psychology Press.
• Martin, M. (2006). Crash: Racism and Hysteria in America. Screen Education, (40), 43-48.
• Nakagawa, S. (2006). A Review of the Movie Crash. The Japanese Journal of American Studies, (17), 299-303.
• Nayar, P. K. (2009). An interview with Paul Haggis. Post Script: Essays in Film and the Humanities, 28(2), 28-36.
• Ponniah, S. (2011). Race and racism in Paul Haggis's Crash: A cultural analysis. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 1(6), 260-268.
• Said, E. W. (1978). Orientalism. Vintage Books.
• Shohat, E., & Stam, R. (1994). Unthinking Eurocentrism: Multiculturalism and the Media. Routledge.

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My first trip to seoul, korea.

After leaving Bangkok, I didn’t think I could encounter a bigger city but landing in Seoul I could see I was in for a shock. Seoul is such a dense city, with thousands of people on the street around you at all times. SO MANY PEOPLES! I couldn’t believe it, but I loved my trip to Korea.

My flight from Bangkok to Seoul was very tiring as I was in an aisle seat and ever since I can remember I’ve never been able to fall asleep for the life of me when I’m sitting in an isle seat. We had left for the airport in Bangkok at 11:30pm and landed in Seoul at 10:30am local time. Not having slept a wink you can imagine how delirious I was. I even fell asleep in the taxi on the way to the hotel, which looked like a racing car I might add. The moment I landed at the airport, I immediately noticed the cleanliness and that continued on throughout Seoul. As big and crowded as the city is, the people and city of Seoul take so much pride in cleanliness, order and efficiency! Everything is so exact and timely. I was very impressed. Once I checked into the Grand Hotel in Myeongdong I decided to lay down and try to rest a bit before venturing out but a couple dozen emails later, I realized a nap wasn’t going to happen so I got dressed and went for a walk.

I ended up in a nearby mall’s food court only to be impressed once again by the spread in the basement food court of a mall in Asian. I don’t think I can describe it accurately and it’s something everyone should see for themselves but imagine a large group of immaculate restaurants serving the most enticing food you’ve ever seen. By large, I mean thirty plus restaurants all next to each other so when you make the rounds you can’t decide what looks better so you often end up over-eating at multiple places and that’s how I packed on the weight that I am working off as we speak. What I want to stress to everyone is the importance of doing a lap around the whole cafeteria (if you can even call it that) before you make a decision of where to eat on your second lap. It’s definitely an experience to say the least!

I can’t stress enough the cleanliness of Seoul! I ended up doing a mixture of subways and taxis while I was there and having been in subways and public transportation in other cities I was so impressed at how clean it was down there! The bathrooms were immaculate and everyone in the subways followed the same rule and gave up their seat to anyone their senior. I thought that was so honorable.

The people of Seoul were so respectful. For example, every interaction ended with “kam sam ham ni da” a formal thank you. When presenting anything, it is customary to hold the right arm when extending your hand. The children are also very well behaved in public. I can say for certain I did not see a single child throwing a tantrum or being disrespectful. Not once.

For as much tourism as there is in that city they do a great job for keeping order. There are lines even in the escalators (the right side for people standing still and the left for people that want to climb up faster to make the exit of the subway systems more efficient. I also really loved the accuracy of their posted signs. For example, the signage for indicating the bathroom locations also have an exact distance of how many meters from your location it is. Also the digital signs indicating the location of the subway train in real time as it’s approaching you was extremely helpful.  Not that you are there bored by a means because you can entertain yourself with the many ads displayed on the walls as well as large LED screens that frankly were better quality then what I have at home! What I though was extremely amusing was all the plastic surgery ads as soon as you enter the ritzy part of town which is known for their abundant plastic surely centers. The advertisements showcase the before and after pictures of surgeries such as jaw shaving, eye lip/eye fold surgery (the most popular one), feet, nose, lips, toes… Really anything you can think of! You can walk around that part of town and see patients walking around hiding their scars and stitches with the white surgical masks people tend to wear to help combat the bad air pollution.

On top of the surgeries, people there are obsessed with preserving their youthful appearances. They will be covered from head to town in blistering heat as well as using an umbrella to combat the high UV rays that supposedly plague the area. To me everything seemed normal but I guess people there check the UV index as casually as I check the weather. Also, the skin care scene there is unparalleled by any other country. You can’t walk more than 15 feet before you see another skin care store. I am not exaggerating! They are that abundant there. As you would expect I did some shopping and will be posting my reviews of their skin products as soon as I’ve tested them. I would literally be walking down the street and at the end of the day end up with at least five free samples. Not to mention, when you purchase any products they usually throw in a bunch of free stuff and give you a discount! I felt as if I had hit the jackpot. I even bought skin care for men which I will make my guy friends try and report back to me. All the beauty stores were intoxicating and I couldn’t help myself but shop.

On another note, I greatly enjoyed the food in Seoul. I was already a big fan of Koran BBQ and absolutely love Kimchi so you can imagine I was in haven. I tried a few different Korean BBQ places and was even taken to a Korean BBQ type place that was inspired by a part of China that is mainly muslim. Instead of the traditional pork and beef dishes they served lamb skewers that we cooked at our table on a contraption that rotated our skewers for us.

I also got to experience a little bit of the nightlife in an artsy section of town called Seo Gyo Dong where the design students study. The area was cluttered with cafes! I was in heaven. You could literally walk down the street and pass a cafe a minute. We stopped at one called the Green Cloud Cafe where I discovered a new type of tea made from fruits and honey. In that part of town, I also had my first Korean Popsicle which I went on to have another and another… I mainly tired the watermelon one and the cantaloupe one and I was again surprised with the accuracy of the taste! In the watermelon Popsicles, the pieces that looked like seeds actually tasted like seeds. We also went to a pork only Korean BBQ place where I probably consumed more pork than I have in my whole life. I also noticed that Seoul had so many options of decadent desserts at every cafe. So many choices and so many calories, but I did try a few. I stuck with the traditional Korean choices, things I wasn’t going to find easily back in the states.

I was very lucky to have been traveling with friends and some were locals to Seoul. That made it so much easier to get a great tour of the city. One night we even stopped by a bar that a great little alternative rock band playing live music. It was reminiscent of what a small live music night at a bar would be in the Silver Lake area of Los Angeles. Then, we even headed to a children’s park in the center of that area where teenagers and college kids go to drink and hang with friends. There we randomly happened to catch a dancing act by two ladies that had set up shop to show off their moves and they were quite good! I was told another popular night time activity besides the obvious club scene is the Karaoke bars that get quite competitive with their grading scale. There are also Karaoke places where youngsters go to “be alone/ have adult meetings/ spend time together”… You get the picture. I guess that’s a pretty normal thing because it is customary for young people to live at home with their families until they get married so they have to get hotel rooms and go other places to be alone. Although I noticed that the Korean youth is quite reserved and conservative which may have something to do with the low birth rate and the declining population growth.

All in all, I had an amazing time on my trip to Korea! It was eye opening and entertaining and I will definitely be visiting Korea again to explore other parts of the country, such as the islands and the coastal city of Busan.

Things you must try in Seoul:

• The street food is fantabulous!!!!
• 32cm green tea ice cream cone
• Korean Popsicle bars: The shark one, the watermelon one and the Melona one. You’re welcome!

This is a little Vlog I did while in Seoul. Don’t forget to Subscribe to my YouTube channel .

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TOPIK Essay Writing Guide (쓰기 가이드)- Beginner Level

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Dr. Satish Satyarthi

Satish is the Founder and CEO of TOPIK GUIDE. He is passionate about languages. He created TOPIK GUIDE website to help Korean language learners learn Korean effectively, succeed in TOPIK test and achieve their goals. He has a PhD in Korean language. His research area has been 'Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language (외국어로서의 한국어교육)'. He is a Seoul National University (GKS) alumni. He has been active in Korean language teaching and research for more than 10 years.

THANK YOU SO MUCH ı DOWNLOADED THE PAPERS gOOD WORKS

@Serife OK.. so you were finally able to download the papers.. that’s good… All the best..

Thanks for ur great work TOPIK GUIDE.I also request to upload about essay writting guide For Inter-Mediate level too.

It’s very interesting to see examples of how the essays are evaluated, thank you very much for this post. I’d also be glad if you could do something similar for the Intermediate level as well.

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Learn how to write TOPIK essays well using Wongoji writing guidelines

The following are Wongoji basic writing guidelines that I found in a Nonsul (essay) notebook by PAPIER co, LTD. I’ve translated them into English to help you better understand how to properly write essays using Wongoji papers ( which is what the TOPIK test uses as well ).

Download Wongoji essay writing instructions PDF

The directions are included on the PDF print-out above, but here they are again for clarity:

Wongoji Basic Cryptography

By default, there aren’t any implicit principles for using wongoji . But usually using wongoji , there are some general forms to follow.

Essay wongoji were created to easily identify the fundamental elements of spelling, spacing, and so on. More than that, by dividing paragraphs, you can easily identify contents and see how much you’re writing. Therefore , certain forms will equip you with the ability to write descriptive paragraphs, so that when the grader first sees your writing, they’ll be left with a positive first impression.

• In one box , write one character . Only for the alphabet (lowercase) and Arabian numbers should 2 characters be used in one box, but every sentence mark should also have its own box. (Uppercase alphabet characters also need their own box.)
• For paragraphs , the first box should be left blank and you should start writing from the second box. This means it’s a new paragraph. Only do this for a new paragraph. (If there’s no empty box to leave a space between words in a line, don’t leave the next line’s first space blank. Rather, put a (V) mark after the last character and begin the next line with a consonant .)
•  Spacing and spelling rules should be followed, but when there’s a sentence mark that should usually be followed by a space like a comma (,) or period (.), generally don’t leave a blank.
•   Exclamation marks (!) or question marks (?) should be written in the center of the box, but quotation marks ( “ ” ) commas (,) and periods (.) should be written in the corner of the box nearest the letters they affect.
•  In the case that a sentence mark should be stamped at the end of a line, it shouldn’t be carried down to the next line, but rather placed inside the last box on that line. Starting a line with ‘.’ or ‘,’ should be carefully avoided.
•  When writing a dialogue , change to the next line for each full quotation mark ( “ ” ). The first box should be left blank and quotation marks should come in the second box.

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Also, if you want, I’ve also created our own FREE 원고지 Practice Papers that you can use to practice.

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Gather your resources! This is one of my favorite parts of any new Challenge because it can be fun to look over the kinds of materials you WANT to use and the kinds of things you WANT to learn (plus, Continue reading 120 Days to TOPIK #1 – Gather Resources

How I Will Study for the TOPIK II in 120 Days (and You Can Join Me)

Well, that was unexpected. I recently wrote a post outlining my plan to cram for the TOPIK II in 30 days. I had been planning to take the test on July 19, 2015. But, I guess plans change. As it turns Continue reading How I Will Study for the TOPIK II in 120 Days (and You Can Join Me)

Thanks! Initially I thought a space had to be left AFTER every form of punctuation “.” “,” etc… but that makes almost two full blocks oven between the sentences so this makes sense. I was also never sure what that “V” was for at the end of the sentence.

Right. But Sarah has also said that you probably don’t need to write the “V” at the end in TOPIK. She said nobody usually writes the “V” even though it’s “conventional.”

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What is counted as a 자 and what isn’t counted as a 자? I’m really confused by this because some sites said that spaces between words can be counted as a 자. How about the spacing before each paragraph/dialog/quotation? Is that counted as a 자 as well?

According to the TOPIK sample answers for essay, they said that if you exceed by 100 자 or do not meet the required amount of 자, they will minus 5 points. So if I exceed by 99 자, will I still get penalized for it?

Actually, EVERY box counts as a 자. “자” technically means “character” or “letter” and INCLUDES spaces.

For the most part on TOPIK, you WON’T be writing multiple paragraphs or quotations, so it isn’t something to really worry about during the test, but YES, the spacing before each should count as a 자 as well.

If you take a look at some sample TOPIK answer papers (in the back of the TOPIK Test Guide books, or located here on our website ), you can see that there are numbers going down the side of the page. This is to help with speedy counting of the number of 자 used. So long as you remain WITHIN the specified amount, you should be OK.

I’d also say, if you’re 99 in excess (and the penalty is 100), then you won’t be deducted. The numbers down the side of the paper make for simple counting and it will be easy to tell if you go “over” or not. They’ll just look down to see if you have 자 in the “forbidden area.”

But I say, Why even test it? For the most part, you’re not really going to be ABLE to write so long. It’s best to FOCUS your writing to your main points and work on cleaning up your essay WITHIN the guidelines. You won’t get bonus points for going long. But you WILL get better points for spending your extra time editing and fixing rather than over-writing.

Good luck in TOPIK!~

By the way, you know that from July, there is NO MORE Beginner Writing section , right? Only Intermediates and Advanced students need to worry about that.

Dear Aaron, thank you for your article. One question I have though is how we can edit the TOPIK writing essays. Is there an official way to insert corrections without being penalised?

You cannot edit TOPIK writing essays AFTER the test.

However, DURING the test, if you make an error, you need to use the white-out tape (available at the tests if you ask the test proctors – or just bring your own).

Last time, to try to avoid needing to use white-out tape, I tried to write the essay FIRST in pencil and then go back over it all in pen. However, this method took WAY too long and I didn’t have time to complete the full writing portion.

Therefore, I think it’s a much better idea to just do you best in pen and if you make a mistake, use the white-out tape.

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10 reasons to go to south korea.

• The People. Koreans are a joy — and they will get involved in your trip; we suggest you let them

Koreans are amongst the friendliest and most open people in Asia. That first bellowing call across a busy restaurant will be the waitress shouting across “I have a spare table here for you” . The second from the man two tables down “Hey new friends, join me for a drink” and the third from his wife “Try this dish with the drink, it will taste amazing”.   

It can take a little getting used to, but you soon love the rowdiness of Korean people. They'll tell you what to eat and laugh if it's too spicy for you, yell loudly as they “cheers” you with soju and welcome you into their mix. They are a real boisterous, fun and bonkers lot.  

The people will be a joyous part of your everyday experience in South Korea. It's a wide and diverse society, but they will always welcome you and have you as a friend within minutes. Being fun, open and friendly: it is part of Korea’s DNA.

Be sure to smile back!

2. The food culture is an experience unlike anywhere in the world

You get hungry, find a restaurant you like the look of, eat until you’re full and then dinner is done, right? Wrong.  

In Korea eating out is an all-night, big group affair and that goes on for rounds and rounds. First to a BBQ restaurant, then move to a chicken place, then to a bar for copious amounts of booze and more snacks. Embrace Korean food culture and you'll be out for hours. The whole country seems to revolve around its meals; the dizzying number of restaurants and street stalls attests to this! 

And what of the food itself? It's the product of thousands of years of trying, testing and refining flavours: savory treats that tickle the tongue, nuanced spices strong enough to both gently burn your mouth and heal your spirit, sour and astringent textures that party with your senses, and subtle sweetness filling your palate with warmth. Korean food is a declaration of life, and testament to this passionate culture.

No matter where you go or what you order, most meals come with endless and diverse side dishes (called banchan ) that quickly crowd the table to bursting. One of our absolute favorite places to experience this is Makgeolli Alley, in the foodie paradise of Jeonju . Here, you don’t even order anything off the menu. You only order how much bubbly makgeolli (rice wine) you want — enough for 2, 4, 6 people or a small elephant. The food is attached to the order and just comes — kimchi pancakes, tofu, blisteringly spicy soup, a whole fish (or two!) and more until you can’t eat another bite or drink another drop.

A trip to South Korea is a feast for the senses and eating out is a feast for the soul. 

Banchan , a typical assortment of side dishes

3. The hiking is world class and extremely accessible from the cities

If you like to keep active on your travels (you might feel the need to after all that food), then Korea is perfect for you. 70% of South Korea is mountains , and there are 22 national parks to choose from.  

Hills dot the landscape both in and out of the cities and you’re never further from a trail than a quick walk or ride on local transport. Forested trails that crisscross the hills sprinkled across the cities are a delight : they’re the perfect place to get some active exploration while you go about seeing the country. And they’re extremely approachable from a time and difficulty perspective; you can pop on a 30-minute jaunt through a forest with gentle slopes for a nice city break without even needing to leave the city.  

For more dedicated hiking, there are striking national parks across the country , not to mention three trails that span the length of the west, south, and east coasts.  

Transportation to and from popular entry points is accessible and simple, and the services around major national parks have everything you need from maps to food stops. And, of course, there are hikes for all levels ; from peaceful river strolls to steep and rocky mountain climbing full of waterfalls and beautiful views.

Nature is never far away from you

4. The beauty and diversity of its seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring

Unlike much of Asia, South Korea is a year-round destination with 4 distinct seasons, each wearing their own charm with passionate enthusiasm.

Come in the spring for the cherry blossoms you’ve never heard of and the colourful festivals that decorate the cities. Summer is beach season — go surfing on the east coast in Gangneung or diving in Jeju Island , or escape the humid heat for a quiet retreat in the heart of the mountains.

Autumn flames across the country in hues of deep orange and red and is the perfect time to hike the one of the 22 national parks that sprawl over the country. Head over during winter to see the palaces decorated in dramatic snowy scenery, or experience the world-class ski resorts of Pyeongchang.

Korea’s seasons will embrace you, delight you and make you fall in love with their myriad of colours, songs and exclusive flavours. 

Temples are often surrounded by nature

5. A rich history and deep sense of tradition

Don’t let the bright lights and shiny buildings fool you into thinking that Korea only has eyes for the future, Koreans have a proud sense of identity and a strong connection to their past .  

You’ll see Korea’s vast and fascinating history everywhere: ancient walls dotted across city and countryside, statues — old and new — in parks, islands and mountains, and temples, tombs and monuments peacefully coexisting with skyscrapers and wilderness alike. It’s got cultural villages where each picture-perfect little building remains someone’s home — and perhaps your home too for the night. 

Seoul itself has not one but five royal palaces, all unique in their own way, with dramatic gates and vibrant colours adorning every wall and roof.  

For those of us who want to go even further back, a trip out to Gyeongju gives a glimpse of the capital of the Silla Kingdom, which ruled much of the Korean Peninsula between 57 BC and 935 AD.  

One of our favourite places to peek into the past here is the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple. These two sights contain some of best and most important examples of Buddhist sculpture and architecture in the country!  

Fast-forward thousands of years to recent history, and just an hour north of Seoul you’ll experience a sobering reminder of South Korea’s ongoing conflict with the North: sterile buildings, barbed wire, land mines and watchtowers. The demilitarized zone (DMZ) is a different world to what many of us are used to, and it’s part of the country’s living history.

Keep one eye on the past during your South Korea holiday adventure to get a much richer understanding of the traditional influences that have shaped the country, and everything will, well, make much more sense. 

Traditional roofs have a meticulous design

6. Contemporary Korea is vibrant, fun and hurtling towards the future

You might already be more connected to Korea than you think . What car do you drive? What phone do you use? What was the last hit TV series you watched? Almost without realising, the world has found itself leaning into Korea more and more, and the modern side of Korean culture is waiting to amaze you, amuse you, and (sometimes) confuse you during your trip.    

Korea’s cities offer some fabulous modern hotels and some eye-catching contemporary architecture. The soaring skyscrapers of Seoul and Busan make it clear that these are two cities that are rushing headlong into the future. Experience it at the Lotte World Tower (Korea’s tallest building), where those with a head for heights can cross the 11-metre “sky bridge” that links the tower's paired spires 541 meters above street level. 

You’ll feel it as you browse the boutiques in Gangnam or stroll between gleaming tower blocks and the ocean at Haeundae Beach. Or by asking one of the roaming robots for directions at Hyundai, Korea’s first eco-friendly future-concept department store. 

Wander down K-Star road and spot your favourite idols "art toy statues" or even a glimpse the star themselves, if you’re lucky. Join the locals for after-work drinks , then dinner (and more drinks!), then party the night away to a backdrop of K-pop energy, as you let the Hallyu wave flow over you! 

LED lights and sleek design are part of everyday life

7. The art spills out of galleries and museums into the street

Korea’s love of art, design and beauty is evident everywhere – and wonderful. 

As well as its world-class museums and galleries there are installations and street art aplenty in both cities and countryside. It makes strolling the streets a joy, we recommend some aimless wandering just to see what you find.

In Seoul, just steps from the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza , you can find the charming Cheongyecheon Stream , an oasis of calm below the city streets which features an ever-changing range of art displays throughout the seasons.  

Whilst traversing the Han River, Banpo Bridge turns on its extravagant light and water fountain display each night for a visual display to rival that of the Bellagio.  

A trip to the serene Ihwa Mural Village in Seoul is a delight, especially getting lost in its narrow alleyways; but for true artistic beauty you cannot look further than the Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan where art murals and sculptural pieces are dotted throughout the valley of pistachio and peach houses that make up the neighbourhood.

The arts are flourishing ubiquitously

8. The cafe/bar culture is booming, and fun

It can feel as though Korea is 70% mountains and 30% trendy coffee shops. From converted hanok houses, to deep inside the warehouses of Seongsu (the Brooklyn of Seoul), beachside shacks in Jeju or boutique roasteries in Gangneung, you’ll find cafés in the most unlikely places . Not just unique, aesthetic venues on offer, but quirky takes on the traditional latte too – purple sweet potato flavour anyone?  

But the fun really starts in the evening; if New York is the city that never sleeps, then South Korea is the country that never sleeps. It can feel as though the whole population is out hitting the soju until the early morning hours – join the locals who crowd the pojangmacha tents that line the city streets at night.  

If you prefer something a little more refined (or just less rowdy), a plethora of craft breweries have popped up in recent years, or try a chic rooftop bar with cityscape views.  

Coffee, tea, and endless nibbles: make sure to try different cafés!

9. Jeju Island — the Hawaii of South Korea

It’s hard to overstate beauty of Jeju. Though just an hour’s flight from Seoul, Jeju has a rich, indigenous culture all of its own. 

Jeju is best known for its startlingly beautiful countryside , which all races up to Korea’s highest mountain – 1,950 metre-high Hallasan (it’s not that hard to climb if the weather agrees). Landscaped gardens filled with cacti and bonsai, staggeringly beautiful waterfalls, ringed by beaches, museums dedicated to everything from teddy bears to sex to modern art, a volcano to climb... honestly, we could go on and on. Even the two cities, Jeju City and Seogwipo, are lovely. 

And your island adventure need not start and finish with Jeju; a short ferry-ride away is Udo , which somehow contrives to be even more bucolic, and makes a grand place for a bike or buggy ride. Connected to Udo is the tiny islet of Biyangdo (current population: two), which was once a base for the haenyeo, Jeju’s most famous residents: the legendary, free-diving “sea women”, some of whom still ply this perilous trade well into what most would call retirement years. 

There is simply no better place to contrast with South Korea’s always-on, contemporary culture.  

These stone statues are the signature mark of Jeju island

10. You can have it all in this beautiful country of contrasts

South Korea’s eclectic, dramatically diverse experiences and startlingly unique culture mean you can have it all in one trip: art, history, food, tradition, futurism, coast, mountains and fun.  

You’ll first be welcomed by skyscrapers, museums, and street art around every corner; in the same neighborhood, you’ll suddenly find yourself strolling through vibrant ancient city temples, with the smell of incense and the sound of monks leading practitioners in Buddhist chants.

Korea is a country that works hard and plays hard — in the restaurants and bars, but also in out in nature — green spaces, parks, mountains abound. There are island getaways and vast rural areas. There really is something for everyone – but that something will be uniquely Korean.  

South Korea keeps you on your toes, expecting the unexpected. It’s brilliant.  

Even the statues will welcome you!

Feeling inspired to visit South Korea for yourself? Explore our favourite routes here .

You can also download our South Korea brochure here .

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South Korea Tourism, Essay Example

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Words: 1422

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Introduction

South Korea is a country with a long association with the United States. American soldiers have been stationed there for over 60 years, since the Korean War of 1950-52. In this paper, a trip to South Korea to experience its unique culture and history will be presented. The aim of the itinerary is to see as much which is authentically Korean in the time available.

Area History and Background

The country of South Korea was created in 1948, when the Korean Peninsula became split between the Communist North and the capitalist South. Since 1950, when the Korean War began with an invasion from the North, Korea has been split into two countries who regard each other with great animosity. The South’s correct name is the Republic of Korea. While there has not been any considerable political turmoil here since the 1980s, the historical and political situation can still become heated, both in terms of relations with the North and relations with other Asian powers, such as Japan.

A landmark of particular interest to Americans is the Demilitarised Zone, or DMZ. This dates from the end of the Korean War and marks the dividing point between North Korea and South Korea. This border remains the most heavily fortified border in the world, and is a focus for much tension between the countries.

Travel Motivations

Visiting the locations detailed here allows visitors to see what the real Korea has to offer. Many westerners are often very ignorant of the traditions and lifestyles of Asian countries, so a main motivation for visiting this type of location is to feel more informed and knowledgeable, in a much more specific and empirical way. This feeling of authenticity makes every location a great draw for visitors who want to know what Korea is like in terms of food, art and other cultural activities, without having to live in the country for many years. While leisure and recreation are also motivating factors, the quest for knowledge is the main factor in influencing people in their choice of these destinations.

There has also been an explosion of interest in Korean popular culture, following the explosion of the Gagnam dance on the internet. Many people might be drawn into visiting the country because of this, but would want to experience culture such as this at close hand.

Specific destinations on the tour include the capital city of Seoul, as well as more rural locations and other towns too. This forms a good and useful focus for any first time visitors to South Korea, providing a good overview of the country. They can expand their knowledge of any other areas of the country in subsequent visits, should their curiosity be piqued sufficiently.

Overview of Tourism Development

There has been talk recently of attempts to improve Seoul’s tourist infrastructure, with the amount of tourists increasing by increasing by 10 per cent annually, according to the Korea Tourism Organisation. While local media has sometimes expressed embarrassment at the country’s tourist facilities, generally speaking there are a good range of facilities on offer to visitors.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government has committed to improving the infrastructure further though, in an attempt to attract 10 million visitors per year. As their website states: “The key strategy is to turn places like the Hangang, Cheonggyecheon, Insa-dong and Namsan (Mt.) into vivid tourist places.”

This mentality means that the city is very welcoming, generally, to outsiders, and there is a very low crime rate when compared generally to the United States. Crimes against property like burglary and robbery do occur though, so visitors should still be careful. Crimes against the person such as rape do take place, so women travelling alone should make sure that someone they trust has their itinerary. The usual guidelines for travel in a foreign city apply, like taking rides from strangers after dark, apply here as well.

The political tensions between South Korea and North Korea can sometimes lead to tense situations in the city, according to USA Today’s guide to travel in the region. Stay away from areas where demonstrations or protests are taking place, as emotions can often become heated and violence sometimes occurs. If an emergency does take place and you are in danger, then call 112 for the police or 119 for an ambulance or the fire department. The emergency services offer an interpretation service for visitors who do not speak Korean. If you are worried about picking up local infections then drink only bottled water and avoid eating fresh fruit and vegetables.

Currency/Visa Requirements

The local currency is known as the Won. There are currently 1083 Won to the US Dollar.

To enter South Korea you will need an up-to-date and valid passport. If you have a valid US passport then you can stay in South Korea for 90 days without a visa. If you are entering the country for reasons other than short-term business reasons or tourism or for a stay of longer than 90 days, then you must have a valid visa obtained from the South Korean embassy.

This is a complete bespoke package tour, with all prices inclusive. The total cost is stated at the end of the itinerary.

DAY 1 – Departure

Depart for Seoul, Korea.

Day 2 – Seoul

Arrive in Seoul. Take airport limo service to hotel.

Room will be available for occupancy by 1.00 PM local time.

Rest of the day at leisure.

Lunch and Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at hotel such as Grand Hilton / JW Marriot

Day 3 – Seoul

Full day city tour visiting Gyeongbok Palace, Folklore Museum, Insadong Alley, The Blue House, Jogesa Temple and South Gate Open Market.

(Seat in a coach tour)

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Dinner at a local restaurant.

Overnight at Grand Hilton / JW Marriot

Day 4 – Seoul

This afternoon visit Korean Folklore Village.

(seat in a coach tour).

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 – Mt. Soraksan

Morning departure for Mt. Soraksan. Afternoon tour of Beeryong Waterfall and Kwonkumsong.

Overnight at Hotel Sorak Park / Kensington

Day 6 – Seoul

Morning excursion to Shinhungsa Temple and Flying Fairy Rock. Afternoon departure for Seoul.

Overnight at hotel Grand Hilton / JW Marriot.

Day 7 – Mt. Songnisan

Leave Seoul for overnight excursion to Mt. Songnisan.

Visit Popjusa Temple and Mt. Songnisan.

Overnight at Songnisan Tourist Hotel.

Day 8 – Gyeongju

Visit Haeinsa temple and Mt. Kayasan enroute.

Dinner at a local restaurant

Upon arrival in Gyeongju, check into hotel Commodore/ Hilton/ Hyundai.

Day 9 – Gyeongju

Full day sightseeing tour visiting Pulguksa temple, Sokkuram Grotto, designated a national treasure and one of the finest Buddhist shrines, Chomsongdae Observatory, built to represent the lunar calendar; National Museum which exhibits the treasures from the Royal tombs, Pulkuksa Temple, Tumhli Park, Anapji Pond and Shilla Kiln.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Overnight at hotel Commodore/ Hilton/ Hyundai.

Day 10 – Busan

Drive to Pusan en route visiting Tongdosa Temple. Afternoon tour of Yongdusan Park, Taejongdae Beach park, U.N. Cemetery and Fishery Market.

Overnight at Busan Commodore / Westin Chosun Beach / Paradise Beach.

Day 11 – Jeju

This morning you will fly to Jeju Island.

Arrive in Jeju. Take airport limo service to hotel.

Afternoon city tour Moksokwon, Folkcraft & history Museum, Dragon Head Rock and Samsunghyul.

Overnight at The Hotel& Vegas Casino/ Hyatt Regency/ Jeju Grand.

Day 12 – Jeju

Full day tour to Sanbanggulsa, Chungbang Waterfall, Chonjiyon waterfall, Sungeup Folk Village, Sungsan Sunrise Peak and Manjang Cave.

(coach tour)

Day 13 – Seoul

Fly back to Seoul.

Take airport limo service to hotel

Balance of the day at leisure.

Day 14 – Seoul

Morning free for shopping and other independent activities.

Check out from the hotel by noon.

Take airport limo service to airport.

Depart on your onward journey / home.

Cost of the Vacation: Double Occupancy   $ 4575.00

Airfare-Tour itinerary

Busan – Jeju – Seoul   $ 290.00

Total: $4865

Plus money for meals (estimated): Dinner in South Korea usually costs between 5000 Won and 10,000 Won, and food is cheap by American or European standards.

Therefore estimated cost for meals: 140,000 Won = $129.19

Total cost = $4994.19

Airline: Air India

Tour Operator: Exotic Journeys Inc.

Author unknown, ‘Infinitely Yours, Seoul’, ‘Tourism and Convention Industry’ (2011) http://english.seoul.go.kr/db/kcp/6nge7.php

Author unknown, Exotic Journeys article ‘What It Includes’ (2012) http://www.exoticjourneys.com/whatincludes.html

Kimberley Sharp, ‘Safety in Seoul’, USA Today (2012) http://traveltips.usatoday.com/safety-seoul-korea-102007.html

US Department of State ‘Korea, Republic of, Country Specific Information’ (2012) http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1018.html#safety

Yonhap News Agency, Editorial, ‘Time to drastically improve tourism infrastructure’ (2005) http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/yhedit/2012/10/05/49/5100000000AEN20121005007300315F.HTML

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Essay on South Korea

Students are often asked to write an essay on South Korea in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on South Korea

Introduction.

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia. It’s known for its green, hilly countryside, centuries-old Buddhist temples, and high-tech cities.

South Korea is located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It is surrounded by the Yellow Sea to the west, and the East Sea to the east.

Capital City

The capital city, Seoul, is a bustling metropolis with modern skyscrapers, high-tech subways, and pop culture alongside historic palaces, and street markets.

Korean culture is rich with tradition, including the popular Korean music, K-pop, and Korean dramas that are famous worldwide.

South Korea has a robust economy, being one of the world’s leading industrialized nations. It’s a global leader in technology, electronics, shipbuilding, and auto manufacturing.

250 Words Essay on South Korea

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. Its rapid economic growth, technological advancements, and rich cultural heritage make it a fascinating subject of study.

Economic Growth and Technological Advancements

South Korea’s economic growth, often referred to as the “Miracle on the Han River,” transformed it from a war-torn nation to an economic powerhouse. It is home to renowned multinational corporations like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG. Moreover, the country’s technological advancements, particularly in the fields of IT and robotics, have positioned it as a global leader in innovation.

Culture and Heritage

South Korea’s rich cultural heritage, embodied in its traditional music, dance, and art forms, coexists with its modern pop culture. The global phenomenon of K-pop and Korean dramas (K-dramas) has significantly increased its cultural influence, a phenomenon known as the “Korean Wave” or “Hallyu.”

Political Landscape

The political landscape of South Korea is marked by its democratic system and ongoing tensions with North Korea. Despite these challenges, South Korea has maintained political stability, contributing to its economic and social progress.

South Korea’s journey from devastation to prosperity, its technological prowess, and cultural richness offer valuable insights into the transformative power of innovation, cultural preservation, and resilience. It stands as a testament to the potential of human endeavor in shaping a nation’s destiny.

500 Words Essay on South Korea

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is a vibrant nation that has made significant strides in economic development, technological advancement, and cultural exportation over the past few decades. Nestled on the Korean Peninsula in East Asia, South Korea epitomizes a successful blend of traditional Asian culture and Western influence.

Economic Development

South Korea’s economic narrative is one of the most compelling stories of the 20th century. From the ashes of the Korean War, the nation rose to become the 10th largest economy in the world, a phenomenon often referred to as the “Miracle on the Han River.” South Korea’s economic model, heavily reliant on chaebols (family-controlled conglomerates), has been instrumental in this rapid development. Companies like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG have become global powerhouses, contributing significantly to the country’s GDP.

Technological Advancement

South Korea is a global leader in technological innovation and digital connectivity. With the highest internet speed in the world and a tech-savvy population, the nation is at the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. South Korea’s commitment to research and development, coupled with a robust education system, has fostered an environment conducive to technological advancement. The country is also home to the city of Songdo, one of the world’s first smart cities designed from the ground up.

Cultural Exportation

South Korea’s cultural influence, known as the “Korean Wave” or Hallyu, has swept across the globe. Whether it’s K-dramas, K-pop, Korean cuisine, or beauty products, South Korean culture has permeated every corner of the world. This cultural exportation has not only boosted the country’s soft power but also contributed significantly to its economy. The global popularity of groups like BTS and movies like “Parasite” are testaments to the country’s cultural influence.

Despite its economic and cultural prowess, South Korea faces a complex and challenging political landscape. The nation is technically still at war with North Korea, as the Korean War ended with an armistice, not a peace treaty. This geopolitical tension, coupled with the pressure of being sandwiched between China and Japan, presents unique challenges for South Korea.

South Korea is a nation that has successfully navigated the path from war-torn poverty to economic prosperity and global cultural influence. Despite the geopolitical tensions that persist, the country continues to forge ahead, driven by innovation, cultural richness, and an indomitable spirit. South Korea’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience, strategic planning, and cultural vibrancy. It serves as an example for other nations aspiring to similar heights of development and global impact.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Sound
• Essay on Solar System
• Essay on Snowfall

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

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Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do

Looking for the best things to do in South Korea? Enjoy our South Korea bucket list full of great ideas on how you can plan your South Korea trip! This list features things to do in Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju and more beautiful places around the country. Here’s our bucket list on what to do in South Korea!

South Korea is a country in East Asia known for its K-Pop, Korean food, palaces, Buddhist temples and the famous capital city Seoul. If you love unique culture, views of mountains, bright neon signs and a country with so many modern features then you should start creating your South Korea bucket list now!

There are so many amazing things to do in South Korea and this list won’t even capture it all – but it’s definitely a start and a great introduction to what to do in South Korea on a first trip! If you need any help planning out your route, head over to our 2 week South Korea itinerary to plan the most amazing trip.

This South Korea bucket list includes destinations that are easy to get to by the impressive public transport the country has to offer. We’ll share how to get to these places and a few more tips for South Korea at the bottom of this page!

This post may contain affiliate links. We will receive a small commission if you make a purchase using these links, at no additional cost to you .

Ultimate South Korea Bucket List

Table of Contents (Skip to a section!)

South Korea is an incredible country to visit with amazing cities, lovely villages, great food and some of the best hikes! In no particular order – here are the 20 best things to do in South Korea!

1. Visit Gyeongbukgung

Gyeongbukgung is one of the most beautiful palaces in Seoul . There are five palaces in Seoul and all of them deserve a visit – but if you only have time for one, make it Gyeongbukgung. It was built in 1395 and was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty.

Make your visit to the palace memorable by renting a hanbok for a few hours. Hanbok rental stores are hard to miss when visiting South Korea and there are a few rental shops right around the corner from Gyeongbukgung. Find the link on Klook here –  Hanbok Rental Klook

If you’re in Seoul for a few days – check out our  5 Day Seoul Itinerary travel guide here !

We use a  Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit  to take photos of us together on our camera, it’s so useful especially when there’s no one around! There’s also a version for a phone –  Joby Phone Tripod  to get the best photos on your South Korea trip!

2. Have a traditional Korean meal

Eating Korean food is one of the best things to do in South Korea and should definitely be on your South Korea bucket list! Enjoy a traditional Korean meal at Osegye Hyang ( location ) in the gorgeous streets of Insadong.

When entering, it’s polite to take off your shoes and sit on cushions on the floor instead of chairs. Along with your meal, you’ll be served lots of little side dishes called Banchan ! The best meal to have when you first arrive in South Korea!

3. Stay in a Temple

Temple stays are a cultural programme in South Korea as a way to experience the Buddhism lifestyle and practices. It’s our favourite thing we did in South Korea and we’d 100% go back to stay in more temples around the country. We highly recommend – Golgulsa Templestay ! (Near Gyeongju & Busan)

Here’s the link to find out more information and book a stay at –  Golgulsa Templestay Reservations . The  price  is  60,000KRW  per night, per person. (30krw for a pre-schooler)

We’ve also shared a Golgulsa Templstay Review so you can find out exactly what it’s like to stay overnight in a South Korean Buddhist Temple. It’s such an amazing and unique experience!

4. Take the train to Busan

If you’ve ever seen the horror/action movie Train to Busan – then taking the train from Seoul to Busan must be on your South Korea bucket list! Remember, it’s just a movie!

You can book your ticket on the KTX  here –   Korail Train Tickets . It’s a quick 2 hour 15 minutes from Seoul to Busan and the tickets are usually around ₩45,000 – ₩65,000. If you’re on a budget, then intercity and express buses are generally cheaper but slower in South Korea.

If you’re taking multiple trains in South Korea, you may want to get a KR Pass to save you money! Find out more details on Klook !

If you’re interested in travel costs and how much to budget for South Korea, here’s our 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024) !

5. Explore a Hanok Village

Another one of the best things to do in South Korea is to explore the many hanok villages that can be found around the country. Bukchon Hanok Village may be the most popular village to explore in South Korea as it’s located in Seoul. It’s absolutely beautiful and should be on your South Korea things to do list! Find Bukchon Observatory for an impressive view to see the tops of the preserved buildings!

• Jeonju Hanok Village (Jeonju)
• Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Andong Hahoe Folk Village (between Seoul & Busan)

6. Visit the DMZ

If you’re spending a few days in Seoul you may be interested to visit the Demilitarized Zone of Korea in between North and South Korea. It’s an important part of the country and there’s so much history to learn about the Korean War. This can only be done on a tour –  book tickets with Klook here !

7. Spend a day in Gyeongju

Wondering what to do in South Korea? Take a visit to the beautiful city of Gyeongju also known as a museum with no walls . This ancient city has preserved remains and tombs from many years ago and it was once the residence of Silla rulers for over 1000 years. You can book a Gyeongju UNESCO World Heritage Tour from Busan on Klook .

Take a browse at 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju  to plan your trip!

8. Eat Korean street food

We’ve already mentioned that Korean food should be on your South Korea bucket list – and now we want to tell you to try Korean street food! There are so many markets around the country that have amazing choices when it comes to food. Gwangjang Market is our favourite food market in Seoul!

• Tteokbokki (Rice cakes in a spicy sauce)
• Gun Goguma (Roasted sweet potatoes)
• Mandu (Korean dumplings)
• Gamja-Hotdog (Korean-style corn dog covered with potato)
• Dakgangjeong (Korean fried chicken with a sweet spicy coating – There’s vegan options too!)
• Bindaetteok (Mung bean pancakes)

Check out our Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024) !

9. Hike in Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan National Park is one of the most impressive hiking spots in South Korea. Sokcho (the city nearby) is only a bus ride away from Seoul and has accommodations to stay in for anyone who wants to spend a day or more in the park.

Hiking Seoraksan ( Snow Rock Mountain ) should be on your things to do in South Korea if you love hiking! Challenge yourself to reach Ulsanbawi – a six-peak formation with gorgeous views of the mountains. It takes around four hours one way or there’s actually a cable car going a similar way.

10. Wander around Insadong

Seoul is a destination that must be on your South Korea bucket list and one of the best things to do in South Korea is to wander around the beautiful streets of Insadong.

Insadong is home to many independent restaurants, cafes and boutique shops – it’s a lovely place to spend a morning or afternoon in South Korea. It also has a few of our favourite places to eat! Plan your Seoul trip here –  5 Day Seoul Itinerary travel guide !

11. Hike to the top of Seoul Tower

Next up on your South Korea bucket list is hiking in Namsan Park (Seoul Tower). Don’t worry, it’s not as long as the hikes in Seoraksan National Park and it’s right in the heart of Seoul. It’s actually possible to get a bus up to the top and the base of the tower.

The views are incredible from the park and one of our favourite things to do in South Korea. You can also go o the top of the tower for a better view of the city. Tickets are really affordable on Klook – so make sure you  buy your ticket in advance!

12. Go to a K-Pop concert

K-pop is very popular in South Korea and people also love it around the world! For some fans, it’s the main reason they visit South Korea! K-pop is short for Korean popular music and is a big part of South Korean culture. Check tickets on InterPark or search the web! It’s such a South Korea bucket list moment to be able to watch K-pop live in the same country it originated from!

13. Try bibimbap

Bibimbap is a big part of Korean cuisine and it’s easily customizable for anyone which means it’s great for vegetarians in South Korea. Bibim means mixing rice and bap refers to the rice.

The Korean dish is usually topped with kimchi, gochujang, vegetables or protein and mixed up before being eaten. It’s one of the tastiest and most nutritious dishes in South Korea and originated in Jeonju!

Browse our guide on 25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips before your trip!

14. Explore Jeju Island

Jeju Island has to be on your South Korea bucket list, unfortunately, we didn’t get a chance to visit the island on our South Korea trip and are definitely planning a visit there next time!

The island is known for its stunning nature, waterfalls, the highest mountain in South Korea and lovely beaches. It’s a popular getaway for Koreans to escape the business of cities on the mainland. The country isn’t short on things to do in South Korea to spend your days!

15. Stay in a Hanok in Jeonju

Jeonju Hanok Village is home to over 700 Hanok homes that are still being used to this day. Some are people’s homes and others have been turned into accommodations for guests. Staying in a hanok is one of the best things to do in South Korea!

We highly recommend staying in the accommodation Jungdam ( Find here on Booking.com ) – right in the heart of the traditional Korean village! In hanoks, the sleeping set-up is Korean Style (on the floor!)

16. Try out Noraebang (Karaoke)

Noraebang is the Korean name for Karaoke (which is Japanese ). South Koreans love Noraebang and you’ll find plenty of Noraebang rooms in cities around the country. Most noraebang will rent a room by the hour to sing your heart out! It’s common to see clips from older K-dramas in the rooms too, so it’s a fun experience!

17. Shop in Hongdae

You can’t take a trip to Seoul without visiting the vibrant and trendy neighbourhood of Hongdae. Visit one of the many cafes in the area to join in with the popular cafe culture in South Korea. Hongdae is also a great place for nightlife and amazing street performers! Add this to your bucket list in South Korea!

Hongdae  is one of the hip and trendy areas of Seoul, with many shops, restaurants and themed cafes. It’s also a great spot for nightlife alongside Itaewon. Street performers

18. Take a trip to Nami Island

Nami Island is a popular day trip from Seoul and one of the best things to do in South Korea in any season but especially in the Fall. The trees and foilage come alive in peak season and it’s a cosy place to visit!

From Seoul catch a train to Gapyeong Station, then a bus and from there it’s a 10-minute ferry over to the island! You can even take a zip wire onto the island! Nami island is also known as the final resting place of General Nami who was part of the Joseon Dynasty and a filming location for K-dramas such as Secret Garden and My Love from the Star.

The best way to get to Nami Island is to book a tour with Klook , prices are usually discounted and you can choose what activities to do. A Nami Island day trip is also included in the Klook Seoul Pass !

19. Gamcheon Culture Village

Visiting Gamcheon Culture Village is another one of the most interesting things to do in South Korea and a must when visiting Busan! The village has come a long way since the Korean war when it was populated by poor residents of Busan.

The Tourism board of South Korea chose to bring the village to life with art and creativity in the hope to attract visitors. It soon became a beautiful attraction with cute cafes and trendy shops and now it’s a spot to add to your South Korea bucket list!

We also have an in-depth 3-Day Busan Itinerary if you’re planning a visit!

20. Learn about history at the National Museum of Korea

Lastly on this South Korea bucket list, is to take a visit to the National Museum of Korea in Seoul – the largest museum in South Korea ! There is a collection of more than 310,000 historic artefacts dating back thousands of years.

The museum is easy to reach by Seoul’s public transport. It’s also free to enter this museum, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for things to do in South Korea!

So that’s our 20 best things to do in South Korea bucket list – it’s definitely not all the best things to do in the country, but now you can add to this to create your perfect trip. Here are a few more suggestions for you!

Best things to do in South Korea (Weather)

December – February ( Winter ) – Go skiing or snowboarding! If you’re visiting South Korea in the winter, it’s the best time to hit the slopes or have fun in the snow! Build a snowman, create a snow angel or go on a winter hike. The winter is pretty cold in South Korea, but it’s definitely worth a visit to see the country magically covered in snow!

March – May ( Spring ) – Once the snow has melted away and nature starts brightening up again, South Korea is covered in beautiful cherry blossoms. Japan is well known for the Sakura season all over the world, but South Korea gets the same lovely blossoms. Visit in Spring to be a part of the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival!

June – August ( Summer ) – This season is pretty different to European summers. South Korea experiences typhoons and the rainy season in the summer months. It’s usually hot and humid with lots of rain, although there will be sunny days too! We visited in early June and it was getting hot but no rain.

September – November ( Fall ) – Another beautiful season to visit South Korea – the foilage in October is absolutely beautiful and should be a season on your South Korea bucket list. Spring and Fall may be the best seasons to come to Korea.

What to pack for South Korea?

Depending on the weather, you’ll want to pack the clothes you usually wear, plus a good pair of footwear! We wear trainers everywhere (even when wearing hanbok oops!) and it’s definitely needed in the cities or on short hikes. Here are a few travel essentials we always carry:

• Stainless Steel Water Bottle  – A refillable bottle is a must when tap water is free & accessible in South Korea!
• Amazon Basics Packing Cubes  – We can’t pack our bags without using packing cubes!
• Rain Mac in a Bag  – Essential for unpredictable rainfall when it’s warm in Korea!
• Anker Power Bank  – Keep your phone charged by carrying around a power bank for your trip!
• Worldwide Travel Adaptor  – The best for visiting multiple countries!
• Joby GorillaPod 3K Pro Kit  – The perfect lightweight tripod to take anywhere in South Korea! We love our  Joby GorillaPod  and use it for our  Sony A600 . There’s also a version for a phone –  Joby Phone Tripod .

Where to stay in South Korea?

• Seoul – Hostel Tommy – Find here on Booking.com !
• Busan – Dynamic Guesthouse – Find here on Booking.com !
• Gyeongju – Doobaki Guesthouse –  Find here on Booking.com !
• Jeonju – Jungdam –  Find here on Booking.com !

Festivals in South Korea

Boryeong Mud Festival – A celebration of water, coolness & covering the body in mud – summer

Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival – A festival to celebrate cherry blossoms – spring

Busan International Film Festival – A movie festival in Busan – fall

Lotus Lantern Festival – A celebration & Buddha’s birthday festival – spring

The Seoul Lantern Festival – A celebration of Korean culture – fall

Boseong Green Tea Festival – To celebrate South Korea’s biggest tea plantation – spring

SafetyWing Nomad Insurance

Don’t forget Travel Insurance! SafetyWing is a totally flexible monthly-rolling travel insurance to help you stay safe on your trip anywhere in the world. You don’t have to be in your home country to start it and you can add months to your trip whenever you need to! Find out more here!

More  South Korea  guides:

• Ultimate 2 week South Korea Itinerary: Best Places (2024)
• 5 Day Seoul Itinerary – Best Things To Do (2024)
• Staying in Golgulsa Temple: The Best Templestay in Korea (2024)
• 3 day Busan Itinerary: What to do in Busan (2024)
• 11 Best Things to do in Gyeongju: Itinerary (2024)

25+ Best South Korea Travel Tips: What to Know

• Vegan in South Korea Guide – Best Restaurants & Snacks (2024)
• 10 Best South Korea Budget Tips + Travel Costs (2024) !
• All our  South Korea  posts!

That’s the end of our  Ultimate South Korea Bucket List: 20 Best Things To Do!  Have an amazing time in South Korea and if you need any more help planning – send us a message on Instagram (@thesunrisedreamers) or leave a comment below!

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Amy & Dan are the founders of The Sunrise Dreamers. They are travellers from the UK who have been on the road since 2017 whilst living in places like England, Canada, Thailand and the Canary Islands. They share their knowledge of travelling the world with detailed travel guides and tips. They're experts in vegan travel and show their audience how to travel on a budget.

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In Korea, the choice of alcohol can carry subtle social meanings. Saying, "Let's grab a beer," and, "Let's have some soju," conveys different vibes, according to medical doctor and journalist Park Jae-young.

Inviting someone for a beer typically means, "Let's hang out," or, "I have something to talk about, but it's nothing too serious." On the other hand, asking someone to have soju can suggest, "I have something personal to share," or, "I'm going through a tough time and could use some company while I drink."

These cultural nuances are among many fascinating insights explored in Park’s new travel essay, “Selling/Digging Korea -- All the Korea You May Not See,” a bilingual Korean and English book that blends cultural storytelling with practical travel advice.

The book is a collection of 20 chapters of stories shedding light on unique aspects of Korean life that often surprise foreign visitors, and in turn surprise Koreans themselves for surprising foreigners.

Park, a medical doctor who has been working as an editor at The Korea Doctors' Weekly since 1999, is also a book podcast host and producer. He has written books on the Korean health care landscape, as well as a novel, "General Hospital 2.0," which was adapted into an MBC medical drama series in 2008, starring Cha Tae-hyun. A travel enthusiast, his passion for travel has also resulted in the book of essays "The Art of Preparing for a Trip."

His latest work started with a question: "What books do foreigners read when they want to learn about Korea?”

"They say 10 million tourists visit Korea each year," Park said. "As someone who enjoys traveling and ‘preparing’ for trips, I suddenly wondered what kind of books foreign tourists read when they want to visit and learn about Korea?"

After a quick search on Amazon, Park bought one of the more popular titles and skimmed through it, but it was just the same kind of guidebook he had seen before -- lots of information but no story, which was boring to read.

Determined to offer something more engaging, Park decided to write his own collection of stories -- with the kind of unexpected details that foreigners he met in the past often ask about.

Why, for example, do restaurant staff ask if you’d like to "have a meal" after eating pork belly (samgyeopsal)? Or why is hiring part-time wedding guests a thing? (A nod to the Oscar-winning film "Parasite," where Park So-dam mentions working as a paid wedding guest.) Other questions include "What's with perilla leaves (kkaennip) that only Koreans seem to eat them?"

Alongside these stories, Park also recommends top spots and restaurants in Seoul and other cities.

Park said he specifically wrote with an international audience in mind, hoping to demystify Korea’s quirks and cultural gems that might otherwise go unnoticed.

"There’s a well-known phrase every Korean knows: 'You can see as much as you know,'" Park explained. "That’s what I want to do -- help readers see more, have fun, and create lasting memories in Korea by sharing captivating stories."

To bring his vision in English, Park turned to artificial intelligence. After finishing the Korean manuscript in late 2022, he initially searched for a translator. One acquaintance showed interest and expressed willingness to translate, but he could not start working for another seven months.

Instead of waiting, Park decided to use AI tools like DeepL and ChatGPT to convert the Korean text into English, refining the translation himself over nearly a year. The process led to amusing challenges, such as correcting "military dumpling" (AI’s translation of "pan-fried dumpling"). For a final round of edits, he collaborated with a professor from Johns Hopkins University.

Through trial and error, he gained significant know-how, Park said. Based on this experience, he plans to write a spinoff book on the topic of writing books in English using AI.

There is a reason the book is bilingual. While his target readers are foreign tourists and foreigners living in Korea, Park hopes it will also equip Korean readers to explain their country to foreigners.

Koreans may not always know the best way to describe their own culture, especially when it comes to subtleties like how Korean soy sauce differs from Japanese soy sauce, or why scissors and tongs are common on Korean dining tables.

"I hope many Koreans who read this book will become experts at explaining Korea to foreigners," he said.

South Korea 7 Day Itinerary

Looking for a sample itinerary and ideas on how to spend a week in South Korea? Read our post with South Korea 7 Day Itinerary. This detailed  itinerary is based on our own experience travelling in South Korea and includes visiting Seoul , Busan , Gyeongju and Gapyeong . 

We travelled to South Korea in 2023 and really liked the country. South Korea has a rich history, delicious food, hilly landscapes, beautiful coastlines, busy cities and pretty countryside. Many first time visitors to South Korea limit their visit to Seoul only. While Seoul is a vibrant city with lots of things to see and do, we wanted to see more of South Korea during our trip.

We didn’t want to move to a new location every night or two, rent a new place every time, pack and unpack often, and think about where to store our suitcases when between hotels. Therefore, we based our first part of the trip in and around Seoul , and the second part of the trip – in and around Busan . This way, we only had to book two hotels – one in Seoul and one in Busan, and could explore cities and make one day trips with a light backpack, leaving all the rest in the hotel.

Here is our 7 Day Itinerary in South Korea.

South Korea 7 Day Itinerary at a glance:

Day 1 – historical sights and night views of seoul, day 2 – jogyesa temple, bukchon village, gyeongbokgung and modern seoul, day 3 – day trip to gapyeong (petite france, nami island and garden of morning calm), day 4 – seoul parks, shopping districts and food markets, day 5 – busan (haeundae beach, x the sky, blueline tram and haedong yonggungsa temple), day 6 – day trip to gyeongju (daereungwon tombs, hwangridan-gil, bulguksa temple, gyochon village and donggung palace), day 7 – busan (gamcheon culture village, biff square, jagalchi market and songdo beach).

Planning a trip to South Korea

There are few things you need to plan and prepare before travelling to South Korea. 

First of all, you need to check whether you need a tourist visa to South Korea or Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (KTA), and obtain it.

Next, plan and sort out mobile internet for the trip (e.g. get a roaming, a local sim-card or rent a WiFi device  in South Korea). 

Also, think about bringing cash, how to get to Seoul from Incheon airport, how to use public transport, buying a train pass and getting useful mobile apps before going to South Korea.

Read about all this and more in our dedicated post Things to know before travelling to South Korea .

As the majority of international travelers to South Korea fly to Seoul, we start our 7 Day South Korea itinerary with this vibrant city.

Seoul is one of the biggest cities in the world and has lots of attractions and things to see and do. We recommend spending at least 3 days in Seoul to get a good overview of the city, see its big attractions and experience its busy life.

In the morning

On the first day in Seoul go to Ikseon-dong Hanok Village – a traditional Korean village with narrow streets, pretty houses, cafes and small shops.

Visit Changgyeonggung Palace complex built in the mid-15th century by King Sejong. Explore its many buildings and gardens.

Next, walk to Unhyeongung – a former royal residence . There are a couple of historical buildings and quiet courtyards inside. The entrance to the residence is free.

Have lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants of Insa-dong street . Also, there are many souvenir shops and other stores on Insa-dong street if you feel like shopping.

In the afternoon

All of the attractions above are located within walking distance to each other. But to get to the next point of the itinerary you would need to take a bus or a subway. Read about using public transport and paying with Tmoney cards in Things to know before travelling to South Korea .

In the afternoon, go to Naksan Park to enjoy the views over the city. For the best night views over Seoul go to Eungbong Mountain Park. 

Read our detailed post on the 3 Day Itinerary for Seoul .

First stop on Day 2 is Jogyesa Buddhist Temple . Its main building – the temple with the Budha statue – is surrounded by a spacious courtyard decorated with paper lanterns. Jogyesa is open to the public and the entrance is free.

Next, walk to Bukchon Hanok Village – a traditional Korean village with small alleys and houses with hanok architecture. It’s located on the top of a hill between Changdeok Palace and Gyeongbok Palace. 

Gyeongbokgung Palace (or Gyeongbok Palace) was the main and the largest royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. It’s a big complex with many historical buildings and gardens. Plan to spend at least 1-2 hrs exploring Gyeongbokgung.

Just south to the Gyeongbok Palace lies Gwanghwamun Square . The square is surrounded by tall modern buildings and has two massive statues – the statue of King Sejong and the statue of Admiral Yi Sun Shin. 

Continue walking from the Gwanghwamun Square towards Cheonggye Plaza and Cheonggyecheon. Cheonggyecheon is a public recreational space right in the heart of Seoul. It has lots of cafes and restaurants around and is a great place to stop for lunch.

In the afternoon explore Seoul on the other side of Han river. In that part of Seoul you will find the famous Gangnam suburb, a viewpoint to Banpo bridge with its colourful fountain, the 123-story Lotte World Tower with its Seoul Sky observation deck, as well as Lotte World Magic Island amusement park, as well as many other Seoul attractions.

Enjoy some shopping at Lotte World Mall or visit Lotte World Aquarium . Get to the observation deck of the Lotte World Tower – the tallest building in South Korea and the 6th tallest building in the world.

Last stop of the day is Banpo Bridge and its colourful show of the Banpo Bridge Moonlight Fountain. You can watch it from the Banpo Hangang Park, which is a 20 min by bus from Gangnam.

On the Day 3 of the South Korea 7 Day Itinerary, take a day trip from Seoul. 

There are quite a few day trips you can take from Seoul – check them out on Klook or GetYourGuide . We would like to recommend the one that we took ourselves – a day trip to Gapyeong county . 

On the day we were picked up in the morning by a tour bus (you can choose one of the meeting points when booking the tour). We visited three places in the Gapyeong county – Petite France and Italy villages, Nami Island and the Garden of Morning Calm.

Petite France and Italy are purpose built miniature villages (one French and one Italian) with cute houses, display rooms, small alleys and squares. Built on a hill the villages have nice viewpoints over the Korean countryside.

After making a stop for lunch (with traditional Korean food of fried chicken, veggies and spices), we went on a ferry to Nami Island . Nami Island on the Han River has lots of alleys with tall trees on the sides, gardens, sculptures, cafes and a few small shops. It’s a nice destination not only for nature lovers, but also for those who watch Korean drama series – Korean drama “Winter Sonata” was shot at Nami Island.

Last stop of the day is the Garden of Morning Calm – one of the oldest private gardens in Korea. We visited in spring and it had many blooming trees and flowers. In autumn you will find there abundance of fall colours. In winter they decorate gardens with colourful lights and illumination. And in summer, of course, you can enjoy all the greenery of the plants in the gardens. 

The tour bus will bring you back to Seoul in the evening around 7pm. If not too tired, take a walk in the center of Seoul after dark. Seoul is always a busy city, even at night.

Spend the last day in Seoul with leisure walks in city parks, shopping in popular shopping districts and visiting traditional Korean markets.

Start the day with a walk along the Seoul City Wall and in the Naksan park . From the Naksan Park, walk down to Ihwa Mural Village and then continue downhill to Dongdaemun gate .

Dongdaemun is a large shopping district in Seoul. There are many shopping malls, Dongdaemun Market and DDP – Dongdaemun Design Plaza. 

Next, take a metro to Myeongdong – another popular shopping and dining area in Seoul. Have a break for lunch at Myeongdong.

In the afternoon walk to the Namsan Mountain cable car station at the foot of the mountain. Take a cable car to the top to see N Seoul Tower and enjoy the views over Seoul. Then walk  through the Namsan park down to the city below.

Finish your day with an evening walk in Seoul and visiting one of Seoul’s night markets, for example, Namdaemun Market . You can buy food from the stalls and eat it on the way, or sit down to eat at one of the food kiosks/shops.

We spent our last day in Seoul in a very relaxed manner. Slow walks, just taking in the views and the city, making stops to taste Korean snacks, drinks and food, enjoying the atmosphere of the busy and diverse city of Seoul.

Next in our South Korea 7 Day Itinerary is the city of Busan. Busan is known for its beautiful beaches and a laid back atmosphere typical of a coastal city. 

In the morning – take a train to Busan

A direct speed train from Seoul to Busan takes only 2.5 hours. Read the ‘Travelling by Train in South Korea’ section in our post Things to know before travelling to South Korea for the information on how to get train tickets and a special KORAIL pass for tourists. 

Arriving in Busan, first of all, go to your hotel to leave the bags. Most of the hotels will store your suitcases before the check in time. Alternatively, you can store the bags at Busan train station and get them later when you’re ready to check in to the hotel.

First point of interest in Busan is Haeundae . You can take a bus or a subway from Busan train station to Haeundae. Visit Haeundae Market to grab a bite at one of its food stalls or to have lunch in one of its food restaurants. A short walk from the market is Haeundae Beach – a 1.5km long sandy beach popular with the locals and tourists alike. Have a walk at the beach, go to Dongbaek Park and Lighthouse or visit SEALIFE Busan Aquarium. 

Visit Busan X the Sky – an observation deck in a skyscraper located at the far end of the Haeundae Beach. Pay a small admission price and take a lift to the 100th floor. Floors 98 to 100 are open to the public and have amazing views over Busan and its coastline.

Next, take a leisure tram ride along the coast. Walk to ‘ Haeundae Blueline Park – Mipo Station ’ and take a beach tram from there to the end of the line to Songjeong Station. All the seats in the tram are facing windows, so you will enjoy seascape views while on the tram. 

Get off the tram at the Songjeong Station and walk to the Songjeong Beach . Songjeong beach is another nice beach in Busan, and it’s usually not as crowded as Haeundae beach. Have a walk at the Songjeong Beach and stay for lunch at one of the waterfront’s cafes along the beach.

From Songjeong Beach either walk or take a bus to Haedong Yonggungsa temple. Haedong Yonggungsa temple is a buddhist temple built on a rocky seashore. The setting of the temple is very picturesque and it’s well worth a visit when in Busan. On the way to the temple, at the end of Younggung-gil street there is a small market with street food/snacks and souvenirs. Prepare to spend 1-1.5 hrs at Haedong Yonggungsa temple and around.

Depending on your interests, not far from Haedong Yonggungsa temple you can visit Busan National Science Museum, Skyline Luge Busan, Lotte World Adventure park or Lotte Mall.

In the evening we returned to Haeundae Market to eat a variety of Korean street food and sweets. This is where we tried Korean sweet pancake Hotteok filled with honey and seeds, and Korean 10 Won bread filled with molten cheese. Alternatively, have dinner in one of the many cafes and restaurants of Haeundae.

If you’re not too tired, take a bus to either Millak Waterside Park or Namcheon Seaside Park – to finish the day with the night views over Busan cityscape and Gwangan Bridge .

Read our detailed post on the  2 Days in Busan Itinerary

On the Day 6 of the South Korea 7 Day Itinerary, take a day trip from Busan to Gyeongju. Gyeongju was the ancient capital of Korea and has lots of historical sights and places to visit. Attractions in Gyeongju are quite spread from each other and so we decided the easiest way to see them would be with a guided tour. We recommend this day tour from Busan that can be booked on Klook – Gyeongju day tour from Busan .

First stop of the day is the Buddhist temple complex – Bulguksa Temple . Bulguksa Temple is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most important historic and scenic sites in South Korea. If you visit in spring, make sure to also make a stop at the park nearby to admire cherry blossoms.

Next stop is Hwangnidan-gil – a busy street with traditional Korean architecture and lots of small shops and cafes. We had a nice lunch there at a restaurant serving traditional Asian hot pot food, and afterwards enjoyed a cup of coffee at a local coffee shop.

Minutes from Hwangnidan street is Daereungwon – a large ancient tomb complex. You will recognize it by several tombs next to each other looking like big green hills in a park. One of the tombs is open for visitors and has excavated artefacts on the display.

Next, visit Gyochon Traditional Village to have a look how people used to live in the olden days when Gyeongju was the capital. Walk the alleys of the hanok village, admire the traditional Korean architecture and make sure to get down to the river to take a picture of the rebuilt 8th century Woljeong Bridge.

Last stop of the day trip to Gyeongju is Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond . There is a reason why tour guides leave visiting Donggung Palace until the end. While not that impressive during daylight, after sunset the place transforms with all the lights on and reflections in the pond. 

Return to Busan for the night.

On the last day of the South Korea trip explore the southern parts of Busan city . 

First thing in the morning of our last day in South Korea was breakfast in one of the bakery cafes in Busan. Travelling in South Korea you will notice that bakeries are quite popular and the variety of baked products is great! So, after a cup of coffee with local baked goods we checked out of the hotel and went to Busan train station to store our bags. Then, with a camera and a small backpack we took a bus to Gamcheon Culture Village.

Gamcheon Culture Village is a neighbourhood in Busan featuring many colourful houses spread over a hilly landscape. Historically, this is where the poor lived for a long time, until in 2009 the government decided to renovate and make the village into a culture hub. Now, with the colourful painted houses, art installations, cafes and souvenir shops, Gamcheon Culture Village is a popular place to visit in Busan.

After walking in the village and taking hundreds of pics from its different viewpoints, walk to BIFF square. BIFF square is a busy area with shopping, cinemas, street food and alleys with handprints of famous Korean actors. Not far from BIFF square is Yongdusan Park and its Busan Tower (also known as Diamond Tower). It was on our itinerary until we realised we spent too much time trying all the different street foods and searching for a Busan souvenir magnet in the shops around BIFF square. As we were flying from Korea in the evening, we were conscious of time on our last day in Busan. But if you have enough time then I’d recommend going for a walk in Yongdusan Park and getting up to the observation deck of the Diamond Tower.

Next, visit Jagalchi Market – a famous seafood market that is the largest in South Korea. You will find here a huge variety of fresh seafood. In the indoor section of the market you can order takeaway or eat-in food made out of the fresh seafood right there at the market. We didn’t eat at the Jagalchi Market (we were too full after the stalls at BIFF square), but it was still an interesting experience to see such a huge fish market with so much seafood variety.

Next point of interest is a man-made beach in Busan – Songdo Beach. Together with its pedestrian bridge-trails – Songdo Cloud Trails, surrounding cafes and coastal views, Songdo Beach is a nice place to visit in Busan.

Take a cable car (Busan Air Cruise) from the Songdo Bay Station to the Songdo Sky Park . Enjoy the nice views from the Songdo Sky Park, have a walk at Amnam Park or walk the suspension bridge to the small island of Dongseom.

If you still have time (depending on when you need to leave Busan for Seoul and Incheon International Airport) I’d recommend taking one of the walks at Yeongdo . Go to Hynyeoul Munhwa Maul – a cultural village with a nice waterside walk, then walk along the coast and up to the Yeongdo Haneul Observation Deck to admire the views.

That was the end of our trip in South Korea as it was time to take a train from Busan back to Seoul and then to Incheon International Airport to take our flight back home. 

This South Korea 7 Day Itinerary was just perfect for us – not too long, but enough time to see South Korea’s biggest cities, many historical and cultural sites, enjoy Korean food and see some of the natural sights in the country. 

Read next –  2 Days in Busan Itinerary

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4 thoughts on “ South Korea 7 Day Itinerary ”

That sounds a great itinerary, the unique buildings are definitely something that piqued my interest.

I just recently started to contemplate going to Korea. 1 week seems to be the perfect time for a visit. Seoul and Busan sound like interesting destinations! Thank you for this great itinerary!

I have always wanted to visit South Korea. It looks like you thoroughly enjoyed your trip there. Lots of things to see and do and defintely eat. I hope the language wasn’y much of an issue. Thanks for sharing your itinenary with us.

Jan – https://flyingbaguette.com/

Language wasn’t an issue at all. Many Koreans speak English, and sellers know some basic words. And everyone so friendly and ready to explain with signs if necessary:)) Plus, we quickly picked up few words in Korean too 🙂

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How To Say “Travel” In Korean

Last modified: May 31, 2024 | 7 min read | By Laura Toyryla

Today we will go over how to say “travel” in Korean . Raise your hand if you also love to travel! It wouldn’t be a surprise if many of you did, in fact, raise your hands just now; even if, in general, you may not be the biggest friend of travel, you’ve likely got some fun travel plans for South Korea cooking up. 

And since you’re already learning Korean, it’s only natural to then learn how to say travel in Korean – as well as all the vocabulary that goes along with it!

In this article, we’ll also teach you other related vocabulary, from transportation words to anything having to do with culture, for example. Once you have a hold of this vocabulary, you can have an exciting conversation with your Korean friends about your upcoming trips, be that to South Korea or elsewhere!

Read on for explanations, associations, and usage examples. Or just get the 80/20 below! If you want to learn more great Korean vocabulary with us , we’re happy to help!

• 1.1 “Travel” in Korean (Noun)
• 1.2 “Travel” in Korean (Verb)
• 2 Association for “Travel” in Korean
• 3.1 Vocabulary for types of travelers and travels in Korean
• 3.2 Vocabulary list for types of travels and travelers
• 3.3 Vocabulary for modes of transportation in Korean
• 3.4 Vocabulary list for transportation in Korean
• 3.5 Miscellaneous words related to travel
• 3.6 How to say “Have a nice trip” in Korean
• 4 A word of caution about Romanization

How to Say “Travel” in Korean

There are two ways to say “travel” in Korean, depending if you’ll use it as a noun or a verb . You’ll also find some sample sentences that can be of aid in learning how to use this vocabulary in Korean sentences.

“Travel” in Korean (Noun)

The word for how to say “travel” in Korean, as a noun, is 여행 (yeohaeng) . 

일본에 벚꽃을 보러 가려면 여행하 기 위해 필요한 표와 호텔방 일찍 예약하세요. (ilbone beotkkocheul boreo garyeomyeon yeohaenghagi wihae pillyohan pyowa hotelbang iljjik yeyakaseyo.)

If you want to go see the cherry blossoms in Japan , you should book early everything you need for your trip.

여행  잘 다녀와요! (yeohaeng jal danyeowayo!)

Have a nice trip!

비행기에서 일등석을 타고 여행 을 다녀본 적 있어? (bihaenggieseo ildeungseogeul tago yeohaengeul danyeobon jeok isseo?)

Do you have experience traveling in the first class of an airplane?

다음에 언제 여행 떠나?  (daeume eonje yeohaeng tteona?)

When do you next go travel?

여행 일정을 어떻게 짰어? (yeohaeng iljeongeul eotteoke jjasseo?)

How did you plan your trip?

난 지난주에 여행 에서 돌아왔어. (nan jinanjue yeohaengeseo dorawasseo.)

I came back from my trip last week.

여행  잘 다녀왔어? (yeohaeng jal danyeowasseo?)

How was your trip?

“Travel” in Korean (Verb)

“Travel” in Korean is typically used in its verb form, either as 여행하다 (yeohaenghada) , which translates simply to “to travel,” or as 여행 가다 (yeohaeng gada) , which has a meaning closer to “to go on a trip.”

You may also replace 하다 (hada) and 가다 (gada) with 다니다 (danida) and 돌아다니다 (doradanida).

Sample sentences:

어디로 여행 가요? (eodiro yeohaenggayo?)

Where are you traveling to?

여행 가는 것을 좋아해요? (yeohaeng ganeun geoseul joahaeyo?)

Do you like to travel?

대학교를 졸업하자마자 취직하기 전에 1년 동안 여행했 어. (daehakgyoreul joreopajamaja chwijikagi jeone ilnyeon dongan yeohaenghaesseo.)

As soon as I graduated from university, I traveled for one year before finding a job .

제 꿈은 세계 여행하 는 것이에요. (je kkumeun segyeyeohaenghaneun geosieyo.)

My dream is to travel around the world.

내일 여행 가니까 오늘은 일찍 잡시다.  (naeil yeohaeng ganikka oneureun iljjik japsida.)

Since we’re traveling tomorrow, let’s sleep early today.

나는 국내 여행 갈 때마다 버스만 타요. (naneun gungnae yeohaeng gal ttaemada beoseuman tayo.)

I only travel by bus whenever I travel inside the country .

우리는 그 결혼식 위해 파리까지 여행 갔 어요. (urineun geu gyeolhonsik wihae parikkaji yeohaeng gasseoyo.)

We traveled all the way to Paris for that wedding.

Association for “Travel” in Korean

To remember how to say “travel” in Korean, we’ll create an English association for it. This can be any word, phrase, or image that helps you recall the Korean word and its meaning .

How to remember (association):

     When I travel , I tell my friends, “ Yo , let’s hang “ . ( 여행 | yeohaeng )

*80/20 Pareto Principle – The 20% you should learn that will give you 80% of the results.

Essential vocabulary related to travel in Korean

Right away, let’s look at some vocabulary in relation to travel. For your convenience, we’ve divided them into separate categories.

Vocabulary for types of travelers and travels in Korean

Here we have a section for different types of trips you can take and a different type of traveler you can be. These can be incredibly handy when describing the type of travel you like to do or plan to do.

“Backpacker” in Korean

The word for “backpacker” in Korean is 백패커 (baekpaekeo). As you know, the word for “backpack” in Korean is 백팩 (baekpaek), so just like in English, the term for backpacker is directly derived from it. The word for hiker in Korean, on the other hand, is 등산객 (deungsangaek).

“Cruise” in Korean

The word for “cruise” in Korean is 크루즈 여행 (keurujeu yeohaeng). There are at least half a dozen different types of travelers that may go on a cruise. For example, for some, the below-mentioned luxury travel can mean a cruise around the Caribbean islands.

나는 크루즈를 타본 적이 없어요. (naneun keurujeureol tabon jeogi eopseoyo.)

I have never been on a cruise.

“Luxury travel” in Korean

The word for “luxury travel” in Korean is 호화 여행 (hohwa yeohaeng). There is no specific term for luxury traveler, but you can perhaps say it as 호화 여행객 (hohwa yeohaenggaek), as 여행객 means “traveler.”

“Tourist” in Korean

The word for “tourist” in Korean is 관광객 (gwangwanggaek). Alternatively, you may also opt to describe yourself as a traveler as opposed to tourist. As mentioned above, the word 여행객 means traveler. Another word for traveler in Korean is 여행자 (yeohaengja).

어떤 종류의 여행자예요? (eotteon jongnyuui yeohaengjayeyo?)

What kind of traveler are you?

Vocabulary list for types of travels and travelers

Vocabulary for modes of transportation in korean.

Previously, we have already covered extensively the vocabulary for car in Korean and train in Korean. In addition, we also have an article that’ll teach you all about using the bus in Korea ! Thus, in this section, we will shortly highlight some other types of transportation, although they may not be as commonly used in comparison.

“Ship” in Korean

The most common word for “ship” in Korean is 배 (bae). However, in some cases, different words may apply. For example, a mail steamer, which is a boat carrying post and mail, is called 우편선 (upyeonseon) in Korean. Meanwhile, a cruise ship, which is the type of ship you’d use during your travels, is called 유람선 (yuramseon). And the word for “ferry” in Korean is 연락선 (yeollakseon).

“Airport” in Korean

You can say “airport” in Korean as 공항 (gonghang). Here, you’ll be able to ride an airplane which is called 비행기 (bihaenggi) in Korean.

The word for “flight” in Korean is 비행 (bihaeng). The word for “domestic flight” is 국내선 (gungnaeseon), and for “international flight,” it is 국제선 (gukjeseon).

하와이에 정말 가고 싶은데 비행기 타는 게 무서워요. (hawaie jeongmal gago sipeunde bihaenggi taneun ge museowoyo.)

I want to go to Hawaii, but I’m scared to go on an airplane.

Vocabulary list for transportation in Korean

Miscellaneous words related to travel.

Here’s one more list of travel-related vocabulary that you may find useful. They may consider any area of travel.

“Passport” in Korean

The word for “passport” in Korean is 여권 (yeogwon). Never leave for the airport without it!

여권이 만료돼서 새로 만들어야 할 것 같아요. (yeogwoni mallyodwaeseo saero mandeureoya hal geot gatayo.)

Seems like my passport has expired, and I need to make a new one.

How to say “Have a nice trip” in Korean

If you have a friend or family that will be traveling soon, here’s how you can wish them a nice trip. Listen carefully to learn how to say this phrase correctly!

A word of caution about Romanization

While it is possible for you to study the words in this article simply by reading their Romanized versions, it will come in handy for you to be able to read Hangeul if you ever wish to come to Korea . Hangeul is the Korean alphabet, and not difficult to learn. In fact, you can learn it in just 90 minutes .

After you’ve familiarized yourself with Hangeul, life in Korea will suddenly seem so much easier, and the country won’t appear so foreign to you. So, if you’re serious about learning Korean, why not learn Hangeul today?

Here’s how you can learn Hangeul before you eat your next meal.

So, do you like to travel? What kind of traveler are you? Let us know below in the comments with the newly learned vocabulary! Next, let’s learn about the weather and seasons in Korean !

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4 thoughts on “How To Say “Travel” In Korean”

What is the meaning of Yeohaengsa?

Hello! 여행사 means “travel agency.” ^^

How do you say ‘I was on tour’ since I’m a bit confused here. Also your website has been of so much help. 감사합니다! ????

Hi, It’s Me! You can say “저는 여행 중이었어요.” ^^

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