Travel guide to my country Seoul South Korea part 1

kim-dahae (41)in #travel • 8 years ago

Did you know? that Seoul has a population of over 25.4 million people? It’s the third largest metropolitan area in the world, behind only Tokyo and Bankok. It’s absolutely ginormous.
the way the way the image is only a joke ok moving on.

WHEN TO GO KOREA

Like Japan, South Korea has four distinct seasons — Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. The most popular times to visit Seoul are during the Spring (March-May) and Fall (Mid-September-Early November) months when the weather is ideal and the landscape is at its most striking. Both seasons are characterized by a dramatic change in color – Spring for its cherry blossom pinks and whites, and Autumn for its fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. Either season would be the perfect time to visit.

If you want to catch the cherry blossoms, then you should plan on being in Seoul around the second week of April (around April 9-10). That would be safest. However, please be advised that the cherry blossoms are largely dependent on the weather so it’s no guarantee that they’ll be blooming then. If it gets warmer earlier, then they’ll bloom earlier. If the weather stays cool, then they’ll bloom later. Such is the difficulty of planning your trip around the cherry blossoms. Be sure to bookmark the Visit Korea website for updates on the festival.

We were there a little too early in late March when the trees were still bare, so we decided to spend a day in the southern town of Jinhae, home of South Korea’s biggest cherry blossom festival. Check out my post for a guide on how to take a day trip to Jinhae from Seoul.

HOW TO GET THERE

Almost all international flights land at Incheon International Airport. It’s about an hour west of Seoul so a taxi will be very expensive, maybe around 40,000-60,000 KRW.

The best and most economical way to get to the city from Incheon is by the Incheon Airport Railroad Express (AREX) All-stop train. It costs 4,050 KRW and will get you to Seoul station in approximately 53 minutes. There’s also an Express train but it isn’t worth it in my opinion. It costs 14,500 KRW and will get you to Seoul station just 10 minutes faster. From Seoul station, you can take the subway or a taxi to your hotel. Please be advised that the last AREX All-stop train leaves Incheon at 11:57 PM

If arriving after 11:57 PM, then you can take a late night Airport Bus (12MN-3:50AM) into the city. Detailed inquiries on bus routes and bus stops can be made at the Airport Information Desk on the 1st floor. Standard limousine buses will get you into Seoul for around 9,000 KRW, while Deluxe buses will run you around 14,000 KRW.

HOW LONG TO STAY

Seoul is a massive city with much to see. Ren and I don’t like to rush so we stayed seven nights to afford us a nice, leisurely pace. We had to set aside an entire day for our Jinhae trip as well. Seven nights might be too long for more hyperactive travelers so I’m guessing that 4-5 nights will be enough. That should give you enough time to visit all the major sights without having to rush too much.

HOW MUCH MONEY TO BRING

Seoul the expensive city. I thought that it’d be more expensive but it wasn’t. It turned out to be surprisingly affordable. If you stay at an inexpensive guesthouse, travel by subway, eat modestly, and keep your shopping to a minimum, then you should be fine with a starting budget of around 69,500 KRW a day.

We hardly did any shopping so you can increase your daily allowance based on how much shopping you want to do. Our guesthouse, which we booked through airbnb, cost just USD 33 a night. The subway is inexpensive, starting at 1,150 KRW a ride. Entrance fees to many tourist attractions are cheap as well, around 3,500 KRW each. And you don’t have to spend a lot on food (unless you want to). Ren and I enjoy eating so we spend more on restaurants than shopping, but even then, we spent maybe an average of 13,900 KRW each per meal with beers. I budgeted around 17,400 KRW per meal to provide wiggle room for bigger eaters. It won’t be hard to lower this if you want to eat more frugally. The street food in Seoul is cheap, delicious, and substantial.

Unfortunately for carnivores though, meat is generally more expensive in Seoul. We walked into a couple of BBQ places and meat dishes typically cost around 35,000 KRW per order at a decent restaurant. With that said, these do come with several plates of banchan, rice, and soup, so the amount of food that you get will fill you up.

WHERE TO EXCHANGE CURRENCY

Myeongdong is the best place to change your money. There are plenty of money changers there and they’re known to give the best rates in the city. With that said, I didn’t think that the difference in rates was all that significant. At the time, the rate at the airport was 1,070 KRW to the dollar (USD). At a money changer in Myeongdong, it was only a little better at 1,080. Banks do give the highest rates but you need to present your passport. I was able to get 1,089 at a bank near Nandaemun Market.

I suggest changing a small amount at the airport, maybe around USD 100, just to get you in to the city. You can then change the rest in Myeongdong.

WHERE TO STAY: iHouse

iHouse is a 13-room guesthouse conveniently located in the quiet neighborhood of Hoehyeondong. It’s a 3-minute walk to Namsan Cable Car (which takes you up to N Seoul Tower), and just 10 minutes away from the hyper shopping district that is Myeongdong. At just USD 33 a night through airbnb, it’s a great value as well.

WHERE TO GO / WHAT TO DO

1. Watch the Changing of the Guard at Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung Palaces

Seoul has five Joseon royal palaces and these two are the ones that you can’t miss. Each arguably the most beautiful, Gyeongbokgung is the primary palace while Chandeokgung is a UNESCO Heritage Site and home to Huwon or the “Secret Garden”. If you come at the right time, you can watch the changing of the guard as well.

Recommended duration of visit: 1-3 hrs / Admission: 3,000 KRW in keeping with person (every palace)

2. Get Lost in a Maze of Traditional Houses at Bukchon Hanok Village

As ultramodern as Seoul can be, it was nice to find a place like this right in the heart of the city. A maze of narrow alleyways and traditional Korean houses called hanoks, Bukchon Hanok Village will take you back in time and introduce you to a 600-yr old Seoul.

Counseled duration of visit: 1-2 hrs / Admission: FREE

3. Lock your Love and Climb to the Top of N Seoul Tower

When it comes to great views, this place towers over the competition. Standing 480 meters above sea level, N Seoul Tower is the best place to get bird’s eye views of the city. It’s also the only place where you can “lock your love” for all eternity.

Advised duration of go to: 1-1.5 hrs / value: 17,500 KRW together with spherical ride cable vehicle tickets

4. See the Future of Design at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP)

This place is awesome. If you like design, any kind of design, then you need to put DDP in your itinerary. It’s like a museum, design supermarket, and space ship all rolled into one. I suggest devoting several hours there if you can, and be sure to come back at night when the building really comes to life.

Counseled length of go to: 2-3 hrs / Admission: 4,000 KRW

5. Shop and Eat like there’s No Tomorrow in Insadong, Myeongdong, and Hongdae

Seoul is a shopaholic’s paradise. There are many shopping districts in the city but Insadong, Myeongdong, and Hongdae are three that you can’t miss. They each have their own unique personality. Insadong is known for its artsy-craftsy items, Myeongdong for its brand names and cosmetics, and Hongdae for its hip, college town vibe. All have great street food.

The insanity and magic this is Myeongdong

6. Climb Hwaseong Fortress Wall in Suwon

Located about an hour south of Seoul, Hwaseong Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a great day trip if you have the time. A good place to do some light hiking, the fortress has a pretty interesting background story too.