The main attraction with Seoul for me was I needed a long weekend getaway with a direct flight from Sydney. I was running out of options but Seoul kept popping up. People raved about the food, the culture and weather (early summer escape from a early winter here in Sydney). It was perfect. It was just what I needed. I'm just disappointed I couldn't see what the rest of South Korea had to offer this time around.
Stay
The Plaza, Seoul. In the Business district across from City Hall and about 500 m from the closest subway entrance. The only issue was early morning coffee on the weekend took time to source!
Eat
I am not unfamiliar with Korean food (although I am sad to admit I didn't try Korean Fried Chicken until last year and I only try Bibimbap for the first time about 5 years ago!). But Korean food is so much more than that.
Make sure you get your Tcard for easy train and bus travel, just top it up, tap on and tap off and you get to your destination in no time
Visit the DMZ, in particular the JSA
Stroll Apgujeong Street and Garosu-gil
Visit the Noryangjin Fish Markets
Eat with the locals at the Gwangjang Markets
Stroll the Women's Street and check out the Pear Blossom Mural at Ewha Woman's University - my favourite part of Seoul
Visit at Tea House - I enjoyed the iced Plum Tea at Dawon Tea House
Visit the traditional Hanok's
Try Myeong-dong for Hyper Shopping and eat street heaven
Enjoy the views at Namsan Park at the base of the N Seoul Tower
Visit the War Memorial of Korea
Visit the Changdeokgung Palace with a tour of the Huwan or secret gardens
Enjoy the Namsangol Cultural Village lit by lanterns at night
Stroll Jeongdong-gil St, and enjoy coffee under the trees or in one of the many cafes - the coffee culture in Seoul is nearly as strong as their food culture
Hike the City Walls - 18 km in total, or do as I did and choose a section
Visit a dog cafe such as Bau House - although due to the strong smell this wasn't my cup of tea (or coffee)
Checkout the bright lights of Gangnam
Although your time was brief, it looks like you still got to see and do quite a bit! Were the temperatures humid yet? Or just hot? I remember in July the days could be quite muggy.
ReplyDeleteThat's cool you got to the War Memorial, that was definitely one of my favorite attractions. And your food pictures are making me drool especially as it is dinner time here.
If you do make it back to Korea, I highly recommend the region of Gyeonju in the south. It's utterly beautiful there and replete with countless amazing sights.
It was hot but not humid thankfully. I will definitely have to go back and visit the rest of South Korea
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ReplyDeletethanks & regards
Graffiti - Enz