Welcome to South Korea, a country where people are born already one year old (because gestation time also counts!), where they give away toilet paper when they are invited to the inauguration of a new apartment and surgery plastic is so usual!
But South Korea is much more than that! Except for Seoul, rural areas are still unknown by tourism.
The best times to visit South Korea are Spring and Autumn, during cherry blossom.
Tips for your trip to Korea
Entry into the country
It is possible to stay without a visa for a maximum of 90 days, but an electronic travel authorization is required, that can be requested on the K-ETA website at least 72 hours before departure.
Traveling
Subways, trains and buses are clean, comfortable and cheap. The first step is to purchase a T-money transit card at a market or at any subway station.
Wi-fi
Very popular in Korean cities, it is not necessary to purchase a local SIM.
Tattoos
Widespread among young people, but some bathing establishments prohibit access to those who have them.
Restaurants
In Korea, eating is a “choral” activity so in many restaurants there are no single portions! Also be careful if you have food allergies.
Masks
Air quality can drop to very low levels, especially in Spring, when wind-blown dust from the deserts of Mongolia and northern China combines with pollution.
Now you are ready to discover some unmissable experiences and stops in South Korea!
Sing in a Korean karaoke!
A private room, a group of friends, the most loved Korean hits and the evening is solved! Singing in a noraebang is something you absolutely must try!
Sleep in a hanok or traditional temple
The hanok is the traditional Korean home. There are many hanok villages (한옥마을) throughout Korea, but the best are those in Jeonju and Gyeongju. In the temples it is possible to live an experience with Buddhist monks.
Jjimjilbang, the Korean sauna
Literally “jjimjil” that means “heated”, and “bang”, that means “room”. Are you ready to dive into the tubs completely naked?! Hot, cold or flavored saunas, frozen fountains and then the scrub, a philosophy of life!
In the saunas you can even sleep and eat boiled eggs cooked on the hot floor!
Street food in South Korea
Food is a must in every country! Korean street food offers sweet snacks, such as bungeoppang and hotteok, and savory snacks, such as japchae, sundae and kimbap. And those who want to dare can try beondegi (번데기), silkworm pupae!
The hanbok
Don’t miss the opportunity to wear the traditional Korean dress! You can rent it or try it for free. Reserved for special occasions such as Seollal (Korean New Year), Chuseok (Autumn Eve Festival), wedding or first birthday.
The origins of Korean hanbok date back to the Three Kingdoms period. The fabrics used were decorated in a symbolic way: peonies for brides, dragons, phoenixes, cranes and tigers were reserved to the aristocracy and the military.
Seoul
So eclectic, it offers a kaleidoscope of things to do! Climb the Seoul Tower, take a tour of at least two of the five royal palaces, visit the village of traditional “Hanok” houses of Bukchon, go shopping in the Namdaemun market and the Insang-dong district, buy cosmetics in Myeong-dong, walk in Banpo Hangang Park and Gangnam District!
Jeju Island
The largest island of South Korea, located in the Korea Strait, reachable by plane from Seoul and Busan, in about 60 minutes. The activities you absolutely must do are: climb Mount Halla, the volcano located in the center of the island at 1,950 meters! Walk among the trees of the Bijarim forest. Explore the Manjanggul Cave, which extends underground for over 8km. Taste the tangerines and Jeju black pork. Meet the haenyeo, the fisherwomen who dive only with a wetsuit, freediving without oxygen tanks in search of seaweed and seafood.
Busan
Stunning beaches such as Haeundae, temples overlooking the sea, nature reserves and Jagalchi market, the largest in all of South Korea! This city of 3 million inhabitants houses jewels such as the spectacular Haedong Yonggungsa water temple, Taejongdae park and the Gwangan bridge. And for those who love shopping, a visit to the Gamcheon Cultural Village, the “coolest” district of the city and the Nampo dong district, is a must.
DMZ: demilitarized zone
A strip of land that extends for 250 km, 2km north and south of the border between the two Koreas, one of the most militarized areas of the globe. In some areas along the perimeter you can see North Korea.
In the village of Panmunjeom there is the Joint Security Area where governments make diplomatic and commercial agreements. Don’t miss: the “third infiltration tunnel”, one of the four tunnels built by North Korea to launch surprise attacks on South Korea.
Jeonju
2 hours by train separate the “spiritual” capital of the country from Seoul. Temples and traditional “Hanok” style houses (the Jeonju Hanok Village hosts over 600) make it an authentic city linked to its past. Fun fact: bibimpap, one of the most famous Korean dishes was created right here! Don’t forget to visit Nambu Traditional Market and Gyeonggijeon Shrine.
Guinsa Temple
Nestled in the Sobaeksan mountains, on an area of over 15,000 m2, it is the main headquarters of the Cheontae Buddhist sect, one of the most important in the country. Built in 1945 and rebuilt in 1965 after the Korean War, it is a fascinating, isolated place, surrounded by nature, where you can also overnight. An experience for a full immersion within oneself.
Gyeongju
A window overlooking the kingdom of Silla, the dynasty that reigned over the Korean peninsula for almost a millennium. The emblematic monuments cluster around the historic center and can be reached on foot.
To include in your bucket list: the underground temple of Sekougram which houses a splendid statue of Buddha, the Bulguksa temple, the Donggung palace, the Tumuli park and the Cheomseongdae observatory, the oldest in all of Asia.
Ready to leave for the present coolest country?!