Do you want to travel to Korea? I lived in Korea for
one year as an exchange student, so here some tips!
The best seasons to go to Korea are autumn or spring
when the weather is perfect: not too cold or too hot. Summer in Korea is hot, humid
and rainy while winter is dry, cold but sunny.
Personally, I think you cannot go to Seoul without seeing
at least one palaces and one traditional village.
There are four palaces in Seoul, but the biggest and most famous one is Gyeongbokgung. In the middle of the capital, surrounded by buildings, the palace is majestic and represents the Korean society “between modernity and tradition”.
And do not miss changing guard ceremony!
Entry ticket is 3000 won and free for children (under 18). A pass for the four palaces + Jongmyo Shrine exists, it is 10 000 won and valid one month.
During Chuseok, the palaces are free and activities are organized (so many people come to visit them!).
There are four palaces in Seoul, but the biggest and most famous one is Gyeongbokgung. In the middle of the capital, surrounded by buildings, the palace is majestic and represents the Korean society “between modernity and tradition”.
And do not miss changing guard ceremony!
Entry ticket is 3000 won and free for children (under 18). A pass for the four palaces + Jongmyo Shrine exists, it is 10 000 won and valid one month.
During Chuseok, the palaces are free and activities are organized (so many people come to visit them!).
There are two Hanok (Korean traditional houses)
Village in Seoul: Namsangol Hanok Village and Bukchon Hanok Village. Bukchon is
located near Gyeongbokgung Palace and its particularity and difference from
Namsangol is that there are people living in the houses! The place is quiet et
poetic I think, ideal for a calm walk even if sometimes you will see some noisy
tourists.
From Bukchon Village, you can easily walk to Insadong, a shopping street where you can buy souvenirs!
From Bukchon Village, you can easily walk to Insadong, a shopping street where you can buy souvenirs!
There are also some funny things to try in Korea like
themed coffee shops! I tried a dog coffee, a cat coffee and Rilakkuma coffee,
and it is really fun!
Cat and dog coffee are my favorite. This is simply a room where you buy a drink (a little more expensive than in “normal” coffee) and where you can pet and play with cats or dogs!! It is clean and not smelly at all!
Rilakkuma is a character and the coffee is just full of goodies, teddy bear etc.
An Hello Kitty Coffee exists too!
Cat and dog coffee are my favorite. This is simply a room where you buy a drink (a little more expensive than in “normal” coffee) and where you can pet and play with cats or dogs!! It is clean and not smelly at all!
Rilakkuma is a character and the coffee is just full of goodies, teddy bear etc.
An Hello Kitty Coffee exists too!
To finish, some quick thing I wanted to mention:
Korean like spicy food, take care if you do not like
it like me!
Hongdae is the best place to do shopping and party!
If you like to party, you can also go to Itaewon (many foreigner live there) or Gangnam (classy and expensive).
Have fun in South Korea! ;)
Hongdae is the best place to do shopping and party!
If you like to party, you can also go to Itaewon (many foreigner live there) or Gangnam (classy and expensive).
Have fun in South Korea! ;)
