CLIMB A MOUNTAIN, ANY MOUNTAIN

Korea is a very mountainous terrain, most mountains do have a hiking trail leading up to the peak and are doable with an average fitness level. The highest mountain on the mainland, Jirisan, is only 1,915m and can easily be done in a couple of hours. Hiking is an incredibly popular past time among Koreans, hiking stores take up a spot on every shopping street and if you are not decked out in the latest climbing gear you are doing it wrong.

EAT, EAT, EAT

Korean cuisine is unlike any other. It has taken centuries of tradition perfect the recipes. Korean cuisine is an assault on all your senses and it is quite wonderful. Eating just one dish you can experience blaring heat from chillies, sweetness from sugar and random tartness from kimchee. Don’t dare reach for the water during your meal, the saliva generated from the heat is supposed to ease your digestion. My personal favorites are Naengmyeon (cold buckwheat noodle soup), Dak Galbi (university favorite chicken fried rice) and Pajeon (green onion pancake)

VISIT THE HAESINDANG PARK

A visit to Gangwon-do province in Korea would not be complete without a look at the odd park filled with gigantic wooden phalluses. The story originates with Korean folklore that deals with death, virginity and fertility. Also, be sure to check out one of Asia’s biggest caves (that’s right) nearby.

PARTY IN HONGDAE SOUL

Seoul is an electrifying city filled with buzz and life 24 hours a day. Hongdae is a university area in Seoul busy with restaurants, bars and clubs. On every street corner there are live bands, performances and loud beats escaping from all of the clubs in the vicinity. Don’t worry about subway closures, some clubs don’t even open until 4am so you can wait for your ride while ripping up the dance floor.

VISIT THE BUDDHIST TEMPLES

Not many temples in Korea have survived centuries of conflict in the peninsula. Most temples you will see have either been reconstructed or redone over the past century. You can still find temples within Korea still in their original form. One of the temples in Tongdosa survived the 16th-century Japanese invasion and still stands today. Regardless of their age and reconstruction, Korean Buddhist temples are still worth a visit.

CYCLE ACROSS KOREA

Korea recently invested in a cross-national bike route and now you can bike from Seoul to Busan through beautiful rice paddies and mountains. The route is still a little choppy in some parts (missing pavement at times) but it is a great way to see the countryside. The bike path is around 700 kilometers and incredibly popular among Koreans. As a commemoration of your achievement, the Korean government will give the cyclist a nice medal and certificate.

GO TO GYEONGJU

Gyeongju was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla and due to the amount of historical sites the city is deemed a “museum without walls”. The city is a beautiful collection of tumuli and temples. It is worth having wheels in the city as a lot of the sites, like the Bulguksa temple, are scattered outside the city. There are also many bike rentals in the city.

SHOPPING IN MYEONGDONG

Myeongdong shopping tour through the labyrinth of shops and stores. To explore and find both vintage and modern items! Myeongdong is one of the most bustling corners for any shopaholic, fulfilling even your wildest shopping dreams! Shopping in Myeongdong is undoubtedly top things to do in Seoul.

EXPERIENCE NAMSAN TOWER

Seoul Tower, also commonly known as Namsan Tower, is an iconic Seoul landmark that provides bird’s-eye views of the city. It is both an observation and communication tower located at the top of Namsan Mountain in the geographical center of the city.  Seoul Tower is a very popular tourist spot and one of the top must-see attractions for any travel itinerary. It is also a popular date spot among locals.