Seoul's secret top six
Admit it, sometimes when you go travelling, you want to do an activity that you can post a Facebook status about and know that it will get loads of likes. Visiting museums and towers are well and good, but they aren’t exactly conducive to a likeable status update. So here are a list of my top things to do in Seoul that will guarantee you a killer response.
Some of the best stuff to do in Seoul is not even in the city. Of course, there’s loads of stuff to do in the city and any guide book will tell you that.
Some of the best stuff to do in Seoul is not even in the city. Of course, there’s loads of stuff to do in the city and any guide book will tell you that.
Catch a live concert in hongdae
Hongdae is the area where hip young people go to hang out. It’s also a pretty epic drinking district, with streets and streets lined with clubs and bars. Some places have ridiculously long lines and appear quite exclusive, while others are a bit more relaxed. What’s cool about Hongdae though is these live outdoor concerts that I'm told happen quite frequently. A band will set up in the middle of square and start playing for free. Look out for them as best you can, whether it be summer or winter.
As a side note to the drinking culture in Korea, smoking is still legal indoors. Be warned, you’ll likely smell like a Vegas hooker by night’s end. Also, Hongdae doesn't have a subway stop. Get to Hongik Station on Line 6 and from memory, head to Exit 9.
As a side note to the drinking culture in Korea, smoking is still legal indoors. Be warned, you’ll likely smell like a Vegas hooker by night’s end. Also, Hongdae doesn't have a subway stop. Get to Hongik Station on Line 6 and from memory, head to Exit 9.
Get naked with the locals in a nonsexual way at a jimjilbang
Koreans love getting nekkid and what better way to do so than in a relaxing spa. Jimjilbangs are public bath houses where friends, families and loved ones congregate to liberate themselves from the confinement of clothes. These bath houses are gender segregated with communal sauna and lounge areas. While the nudity might be a barrier for some people. Be sure to read my jimjilbang experience blog entry, as well as my jimjilbang etiquette guide.
Climb a mountain like miley cyrus
As much as Seoul is touted as a big city, it also has a lot of close by mountains that you can climb.And because climbing is a popular Korean past time, especially amongst the senior citizens, you’ll be very local. Personally, I climbed Bukhansan which is the tallest in Seoul. It was very doable and was about 2hours to the top, which included many breaks. Alternatively, you might want to try the confusingly named Bugaksan, an offshoot mountain of Bukhansan. This walk takes you past the old fortress walls of Seoul and used to be off-limits to the public. You may need a passport and photos may not be allowed at certain points (overlooking the Presidential Mansion) so check ahead. For a more complete list, you can read the guide to the best mountains in Seoul to climb.
find happiness at a dog or cat cafe
This will be the best thing you ever do. It will make you happy. It will revive you. You will find nirvana. Dog and cat cafes are exactly that, cafes where you go hang out with dogs and cats. You can pet them, take photos with them and basically, relieve all your stresses. The drinks they serve are terrible and they don’t serve food (I guess for hygiene reasons), but go there when you need to unwind after a long day. I went to one in Myeungdong, where all I needed to do was look for a guy dressed up as a bit yellow cat, pointing the way:
Eat at namdaemun market
One of my greatest regrets in Seoul was not eating at Namdaemun Markets. Maybe it’s because I’m a bit of a foodie, but maybe cause everything looked so delicious. The markets sell lots of clothes and general knickknacks, but there are also a plethora of food stalls that line the streets. Indulge in the local cuisines and you presumably won’t regret it
go to north korea, like a boss
You will have the opportunity to buy Northern booze
This is what somebody didn’t tell me when I went to North Korea: I had to book in advance. I know that sounds obvious but when you’re a frequent traveler, you often think that you can just rock up to a place, book a tour on the spot and the next day you're off on another adventure. Not so. Firstly, let’s break it down a little. A visit to North Korea involves one of two separate tours (you have to go on a tour. For all you ‘I don’t do tours cause they're so touristy’ type people, you'll just have to suck it up): The DMZ tour and the JSA/Punmunjeon Tour.
DMZ stands for Demilitarised Zone, and is the area that crosses both North and South. This is the space where there is supposed to be no military, as per some agreement the two countries signed. But both countries ignored the agreement and now the DMZ remains one of the most heavily armed areas in the world.
JSA is the Joint Security Area, where North and South Korea come together to hold talks. These talks are held in the village of Punmunjeon, which is in between both countries and is supposed to be an eery place to visit (or funny by some backpacker accounts).
This JSA/Punmunjeon tour will need to be booked in advance (give at least three days) as they need to check your passport to make you’re not a spy or something. So if you really want to get into the thick of it, book this one. If you’re not so fussed or forgot to pre-book, you can still do the DMZ tour, where you can look through binoculars to see the North.
The DMZ tour usually is a half day tour and the JSA/Punmunjeon is one full day. Ask your hostel for help with booking a tour. The United Services Organisation is often regarded as one of the best and cheapest. Note that on the day of the tour, there is a dress code, so read ahead on that. Basically, don't dress like a slurry.
DMZ stands for Demilitarised Zone, and is the area that crosses both North and South. This is the space where there is supposed to be no military, as per some agreement the two countries signed. But both countries ignored the agreement and now the DMZ remains one of the most heavily armed areas in the world.
JSA is the Joint Security Area, where North and South Korea come together to hold talks. These talks are held in the village of Punmunjeon, which is in between both countries and is supposed to be an eery place to visit (or funny by some backpacker accounts).
This JSA/Punmunjeon tour will need to be booked in advance (give at least three days) as they need to check your passport to make you’re not a spy or something. So if you really want to get into the thick of it, book this one. If you’re not so fussed or forgot to pre-book, you can still do the DMZ tour, where you can look through binoculars to see the North.
The DMZ tour usually is a half day tour and the JSA/Punmunjeon is one full day. Ask your hostel for help with booking a tour. The United Services Organisation is often regarded as one of the best and cheapest. Note that on the day of the tour, there is a dress code, so read ahead on that. Basically, don't dress like a slurry.