As someone who studied in Korea for four years, I was blessed to know every side of Korea, from the elite shopping district at Gangnam to the hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the small alleys. These are the nine reasons to spend your next vacation in Seoul:
Beautiful scenery
Believe it or not, you don’t have to get out of Seoul to see what nature has to offer. Especially if you love hiking, there are a few well-known spots like Mount Sorak, Mount Bukhan, and Mount Dobong.
Climate
Just like other four-season climate countries, Korea’s winter can get very cold while its summer is expected to be very hot, so, it’s best to visit in the Spring or Fall. Around March to May, you will get to see beautiful cherry blossoms throughout Seoul and attend the different festivals. For the fall, not only the weather is nice and breezy, you can also take pretty pictures as the leaves change colors.
Rich culture
As a tourist, you will get to experience the rich history that Seoul has to offer by visiting places like Gyeongbok Palace, Bukchon Hanok Village, and King Sejong Statue. There are also nice spots to hang out like Cheonggyecheon Stream and Han River, where you get to experience the culture while enjoying the natural beautiful scenery.
Various options to shop
When it comes to shopping, Seoul has a wide-array of choice for you from wholesale and retail shopping centers in Dong Dae Mun, mid-range shops in Myeongdong, to the different designer shops at the huge shopping centers.
Seoul’s nightlife
Whether or not you’re a fan of clubbing, Seoul’s nightlife definitely will light up your experience. Other places like cafes and restaurants are also open until past midnight, and if you want to experience the different night club atmosphere, you can venture to Hongdae, Itaewon, or Gangnam for more of the elite clubs. If you’re not a fan of clubs, enjoy the various karaoke bars that are all around Seoul. Seoul doesn’t mess around when it comes to their karaoke spots because they’re not only bigger, you can also enjoy some meals and drinks, so it’s an experience like no other.
Themed cafes
Forget the boring cafes that you usually go to for coffees, because in Seoul, there are various themed cafes like animal cafes (dog, cat, rabbit, sheep, even raccoon), airplane cafe to feel like you’re dining in a private plane, and dress cafe, where you get to dress up while enjoying your cup of coffee.
Experience more than just the barbecue
When it comes to Korean food, the first thing most people would think about is probably barbecue, but Korean food is so much more than that. For the rainy days, it’s best to enjoy some Korean pancakes with a rice wine-based drink, called Makgeolli. If you are visiting in the summer, enjoying the unique cold noodles is also a must. There are also many varieties of soups and stews that would warm you up in the winter.
Modern transportation system
Thanks to its hi-tech transportation system, getting around Seoul isn’t a very difficult task. If you can’t read the Korean alphabets, your best bet would be the subway system, since English translations are available for each stop. However, if you can read the Korean alphabets, you have the additional option of getting around with the bus. Of course, if you’re not on a tight budget, getting around with taxi would be another convenient option.
Safety
The last, but definitely not the least, Seoul is safe. During my four years of staying in Korea, there was not even one time when I felt threatened because I had to walk alone at night. Even when I had to come back after studying from the 24/7 cafe around dawn, it was still safe for me to walk back to my dormitory. So, if you are visiting, you don’t have to worry about Seoul’s safety.
Hopefully, with all these reasons, you’ll be more convinced to write down Seoul as your next traveling destination. Annyeong (Bye)!
