Believe me when I say that two visits to South Korea is not enough to fully enjoy what it has to offer. Listed below are some of the activities that make me miss the place and want to go back for the third time. The list is a mix of common and unusual places, so do check it out. (WARNING: Photo-heavy post ahead!)

1. CAFÉ & GALLERY HOPPING AT HEYRI ART VILLAGE

Heyri Art Village is the place all artists dream of. The art village consists of various cafes and bistros that feature art exhibits and sell products–ranging from stickers to furniture–by local artists. Some creatives even actually live there! If you’re lucky, you may see them working on their latest piece.

Walking around Heyri Art Village / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Each shop has its own personality. For starters, there’s a chocolate bar-shaped building that is both an art gallery and a cafe that specializes in *yup you got that right* chocolates, and a cafe with a lovely industrial look that features a huge wall full of artworks.

The Chocolate Design Gallery / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Cafe Concreate / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Coffee and tea latte from InSquare Gallery Cafe / Photo by Ivan Angelo

QUICK TIP: If you want to experience snowfall in South Korea, take a shot and travel somewhere north, like Paju. According to our Korean friends whom we met during our winter vacation, it’s more likely to snow in the northern area rather than is Seoul.

Quick photo outside right afer taking refuge at the cozy InSquare Cafe / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Half a day is enough to explore the area, but if you really want to take in all the art in each establishment, you should allot a day in Heyri Art Village.

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the train to Hapjeong Station (Green Line) and take Exit 2 • Ride Bus 2200 (7:00 – 23:20; every 15 minutes) and get off at Heyri Art Village Gate No. 4.

2. CHILLING IN HONGDAE

Photo by Ivan Angelo

If I were to go back to Seoul for the third time, I’d still choose to find a place to stay in Hongdae. That’s how much I love this place. It’s like a Korean version of the UP Village neighborhood with its free-spirit vibe, but with so much more to offer.

READ: Where to Stay in Seoul: Jay’s Compact Airbnb in Hongdae

Can’t miss trying out the famous chicken and beer combo when in Seoul / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Rows of trendy fashion stores, cozy cafes, clubs and holes-in-the-wall are scattered around the area. You’re sure to find something that fits your taste, whether in clothing, music, drinks or food.

Clothes overload along the streets of Hongdae! Nope, I’m not mad. I was just about to blink. Haha / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Yummy chicken skewers from a random stall in Hongdae is the bomb! / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Hongdae is also home to many talents waiting to be discovered. There is a pedestrian-friendly street that turns into an impromptu stage every night, where various indie artists perform live. Aside from this, Hongdae holds a “Free Market” every Saturday (from March to November), where artists get to sell their own creative work a la flea market.

One of the many indie artists we watched on our nightly stroll around Hongdae / Photo by Ivan Angelo

The street dancers in Hongdae were super fun to watch / Photo by Ivan Angelo

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the train to Hongik University Station (Green Line) and take Exit 9 • Upon exiting, turn left and walk straight until you reach the pedestrian-friendly street.

3. SHOPPING IN MYEONGDONG

Shoppers flock Myeongdong at night / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Fond of Korean fashion and makeup? Then you can’t miss Myeongdong, one of the most famous fashion districts in Seoul. According to the Visit Korea website, every Korean cosmetic brand has a branch in Myeongdong. Every. Korean. Cosmetic. Brand. Say whut?! 

The beautiful facade of the Nature Republic branch in Myeongdong / Photo by Ivan Angelo

One of many food stalls in Myeongdong / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Aside from the stand-alone stores lined up along the streets, Myeongdong is also surrounded by major department stores like Lotte and Shinsegae, and an underground shopping center that sprawls all the way to the City Hall Station.

QUICK TIP: It is best to go here at sundown, to see the place teeming with pretty lights from the endless rows of shops. It is also at night where more clothes and food stalls are set up in the middle of the street, night market-style.

I swear, these grilled scallops with cheese and corn which we found in Myeongdong are the bomb! / Photo by Ivan Angelo

To shop or to eat, that is the question / Photo by Ivan Angelo

HOW TO GET THERE:
Option A: Ride the train to Myeongdong Station (Light Blue Line) and take Exit 7 or 8.
Option B: Ride the train to Euljiro 1 (il)ga (Green Line) and take Exit 5 or 6. Myeongdong is just a short walk from there.

4. DAYDREAMING AT EWHA WOMANS UNIVERSITY

The Ewha Womans Unviversity library is an architectural masterpiece. Once you see it in person, you wouldn’t help but dream of becoming a student there.

If I were a student of this university, you’ll know where to find me / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Just me imagining myself having a wonderful time reviewing for an exam on one of these steps / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Other than the beautiful architecture, there is nothing much to see around the university grounds. If you go on a weekday morning, it might be nice to just sit somewhere and watch the students go about their day. And after checking out the campus, there is a shopping area right outside the gate waiting for you to surrender your remaining won.

QUICK TIP: Some apparel sold in the Ewha Womans University Shopping Street are relatively cheaper than those in Hongdae and Myeongdong, making it truly worth checking out.

To the shopping area, we go / Photo by Ivan Angelo

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the train to Ewha Womans University (Green Line) and take Exit 2 or Exit 3 • Walk straight along the main road to get to the Ewha Gate • Walk around the area on the left of the main road (facing the direction towards the university) for shopping. See the map in our South Korea artinerary for directions to the Ewha Womans University and Ewha shopping area.

5. HIKING AT HWASEONG FORTRESS

Hwaseong Fortress is located in Suwon, which is 30km south of Seoul. It was built in the 1700s during the Joseon Dynasty, and was designated a UNESCO Heritage Site in the late 90s.

The steps that lead to the top of Mt. Paldal / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Directional signage near the Paldalmun Gate / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Look at that hand pointing fail! LOL / Photo by Ivan Angelo

The fortress wall stretches for a total of 5.52km and has a great variety of military facilities that’s hard to find anywhere else. Four gates face each of the cardinal directions—Janganmun (north), Paldalmun (south), Changnyongmun (east), and Hwaseomun (west)—and the seven-arch style Sumun gates straddle the point where the nearby stream reaches the palace. Above the Sumun gates is a pavilion called Hwahongmun. —Visit Korea

The Hwahongmun Gate where the stream flows through on warmer days / Photo by Ivan Angelo

A visit to the Hwaseong Fortress is the perfect day trip for travelers looking for a leisurely hike, with a mix of cultural and historical learning. Don’t forget to savor the awesome view of Suwon once you reach the top of Mt. Paldal.

The command post on top of Mt. Paldal

Our Meteor Youth guide taking in the view of Suwon / Photo by Ivan Angelo

After the hike, you may also want to check out the Hwaseong Hanggeung Palace at the foot of Mt. Paldal. This served as the royal family’s temporary palace during a war.

This was the temporary palace used by the kings from the Josen Dynasty / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Not a fan of the crowded palaces in Seoul? Then you’ll surely love Hwaseong Haenggung Palace / Photo by Ivan Angelo

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the train to Sindorim (Green Line) • Transfer to the Blue Line going to Suwon Station and take Exit 4 • Ride Bus 13 and get off at the Paldalmun Gate of Hwaseong Fortress.

6. EXPLORING DONGDAEMUN DESIGN PLAZA (DDP)

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) has been among the most popular places to visit in Seoul since it opened its doors last March 2014. Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the huge complex serves as the art, design and technology hub of the fast-growing city.

Photo by Ivan Angelo

So if you want to know and see the latest in design and technology, a visit to DDP will help. It has a multi-purpose hall, eco-friendly park, museum, 24-hr “Design Market” and a number of exhibition halls.

The DDP looks lovelier at night / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Photo by Ivan Angelo

DID YOU KNOW? DDP also had its share of negative remarks. Aside from the actual design (some called it an ugly spaceship) and choice of location (they had to demolish an 80-year-old stadium to give way to the rise of DDP), the project’s  $450 million cost also stirred debates.

Beautiful visual merchandising / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Cameras galore for that perfect 3d print

Loved these melancholic photos that come with a color palette made of yarn / Photo by Ivan Angelo

To add to the visual extravaganza, an LED Rose Garden was also installed next to one of the exhibition halls, in 2015. The last day of the installation is always moved to a later date, so I’m guessing that there’s a high probability that the said garden, which is composed of more than 25,000 lighted roses, will be there for quite a while.

LED Rose Garden / Photo by Ivan Angelo

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the train to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (Green Line) and take Exit 1.

7. VISITING GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE

Gyeongbokgung Palace is one of those places that you just can’t miss on your first visit. Among the five royal palaces in Seoul, Gyeongbokgung is the grandest and largest, thus making it the most commonly visited palace by tourists.

NOTE: All Gyeongbokgung Palace photos were taken during our trip to South Korea last October 2014.

The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919). —Visit Korea

The changing of the guards, watched by hundreds of tourists

K-drama moment! Wish this was staged but I was just literally pulling him to the middle so we can take a nice shot. LOL

Entrance fee is 3,000won for adults and 1,500won for children. If you plan to visit the three other palaces and the Jongmyo Shrine as well, better get the Integrated Ticket for Palaces at 10,000won, which you can buy at the entrance of any of the palaces. The ticket is equivalent to one entrance pass per palace and is valid for one  month.

HOW TO GET THERE:
Option A: Ride the train to Gyeongbokgung Station (Orange Line) and take Exit 5 • Follow the directions and walk towards the palace.
Option B: Ride the train to Gwanghwamun Station (Purple Line) and take Exit 2 • Walk towards the palace thru the Gwanghwamun Square.

8. WANDERING AROUND BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE

One thing to love about Seoul is how it perfectly mixes the old and the new. A testament to this is the existence of the beautiful Bukchon Hanok Village, in the midst of the technologically-advanced metropolitan.

NOTE: All Bukchon Hanok photos were taken during our trip to South Korea last October 2014.

Photo by Ivan Angelo

Here, you’ll see streets lined up with traditional Korean houses called “hanok.” Some serve as guesthouses, galleries and cafes, while some are actual homes occupied by Seoul residents. That’s why as you walk along the village, you’ll see a “silence please” signage from time to time.

We tried looking for the “sanggojae” featured in the Korean drama Personal Taste, but gave up due to the number of tourists during our visit. It was October then, which most people say is the best time to travel to South Korea because of the cool weather.

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the train to Anguk Station (Orange Line) and take Exit 2 • Walk straight and follow the directional signage to the Bukchon Hanok Village.

9. CHECKING OUT THE NAMSAN TOWER

Honestly, I wasn’t fascinated with the view from top of the Namsan Tower. It was incomparable to Hongkong’s Victoria Peak. However, the place offers a certain appeal and romance, that made Ivan and I visit it twice.

The view of the tower from the cable car, October 2014 / Photo by Ivan Angelo

The view from the top, October 2014 / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Namsan Tower, October 2014 / Photo by Ivan Angelo

Another reason to visit, especially for couples, is the famous love locks area. Of course Ivan and I didn’t miss the opportunity to put our own lock during our first visit. We threw our key like most couples do, to signify a never-ending love. We both know this doesn’t have to do anything with maintaining a happy relationship, but did it anyway for fun! 😉 So we weren’t really disappointed when we couldn’t find out lock anymore two years later.

Cheeseballs, October 2014 / Photo by Ivan Angelo

K-drama fans (like me, admittedly) will also want to check out the Namsan Tower since it is a popular shoot location for various shows. One of the most recent dramas that featured the place is the top-rating “My Love from the Star.”

HOW TO GET THERE: Ride the train to Myeongdong Station (Green Line) and take Exit 3 • Take the Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Bus No. 05 (7:00 – 23:30; every 15 minutes) and get off at the Namsan Cable Car Station. Alternatively, you can walk from the station (towards the street with the 7-Eleven Store, follow the directional signage) • Ride the cable car going to Namsan Tower.

10. BIKING AROUND NAMI ISLAND

Photo by Ivan Angelo

I first saw Nami Island in the K-drama series “Endless Love: Autumn In My Heart” and since then, I’ve always dreamt of visiting it. That dream came true during our first trip to South Korea in 2014, coincidentally during autumn. The island was painted with warm tones of yellow, orange, and red, due to the changing of colors of the leaves. It was the perfect complement to the cool breeze.

Namiseom Island is 63 km away from Seoul in the direction of Chuncheon, and is famous for its beautiful tree lined roads. The island is 30 minutes away from Chuncheon and an hour away from the suburbs of Seoul. Since it is not far from Seoul, many couples and families come to visit. —Visit Korea

Zipline FUN / Photo by Ivan Angelo

QUICK TIP: Aside from the usual ferry, another way to get to the island is via zipline. YES, zipline from one island to another! Cool, huh? We tried it ourselves during our first visit and it was SUPER FUN!

Our second trip to Nami Island was during winter, and I must say that it was equally charming. There were lesser tourists as well, so that’s a plus.

I’m sure the photos are enough to tell you how beautiful Nami Island is, so I will just tell you this: when in South Korea, DO NOT miss the opportunity to visit this island, regardless of the season. I’m sure each season offers a different personality.

HOW TO GET THERE:
Option A: Ride the train to Yongsan Station (Gyeongui Jungang Line) • Transfer to the ITX – Cheongchun Line and take the train to Gapyeong Station (best to pre-purchase tickets via ITX kiosks or online) • Ride the Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus right outside the Gapyeong Station, going to Nami Island • Get down at the wharf and take the ferry to Nami Island.
Option B: Ride the train to Mangu Station (Gyeongui Jungang Line) • Transfer to the Gyeongchun Line and take the train going to Gapyeong Station • Ride the Gapyeong Circle Tour Bus right outside the Gapyeong Station, going to Nami Island • Get down at the wharf and take the ferry to Nami Island.

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