Over the past few years, South Korea has been gaining much popularity especially with the rising interest in K-Pop music and K-Dramas. Even if you are not a fan, I believe you will still enjoy your trip to South Korea! The people are hospitable and it is no longer difficult to get halal food in this country. Here, we have compiled 9 Must Visit Places in South Korea that you have to give a shot to maximise your travel experience in South Korea!
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The N Seoul Tower, also known as Namsan Tower, is the perfect place to go with your loved one. The best time to go is in the evening because you will be able to see the sunset clearly. Accompanying the sunset is a bird’s eye view of Seoul. The admission fee to the observatory tower is priced at 10,000 won for adults and 8,000 won for children and the elderly. Visitors can choose to get to the tower via the Namsan Sunhwan Shuttle Busses, Namsan Cable Car, or the Seoul City Tour Bus. Be adventurous and try out these public transports to get to the Namsan Tower like a local!
Address: 105 Namsangongwon-gil, Yongsan 2(i)ga-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 10AM to 11PM (Everyday), 10AM to 12AM (Sunday)
Website: http://www.nseoultower.co.kr/eng/
Built in 1395, the Gyeongbokgung Palace was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty. Don't miss the opportunity to finally feel how it feels like to be a royal in Korea. To get here, simply hop on the train going along Line 3 and alight at Gyeongbokgung Station (Line 3). The entire palace is absolutely picturesque. The traditional hanboks (Korean traditional costumes) are also available for rent. You will see tourists and even locals wearing hanboks while walking around the palace. Join in the fun! Don't forget to keep yourself comfortable because you'll definitely be walking a lot!
Address: 161 Sajik-ro, Sejongno, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Opening Hours: 9AM to 6PM (every day, except Tuesdays)
Website: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264337
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If you can only afford a day trip out of Seoul, make it to Nami Island. Apart from gaining popularity from the Korean drama Winter Sonata many years ago, Nami Island has been a popular choice for tourists due to its fascinating views. Nami Island is gorgeous regardless of the season. During winter you will be greeted with snow-filled pathways and frozen lakes. If you have the chance to walk to the end of the island, enjoy the view of the lake and the mountains. It will approximately take about 45 minutes to walk to the end of the island and perhaps only 20 minutes on a bicycle. Here, you will be able to find a halal restaurant in the middle of the island and a musalla right above the restaurant. Also, click here to check out all 4 Halal Restaurants at Nami Island!
Address: 1 Namisum-gil, Namsan-myeon | 1st Floor Baplex, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do, South Korea
Contact: +82 31-580-8099
Price: $$-$$$
Another day trip out of Seoul that will be worth it would be Petite France. Petite France, also known as Little Prince theme park, is a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside. The thing about Petite France is that the place is extremely colorful with adorable decorations all over such that you will find it irresistible not to take photos with everything there. You will also be able to experience being in an authentically decorated traditional French house. If you are heading to Nami Island, you can plan to stop by Petite France on the same day.
Address: 1063 Hoban-ro, Oeseo-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Contact: +82 31-584-8200
Opening Hours: 9AM to 6PM (Everyday)
Website: http://www.pfcamp.com/ewmain/main.php
Image Credit: www.koreanfolk.co.kr
A walk around the Korean Folk Village will take you back through time. Here, you will be able to witness the traditional culture from the late Joseon period. It is interesting to see the difference between a farmer’s house and a noble man’s house. This village is also a popular place to film Korean period dramas so if you are a fan of period drama, some parts of the village will look slightly familiar! If you manage to spot the pure spring water well, the water is safe to drink! There is also an area where you can slip on hanboks (traditional Korean costume) for free.
Address: 90 Minsokchon-ro, Bora-dong, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea
Contact: +82 31-288-0000
Opening Hours: 9.30AM to 6.30PM (Mondays - Fridays)
9.30AM to 7PM (Saturdays and Sundays)
Website: http://www.koreanfolk.co.kr/multi/english/
The Seoraksan Mountain is one of the most beautiful mountains in Korea. Situated in the city of Sokcho, Mount Seorak would be a great choice if you are a mountain hiking lover. If you are not sporty and do not fancy hikes, the cable car will take you to the nearest peak and from there, it will only be a few minute hike to the top of Mt. Seorak. The little hike to the top will be totally worth it when you see the magnificent view. Be sure to check out the weather forecast before going as it tends to be pretty windy. If it is too windy, cable car rides will be temporarily closed.
Website: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264211
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Another beautiful place to visit outside of Seoul is Jeju Island. Only an hour plane ride away, Jeju Island is a popular destination even for locals to visit for short holidays. It is known for its beach resorts and volcanic landscape of craters and cavelike lava tubes. In fact, there are plenty of places to explore when in Jeju, you would probably need a week here to explore everything. If you are a nature lover, be sure to visit the waterfalls such as Cheonjeyeon and Jeongbang or hike up Mt. Hallasan to see the breathtaking view. If you hike before dawn, you will be able to witness the sunrise from the peak of Mt. Hallasan or better known as the Sunrise Peak. Another UNESCO World Heritage site, the Manjanggul Cave is one of the finest and longest lava tunnels in the world. It is impossible not to love Jeju Island.
This place is a mandatory place to visit for all Muslim visitors in Seoul. There are several attractions here but the main one has got to be the Seoul Central Mosque. It was the first Islamic mosque in Korea. The streets surrounding the mosque are filled with halal restaurants that serve a variety of Asian food. Of course, halal Korean food is also readily available in the area. You can simply get to Itaewon via the Seoul Subway. Hop on a train along Line 6 and alight at the Itaewon Station (Line 6). You will be spoilt for choice on where and what to eat! Itaewon is also known as a shopping district so if you are looking for souvenirs for your family and friends back home, you may shop for them here.
Website: http://www.theseoulguide.com/sights/neighborhoods-and-districts/itaewon/
This is a MUST-visit place especially if you love shopping! You will be able to find anything here, skincare products, clothes, bags, anything, you name it! Korean skincare products are cheaper here so a lot of visitors tend to buy everything in bulk. Just a tip, bring a big bag! The skincare products sold in Myeongdong specifically can be half of the original price sold anywhere else. This place is a shopping haven and most visitors will find themselves coming back twice or even thrice before they fly home. To get here, take a train going along Line 4 and alight at Myeongdong Station (Line 4).
Website: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr/enu/ATR/SI_EN_3_1_1_1.jsp?cid=264312
South Korea will definitely be an adventure worth giving a shot at. This beautiful city is both a shopping paradise for shopaholics and a wonderful playground for nature lovers.
