Welcome to another edition of Fast Five, a blog post series where you’ll find the most unique and interesting things to do in a particular country. In this post, we’re exploring some of the most unique things to do in South Korea. I won’t go into a wall of text explaining each of the things listed (that’s why it’s called the Fast Five!), but there’s just enough detail for you to decide if you want to check it out – and if so, I’ve provided all of the info so you don’t have to spend hours Googling.
To get you hyped up, here’s a little sneak peek of what you’re in for today:
1. Dressing up in a Habok
2. Getting Lost (in Nature) on the Island of Mandarin Oranges
3. De-stressing, the Korean Way
4. Making Some New Furry Friends at a Cafe
5. Bringing Out Your Inner Artist at the “Macchu Picchu of South Korea”
Can’t wait? Me neither — let’s check them out!
Dress Up in a Hanbok
한복
Have you ever dressed up when traveling abroad? No? Here’s your chance! Hanbok is a traditional Korean dress that’s usually used for formal events. It consists of a puffy skirt and cropped jacket for ladies (like the one I’m wearing above), and a jacket and loose trousers for men.
There are dozens of hanbok rentals in Seoul and other major cities that will make you feel like a Korean princess — at least for a few hours. The one we went to had hundreds of different options with the possibility to mix and match tops and bottoms. Once you picked your fabulous outfit, the staff help you get dressed. There’s even a free “hairstyle studio” where you can pick from a variety of hairstyles to go with your hanbok, and the hairdresser will do it for you.
Pro tip: If you’re planning to visit a tourist attraction like Gyeongbokgung Palace, you can rent a hanbok beforehand and get free entry to the palace! Also, visit Bukchon Hanok Village for a lovely backdrop for your hanbok photos. :)
WHERE: Most major cities in South Korea, although the majority of hanbok rentals can be found in the capital, Seoul, near major tourist attractions.
TO BOOK: We booked the 2.5-hour themed hanbok option at Hanboknam, but if you book through Viator, you get a $5 USD discount!
PRICE: Hanbok rentals start around 10,000 Won ($8 USD) for 1.5 hours and go from there. We paid 30,000 Won per person for 2.5 hours (before we knew about Viator).
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Get Lost (In Nature!) on Jeju Island
제주도
If you asked me what was my favorite destination this year, I wouldn’t waste a second in replying – Jeju Island! (And probably ramble about it for an hour, but that’s a different story)
Although it’s often been called South Korea’s “Honeymoon Island” or the country’s equivalent of Hawaii, you don’t need a partner (or a ticket to Hawaii) to explore Jeju Island. This small island, off the southern coast of Korea, is full of gorgeous nature, friendly locals, and a relaxed atmosphere.
Many travelers come here to hike on the 21 various Olle Trails that span more than 422 kilometers; take photos of the dozens of waterfalls (Jeongbang is the only waterfall in Asia to fall into the sea!); try the delicious mandarin oranges that Jeju is known for; or just to look at the cheerful Dol hareubang statues (the oldest “locals” on the island ;))
Jeju island is one of the easiest destinations to get to because there are dozens of flights per day from major cities like Seoul and Busan. Since it’s so compact, you only need 2 or 3 days to see the entire island – with or without a car.
WANT TO KNOW MORE? I have a Jeju Island Travel Guide with information on flights, accommodations, activities, and more – click here to check it out!
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De-stress Like a Korean in a Jjimjilbang
찜질방
If jetlag hits you faster than you can step off the plane, don’t stress and get yourself to the nearest Korean spa! These huge spas, called Jjimjilbang, can be found in any major city and are the perfect way to destress if you have a few hours to spare.
A Jjimjilbang spa usually has at least a dozen different rooms where you can hang out and enjoy the ***?? effects: some of the ones I’ve seen included a light therapy room, steam rooms (ranging from 25 to 40C), “ice” room (-5C!), salt therapy room (imagine yourself in a giant Himalayan salt lamp hehe), and Egyptian room.
Most Jjimjilbangs also have a gender-segregated hot pool area, where you can sit in heated thermal water (similar to Japanese onsen). The catch? These are “no clothes” zones, so make sure to leave the swimsuit behind before jumping in – otherwise you’ll have a few angry ahjummas yelling at you. Not that it happened to me or anything… (eye emoji)
Tip: If you’re planning to travel South Korea on a budget, look into sleeping at Jjimjilbang. Many are open 24 hours, and you can stay overnight for the price of an entry ticket — usually less than $15USD!
WHERE: I visited two Korean spas during my trip, and both were amazing. They’re extremely clean, have everything you need (lockers for your stuff and shoes!), and there is usually a restaurant and cafe on-site. The one I went to in Seoul is called Dragon Hill – if you book through Klook, you can get a 10% discount. The one in Busan is called SPA LAND inside the mall.
TO BOOK: Click HERE to book Dragon Hill Spa (Seoul) // click HERE to book SPA LAND (Busan)
PRICE: Entry start around 10,000 Won; some of the more popular spas in South Korea can run around 15,000 Won
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Make Some New “Friends” At a Themed Cafe
커피집
Did you know that there are over 50,000 cafes in South Korea? That’s right: fifty thousand cafes – and they’re not just your basic, next door Starbucks. Some of these cafes have dogs, Sherlock Holmes, raccoons, legos, and even sheep. Imagine chilling next to a sheep and drinking your coffee… Not a bad start to a Monday, right? ;)
Koreans have a strong coffee culture, and you can find at least one cafe every 50 meters. If you’re bored of your usual latte or espresso, why not take a walk on the wild side and go to a themed cafe? If you have an hour or two to spare, visiting a themed cafe is one of the most unique things to do in Seoul because you (usually) can’t find one back home.
WHERE: If you’re in need of inspiration, here are some of the most unique cafes in South Korea:
–Thanks Nature Cafe – Seoul cafe where you can pet sheep
–221 B – Seoul cafe with a Sherlock Holmes theme
–Mysterious Ties cats cafe – Busan cat cafe (there are over 20 cats here!)
–Blind Alley – Seoul raccoon cafe (plus a Corgi and two miniature pigs)
–Ddong Cafe – Seoul Poop themed cafe :)
TO BOOK: You just need to show up – no need to book beforehand!
PRICE: Some cafes charge a small fee if you’d like to pet the animals, usually around 5,000 Won. Others only ask you to buy a drink or food as your “ticket” – be sure to check before your visit.
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Bring Out Your Inner Artist at the Gamcheon Culture Village
부산 감천문화마을
Does your Instagram need a little more color? If you’re in Busan, check out one of the city’s most popular spots: Gamcheon Culture Village!
This “village” in the middle of Busan started out as a displacement camp for refugees of the Korean War but slowly turned into a colorful tourist attraction after locals started to paint their houses in vivid colors. Nowadays, you can stroll through the main street and enjoy the murals, little boutique stores, museums, free art galleries, and cafes. Some of my favorite spots included the Grand Budapest Doll Hotel, the Swimming Fish mural, and the Little Museum.
The best part is that you can spend an hour or a whole day here. Haven’t gone on a scavenger hunt in years? (No, looking for your keys doesn’t count!) If you’re interested in exploring the village, buy a map from the tourist information center for 2,000 Won and do a little scavenger hunt on your own. Once you find all of the attractions on the map and get a stamp from each of them, you’ll get a neat prize from the tourist office!
WHERE: Gamcheon 2(i)-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea
PRICE: Free entry. If you’re interested in a guided tour, I did the Busan City Tour for about $40 USD, which included a 2 hour stop at the Gamcheon Culture Village and I highly recommend it!
