Hi, Steemians! 👋
If you have been reading my past blog entries, you will notice that I like doing lists. ✔🗒
That's how I organize my thoughts and the things I need to do. So I decided I will just start a series with the name:
For the first entry of the WanderList series, I'll enumerate a few reasons why you should visit Seoul.
South Korea tops the list of my most frequently visited country. Oh! I think it is tied with Malaysia, but I go to Kuala Lumpur mainly because my brother works there (maybe I'll write about KL some other time).
So why do I keep coming back to Seoul? It brims with character and offers cultural and authentic culinary experience without the need to go too far from the city.
Let me tell you the pleasant experiences I had which makes me want to keep visiting this lovely city! Maybe you'll want to go there too after going through my list. Here we go:
1. It's okay to get lost.
South Korea has a very efficient transport system. Too advanced sometimes for a Third World resident like me 😂😂😂. It took some time before I figured out how the train works and what to do when you don't know if you're going the right way because your Google maps show the name of places in Korean.
Let me tell you, don't be afraid to ask for directions when you're lost. The Koreans would try their best to help you. I'm speaking from personal experience. If they can't speak English very well, again based on my previous experience, they would take you to the place you're pointing to on your map (even better, right?!). They do go out of their way to help tourists. This certainly makes you feel welcome in a foreign place.
2. They give freebies!
Who doesn't want receiving free stuff? Would you not smile if you buy a moisturizer and get lots of other beauty items like masks or cotton pads for free? It's fun to shop in Seoul and their perfectionist mentality when it comes to service makes for a pleasurable shopping experience. Best of all, tipping is not required.
3. The food is superb!
I ❤ Korean food and while we have plenty of Korean restaurants here, nothing beats eating all your favorites in the place where they originated! Plus there are new food discoveries everytime!
Their barbeque is delicious! 🍴 Galbi or marinated barbeque ribs are probably the most popular among tourists.
Another well known Korean food is the Bibimbap which literally means mixed rice. It is a filling option for rice-eaters like us Filipinos.
They also have good coffee and yummy desserts! Some are even too cute to eat. 😊
4. You can go to where your favorite KDrama scenes were shot 😍
The fangirl in you will die of excitement. Your whole visit could actually revolve around your KDrama favorites! You just need to do research beforehand.
This one was taken at the mural shown in the recent KDrama of Lee Jong Suk and Suzy Bae, While You Were Sleeping
This one was at Eun Tak's (Kim Go Eun) school in the famous Kdrama, Goblin.
The Namsan Seoul Tower is also a famous shooting location for KDramas. One of which was Boys Over Flowers.
Seoul is every fangirl's dreamland! ❤
5. There's so much to do, even at night!
You can watch the Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain, which made it to the Guinness World Records for being the longest bridge fountain, and marvel at the dancing waters. You can check more details about it here.
For your last minute shopping, you can go to Myeongdong or Hongdae where the shops are open until late at night.
You can have your midnight snacks at food stalls scattered all over the city. But beware! You may want to skip this if you are on a strict diet since the food here are usually fried, mostly spicy, and filled with carbs!
You may also spend the night at a Jjimjilbang or a public bathhouse which is usually open 24 hours a day.
Of course, there are bars for those who like to party until the wee hours of the morning. I feel like I'm too old for this though so I just drink soju at the food stalls like the locals do. No dressing up needed! 👍
If you are a night owl, you will definitely survive here!
6. The old coexists with the new.
It is amazing how they were able to preserve their historical places and treasures while at the same time being a modernized city.
7. They have four seasons ❄🌸☉🍁
If you want to see cherry blossoms and tulips, South Korea has them both during Spring. Time your visit to ensure the flowers are in full bloom.
If you want to experience snow, you can come here during winter.
But my favorite season to visit is Autumn when the weather is not so cold yet and the trees turn yellow, orange and/or red.
I have never gone to Seoul during summer. Maybe I'll try that next time and see their beaches.
I hope you had fun reading this post and found useful infomation for your trip to Seoul.
Until next time!
xoxo 😘,
@wander-full
