Seoul
Seoul is a mecca of beauty, fashion, K-pop, and cuisine. Seoul has grown dramatically in recent years in terms of technology (hello, high speed internet and free wifi everywhere) and convenience (i.e., mainstream personal assistants and round-the-clock delivery).
On my first trip to Seoul, I was both fascinated and pleasantly surprised by the Seoulite culture. Most people I encountered were extremely kind and open to foreigners. While I saw many similarities to other Asian cultures in terms of respect and tradition, Seoul seems to be light-years ahead on the fashion and music scene.
Things to do
- Take the cable car to N Seoul Tower and attach a love lock at the top
- Bargain for beauty and fashion deals at Myeongdong, Dongdeamun, and Ewha Market
- Visit the tourist shopping street in Insadong to stock up on souvenirs
- Stroll along Samcheongdon, a neighborhood with a local artsy vibe and great restaurants
- Tour the DMZ and see the infiltration tunnel, observatory, and peace village
- Have a drink in the clouds on the 59th floor of Seoul’s highest bar
- Participate in the “Temple Stay Program” to experience a day in the life of a monk at the Buddhist temple of Bongeunsa
- Tour the beautiful grounds and stunning secret garden at Changdeokgung Palace
- Relax in a jjimjilbang, a Korean-style spa with several varieties of public baths and mineral rooms
- Go Gangnam style and party at one of the many clubs and bars in the entertainment districts of Gangnam, Itaewon, and Hongdae
Tips:
Call the tip lineTrying to find the nearest late-night food delivery? Wondering the best way to get from point A to point B on your travels? True to Seoul-style convenience, the 120 Dasan Center set up a free, 24/7 hotline designed to answer any and all questions that you might have while visiting or living in Seoul. Available in 6 different languages, the helpful operators at 120 Dasan Center have you covered.
Call 02-120 from a cell phone or 120 from any landline to reach the center.
Stock up on beauty goodsHave you noticed how so many Koreans have absolutely flawless skin? South Korea is way ahead of the rest of the world in the cosmetics industry. Seoul is probably the best city in the world to find innovative and yet affordable beauty products. I’ve compiled a list of my top 10 favorites here: Korean Beauty Secrets: 10 Must-Try Products
Enjoy DIY cooking styleKorean BBQ is a staple cuisine in South Korea, and half the fun is in the hands-on cooking style. Proper grilling technique is as follows: 1) cook the meat with a single flip; 2) move the finished pieces to the edge of the grill; 3) wrap the meat with lettuce and add condiments as desired.