K-culture is a worldwide phenomenon, and it's becoming increasingly popular among foreigners to experience traditional Korean culture. In the neighborhoods of Insadong, Samcheong-dong, Bukchon, and Gwanghwamun in Gangbuk, Seoul, it's not uncommon to see foreigners dressed in traditional Korean clothing (hanbok) taking pictures in front of traditional Korean houses (hanok) and castles. After your procedure, why not take a short tour of Gangbuk before heading home? We'll give you tips on what fun and informative plans you can make in each neighborhood.
Sightseeing Tip 1: Gwanghwamun Area to Experience Traditional Korean Culture
Gwanghwamun with Gyeongbokgung Palace
The center of Seoul is Gwanghwamun, where you'll find castles like Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace. If you remember the popular Netflix series Kingdom, it was filmed in these castles.
Visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, and Changdeokgung Palace to see some of Korea's unique castles set in tranquil landscapes. You can also rent traditional costumes and jewelry from royalty and the servants who worked in the castles. You can walk around the castles in the clothes worn by kings and queens. Gyeongbokgung Palace is open at night, so visiting the castle by moonlight is an added bonus.
Samcheong-dong and Bukchon, a collection of hanok houses
A hanok is a house built in the traditional Korean architectural style. If you go to Samcheong-dong and Bukchon, you'll often see foreigners in their 20s and 30s dressed in hanbok with a group of friends, taking pictures in front of hanoks. In recent years, foreigners living in Korea have fallen in love with the charm of living in hanoks, and more and more people from Canada, the United States, and Europe are building their own homes in this style.
You can see the original hanoks in Samcheong-dong and Insadong, and nowadays, local cafes and restaurants have converted them into hanoks. You can enjoy coffee and refreshments while taking in the wonderful atmosphere of a hanok.
Eat local Korean food
One of the most important things to do when traveling to Korea is to try local food, and Samcheong-dong and Bukchon are tourist areas, so there are many restaurants that serve traditional Korean food. You can choose from bibimbap, sundubu stew, kimchi stew, seafood pajeon, japchae, bulgogi, and other traditional Korean dishes that are commonly eaten in other countries, as well as 'hansangcharim', which is a menu with a variety of traditional Korean dishes served on a table.
Many foreigners say that they're tired of eating the same foods in other countries and would like to try some authentic Korean dishes while they're in Korea, so here are some of the best things to try while traveling in Korea.
Tteokbokki (rice cakes) and hot dogs are popular among young foreigners these days. Tteokbokki is a national dish that is loved by the entire Korean population, with several restaurants in every neighborhood block in Seoul. It's a uniquely Korean dish with a texture similar to the French gnocchi, and it's become increasingly popular among Europeans in recent years, with many Europeans who haven't had much exposure to spicy food visiting Korea to try their hand at tteokbokki. Hot dogs loaded with mozzarella cheese are also very popular in the UK, and many people want to try them in Korea. Of course, nothing beats a local hot dog, but if you try other exotic foods like giblets, sulleongtang, pig's feet, chicken ribs, and octopus, you'll be able to brag that you've taken on the Korean food challenge.
Insadong, a neighborhood lined with traditional souvenir shops
Near Gwanghwamun with its castles and Samcheong-dong and Bukchon with its hanoks, you'll find Insadong. The neighborhood is lined with souvenir shops selling traditional Korean fans, stationery, jewelry, sidewalk chairs, and key chains. You can buy souvenirs here to take home to family and friends after you've soaked up the traditional Korean culture.
Sightseeing Tip 2. Mountains in Gangbuk with a panoramic view of Seoul
Namsan Tower, a landmark in Seoul with a spectacular sunset view.
After experiencing traditional Korean life, it's time for the sun to set. About 15 minutes from Gwanghwamun by public transportation is Seoul's landmark Namsan Tower. The Namsan Tower Observatory can be reached by cable car, or hikers can take the trail from the National Theater to the top of Namsan, an hour's walk away. Once you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with romantic views of Seoul as the sun sets and the city is bathed in an orange glow. You can see the Han River running through Seoul, the skyscrapers of Gangnam and the golden glitter of Yeouido 63, and the famous love lock fence that is so popular among young Koreans. If you're in your 20s or 30s and have someone you love on your mind, Namsan is the place to go.
Mountains of the Gangbuk for Sports Enthusiasts
No matter where you travel, there are sports enthusiasts who can't live without working out. But even if you're not a sports fanatic, exercise is important. When traveling abroad, it's easy to get tired from flights, jet lag, and hectic schedules, and doing some light, sweaty exercise while traveling can help you have a more satisfying experience. So, we've put together a list of mountains in Korea that are perfect for sports enthusiasts and those in need of a workout.
There are many mountains in Gangbuk, Seoul where you can enjoy hiking. From Namsan (270 meters) and Achasan (287 meters), which can be easily enjoyed for 1 to 2 hours, to Bukhansan (836 meters), Bukhaksan (342 meters), and Inwangsan (338 meters), which can take 2 to 4 hours, depending on your travel schedule.
There's also something else that stands out about these mountains. It's that there are many restaurants selling traditional Korean food such as samgyetang, chicken doritang, acorn rice cake, and seafood pajeon. After climbing the mountains, why not come down, feel refreshed, and sit by a stream with clear water and eat traditional Korean food?
Sightseeing Tip 3. Dongdaemun and Namdaemun with Korean traditional markets and 24-hour shopping malls
Namdaemun, the symbol of Seoul's traditional market
Namdaemun is a representative traditional market in Seoul. You'll find all sorts of clothing, jewelry, accessories, glasses, and cosmetics shops lining the streets. You'll also find large jewelry and children's clothing wholesalers here. Prices are much lower than in regular malls. If you're interested in these items, it's definitely worth a visit. There's also a lot of street food on the streets, including desserts like Korean ice cream.
Dongdaemun is home to 24-hour mega malls
Many foreigners are surprised when they go to Dongdaemun, firstly because they are overwhelmed by the fact that all the tall buildings are shopping malls, and secondly because many of them are open 24 hours a day. Keeping stores open for 24 hours is a unique feature of Korea, which means that Korea has a very developed fashion and shopping culture. Dongdaemun is a symbolic representation of Korean shopping culture, as the former street-level wholesalers have moved into high-rise buildings to form specialty shopping districts.
Sightseeing Tip 4: Hongdae, where you can experience the excitement of Korean youth
In Gangbuk, there's another neighborhood where young Koreans flock. This is Hongdae, an area known for its unique and exotic Korean art and culture, which has become known as 'street culture'.
Initially, the area was a natural gathering place for young people due to the presence of universities in the area, and the culture they formed has since merged to become one of Seoul's hotspots. You'll find everything from complex cultural centers to small galleries in every alleyway. Young people's favorite street foods and sweets are lined up with modern branding, and there are many independent bookstores that double as cafes.
Young people are fashion and beauty conscious, and you can tell by the way they dress as they walk around the neighborhood. There are independent designer brand shops, as well as branches of well-known hair salons and budget cosmetics brands. There are many dermatology clinics with affordable packages that cater to this younger demographic, as well as dental clinics for whitening procedures and eye clinics for vision correction procedures such as the recently popular Smart LASIK.
