I am not talking about one or two rows of azaleas in the park, but something really massive. A mountain full of blooming azaleas that turn the entire site an eye feasting one.

Located in Bucheon, a city at the outskirt of Seoul, this place is perfect for half-day-outing, especially during the first 3 weeks in April due to its famous azalea bloom. The Wonmi Mountain (원미산) will be covered with hundreds and thousands of brightly coloured azaleas in full bloom this time every year. You may want to pack your own picnic bag and spend your entire morning there appreciating the beauty of mother earth.

I especially enjoyed my morning at Wonmi mountain. You’ll see adorable elementary school kids hiking up the stairs with their teachers, and ajummas sharing sweet potatoes and a cup of coffee under the trees. The better air, the bright pink flowers, and the relaxed vibe there at the park are all so wonderful.

I’ll totally list it as one of the not touristy things to do in Seoul! It is true that the cherry blossom waits for no one, but always remember you have an alternative. The azaleas never disappoint.

Writer’s Note: Aside admiring the bloom, there’s an annual Wonmisan Azalea Festival where visitors can participate in various activities. It is usually held on the 2nd week of April.  If picnic is your kind of activity, there’s a huge convenient storeto get some snacks at the Bucheon Sports Complex Station. Alternatively, you can pack your own food before departing from Seoul. Azalea flowers last about 3 weeks to a month. However, it is best to visit the place before the 3rd weekend of April to avoid disappointment. Please wear comfortable shoes as you’ll need to walk uphill quite a bit to reach the park.

Contact Details:

Wonmi Mountain Azalea Hill
482, Sosa-ro, Wonmi-gu, Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
원미산 진달래동산
경기도 부천시 소사로 482 (춘의동)

Direction:

The Wonmi Mountain Azalea Hill can be accessed from anywhere in Seoul.
1. Get on subway line No. 7 and alight at Bucheon Sports Complex Station (부천 종합운동장역), then exit from Exit No. 2. Continue walking straight and you’ll find a stadium on your right-hand side. 

2. Walk into the compound of the stadium, until you see the above slope on your way up. You’ll be able to find a notice board with Korean wordings that read “진달래동산 가는길” (circled in red in the picture above). Follow the direction indicated: go up the slope.

3. Once you climbed up the slope, you’ll be able to see the blooming azaleas on the hills. Follow the crowd and continue to walk uphill, towards the mountain.

4. You should be able to see the staircase leading upward. Climb up these stairs and you’ll reach the entrance of the Wonmi Mountain Azalea Hill soon!

Maps

If you’re currently located in Korea, please use the Naver Map below to navigate: 

2018.2.24 | 지도 크게 보기 ©  NAVER Corp.

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“Bam” means night in Korean, and “Dokkaebi” refers to a Korean folklore character that appears only at night to trick human and disappears when the night turns to dusk. It is named after the characteristic of such night markets because they’re known to appear only at night and completely disappear by morning.

Bamdokkaebi Night Market first started in Yeouido in 2015 and expanding into 4 other venues in Seoul due to surging popularity — Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Cheonggye Plaza, Cheonggye-Cheon and Banpo. I have recently visited a Bamdokkaebi Night Market in Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). Check out the video below:

These night markets are typically held every Fridays and Saturdays, with some Sunday markets happening at several locations mentioned above. Visitors can expect snack trucks, handmade goods stalls and cultural performances at these markets from 5pm- 11 pm.

The food trucks selections are wide. Expect international dishes like shrimp pad thai, Mexican tacos, English fish & chips, sandwiches, grilled lobsters, churros, hot dogs as well as Korean street food such as mandoo, ddeokbokki, and king sized bulgogi stick. The license to sell food here isn’t easy to obtain either. According to an egg benedict truck owner, all of these vendors went through several rounds of interviews before given a green light to do business there.

Different Bamdokkaebi Night Market has slightly different characteristics. For example, Yeouido focuses more on international fair, hence given the theme of “Yeouido World Night Market” whereas the one at DDP is themed as a “Youth Runway Market”, which functions as a platform for the youth to dream and shine. If you want to do some shopping to support local artists and designers, DDP night market is clearly the better option.

Yeouido Night Market is believed to be the biggest and oldest Bamdokkaebi Night Market in Seoul, which makes it the best night market you should check out if you’re in short of time. However, if you prefer something more stylish or quirky, board on subway line No.2 to Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, where you’ll be greeted by the energetic crowd at the market.

For those who prefer a romantic night out with the loved ones, check out the Bamdokkaebi night market at Banpo. Themed as “Romantic Starlight Market”, the market focuses on food and various performances such as Jazz and Acapella. Remember to catch the Banpo Bridge Light Show when you’re there!

Information

Click onto the compiled Google map below to locate the nearest Bamdokkaebi Night Market.

Yeouido World Night Market 여의도 월드나이트마켓
Address: 330 Yeoeuido Hangang Park, Yeoeuidong-ro, Yondeungpo-gu, Seoul.
서울시 영등포구 여의동로 330 여의도한강공원 물빛광장
Every Friday & Saturday, March – October.
6pm-11pm

DDP Youth Runway Market 청춘 런웨이마켓
Address: 281 Euljiro, Jung-gu, Seoul.
서울시 중구 을지로 281
Every Friday & Saturday, March – October.
6pm-11pm

Banpo Romantic Starlight Market 반포 낭만달빛마켓
Address: Banpo Hangang Park, Banpo 2 dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul.
서울시 서초구 반포2동 반포한강공원 달빛광장
Every Friday & Saturday, March – October.
6pm-11pm

Cheonggye-Cheon Time Slip Market 청계천 타임슬립 마켓
Address: Cheonggye Cheon, Near Gwang Tong Bridge. Jungak Station Exit 5.
청계천 광통교 일대(을지로입구역 1∙2번 출구, 종각역 5번 출구)
Every Saturday 430pm-1130pm
Every Sunday 4pm – 9pm
March – October

Cheonggye Plaza 청계광장 시즌마켓
Address: 14 Seorin-dong, Jungno-gu, Seoul.
서울시 종로구 서린동 14
May 19th, 20th, 21st;  6pm-11pm.
August 18th, 19th, 20th; 6pm-11pm.
September 15th, 16th, 17th;  6pm-11pm.
October 13th, 14th, 15th;  6pm-11pm.
**Cheonggye Plaza’s night market has seasonal opening. Please check the official website for more information.

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Founded by two literature graduates, the café serves as a regular location for readers’ club, mini concerts, exhibitions, and even a practicing studio for artists. As a living space that nurtures arts, this cafe holds fond memories, especially to the Hongik University students. Many artists, singers, and writers could remember having meetings here with other like-minded souls.

The café serves strong brews. I love their Americano, so much better than your expensive, branded chain. For those who are not into coffee, you’re given a selection of homemade teas: Yuzu, Ginger, Quince and Lemon tea. Pick up a nice hot cup of quince tea on a cold day, and an icy yuzu tea during summer. Both are packed with rich source of vitamin C which improves immunity.

Lighting was another thing I love about this cafe. The huge window provides ample sunlight to these wooden and leather chairs, making the space so quaint and nostalgic, a perfect reminiscent of the 60s in South Korea! I am sure it’d be a great photo location for fashion covers and pre-wedding shot.

Writer’s Note: Yri Café is located at Seong-su (성수동) area, a neighbourhood right beside the trendy Hongdae. There are many interesting eateries, indie cafes and designer shops around the area. You might want to check this neighbourhood out next time if you’re around Hongdae. As Hongdae is getting more and more touristy, many big franchises had invaded the cultural space. Local stores and young artists couldn’t keep up with the rentals and have to move elsewhere due to gentrification. Yri Café is one of them. I am not too sure if Seong-su it’s playful, artsy and affordable old charm, but I think it’ll soon undergo another round of gentrification too.

Contact Details:

Yri Café  이리카페
서울시 마포구 상수동 337-4/ 서울 마포구 와우산로3길 27 1층
337-4, Sangsu-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Operating Hours: 11am-2am
Tel. +82-2-323-7861, +82-70-8867-7862

Directions:

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I’d say it will be the next popular tourist destination in the country, as it has quite a few record-breaking titles under its belt: It is the world’s highest glass-bottomed observation deck in a building; it owns the world’s fastest elevator and did I mentioned their swimming pool located at 85th floor is the world’s highest swimming pool in a building? This latest landmark of South Korea will surely become a popular tourist destination in no time.

With 123 floors in total, this brand new landmark is the home to Avenuel, the largest luxurious department store in Korea, Lotte duty free store, a shopping mall, HiMart, Lotte Mart, a cinema, an aquarium, a concert hall, a 6 stars premium hotel, a high-end and prime office space for rent, residential units as well as a posh observatory which stretch across 5 floors.

The building stands at 556 meters high on top of Jamsil Station (잠실역). Every spring, you’ll get a wonderful bird’s eye view from the observatory. A pink petal ring near the building awaits as the cherry blossom trees bloom along Seokchon, making it one of the most valid reasons to visit the Seoul Sky Observatory (서울 스카이 전망대).

The entrance is located at basement 1, where visitors could purchase tickets and proceed to the lobby for the “sky shuttle”, an elevator that transfers you to and fro the basement and the observatory at the 117th floor.

It wasn’t the best day to visit an observatory on the day I visited this place. It was cloudy and the fine dust particles in Seoul was high but we decided to go ahead anyway. If you want to see clear views, and for your picture’s sake, especially when you are paying almost SGD30 for single entrance, I suggest ONLY visit the observatory when the weather is great.

Every entrance ticket comes with a QR code. You’ll only use it if you want to have your photos taken professionally at the various photo zones inside the observatory. It works as a code for the staffs to scan and register your photos so that you’ll be able to retrieve and pay for it should you decided to purchase them on the 120th floor or at the basement 1 ticketing counter.

You should also take note at the time listed on the ticket. There’s a 30 min time frame printed onto the ticket. I thought it was a limited time frame imposed on all visitors, but there wasn’t any emphasis on it during our entire 1.5hrs there at the observatory. However, during peak seasons, you might have to purchase the ticket earlier to make sure it doesn’t affect your travel itinerary. Luckily we didn’t have to do that when we were there as the crowd was manageable.

B1 – Seoul Sky Lobby & Sky Shuttle

We’re greeted by this nicely illuminated LED corridor before taking the sky shuttle. It feels kind of surreal when you’re standing in a dimmed space watching the LED light show. These Korean palace themed installations were quite impressive as it gives off a traditional atmosphere while retaining a techno-feel in it.

We were ushered to a waiting area later, where we wait for our sky shuttle. It shoot us up from the basement to the 117th floor in just less than a minute. They made sure the ride from Basement 1 to the 117th floor isn’t a boring one: The 4-walled screen and the ceiling of the elevator will tell a story of how Seoul and the Hangang (Han River) have changed over time, I’d say the whole journey up was a spectacular one.

The elevator will only operate from basement 1 straight to level 117th. You’ll have to do the climbing after the 117th floor as you check out the entire observatory up to the 120th. Each level has a different feature and I’ll go really brief, as the best is to witness and experience all of these personally.

117F – Observation Deck

And so here’s the view from the 117th floor, where you’ll be able to see the 360-degree panoramic view of Seoul. Right below the building is Lotte World and the Seokchon lake, which I believe many are familiar with.

118F – The Sky Deck

The Sky Deck at the 118th floor is a popular spot to check out. You get to view the world beneath your feet as you walk across the transparent glass floor. The total area of the glass flooring isn’t huge, though. Visitors have to queue and get into this area in batch, and you have to quickly snap some photos before time’s up for the next batch of visitors to come in.

I like how they allow us to stand on the glasses which were all shaded in white initially and made us count down as the glasses transform to totally transparent, enable you to see the bird’s eye view of a very busy Seoul intersection beneath. Quite gimmicky but it does the trick. I got quite giddy after starring top down for awhile.

120F – Sky Terrace

You’ll be given a chance to inhale the fresh air at the Sky Terrace on the 120th floor, some 483 meters high in the sky. Standing on the metal parapet is not allowed, though you can stay outdoor for as long as you wished. Interestingly, the temperature up here has no much difference from below! I didn’t have to wear a jacket out.

121F – Seoul Sky Shop

If you like some souvenirs from the world’s 5th tallest building, you may do some shopping here on the 121st floor. You’ll also find an escalator to the lounge at the 123rd floor, where the tallest spot of the building is located. While there is no admission fee charged for entrance to the lounge, each guest is expected to get a drink at the lounge.

122F – Seoul Sky Cafe

The 122nd floor is a small cafe operated by Angel-in-Us Coffee and an ice-cream chain. There aren’t many seats so I guess the drinks and ice-cream are more for take-out. Washroom here at the observatory is pretty cool too if you’re into Star Wars/ spaceship kind of stuff.

123F – 123 Lounge

Champagne on the 123rd floor, why not? The lounge located on the 123rd floor is probably the most exclusive spot in the entire building. Your KRW27,000 ticket does not cover the entrance to the lounge. Yeap, you paid that ridiculous amount for the observatory in the world’s 5th highest building, but you’re not allowed to the highest point of the building. lolx.  The key to the lounge? Buy a drink.

Writer’s Note:

Seoul Sky Observatory is really one of the best observatories in a modern building I have visited, and certainly the best in South Korea. The concept, the facilities, and the crowd controlling, everything is perfect! Anyone who’s interested, please visit this place soon. (You won’t want to come here when it is invaded by tour groups.)

The best time to visit would be 5pm-6pm as you get to see the day view and the night view all together at once. Please note that the sun sets earlier during winter, so you might have to adjust your itinerary accordingly. The ticket price was quite steep though. If it is your 1st time visiting Seoul and juggling between Namsan Seoul Tower, 63 Building Seoul or Lotte World Tower, I’d recommend Seoul World Tower as the view is the best out of all.

Another interesting function you may find at the Lotte World Mall right below the observatory: There’s a message tree where you can print whatever thing you wrote from the tablets provided onto a small piece of paper in the Lotte World Mall. Have fun!

Contact Details:

Lotte World Tower (Seoul Sky Observatory) 서울 스카이 전망대
29 Sincheon-dong, Songpa-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
서울특별시 송파구 신천동 29.

Admission Fee:
Adult: KRW 27,ooo
Child: KRW 24,000
Fast Pass: all ages 50,000

Directions:

Nearest Subway Station: Jamsil, Exit No.2
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It works as a “creative public culture space” that aims to support teenagers, social entrepreneurs, artists and local vendors. The cluster is divided into various spaces, including the Youth Stand, where it supports teenagers for job training and employment. Likewise, the Mom Stand offers job opportunities for women, as well as healthy home cooking training to fellow mothers.

The Art Stand plays an important role in aiding the artists, from offering a debut stage, to supporting cultural events. The Power Stand is to assist new startups in starting their own business, including consulting, mentoring, technical support, as well as a cool co-working space for rent.

For visitors like us, you may find interesting products and designer goods at the Open Stand and the Social Stand. Open Stand is a platform to showcase products from young and talented designers, as well as artists’ work. I found a really comfortable designer shoe label by two young ladies, and their tailor-made shoes are simply amazing. I am thinking of getting a pair or two for myself soon!

The Social Stand, however, is a space where the community sets up social entrepreneurs’ trade fairs, farmers markets, with the aim to introduce eco-friendly products and lifestyle gadgets that “make a difference in life”. I got my mum some handmade soap made from organic kale, lettuce and basil from Farmplayground 동구밭. The packaging, price and product are all up to satisfactory.

I was there on a weekday afternoon. It was a little quiet compared to Common Ground, but the majority of the visitors were local. What I like about this place is that it is not only about attracting foreigners and making an extreme profit out of it but a comprehensive space that serves various purposes from buying local, to workshops, events, exhibition and even education, which makes the space brimming with charm.

Similar to Common Ground, most of the restaurants and cafe are located on the 2nd-floor terrace. I didn’t dine in there as I have plans elsewhere. Overall, this is a very local space to check out and support, if you’re up to visit a new place in Seoul. It gives off some sense of local uniqueness, which I find very attractive. It is definitely a trendy place to visit in Seoul in 2017!

The community takes effort in organising various event each month. You may check out their official website below at the contact details section below for event listing. They do not have the info in English though, the English tabs will give you a certain idea of what’s going on there.

The cluster is not very big to explore. You might spend about 30 minutes to 2 hours here, depending on your interest level in the activities, products, exhibition and performances offered here. I’ll recommend you to stop by before visiting the Seoul Forest which is famous for its Cherry Blossom in Spring, or just check out the nostalgic and beautiful Seongsu neighbourhood, where the hipsters of Seoul are currently hanging out at.

Contact Details:

Under Stand Avenue 언더스텐드에비뉴
63,Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Bundang Line K211 Seoul Forest Station, Exit 3)
서울 성동구 왕십리로 63 (성수동 1가 685-704)

Directions:

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Important Notice: Please note that I have stopped updating all South Korea-related content published before 2020 on this blog. You may find all updated South Korea travel content at my dedicated, new travel site here: www.thecalmchronicle.com 

The best autumn foliage venue got to be the ginkgo garden behind the queen dowager’s residence within the Gyeongbok Palace. — Insider Pheuron Tay

“One of my best place to embrace the autumn is the Gyeongbok Palace. I was taking a stroll on a weekday afternoon and accidentally found this beautiful ginkgo garden behind the Jagyeong-Jeon (자경전 慈慶殿). It was like walking into an ocean of glittering golden leaves.”

Tell us a must-do activity in Korea during autumn?
Glamping. Pack up your personal belongings, call your friends, and you can basically leave the rest of the stuff to the glamping site. Remember to prepare some Ramyeon and Army Stew ingredients and So-maek for an authentic Korean campsite experience. Read my detailed write-up about glamping here.

 

Autumn-to-do in Korea: camping. 날씨 가을가을이니까 글램핑 글램핑 가야징^^ 고미워 친구야~~ 내 생에 첫 캠핑추억을 함께 해줘서 #글램핑 #가을 #autumn #camping #campsite

A photo posted by 정가현. 정퓨니. (@pheurontay) on Oct 25, 2014 at 1:35am PDT

What are your personal must-eats during this season?
Grilled ginkgo nuts & fresh figs.

Tell us 3 interesting facts about yourself.
– Korean mistaken me as local while people at home refuse to believe I am not a foreigner.
– I own 35 lipsticks but insist on wearing the same 5 shades over and over.
– I love bright sunlight. I get cranky and depressed in a dimly lighted room.

Gyeongju has the best autumn foliage…even the small maeul (village) bus stops match the autumn atmosphere so well. — Insider Neoh

“Although most Korean will recommend hiking to enjoy autumn foliage, I enjoy the scenery at Gyeongju (경주) very much. The slow-pace life over there, the streets filled with ginkgo trees and the endless rice fields…check out the small maeul (village) bus stops! Surprisingly they match the autumn atmosphere so well. Last but not least, the historical sites and temples covered in red and yellow leaves…makes a trip down to Gyeongju worthwhile.”

Tell us a must-do activity in Korea during autumn?
Hiking. Try Seorak Mountain. Basically autumn is a great season to travel, eat, drink and sleep. Remember to take lots of photo and hashtag them like mad.

What are your personal must-eats during this season?
You should definitely try fresh Bang-eo aka Japanese Amberjack (방어회) and Gwamaegi, Korean half-dried pacific herring (과메기), they’re my favourite sashimi during autumn. If raw fish isn’t your cup of tea, try their fresh persimmon or dried persimmon.

I went paragliding at Danyang during early autumn and I was genuinely blown away by the magnificent scenery beneath me. (It was so beautiful) I could’t stop smiling to myself .– Insider Irene Siah

Video Courtesy of Irene Siah

Tell us a must-do activity in Korea during autumn?
Road tripping or PARAGLIDING. It was a great experience flying in the air, with amazing autumn foliage beneath! Definitely something you want to add to your bucket list!

What are your personal must-eats during this season?
Autumn is the season of tangerine! I just had a tangerine-grapefruit juice (감귤 자몽 주스) from U:DALLY and it tastes sooooo good! You can even bring the cute little bottle home after drinking the juice!

 Naejangsan National Park was probably my favourite… The best photo spots: the Uhwajeong Pavilion & the Maple Tunnel.– Insider Siska

All Naejangsan Photos By Siska Ariyanti.

“I suggest to skip the free shuttle bus service and walk all the way up because the route from the car park to the cable car station is amazingly beautiful. It takes about 30 mins-1 hour to reach the cable car station, depending where you park your car at.The Naejangsa itself is just so-so, but the two scenic photo spots I mentioned above are situated along the way to Naejangsa. “

Any other insider autumn foliage locations you want to share with us?
For a place within Seoul, Children’s Grand Park (서울 어린이대공원) is worth a visit. I would recommend a stroll around the park or even go for a picnic.

If you have time to travel out of Seoul, I would recommend Jeonju (전주). You can have a foodie tour yet at the same time, enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage this city has to offer. Check out Jeonju Hyanggyo Confucian School, their ginkgo trees are at least 200-300 years old, therefore creating a picturesque view.

What is your personal must-eat during this season?
Danpatjuk, the sweet red bean soup (단팥죽) at “The Second Best in Seoul” (서울서 둘째로 잘 하는집), Samcheong-dong.

 

Coming back for this~ Danpatjuk (단팥죽) Not a fan of red bean porridge honestly but this one is an exception. ? #둘째로잘하는집 #thesecondbestinseol #danpatjuk #seoulfoodie #seoulfoods #koreandessert #koreanfoods #foodstagram #먹스타그램 #단팥죽 #삼천동 #삼천동맛집 #samcheondong #redbeanporridge #redbean

A photo posted by Siska Ariyanti (@seara3112) on Nov 17, 2016 at 5:11am PST

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But wait.

Before you read on, please keep in mind that this is a rough guide for Seoul & Gyeonggi Province. Flowers at different regions of the country bloom and peak at a slightly different timing due to differences in climate. As the climate changes every year, it makes the prediction a tricky affair. Take this year (2016) as an example, people in Busan were already enjoying the beauty of cherry blossoms since the last week of March while the trees in Seoul were still in winter sleep.

My advice is to consider the blooming of the flowers as a bonus to the trip. Ultimately, the flower is just a small element of your trip. You have good weather, delicious food, and great accompaniment anyway! If you missed the cherry blossom, no big deal. You probably have a fair share of flower sight-seeing with Forsythias, Azaleas, and Magnolia blooming just for you!

Plum Blossom (매화)

Mid March – Late March
Plum blossoms, more commonly known as the Maehwa (梅花) in Korea is one of the earliest flowers to bloom right after the winter. It signals the arrival of spring. Check out Gwangyang Maehwa Festival, if you book your “spring” trip a tad too early before the rest can blossom. You get to walk around the largest plum blossom village in Korea, basking in the “Spring has FINALLY arrived” mood, while braving the cold under the single digit weather.

Forsythia (개나리)

Late March-Early April 
As the warm sunshine casts through the land of morning calm in late March, these yellow forsythias come to full bloom, creating a cascade of yellow in the mountains of Korea. I love those mornings taking bus no. 5511 from the SNU subway station towards the campus. These bright yellow flowers right in front of my alma mater are one of the fond memories I keep close to my heart. For forsythia fans, Eungbongsan Mountain Forsythia Festival is where you get the best forsythia shoots of the year.

A photo posted by 정가현. 정퓨니. (@pheurontay) on Apr 2, 2014 at 9:05am PDT

12 noon outside the Arts Museum

A photo posted by 정가현. 정퓨니. (@pheurontay) on Mar 31, 2014 at 10:14pm PDT

Azalea (진달래)

Early/Mid April – May
These pretties blossom in early spring, together, or perhaps one-two days slightly later than the forsythias. (At least according to my experience in the Seoul National University campus). The flower usually transforms the campuses and the mountains into a beautiful sea of pink. Sometimes you may find them blooming even more fiercely after the cherries have bloomed. Check out my blog post about the irresistible azaleas during full bloom in April here.

April Azalea.

A photo posted by 정가현. 정퓨니. (@pheurontay) on Apr 2, 2014 at 9:11am PDT

수업 끝나고 꽃 구경 고고씽~ ㅋ

A photo posted by 정가현. 정퓨니. (@pheurontay) on Apr 2, 2014 at 9:22am PDT

Magnolia (목련)

Late March/Early April onwards 
So this is that “beautiful white flower” we often see during our spring trips to Korea. It’s called Magnolia and Koreans call it Muk-ryun. I love the white bloom on the magnolia trees — a sure sign of spring. So elegant and oh-so-bridal – makes me wants to tie the knot already lol. One thing special about the Magnolia tree is it usually blooms before the leaves appear. And the easiest place to catch these beautiful sights? Check out Yonsei University campus & Ehwa Women’s University campus at Subway Line No.2, Sinchon Station & Ehwa Women’s University Station.

Cherry Blossom (벚꽃)

Early April – First Weekend of April (Peak) 
Nothing signifies spring more than cherry blossoms. If you ever walk through the cherry blossom trail and experienced the pale pink petals falling gently on your hair – you’ll understand what I mean. It is so magical. The whole city is perfumed with the delicate fragrance, and you know from then on, you won’t want to miss a single cherry blossom season.

If you have more than a week to spend in Seoul, book your trip from 3 days before the first weekend of April to the 2nd weekend of April. That is usually when the cherry flower blossom (from my recent 3 years experience in Seoul). But again, it all depends on the weather so, good luck!

Rapeseed Flower (유채꽃)

Early April – End April 
It wouldn’t take long for the South Koreans to shift their attention from the blooming cherry blossom trees to the rapeseed flower (a.k.a. Canola flower). That said, if you missed the cherry blossom, here’s another phenomenal spring flower that would probably take your breath away. If you’re in Seoul, check out Banpo Hangang Park (Seoraeseom) (반포 공원 서래섬) where the Rapeseed Flower Festival is held annually. Another place you should totally check out is the Daejeo Ecological Park (대저생태공원) located in Busan. Be ready to be swept away by the majestic sight of the sea of yellow rapeseed flower!

A photo posted by 셩스타? (@syoung2826) on Apr 9, 2016 at 12:33am PDT

 

Green Barley (청보리)

Mid April – Mid May
Green barley fields are one of the symbols of late spring. I love it when the setting sun shines on the field, creates a mystical, soft, light and airy feel to the field – a perfect wedding photo location for a rustic themed wedding. I don’t think you can find a barley field in Seoul, your nearest green barley field would probably be in the Sangdong Lake Park, located at the outskirt of Seoul. Check out  the post about the park here.

 

Poppies (양귀비꽃)

Mid May – Early June
Poppies are one of the most romantic flowers I’ve come across in Korea. The blooming of poppies mark the end of spring and that’s when you can sense summer beckoning around the corner. I love the swaying movement of the poppies in the wind – so delicate, airy and magical. The best place to see poppies? I am afraid you have to travel a little to the suburbs i.e. the Sangdong Lake Park. Check my complete guide about the park here.

 

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Simseun Tang Army Stew (Budae Jjigae)

Sim Seun Tang serves the best army stew in Seoul, at least in my book. I have tried various army stews across the country, but Sim Seung Tang got me return again and again. Their broth has a deep flavour that is irresistible. Remember to mix the soup, sausages and SPAMs with the buttered rice – terribly sinful but downright satisfying. Read more about the review here.

Sim Seun Tang 심슨탕
Address: Seogyo-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul. 355-210.
Nearest Station: Hongik University Station, Exit no.9
Tel. 070-4100-8318 | 5pm–1am |

Bukmakgol BBQ Ribs

You should know how it feels like when you are feasting on a humongous (as shown above, no kidding.), fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, when it is -18 degree outside. These huge ribs are slow-grilled until tender and succulent, it just falls off the bone without much effort to pry from the bone. Best pair with makgeolli (Korean rice wine). Read more about the review here.

Bukmakgol 북막골
30-2 Samcheong-dong, Jungno-gu.
중로구 삼청동 30-2
Tel: 02-730-0980 |930am-930pm|

Tosokchon Ginseng Chicken

This is on our must-eat food list for any first-timers in Seoul. Simmered in the milky broth to tender, the chicken is best known to boost your energy and vitality. I love how effectively the potent ginseng wine works to warm up my body. Their house kimchi is one of our favourites too! Read more about the Tosokchon ginseng chicken here.

Tosokchon Samgyetang 토속촌 삼계탕
85-1 Jongno-Gu, Chebu-Dong, Seoul.
Tel: +82 2-737-7444 | 10am-11pm |

Duroomi Kitchen Lotus Hot Pot

The lotus leaf meal at Duroomi is a go-to place when you are sick of the typical Kimchi-land food. Hidden in Samcheongdong, the restaurant serves contemporary Korean food using lotus leaves as the main ingredient. Their hot pot set lunch is perfect on a windy or snowy winter day, especially when you’ve exhausted your feet from exploring the neighbourhood. If you’re travelling with your folks, and when they complain about having too much kimchi, bring them here. Read more about the restaurant here.

At Duroomi 두루미 키친
27-6 Samcheong-Dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
서울시 종로구 삼청동 27-6
Tel: +82-70-4063-2787

Jaha Son Mandoo (Dumplings)

How about having some handmade Korean dumplings, or a bowl of dumpling rice ball soup (tTteok Mandoo Guk 떡 만두국) in the winter? Although it is a hallmark dish for the new year, the soup is enjoyed by the young and old all year round. It is a filling dish, also a great option to warm up your body in the winter. Read more about it here.

Jaha Son-Mandoo 자하손만두
245-2 Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울 종로구 부암동 245-2
Tel :+82 2-379-2648 ｜ 11 am-930 pm｜

Hwang Beef Intestines

You may have heard of the BBQ beef intestines in Korea – We do agree it does sounds gross, but we find it delicious! If you haven’t got the guts to give it a try, this beef intestines restaurant at Sinchon is a good place to start with. Marinated for more than 4 hours, these intestines are utterly soft, fluffy and buttery, bringing your Korean BBQ experience to a whole new level. Did we say it is also good for complexion and digestion? Read more about the beef intestines Read more about the BBQ beef intestines here.

Sinchon Hwang So Gop-Chang 신촌 황소곱창 본점
Seoul, Seodaemun-gu, Sinchon-dong.
신촌동 서대문구 서울
Tel. +82 2-336-7379｜5pm-2am (weekdays) 5pm-4am (weekends)｜

Guldari Sikdang Kimchi Jjigae

This restaurant serves Kimchi Jjigae (Kimchi stew) to the locals for more than 40 years near the Gongdeok AREX Station. Their kimchi stew set costs KRW 7,000 and everything including the rice, stew and side dishes are refillable. It is eat-all-you-can here. A bowl of this spicy-sweet, utterly Korean comfort food during winter? Yes please, take my money. Read the complete review here.

Guldari Sikdang 굴다리 식당
181-45 Dohwa-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
서울특별시 마포구 도화동 181-45
11am-10pm

Villa de Spicy Tteokbokki (Spicy Rice Cakes)

Enjoy premium Tteokbokki (Spicy Korean Rice cakes) at Garosugil, the trendiest shopping district in Seoul. Customised your spicy rice cakes your way, adding only the ingredients you love. Our all-time favourite sides: Jjeol Myeon, the Korean chewy noodles and Mozarella cheese, these two will do some magic to your Tteokbokki pot. We love the trendy atmosphere in there – It is like having Tteokbokki while attending a fashion show! Read more here.

Villa de Spicy 빌라드 스파이시
541-10 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
Tel: 02-518-1973

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So here are some of the photography works by the two talented photographers, Azri and Neoh. I love the harmonious clash of tradition and modernity in the pictures.

One candid photo showing what was behind the scene. On the left is Jamie the photogenic dongsaeng in a classic hanbok; in the middle is our lovely photographer Neoh, who totally nailed his modeling pose.

By the way, I am wearing a rental Hanbok sponsored by Oneday Hanbok, a friendly hanbok rental service provider based in Seoul. The simple, muted tones of my hanbok fit nicely with the background and created a sense of conformity. The sky blue upper-garment is called a Dang-ui 당의, a garment commonly wore over a short jacket (jeogori) by the queen consort, the king’s concubines, the sanggung (court matron), and the noblewoman. There are many different styles available at their new shop near the exit 8 of Chungmuro station 충무로역. Check my review on Oneday Hanbok here if you intend to rent a hanbok during your trip to Seoul!

**If you’re wearing a hanbok, you’re entitled a free admission to all the palace in Korea! (So far, I’ve entered palaces in Seoul and Jeonju for FREE for wearing a hanbok )

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Thank God we now have that connects the travelers with the locals. I depend on this online platform a lot when I travel overseas. With the tips given by my Airbnb hosts from different countries, I was able to eat out at places only the locals frequent, enjoy my weekend visiting a hideaway market and ultimately, getting a sense of belonging from a home away from home.

If you have a wanderlust soul and looking for a unique, “live like a Seoulite” experience, you NEED to check out these 10 cool and unusual Airbnb Korea homes while planning your itinerary to South Korea.

1. Nordic Nous

This Airbnb Korea listing reflects understated elegance. 3 designers have incorporated simplicity and functionality to this beautiful Scandinavian home, right at the center of Gangnam district. I especially admire the clean-lined furniture and the designer’s talent for infusing everything with light. Gangnam Style with a Scandi twist, anyone?

Image Credit: 1409 Studio. https://goo.gl/YMe2J5 

2. For the Cafe Enthusiast

Fancy starting your day in the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee? Check out this hidden property tucked in the alleyway of Itaewon, Seoul’s international district with an endless lineup of exotic eateries to dine, drink and be merry! The bungalow function as a guesthouse, a cafe by day and a bar by night.

Image Credit: ANDO STAY 101 Itaewon. https://goo.gl/NbHu0O

3. Rooftop Secret Garden

Mrs. Kim’s rooftop apartment is truly an urban oasis! How about sipping sweet Makgeolli (Korean Rice Wine) at a rooftop BBQ party with a local family during your stay in Seoul? It is your greatest chance to understand the local lifestyle better!

Image Credit: Rooftop Cosy Place @ Seoul Jamsil. https://goo.gl/EL6otw

4. A Panoramic Stay

Enjoy a the wide panoramic stay overlooking the Seoul city skyline, and to relax enjoying the idyllic landscape at sunset. Conveniently located near the Seoul Station, it is a huge apartment that accommodates up to 16 people.

Image Credit: Wow Apartment. https://goo.gl/kQh7zY

5. A Heritage-listed House

If living in a heritage-listed house is your dream, spending a few nights at this traditional Korean Hanok backdated to the Japanese colonial period is probably your cup of tea. The property is placed on the Modern Cultural Heritage list in 2003 by the Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea. A dream stay for all history and culture geeks!

Image Credit: Manaedang. https://goo.gl/38Tr7D

6. Loft

This Dutch style loft house certainly reminds me of the sleepovers with my friends. Recapture some of the best nights where you drifted off to sleep surrounded by your besties, by renting this fabulous loft located near Hongik University, a breeding ground for many of Korea’s growing subcultures! Call your buddies, it’s time for a good bonding trip.

Image Credit: iHouse ChinChin. https://goo.gl/l5q9dK 

7. Contemporary Traditional

Minimalistic and extremely elegant, this tastefully renovated Hanok is located in Bukchon, the historic village in the heart of Seoul. It combines the traditional architecture with elements of contemporary art, perfect for those who wants to enjoy the best out of both worlds!

Image Credit: goi Seoul. https://goo.gl/YLRf3u 

8. Posh Dormitory

A flashpacker looking for a sense of comfort and a little bit of luxury during your trip? This posh dormitory is probably an ideal place to call home in Busan. The luxury shower cubicles and personal dressing space are the scoring factors.

Image Credit: 1st Guesthouse Haeundae. https://goo.gl/Wb7veN 

9. Antique Museum

Surrounding yourself with things that have meaning and history is a wonderful way to live. Stepping into the home of Bongseok in Busan will remind you of the English classics. The historical artifacts, furniture and the chandeliers are all more than 80 years old and were painstakingly shipped from England and France.

Image Credit: château de Maisons. https://goo.gl/RRVAWz

10. Luxury Studio

Indulge and pamper yourself in a beautifully decorated French Maison themed apartment in town, without really have to burn a hole in your pocket. The cream white walls, the matching chaise, and the stylish decorations all scream elegance. A perfect home for the girls’ getaway.

Image Credit: The Prada House.https://goo.gl/wnEv8m 

Disclaimer: This post is inspired by Airbnb’s recent campaign “A Different Paris” video ads, and is presented by Airbnb. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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