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Which season is the best time to visit South Korea?
Coming from a country where there are only two kinds of “seasons” — hot and hotter — flying to South Korea is arguably one of the most “affordable” ways to experience winter, spring, summer and fall.
Last June, thanks to the familiarization trip of Korea Tourism Organization Manila Office — I visited South Korea for the ninth time and experienced Korean summer.
Yes, ninth time. And yes, summer.
I've experienced all four seasons in the Land of Morning Calm, and let me tell you: I did not expect Korean summer to be so similar to Manila. At daytime, the weather was humid and the heat was scorching, especially in Seoul.
I thought it was okay to pack spring-ish OOTDs and of course, I was wrong. The only legit time I was able to wear jackets on this trip was when we visited Jumunjin, a popular tourist destination after it became the location for a famous Korean drama.
At nighttime, shopping in the streets of Myeongdong felt pretty much like walking in Baguio or Tagaytay during April. It was crisp and cool and not chilly to need a scarf.
Our tour guide said that temperatures could get even higher during July and August.
Should you find yourself scoring a seat sale with a travel period during their summer, do as the locals do: Seoul residents like to cool off in outdoor pools near the Han River, or in beaches down south like the Haeundae Beach in Busan province.
Spring vs Autumn
If "traveling for the gram” is your jam, then hands down, spring and autumn are the best times to visit South Korea. Spring for all beautiful blooms like cherry and peach blossoms, and Autumn for the incredible warm colors from trees on display everywhere.
If you’re in Seoul, I discovered that some of the best cherry blossom lanes can be found in schools like Kyung Hee University.
Most tourists flock also to the cherry blossom lanes in Yeouido, which are also lit in different colors every evening.
Spring usually starts at late March to May.
If layering and assembling a fall outfit is just as important, consider heading out between September to November; I particularly love how the leaves turn from green to splashes of red, yellow, and orange. Even the common street alleys look like sets for Korean dramas.
A few of my personal favorites include the underground museum along the King Sejong monument, which leads to Gyeongbukgong Palace.
I found one of my favorite “strolling areas” in 2012; I have been going back to the streets leading to Bukchon Hanok Village since then. They look specially incredible during spring or fall.
From the traditional folk village, there is this one area that leads to the quaint coffee shops and museums of Samcheongdong.
What of winter?
For someone who lives in a country with no winter season, experiencing snowfall is some kind of magical. It’s one of those “fall-in-love-with-someone-or-anyone” moments because of the many superstitions Koreans relate to the event.
But three days of continuous snowfall will have the romance fade quickly; ice will have turned into mush and everything on the street, wet and slippery.
For the uninitiated, expect to fall on the pavement more than falling in love should you strut the streets of Seoul with the wrong footwear.
But really, one of the greatest gifts of Korean winter is discovering and falling in love with Korean food. It has enough spice to warm you up, you'll realize it really is best eaten during the cold climate.
Winter is also when you'll rediscover just how much you love coffee — or learn you actually love it more than ever. South Korea is famous for having an incredible coffee culture. Not only are their taste in coffee diverse, the setup of their coffee shops are very IG-worthy!
Especially for Filipinos not used to the cold, the warm confines of the Korea Tourism Organization's K-Style Hub in Seoul should prove a respite. It has interactive activities where you can learn about Korean culture for free!
With a variety of seasons to choose from, you will never get bored with South Korea’s rich colors and culture! Whether you’re a certified Hallyu fan or not, there’s no reason for you to skip that trip. — LA, GMA News
