GMA Brandtalk
Tracking
Archives
10 things to do in Seoul during winter
When we touched down at Incheon International Airport, the weather was freezing cold because it was 2 a.m. in the morning and it was winter. We could see our breath as we spoke. It was probably 1 degree Celsius.
We rode a train to get to the check-out area, then got into an airport limousine to get to our lodgings in Seoul arranged via Airbnb. A mini van accommodated the six of us. The driver, who was about 70 years old, told us stories about his experiences as an airport driver. He said he was awarded as the best driver in town and showed us his award. It was a fun ride and their expressway is very wide!
Our Lotte Castle apartment loft was big and really homey, plus had a speedy wifi and a big flat-screen TV. The kitchen was clean and sleek, with a bar where we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner. The rooms wee quite spacious. Everything in the apartment was really nice.
We spent our first three nights in this apartment in Gongdeok-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, then transferred to Lotte World Hotel in Songpa-gu for our last two nights.
Here are 10 things you can do to make the most of your stay in Seoul!
1. Go to their signature shopping destinations, Meyongdong and Namdaemun
Meyongdong is one of the busiest places in Korea. The streets are jampacked with shoppers and vendors! Popular retail stores like H&M, Forever 21, etc. can be found here. If you're planning to go shopping in Seoul, Meyongdong is the best place to do it!
If you're looking for cheaper finds around the city, visit the Namdaemun Market, it is Korea's version of our tiangge!
2. Try out their mouth-watering street foods
Enormous strawberries - One of the things I miss the most in Korea is their gigantic strawberries! They're so pretty and big that they actually almost look fake, but they're real and juicy, with a sour-sweet taste!
Sausages - Seoul's sausages are the best I've tasted yet. They have the right amount of saltiness and they're cooked perfectly. It would make you wonder why they're considered just street food in Korea.
Manju cakes - Manju cakes are fluffy on the outside with a creamy filling inside. They're so yummy, you'll want to eat more and more each time!
Isaac toast - If you want to explore the city while eating, grab a sandwich at Isaac Toast. They're the most delectable sandwiches I have tasted! There's a variety to choose from; we tried their ham and cheese and it was mashissumnida (delicious)!
3. Hoard make-up and skin care products
Seoul is the capital of skin care. They have tons of product discounts and you can hoard as much as you want. You can also buy a hundred face masks and give them out as pasalubongs to friends—or you can use them every day; I heard it's one of the secrets to Koreans' flawless skin!
4. Take the Seoul City tour bus
We took the Seoul Panorama Course. The bus leaves from Gwanghwamum and there are 20 stops before it returns to the first stop. We got on at the second stop, Itaewon Crown Hotel Myeongdong, which is the closest bus stop from our apartment.
Even without a tour guide you can explore the city and not get lost: just get on the bus and learn your stop from the guides displayed in the waiting areas.
5. Check out ancient palaces like Changgyeonggung and Gyeongbokgung Palace
The home of queens and royal concubines, Changgyeonggung was built in the 15th century during the reign of King Seongjong. It was reconstructed into a park with a zoo and a botanical garden during the Japanese colonization of Korea.
The changing of the guard at Gyeongbokgung Palace is an eye-catching tradition. Royal guardsmen switch and hold a parade in front of the main gate and it's a delight to watch, especially for tourists.
6. Take photos of Korean daily life
Almost every corner in Korea is instagrammable. From walls to local streets, you will find something beautiful and you won't be able to resist the urge to bring out your camera and take lots of snaps. Make sure to bring extra batteries and memory cards!
I took photos of the beautiful locals of South Korea. They're all friendly and smiling. Korean babies are my favorite with their rosy cheeks and flawless white skin, and they all look so adorable, especially in groups. See cute photos below!
You will also see how Koreans live their everyday lives. What's interesting is they start their days later than Filipinos do, but end it later than we usually do. The shops open at around 10 a.m. Streets are almost empty early in the morning.
The streets are clean, and with temperatures fluctuating from -2 to 3 degrees Celsius, sometimes covered in ice.
7. Eat at authentic Korean street restaurants!
There's this one restaurant we passed by on the streets of Namdaemun. We were sales-talked into eating there because the owner has impressive communication skills and looks a lot like Jet Li—I swear he's like a clone! Here's a photo of us below, having a great time hearing his stories while eating authentic Korean food! This restaurant is my personal favorite!
8. Visit Hello Kitty Cafe!
From the floors and walls to the cakes and coffee, you will see the face of worldwide icon Hello Kitty here!
9. Go snow sledding in Everland!
Snow sledding is my favorite ride in Everland. At the "Snow Buster," they will let you sit on a floatie and slide down a two hundred-meter-high ice-slope!
10. Load up on Korean goodies!
Our feet ached from walking from store to store, so we stopped by a restaurant in one of the corners of Myeongdong. The chicken broth was like our tinola and was served hot in a traditional black pot. It was cooked perfectly and the chicken was soft and juicy. I'm not a Samgyetang expert, but it sure did taste good!
You should also try spicy ramen; you will appreciate it even better in the freezing winter weather! Here's one photo which will make you crave for it!
And finally, do hoard Korean goodies. You can find a lot in convenience stores!
— BM, GMA News
