Looking for a unique 3-day trip in Korea? Our volunteer Molly has an amazing one for you! Our Love for Goseong We’ve always loved Korea’s east coast beaches (sorry, westies). Sokcho and Yangyang are classics, but Goseong is starting to steal the show for me. This was my second trip here, and I think I’m officially hooked. Between the cozy surf towns, historic stops, and stunning views of Seoraksan, it’s the perfect long-weekend getaway. Here’s our 3-day Goseong itinerary with surf, history, food, and a few hidden gems. Day 1 : DMZ History Start your trip off with something totally unique to the Goseong area: a visit to the DMZ Museum. Pro tip: Don’t head straight to the museum like we did. First, stop at the DMZ Observatory (7 km before the museum) to buy your ticket and fill out a short form. With ticket in hand, you’ll drive through a checkpoint where soldiers will confirm your phone number before waving you into the DMZ zone. Once inside, you’ll have up to 4 hours to explore lookout points and the museum itself. Expect incredible artwork alongside sobering exhibits on history and division. Where We Stayed After a heavy morning, lighten the mood by checking into a cozy villa. We went bougie this time and stayed at Lahene Poolvilla, right on Gonghyeonjin Beach. Usually we’re more budget pension types, but the splurge was worth it. The pool was small, but overlooked the ocean, and the beach was perfect for splashing or SUP. Many restaurants were within walking distance as well. If a villa isn’t your style, there are tons of other pensions and hotels in the area.   Lahene Poolvillah H – NAVER Map Day 2: Surf, Gelato, and Sunset Walks No trip to Goseong is complete without a surf day at Songjiho Beach. The cove keeps waves manageable, making it an awesome spot for beginners or for brushing up on technique. The rocky tide pools nearby are perfect for snorkeling or hunting sea critters between sessions. For lessons and rentals, we recommend Surfground. Their group lessons (₩50,000) include a board, wetsuit, 2-hour lesson, and 2 extra hours of surf time. Lessons are mostly in Korean, but they sprinkle in English we had no trouble keeping up. Bonus: Surfground serves black sesame gelato which is basically a surfer’s dream fuel.  SURFGROUND – NAVER Map If you’re hungry afterward, Surf61 is just up the road with solid pizza and beer.  SURF61 – NAVER Map Cap off the day with a stroll around Songjiho Lake. The observation tower café offers coffee, snacks, and sweeping views of Seoraksan in the distance.  Tower – NAVER Map Day 3: Villages, Valleys, and the Road Home Before you head back, stop at Wanggok Village, a single-clan settlement dating back to the Joseon dynasty. Unlike some touristy hanok villages, this one feels especially authentic and timeless.  Wanggok Village Folk Experience Center – NAVER Map From there, drive into the mountains behind Seoraksan and cool off at Achimgari Gyegok Valley. It’s a designated swimming spot, but on a Monday we had the whole place to ourselves. Just us, the river, and some flat rocks for skipping.  Achimgari Gyegok Valley – NAVER Map Finally, fuel up for the drive home with sandwiches and coffee at Cafe Girin. They do a mean black sesame latte for fellow addicts.  CAFE GIRIN – NAVER Map Why Goseong Should Be Your Next Beach Trip Goseong is a little quieter than Sokcho or Yangyang but still has everything you need: surf, cafes, history, and plenty of hidden corners to explore. There’s free parking, friendly locals, and views of both sea and mountains. It’s the perfect mix of adventure and relaxation, making it an easy favorite for a long weekend escape.  Molly HaydenJournalist Molly Hayden has worked in the journalism field in Germany and the United States. In 2021 she relocated to South Korea. As a volunteer Cultural Liason and Content Creator, Ms. Hayden reports on a variety of life & style topics with a focus on families living in rural South Korea.

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Would you like to escape the maddening crowds in your area? Trying to find a unique day trip from Seoul? Maybe you are a tourist looking to get outside Seoul, into a small town to try the food in a non-tourist area? Consider spending the weekend in Dunnae. Here are our absolute favorite spots in a town that feels like home. A Peaceful Place to Explore Korean Cuisine We often tell people to get outside Seoul or Busan and into the little towns. However, this is kind of a wild thing for us to say if we don’t follow it up with a way to make it possible. That’s why we want to shed some light on this sleepy and easily accessible little town of Dunnae. The town has a variety of Korean restaurants within walking distance or a short taxi ride from each other. This makes it an ideal spot for a weekend of countryside food exploration. About Dunnae Tucked into the mountains of Gangwon-do near WelliHilli Resort, this little town offers big flavors and warm hospitality that reflect Korea’s deep culinary traditions. They don’t have many international tourists, but they do have international residents from Vietnam, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Canada, Australia, and more. Dunnae isn’t for people looking for entertainment. It’s for anyone looking to lazy about eating, drinking coffee, and enjoying the countryside. It’s a day in a small town. If you need others to generate your fun, this day trip is NOT for you. We LOVE it here, but we also enjoy spending the whole day reading a book on the rock path that crosses the river through town. We find peace with ourselves and enjoy existing in rural spaces. Accessible by KTX Since Dunnae has a KTX station in town, it’s easy to access from Seoul and other parts of the country. The KTX station sits on the edge of town, making most of the restaurants walkable in about 10-20 minutes. In winter, a free bus runs from the KTX station to the local ski resort and then back through town. Perfect Foodie Day Trip from Seoul The KTX station makes Dunnae perfect for a day trip from Seoul or the surrounding areas. Wake up in the morning to take the KTX to this sleepy little town and laze about for the day. Also, you might want to arrive around 9:30 – 10:00 since most restaurants will open between 10 am-11 am. If you do this, you can eat all day, do a little hike or visit the WelliHilli resort for activities, and then grab the KTX back to Seoul in the evening. Perfect for tourists or Seoul residents who need a break from all the hustle and bustle. Attend the 5-Day Market If you visit Dunnae on a day with a 5 or a 0 in it, you will be able to see a traveling traditional market that comes to town every 5 days. This gives you deeper insight in small-town life in South Korea. Remember, this market is not designed for tourists; it’s designed for the community. (Market Days: 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th) Recommend Korean Lunch Restaurants Lunch will start between 10 am and 11 am. Don’t eat too late in the day or it will cut into your dinner, which will need to happen between 6 pm and 7 pm for best results. Dunnae Restaurants For Dinner Once you have worked off lunch, it’s time for a big dinner. Remember that you need to be seated no later than 7:00pm. Many restaurants may close by 8:00pm, and you don’t want to miss your chance for more deliciousness. Also, remember this is the countryside, which means restaurants might close early if they don’t see people out and about. By showing up for dinner around 6pm, you can avoid most of these types of inconveniences. With that said, the following are excellent dinner options: Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Wondering where to travel as a vegan in Korea? We have a great weekend trip recommendation, SOKCHO and GOSEONG! About Vegan Travel Information Sokcho and Goseong If you go online there is very little about vegan trips to the east coast of Gangwondo in South Korea. The East Coast experienced a great deal of development for the 2018 Winter Olympics but still doesn’t offer a great deal of English information for English-speaking international residents. This means folks often don’t realize it can be a perfect vacation spot for all kinds of folks, including vegans and vegetarians if you know how to plan your trip. Since we happen to be traveling with our favorite vegan formerly living in Korea, we thought we would share what our vegan trips to Sokcho look like. Vegan Trip Travel Variables Our vegan trip to Sokcho, Gangwon-do occurred over Chuseok and we traveled mostly by car. It’s always important to know what factors to consider when seeing if you can have a similar experience. Additionally, our favorite vegan bestie used to live in South Korea as a vegan over a decade ago so she LOVES vegan Korean food and came to eat local. Our Vegan in Korea History Lisa and I met Steph in rural Korea over 12 years ago. Steph moved to South Korea in 2008 and became a vegan in Korea in around 2009. At the time, she was the only vegan or vegetarian in our small international community. We all made it work and learned to support her dietary choices while living, working, and traveling together. Lisa used to take vegan trips with Steph in Korea and abroad. Since Steph became vegan during one of the most complicated times for an international vegan in Korea, she returned excited to try all the vegan things. She wanted to try what she loved before and all the new things available now. We were also interested to see how it would be traveling as a vegan in an area of Korea that hasn’t experienced as much of a plant-based revolution as other areas of the country. As for Lisa and I, we love plant-based food and support plant-based lifestyles. Especially Lisa, who would probably eat mostly plant-based if given the chance and loves to take vegan-focused trips to Korea. However, neither of us chose a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle like Steph. We simply choose to support our friends and the general plant-based community. We will talk openly about the non-vegan items that ended up on our table so that vegans can navigate the surprises better. So here is what our eating adventure looked like: Day 1: Vegan Dinner in Sokcho Steph and Lisa arrived in Sokcho via the express bus from Suwon and I picked them up in a car. Since they arrived in the evening on Saturday we went straight to dinner. I had found a vegan meal recommendation at a cafe on Sokcho that looked very delicious. It seemed like the perfect start to our vegan foodie-focused trip! When we arrived the restaurant was too cute! The restaurant offers a small menu with one vegan option clearly labeled in English. The rice bowl is served in a cast iron skillet that toasts the bottom of the rice perfectly. We did a happy dance in our chairs when we saw the menu label because we didn’t even need to double-check the ingredients. Additionally, the meal comes with some nice vegan side dishes. Each item is shockingly full of flavor. We would eat at Zeze’s all the time if we lived in Sokcho. We wish we could go back already. If you are taking a vegan trip across Korea make sure to stop here. After dinner, we headed to our minbok which also has a kitchen just in case we have trouble finding vegan options during the trip to Gangwon-do, Korea. A minbok comes with a small kitchen which makes minbaks the perfect option for those traveling with dietary restrictions. You can bring your food from home or go shopping locally and cook for yourself. In addition to the kitchen, most minbaks have an outdoor eating and grilling area. This one had a spot on the roof. Minbaks like this and pensions with kitchens make it easier for vegan families to travel together and stay on their regular eating routine if they so choose. Day 2: Goseong CU Mart Breakfast We woke up early the next morning and headed to CU Mart for a vegan breakfast in Goseong. This is quite common for us on vacation. We often eat breakfast at CU marts even if we aren’t doing a vegan-inspired trip, so we stuck with what we knew. We chose a sizeable CU Mart near a beach and found: For our breakfast, we went with mandu, granola, seaweed snacks, kim, and oat milk. We ate until we were rolling away from the table. The mandu was excellent. Steph felt incredibly happy with her vegan options and we all loved hanging out together at a CU like old times. The following mandu was excellent. (Please ignore the eggs and meat-based mandu package that we got for my husband.) Day 2: Cafe Break 1 Of course, it’s not a day in Korea without a cafe stop. Although our first cafe didn’t have vegan food, they did have a nice selection of tea or juice. All we needed while we sat back and took in the view. We sat outside here for a few hours catching up on life. Day 2: Goseong Korean Vegan Lunch Since we have been eating Vegan in Korea for a while, we have a list of foods that we love that can be found at many different restaurants. Maybe we can’t eat the side dishes, but we can eat the main course. In this case, Gangwondo is known for their potato pancake (감자전) which happens to be vegan so that will be on our table as much as possible. Of course, potato pancake doesn’t make a meal, so we coupled it with another vegan Korean dish called tofu (두부장). Honestly, this dish blew our minds a little. We could not get enough. Keep in mind that Korean dishes like potato pancakes and tofu will rarely be labeled vegan on a menu. Koreans have many vegan dishes but they don’t feel the need to market them as vegan. It’s simply culturally understood that they have no meat. We also took the time to confirm no meat, seafood, or similar products were added. Alert: Some of the side dishes are not vegan. The owners were happy to work with us and warned us their side dishes were not vegan. So Lisa and I ate the side dishes while Steph ate only potato pancake and braised tofu. If you go with all vegans, you can let them know you don’t need the side dishes. The meal will still feel complete. Day 2: Adventure Park and Cafe Break 2 After we ate too much we headed to the adventure course. We don’t only eat during our holiday! After the adventure course, we needed a little break so we went to the beach for some iced tea, hobak-sikhye, and beach silliness. Day 2: Drive Toward North Korea and Cafe Break 3 After the beach, we went up the road to take in some of the epic Goseong views of North Korea and nature. Stopped to enjoy the sun-setting. Our final stop of the day was a chocolate cafe that had tea made from cacao shells and dark chocolate. It was a nice sweet treat before heading to dinner. Dessert first if you will. Day 2: Sokcho Vegan Pizza Dinner Since Steph loves pizza, we went to Papa John’s in Sokcho for their vegan menu. The pizza chain offers two vegan pizzas, cheese and veggie. Steph chose the veggie topping option and then we asked if she could have the breadsticks with vegan cheese. Papa John’s staff told us bread sticks with vegan cheese were not on their menu but they could do it. They charged the same price as regular cheese sticks. Important: Keep in mind that access to vegan breadsticks at Papa John’s may be different depending on the location, person working, and language ability. It’s worth a try if you love breadsticks like Steph does. This was way too much food for Steph so she took leftovers back to the minbak for snacks and breakfast. Day 3: Goseong Breakfast For breakfast, we went back to the CU mart and Steph had the rest of her vegan pizza. We grabbed a light stack of drinks, nuts, and other items. We still felt rather full from the day before. Day 3: Sokcho Vegan Tofu Lunch Since breakfast was simple, we went to a hearty tofu restaurant for some soft handmade tofu with pine nuts (잣순두부) and potato pancake. This wasn’t our favorite potato pancake because it was too soft in the center for us, however, the tofu was excellent. This trip was very tofu and potato pancake-themed because it’s what we love and want to try. Not because other items aren’t available. Important: The restaurant isn’t well-versed in vegan concepts. We also ordered the spicy version of the tofu and they said it was also vegan. Therefore, we didn’t have Steph try it first because we understood the recipe. We felt there might be seafood. Sure enough, crab and shrimp. Since we aren’t vegan, this wasn’t a problem for Lisa and I. We were happy to eat it and help Steph avoid eating meat. Additionally, some of the side dishes were vegan and some were not. You will have to navigate this part yourself. You can choose to not have side dishes or only eat the ones you confirm don’t have fish, shrimp, etc. For us on this trip, we just divided up what folks could eat. Day 3: Cafe Break There are actually some vegan cafe options in Sokcho. We chose to stop at a quiet vegan cafe and grab some drinks to go before meeting a friend. The vegan cafe we chose has a busy life, detox concept. You can only see in groups of 3 or less, no regular talking, no cell phones, and they don’t have a sign. They have excellent vegan milk tea. Highly recommend if you want to relax with some vegan drinks and goodies. Since we had a group of folks, we went to a nearby park to hang out and make friends. We even tried our hand at darts. Day 3: Seoraksan Vegan Dinner In Seoraskan National Park the restaurant we chose made things easy for vegans on a trip in Korea. Right at the cash register, the restaurant listed the vegan options. Additionally, the staff clearly understood vegan requirements. It made dinner super easy. Of course, Steph got both. This was a crispy potato pancake and the mountain bibimbap was excellent as usual. It never needs the egg to be wonderful. The best part about having dinner at Seoraksan National Park is getting to hang out there when you finish. The views are epic. This was our final stop before heading back to the big city of Pyeongtaek. Sokcho and Goseong Vegan Trip Take-Aways Eating vegan on the trip to Sokcho and Goseong felt easy and sustainable for us but we realize it may not feel that way for others. We ate extremely well every day and didn’t get through our list of places to try. However, we also realized that it was easy for a few key reasons: The trip helped us see where information can be improved so that more people can feel as comfortable as we do sourcing vegan food options. The perfect start for our plant-based information initiative. Plan a Vegan Trip to Gangwondo If you don’t have a strong understanding of Korean cooking and the Korean language, consider having a Korean-based tour company plan your trips. We recommend considering Plus Planner. They are a Korean...

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Grab your family and your imagination for a fun day at Fairy Tale Village in Incheon. About Fairy Tale Village Songwol-dong 송월동 동화마을, Fairy Tale Village, is a vibrant, mural-themed village in Incheon with Disney Fairy tales, Korean Fairy tales, and other childhood story favorites. This truly is a delight for your senses. Your children will love it and your inner child will, too! If you just want a fanciful walk, this village is free and open year-round.  Also, this is another great spot for cherry blossoms and tulips in the Spring. This area was revitalized in 2013 and covered with fabulous scenes from fairy tales. Fairy Tale Village has wonderful street murals and areas for photos that are based on fairy tales from Korea and western ones as well. If you are looking for fun photos for your Instagram, there are many wonderful spots from which to choose. Other Places to Visit in the Area After you are done walking around Fairy Tale Village, you should check out some of the other fun things in the area. Chinatown – Created when the Incheon Port opened in 1883 & designated an extraterritorality by the Qing Dynasty in 1884. Great place to visit for the flavors of various regions of China. For more history, visit the Korea-Chinese Cultural Center and the Chinese History Museum. Jayu Park (Freedom Park) – Built in 1888, Korea’s first Western-Style modern park, with a view of Incheon Harbor, verdant walks, & cherry blossoms in the Spring. Samgukji Mural Street – This street has murals depicting scenes from Chinese history. Walking this area gives the feeling of reading a book. Trick Art Museum – Open 0900 to 1800, Closed Mondays. Entrance fee W9,000 Wolmido (or Wolmi Island) – Although this area was the location of King Hyojong’s temporary palace (built around 1653), there is no trace left behind. The Wolmi Culture Street is a great place to walk and feel the sea breeze. This area includes a theme park, nature hikes, cultural museums, restaurants, and cafes. Unique Cafes in Fairy Tale Village Looking for a unique cafe to visit while you are in the area? Then, you should check out these five locations to get your coffee and dessert fix. Cafe Oz – Open 1100 to 1700. Cafe for those who would follow the yellow brick road, but also for the anime fans. Donghwamaeul Cafe – Open 1300 to 1730 on weekdays; 1030 to 1800 on weekends. Rent a uniform and take black and white pics as well as enjoy a coffee. Donghwamaeul Puppet Show Cafe – 1000 to 1800, Closed Tuesday & Thursday. Visitors may create puppets a d watch puppet shows while enjoying their drinks. Children’s books and building blocks upstairs. The owner played games and brought out games for my toddler. The Present – Closed Thursday & Friday, Open 1200 – 2100. Go for lunch, but stay for the view because there’s no better time to sit and relax, then the present. Sit and enjoy cherry blossoms, if it’s Spring. Umul Yeop Geu House – You can’t miss the giraffes out front. Diverse drink menu, cookies, postcards, and trinkets. Where to Eat in the Area? While you are in the Fairy Tale Village area in Incheon, check out one of these great locations for a meal or dessert. Kkotbongja Donghwamaeul Branch – If you’ve never had ice cream cones that look like flowers, here’s a cute dessert stop Dolphin Pizza – Dolphin shaped desserts as well as pizza. Gaehangno Chicken – Very juicy and tender chicken! If you love Chinese food, we would recommend perusing Chinatown. You’ll find many restaurants with jjajangmyeon and dumplings. Here’s a recommendation. You can also find the Jjajangmyeon Museum in Chinatown, the birthplace of Jjajangmyeon in Korea. Sandong Kitchen Sinpo International Market – Walking through an international market is an experience everyone should have in Korea, also great places to find food. Parking & Transportation to Incheon While there’s a few parking lots around Jayu Park, here are a few recommendations for Public Parking. Since Incheon is a perfectly walkable area, we would recommend public transportation. How to Source Additional Information About These Locations Whenever you have questions about things like business hours, you can use the free foreigner support app/phone number 1330. In addition, this is really helpful especially around holidays to make sure if a business will be open when you want to visit. With this app, you can prevent a wasted trip to a location when they are enjoying their regular day off or a holiday. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group If you are loved this blog about Fairytale Village in Incheon and are looking for more adventures in Korea, you are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most of who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Looking for an easy 3-day 2-night itinerary in Seoul that takes you through a few different neighborhoods? This is a great Seoul Sampler that takes you through some of the most popular activities in the popular tourist areas of Seoul. Perfect for new arrivals in South Korea or folks who have family and friends visiting. About the Seoul Sampler Itinerary Areas Visited: Myeongdong, Jeongrogu, Insadong, Itaewon or Hongdae When you first visit Seoul either as a tourist or as a new resident in South Korea, you may find Seoul intimidating. The first thing that you need to do is get a lay of the land to find out where you want to focus more of your energy. You don’t want to spend all your time in one area only to discover a different neighborhood had more of what you like. This Seoul Sampler Itinerary takes you quickly through popular neighborhoods and connects you with the more famous highlights. After seeing the surface-level information, you can decide which neighborhoods best fit your vibe. After that, return to your favorite areas to dig deeper into the side streets and visit more of the curiosities. The 3 Day South of Seoul Sampler Itinerary provides different types of ideas to encourage customization. This means that works like a framework with ‘choose your own adventure’ elements. Don’t feel confined. This is just a framework. Feel Free to Go Off-Book Itineraries are meant to get you started and provide a framework for accomplishing certain goals. You have not failed if you don’t complete every part of the itinerary, instead, you’ve found the path to finding your Seoul. Day 1: Friday Evening In Seoul The best weekend in Seoul starts with you already in the city. It’s worth it to go to Seoul for a relaxed dinner and a lovely hotel before beginning two busy days of sightseeing. On your first night, simply focus on grabbing a great dinner and watch some Netflix in your room or take an easy stroll around the neighborhood. Spend time getting your sea legs. Where to Stay For the 3-Day Seoul Sampler itinerary, we recommend staying in Myeong-dong. The popular Seoul neighborhood of Myeong-dong still offers decent shopping, restaurants, and central access to the rest of Seoul. Myeong-dong has changed since the pandemic began and that’s ok. Prior to the Pandemic, Myeong-dong (명동) was known for night markets, beauty supplies, street food, and crazy crowds. The night markets may come back someday, but for now (2022) Myeong-dong has a new, equally lovely central city vibe that makes it perfect for families and those who need to get some quality sleep. Travel to Myeongdong Station (명동역) We will never recommend driving into the city. Sometimes it works out ok and other times you spend six hours trying to get one mile. If you want to have a relaxing weekend, don’t take chances on Seoul traffic and stick to public transportation. Grab an evening train, subway, or express bus to Seoul for a fun weekend getting to know a few different neighborhoods. If you don’t know how to navigate Korean inter-city public transportation you can contact 1330 who can help you create a travel plan using an express bus, train, or subway. Coming from outside Seoul Once you arrive in Seoul, use Naver Maps to route your subway connections to the Myeongdong Station (명동역). It may take about 1 hr to get to Myeong-dong from one of the major train stations or bus terminals. Coming from the Airport Travel from Incheon Airport to Myeongdong by train, taxi, subway, or bus. Travel time varies from 1 – 2 hours depending on types of transportation, number of stops, and traffic. Check-In to Your Hotel To make it a little easier, you will find three popular Myeong-dong tourist hotels recommended below. We’ve chosen these hotels since many folks are looking for comfortable places around 150,000 won a night. To help support our organization so that we can keep pumping out detailed blogs and information, we’ve added affiliate links for the hotels. It would be badass if you use the affiliate links! Booking through the links helps us out a ton! We do this work no matter what but affiliate money makes it easier to afford all the hosting fees. Keep in mind, that there are less expensive places to stay in Myeong-dong than what we recommend below. However, such hotels may have fewer Westernized ammenities or English support. That said, the cheaper hotels are still very lovely and we encourage you to book them if you don’t mind cultural differences such as harder beds or no English-speaking staff. We just based these options on what many non-Korean travelers prefer. 1. Pacific Hotel Seoul Meyongdong One of the best overall hotels taking into consideration price, location, and comfort. Reasons we recommend Pacific Hotel: What to know more? Linda Goes East posted a detailed blog about Pacific Hotel which dives deeper into the buffet and rooms. She has amazing blogs about Seoul. We highly recommend reading her reviews. Additionally, the reviews on Agoda have been solid. For example: “To start with the location was EVERYTHING! Walking distance to so much! The staff was friendly, especially housekeeping. They helped me book taxis when needed, answered questions, and always greeted me with a smile.” Melissa, USA 2. Sejong Hotel Seoul Myeongdong Great hotel if you want to be right next to the subway station. Reasons we recommend Sejong Hotel Seoul: 3. Royal Hotel Seoul Myeongdong This hotel can be quite expensive but Agoda runs deals up to 50% off. When that happens, be sure to book here. Want to know more? You can find extensive reviews for this location on all of the sites. They commonly mention the small room sizes as the biggest drawback and the fact that the breakfast menu is expensive and never changes. However, they love the location and the price so it’s a solid option. “It’s all about the location. Perfect place if you want to stay in the heart of Seoul, Myeongdong. Shopping complex, street foods are located just in front of the hotel, doorstep away! the only cons are the small room size but amenities are complete.” Agoda Review Interested in exploring other hotel options? Myeong-dong has many great options so feel free to shop for something cheaper or locations with different amenities that better meet your specific needs. Myeongdong Dinner Options We don’t believe in running around Seoul chasing down dinner. It’s exhausting and hectic. Instead, eat at one of the delightful Myeong-dong restaurants and enjoy exploring the area. Here are 5 possible options in the Myeong-dong (명동) area. You can also use Naver Maps to search the area when you arrive. Day 2: Palace, Hanok Village, Insadong Today may feel like a huge and exhausting day if you don’t carefully manage your energy. Remember to drink water, eat snacks often, and sit down as much as possible. Don’t be a hero. This will be a great day if you just keep it slow and steady. 08:00 am Breakfast Beyond the hotel, very few places will open before 10:00 am. The places that do open early may not offer items you would consider breakfast. In fact, you could end up walking around for an hour before you find something you would call breakfast. Instead, we recommend one of the two following breakfast solutions so that you can easily stay on schedule: 09:10 am Depart for Changing of the Guard Estimated Travel Time: Taxi 20 minutes / Subway 35 Minutes The taxi times assume no traffic or having your public transit cards loaded and ready to scan. Check Naver to confirm traffic and times before grabbing a taxi. We do recommend taking a taxi for this first trip just to save yourself a little energy for the rest of the day. Don’t miss this. It’s one of the coolest things to see in Seoul. 09:45 am Changing of the Guard The changing of the guard takes place at 10am and 2pm every day except Tuesdays. Aim to arrive at least 15 minutes before the changing of the guard ceremony in order to ensure a good viewing spot. The performance begins when the gong sounds and continues for about 20 minutes. You want to see the morning show because then you avoid standing outside in the heat during the mid-day. 10:30 am Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace The Gyeongbokgung Palace grounds are easy to walk. Take your time and enjoy the benches and shade that you find. 11: 30 am Lunch We know this is early, but if you wait until after 12:00 pm to go to the restaurants you may not find any food to eat. This is not an exaggeration. Restaurants will fill up fast and many will sell out of their lunch menus by 1:00 pm or 1:30 and then close around 2:30 for a break. Eat early or risk not eating at all or eating only what you can find rather than what you want. Searching for the ‘ideal” lunch is where weekend trips to Seoul tend to get off schedule and exhausting. Many of the recommendations by bloggers (although fantastic) aren’t in a convenient place. This means that you may end up walking for hours out of your way and you can’t get your schedule back on track. Additionally, if places are popular online it means they may be over full AND sell out early. You are better off focusing on eating something lovely en route to where you are headed. In the image below you can see an area surrounded by orange that sits between Gyeongbokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village. This is your ideal area to find a place open with seats. Any time we tried to eat in another area on this itinerary, the trip became too exhausting in a way that was not sustainable for families or people with mobility issues. This area shown in the image above also has both very expensive restaurants and lunch counters. We recommend not being super picky about lunch and just finding anything that works in this area. If you try to another area it will throw the itinerary off for the rest of the day and make things feel very hectic. 12:30 pm Bukchon Hanok Village 20-30 minutes walking time: Gyeongbokgung Palace to Bukchon Hanok Village Quite honestly, this area is mostly about walking and looking at history. It’s what Seoul used to look like before it grew toward the sky. The area has many hills. It’s somehow a little boring and highly magical at the same time. Everyone should see it at least once. Cafes: There are many lovely little cafes. We recommend trying a traditional dessert like bingsu or rice cake. Dining: There are places to eat in the Hanok Village area but we can’t tell you that it’s a great spot to grab a meal. Instead, we recommend heading to Insadong where Dress up: The most popular activity is to dress in traditional Korean clothing and walk the streets. It can be an amazing opportunity for family photos. Take Lots of Photos: Mostly this area provides studying backdrops for photos and a historical perspective on how cities used to be laid out. 3:00 pm Museum Options 10-30 minutes walking time: Walk time may vary based on museum selection Take a museum break. Museums provide a fun way to slow down, get out of the sun, and relax a little bit. Pick one of the following museums and get off the busy streets of Seoul for a while. 04:30 pm Insadong 30-70 minutes walking time: Walk time may vary based on your speed and interest. Now it’s time to walk through Insadong when the heat has dissolved away a little. The street can either be a quick little walk or getting lost in the stores for a few hours. It’s just up to you. You may find Insadong is a place you want to come back to and spend more...

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Families will love a day at the Korea Flower Park & Tulip Festival itinerary in Taean. Make a day of it or go for the whole weekend! About Korea Flower Park Korea Flower Park is a beautiful destination any time of year. No matter the season, the Korean Flower Park has something planned for you. The park comes to life during their Tulip, Allium, Autumn Flower, and Light Festivals. Highlights of the park include: Stroller-friendly and wheelchair accessible. Pets are welcome but should remain on a leash. Facilities include a convenience store, cafe, and souvenir shop. Free parking. During the Korean Flower Park festivals, you may find street vendors, both outside and inside the park, selling street food, desserts, fresh fruit and vegetables, toys, flowers, etc. You’ll see live performances in various parts of the park. You may even catch a trolley around the park. About Taean-gun Taean-gun (태안군) exists on the west side of South Korea in Chungcheongnam-do. Taean-gun is a popular weekend tourist destination for those interested in a quiet weekend away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The county (-gun) offers many things to do such as the Taean Haean National Park, over thirty different beaches, multiple arboretums, many museums, parks, and much much more. Traveling to Taean-gun via public transportation remains difficult. Visitors may find it easiest to visit the county via personal vehicle or on a travel tour. Those wishing to visit the rural county by bus should allow many hours of additional travel time. However, those traveling by car may find this a relaxing trip with less traffic than in more developed tourist areas. About Festivals at Korea Flower Park The Light Festival is open year-round from 18:30 to 22:30, with the last admission at 21:30. Otherwise, the park is open from 09:00 to 18:00 during each festival season. For example, the 2022 Tulip Festival runs from April 9th to May 9th. The park shares information about the park on its website which includes English information. Entrance Fees – Tulip Festival W12,000 Adults; W9,000 Children 3yo and above / Allium, Autumn Flower, and Light Festivals W9,000 Adults, W7,000 Children Wanna make the most of the day or turn this into a weekend trip? Many different additional activities exist near Korean Flower Park. This means you will have plenty to do after you have finished photographing all the amazing sights at the park. When our family plans a trip to see one of Korea Flower Parks festivals, we like to choose a few activities and either make the trip a full day or a long weekend. The following spots might be fun additions to your trip itinerary. I’ve included many choices so that you can customize the trip to your families needs. The Korean Flowers Park is next to Kkotji Beach, which is one of the best beaches to enjoy the sunset. In the parking lot across from Kkotji Beach you’ll find more street vendors with food, desserts, toys, and carnival games. You will find many family activities in Taean. You could easily stop at Seosan Mountain Birdland either on the way to Taean or on your way home. If you want a spa experience, Island Risom Oa Six Sunset Spa, has many water park-like activities and it’s just a few minutes along the coast from the Korea Flower Park. Things to Do Within 5 Minutes of Korea Flower Park About 5 minutes inland from the Korean Flower Park you’ll find a sculpture park, Anmyeondo Arboretum, Anmyeondo Recreational Forest, and Oh My Gallery, which allows visitors an opportunity to become a part of classical art pieces. Things to Do Within 20 Minutes of Korea Flower Park Open from 18:30 to 22:30, is another beautiful location with flowers. Adults W9,000 and teenagers W7,000. Cafes in the Area You’ll find a few cafes nearby with beautiful views of Kkotji beach, such as A Twosome Place and Cafe Ail. Travel Break Cafe, which is closer to Nature World and Anmyeondo Jurassic Museum, Opens at 10:00, Spacious outdoor cafe with lots of fancy private outdoor booths. Ice cream and pizza, too. Could be a lunch or snack stop as well. Close at 20:00. Oh My Gallery also has its own cafe with coffee, ice cream, and macaroons. Where to eat? As previously stated, you’ll find many street food vendors in between the Korean Flower Park and Kkotji Beach. You’re along the Korean coast so this is the time to enjoy the many seafood restaurants nearby. If you love seafood and fancy displays of tasty mollusks, try Seonggong and Seungjin Sliced Raw Fish. [Naver Map]Seonggong Sliced Raw Fish충남 태안군 안면읍 방포항길 36http://naver.me/GVbD6Lof [Naver Map]Seungjin Sliced Raw Fish충남 태안군 안면읍 방포항길 38http://naver.me/FSCo7jwD If you love seafood noodle soups, consider Pureun Sea. [Naver Map]Pureun Sea Sliced Raw Fish충남 태안군 안면읍 방포항길 26-3http://naver.me/xpDTzNlx Tasty dumplings and soups. [Naver Map]Yeongsimi’s Dumplings Restaurant충남 태안군 안면읍 장터로 114-24http://naver.me/xogbtSsi Want to make this a weekend trip? We got you covered with a couple of blogs about pensions in this area. Should I go to Taean-gun this week? Great questions. If you need to know more about the current air quality or the weather check the following information. Current Air Quality and Weather in Taean-gun Air quality and weather change throughout the day. However, having an idea of what the air quality is right now can help make decisions easier. You can download the Air Matters App for your phone to keep current on changing air quality conditions throughout the day. You can even set up alerts. If you hover over the following Air Quality graphic you will be able to see a 3-day air quality estimate. Remember that air quality changes around Korea. It may be poor quality in one area and excellent elsewhere. Checking air quality can be a great way to choose where to go, what activities to do when you get there, and when to be inside or outside. It also can help you decide if you should purchase and carry air filter masks for outdoor activities. Current Weather in Taean-gun For those that prefer the weather in Fahrenheit, the following report may help. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Learn how to create a custom travel itinerary in Korea with places you find online. This blog offers helpful tips for you to plan your next adventure. Using Naver to Create Itineraries I don’t speak Korean and I use Naver Maps in English to plan all of my Korean travel. The following video will tell you more about Naver Maps. It’s a great introduction that will help you get started quickly. After you finish the video, the rest of my blog will walk you through how I plan my trips. Why do I love Naver links? Creating unique travel itineraries in South Korea means learning how to use tools such as Naver Maps. To begin you will need to download Naver Maps which you can find in Google Play or in the Apple App Store. You may be accustomed to Waze in the States but in South Korea, Naver and Kakao maps should become your new best friends. You can learn more about navigation apps in South Korea by reading the South of Seoul blog “Nav Apps: Options, Strengths, and Failures”. Using Naver Maps to Create Itineraries The following step-by-step process walks you through how I create my many travel plans for my family. These plans also work as my outline for my blogs later. Learning how to create a custom travel itinerary in Korea makes life smoother. Let’s go. Save Locations Into Naver Folders Many Korean travelers and bloggers share Naver links on their Facebook posts. You may easily organize them into categories and color-code them for future reference. The following photo shows the folders I use for keeping track of what I am interested in. Everyone has a different system that works for them and Naver Maps allows you to make your own folder names. You can also see how each category populates on the map using the same color and icon I chose for my folder. It makes it easy to conceptualize what each pin means. PRO TIP; You may also find a location on Naver by adding a business phone number into the search bar. You will notice in the following image that I have typed in the business phone number and the location of the business populated with the name of the business. It’s an elegant solution if you find typing in Hangul (the Korean alphabet) difficult. Pro Tip: You may also use your translation app, like Papago or Google Translate, to search for something on Naver, including searches in a specific location. Here’s an example of a search for cafes 카페 in Daejeon. The following video will make the search come alive. What if you can’t read Hangul? If you need assistance with understanding Korean or Hangul you have a few options: Get to know the above tools and you will be unstoppable. Using Papago to translate screenshots If you have never used a translation app to translate photos I will walk you through how it works. First, take a screenshot of the image you need to translate. Second, click on “image”. You can see it as the option second from the bottom in the following photo. It has the image of a camera on it. Third, select this icon which I pointed at with the green arrow, which should bring you to your photo gallery from which you may select to the image you want to translate. Finally, Papago will scan the image and create a translated image. You can see that the translation works pretty well. In fact, Papago often translates far better than Google since Papago is developed by Naver (a Korean company). After inputting your locations, the rest should be fairly easy. Here’s a 5-minute video example. The following video will help all the previous steps make more sense. Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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Families will enjoy this Farm Kamille and Cheongsan Arboretum Itinerary in Taean-gun. It's a relaxing time to enjoy beautiful gardens.

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You don’t have to have a car to enjoy this Yeosu itinerary. This stunning area in the very southern part of South Korea can be easily reached and enjoyed using public transportation. Getting to Yeosu You don’t need a car to enjoy Yeosu, South Korea. The area is easily accessible by public transportation and has places to stay within easy walking distance of many different fun activities. Don’t hesitate to take a trip to Yeosu even if you don’t have a car. Here is how you can make it happen. Traveling to Yeosu by Train From Yongsan Station, you can take the ITX-Saemaeul Train or KTX to Yeocheon Station or Yeosu EXPO Station (여수엑스포), which is the last stop. The train will cost anywhere between W20,000 and W70,000 depending on what kind of ticket you purchase. Traveling to Yeosu By Bus You can take a bus from Seoul’s Central City Bus Terminal that’ll cost between W20,000 and W34,000. The trip takes between 4-5 hours. Traveling to Yeosu By Plane You can fly from Gimpo Airport to Yeosu Airport in just 55 minutes. Jin Air and Jeju Air provide flights that are generally around W50,000 Where to Stay in Yeosu If you take the train to Yeosu EXPO Station, there are many pensions and hotels within walking distance. Consider one of these locations for a comfortable stay. Haedeulchae Pension, for couples and small families. Breakfast service available. Rates W60,000 to W160,000, depending on the time of the week and the season. For a more traditional stay, Odongjae Hanok Hotel, which is also dog-friendly and kid-friendly, though the rates start at W160,000. Breakfast service available. What to Do in Yeosu If you stay at one of the above locations, you will be within walking distance of the following activities Aquaplanet, Yeosu Ocean Rail Bikes, media art museums, Yeosu EXPO Park, Odongdo Island, and a marina that comes alive in the evening. Yeosu EXPO 2012 made this specific location very tourist-friendly so you’ll be within walking distance to many cafes and restaurants as well. From the Yeosu Cable Cars at Jasan Park, you can get to Dolsan Park, though make sure you are soaking in the magnificent views of Yeosu along the way. From this side, you can easily walk to the Dolsan Ocean Fishing Park, Hyangiram Temple, and a number of restaurants. More Helpful Yeosu Blogs Please also see blog on places to stay and play in Yeosu for more information about hotels and locations, including ones near Yeosu EXPO Station! Join the Pyeongtaek Travelers Group You are also welcome to join our Pyeongtaek Travelers. The South of Seoul moderated community of active and friendly travelers (most who live in Pyeongtaek, South Korea) sharing their adventure across the country. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content. LeaDan Yee, M.EdLeaDan Yee holds a Master’s in Education with a focus in Secondary Education and Teaching – Language Arts and Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Speech. As a Cultural Liaison and Content Creator at South of Seoul, Ms. Yee focuses on creating content for families interested in traveling and those with toddlers.  She is especially interested in opportunities to share her Native Hawaiian background and empower others to be cultural ambassadors. Prior to joining South of Seoul, LeaDan worked as a High School Speech Teacher and Adjunct Communications Professor. She specializes in Public Speaking, Argumentation and Debate, Team Management, and Event Planning.

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About Anseong Farmland Anseong Farmland celebrates agricultural life in South Korea. They have fields of wildflowers, a petting zoo, events, activities, and a relaxing atmosphere. This is Korean countryside destination a very low-key day trip that lets you relax and enjoy a mellow and relaxing day. Check out this video by Anseong Farmland celebrates agricultural life in South Korea. They have fields of wildflowers, a petting zoo, events, activities, and a relaxing atmosphere. This is Korean countryside destination a very low-key day trip that lets you relax and enjoy a mellow and relaxing day. Here is what they are saying about Anseong Farmland in the Pyeongtaek Travelers Facebook Group. I should have done a bit more research before we headed out today because I thought we were going to a farm/field, but I was way wrong. Anseong Farmland is like an amusement park/fairground-on farmland. There were carnival type rides, horseback riding, a petting zoo, ice cream shops, restaurants, a magic art (3D) house, souvenir shop, etc. Once you make it past that- you’ll find yourself surrounded by countless sunflowers. We took no less than a hundred pictures because there was so much beauty. It took about 35 minutes from Osan, and you could easily make an entire day of it. Happy adventuring, everyone! Michelle, Pyeongtaek Travelers You can learn more about Anseong Farmland on Youtube. The All About MiE channel offers this approachable and helpful look at visiting this relaxing and fun location. Who Enjoys Anseong Farmland? Anseong Farmland is perfect for anyone who loves the relaxing countryside and beautiful agricultural spaces. However, you will find three main groups at Anseong Farmland: We like this trip because it’s easy, relaxing, and close to home. We live in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do (about 50 minutes south of Seoul) and Anseong Farmland is an easy trip that doesn’t take getting up too early in the morning. 11:30 am Grab Lunch at Old Time Cafe The Old Time Cafe is one of the must-visit spots simply because it’s a place to eat AND an experience. You get to walk through a replica of an old Korean town which also has cafes and places to eat inside! It’s fun and food all wrapped up into one spot. 2:00 pm Arrive at Anseong Farmland You will want to spend a few hours at Anseong Farmland. Don’t rush yourself. Enjoy the benches, feeding animals, and taking rides. Prices From Naver in 2021: 5:00 pm Dinner Near Anseong Farmland Once dinner rolls around, choose between western or Korean food with these two excellent options. You will be hungry after a day walking around Anseong Farmland so go ahead and treat yourself before the drive home. 6:00 pm Head for Home You are going to be exhausted by 6pm. Don’t be a hero. Head home and enjoy the rest of the evening relaxing at home. Remember, that if it is the weekend traffic can be rough everywhere. Make sure the kids have something to do and settle in for the drive. Do You Have More Questions About Anseong Farmland? 1330, the FREE Korean tourism hotline, can answer your questions year-round. 1330 truly will be your best friend while living or traveling in South Korea. For the best results, contact them during the day when they are able to contact businesses to ask specific questions for you. Join a Group Learn more about family travel around South Korea. Explore More Korean Travel Itineraries South of Seoul has over 52 travel itineraries that extend across Korea. That’s one trip every week for a year! Many itineraries range from 1 to 3-day plans which can be combined to create extended trips across the country. Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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