Bucketlist: Activities you can do only in Korea [Part 1]

Hello! Ever since my first visit to Korea way back 2013, many people would often ask me about 'must-try' activities that can only be done there. Hence, I came up with my own 'bucket list' which I'd like to share with you in this post :)

If you'll be travelling to Korea soon, it would be good to come up with your own list too. Write down the activities you want to do, check their locations and group the once that are near each other. After that, you can assign a schedule to each of them. This way you can manage your time and expenses, and make the most out of your trip :)

I originally came up with 15 on my list, but I thought of cutting my post into 3 parts so it won't be too long. Here are the first batch of activities :

1. Hanbok fitting

Here are some Hanboks that we found at Dondaemun

The Hanbok is Korea's traditional clothing, which expresses Korea's true characteristics in terms of culture and history. Koreans used to wear it daily (around 100 years ago), but nowadays, they are only worn on special occasions like birthdays, weddings, or during national holidays like Chuseok and Seollal. With the rising popularity of Sageuk or Korean Historical Dramas though, many foreign tourists have shown increasing interest in the garments. And as a Sageuk drama fan myself, this is one activity that I'm really looking forward to. (Won't it be fun to wear hanbok while you try to reminisce Jewel in the Palace or try to immitate Emperor Lee Hwon of Moon Embracing the Sun?^^)

Known for its exquisite and colorful designs, your cultural experience in Korea is incomplete without trying the Hanbok on even once. There are many cultural centers in Korea that offer Hanbok Programs where you can wear them with a minimal rental fee, and some you can even try on for free! :) Here are some of them:

• Insa-dong PR/Tourist Information Center - considered a living museum of modern history and culture, this place has a wide selection of hanbok designs and materials, including ones that were worn at the Royal Court. [Address:19 Insadong 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: 3,000 won for each outfit per person]

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

• Seoul Global Cultural Center- the most popular place for hanbok fitting, which is found at the heart of Myeongdong. They have backdrops as well for photo ops. [Address: 5F of M Plaza, 31-1, Myeong-dong 2-ga, Jung-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: FREE]

• Deoksugung Palace's Daehanmun Gate- Here you have the opportunity to witness the changing of guard ceremony and try on traditional guard uniforms and other hanbok for free. [Address: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: FREE]

• Unhyeongung Royal Residence- Here you can try the 'gwanbok' (worn by officials) and 'dangeui' (a formal dress for women) and there's even hanbok for children. There are a lot of photo op areas within the palace grounds, and guests are allowed to wear the hanboks for 10 minutes each. [Address: 464 Samil-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: 3,300 won]

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

• Bukchon Hanok Homestay Information Center- Aside from getting to wear the hanbok for an unlimited time, you also get a free polaroid photo that you may take home a souvenir. The hanok village is also a good place to explore traditional Korean architecture. [Address: 20-27 Bukchon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul; Rental Fee: 8,000 won]

• Namsangol Hanok Village- Aside from hanbok fitting, there are a variety of other experiential programs and events promoting traditional Korean culture that you can try and enjoy here. [Address: 28 Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul; Fees: 5,000 won]

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

There's also a Hanbok Museum located across the street from the Gyeongbokgung Palace main entrance ticketing booth. The museum only opens on the first and the third Saturday of every month, and highlights not just the traditional Korean clothing, but all the events and the rituals people go through from birth to death, and what proper clothing they have to wear to suit their respective occasions. There are roughly 300 varieties on display, all of which are created by the hanbok designer Lee Ri-Ja.

For more details on hanbok in Korea, you may check out the VisitKorea sites HERE, and HERE. 

2. DMZ Tour

Have you ever thought of taking a tour at a military border? Well, if you want to know what it's like to visit one, and if you want to get a lot of interesting information about the history of Korea, specifically the conflict between the North and South, the DMZ tour offers just that. 

(From upper left in a clockwise direction: Nuri Peace Park at Imjingak, Third Infiltration Tunnel, Dorasan Station, and the Panmunjeom) Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Korea's Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a four-kilometer-wide buffer zone that runs along the 38th parallel north, which is the demarcation line that separates Korea into south and north, making it the only divided country in the world. The DMZ, considered as the most heavily militarized border in the world, spans between the Southern and Northern limit lines, and was created to prevent direct military collisions. 

Civilian Access is restricted at the DMZ and the area is guarded by both South and North Korean soldiers. Such limits to public access makes the DMZ an undisturbed zone, leaving its ecological resources virtually untouched.The DMZ has a unique natural ecosystem that includes mountains, plains, valleys, and basins, as well as rare plants and animals, some of which are already considered as endangered. 

Approximately 922 square kilometers in area, there are various tours that offer tourists the chance to explore parts of the DMZ. This include the DMZ Wire Fence Tour, the Panmunjom Tour, and the DMZ Tunnel Tour.

Some of the places you can visit in the tour includes:

• Imjingak Park (Nuri Peace Park)-  Imjingak exhibits various relics and monuments related to the Korean War and subsequent South-North confrontations. It is a large park that has a variety of sculpted artwork and can accommodate up to 20,000 tourists at a time. Visitors can also enjoy performances on the hill.

Imjingak Park

• The 3rd Tunnel- This is one of the 4 tunnels leading from the North to the South (the closest to Seoul), and believed to be designed for a surprise attack on the Republic of Korea by the North. The tunnel is 1.7 kilometers long, 2 meters high and 2 meters wide.

• Dorasan Station- this is the northernmost railway station situated on the Gyeonggi Line, where visitors can view Dorasan Mountain and the barbed wire fences of the Southern Limit Line.

Dorasan Station

• Panmunjeon- the venue for dialogue between South and North Korea in accordance with the armistice agreement. It is also known world-wide as the place where the military armistice conference was held. It includes a main meeting hall for Military Armistice Commission, The Freedom House, and The Bridge of No Return.

The Bridge of No Return at Panmunjeon

• Unification Hill (Odusan Unification Observatory)- A place for education on security matters which is mainly composed of war memorials, Unification Hill is situated where the Hangang River joins the Imjingang River. It is also conveniently located near Heyri Art Valley.

• Yeolsoe Observatory- an observatory that offers a birds-eye-view of North Korea. On exhibit are daily household goods and military equipment from North Korea, allowing visitors to get an indirect experience of the North.

Yeolsoe Observatory

Some things to note when going on the tour:

• Don't forget your passports, and IDs when going on the tour as these are required.  
• It would also be good to reconfirm your reservations a day before your tour since DMZ is a special military site that can undergo sudden schedule changes.
• Some tours have dress codes and age limits (kids should at least be 12)
• Photos can only be taken when permitted
• No drinking of alcohol before the tour
• The DMZ is closed on Mondays and Korean National Holidays

For more information on DMZ tours, you can check out the Visit Korea site HERE, and also the official tour sites HERE and HERE.

3. Have a romantic tour and put your love locks at N Seoul Tower 

Photo Credit: Jeon Han of Korea.net

I know, the concept of putting love locks (where couples write their love messages in a padlock which they usually attach to a public object to symbolize their undying love) is famous all over the world. Like, there's the well known Pont des Arts Bridge in Paris, France or the Hohenzollern Bridge in Cologne, Germany where the locks can also be found. But I think there's nothing like putting love locks at N Seoul Tower, one of Seoul's must-see and iconic landmarks. 

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

For one, the breathtaking panoramic view of Seoul and its surrounding areas that you can see from the tower, makes the entire experience all the more romantic. And then, there are a whole bunch of other activities that you can do there with your loved one, aside from writing love letters and attaching your love locks to the fence. You can have lunch or dinner at some really nice restaurants, visit a museum, relax and have coffee, and go to some souvenir shops for some memorabilia to take home. 

Some of the attractions in N Seoul Tower include:

• Sky Restroom (Tower, 2F)- Located on the second floor of the N tower, this unique restroom is situated at the highest ground level in Seoul's downtown. The special feature lies in the glass wall that is built in all directions, and has a special coating that obscures the inside from the outside, so people doing their 'business' need not worry. 

• Roof Terrace (Plaza, 2F)- This is an expansive outdoor observatory on the annex building of N Seoul Tower, where the love locks can be found. Tens of thousands of love locks can be found hanging around the terrace to this day, and more and more couples are coming to the tower to profess their love (via the locks) because of its rising popularity.

A scene from the Kdrama 'My Love from Another Star' showing Cheong Seong Yi & Do Min Joon looking at the love locks

• Digital Observatory (Tower, 3F) - The observatory of N Seoul Tower offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Seoul as well as information on Seoul and Namsan Mountain. To get to the observatory, buy a ticket from the ticket desk at the Plaza Square or on the basement level.

• Alive Museum (Basement, 1F)- This highly educational museum is features 4 major zones that showcase Classical Arts, Living Arts, Fantasy and Sports, and houses a total of 34 artistic objects. Kids and adults alike are bound to enjoy in the museum as they experience the arts, digital objects, and media installation with added touch of illumination. 

• N-Grill (Tower, 5F)- is an upscale and revolving French restaurant atop N Seoul Tower and is considered as the ultimate dating spot, frequently used as the scene of marriage proposals. Aside from the sumptuous meals, the restaurant also offers couples a panoramic view of the city by slowly rotating counter-clockwise, making a full revolution every 1 hour and 40 minutes. All tables are set facing the windows, assuring you with the "best seat in the house" no matter where you sit.

Another scene from 'My Love from Another Star' was filmed at N-Grill Restaurant

• Hancook (Tower, 1F)- is an eat-all-you-can Korean buffet, which is popular among family visitors. It offers a classic ambience and about 30 different dishes, with tables that can accommodate up to four guests.

• N Gift (Plaza, 1F)- This is a souvenir shop with a warm and welcoming ambience that sells cute souvenirs such as padlocks, message tags, diaries, albums, dolls, and idol memorabilia.  

• THE BA:NG (Tower, 3F)- Located on the third floor of the observatory tower, THE BA:NG is a flagship store that sells a range of products with themes of love, travel, etc. that you may take home as souvenirs or give to friends as gifts. It also offers a fantastic view of the cityscape.

NSeoul Tower Map where you can see the different attractions for each level

Aside from being a popular tourist destination, N Seoul Tower is also Korea's 1st general radio wave tower since 1969, delivering TV and radio broadcasting to the city. The tower, which constantly changes colors and patters also has the latest in LED technology lighting. You can even watch a laser show there :)

The tower illuminates the night sky with different colors.

Tourists enjoying the view and romantic ambience at the Roof Terrace where the love locks can be found
Photo Credit: Jeon Han of Korea.net

For a more exciting experience, try the Namsan Cable Car in going to NSeoul Tower. (Although you can also go there via walking trail, by bus, or by cab)

If you want to know more about NSeoul Tower and the locks of love, check out the VisitKorea sites HERE and HERE, or you can visit their official website HERE.

4. Korean Street Food Hunting- 

No offense to traditional Korean Food (I love them just as much!), but Korean Street Food are really yummy, and they're cheap too! Some of the most famous ones are Tteokbokki, Gimbap, Kkochi Eomuk or Odaeng, Hotteok, Bindaetteok, Sundae, and Dakkochi (I'll be making a separate post about Korean Street Food soon :)).

Tteokbokki. Photo credit: koreanbapsang.com

Bindaetteok Pancakes. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Hotteok. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Odeng or Eomuk (Fish cakes). Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Kimchi Pancakes. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

I first had a glimpse of Korean Street Food while watching Kdramas. Did you ever notice those small tented stalls on the side streets of Korea, where the lead couple (or at least one of them) drinks soju when they are depressed or heartbroken? I've always wanted to try eating there and I've recently learned that they're called Pojangmacha, which literally means 'covered wagon' in Korean. They are small tented stalls on wheels which serve street food and alcoholic beverages such as soju and makgeolli .

Aside from the Pojangmachas, a good place to find loads of Korean Street Food is in Gwangjang Market, Korea's first permanent traditional market. It is famous for fabric, hanbok, handicrafts, vegetables, vintage goods, and of course, for its food market, which has been in business for forty years! 

Korean Street Food alley at Gwangjang Market. Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

There are a wide variety of street food to choose from, and they're good food at very affordable prices. No wonder, Gwangjang Market has become a popular tourist destination.

It usually operates from 9am to 6pm and is closed on Sundays, but the food market is open until 11pm and is open year round (Hurray for us food lovers!). 

If you want to know more about Gwangjang Market, you may visit HERE and HERE. 

5. Daegu Chicken and Beer or 'Chimaek' Festival 

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

I never thought Chicken and Beer would be such a good pair until I went to Korea. 

More popularly called as 'Chimaek' (derived from the terms chicken [치킨] and maekju [맥주]; 'beer'), this pair is a beloved snack of Koreans, especially during the long and hot summer evenings. In fact, they love it so much that the Daegu Chimaek Festival [대구치맥페스티벌] was launched last 2013 with around 270,000 visitors, and has since been a major summer festival especially for the youth. The festival includes various exhibits and stage performances and activities such as chicken and beer tasting, various food and drinking contests and spectator recreational activities for visitors to participate in. 

My Love from the Star's Cheong Seong Yi enjoying her fave Chimaek. The drama became so popular in China and created a Chimaek Craze there.

Last 2014, the festival attracted 620,000 visitors and this year, as many as one million visitors are expected to come to the festival. This year's festival will take place at Duryu Park in Dalseo-gu, Daegu on July 22-26, 2015 and will include a music festival and industrial culture festival, making the entire festival a place overflowing with youthful energy.

Photo credit: Korea Tourism Organization

The admission to the festival is free and although every visitor is allowed to enter, only those who are 20 years of age, who can present proper identification will be given free beer sampling coupons (If you don't pass the age limit, there's still free chicken :)). All chicken and beers are either free or sold at a lower price during the festival. 

You can check out HERE for more details on the event or visit the official festival website HERE (but it's in Korean only).

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I hope you enjoyed reading about the first batch of activities from my bucketlist of things to do in Korea. Watch out for part 2! :)

Do you have your own Korea Bucketlist too? I'd love to feature them here on my blog, so please feel free to send me an email (sublimeholic@yahoo.com)

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Credits to Korea Tourism Organization (visitkorea.or.kr) and Korea Tourism Organization Manila for most of the info and photos. 

For more information about Korean Tourism, you may visit the Korea Tourism Organization Official page, and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

For Filipinos, follow Korea Tourism Organization Manila at Facebook, Twitter, and KakaoTalk (@ktomanila) for the latest updates on Korea tourism, events, tour packages and promos. :)