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From Seoul’s metropolitan life and Jeju’s remote living to Gyeongju's beautiful countryside, South Korea invites you to a hip and trendy travel experience.
A whirlwind of adventure in every aspect, my five-day journey to South Korea was a captivating blend of enthralling street food, pulsating K-pop rhythms, futuristic Seoul skyscrapers, the untouched beauty of Jeju's beaches and landscapes, and the venerable temples of Gyeongju that bear witness to centuries gone by. The impact of the trip was so profound that it would be unfair to not share my experiences with you. Beyond merely recounting the memories I gathered, I intend to guide you toward the best places to explore, delectable dishes to savour, and activities to undertake in South Korea.
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The minute I stepped out of Incheon International Airport, I fell in love with Seoul, the busy capital of South Korea. Even in the pouring rain, with colourful umbrellas bedecking the water-sprayed ground, and towering buildings watching over the city, I greeted Seoul through the window of my cab. Within 30 minutes, I reached my hotel—Fairfield by Marriott Seoul. I was impressed by the seamless flow of traffic, despite its density. My abode for the next two days cost me around Rs. 16,000, but the services, offerings and the stunning view of the city justified the price. As I was jet-lagged, I wanted spend the day resting, but as darkness fell, I took a stroll through the popular Yeongdeungpo street market, known for its traditional Korean street food. Be warned, the place is not for tourists enamoured by the idea of fancy markets portrayed in K-dramas. It’s the opposite—with ajummas (middle-aged women) and ahjussis (middle-aged men) screaming their guts out to attract customers with whiffs of pork and chicken hanging in the air. I tried Korean Hotteok (fried sweet cake), sizzling on the griddle, fresh off a little vendor cart. The thick texture of the pancakes, served with honey sauce, was absolutely delicious. It was so tasty that I decided to order an extra serving for takeaway, before making my way back to the hotel.
Seoul speaks of a culture that has embraced modern lifestyle but still carries its traditions in its underbelly. I understood its essence after strolling through a few streets and speaking to the wonderful locals, who suggested visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace, built by King Taejo of the Joseon Dynasty. So, I took Line 3 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway and left from Exit 5, which only cost me around Rs. 200. Once flanked by 330 buildings, Gyeongbokgung was burnt down by Japanese invaders but rose from the ashes, time and again. It is beautifully decorated with lion sculptures, and houses a wonderful museum and countless pillars. After this, I headed straight to the gorgeous Changdeokgung Palace, which was only 2 km away from Gyeongbokgung Palace. The many locals relaxing there told me the story of an Indian princess who visited Korea to marry Kim Suro, and is credited for starting the Kim dynasty. I was pleasantly surprised to learn about the historical connection South Korea shares with India. Conversations with my local friends continued even after reaching Changdeokgung Palace. The palace offered an hour-long tour that started from its giant gate, and which led to other attractions such as an old stone bridge, a terraced garden, and a blue-tiled roof. It took me at least two hours to explore the palace before I took the subway back to the main city, tired and hungry. Seoul came alive in the evening with the aroma of Korean street food wafting around. I quickly found a food cart and ordered the fiery delight, Tteokbokki—soft rice cakes smeared with chilly sauce.
My day started with Kalguksu (Korean knife-cut noodles), served in a bowl full of broth and vegetables at Namdaemun, Korea’s biggest traditional market. The flour-made noodles served in a thick broth cost me around Rs. 300. To say it was lip-smacking would be an understatement. Next, I took the Seoul subway Line 6 to travel to Hangangjin Station through Exit 1. From there, it is a short and scenic walk towards the Leeum Samsung Museum—Korea’s premier art gallery, and home to several mid-20th century paintings, structures, and installations. As an art enthusiast, the museum was the perfect place to end my Seoul tour before heading to Jeju, Korea’s largest island. It took me about an hour to fly from Seoul to Jeju, and another 30 minutes to reach the seaside hotel BENIKEA, where I stayed. It offered ocean views from the window, cosy rooms with minimal amenities and subtle decor, costing around Rs. 3,000 per day. Flying to Jeju from Seoul was the cheapest and fastest travel option and hence I chose it over booking a train from Seoul to Makpo or Busan and from there, booking an overnight ferry to Jeju. I was exhausted from travel and fell asleep listening to the sounds of waves crashing against the coastline.
I left the hotel around 11 am to have breakfast at Guksu Geori (Noodle Street), enjoying a bowl of noodle soup. Following this delightful meal, I set my sights on Hallasan, the island's volcanic mountain that beckoned me with a 30-minute hike, allowing me to immerse myself in the meditative blue of the ocean. Coming down from Hallasan, I hopped on a cab and stopped by Jeju’s oldest traditional market, Dongmun, to try the incredible mandu, a momo-like dumpling, which was sweet and spicy.
I took an early morning flight from Jeju Airport to Pohang (about one and a half hours long), and from there, I hopped on a bus to reach my B&B. This took about an hour. Located at a distance of around 277 km from Seoul, the stunning countryside of Gyeongju, also referred to as a museum without walls, is known for its historical significance with its intricate Buddhist temples. Since I only had a day to explore Gyeongju, I could only visit the Donggung Palace and the Wolji Pond–Cheomseongdae–the oldest surviving observatory in East Asia, and the 1000-year-old Buddhist pagoda of Bunhwangsa Temple. I enjoyed a lavish Bibimbap meal at Sukyoung Sikdang, a popular restaurant that resembles a traditional Korean House, before bidding goodbye to South Korea.
The overall cost, inclusive of airfare (back and forth), came to around Rs. 1.5 lakhs, but I am sure that the cost can be brought down to about Rs. 1 lakh too. As I reflect on my journey through South Korea, I am filled with gratitude for the experiences and memories that will last a lifetime, and I truly wish the same for you!
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