Explore Korea Now

  Why Your Best Day in Korea Might Happen Outside Seoul Leave Seoul ’s lights for an hour or two and the tempo shifts. Footsteps ease, rice fields replace billboards, and someone—often an older neighbor—asks where you’re from and which local dish you’ve tried. The moment curiosity turns into hospitality , your trip starts to breathe. Seoul is generous with choices: palaces and city walls, museums and towers, even a day trip to the DMZ . It’s a perfect first base. But in the countryside you trade “filling the schedule” for leaving a little blank space . In those empty margins, frogs sing at dusk, a breeze picks up over the paddies, and a stranger’s small kindness redraws your map for the day. The scenery is full of good surprises. A run of old tile roofs ends—and suddenly a modern bridge leaps across a river, or a tall apartment stack rises behind a mountain shoulder. It’s Korea in a single frame: past and present sharing the same picture without crowding each other out. Peopl...

 When I first landed in South Korea , I thought I knew what to expect: skyscrapers , K-pop , crowded streets in Seoul . But within days I discovered something deeper — places where silence, sea, temples , and small alleys whispered stories that no guidebook fully captures. If you’re planning a trip to Korea and want more than just the usual highlights, let me take you by the hand and lead you through the spots that touched my heart. These aren’t the most famous places (though some overlap), but those that unexpectedly became my favorites. In this article, I’ll share my personal experiences—why these sites moved me, what they felt like in the moment, and practical tips you can use. By the end, you’ll want to trace your own paths through mountains, riversides, and historic towns. 1. Escape to Nature: Bukhansan National Park — Seoul’s Green Secret Many visitors don’t realize that Seoul is cradled by gentle mountains. Bukhansan is one peak that always stayed with me. At first, I ass...

 When travelers search for information about South Korea, one of the first questions that often comes up is: “Is it safe?” If you’ve ever wandered the streets of Seoul or Busan , you probably noticed how different the atmosphere feels compared to big cities in the United States or Europe. Walking alone at midnight, riding the subway late at night, or even leaving your laptop in a café while you go to the restroom—things that might seem unthinkable elsewhere—are surprisingly normal here. Still, just because South Korea is statistically one of the safest countries in the world doesn’t mean every street or alley is equally welcoming, especially after dark. Think of it like this: even in New York , Tokyo , or Paris , you wouldn’t wander into certain neighborhoods at 3 a.m. without a second thought. South Korea has a few of those corners too—not dangerous in the “gangs and guns” sense, but places where a mix of alcohol, nightlife, or simply a lack of streetlights can make a traveler ...

  Jeju Island isn’t just another beach destination — it’s a place where you can hike through lava tubes in the morning, sip Hallabong tea at a seaside café in the afternoon, and enjoy a sunset over volcanic cliffs by evening. In 2025, Jeju is more accessible and foreigner-friendly than ever. Whether you’re planning a solo trip, a digital nomad escape, or a family vacation, this guide answers the key questions international travelers are asking right now. 🛂 Do I Need a Visa to Visit Jeju in 2025? Here’s the good news: most travelers can visit Jeju without a visa — but there’s a catch. Direct Entry Only : The visa-free program is valid only if you fly directly to Jeju International Airport or arrive by cruise ship. If you enter Korea through Seoul (Incheon/Gimpo) or Busan first, you must follow the standard visa/K-ETA rules. 30 Days Stay : Visitors from eligible countries can stay in Jeju for up to 30 days visa-free. Excluded Countries : Citizens of 23 countries (i...

I came to Seoul expecting temples, food markets, neon signs—and I got all that. But what I didn’t expect? That I'd fall head over heels for its hiking trails. It started one chilly spring morning when I randomly followed locals in hiking gear onto a subway car. I ended up on a short, surprisingly peaceful trail on Inwangsan, with the entire city below me glowing under the sun. That single moment—wind in my hair, silence in my ears, and a 360-degree view of Seoul—changed everything. Since then, I’ve been chasing that feeling. If you’re craving a breath of fresh air (literally) on your Korea trip, here are 5 trails that gave me more than just great photos—they gave me stories. 1. 🏞️ Inwangsan (for Sunset and Shamanic Energy) Ever wondered what Seoul looks like at sunset from a mountaintop just 20 minutes from downtown? Inwangsan is your answer. 🕓 Time: ~1.5 hours round trip 🎒 Difficulty: Easy–Moderate 📍 Start Point: Dongnimmun Station (Line 3) I’ll never forget watching the sun d...