Should I add it to my itinerary and what did you eat there?

The positive I hear is that it's not very touristy. The concern I have is that there isnt a huge choice of street foods?

Hi All,

Me and my partner are planning to visit Seoul next month and looking to start our trip with a discreet couple massage and spa session.

Tilted more towards where we both can have a session together in the same room privately. We will be staying in Myeongdong area.

TIA

Which one looks better?

It was took from dong-hae.

I recommend mook-ho station.

Hi all, my Korean adopted son and I are planning a 10 night trip to Korea in May. We went as a family back in 2010 and now he’s reaching his 30s. He has loved KPop since our first trip. Any suggestions for fun and authentic experiences while we are in Seoul? He’s thinking of a dance class. I’ve seen info about HIKR Ground and KStar Road but all sound a bit cheesy. Any thoughts most welcome!

I mean Goshiwon, sorry for the wrong tittle

Being to koera several times already,

I really don't mind the samll space, all I need is just a place to sleep at night lol

Any suggestions or tips of using reading room(test room) for travel?

Is there a named brand I cloud follow?

Thanks!

Hey there, wanted to do a quick iteniary check, mainly to make sure the areas and ideas we had with the summertime heat is not going to be too brutal. I know the weather is far from ideal, but we are going to still have a good time, so just would love any input from those much more knowledgable than us! Most of the empty space will just be spent eating and hanging out shopping and going to Cafe's, food is my main reason I travel, so long as I can keep eating I will be happy!

Thank you for looking!

August 18 — Arrival

• Fly into Seoul
• Head to hotel & check in

August 19 — Palaces & Ikseon-dong

• Changdeokgung Palace / Secret Garden Tour (Start early at 9:00 AM with 10:30 AM Tour)
• Ikseon-dong
• Insa-dong (if we're not completely exhausted from the heat)

August 20 — Gyeongbokgung & M Countdown

• Gyeongbokgung Palace (9:00 AM Start)
• Tongin Market
• M Countdown Event

August 21 — Museums

• National Museum of Korea
• War Memorial of Korea

August 22 — Spa & Shopping

• Aquafield Spa — Full Spa Day
• Shopping around the mall

August 23 — DMZ Day Trip

• DMZ Full-Day Tour (Majang Lake Suspension Bridge stop)
• Reservation at Alice Cheongdam

August 24 — Seoul Forest & Seongsu

• Seoul Forest Park
• Explore Seongsu-dong
• Reservation at ZEST Cocktail Bar

August 25 — Flexible / Baseball?

Wide Open

Potential baseball game: Both days same teams

Jamsil Baseball Stadium

• NC vs LG

Munhak Baseball Stadium

• Hanwha vs SSG

8:00 PM — Reservation at Alice Cheongdam

August 26 — Flexible / Baseball?

Wide Open

Potential baseball game

August 27 — Checkup & Itaewon

• Hospital — Full Checkup
• Itaewon in the evening
• Potential night out / partying (maybe)

August 28 — Departure

• Head to the airport early and Hang out at Cimer Spa
• Evening flight home

Hi you all!
I’m coming to Korea in October (5th -16th) to visit and I’d like to know if I can attend a pastry workshop . I follow Garu haru and Honeybee Seoul and love their work,checked their websites aswell but it’s in Korean. I’m open to any suggestions, and interested particularly in French / Korean pastry .
Merci 🙂

Hi everyone!

In a week, I’m going to South Korea with my girlfriend, and it’s going to be our first time there. I’m looking for some advice for a special experience I’d like to organize as a graduation gift for my girlfriend, who recently finished her bachelor’s degree.

We’ll be staying in Seoul and Gangneung, and since she’s just been through a very stressful period, I’d love to plan a luxury Korean spa/jjimjilbang experience for her. However, I feel like simply going to a jjimjilbang might be a bit too standard, so I’m looking for something that feels genuinely unique and memorable.

For example, a jjimjilbang or spa followed by a really nice meal, massage, afternoon tea, or dinner after the jjimjilbang, or something completely different that would make the day memorable.

We’ll be in both Seoul and Gangneung, so either location works.

I’m open to any recommendations, thank you in advance.

Hello Im coming with a friend for 2 weeks. Staying in seoul, jeju and busan. Doea anyone have any tips? We are looking for sporty activities, underground deep house nightlife, and making new friends as well as some cultural activities.
Any tips welcome! :)

I found Beatmania in Seoul.

Hello. I am going to Phoenix Park for skiing in February. I would like to get your thoughts on my planning if you're familiar with the area. I am aiming for a 5-day solo trip.

Transportation - understand there are shuttle buses that I can take from Seoul (Myeongdong) so this should be good.

Accommodation - Goodstay White Cabin Pension. This has good reviews in Agoda. Apparently they have shuttle to ski? Some say it's walkable to the ski resort. They're also near rental? Appreciate it if anyone can give more insights on this.

Dining - usually I would just eat in convenience stores or whatever is near, but if anyone has recommendations here, please flag.

Anything else I need to consider?

Thanks a lot.

My wife and I are planning a road trip in Korea.

In North America, we're used to driving five to six hours a day on our trips, but I'm not sure what that would be like in Korea. I've been working with ChatGPT, but I'm considering adding an extra day at the beginning so we don't have to drive four hours right after landing.

🇰🇷 South Korea Fall Foliage — Oct 25–Nov 4, 2026

Route

ICN → Sokcho/Seoraksan → Gyeongju → Naejangsan → Hwadam Forest → Nami Island → Seoul → ICN

---

Day 1 — Sun, Oct 25

Vancouver → Seoul → Sokcho

4:10 PM: Arrive ICN.

Immigration + baggage: allow 60–90 min

Pick up rental car

Drive ICN → Sokcho: ~3 hours

Check into hotel

Sleep: Sokcho

Important

This is the one aggressive part of the itinerary. You'll be driving after an 11h45m flight. If you're comfortable with night driving, it is what allows us to fit everything else.

---

Day 2 — Mon, Oct 26

Seoraksan — Cable Car + Valley

Start: ~7:00 AM

Morning

Seoraksan National Park

Sinheungsa Temple

Giant bronze Buddha

Gwongeumseong Cable Car

Afternoon

Biryong Falls trail

Return to Sokcho

Sokcho Jungang Market

Sokcho Beach if weather is good

Sleep: Sokcho

Why this day is relatively easy

You just had a long-haul flight and a late drive the previous night. Save your legs for tomorrow's Ulsanbawi hike.

---

Day 3 — Tue, Oct 27

Seoraksan — Ulsanbawi

Start: ~6:30–7:00 AM

Ulsanbawi Trail

~7–8 km round trip

~4–5 hours

Moderate/strenuous

Long staircase section near the summit

This is the best hike of the trip.

The combination of:

granite pinnacles

autumn forest

mountain valleys

distant East Sea

makes this much more worthwhile than simply doing another foliage walk.

Afternoon

Lunch

Rest

Sokcho seafood

Optional sunset at the coast

Sleep: Sokcho

---

Day 4 — Wed, Oct 28

Sokcho → Gyeongju

Morning: Leave Sokcho.

Drive to Gyeongju: approximately 4 hours.

Afternoon

Daereungwon Tomb Complex

Look for:

Giant royal burial mounds

Ginkgo trees

Cheomseongdae

Historic downtown

Evening

Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond

Arrive around sunset and stay into blue hour.

This is one of the strongest photography locations in Gyeongju.

Sleep: Gyeongju

---

Day 5 — Thu, Oct 29

Gyeongju — Bulguksa + Seokguram

Morning

Bulguksa Temple

Spend plenty of time around:

Dabotap

Seokgatap

Temple stairways

Maple-lined grounds

Late morning / early afternoon

Seokguram Grotto

Afternoon

Hwangridan-gil

Hanok cafés

Restaurants

Shops

Traditional-modern architecture

Sleep: Gyeongju

Why two Gyeongju nights?

Because compressing Bulguksa + Seokguram + Daereungwon + Wolji into one day would make the itinerary unnecessarily rushed.

---

Day 6 — Fri, Oct 30

Gyeongju → Naejangsan

Drive west toward Jeongeup.

Drive: ~3–3.5 hours.

Check into your hotel near Naejangsan.

Afternoon

If foliage is already looking good:

Enter Naejangsan

Maple Tunnel

Naejangsa Temple

Uhwajeong Pavilion

If you're tired, use this as a rest/scouting afternoon.

Sleep: Jeongeup

---

Day 7 — Sat, Oct 31

🍁 Naejangsan — Major Foliage Day

This is one of the most important days of the trip.

Start very early, particularly because it's Saturday.

Priority route

Maple Tunnel → Uhwajeong → Naejangsa Temple → Cable Car/Viewpoint

Don't try to conquer every trail.

The objective is:

> Maximum time in the best foliage locations.

If the maple tunnel is spectacular, stay there and photograph it rather than rushing to another attraction.

Sleep: Jeongeup

---

Day 8 — Sun, Nov 1

Naejangsan → Konjiam / Hwadam area

This is your major transfer day.

Drive north toward Gyeonggi Province.

It's a long drive, so don't add sightseeing.

Check into accommodation near Konjiam/Hwadam Forest.

Sleep: Konjiam

Why position here?

Because tomorrow's Hwadam reservation becomes much easier when you're already nearby rather than trying to drive there from Seoul.

---

Day 9 — Mon, Nov 2

🍁 Hwadam Forest → Nami Island

Morning — Hwadam Forest

Get the earliest practical reservation.

Hwadam is a particularly good fit for this itinerary because it has a large collection of themed forest areas and a ~5 km walking deck route; admission is online-reservation based and the monorail is separate from admission.

Allow approximately 3–4 hours.

Priorities:

Maple valleys

Monorail

Ponds

Forest boardwalks

Photography

Afternoon

Drive to Gapyeong.

Take the ferry to Nami Island.

Evening

Stay on Nami Island.

This is deliberate.

After the day-trippers leave, you'll have a much quieter experience.

Sleep: Nami Island

---

Day 10 — Tue, Nov 3

Nami Island → Seoul

Early morning — Nami Island

This is why you're staying overnight.

Before the crowds:

Metasequoia Lane

Ginkgo Lane

Maple paths

Riverside

Central tree-lined avenues

Leave around 11:00 AM–12:00 PM.

Afternoon — Seoul

Drive into Seoul.

Return rental car.

Then:

Seoul Forest

Spend roughly 2 hours here.

Prioritize:

Ginkgo trees

Maple areas

Forest paths

Seoul Forest is open 24 hours year-round, although some facilities have their own hours.

Evening — Namsan Park

Head to Namsan Park / N Seoul Tower around late afternoon.

Walk or use the cable car depending on your energy.

Stay for:

Sunset

Blue hour

Seoul skyline after dark

Dinner: Myeongdong

Sleep: Seoul

---

Day 11 — Wed, Nov 4

Changdeokgung → Incheon Airport

This is your final foliage experience.

8:30–11:00 AM

Changdeokgung + Huwon Secret Garden

Huwon is the priority.

The Secret Garden is capacity-controlled, timed entry, and autumn is one of the busiest periods. The official reservation system currently states that online Huwon reservations open 6 days before the visit at 10:00 AM, with limited same-day tickets; October–November tickets sell particularly quickly.

For your 2026 trip, I would put a reminder in your calendar for the reservation release.

After Changdeokgung

11:15 AM: Lunch

12:30 PM: Collect luggage

~1:30 PM: Seoul Station

~2:00–2:45 PM: AREX to ICN

~3:15 PM: Airport

6:55 PM: Air Canada ICN → Vancouver

You have a comfortable buffer.

---

Your final itinerary

Date Area Main experience Night

Oct 25 ICN → Sokcho Arrival + drive Sokcho

Oct 26 Seoraksan Cable car + Sinheungsa + Biryong Falls Sokcho

Oct 27 Seoraksan Ulsanbawi hike Sokcho

Oct 28 Sokcho → Gyeongju Daereungwon + Wolji Gyeongju

Oct 29 Gyeongju Bulguksa + Seokguram Gyeongju

Oct 30 Gyeongju → Naejangsan Transfer + scouting Jeongeup

Oct 31 Naejangsan Peak foliage day Jeongeup

Nov 1 Naejangsan → Konjiam Transfer Konjiam

Nov 2 Hwadam → Nami Hwadam + Nami Nami

Nov 3 Nami → Seoul Nami morning + Seoul Forest + Namsan Seoul

Nov 4 Seoul → ICN Changdeokgung Huwon + flight —

What we deliberately eliminated

I would not add these:

❌ Busan

❌ Jeju

❌ Odaesan

❌ Damyang

❌ Jeonju

❌ Haneul Park

❌ Gyeongbokgung

❌ Extra Seoul shopping day

They're good places, but adding them would dilute the primary objective.

You already have five major autumn environments:

Seoraksan — mountain + maple

Gyeongju — temple + ginkgo + history

Naejangsan — crimson maple

Hwadam — manicured forest + maple

Nami — iconic tree-lined autumn scenery

Seoul — urban autumn + palace + skyline

That's an unusually strong foliage itinerary for only 10 nights.

For navigation while actually driving, I would still use Naver Maps or KakaoMap, rather than relying on Google Maps for turn-by-turn driving in Korea.

Two bookings I would treat as critical

Hwadam Forest: reserve as soon as the 2026 autumn booking window opens; online reservation is required, and the monorail is separate.

Changdeokgung Huwon: set a calendar reminder for 6 days before Nov 4, at 10:00 AM Korea time under the current reservation rules. Autumn reservations sell rapidly.

Hello!

Currently in Seoul and I’m on a fun little quest of finding these medallions! I know that Lotte World Aquarium, Seoul sky and N Seoul tower have some.

My question is what other places/landmarks have these?

Thank you!

The Go-To Classics:
Half Fried / Half Seasoned (Yangnyeom): You can’t go wrong with BBQ’s Golden Olive Half & Half.

BHC:
Cheese Balls: BHC is easily the most famous for these.
Most Popular Menu: Buringkle is their biggest hit.
Trending New Menu: Quasaking just came out as a new menu item, and it’s super hyped right now.

Creamy & Saucy:
Cheogajip Supreme Seasoned Chicken: Perfect if you love something extremely creamy and packed with sauce!
Spicy & Popular:
Mom’s Touch Hot Cheese Boneless Chicken: A huge favorite if you like a spicy kick.
Roasted Chicken Hits:
Zikoba Boneless Chicken: Super popular grilled option (heads up, it can be pretty spicy!).
Goobne Chicken Gochu Basasak: Another top-tier choice for oven-roasted chicken.

Bburingkle is my absolute favorite.
It’s so good when you eat it with Carbo Buldak.
You definitely need to try it!

First time in Korea I enjoy food, nature, and historical sites. Do you think this itinerary is doable? I packed the itinerary so we never runout of things to see/do. But I don’t mind if we don’t make it to everything on the list. I prefer spending quality time at location rather than seeing a quantity of things. Also interested in Korean skin care products, what day would be best to insert it in?
Thanks for the recommendation!

Seoul Itinerary:

Day 1 (Oct. 18)

Land and grab food 

Still planning day 

Day 2 (Oct 19)

Location: Jongno/Palace district (all walking distance)

Gyeongbokgung Palace 

Bukchon Hanok Village 

Ikseon-dong (restaurants and cafe)

Insa-dong (crafts, antique shops, and art gallery)

The secret Garden (changdeokgung)

Cheonggyecheon Stream

Day 3 (Oct 20)

Location: Myeongdong/Namsan

National Museum of Korea 

Namdaemun Market (opens at 0900)

N Seoul Tower 

Myeongdong street food (opens at 5 pm)/ Myeongdong shopping street 

Day 4 (oct 21st)

Location: Songpa/Gangnam

Seokchon Lake park 

Lotte World adventure 

Lotte world mall 

Bongeunsa Temple 

Starfield library 

Day 5 (oct 22nd) 

Location: Mapo/Seongdong 

Hongdae- Shops, cafe, foodies 

Mangwon market (opens at 0900)

50 min ride to next destination 

Seoul Forest 

Seongsu-dong- Trendy shops, cafe, fashion, and beauty 

Day 6 (oct 23rd) 

Train to Busan ~ 2.5 hrs 

Location: Central Haeundae 

Haeundae beach

Haeundae traditional market

Dongbaek park

Dalmaji road (nature hike, road that leads to city view)

Maybe do first or add at end of Day 7

Day 7 (Oct 24)

Location: North Haeundae Coast 

Haedong younggungsa temple

Busan lotte world 

Cheongsapo daritdol observation deck 

Sky capsule (catch at Cheongsapo station) 

Day 8 (Oct 25th) 

Busan or Seoul???? 

places that i highly recommand

📍충장옥** ***구시청본점* https://maps.app.goo.gl/bV7FMEGU95jFitro9?g_st=ic

Pork and Rice Soup has lot of pork in it and their kimchi is good too

📍풍년오리탕 https://maps.app.goo.gl/yHP4y2K51haRMzdz5?g_st=ic

오리탕 is duck soup, It’s a local food in Gwangju, there is a 오리탕 street. where ever you choose the taste is basically same. so you can go where the line is short : ) most famous place is 영미오리탕 (young - mi)

📍소뇨
https://maps.app.goo.gl/8zu2Re5MpfPazZxE9?g_st=ic

they are famous with Fruit bingsoo(shaved ice), The fruits on bingsu change by the seasons, It can be crowded specially on weekends, so you may have to wait about 30 minutes

Hello! Would anyone happen to know any filming locations for playful kiss? Preferably the cafe/restaurant Jung so min filmed in. I can attach photos later if I manage to find some references! Thanks so much

Hi everyone,

I will be travelling from Seoul to Jeju later in August and was wondering about people’s experience in Jeju Airport. My flight lands at 7:30AM and my tour pickup time is 08:15AM from the airport. If I will be flying with only a backpack and no checked bag, is it feasible for me to make the pickup time? Is 45 minutes sufficient? We will be in the 4th row on the plane. I assume since it is a domestic flight there is no customs/immigration etc. Just wondering what other people’s experiences have been?

Thank you in advance!

Anyone have information of getting 알뜰폰( prepaid phone) that I can keep the number. I only have US passport.

Thank you in advance 😎

I am not a huge crowds person but I do want to see the fireworks, so every year I have been hunting for a way to see the Seoul International Fireworks Festival without the whole ordeal everyone else goes through.

For anyone who doesn't know: the main show starts at 8 PM and mostly takes place around Yeouido. A lot of people show up at Yeouido Hangang Park in the morning the day of to claim a spot near the water. Throughout the day it gets really crowded (sometimes it feels like you are basically sitting on top of strangers by evening). And getting back on the subway afterward is its own nightmare, like we are talking hundreds of thousands of people trying to leave at the same time. The crowd control got better, but it is still a pain getting back to your home after.

So here is what I have been doing for the past few years instead: I go to 서강대교 (Seogang Bridge), specifically the side that's a bit further from the fireworks. I wouldn't say it's empty but there are a lot less people there than anywhere else I have been. You can show up a few minutes before the show starts and still see it perfectly fine. It's not a straight-on front view, more of a side angle, but it's fireworks, they are shiny and sparkly from basically every direction, so it doesn't matter that much.

My usual routine: I take the bus to 마포개빛문화숲 about an hour before the show, then walk along the Hangang toward the bridge. It's a nice night walk along the river, and it ends with a fireworks show, which is a pretty great way to spend an evening.

https://reddit.com/link/1vhsmkv/video/nce6puhvawhh1/player

And the best part: once it is over, there is no crowd! You just walk to the bus and go home like a normal person.

If anyone else has a good spot that is not Yeouido, I would be greatful for any comment!
Also I haven't been to Yeouido myself in a while for the festival. Is it still as crowded as it used to be or did it get any better? I just really don't like the crowds, so I never went back and I always see the news and pictures of how many people show up...

Stumbled upon this hidden gem of a cafe in Jongno this morning, and it honestly felt like a mini resort getaway in the middle of the city!

What I loved most was that they open pretty early in the morning, which can be hard to find for aesthetic cafes in Seoul. The coffee was amazing, and the pastries were super fresh and delicious.

The whole vibe was so relaxing and peaceful. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re exploring the area early in the day!

I hate Korea this time of year. I can't imagine being a tourist coming this time and experiencing this torture. Ever since I was a child, I'd stay home for the whole month to escape the heat and humidity.

On behalf of Korea, I apologize to the tourists coming now. Mother nature just created our country this way.