BY LIZ CLAUDIO
5 reasons why you should be booking your plane ticket right now
Seoul is a beautiful and intriguing place to visit. Much like its Asian neighbors like Tokyo, Taipei, and Manila, Seoul combines wonderful natural sights with spectacular cultural curiosities that will have all kinds of visitors hooked. It’s a city that is filled with towering high-rises and extensive food and entertainment districts, while still preserving that traditional cultural landscape.
You don’t have to be a K-Pop or K-Drama fan to enjoy it, though, although if you are, there’s tons for you to do. But Seoul is just as rich in cultural history, fashion trends, and all things beauty and entertainment. Here are five Seoul highlights:
1. Experience snowfall on Nami Island
If you’re heading to Seoul during the winter, on top of the typical shopping and food extravaganza, don’t pass up the chance to experience a truly spectacular sight: snowfall at the beautiful Nami Island. Many brave the freezing cold for photo ops with the Winter Sonata sculptures and Instagram-worthy backdrops.
2. Rail bike through the picturesque snow-Gangchon Rail Bike Park
Just a 40-minute journey away from the heart of Seoul, the Gangchon Rail Bike Park is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. Although the Bike Park is a great way to work up a sweat in the summer, come the winter months, when the tracks are blanketed by snow and the Bukhangan River is frozen over, make your way along the Mugunghwa train tracks to treat yourself to some stunning scenery.
3. Enjoy a heart-warming Christmas concert
In South Korea, Christmas is all about couples, not families. In recent years, concerts have turned into a must for couples on dates on Christmas Eve and Christmas day itself. Whether you’re travelling with your own special someone, with family, or just riding solo, soak in the Christmas spirit by attending one of these concerts.
4. Hop on a magical journey to Everland
Some are lone riders, others may be saddled with children — but all are amusement park lovers. The always-popular Everland stays seasonally relevant with its winter offerings, with special rides and entertainment, making it a must-see for travelling thrill-seekers.
5. The UNESCO World Heritage Sites
South Korea is so jam-packed with historical centers that you might need months to see them all. There are about eleven Cultural Heritage sites and one Natural Heritage site in Seoul alone, as well as numerous cultural centers that share traditions like old shaman practices, music, martial arts, lyrical folk songs, medieval games, and ancestral rituals. Don’t miss out on the Palaces, or the old-world Bukchon Hanok Village — you can even rent a traditional hanbok for the perfect photo op!
Ready your passports — it’s time to book that plane ticket to Seoul today! Don’t forget to grab a warm and stylist outfit here!