I was fortunate enough to experience a month in the beautiful country of Korea, and it was extremely epic. So, for anyone who wants to travel around Asia, consider visiting Korea. It will surprise you. (Especially the food!) Here’s a list of some places and things that I did, visited, and ate. These are all in Seoul, which is kind of the center of most things in Korea. Also, my memory fails to remember the exact locations of these places, so I’m really sorry that I can’t include them here. 

1. Myeongdong 

I think it is safe to say that I did not see a single young Korean who dressed unfashionably. All the girls and the boys there dressed as if they were going to a party everyday. Myeongdong, was an ode to that observation. Known as their most popular shopping district, stores from all ranges can be found there. You can splurge on clothes from branded stores like Zara, H&M, and a big-ass Forever 21, and you can also go to the local boutiques located in the alleys. I spent most of my time in H&M (because I love their clothes there), but I also prioritized the boutiques because that’s where most of the authentic, modern Korean fashion is. Myeongdong is also a great place to spend a nice afternoon. In my opinion, you don’t need to shop to enjoy Myeongdong. You can go there just for the sake of pasyal. (However, you also need to brave through the sea of people that go there. It depends on the traveler, I think.)
And on a personal note, Myeongdong also gave me a really awesome memory when my friend and I got lost going home from there—it was just the two of us teenagers—and it was totally epic, wild, and an adventure.   

2. Namsan Tower

You can either ride a bus going to Namsan tower, or ride a tram. I rode the tram. It was like a preview of the view you’d see on top of the tower. The view on top, though, was the real thing: a wide, fantastic view of Seoul. What made the experience even more beautiful were the the locks that surrounded the viewing deck. It was a nice feeling for me, knowing that all these people have locked their love in this beautiful place. Cheesy, but nice.   

3. Lotte Department Store

A small introduction: The company Lotte probably owns everything in Korea. Well, they probably practically own everything—from food chains, to hotels, to baseball teams, to theme parks. They’re a really powerful conglomerate in Korea. 

Moving on: If you want to experience luxury, glamor, etc etc, go to Lotte Department Store. All the top stores like Prada, LV, Gucci, Chanel, and all those along that line can be found there. The department store part of it is pretty expensive, so if you’re looking to save a few bucks, refrain from buying from there. You’d find lots of food selections there too. (There will be a grocery somewhere there.) 

4. Traditional Korean Palaces 

There are five grand palaces in Seoul: Changdeokgung, Changgyeonggung, Deoksugung, Gyeongbokgung and Gyeonghuigung. I went to Deoksugung and Gyeongbokgung. The biggest palace would be Gyeongbokgung. It’s probably the most famous one and the one where most tourists go to. It will give you a really nice perspective on the history of Korea. I definitely recommend that travelers visit it, because the whole Korean experience wouldn’t be complete without a view on its history. 

5. Gwang Hwa Moon Square

I wanted to go so much to this place because of the Seoul music video with Super Junior and Girls’ Generation. I was extremely stoked when I got there. There were kids playing around in the fountain, a huge statue of an important Korean warrior, a great gate to Gyeongbokgung palace behind it, and an awesome feeling that’s like, “Wow, I’m in Seoul!” It felt like a surreal experience. 

6. Korean Ice Cream

I personally dubbed Korean Ice Cream as the best ice cream in the whole world. It’s creamy, flavorful, not too sweet, and amazing. During my stay there, there wasn’t a week where I wouldn’t eat ice cream. It was essential. 

8. Kyobo Bookstore 

I kind of compared this bookstore to Kinokuniya, because it was massive and shiny too, but I realized that Kyobo has its own charm. I love bookstores, and this bookstore is, I think, the biggest and most extensive in Korea. This isn’t really a must go-to for tourists, but for book lovers, yes. I’ve always felt that acquiring books or at least magazines from other countries is something worth it. 

9. Korean Street Food

To fully experience Korean cuisine, you  have to try at least one kind of Korean street food. It’s common among popular culture—you see lots of locals walking around and enjoying it. It’s mostly oily, tasty, authentic, and tasty all over again. There’s a wide selection of it—the most popular would be tokbukki, a rice cake dish in spicy sauce. 

10. Insadong 

Insadong is a place for the hip, young, Koreans. Ironically enough, it’s actually filled with traditional shops. But the energy and vibe is great, and you’ll find a great deal of culture there, with all the traditional shops and art galleries. And there’s this restaurant there with the best dumplings ever, and I’m really sorry that I forget its  name. D:

11. Banpo Bridge

One of my biggest regrets is not seeing Banpo Bridge in action, when all the water comes out with the lights and all at night. I think, though, that this is a must go, just to see how innovative and creative the Koreans are. And it’s a beautiful sight, most definitely. 

12. Hongdae

Hongdae is where you’d find all the hipsters. There are rock bands playing in the streets, hip coffee shops, hipster clothing stores.. everything about it is so hipster. It’s also located near the universities in Seoul, so I guess that’s why. The actual cafe that The First Shop of Coffee Prince shot at and a Hello Kitty Cafe are stationed there, too.

Lastly, a few dishes that you HAVE to consume when you’re in Korea: Galbi Jim (beef rib stew), Bulgogi, Kimbap, Bibimbap, Kimchi, of course!, RICE (it is moist, and everything you want rice to be), and finally, chicken. Their chicken is a whole new experience of chicken—crispy, tasty, unlike any other. 

I hope that this was an enjoyable read! And I apologize for it being quite long. But most of all, I hope that more people will get to experience Korea’s awesomeness! <3