Seoul Winter Trip

Our flight from Manila departed early in the morning so we arrived around noon in Incheon.

Took the Airport Express to Seoul Station, which was just a 5min walk from our Airbnb. Our Airbnb is a shared house exclusive for females. Rooms are private yet tiny, while the toilet and shower areas are shared. However, the amenities are really good. Each room has its own fridge and desk with chair. Towels and toiletries are provided. There’s kitchen and laundry facilities that are free to use. Coffee, tea, clean drinking water, and instant ramen are provided free of charge.

First stop is Namsan Tower. It’s also known as N Seoul Tower and is a popular landmark in Seoul. We took a cable car up the mountain to reach the tower, which offers great views of the city. The tower is a favorite spot for both tourists and locals, especially for its panoramic views and love locks.

Mokmyeoksanbang is a renowned restaurant in Seoul, recognized by the Michelin Guide for its excellent bibimbap. Bibimbap is dish consisting of a bowl of warm white rice topped with various seasoned vegetables, a fried egg, and gochujang. I ordered the bulgogi bibimbap which is basically bibimbap with thinly sliced marinated beef. This was sooo good! The food here costs US$5 to 8, which I think is pretty affordable.

Myeongdong Shopping Street is a bustling area in Seoul known for its numerous shops, street food vendors, and cosmetics stores. It's a popular destination for both tourists and locals looking for trendy fashion, beauty products, and delicious snacks.

Lotte World is a major amusement park in Seoul featuring both indoor and outdoor attractions, including rides, shows, and an ice skating rink. It is a favorite destination for families and tourists seeking fun and entertainment. Visitors typically need one full day here to enjoy everything it offers We had fun with the rides. Tip: take advantage of the timed entries to avoid waiting in line for hours.

The COEX Starfield Library is an impressive public library located inside the COEX Mall in Seoul, featuring towering bookshelves and a vast collection of books. The COEX Mall itself is a massive shopping and entertainment complex, offering a wide range of stores, restaurants, and attractions.

This is a local restaurant near our Airbnb. It specializes in kalguksu, which is a traditional Korean noodle soup made with handmade, knife-cut wheat flour noodles. It was so good and comforting. We also tried their mandu (dumplings) and they were very delicious.

For day 3, we went on a guided tour with the pickup point near Myeongdong. First stop is Nami Island. It is a picturesque, crescent-shaped island near Seoul, known for its beautiful tree-lined paths and scenic landscapes. It's a popular destination for couples and families, offering a tranquil escape and various recreational activities. It was super magical in winter. If you’re going in winter, the island offers several activities including snowsledding which is free. You can also buy marshmallows and roast them on one of the firepits.

For lunch, we had dakgalbi, which is a popular Korean dish made with marinated chicken pieces stir-fried with vegetables, rice cakes, and a spicy gochujang (red chili paste) sauce. It's typically cooked at the table on a hot plate. We also tried naengmyeon, which is a refreshing Korean cold noodle dish, often served in a tangy iced broth or mixed with a spicy sauce. The noodles are typically made from buckwheat.

Next stop is Snowyland at Vivaldi Park. It is a winter wonderland located in Hongcheon, known for its snow-covered slopes and fun winter activities. It’s a great spot for skiing, snowboarding, and other snow-related entertainment.

Third stop is Gapyeong Strawberry Farm, whic offers visitors a delightful experience of picking fresh strawberries straight from the vine. We also made strawberry jam and got to enjoy it on a warm toast.

The Garden of the Morning Calm is a beautiful botanical garden near Seoul, showcasing a wide variety of plants and themed gardens. It’s a popular spot for leisurely strolls and appreciating nature's beauty throughout the year. In winter, it has the lights festival. This was our last stop before we were dropped off at Myeongdong.

Gyeongbokgung Palace is a grand royal palace in Seoul, originally built in the 14th century. It offers a glimpse into Korea's royal heritage with its beautiful architecture and extensive grounds. Here you can also find the National Palace Museum of Korea which houses over 40,000 artifacts and royal treasures, from the palaces of the Joseon Dynasty and the Korean Empire.

Bukchon Hanok Village is a traditional Korean village in Seoul, showcasing well-preserved hanok houses. Visitors can explore the narrow streets and experience the charm of historic Korean architecture.

Ikseondong Hanok Village is a vibrant neighborhood in Seoul, blending traditional hanok houses with trendy cafes and boutiques. It’s a unique area where old meets new, attracting both locals and tourists.

There are so many cute cafes in Ikseondong, it was so hard to choose one. We ended up going to this pretty forest-themed cafe. The coffee was sooo good and the cake was delicious.

Jongmyo Shrine is a Confucian shrine in Seoul dedicated to the spirits of the Joseon Dynasty kings and queens. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, known for its historical significance and tranquil surroundings.

For dinner, we went to a local restaurant near Seoul station. We had jjimdak and nurungi. Jjimdak is a savory Korean braised chicken dish cooked with soy sauce, glass noodles, and various vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions. It’s known for its rich, slightly sweet and spicy flavor, making it a hearty and satisfying meal. Nurungji is a Korean dish made from the crispy, slightly burnt rice that forms at the bottom of a pot after cooking. It goes really well with the jjimdak.

For day 5, we booked a ski/snowboarding package for an entire day. The package includes roundtrip transportation by bus to the ski resort, full gear rental, lift pass, 2-hr beginner lessons, and 4hrs of practicing on our own. I chose snowboarding. It was challenging but I had fun. Pickup and dropoff was at Myeongdong.

For dinner, we had Korean BBQ. The grilled meat is typically wrapped in lettuce or perilla leaves along with garlic, ssamjang, and various other condiments, creating a delicious and interactive dining experience. This place offers unlimited meat, rice, side dishes, and drinks for around US$16. It was such a good deal!

For dessert, we had bingsu which is a popular Korean shaved ice dessert, often topped with sweet ingredients such as red beans, fruit, condensed milk, and various syrups. We ordered the tiramisu bingsu, and it’s good for sharing between two people. It was freezing cold that day but we still enjoyed this.

Eunpyeong Hanok Village is a charming area in Seoul with traditional Korean houses set against a mountainous backdrop of Bukhansan. It provides a serene and picturesque setting for visitors to experience Korean culture and architecture. Unlike Bukchon Hanok Village, this place isn’t crowded with tourists, even on weekends. To get here, we took a bus from Seoul Station. The bus ride is approximately 1 hour and we got off at the bus stop next to the village entrance.

Just a short walk from the village is Jingwansa Temple. Jingwansa Temple is a historic Buddhist temple, offering a peaceful retreat and cultural insight. Visitors can participate in temple stay programs and enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. After the temple, we went back to the village to walk around some more.

Irin Iljan Cafe is known for its cozy atmosphere and delicious coffee. It has a total of 4 floors and you get panoramic views of Eunpyeong Hanok Village on the upper floors.

Next we went to Hongdae for some shopping. Before that, we went to a popular Korean fried chicken place for late lunch.

Hongdae is a lively district in Seoul, famous for its vibrant youth culture, street performances, and nightlife. It’s a hotspot for trendy shops, cafes, and clubs, attracting both locals and tourists. At night, you can watch people busking on the streets, which was a pretty cool experience.

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, this cafe is a must-visit! 943 Kings Cross is a Harry Potter-themed cafe in Seoul, offering a magical experience with its detailed decor and themed drinks.

Cheonggyecheon Stream is a scenic urban waterway running through the heart of Seoul, South Korea. Once covered by highways, it has been transformed into a popular public space featuring walking paths, bridges, and art installations. The stream provides a peaceful retreat from the city's hustle and bustle, attracting both locals and tourists.

HiKR Ground is an immersive tourism space opened by the Korea Tourism Organization. It is a vibrant fusion of K-Pop, K-Drama, and Korean culture. Admission is free. If you’re a fan of BTS, then you’ll love seeing the laundry shop set which is a replice of the laundry shop in the “Permission to Dance” MV.

Then we went back to Myeongdong Street for more shopping.

This is a fun activity to do in Seoul. Wappen House is a unique and creative spot where you can customize bag tags, bags, pouches, and many other items using iron-on patches. We got one each as a cool souvenir for our trip. The bag tags start at US$4 while patches start at US$0.80 for the smallest ones. There are lots of stap colors and hundreds of patches to choose from!

Then we went to Myeongdong Underground to find a local food stall that offers only two items: gimbap and tteokbokki. Gimbap is a Korean dish made by rolling cooked rice, vegetables, and other ingredients in dried seaweed sheets. It's similar to sushi but typically doesn't contain raw fish. Tteokbokki is a beloved Korean street food made with chewy rice cakes cooked in a spicy, sweet, and savory sauce. It's often paired with fish cakes. These were so cheap and they’re probably the best gimbap and tteokbokki I’ve ever tried.

After a few more hours of shopping, we went back to our Airbnb to get our bags. Then we took the Airport Express train to Incheon Airport for our flight home. For our last hurrah, we went to the airport restaurant for more Korean food. TRAVEL TIPS: - While many people in Seoul speak English, especially in tourist areas, learning a few basic Korean phrases can be helpful and appreciated. - Get a T-money Card. This rechargeable card can be used for all forms of public transportation (subway, buses, taxis) and even in some convenience stores. It’s convenient and can save you money on transportation. - Google Maps doesn’t work well in South Korea. Make sure to download Naver Map or Kakaomap for navigating the city. - Seoul has excellent internet connectivity, especially in public facilities like subway stations. You can rent a portable Wi-Fi device at the airport or purchase a local SIM card to stay connected. - While credit cards are widely accepted, it's useful to carry some cash for small purchases and at markets. ATMs are readily available and many accept foreign cards. - Tax refunds are available for tourists at many stores. Be sure to ask for a tax refund receipt when making a purchase and claim your refund at the airport before departure.