Seoul, Korea trip report and recommendations

Hi all! I wanted to highlight a recent itinerary taken to Seoul, Korea. Seoul felt like the perfect place to combine beauty, local life, food, and cultural experiences in one trip. I thought I would share some favorite spots!

Le Space is the largest interactive media art exhibition in Korea, and it really feels like you are inside another world. It’s a very immersive experience with digital installations that feel like you are inside a different universe: galaxies, lights, and moving visuals all around you. It’s very unique and worth visiting.

Wangbijib Myeongdong Central was a great spot for Korean BBQ. The meat quality was high, and the staff cooked everything for us at the table, allowing an authentic but also comfortable vibe for tourists. Myeongdong Kyoja is another great spot. The menu is very simple with just a 4 dishes, but everything is done really well. Portions were big, prices were affordable, and the food felt very comforting.

Mimiline Mall is a great spot to shop for skincare! It has several floors, but the third floor has the skincare. You can find many Korean brands there, and the selection is huge. It honestly felt like a paradise for skincare, you can easily spend hours there.

Hongdae is a cool neighborhood to check out. It’s very young, energetic, and modern. You see street performances, dancers, trendy fashion, and a lot of small restaurants and cafes. There is also a big two-floor store of the popular brand Medicube, which is definitely worth visiting if you’re into skincare.

Bongeunsa Temple is another must, it felt like a completely different world. Surrounded by modern skyscrapers, the temple is quiet, peaceful, and very traditional. You see monks, people praying, and simple wooden buildings. It’s a strong contrast with the busy city around. It’s not a huge complex, but the atmosphere is very special and worth visiting, even for a short time.

About an hour from Sinchon is the Bukchon Hanok Village. This area feels completely different from the rest of Seoul. It’s a traditional neighborhood with hanok houses, small streets, and views over the city. It’s one of those places where you really feel the history and culture. There is a lot to see around like temples, museums, traditional houses, so it’s better to plan at least one full day, or even two if you want to explore everything slowly. There are also tea houses and small museums where you can sit down, try traditional tea, and just enjoy the atmosphere.

Changgyeonggung Palace is less crowded compared to others in Seoul, which makes it more peaceful to explore. It was originally built during the Joseon Dynasty and was used as a residential palace for royal family members. Unlike other palaces in Seoul, Changgyeonggung doesn’t follow a strict symmetrical layout.The area is quite large, with gardens, traditional buildings, and open spaces. It feels calm and not too touristy.

Pictures from left to right: Changgyeonggung Palace (pics 1 and 2), Le Space (pics 3 and 4), Bongeunsa Temple, and Bukchon Hanok Village.