Seoul: Visit Again and Again

Seoul is a vibrant city located in South Korea, one of the most developed Asian countries. I made my first visit to the city in 2010 and ever since my first visit, I have fallen in love with the city. I only had the opportunity to make a short visit to the country. On my one week holiday, I spent about only 3 to 4 days in Seoul itself. It was definitely not enough and you can be assured that I will definitely be back for more. 

There are many reasons why I love Seoul. First, there is lots to do even in the middle of the night. This is something that is unique even when compared to other Asian cities like Bangkok which offers lots of night markets. The Dongdaemun and Namdaemun areas are bustling and come to life at night till early morning. Although there are also 24 hour shopping outlets in Singapore like Mustafa, it pales in comparison to what Seoul has to offer.

Besides shopping, Seoul also has lots of "bang" or "room" like noraebang where you can sing karaoke till your throat is sore and the PC bang where you can play computer games all night. Another type of bang is the Jjimjilbang or a Korean version of spa. Here you can enjoy a spa, shower or sauna and even sleep overnight. It is particularly popular among the Koreans in summer.

Just nearby Seoul, there is a huge theme park called Everland. It is a great place for the entire family to have fun together as there are rides and attractions catering to people of all ages. Besides Everland, in Seoul there are other theme parks like Lotte World which is the world's largest indoor theme park. Unfortunately I had no time to visit this theme park. Besides offering a time of fun, it may also bring back memories of watching Korean dramas like Stairway to Heaven as some pivotal scenes were filmed inside Lotte World itself. 

I visited South Korea in June, which was during the hot season. Thus, I didn't expect to find myself in such freezing conditions. And right in the center of Seoul too! The Ice Gallery promises you a cooling (or freezing) time despite the season. The indoor ice carving gallery consists of various displays such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa and weirder stuff like the toilet bowl. It is not very big but promises a fun time for the entire family. After visiting the gallery, you can learn how to carve your own cup. It is not as easy as it looks though so expect to get your hands dirty and cold in the process. All in all, a nice surprise during hot summer!

As the capital city of South Korea, Seoul is well connected to other provinces in the country by flight. There are many daily flights to the famous Jeju Island. All it takes is just one hour to experience a different type of scenery. On the island, you will realise that Jeju offers a different culture from Seoul. Jeju is famous for its harubang and dormant volcanoes. The haenyeo, or "sea women" are also another distinct qualities of the island.

All in all, I truly enjoyed my trip to Korea, particularly my time in Seoul. There are many sweet memories of my short time there. I will be back again someday to continue my exploration of what Seoul has to offer. Seoul is probably among one of the favourite cities which I have travelled to. Maybe in future, I can visit other cities too like Busan.