South Korea is brimming with culture, history, and breathtaking natural beauty. It’s also a nation renowned for its innovation and modernity, which is evident in the numerous entertaining activities to partake in while in South Korea. From exploring traditional temples and palaces to experimenting with cutting-edge technologies, there is something for everyone to enjoy in South Korea.
This article will delve into 11 of the most enjoyable and extraordinary things to do in South Korea, encompassing outdoor adventures and indoor pursuits. Whether you are an enthusiastic traveler seeking novel experiences or simply looking to infuse some excitement into your vacation, this list caters to your preferences. So, let us accompany you on a journey uncovering some of the most unique and thrilling activities that South Korea has to offer.
The 11 Entertaining and Unusual Activities in South Korea
There are numerous enjoyable and intriguing activities that allow you to fully immerse yourself in all that this remarkable country has to offer. Here are a few suggestions for fun-filled endeavors to partake in while in South Korea:
1. Embark on a journey aboard the world’s pioneering battery-powered eco-friendly train
The Haeundae Beach Train, officially known as the “Blue Line,” has become a popular tourist attraction. Operating on a 4.8-kilometer railway track spanning from Mipo to Cheongsapo and Songjeong, this train provides picturesque coastal views and transports passengers to some of Busan’s prominent destinations, including the Dalmaji Tunnel, Daritdol Skywalk, and Cheongsapo. The train’s interior exudes an enchanting ambiance, with 12 wooden benches accommodating up to eight individuals each. All the seats face the sea, allowing passengers to fully appreciate the scenic seascapes. The second row bench is elevated, ensuring an unobstructed view of the wide-open sea for all passengers. Since its inauguration, the Haeundae Blue Line Park beach train has become a highly sought-after tourist spot in Busan.
Location: 116, Cheongsapo-ro, Haeundae-gu, BusanOperating hours: 09:30 – 19:00
2. Savor wine within an abandoned cave in Jeollanam-do
Gwangmyeong Wine Cave is a cultural and artistic complex situated within a refurbished railway tunnel, offering wine and art experiences to visitors. Within the complex lies a wine bar called the Wine Cave, showcasing an impressive collection of 170 different wines from 50 wineries located in 27 cities across South Korea. All the wines available at the Wine Cave have undergone blind tastings and have been meticulously vetted through on-site inspections of the wineries and production processes. The Gwangyang Wine Cave serves as the epicenter of Korean wines and provides an ideal setting to unwind and relish a diverse selection of international and local wines in a cozy environment.
Location: 33, Gangjeong-gil Gwangyang-eup, Gwangyang-si, Jeollanam-doHours: 10:00 – 16:00
3. Enjoy top-tier restorative products at the Sulwhasoo Flagship Store
Sulwhasoo is a highly respected botanical cosmetics company in Korea that produces premium goods that are well-liked both domestically and internationally. The Sulwhasoo Flagship Store was opened in Seoul, near Dosan Park, and showcases a lavish spa, exhibition area, and a Sulwhasoo boutique where customers can experience and purchase products. The spa at the Flagship Store merges ancient Asian beauty practices with contemporary life, providing solace to tired skin, holistic treatment to harmonize the body, and traditional rituals to regain mental equilibrium and inner beauty. The programs offered at the spa are either seventy or ninety minutes in duration. Products bought at the Flagship Store are adorned with hanbok ribbons and wrapped in exclusive Sulwhasoo patterned cloths, known as jihambo (meaning wisdom, same, and bojagi cloth). This cloth is truly unique.
Location: Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Top 10 Explanations To Visit South Korea & Have A Blast With Your Family In 2022!
4. Experience the exclusive Medicinal Herbal Foot Baths
The Korean Medicine Experience Town offers a variety of paid activities centered around traditional medicine, including medicinal herbal foot baths, oriental medicine and beauty experiences, and more. For those who wish to try traditional medicine for free, the ICT Korean Medicine Experience Hall provides a range of programs and activities, including VR and AR experiences like Sasang constitution diagnosis, chiropractic healing, and Chi exercise. The medicinal herbal foot baths are available in both moist and dry varieties, with the moist option raising body temperature and the dry option utilizing far-infrared radiation instead of water. The oriental medicine and beauty programs include acupressure beds, cautery, and skincare treatments like facial masks. No matter your age, the ICT Korean Medicine Experience Hall has something for everyone to conveniently experience the advantages of Korean traditional medicine.
Location: 45, Jungang-daero 77-gil, Jung-gu, DaeguHours: 10:00 – 17:30, Closed Mondays
5. Participate in the Boryeong Mud Festival
Daecheon Beach in Boryeong, Chungcheongnam-do is a popular summer destination in Korea. Each summer, the Boryeong Mud Festival attracts the largest number of international visitors to the beach. The festival is a major draw for tourists, who come to experience the advantages of Boryeong’s mud and have a fantastic time. Visitors completely immerse themselves in the mud and the festival atmosphere, enjoying various activities and programs.
Location: Areas of Boryeong Mud Theme Park
8 Picturesque Beaches In South Korea That Will Relax Your Mind, Body, And Spirit!
6. Embrace the Importance of Sluggishness at Jeonju Hanok Village (Slow City)
Jeonju Hanok Village is situated in the city of Jeonju and encompasses the neighborhoods of Pungnam-dong and Gyo-dong. The village is home to 735 traditional Korean hanok houses, which have been preserved while the rest of the city has become industrialized. Another characteristic of hanok houses is their use of ondol, a unique floor heating system. Since Koreans enjoy sitting, eating, and sleeping on the floor, the floor needs to be kept warm during the winter. To experience what it’s like to reside in a hanok house, visitors can either reserve a hanok accommodation or visit the Hanok Life Experience Hall.
Location: 99, Girin-daero, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
7. Sample Convenience Store Cuisine
Convenience stores in South Korea, also known as “c-stores,” offer a wide array of food and drink options, including sandwiches, pastries, snacks, and hot and cold beverages. Many convenience stores also provide ready-to-eat meals such as instant noodles, rice bowls, and kimbap (Korean sushi rolls). For cup noodles, you can try different levels of spiciness like Jin Ramen (mild), Tempura Udon Noodle Soup, and Sari Gomtang Noodles. These meals are often kept warm in a heating cabinet or can be heated in-store using a microwave. Convenience stores in South Korea are a favored destination for a swift and convenient meal or snack and are open for extended hours, frequently 24/7.
28 Breathtaking Places To Explore In South Korea In 2022
8. Explore Hyundai Motorstudio & Samsung Innovation Museum
Immerse yourself in the world of auto manufacturing and its future at Hyundai Motorstudio Goyang! This special destination features: Robotic arms that paint and assemble cars and airbags that illuminate upon touch, “Smart moving” technology that makes way for futuristic cars and pedestrians to pass by, and numerous aluminum poles that morph into various shapes in response to music. Samsung Innovation Museum is an electronic industrial museum operated by Samsung, a prominent global company based in South Korea. The museum is divided into three main sections, where visitors can learn about the history of Korea’s electronic industry and the past, present, and future of the semiconductor, display, and mobile industries, where Samsung has made notable achievements. The museum also houses an educational facility known as the Children’s Display Research Institute.
Location(s):
129, Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
738 Eonju-ro, Nonhyeon-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea
9. Explore the Skybridge at Lotte World Tower
The Sky Bridge Tour, a recent attraction, was launched on July 24, 2020. This tour allows visitors to stroll across the Seoul Sky Observatory, which is connected to the Lotte World Tower’s two structures at the pinnacle. The outdoor bridge offers awe-inspiring 360-degree vistas of Seoul and is 11 meters long and 541 meters above the ground. Visitors commence the tour at the Sky Station on the 117th floor, where they receive safety instructions and equipment before venturing outdoors. The Sky Bridge Tour is situated in close proximity to several other attractions, including the Lotte World Amusement Park and the Olympic Park, which feature nine captivating spots for taking photos, such as the One Tree Hill, Rose Plaza, seasonal wildflower garden, sculptures, fortress walking paths, lake, and musical fountain.
Location: Lotte World Tower, 300, Olympic-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
26 Destinations To Explore In Korea During Winter 2022 That Would Captivate You With Their Allure
10. Embark on a K-Pop tour of your favorite idols
During a K-pop tour, participants can seize the opportunity to visit the offices of major K-pop agencies such as SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment, and witness where K-pop idols train and rehearse. They may also pay a visit to the MBC World theme park, which is dedicated to K-pop and Korean dramas, as well as the K-Pop Museum in Seoul, which showcases the history and development of K-pop. Alongside these activities, K-pop tours may encompass the chance to attend K-pop concerts and other events featuring beloved K-pop artists. Some tours may also incorporate visits to other popular attractions in South Korea, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, the Namsan Tower, and the Myeong-dong shopping district.
11. Savor extraordinary tea flavors, quality, and experiences in a tea house
Conventional herbal tea is renowned for its diverse health advantages, including preventing colds, enhancing recovery from fatigue, promoting blood circulation, and providing skincare benefits. Tea Therapy is a rustic and charming teahouse situated in a renovated hanok house, which is a cultural heritage site, where visitors can indulge in traditional herbal tea in a comfortable and refined manner. The O’sulloc Tea Museum in Jeju is another favored attraction for tea enthusiasts. In addition to the museum itself, many individuals visit the Seogwang Tea Plantation, which is located adjacent to the museum. The plantation is one of three sites where O’sulloc cultivates tea, and it represents the main location.
Location: 15, Sinhwayeoksa-ro, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
5 Places Worth Exploring On Korea Tour-Land Of Morning Calm
To conclude, this nation is wealthy with astonishing and arguably underrated culture and history, and there are numerous entertaining activities to do in South Korea that will enable you to completely encounter all that this stunning destination has to offer. So don’t hesitate to step outside your solace zone and attempt something new—you never know what astonishing experiences and recollections you’ll create in this lively and energizing country. Visit Namaste Korea to learn more.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Planning Your Next Vacation In South Korea?
Frequently Asked Questions About Enjoyable and Unusual Activities to Do in South Korea
Do I require a visa to travel to South Korea?
This depends on your nation of citizenship and the duration of your stay. Some nationalities are able to enter South Korea without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, while others may need to acquire a visa in advance. It’s a smart thought to check with the South Korean embassy or consulate in your nation to determine what the requirements are for your particular circumstance.
Is it safe to travel to South Korea?
In general, South Korea is an exceptionally safe nation to visit. Crime rates are low, and the individuals are generally friendly and welcoming. However, as with any destination, it’s always a smart thought to be aware of your surroundings and take basic precautions to ensure your safety.
How can I travel around South Korea?
There are numerous ways to travel around South Korea, including trains, buses, taxis, and rental cars. The nation also has a comprehensive subway system that covers most major cities, making it easy to get around.
What is the currency in South Korea?
The currency in South Korea is the Korean won (KRW). Credit cards are widely accepted in major cities, but it’s a smart thought to have some cash on hand for smaller transactions or when visiting more rural areas.
What should I pack for a trip to South Korea?
Some essential items to pack for a trip to South Korea include comfortable walking shoes, layers of clothing to accommodate the changing weather, sunscreen, a hat or umbrella, and any necessary medications. It’s also a smart thought to bring a power adapter if you’re planning to use electronic devices, as the electrical outlets in South Korea are different from those in some other countries.
Category: South Korea, Things To Do
