As the capital, Seoul is a vast metropolis that never sleeps. By day, it’s all about shopping. High-end apartment stores boast beautiful window displays showcasing the latest designer wear from local and European fashionistas, particularly in Gangnam. Now, if that name seems familiar, it is! Gangnam was on everyone’s lips when K-pop singer/songwriter Psy burst onto the international music scene with his infectious single Gangnam Style back in 2012. Annoyingly catchy (once you heard it, you couldn’t get it out of your head), Gangnam Style flew up the charts taking the world and nightclub dance floors everywhere by storm, with flashy dance moves and references to the swanky district that’s the stomping ground for South Korea’s A-listers. Gifting Owl has tours of Gangnam that will help make easy work of it for enthusiastic shopaholics that want to get busy in the best places.
For those who fancy scouring the markets, you’ll be kept busy for days. For perfectly handcrafted jewellery, clothing and assorted accessories the Namdaemun Market is your first stop. The history of this marketplace dates back to the 1400 century and many of the stall owners are following in the footsteps of their ancestor’s many generations removed. The Noryangjin Fish Market is also a good visit if you’re doing your own cooking while you’re in town or if you want to stick around, you can buy your produce and have it cooked to perfection at one of the on-site restaurants. The market is housed in a large modern multi-storey building representing the shape of a ship and like a lot of places in Seoul, operates all day, every day.
Once the sun goes down, Seoul is all about the nightlife It’s a 24/7 city. You can eat, drink and dance the night away - no closing time to chase you home. Korean BBQ is not to be missed! And the streets are always busy as people make their way to their favourite restaurant. BBQ or fried chicken are hugely popular and swilled down with glasses of cold beer or soju - a traditional liquor that’s soft on the palate but for the uninitiated can also land a punch with its high alcohol content. It’s not long before the karaoke bars and nightclubs start thumping with revellers that have plenty of hours ahead to make it through their song lists.
The city of Busan on the south-east coast is another top spot for sizzling night time action and daytime adventure. Like Seoul, it is a fashion and cosmetics hub. Busan is a great place to escape the city blues without sacrificing the benefits of a big city. So, if you feel like chasing the sun in a spectacular setting Busan should definitely be on your ‘to-visit’ list.
Drinking tea is one of the great South Korean traditions that is more of an art form than a thirst quencher. Go anywhere in South Korea and you are certain to find quiet retreat in one of the many tea houses that line the streets. On a trip to the markets, you are completely spoiled for choice with shop after shop offering everything ‘Tea’ from the finest bone china teapots, cups and saucers decorated with traditional patterns to every conceivable flavoured tea you can imagine. While there are some neutral options, the patterns used are carefully attributed to gender so it’s important to know when choosing your crockery the difference between patterns for men and women to avoid any mix-ups!
Punching well above its weight, South Korea ranks 12th in the world in economic terms - a considerable feat given its small size 99,740 sq km and a population of 51.2 million. Like a Phoenix, as a country torn apart by war in the 20th century, South Korea has emerged in this century as a highly sophisticated Asian hub. Well known for its hi-tech ingenuity, the South Koreans are master designers and builders of leading-edge communications systems, motor cars and ships. And in recent years, their thriving cosmetic surgery industry has helped to boost tourism with visitors choosing to combine their travel adventures with a nip and tuck on the side.
Jutting out into the ocean like a huge apostrophe between mainland China and Japan, South Korea is bordered on three sides by the sea, well, three seas actually - the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan. Against a backdrop of beautiful mountain ranges and sweeping valleys are sparkling sandy beaches; the summer haven for locals and tourists alike, particularly Busan and the sub-tropical island of Jeju. But anytime season is a great time to visit. In autumn the rich reds and burnt hues of falling leaves are a warming reminder that winter is on its way. In winter, the mountains are capped with thick layers of white snow; along with the city streets of Seoul and its surrounding districts in the north. The coming of spring sees the country turn pink with breathtaking beauty as Cherry Blossoms burst into life.
Since the Korean War (1950-1953), South Korea has been heavily influenced by American culture. This is due to the large US military presence that has been stationed there since the end of the war. The country’s favourite pastimes are baseball and soccer - they are mad followers. The KBO leagues have 10 teams and every team plays off their opponents 16 times in a season - that’s a lot of games! The Soccer season kicks off in March and runs through to October. The K League has two levels - K1 are the top teams and K2 the semi-professional sides and both are eagerly followed, with fans flocking to games whenever and wherever they are being played.
As for the wider population, one of the massive interests for young and old alike is hiking. South Koreans love to get out into the wilderness and every weekend, thousands of people head to the hills for their regular recreational fix - a long walk along the trails, often finishing with the reward of a rice wine drink known as Makgeolli on reaching the peak of the journey. Makgeolli is a native drink of South Korea. It is easily brood using core ingredients that have always been widely available to the population - rice and boiling water.
South Korean’s are quietly spoken and incredibly respectful. Wherever you travel in South Korea, you’ll find the people are always willing to help the visitor who’s in need of directions or travel advice. Generally, it’s not hard to strike people who can speak some English, especially among the younger generations. If you are looking for a gift for someone travelling to or living in Korea, or even better, if you’re heading there yourself, check out our Gifting Owl tours and adventures for ways to see, do and learn much more about this beautiful and inspiring country.