Things To Do On Your Own

While we offer plenty of excursions planned for you to enjoy throughout your time in South Korea, there are still a plethora of things for you to enjoy. South Korea is a beautiful country with much to discover and this guide will give you some general guidance on what you can find.

Cis Korea Seoul Bucket List 

You can check out our CIS Korea Bucket List website for your full Korea guide! If you visit any of these places while on the Cis Korea program, follow @southkorea_onsite on Instagram and tag #CISKoreaBucketList in the post or comments of the picture to participate in the Bucket List challenge and win prizes!

https://sites.google.com/cisabroadonsite.com/seoulbucketlist/home 

Things to Try in Korea

Here are some great ideas for your visit to Korea so you can start planning your trip!

1. Take a K-Pop Dance class
   
2. Wear Hanbok, Korea's traditional dress
   
3. Go to the top of Namsan Tower for an aerial view of Seoul
4. Take a Korean cooking class and learn how to make your favorite dishes
5. See Seoul light up at night!
6. Visit Gyeongbokgung, the main palace in Seoul
7. Take a walk in neighborhoods with the traditional Korean houses called "hanok"
8. See your favorite Kpop idols live at a concert
9. Try a traditional arts class!
10. Have a picnic by the Han River

Weekend Trips

Looking to travel to another city in Korea? Here are some ideas for a weekend trip to Busan, Gyeongju, or Jeju! Want to know how to get there? Check out this page about transportation. 

Busan

Busan is one of the most popular destinations for a weekend getaway. Busan is the second-largest city in Korea, located on the southern coast and home to many beautiful beaches. Busan has a subway system and an extensive bus system so travel is easy. Most travelers stay at Haeundae Beach or Gwangalli Beach. Haeundae is famous for its tall hotels, night markets, nightlife, and beach view. Gwangalli Beach also has bustling nightlife along the beach with a view of Gwangalli Bridge and beachside cafes. Some recommended things to do in Busan are:

• Explore Haeundae and Gwangalli Beach neighborhoods
• Visit Haedong Yonggungsa, a Buddhist Temple located right on the ocean
• See the colorful houses at Gamcheon Culture Village
• Ride the Haeundae Blue Line Beach sightseeing train, a hop-on-hop-off train with ocean cafes and viewpoint stops along the way. This is a personal favorite!
• Spa Land Centum City: a Korean sauna with a luxury twist! 6 hour day passes are 17,000KRW during the week and 20,000 won during the weekends
  

Gyeongju

Gyeongju is the ancient Silla dynasty capital and the perfect weekend destination if you're looking to learn a little history in a picturesque town. The Gyeongju History Area is registered as a UNESCO world heritage site and you can see pagodas, temples, shrines, and Royal Burial Mounds of the Silla Dynasty. Things to do in Gyeongju include:

• See a UNESCO World Heritage Site at Bulguksa temple and the nearby Seokguram Grotto 
• Enjoy the night view at Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond 
• Walk around the Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village and see the Silla Royal Burial Mounds
• Visit Gyeongju World, an exciting amusement park with some of the best roller coasters in Korea
  

Jeju

Jeju is Korea's largest island and is sometimes referred to as the "Hawaii of Korea" because of its beautiful beaches and diverse landscape. Jeju can be difficult to get around because of its size and lack of regular buses, so it's better to pick a city as your home base and plan your bus route (or book tours) before going! But don't let that deter you- the island has so much to offer if you're willing to slow down and explore! Some things to do in Jeju are:

• Visit the beautiful Hyeopjae Beach and walk a section of Jeju's Olle Trail
• Hike to the top of Mount Halla (Do lots of research to prepare before!)
• Visit the Manjanggul Lava Tube caves
• See how Jeju green tea is made at the Ossulloc Museum and Cafe
• Learn about Jeju's matriarchal history at the Jeju Haenyo Museum
• An island off an island? Take a day trip to the charming Udo and rent bicycles

Other Suggestions

Eating Cheap

Prices in Korea can vary depending on where you go and what you decide to eat. You can eat street food and basic meals in markets and small shops around Seoul for an affordable price, anywhere from 3-10 USD for a full meal. If you decide to sit down and eat a nicer meal with multiple courses, the price will crawl up closer to 25-30 USD. You can easily pop into any 7-11, Family Mart, or other convenience store and get a meal for 3-7 USD.

Vegetarian, Vegan and Halal:

Korean BBQ, fish, and other meat products are widely consumed in South Korea. However, with sprawling city streets displaying market after market, there are plenty of options for you, if you choose a meat-free and fish-free diet!

Are you a vegetarian? No worries! Check out this resource on eating meatless in Seoul. Also, check out our vegetarian restaurant google maps list. One of the best vegetarian meals to try in Seoul is temple food! Temple food is inspired by Buddhism and does not include any meat products aside from dairy. Here’s a guide to Korean temple food!

Are you a vegan? No worries! We’ve provided resources for eating totally meatless, and even vegan, in South Korea. See this link for tips on eating vegan in South Korea!

Looking for Halal options in Korea? No worries! A Muslim-friendly travel organization created this Halal food Map of Korea. With Halal, partially Halal, Halal groceries, seafood, vegetarian sections, and more this map is useful for everyone looking to visit new restaurants in Seoul!