When I was younger I always really wanted to go to some of the themed animal cafes, but now that I’m a lot older and far more educated I don’t think I could ethically ever bring myself to do so. Even when I was younger and use to frequent Japan, I remember taking my dad to the owl cafe in Harajuku and even though the people that worked there were super lovely, I still walked out with a bad taste in my mouth from seeing all the owls in such a small space purely for human entertainment. Pet cafes that do rehoming aren’t as bad to me, because the animals stay is temporary and mostly there for adoption purposes with a side of fun, but the exotic animal ones are a bit of a no-go zone for me these days. I don’t think it’s a life-altering experience to miss it, I would rather see these animals in a more natural environment anyways.
I had a very similar experience after visiting some animal cafes in Japan. I walked away feeling incredibly sad for the animals and would be hard pressed to support one again.
Absolutely right you are! In every video I see this goddamn meercat thing being advertised, also here. If you check it out on google you find that its not even a cafe but an indoor private zoo. Also people report of the terrible conditions there these animals are in. Animals that dont need a lot of place like mouses, cats some dogs are fine but people finding places like these worth visiting makes me question their moral compass.
I totally agree. My wife and I went to an owl cafe in Japan and left crying. They were chained in place and forced to stand and poop there for hours on end. This isn't a dig to this video though, besides this one point, everything else was great
Yes, in general, we agree with you. Nobody told us where to start our Seoul experience, but we did it in accordance with your recommendations perfectly right. How about booking a hotel that is central to all the sites you mentioned, for us, it was the "Hill House Hotel" It was so close to Namsan Park and it took us only 18 minutes to walk to reach the cable car that took us up to the N-tower. Only 20 minutes down the street to reach the markets and as we used an underpass to cross the busy road under the street, we discovered that down there is an entire shopping world. Lucky us, when visiting the night markets where one can find the more classy things, there were street performers, entire music groups with top vocalists, and once Minje Kwon joined in as someone sang his songs. We already booked now our third Korean holiday, this time to see the cherry blossoms, of course, we will stay for a while in Seoul again and we will also fly over to Jeju Island again to stay there for ten days or so. Right now with all the big projects in the making, Busan was not to our liking - too many building sites, enormous traffic jams and we had to spend hours sitting in busses before reaching any touristy places. Sorry to say, but in general, the food we consumed at any of the markets or if it was fine dining in restaurants - everything was hands down better tasting in Seoul. The seafood we consumed at Jeju was also tastier than that what we sampled in Busan. The kind of tangerines, only grown on Jeju Island were the best we have ever tasted in our entire life, so Dol Hareubang did really watch over us, the best way how only a mystery figure is able to do so and this is why it is a must for us to visit Jeju Island again. Thanks for your good advice on where to go and what to see, there is a premium Jjimak that has our name on it, and this is near the Lotte Tower and close to the Co-ex Aquarium.
Thank you so much! This has been the most helpful guide I've found for planning my trip! The tourist websites only know how to offer expensive tours and cooking classes, this is much more helpful to a younger person just wanting to check out the city 🥰
Great video. I was in S. Korea this Spring time, done all your recommendations and spots/food apart from the Han River and the Animal/Themed cafes( consider them to be cruel to animals). There is a number of activities that you did not mention but are a must or very interesting in my opinion to add: 1. Outdoor activities/Hiking- Seoul offers an amazing variety of fantastic trails and hiking opportunities. Would recommend to anyone to have a day in Bukhansan Mountain on any of the trails they are all spectacular, beautiful and interesting. Baegundae Peak is great. Also, hikes along the city walls or Ansang mountain, etc. 2. Seoul offers a fantastic set of museums where you can spend all day and it's also a great option for a rainy day. The War Memorial, The Kimchi Museum, the National Museum of Korea, The National Folk Museum of Korea, etc. Fantastic expositions 3. Day trip to Suwon- So much to explore, there is a Hanok village that is less crowded and less touristy, Unesco World Heritage Hwaseong fortress/Haenggung palace, cute areas and parks, and fantastic local markets not far from Paldalmun (Paldal Gate). 4. Bongeunsa Temple that could be combined with COEX mall/library also on the way there is Noryangjin Fisheries Wholesale Market ( one of the metro transitions at least for me coming from north of Han River), Lotte tower also is not far on the same metro line. 5. In Combination with N-Seoul Tower and Namsan Park, in that area you have Namsangol Hanok village as well is fantastic 6. Day trip to the DMZ it's a fantastic experience with tours in the tunnels, observation decks and very informative about the tragedy of the Korean War and separated people on both sides. 7. Definitely visit all 5 palaces. They all have different energy, and atmosphere and are all worth visiting and a must-do when in Seoul. You can get an affordable combined ticket for all 5. 8. Get lost in any random charming neighbourhood, catch a but to a random unknown destination. Just feel free to go around and have a spontaneous experience, so much and so different places to see and explore offering different architecture, vibe and energy. 9. Anything in between- two weeks honestly are not enough to scratch the surface of what Seoul can offer, a place to offer so much to any interest, any character and any type of traveller. Just take your time. 10. If you do have the time and the means definitely travel to Busan, can easily spend a week or two exploring there as well. I had 4 nights there but was a way too intense and concentrated program(overly ambitious) and still so much that I did not manage to do or experience from my pre-prepared list of activities. Would be back one day :) So charming and beautiful These are just some of the activities that I did and had an absolute blast, fantastic time in South Korea, by far my favourite destination and country( but that was the case even before I visited so a bit biased I guess). I had such high expectations about Korea before my visit and I have to say they were surpassed by a large margin.
1N seoul Tower /Nansam tower -cable car. 2.street food /shopping district Myeongdong 3.Gyeongbokgung palace 4.Gwanghwanun square 5.Bukchon Hanok Village 6.Insadong 7.Ikseondong( tradicional tea shops) 8.Cheonggyencheon(light at night) 9.DDP , dongdaemmun desing plaza (cheap shopping and design) 10.Hongdae(theme cafés) 11.Gangnam -Garosugil and Apgujeong -Go-To small 12.Coex Mall -Starfield library 13.Han river 14.Yeoido park 15.Banpo Bridge
Don't wait too long, your situation may change and you may never go and see Korea. You can not find a better guide line as this: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-Axu2vjhNBKk.html&lc=UgyNT-1yl21RFOAGcgt4AaABAg.9iPww3oVIlpA-_71pb-ZFR
That's a lot of different "dongs" to remember. But I'll definitely visit some of those places. I'm going to Jeju, Busan and Seoul in 1 month. Can't wait to explore some places. Koreans have so far taken good care of this Norwegian awkward solo traveller in other parts of Asia. Another thing to do would be to join a Korean cooking class. The first time I tried Korean food was 20 years ago. A soviet Korean lady in Eastern Europe made me Jeyuk Bokkeum. Even if she had a heart attack and died in her 60s, she planted a seed. It's time to head over to the roots and learn more.
I appreciate your very clear Korean pronunciations. There are so many times i hear a Korean word and try to spell it hangul only to learn that it's completely different than how it sounds 😆
ive been binging your videos since i got a scholarship to study abroad in korea this summer! they are SO helpful, especially your travel prep videos. seriously!!1! thank you so much. ^^
I bought a one-way ticket to Korea iMpUlSivEly for december, it'll be my first time travelling alone ( i just wanted an escape😅） i have no plans but i'm learning a lot from your vids!! especially the one about meeting people :D
@@pieceofpeace2553 there might be different kinds of events! A lot of people like to go see the decor and lights at the shopping malls since theyre very extravagant haha
Just found your channel, very comfy vibes all around! I love how you broke this video up by area, most videos I've found just list sights and leave you unsure about where they are
thank you so much for sharing this very important information. My husband and I will be in Korea this Thanksgiving weekend 2023. You have given so much information and I hope these help us navigate the places that best interest us.
Thanks so much for this! I found your enthusiasm and the details you included to be fantastic! I’m getting ready for my first trip to Seoul and this really helped me start thinking about things I want to do while I’m there. Looking forward to checking out part 2 😁
Heyy!! Thank you so much for this useful compilation!! 😁 though I wish the mapping part was clearer, this video is extremely well put together, and just what I needed to plan a trip to Seoul Korea (first time). I also thought about location, vibe of each areas, and FOOD while planing too! 😊
Brilliant video thank you. I am going for the 1st time next May for 6 weeks backpacking and visiting 11 different places across Korea by myself so this video is a god send so any advice from anyone or help will be most welcome. Thank you ❤
Best of luck on your trip!! would definitely recommend my 22+ things to know before going to South Korea 🇰🇷 video (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-k2v3WDsDbrw.html) to set some general cultural expectations!
I really enjoy your enthusiasm for your city. Wish I saw it before I booked my hotel. Your thoughts are concise and inclusive. Thanks for doing this. Very helpful.
Really enjoyed the map! Kinda wish it was more detailed though but that might just eb me. Super nerdy about clustering Things-to-do so I can do as much as possible haha
I'm going there for the first time at the end of the month and this has been the most useful video I've seen so far. Any skiing/snowboarding recommendations?
Hi. Thank you so much for this video. I’d like to visit in the fall this year. If possible, can you also please do a video on how to pick the best accommodations (hotels w good security and English speaking employees) and if you’ve done it before, the process of buying glasses in Korea. Thank you!
I actually have gotten glasses before in Seoul haha I got them from Davich in Hongdae but would recommend going to the one in Myeongdong since theyre more foreigner friendly if your Korean isnt great. But i brought my prescription with me so it made the process way easier too
wow!!! thank you. helped so much for a first time planner~ so much to think about! Is there a guide on how to travel around seoul? like a super idiot guide from airport to around the spots? thank you
Today is Aug 21, 2023. I would love to visit in March 22, 2024 because I will celebrate my 63, Birthday, I love to travel, I have never been to Korea, I also speak Spanish but not Korean, sorry I am learning.
Thank your for this really helpful and informative video! I liked how you showed the areas in Seoul and where your recommendations are located, it makes it much easier for first time travelers to understand how far these areas can be from each other. Could you maybe make a video about where the best places are to see the cherry blossoms in Korea? We're planning our trip right now for the end of March so it would really help us out to know which places are worth visiting for them
Im so glad you found it helpful! I havent been around much for cherry blossom season, but the one time i did go, i saw them at yeouido park in seoul. I heard gyeongju is really pretty during cherry blossom season too
13:05 is that market similar to what they have in HKG? Because Tsukiji market used to be that way until they relocated and it’s a shell of its former. But there’s still a lot to try
I’m not entirely sure as i am not familiar with the markets you have referenced :( ive only been to the tsukiji market recently so i am not sure how it was before
This video was very helpful! I plan on visiting Korea in June for a whole month :) Although I'm a bit scared not knowing how I'll get around since I don't have any friends or connections there :D
Hey fellow Czechoslovak :) Same here, I'm planning on visiting for three to four weeks. I don't know a soul there, so I'm just going to YOLO it and see what happens. Maybe I'll hire someone for a few days to show me around.
So helpful ! I plan to visit Seoul and I am addicted to all Korean cream, serums … you can advise me on the neighborhood in which to stay ? 😂😂 Thanks ❤
So shopping in Seoul is a must? How about Pusan...the coasts...Jeju Island, Kumosan Mountain hike to the temples? So much more than just shopping and spending money in Seoul.
@@AdventuresofAwkwardAmy I sure will! I got my gear ready and will experience Christmas and my birthday there! Be my first time having my birthday in another country and away from family!
Really good explanation for a first time traveler like me! I plan to visit South Korea next year in May (spring). Do you have any suggestions for beautiful places to visit during spring?
thanks! i go over some more seasonal suggestions in part two of the travel guide series - ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-fDPuZklAl0c.html
Literally every part of Seoul is beautiful in May with azaleas blooming everywhere, green grass, and the red roses popping up, too!🎶 Definitely go to N Seoul Tower and enjoy Namsan Park while there...👍
Love this ! I m going in March with my kids and going to take your recommendations in the order so I can get the most of my trip ! I wonder if there is places for child care bc I want to experience a spa
I think you can see a lot in 4 days, but if youre anything like me, it’ll probably just end up making you want to go back even more 😅 the first time i went to korea, it was a 5-day trip and i didn’t want to leave. The minute I left, i started planning when I could visit again 😝
Thank you Amy ! And to everyone else in the comments 😅 I downloaded Naver maps to navigate my way in Seoul, I also out it in English to help me, but whenever I look for cafes or restaurants around me, it's not translated at all, so I don't really know what is good or bad, and what they offer. Am I doing it wrong or is that a thing I have to deal with ?
I want to visit next year ...thank you so much for this video😊 And please make a video on how to contact family after reaching Korea coz the sim cards we currently have doesn't work there ... please make a video on this 🙏❤️
Glad you liked the video! and thanks for the suggestion - sim cards with international minutes can be purchased at the airport or through trazy/klook! Most of the basic ones only include local calls, but you can choose upgraded plans to call internationally :)
I actually talk a little bit about this in my other travel guide video (ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-k2v3WDsDbrw.html) But tldr; most people recommend Myeongdong because of its location. I personally prefer Jongno or Hongdae (near the Mapo station), but if you want accessibility - anywhere along metro line 2 is your best bet.
5 days is a good amount of time! But fair warning, it might leave you wanting more haha my first trip to Seoul was 5 days (not including travel time) and i was HOOKED
Hi, awesome video! I like the suggestions and I'm wondering if you have all those places on a map somewhere I can download? I'm going in a couple days and I wish I could rmbr all these spots!
you can find all the places mentioned on this map - www.google.com/maps/d/u/1/edit?mid=1rCHeJPujnxY8G-t4JoYi-qYP8kP_CfU&usp=sharing, but i haven't had time to refine it quite yet. Also as a note, i much prefer using naver maps in korea, i just haven't figured out how to create a public map through it 😅 hope this kinda helps!
hmm i had a friend who was vegetarian and she used facebook groups for yonsei students to find restaurant recs and then a lot of times, she would ask restaurants to make the food without meat. The main thing to be aware of are stews since they can be meat-based, the best bet for stews and soups are dwaenjang jjigaes
Thank you for sharing these info. But it would be helpful if you will also write down the places you mentioned. Say, you mentioned names of markets to go but unfortunately we didn’t get it because we don’t live in Korea. I’m not sure if I heard you right since it’s a Korean words. So at the end of the video, I still don’t know what markets to go to 😢….
thank you for the feedback! I have included the market names in the description box as well as pinned another comment asking about the same thing :) You can see the correct spelling of everything I mention if you turn on captions as well!
from what i can remember, there’s not much near seoul station except for offices so i feel like it might be kinda dead during the nighttime but also the station would be VERY busy during the day
I've worked at a wildlife sanctuary, and I'd like to echo @cityofnumbersix 's comment that wild animal cafes are not ethical. Domesticated animal cafes can be fine, animals that are used to being around humans is iffy, but purely wild animals is bad for everyone involved. People really should only encounter these animals supervised by biologists or experts. The rest of the video was very helpful.
Shaved Ice is added to the list, and I'll take the excuse to have comfort food!! I'm here for the next 6 days and got a big sweet tooth, anything I can't miss?
Which area would you recommend for a family with younger teens? Ideally, I'd like a place that is close to most of the tourist spots and food, but quieter at night.
I would recommend jongno! It’s more centrally located and next to all the palaces. There’s a lot of cafes and restaurants but not much nightlife in the area so it gets quiet after 10pm
Hi amy😊 im planning to visit korea this coming april. Can you suggest which place or area we should stay , a more convenient airbnb or hotel which is not that expensive)? I hope you notice this. Thank youuuu❤
i like the jongno and mapo area, but honestly anywhere along metro line 2 is pretty convenient. Sorry i don’t have any airbnb or hotel recs tho, i usually stay at hostels when i visit!
Hey I’m planning to visit Seoul in feb is it the right time to visit without missing any good place in the Korea ? Also how many days you think is sufficient to cover all of the amazing things you’ve mentioned in your video ?
just a warning, Seoul during feb is still pretty cold. i would say you can do most of these things in 5-7days though depending on how packed you like your itinerary to be :)
Hi, what street(s) exactly would you recommend to go at night to see buskers/ performances in Hongdae? Also, i heard about there being university concerts that people can enter for free and i'm assuming this is also in Hongdae that you can find them? (If these aren't open to tourists then nvm haha)
