Korea will be the initial spot I vacation to as soon as we are done with Covid-19. Validate plus chop.

The last time I travelled to Korea was in 2016. That was my very first and only go to, and it feels like a lifetime ago.

To be straightforward, all overseas visits really feel like a lifetime ago.

For people who have been pursuing K-pop or K-dramas, a vacation in Korea might have been on your 2020 checklist.

Though you have experienced to shelf this journey program for now, it is a lot more vital than at any time to make that eventual trip worthwhile. A “daebak” (epic) a person.

So why not commit some time perfecting your itinerary?

Enterprise past Seoul

I spent shut to two weeks in Seoul and Busan.

While Seoul is extra tourist-friendly, Busan offers a diverse but similarly reliable Korean encounter, in which the pace of lifetime is a lot slower.

As a initial-timer in Korea who could hardly say far more than just “Annyeonghaseyo” (hi there), “Kamsahamnida” (thank you) and “Chogiyo” (justification me), we expended the very first several times in Seoul, in which the language barrier was not far too a lot of a issue, ahead of venturing to Busan.

Getting out of Seoul definitely will make a excursion to Korea extra fascinating.

Other than Busan, Jeju Island is also best for people hunting for a distinctive getaway.

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Jeju Stone Park on Jeju Island. Photo by KTO Singapore.

Commonly, there are community locations of curiosity, food and cultural routines in each province. Lots of K-drama spots and stunning web sites are outside Seoul.

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Dae Jang Geum Park, famed historical drama established. If you are a BTS lover, this web-site was featured in Suga’s audio video “Daechwita”. Image by KTO Singapore.

For the fewer adventurous, you can simply just sign up for a tour. That explained, you must definitely take into consideration travelling out of Seoul.

10/10 additional enjoyable.

If you actually want authentic foodstuff, go to the local markets

Even though there are lots of Korean eating places in Singapore, you will likely be curious about what the “real deal” preferences like in the nation of origin.

Bingsu, Jjajangmyeon, Ginseng chicken soup, army stew etc… Rely on me, I could eat them all once more correct now.

Having said that, I need to say that the most unforgettable and mouth watering dishes are types that we determined to eat on the fly. (Ok, we did double check their Google assessments in advance of striving their food items.)

One spot I will extremely advocate and return to is Busan’s Jagalchi market place.

Jagalchi market place

Jagalchi market place is the major seafood current market in the town, and it attributes various seafood eateries.

The contemporary and delightful seafood stew and porridge I experienced at Jagalchi market surely still left an impact on me.

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Seafood feast at Jagalchi industry in Busan. GIF by Zheng Zhangxin.

Yums, still contemplating about it following four a long time.

Community markets undoubtedly have their exclusive charms and expose a rather endearing side of substantial metropolises like Seoul and Busan.

Gwangjang market

In Seoul, you can check out the Gwangjang marketplace, which is just one of the oldest classic markets in South Korea (it is been working because 1905).

I was amazed by the rows of food laid out at the centre of the industry, consisting of stacks of gimbaps, enormous blood sausages, japchae and additional. Aside from food things, there had been also other hand-produced things.

Unquestionably an eye-opener and should-go when you are there.

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Seafood feast at Jagalchi market place in Busan. GIF by Zheng Zhangxin.

Forgive my potato pics taken 4 several years back which surely do not do these yummy dishes justice.

Talking of food items, be sure to do not depart Korea without having attempting some grilled meat.

You have likely found scenes of business workers obtaining soju or beer in excess of grilled pork belly in K-dramas.

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EXO’s Chanyeol obtaining grilled pork belly. Photograph by KTO Singapore.

I felt that my journey was only finished following checking this off the record.

Because when in Korea, do as the Koreans do.

Time travelling to Joseon dynasty

Even in a cosmopolitan city like Seoul, you will locate 5 grand palaces.

Changdeokgung Palace is my absolute favourite and it is described as the most beautiful one particular among the 5 by Lonely Earth.

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Changdeokgung Palace. Photograph by KTO Singapore.

Changdeokgung Palace is a royal villa with a tranquil secret backyard garden. The gorgeous architecture is adorned with lush greenery.

That stated, an additional palace you can contemplate is Gyeongbokgung Palace which “is arguably the most beautiful” just one, according to KTO.

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Gyeongbokgung Palace. Picture by KTO Singapore.

In close proximity to or within just these palaces, you can easily discover hanbok rental assistance if you desire to transport you to the Joseon era.

No 1 is going to judge you mainly because they will all be doing it.

Seeking the hanbok definitely adds to the exciting so chalk that down as another detail to do in Korea.

Breathtaking landscapes that you need to not pass up

There’s actually no deficiency of mother nature websites in South Korea — rocky cliffs, beaches, mountains, rivers and forests.

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Jumunjin Beach front in the city of Gangneung. Picture by VisitKorea Fb.

If you find this sight fairly familiar, yes it is a single of the filming spots in popular Korean drama Globin.

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Iconic scene from Globin taken at Jumunjin Seashore. Photo by VisitKorea Fb.

What’s even more interesting is that these all-natural landscapes adjust with the seasons.

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Goryeosan Mountain with blossoming really azaleas in April. Image by KTO Singapore.

Most Singaporeans would have marked South Korea as one particular of the sites to pay a visit to through the period of March to April for its cherry blossoms.

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Yeojwacheon Watercourse, 1 of the finest places for cherry blossom time in Jinhae district which is 45-moment travel from Busan. Image by KTO Singapore.

All through my vacation last June, a location I truly savored browsing is the Taejongdae Resort Park in Busan.

It is a cliffed coastline shaped by several layers of rock pressured alongside one another beneath a lake during the Cretaceous interval, and then worn down more than time by the sea.

You can come across spectacular sea views as properly as interestingly shaped stones.

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Jumunjin Seaside in the city of Gangneung. Photograph by VisitKorea Fb.

And of study course, much more tummy space for meals after a fantastic hike at Taejongdae.

Shop until you drop

Seoul is certainly a shopping haven that I dearly overlook (but my wallet does not).

I will not say the products in Korea are seriously low-priced but the purchasing expertise is as shiok as they appear.

You will simply just be spoilt for alternative, ranging from beauty and facial products to outfits and food stuff.

I’ll certainly skip the streets of Hongdae and Myeongdong and compact boutiques you can obtain in Seoul which sell clothing and components at related (or somewhat more cost-effective) prices as that in Singapore.

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Hongdae. Picture by Patrick/Unsplash.

My hat, tote bag and dress were all purchased in Korea on the very first two times of my excursion.

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Photo by Zheng Zhangxin.

Oh, and did I mention? I expended all the cash on the past working day at Lotte mart on all the treats way too.

What I overlook the most? Staying a tourist.

Amid the Covid-19 situation, what I pass up the most is to be a carefree vacationer all over again. *SIGH*

Remaining a vacationer in Korea can be particularly exhilarating as it feels as nevertheless you are remaining transported into the globe of K-drama which can be surreal.

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Jjim Jil Bang experience in Seoul. There are several retailers for selection and it’s not difficult to come across just one that is harmless and hygienic. Jjim Jil Bang is absolutely an additional will have to test! Image by Zheng Zhangxin.

Immediately after a calendar year of getting in Singapore, what just one accumulates is not just yearly leave days but also additional bucks to devote on the upcoming travel journey to give ourselves a good pampered split (I hope).

Create your Korea itinerary and acquire prizes

That mentioned, if you want to make the most out of your tricky gained income, you can start hunting out for discount offers and marketing offers.

The Korea Tourism Organisation Singapore is partnering with a couple of Korean airlines and Lotte Hotels & Resorts to present exclusive flight and resort price cut deals which you can find out much more about below.

You can also take part in their “My Korean Itinerary” contest and stand a prospect to win prizes like a LG Television set, Samsung Galaxy Notice 20, Samsung Galaxy Tab S7.

All you require to do is to ship a 6D5N itinerary together with destinations and routines to do at minimum Seoul or Busan.

Locate out much more about the contest information here.

The author of this sponsored short article by Korea Tourism Organisation is set to go to Korea when she can. Leading picture by way of Unsplash and by Zheng Zhangxin.