Seoul Things To Do

The quaint tea houses, folksy restaurants and kitsch souvenirs on Insadong’s main street and back alleys make this small district a worthwhile half-day encounter (anything more becomes an underwhelming experience).

The journey up Seoul’s most recognizable attraction starts with a cable car straddling 2000 feet of wire and high-speed elevators rocketing up 13 feet per second. The reward for making it to the top? Panoramic city views.

The playful interaction between color and light inside this architecturally stimulating complex is alone worth the price of admission. The 15,000 pieces of ancient ceramics, Buddhist sculptures and contemporary paintings are a bonus.

One of the few Buddhist temples in the country where travelers can communicate with a monk in English, this 8th-century temple’s two-hour tour stirs the soul with religious symbolism and the opportunity to reflect upon the question “who am I?”

Getting naked with strangers is Korean culture at its best. Rotate between hot and cold tubs, and then scrub away dead skin with an abrasive towel. Don’t be surprised if this cleansing, relaxing experience is the highlight of your trip.

Cheer on the Doosan Bears or LG Twins and enjoy baseball the way is what meant to be experienced: cheap tickets, intimate seating and dried squid.