Seoul Top Tourist Sites and Attractions

Best time to visit Seoul Korea

The best time, in my opinion, to visit Seoul Korea is from September to October and from March to May to avoid the rainy months.


During autumn and spring, the weather is pleasant and not as humid as the summer months when temperatures are very high and humidity is very unpleasant.

Arriving in Seoul Korea

The good thing about visiting Seoul Korea is that most travelers don’t require a tourist visa.

For instance, travelers from Canada and the United States are not required a tourist visa to enter Korea, although the maximum staying period is six months (Canadians) and three months (US citizens).

If you are visiting Seoul Korea for the first time and are wondering what airport you’ll be landing, you’re likely to land at Incheon International Airport and the arrival area is on the ground floor.

Incheon International Airport (IIA) is the biggest airport in South Korea, and has car rental companies, a taxi line and buses which you can use to get to your destination. However, if you don’t want to pay the hefty taxi airport price, I’d suggest getting an airport bus or the airport express train.

A typical bus fare from the airport to downtown Seoul Korea is around 8,000 SKWon (around $7 or £5), compared to a taxi fare which costs around 50,000SKWon (around $44 or £40)

In fact, the transportation system (taxis, trains and buses) in Seoul Korea is one of the best in the world, reliable, affordable, and the best mode of transportation in the city.

Cultural Tips

If you are visiting Seoul Korea for the first time, be in the know that mannerisms are important here and it is important you know the basics so you don’t start your vacation in Seoul Korea on the wrong foot.

For instance, Koreans as a whole are very proud people with a strong cultural heritage so, it is important to respect their customs. Things such as taking ones shoes off when visiting a Korean home, bowing to someone older than you and adhering to table manners such as not drinking from a soup bowl, are very important to know.

This why learning and finding a bit more about Korean culture before you travel can make the difference between an okay vacation or a fantastic vacation in Seoul Korea.

Enjoy your vacation in Seoul Korea and when visiting Seoul Korea for the first time remember to not feel shy when mingling with the locals as many of them speak English and enjoy the company of tourists.

Making a few friends during your trip in Seoul Korea is truly a great way to make your vacation in Seoul Korea a memorable one.

Have a good trip!



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Seoul Top Tourist Sites and Attractions

Incheon Korea, located in South Korea and not far from Seoul Korea, is one of the largest port cities in Korea (second largest after Busan).


If you are traveling to Incheon Korea for the first time, the port of Incheon was the spot where General MacArthur launched the renowned surprise landing invasion with amphibious jeeps.

In fact, American history buffs, can also appreciate a visit to memorial hall, where you can learn more about MacArthur's surprise landing.

If you are looking to explore other Asian cities, the Incheon port offers ferries to port cities in China such as Shanghai as well as Taipei Taiwan and Japan.

Things to do in Incheon Korea: Outdoor Activities

Hiking

If you are looking to explore Incheon's natural scenery, Gyeyang Park is home to Mt. Gyeyang which feature many easy trails to the summit where you can get lovely views of the area around.

Gyeyang Mountain is located in Gyeyang-gu north of Incheon’s City Center (30 minutes drive on the number 111 bus).

Another popular destination where you can explore more hiking trails is at Mt. Baekunsan in Yeongjong Island.

Baekunsan Mountain can be reached by car (take route 135) or by bus but involves a couple of bus transfers (bus 222 and bus 903).

River Cruise

If you are traveling to the city for the first time, one of the most popular things to do in Incheon Korea, it’s to take a river cruise along the Hangang River.

A Hangang River cruise is a great way to see many of Korea’s landmarks such as Namsan Tower and Building 63.

You can also enjoy a dinner cruise at night and on-board entertainment and live music. If you are traveling with your partner, this is certainly one of the most romantic things to do in Korea.

Yeouido dock, located in Yeongdeungpo-gu, is the nearest dock to Incheon City Center and can be reached by bus.

Beaches

If you are looking to enjoy time at a beach, Yeongjong Island is home to popular beaches on the western coast such as Eulwangni Beach, Masiran Beach and Wangsan Beach.

Yeongjong Island can be reached by ferry from Wolmido Island and the trip to the Yeongjong Pier only takes ten minutes (ferry costs around $3).

Things to do in Incheon Korea: Places of Interest

Jayu (Freedom) Park

Jayu (Freedom) Park, located in Jung-gu, is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Korea and it is home to a few landmarks such as the statue of General MacArthur, the Incheon Meteorological Observatory and a bronze tower which commemorates the friendship and trade treaty signed by both Korea and the USA.

Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall

Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall, located in Ongnyeon-dong, is a memorial hall that features a small museum and an outdoor exhibition plaza.

At the museum, you can see a short film on the successful landing operations lead by General MacArthur as well as war memorabilia items.

In the outdoor plaza you can see a small range of war equipment and a couple of the amphibious jeeps used during the landing.

Yeongjong Island

Yeongjong Island is another popular destination and a great day trip from Incheon Korea.

Things to do once you get to Yeongjong Island include visiting the:

* Yeongjong Pier seafood market
* Yaksuam Temple
* Incheon International Airport
* The islet of Jamjindo ( Jamjindo can be reached by taking bus 202 from the Yeongjong Pier)
* Eulwangri Beach

Wolmido Island

Wolmido Island, located near Jung-gu, is another popular tourist attraction in the city. If you are traveling with kids, the island features the famed Play Hill amusement park where you can enjoy fun rides.

Apart from the amusement park, you can enjoy street performances and lovely views of the sea along the waterfront.

Note (From Incheon’s city center, you need to catch bus 23 to get to Wolmido Island).

Things to do in Incheon Korea: Shopping

Bupyeong Station and the area around are good places to start exploring the shopping scene in Incheon Korea.

Bupyeong Station features a massive underground shopping mall where you can find all kinds of cheap goods such clothing items.

The side streets around Bupyeong Station also feature many small stores, boutique type shops such as 'Evisu' and ‘Foot-Mart’, and a Lotte Mart.

Things to do in Incheon Korea: Nightlife & Entertainment

Similar to Seoul, Incheon Korea nightlife consists of a variety of local and international bars such as English and American-style bars such as Goose Goose and Woodstock (located in Bupyeong).

In fact, one of the best areas in Incheon Korea where you can find many expat bars and venues is the area around Bupyeong Station.


Things to do in Incheon Korea: Events & Festivals

Incheon Global Fair & Festival

The Incheon Global Fair & Festival, held in August, is an 80 day event that features many exhibitions to showcase high-tech and environmentally friendly products and gadgets

Incheon Port Festival

Incheon Port Festival, held in August along Incheon port, is one of the most popular summer festivals in the city.

At the event, you can see naval ships parades as well as amazing firework displays. Apart from parades and fireworks, the festival features fun events such as fishing and clam shelling competitions.

Pentaport Rock Festival

The Pentaport Rock Festival, held in July at Songdo Park, is another popular summer event that brings together rock groups from around the world to perform in outdoor stage concerts.

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Quezon City, located northwest of the capital city of Manila Philippines, is home to the University of Manila and famed Jeepneys which are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Philippines.


There are lots of great places to visit in Quezon City and things you can do in the city such as:

Things to do in Quezon City: Fun Outdoor Activities

La Mesa Eco-park

If you are looking to explore the natural scenery and enjoy fun outdoor activities, La Mesa Eco-park is located just outside the city center (a mile away northeast).

Apart from picnicking and trails for hiking and biking, the park’s lagoon offers boating opportunities such as taking a paddle boat ride or canoeing.

The Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center

The Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center is another place where you can enjoy a bit of natural scenery and a relaxing stroll. The park features a zoo with an animal rescue center for injured animals.

Apart from checking the animals and the natural greenery, one can take a nice walk along the park and enjoy a nice picnic by the edge of the lagoon.

The Ninoy Park is located adjacent the Quezon Memorial Circle (3 miles south of Quezon city center).

Quezon Memorial Circle

Apart from the memorial monument, the Memorial Circle is a lovely park that features kid’s playgrounds, cycling trails and recreational areas such as volleyball and basketball courts.

Jeepney Ride

If you are traveling to the Philippines for the first time, taking a Jeepney ride is one of the most fun things to do in Quezon City, and one of the most popular ways to get around the city.

Note(The Jeepney is essentially an army jeep converted into a bus type vehicle).

Things to do in Quezon City: Places of Interest

Quezon Memorial Circle

The Quezon Memorial Circle, located between the Ninoy Aquino Park and the University of Philippines, features a monument built in memory of Manuel Luis Quezon (the founder father of Quezon City).

The memorial monument itself consists of a 66-foot high marble structure with three pylons. The memorial structure also serves as an observation point from where you can get lovely views of the Memorial Circle.

Fairview District

The Fairview district offers another opportunity for a walking tour. Here, you can find the Far Eastern University, the Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation, the National College of Business and Arts, and Novaliches Cathedral.

Bagumbayan District

The Bagumbayan district is another district that you can stroll around and discover a few new places. This district is home to the Eastwood City Center and also features numerous bars and open air restaurants and coffee shops reminiscent of the streets of Paris.

University of Philippines Campus

One of the most popular things to do in Quezon City is to visit the University of Philippines' stunning campus. The campus is located on a beautiful wide open woodland space and features lovely acacia trees and lovely gardens.

Things to do in Quezon City: Shopping

Just like Manila, one of the most popular things to do in Quezon City is exploring the shopping scene.

The shopping hot-spot in Quezon city is Cubao District. More specifically, the area around the ‘MRT-3 Cubao Station’ and the ‘Five Star Bus Station’, which feature many popular shopping places such as:

* Farmer's Plaza
* Araneta Center
* Superstore Arcade
* Makro
* Shopwise hypermarket.

For fresh foods, Farmers Plaza is a very popular market where you can find all kind local goods and fresh produce.

Apart from being a great market, the Farmer's Plaza is a great place for soaking a bit of Philippine culture and see how locals interact with each other.

For more shopping opportunities, the West Triangle and South Triangle districts are home to stores such as:

* Hi-Top Super Market
* Crossings Department Store
* Sunshine Boulevard

All these three places are located nearby MRT-3 Quezon Avenue Station.

Things to do in Quezon City: Nightlife & Entertainment

For entertainment, the Araneta Coliseum (adjacent the Araneta Center) is a popular dome that hosts a variety of weekly events, concerts and sporting events such as boxing and cockfighting.

One regular event at the Araneta Coliseum is the Binibining Pilipinas Beauty contest coronation night which is held here every year in March.

Both the West and South Triangle areas also feature some of the best bars, clubs, karaoke bars and comedy bars in Quezon City.

For instance, Timog Avenue and Tomas Morato Street are two good places where you can find plenty of bars and nightclubs such as the Dolce Superclub on Tomas Morato St.

Tip. Quezon City is also an ideal holiday base for exploring other Southeast Asian cities such as Hanoi Vietnam, Taipei Taiwan, Japan, Seoul Korea, Surabaya and Bali in Indonesia.

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Places to Visit in Taiwan

Taipei Taiwan is located south east of China, north of the Philippines and south of the Japan Islands and Seoul Korea.

If you are a first time visitor to Taipei Taiwan, the city is home to a wide variety of temples, museums and memorial parks, as well as a very efficient and affordable MRT subway system which allows you to get around the city very conveniently.

Apart from many city landmarks and attractions, Taipei Taiwan is located nearby a national park where you can enjoy many fun outdoor activities.

Things to do in Taipei Taiwan: Outdoor Activities


Hiking & Climbing

If you are an outdoor enthusiast, the Yangmingshan National Park is one of the best places where you explore Taiwan’s natural scenery and enjoy a few hiking trails.

Things to know about Taiwan

Yangmingshan Park is also home to Qixing Mountain (Seven Star Mountain) which is an extinct volcano. The mountain has an elevation of less than 1200 meters and the hikes take you past sulfur geysers and hot springs along the way to the summit.

This National park is located 8 miles north of Taipei city center (around 40 minutes drive).

Cycling Trip

Another popular thing to do in Taipei Taiwan it’s to take a cycling trip along the river front on the left bank of the Danshuei River.

The riverfront along the area of Bali Township features boardwalks, cafes and a couple of scenic cycling trails which pass the Shihsanhang Museum of Archeology.

Boat Tour

Additionally, you can book a boat tour of the Danshui River which will take along Danshui's Fisherman's Wharf, Guandu Wharf and Bali Township riverfront.

Things to do in Taipei Taiwan: Places of Interest


Taipei 101

The Taipei 101 is the second tallest building in the world after the Burj Khalifa in Dubai UAE. Taipei 101 features both and indoor and outdoor observatory from where you can get amazing views. The indoor observatory is located on the 89th floor, while the outdoor one is located on the 91st floor.

Presidential Office Building

If you interested in architecture the Presidential Office Building (located on Chungking South Road near MRT Ximen Station) is worth adding to the itinerary. The Office has ten entrances and features an ornate Baroque-style domed entrance hall.

National Taiwan Museum

The National Taiwan Museum, located at the north entrance of the Taipei 228 Peace Memorial Park, is one of the oldest museums in the country built in the early 1900’s.

If you are a history buff, the museum features a permanent exhibition on pre-colonial Taiwan as well as other special exhibitions.

Taiwan Memorials

National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall

The National Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, located in the Jhongjheng District, was built in memory of Chiang Kai-shek.

The memorial is a beautiful landmark characterized by an octagonal-shaped roof. Inside the main hall you can see a 20 meter high bronze statue of Chiang Kai-shek himself.

National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall

The National Dr. Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall is another beautiful memorial located in the Songshan District.

This memorial features a large bronze statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and it is surrounded by lovely gardens and open spaces for taking a peaceful stroll.

At this memorial you can also see a changing of the guards reminiscent of the changing of guards in Buckingham Palace London in England.

Taipei Peace 228 Memorial Park & Museum

Taipei Peace 228 Memorial Park, located in near the Presidential Office Building, is an important memorial created in the center of the park to remember the massacre that took place on February 28 (02-28) by the Kuomintang government.

Taiwan Temples

Chih Nan Temple

Chih Nan Temple, located in Wenshan District, is a popular temple built in the Zhinan Mountain. The temple features a stairway (around 1000 steps) that leads to the Yuanzhen Pond and the Tudigong shrine.

Longshan Temple

Longshan Temple, located in the Wanhua District, is a popular place of worship a the weekends. It is architecturally a fine example of a traditional Chinese temple and features a lovely roof decorated with dragon ornaments.

Things to do in Taipei Taiwan: Shopping

Asiaworld shopping mall is one of the best places in Taipei for a great shopping time. The mall is home to many stores, a food hall, and it’s a great place for finding bargain electronics.

For a more upscale shopping experience, the Shin Kong Mitsukoshi department store (located at the Shin Kong Life Tower) is home to many popular designer labels as well as Japanese foods.

Exploring the famed Taipei night-markets are one of the most popular things to do in Taipei Taiwan. Once the sun sets, the street markets becoming buzzing with locals and tourists alike.

For instance, Snake Alley (nearby MRT Longshan Temple Station) is one of the most touristy night markets in Taipei. At the market, you can see snakes being drained of their venom, and enjoy snake based dishes.

Things to do in Taipei Taiwan: Nightlife & Entertainment

The city of Taipei Taiwan has one of the liveliest nightlife in South East Asia. The city features all kinds of international bars, pubs, lounges and Karaoke bars which are very popular in Taiwan.

Some of the trendiest spots for nightlife can be found in the Da-an District which features chic bars and nightclubs.

Things to do in Taipei Taiwan: Events & Festivals

Buddha Bathing Festival

The Buddha Bathing Festival, held in April of the lunar calendar, is a popular Taiwanese event to commemorate Buddha’s birth.

The event is actually a ceremony in which worshipers bow down in front of the Buddha statue while throwing fragrance water over their shoulders.

The Bathing festival is held in most temples such as the one in Longshan Temple.

Chingshan Wang Ritual

The Chingshan Wang Ritual, held at the Chingshan Temple in October of the lunar calendar, is another important festival where many worshipers attend the temple to commemorate Chingshan Wang’s birth.

The event also features flamboyant parades along the Wanhua District throughout the day and culminating in a lavish feast later in the day.

Taipei Lantern Festival

The Taipei Lantern Festival, held at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, is one of the most popular events in the city, and features amazing costume and lantern dances as well as acrobats performing all kind of stunts.

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