DEBORAH IN KOREA

Category: 24 Hour Itineraries

  • Bongeunsa Temple Stay Review: Everything You Need to Know

    A Templestay Experience in Seoul is one of the most unique cultural experiences you can partake in when visiting Seoul. If you’re lucky enough to include this in your South Korea itinerary, I highly encourage you to read through this post to make the best of your time there and know exactly what to expect and what to pack with you. Bongeunsa Temple is located right in the heart of Seoul, and this is hands down one of my favorite experiences in all of Korea.

    My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

    There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

    🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

    🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

    📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

    📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

    🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

    🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

    How to Book Your Templestay Experience & What to Expect

    Booking your Bongeunsa Templestay experience is quite easy. You can simply head to the Templestay Reservation Website and choose the dates you’d like. The English Templestay Program is held over the first weekend of each month, from 2pm on Saturday until 11am on Sunday. The cost is 120,000 Won per person, and although they encourage you to pay online you can also pay with cash at check in.

    Overall, there’s a lot to expect from the Templestay program. All of your meals are included, and although it’s frowned upon to leave leftovers, you can always grab a smaller plate and then go back up for more. During your Templestay experience you’ll be asked to wear the orange uniforms and slippers while inside the buildings, so I recommend easy shoes to slip on and off each time you enter/exit a building. You’re “bed time” is quite early, but you’ll appreciate it when you get up at 4 am the next morning. I’ve listed a complete schedule breakdown below so you can know what to expect, but overall I would say this is an incredible and unique experience you won’t want to miss out on during your visit to Seoul.

    There are a few things you’ll need to bring with you for your Templestay experience, including comfortable walking shoes that are easy to slip on and off, a refillable water bottle, any toiletries like shampoo and conditioner, and towels for your use.

    During your Templestay, there are a few “rules” or “expectations” you’ll be asked to follow during your stay. These are as follows :

    When checking out, please clean your room and return any clothes and bedding to the program leader. Put trash in a bag and put it outside the front door.

    When you see a Sunim (monk), half bow by putting your palms together.

    Drinking and smoking are not allowed.

    Silence is recommended inside the temple.

    Please be punctual.

    When moving around, follow your program leader and stay in a line.

    During meal times, please try not to leave food – only put enough on your plate to eat.

    Do not disturb other participants during your break time.

    If sharing a room with other participants, please be aware of cell phone calls or watching videos.

    My Must-Do Tours in Seoul :

    -> DMZ and Suspension Bridge Full Day Tour

    -> Minsokchon Folk Village Day Trip

    -> Nami Island and Alpaca World Day Trip

    An Overview of the Templestay Schedule

    Day 1 Program :
    At 2:00 pm you’ll begin the check in process. If you haven’t paid yet, you’ll be asked to pay in cash as you check in. Then you’ll be brought inside, where you’ll wait for all participants to arrive while the program leader passes out uniforms for your stay and welcomes you with a cup of Sikhye (식혜), a Korean rice punch drink.

    Around 3:00 pm, after everyone checks into their rooms and has a chance to change, you’ll be led around the temple grounds on a guided tour. You’ll learn the history of the temple, like how it was moved from Busan, and basic temple etiquette.

    From 4:00 pm onwards you’ll be led through a variety of temple activities. From the Traditional Tea Ceremony where you’ll learn traditional Korean tea etiquette, to the Sutra Gold Ink experience where you’ll trace traditional Korean Buddhist sayings in gold ink – you’ll eventually be brought to your first meal at the temple. Like I mentioned above, you’ll be asked to only grab what you’ll eat so that you don’t leave leftovers, and before you eat you’ll say a short Buddhist prayer. Our meals were very traditional, and consisted of rice, tofu, different vegetables (banchan) like kimchi and seaweed soup.

    After dinner, you’ll experience your first Yebul ceremony inside the main temple, and then have a long discussion/guided meditation with a monk. During this time, you’ll be able to ask questions you have about Buddhism, and be taught how to meditate. At 9:00 pm it’ll be lights out for your early morning tomorrow!

    Day 2 Program :
    At 4:20 am, bright and early, your Templestay Experience will continue with a Yebul ceremony at the main temple. Afterwards you’ll experience the 108 Vows, a daily ritual for practicing Buddhists and monks. For each vow, you’ll also perform a full bow – but if you feel like you can’t complete all 108 bows you can sit or stand in the back of the room.

    After the bows you’ll have a short break time, then be brought to breakfast – which had the same dishes and expectations as dinner. Afterwards, you’ll have a bit more free time to explore the temple grounds with hardly any other visitors around – a rarity in Seoul. This is a great time to enjoy the peace and quiet of the temple grounds, and if you’re in a rush to head somewhere afterwards, to clean up your room and pack your things.

    Around 9:00 am you’ll have your last Templestay Experience activity, a final tea time with the monk you met last night. He’ll lead you through a quick, personal tea experience, where you can chat with him and ask him any more questions you have about him, Buddha, or Buddhism. From 10:00 am to 11:00 am you’ll be able to clean up, check out, and finish up the survey you were asked to take. Don’t forget to take any of your gifts and souvenirs you’ve been given during your experience!

    Watch My Templestay Experience Here!

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  • Is Lotte World Seoul Worth It? My Honest Review

    Lotte World is said to be the largest indoor theme park in the world, and having been there multiple times as a child and now as an adult, you can trust me when I say this is one place you won’t want to miss on your trip to Seoul. Having been featured on countless Korean reality shows (specifically dating shows), there’s plenty of fun rides and delicious foods to try at Lotte World too!

    My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

    There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

    🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

    🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

    📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

    📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

    🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

    🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

    Planning Your Trip to Lotte World

    Before you make your way to Lotte World, you’ll want to plan ahead, especially if you’re visiting during peak summer months. Tickets to Lotte World cost 59,000 Won per adult for a day pass, or 47,000 Won for a pass for late entry (after 4pm). You can also get discounted tickets for children or if you bundle your Lotte World Ticket with entry to the Folk Museum.

    If you want to do like the locals do, enter through the underground entrance from Lotte Tower – then head to 2F. Here you can find lockers you can rent for the day to store your belongings and a uniform rental shop called Pixie. (And yes, many Lotte World guests do rent school uniforms for the day.)

    Lotte World hours can change depending on the season and day, but they’re typically open from 10:00am to 9:00pm. I recommend going early to avoid the lines to the bigger and more thrilling rides – which can sometimes become hours long.

    Overall, Lotte World is one of my favorite theme parks. It’s large, but still manageable to do most of it in a single day. There are all kinds of rides catered to different age groups, some scarier and more thrilling than others – plus there’s even a wide variety of attractions like the skating rink, folk museum, daily parades, and 5D theater you can enjoy too!

    My Favorite Tours Near Lotte World :

    -> Lotte World Day Pass Tickets

    -> Lotte Tower Seoul Sky Admission

    A One Day Lotte World Itinerary

    10:00 – To make the most of your day trip to Lotte World, I recommend going as early as you can. I would spend the morning hitting the bigger rides that will have very long wait times later in the day. This way, you can use your Magic Pass later in your visit to try the bigger rides again! I would spend the morning doing one round throughout the park stopping at your “can’t miss rides” list.

    12:00 – Around noon you’ll notice the park becoming significantly busier. I recommend heading inside to cool off, and grabbing some of my favorite bites to eat at Lotte World! You can see the current, daily parade schedule here – but there is typically one held around 1:00pm. After grabbing lunch or some snacks and cooling off inside I would head over to the parade route about 15-20 minutes early if you want a good view.

    2:00 – At this time I would do one more lap around the park, hitting all the rides you didn’t get to yet! Because lines will be longer, it’ll take you a while to finish this lap around the park – so I would take your time and stop at all the fun snack shops in the park too!

    7:00 – Around this time, during summer months, is when the sun typically begins to set in Seoul. I would try to time a ride on the Moonboats or on the Monorail during this time for some epic fairytale like views of Lotte World and Sokchon Lake. Afterwards, I would spend the rest of the night on Magic Island (the outdoor area of Lotte World), which feels truly magical at night!

    Watch My Lotte World Adventures Here!

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  • 10 Best Things to Do at COEX Mall in Seoul

    Coex Mall is one of the most iconic areas of Seoul. From the Instagram famous Starfield Mall to the gigantic gold “Gangnam Style” Statue outside, there’s plenty to see at the mall other than just shopping. You can walk the entire indoor walking track, head across the street to Bongeunsa Temple, or enjoy a book at the functioning Starfield Library.

    My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

    There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

    🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

    🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

    📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

    📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

    🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

    🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

    Getting to COEX Mall & What to Expect

    Coex Mall is very easy to get to on public transportation, especially since it’s directly connected to the subway station. Just get on the Green Line 2, and get off at Samseong Station. You can also get there via the Gold Line 9 by getting off at Bongeunsa Station.

    You can also get to the Coex Mall by taking a bus, however this can be a bit more confusing since there are more options, or any public car service like KakaoT or Uber. If you want to take the bus, you can find all buses that stop at Coex here.

    My Favorite Tours in Seoul :

    -> COEX SeaLife Aquarium Admission

    -> Seoul Personal Color Analysis

    -> DMZ and Suspension Bridge Full Day Tour

    10 Best Things to Do at COEX

    1. SeaLife Aquarium COEX
    The aquarium inside Coex Mall was recently completely remodeled. Although I’m not the biggest fan of aquariums and zoos, it’s definitely a fun stop for families with young kids. They have all kinds of exhibits, and even a fun interactive treasure hunt for kids. You’ll have to check their current schedule, but during different days of the week they have mermaid shows, magic shows, and various animal feedings.

    2. Starfield Library
    This famous Instagram attraction is what originally drew crowds to Coex. Although it’s really not much more than an actual running library, there’s plenty of photo opportunities inside if you don’t mind the crowds. During various times of year they’ll also have different kinds of popups and seasonal photo areas.

    3. Mega Box
    A “Mega Box” is Korea’s word for a cinema, and you can often find them in malls. The theater itself might be pretty basic, but at the entrance you can find a large set of steps open for people to sit and enjoy, and a large screen showing short films & commercials. You can also grab some popcorn and enjoy the large arcade at the bottom! If you’re looking for a more unique movie theater in Seoul, I recommend the bean bag movie theater!

    4. Shopping
    This is no surprise, but there’s plenty of shopping to do at Coex Mall. You can find global brands like Hoka and Adidas, or Korean based brands like Kakao Friends and Style Nanda. I enjoy browsing the smaller Korean boutique stores as they’re typically a bit cheaper than globally famous brands.

    5. Grab a Bite to Eat
    Along with plenty of shopping, there’s plenty of eating to do too! You can find restaurants sprinkled throughout the mall, but right now, my personal favorite spot is Tomodachi, a Japanese restaurant specializing in Pork Cutlets and rainbow soba noodles! They’re delicious, and not as “busy” as other restaurants.

    6. Visit the Gangnam Style Statue
    The evolution of K-Pop was catapulted forward in 2012 with the release of Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” Not only was it played around the world, but K-Pop became a common music genre in households everywhere. Right outside of the main Coex Mall entrance you can find a gigantic gold statue of the famous dance move in that song – they also have the song playing on loop in case you need a reminder!

    7. Head to Bongeunsa Temple
    Out the other side of Coex Mall and across the street you’ll find the Bongeunsa Temple – a local Buddhist temple open to visitors and tourists. Unlike other temples in Southeast Asia you don’t need to worry about a specific dress code, and there’s no entry fee to visit. If you’re interested in learning more about Buddhist culture or what life is like for local monks, you can sign up for a templestay experience!

    8. Get Your Korean Beauty Fix
    There are plenty of stores in the Coex Mall where you can get your K-Beauty fix, but my personal favorite store is Olive Young. You can find these on almost every corner in Korea, and they even have an app so you can re-order from the U.S. You can think of Olive Young as the Korean version of Sephora or Ulta, and their staff is incredibly knowledgable to help you find what you’re looking for.

    9. Relax & Unwind
    If you’re looking for something a bit more immersive (compared to shopping) then stop by the Spa Imbellis. They have all kinds of options from facials to scalp care to full body and skin lifting treatments. If you’re wanting to experience K-Beauty at it’s finest, then this is one spot at Coex you won’t want to miss.

    10. Spend the Night
    If you’re exploring Coex Mall and decide you need some more time to do everything on this list, then I recommend finding a room at one of the nearby hotels! There are two that are connected to the Coex Mall – the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas and the Oakwood Premier Coex Center Seoul – both of these are excellent options! If you want something more unique, I recommend looking into the Templestay option I mentioned above! (Don’t worry, the hotels will have western beds and not traditional bedding that’s shown above.)

    Watch My Templestay Adventures Here!

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  • Seoraksan National Park One Day Itinerary: A Complete Guide for Foreigners

    Seoraksan National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Korea, but figuring out how to include it in your itinerary (or even figuring out how to get there) can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re only planning to visit for one day.

    Most visitors choose to take a day trip from Seoul to Seoraksan, but between transportation, choosing what to see, and deciding which hikes are worth your time – planning can feel a bit stressful. After visiting Seoraksan many times myself, I’ve put together this Seoraksan National Park Guide and “one day itinerary” packed with everything you need to know – including how to get there, what to bring, and the best things to do during your visit.

    My Essential Korea Travel Resources :

    There are plenty of travel companies out there, but these are my favorite websites and resources for planning an unforgettable trip to South Korea. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more here.

    🚙 Car rentals, although not common in Korea, are best through Discover Cars – just make sure to have a copy of your international driver’s permit with you!

    🏨 I always use AGODA to compare hotels & prices in Asia.

    📶 To keep cell phone service, I use Airalo’s easy to purchase eSIM’s (no installation required).

    📸 For fun things to do, Klook specializes on tours in Asia, otherwise Viator also does the trick.

    🦋 Just in case, Safetywing is the insurance I always use when visiting a new country.

    🧳 Lastly, my essential packing list when visiting Korea.

    Planning a One Day Trip to Seoraksan National Park

    Visiting Seoraksan National Park as a day trip from Seoul is definitely possible, but it requires a bit of planning. Since you’ll likely spend a few hours just traveling each way, you’ll want to start as early as you can and have a general idea or plan of what you’d like to see before you get there. The park is much larger than a lot of first time visitors expect, and even though you won’t be able to experience everything in one day, you can still see some of the most beautiful viewpoints, temples, and hiking trails in a single day.

    Getting to Seoraksan National Park From Seoul

    The easiest way to visit Seoraksan National Park from Seoul is by taking a bus from the Seoul Express Bus Terminal to Sokcho Express Bus Terminal. Since you’ll only have one day, I recommend taking one of the earliest buses available, usually starting around 6:30 AM. The bus ride to Seoraksan usually takes about 2–3 hours depending on traffic (which can sometimes be really bad in Seoul).

    Once you arrive at Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, you’ll need to transfer to a local bus heading toward Seoraksan. Bus numbers 7 and 7-1 will take you to the main entrance of the park, called the Sogongwon area. Taxis are usually available too, but they can be quite a bit more expensive compared to the local bus. When you head back in the evening, you can follow the same route back to Sokcho – just make sure to check current bus times when you’re at Sokcho Express Bus Terminal so you don’t miss the last bus back!

    If you don’t want to try planning your schedule around the buses or just want to avoid the hassel all-together, you can also book an all inclusive tour to Seoraksan National Park. Some of my personal favorites are this combined tour from Seoul to Seoraksan National Park and Nami Island and this full day tour from Seoul to Seoraksan National Park and Naksana Temple.

    What to Bring to Seoraksan

    Since you’ll probably be spending most of the day outside, packing the right items can make your trip to Seoraksan a lot more enjoyable. Exactly what you’ll need definitely depends on which season you’re visiting, but generally I recommend wearing comfortable shoes you can walk or hike in, layers for changing temperatures in the mountains, water, snacks, and an umbrella or rain jacket. There are restaurants inside the park, but bringing snacks can help you maximize your time in case you don’t want to stop for a sit down meal. There’s also a first aid station near the entrance, so you don’t really need to worry about carrying an emergency or first aid kit.

    My Favorite Tours to Seoraksan :

    ->Seoraksan & Temple Day Trip

    ->Seoraksan & Nami Island Full Day Tour

    Seoraksan National Park One Day Itinerary

    Once you arrive at Seoraksan National Park, I recommend starting with the most popular attractions first before the really big crowds get there – if you ended up taking a tour to Seoraksan, then this is a bit irrelevant since you’ll already be part of the large crowds. Depending on traffic, you’ll probably arrive around 10:00–11:00 AM, which means you’ll want to prioritize the experiences and attractions that tend to get crowded later in the day, like the cable car. You can find a little sample itinerary below, but you’ll want to check bus time tables and adjust depending on when your bus actually leaves Seoul.

    General TimeActivity
    6:30 AMBus from Seoul’s Express Bus Terminal
    11:00 AMArrive at Seoraksan
    11:30 AMCable Car + Gwongeumseong Fortress
    1:30 PMLunch Inside the Park
    2:30 PMSinheungsa Temple + Biryong Falls Hike
    EveningReturn to Seoul

    Stop 1: Take the Cable Car to Gwongeumseong Fortress

    I recommend visiting the Cable Car and Gwongeumseong Fortress (at the top of the cable car) for your first stop in Seoraksan. This is hands down one of the most popular things to do in the park, so you’ll want to get your ticket and get in line as early as you can, as long as its clear. The ride is short but offers some incredible views of the surrounding mountains and river valley. Once you reach the top, it’s a short walk to the viewpoint overlooking the valley below – one of my favorite view points in the entire park. Las time I visited the cable car was 15,000 Won per adult for a roundtrip ride, and I definitely think it’s worth adding to your itinerary, especially if it’s your first time visiting Seoraksan National Park.

    Stop 2: Lunch Inside the Park

    After you make it back down, I recommend visiting one of the restaurants located inside the park. There’s a few of them that are all next to each other as you head towards the temple area and you’ll spot them by all the picnic tables outside. Prices are pretty reasonable and they typically have traditional Korean foods on the menu, think “jeon” (savory veggie or seafood pancakes), bibimbap, and noodle dishes. From my experience, they’re pretty tasty and fairly quick, making it a good stop to rest your legs and fuel up before you keep exploring. If you want something quicker, there’s a few little food stands too selling snacks like Korean hot dogs that you can take on the go.

    Stop 3: Visit Sinheungsa Temple

    After your lunch or snack break, I recommend heading towards the Singheungsa Temple on the Northeast end of the park. On your way you’ll pass by a large, bronze Buddha statue – and even though it’s pretty cool to look at, I recommend making a short stop before continuing on so you can spend more time at the temple grounds. You’ll pass by a small tea house and bridge, and eventually make it to the stairs leading into the temple area. As you explore, you’ll be able to see the mountain ranges in the background – making for one of the most beautiful temple experiences. Sometimes they have wild bunnies running around, which are pretty adorable. When you’re done exploring the temple area, I recommend stopping at the Seolhyang Tea House on your way out, they have all kinds of teas, coffees, and little desserts to enjoy. If you choose to stop, find a seat outside for some incredible views. Around this time, you’ll likely notice the park becoming a bit more quiet and empty, and chances are you’ll need to begin the journey back to Seoul.

    Stop 4: Hike Biryong Falls (Alternative to Cable Car)

    If for some reason, the cable car isn’t running on the day you visit, I recommend adjusting your schedule to include a hike out to Biryong Falls instead. There’s quite a few hikes in Seoraksan National Park, but this one is one of my favorites. Its just under 3 miles round-trip and usually takes people about two hours with a leisurely pace. There’s actually a few waterfalls on the way that you can enjoy, and you’ll even cross over a fun suspension bridge before continuing onto the stairs that bring you up to Biryong Falls. You can relax here and enjoy the cool water or continue up to Towangseong Falls, although that might be difficult to fit in on a one day trip.

    Is Seoraksan Worth Visiting as a Day Trip From Seoul?

    Overall, I definitely think Seoraksan is worth a one day trip, especially if you’re trying to fit in as much as you can on a short trip to Korea. Staying overnight in Sokcho is a great option if you want to spend more time exploring Seoraksan, but honestly even in a single day you can see most top attractions within the park. Even when I’ve stayed overnight in the area before, I usually end up exploring Seoraksan for just a single day. If you visit, just make sure to start early, check the weather, and prioritize the attractions you don’t want to miss!

    Watch My Seoraksan National Park Adventures Here!

    Pin this Seoraksan One Day Guide for Later!