Category: Fall

  • Lotte World Tower Observation Deck: Is It Worth It?

    The Lotte World Tower in Seoul is 123 floors high, making it one of the tallest buildings in the world (currently the 6th tallest in the world). Inside you can find offices, a gigantic mall, an aquarium, a hotel, and of course the famous Observation Deck and SkyZone. In my personal opinion this is the best tower in Seoul to enjoy the city skyline & views, and in this post I’ve gathered everything you need to know from where to get tickets, what to expect, and best tips on visiting.

    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 Tickets to Lotte Tower Observation Deck

    Before you visit, I always recommend grabbing your tickets for popular attractions like this one as far in advance as you can. You can either book directly on their website (unfortunately it kept crashing when I tried) or through third party apps like this one on Klook. Any of these options are great. You can also get tickets in person on the first floor of the Lotte Tower – which is the same spot where you enter to take the elevator up to the Sky Deck. If you aren’t able to find it, then I recommend following the signs in the mall or asking any of the information desks.

    When you purchase tickets you have multiple options. You can opt for a single admission to the observation deck (which includes floors 117-123), a Seoul Sky Bridge ticket (which is the special exterior bridge), or even an aquarium and Seoul Sky ticket combo. I’ve only ever done the single admission to the observation deck.

    What to Expect & Best Tips for Lotte Tower Observation Deck

    The Lotte Tower Observation Deck experience can vary widely depending on the time of day and which day you visit. For the least amount of other guests, I recommend visiting early in the morning (around when they open at 10:30) and during the week. This will guarantee that you have the best experience and won’t be fighting for space or views at the windows or open air decks.

    When you first arrive, you’ll walk through a short art exhibit on the first floor as you make your way to the elevators. From here, you’ll take the very fast elevator up to the 117th floor with a fun visual display on the ride up, and from there you’ll be able to take escalators to each of the remaining floors up to the 123rd floor.

    During your visit I recommend taking your time at each floor, making sure to stop at the glass floors, the outdoor decks, and the Seoul Sky Cafe. If you have Seoul Sky Bridge Tickets, I recommend doing that last and enjoying the general admission area before it gets busy. If you stop by the cafe, they have some fun specialty drinks to try like their Tok Tok drink – filled with pop rocks! There’s also a few souvenir booths to enjoy too.

    From the various floors you can take in the incredible views of Seoul – including the views of Lotte World, Jamsil Stadium, the Han River and the surrounding mountains, Namsan Tower, and of course, the never ending apartment buildings. In my personal opinion, this is the absolute best tower in Korea for views of Seoul and the surrounding areas – and if you have more time, then Lotte World is right next door!

  • 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.

    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.)

  • Is COEX Aquarium Worth Visiting? My Honest Review

    The COEX Aquarium was recently completely remodeled and became branded with the “SEA Life” brand. During my visit this summer, I was able to visit after most of the construction had been completed, and to be honest I was quite impressed. With incredible performances, interactive exhibits, and amazing sea life – you might be wondering a visit to the aquarium inside the COEX Mall is worth it.

    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 the COEX Aquarium (& Getting Tickets)

    Finding the COEX Aquarium is quite easy, there’s actually 2 subway stations you can choose to take that lead right to it. Your first option is to take the Green Line 2 to Samseong Station and take Exits 5 or 6 that directly connect to the underground of the Mall. Your second option is to take the Gold Line 9 to Bongeunsa Station and leave through Exit 7, which is technically a shorter walk to the Aquarium.

    Getting your Aquarium Tickets is also fairly easy. You can either get them in advance here, which is what I recommend in case you happen to visit on a day when they’re sold out or have a field trip there. Otherwise, you can risk it and get tickets in person at their entrance station. When I visited, they were only accepting cash payments – so this could still be the case. Currently, adult tickets are ₩24,000 online or ₩33,000 at the door.

    Honest Review of COEX Mall’s SEA Life Aquarium

    The first thing to know as you plan your visit to the SEA Life Aquarium is that there are multiple, scheduled daily shows. When I visited, I was able to time my visit to overlap with the Mermaid Show and the Magic Show. The Mermaid Show is typically 3+ times per day from Tuesday to Sunday, and the Magic Show is usually 2 times a day from Monday to Friday – so if you visit during a weekday you should be able to see both. Personally, I felt both were great shows, and they did a great job entertaining the kids that were there watching. In the auditorium, there are a few tables if you get there early enough, and some vending machines for you to grab a drink and snack at.

    The aquarium exhibits were also nicely done. I felt the highlights were the stingray pool, the aquarium tunnel you could walk through, and the “painting” exhibit. Where all sizes of frames showcased different “paintings” – a.k.a. windows into different aquariums. Throughout the aquarium there are signs sharing what could be found inside – from penguins to otters to electric eels – in both Korean and English, making it accessible for visitors also.

    Exhibits were also interactive for both kids and adults. There were face painting booths, a “science lab,” and a fun treasure hunt where kids (or adults) could look for special booths to collect stamps in their “passports.” If you’re there for the whole day, chances are you’ll also be able to watch some of their animal feedings or special shows, like with the otters.

    Honestly – looking at the exhibits, species, and entertainment included with your visit to the Aquarium – I would say a trip to the SEA Life Aquarium is a great activity for couples or families with young kids. There are so many fun things to do, beautiful animals to look at, and it’s completely inside – making it the perfect rainy day adventure.

  • Best Time to Visit Seoraksan National Park (Season by Season Guide)

    Seoraksan National Park is one of the best places in South Korea to experience all four seasons. From colorful fall foliage and blooming spring flowers to lush summer hiking trails and snow-covered mountain peaks in winter, the park looks completely different depending on when you visit. If you’re wondering when the best time to visit Seoraksan is, here’s what you can expect during each season so you can decide which time of year is right for your trip.

    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.

    Best Time to Visit Seoraksan National Park

    I’ll be honest, figuring out when the “best time to visit Seoraksan” can be a bit tricky, and really depends on your interests and what you’d like to do and experience while you’re there. If you’re looking for picture perfect fall foliage and comfortable hiking weather, fall is hard to beat, but it’s also the busiest time of year in Seoraksan National Park.

    Summer is my personal favorite because all of the hiking trails and the cable car is usually open. The waterfalls are also usually at their strongest, but you’ll need to be prepared for crowds and occasional rainy weather. Spring offers blooming wildflowers, fresh greenery, and much fewer visitors, and in the winter you can expect a quiet, snow-covered landscape that’s perfect for anyone wanting to avoid the large crowds.

    No matter when you visit, each season offers a completely different experience, making Seoraksan National Park a top place to visit no matter the season. Below, you’ll find a little breakdown of pros and cons in each season and what you can expect in the park.

    Seoraksan National Park by Season

    During the months of fall Seoraksan National Park transforms into a colorful landscape with reds, oranges and yellows. Even though the weather begins to turn cooler, it’s perfect for hiking, and you usually get clearer skies. However summer is also one of the busiest seasons to visit Seoraksan. Known for being the most popular “fall foliage” spot in Korea, you can expect large crowds and extended wait times for parking lots, especially during the peak fall colors. If you visit in the Fall, you’ll want to dress in layers and try to time your visit for early in the day – this way you can avoid (and hopefully beat) the largest crowds. Peak fall colors usually come through around late September to October, and the temperature really starts to drop in November as Korea begins winter.

    ​Best For : Fall Colors, Hiking

    Winter in this area of Korea usually feels pretty deserted, and you can expect hardly any visitors – especially compared to the Fall month. This creates a much more quiet and peaceful time to explore Seoraksan National Park. With snow covering the mountain peaks, you’ll want to dress warm with multiple layers and bring some hand warmers. Depending how much snow there is and how icy trails are, you can usually expect some trail closures, meaning there likely won’t be too many opportunities for hiking. If they are open, be prepared for snow and ice (especially if you go higher up) – I recommend wearing crampons or ice cleats.

    ​Best For : Snowy Views, No Crowds

    Spring in Seoraksan is when things begin to liven and green up for Summer. There aren’t too many cherry blossoms in this area, but wildflowers begin to bloom, and the mountains start to turn green again. Hiking trails also begin to open back up, you might just run into a bit of mud. Weather can still be pretty chilly in the mornings and evenings, so I recommend dressing in layers. If it’s been an especially cold winter season then you might still have ice and trail closures – it really depends on the weather.

    Best For : Spring Flowers & No Crowds

    Similar to other popular tourist destinations in Korea, summertime at Seoraksan is also one of the busiest times of year to visit. You can expect large crowds, especially during midday, but it’s still my favorite time to visit. The mountains are a deep green, usually all the trails are open, and you’ll get a change to ride the cable car (as long as there’s no bad weather). Plus depending how much rainfall the area has gotten recently the waterfalls are usually at their largest and most powerful. There’s so much to explore in the summertime, you’ll just need to fight the crowds. Similar to in the Fall I recommend going early to get a parking spot and to try and avoid the largest crowds. July typically brings the rainy season to Korea, so you’ll want to bring an umbrella or poncho with you.

    ​Best For : Hiking Trails, Cable Car, Waterfalls

  • 9 Best Hiking Trails in Seoraksan National Park (Complete Hiking Guide)

    Seoraksan National Park is one of the best places in South Korea for hiking, with trails ranging from easy and flat waterfall hikes to much more challenging mountain trails. It was actually the first place in Korea where I was able to get away from the city and truly enjoy the outdoors. From waterfall chasing and visiting temples to taking the cable car out to some incredible viewpoints and harder hikes, Seoraksan has something for every type of hiker.

    Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, this guide covers some of the best hiking trails in Seoraksan National Park and what you can expect from each one.

    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 Seoraksan Hike : What to Know Before You Go

    Before heading out on a hike in Seoraksan National Park, it’s important to plan ahead. My biggest recommendation is to always check the weather before visiting, conditions in this area of Korea near the mountains can change really quickly. Depending on the season, you may need different gear, from warm layers and ice cleats in winter to rain gear and extra water during the hot and humid summers. I recommend wearing comfortable hiking shoes, bringing plenty of water, packing a few snacks, and considering hiking poles for some of the steeper trails.

    It’s also important to know that during the wintertime some trails can close because of ice and snow, and during the spring rain can make certain areas very muddy and slippery. Summer is a great time to visit waterfalls when they’re at their most powerful, and in the fall you can expect beautiful fall colors but also much larger crowds, especially around popular trails like Ulsanbawi Rock and Daecheongbong Peak. If you’re not sure which season to visit in, make sure to check out my Seasonal Guide to Seoraksan.

    Best Hiking Trails in Seoraksan National Park

    This trail begins by taking the cable car, which makes the trip very easy and is only about 10 minutes each way. The views on the ride are absolutely incredible, but it’s worth knowing that they really pack you in – so if you’re uncomfortable around large crowds, you’ll want to grab a spot by the windows. The cable car brings you most of the way up, but if you want you can continue to hike the remaining 0.5 miles to the Fortress area. The hike is short but steep, and it’ll bring you a little bit higher to enjoy the amazing views overlooking the valley and multiple mountain peaks. It’s one of my favorite spots to enjoy in Seoraksan, but it can get extremely busy in the Summer.

    The Biseondae Rock Trail is fairly short at about 2 miles, and usually takes hikers about an 1-2 hours to complete. The trail itself begins near the SeolHyang Tea House, and is super easy to follow with a mostly flat, paved trail as it follows along the river banks. With hardly any elevation gain, it’s one of my personal favorite hikes in Seoraksan and brings you to a rock wall and some boulders in the stream. Most people visit on their way to the Geumganggul Cave.

    The Ulsanbawi Trail is one of the more difficult on my list, and at 4.5 miles with 1,850 feet of elevation gain, it’s easy to see why. Even though it’s one of the most iconic and popular hikes in Seoraksan, the thousands of stairs and rocky trail can be a bit intense. However, if you make it to the top you’ll find one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the nearby valleys and mountain peaks. If you plan to do this hike, I would set aside a couple of hours (the average time for completing this hike is 4 to 5 hours).

    Towangseong Falls & Observatory is another one of the more difficult hikes on my list, though not quite as steep as Ulsanbawi. At 3.5 miles roundtrip and just under 1,000 feet of elevation gain, you’ll have to climb a lot of stairs to reach the top. My husband Tyler did this one on his own, and he said the views were absolutely incredible. It’s worth knowing that typically Towangseong Falls is only flowing after rainfall, so if you visit during a dryer season, you might not see it flowing at all. However, you do pass by Biryong Falls on the way, so it’s almost like a “2-in-1” hike.

    The hike to Geumganggul Cafe is a great mid-level hike, with one of the most unique endpoints. At about 2.5 miles, the hike itself is fairly steep, and brings you to a cave that opens out towards the valley for some incredible views. Because the cave was once used as a religious site, you can still find a carved Buddha inside on the rock wall. This hike usually takes about 4 hours to complete and is typically a little less crowded than the more popular Ulsanbawi.

    The Mount Seorak Summit, also called Daecheongbong Peak, is one of the most intense hikes in Seoraksan National Park. At over 10 miles with an elevation gain of 3,000+ feet (varies depending on the route you take), this is one hike that’ll take the entire day at least, so you’ll really want to plan ahead. With multiple rocks scrambles, steep ascents, and long ridge walks it’s typically only popular with very serious hikers and gets less and less busy throughout the day as you pass by other end points like Ulsanbawi. It’s also worth noting that many hikers completing this trail spend one night on the mountain, and finish the hike in 2 full days.

    Another one of my favorite hikes in Seoraksan is the Biryong Falls trail. At under 3 miles round-trip, this is another mid-level hike with about 800 feet of elevation gain. You’ll begin on a flat, paved trail that brings you through the forest, pass by a few smaller waterfalls along the way, cross a suspension bridge, and continue up a number of stairs before reaching the waterfall. Unfortunately, the waterfall itself is blocked off so you can’t swim in it but further down the river you can soak your feet in the cool water at one of the resting areas. If you want to continue hiking you can continue up more stairs to Towangseong Falls & Observatory.

    The Seoraksan Dinosaur Ridge trail it’s not only the hardest trail to hike in Seoraksan National Park, but it’s commonly considered one of the hardest hikes in all of Korea. The hike itself is just over 14 miles and covers over 3,500 feet of elevation gain. If you make it, you’ll be lead to “Dinosaur Ridge” – a famous ridge line with steep, jagged points that mimic a dinosaur spine, as well as some of the most dramatic and panoramic views of the nearby mountains and valleys.

    One of the easiest hiking trails on my list is the Singheungsa Temple Walk, an easy stroll through the temple grounds. There’s about 2 miles you can walk through, and everything is very flat making it fairly accessible. You can enjoy the temple grounds, gardens, and architecture while also getting glimpses of the mountains in the background. Plus, you’ll occasionally see some adorable bunnies hopping around!