Published 13th Jul. 2026
Written by Joyce Chan
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One of our Asia specialists, Joyce, recently spent two weeks exploring South Korea, journeying from Seoul’s neon-lit streets to Busan’s breezy coastline, with stops in Jeonju, Yeosu and Suncheon along the way. From swishing around palace grounds in a traditional hanbok to exploring folk villages and shopping her way through the trendiest streets, it was certainly an adventure to remember. She returned home with a bulging suitcase and a travel journal teeming with tips, tricks and plenty of inspiration for your next South Korean getaway...
I spent two weeks travelling through South Korea, kicking things off in Seoul before making my way to Jeonju, Yeosu and Suncheon for traditional villages, coastal views and peaceful wetlands. I wrapped up the trip in Busan, which was perfect for a few days of relaxation before heading home.
What did you get up to? I was never short of things to do in South Korea! In Seoul, I started with a hanbok photoshoot at Changdeokgung, one of the city’s grand royal palaces. I also cycled along the Han River at sunset, where street performers were belting out K-pop tunes that I caught myself humming for the rest of the trip.
Next up was Jeonju, where I wandered around Hanok Village before heading to Nambu Market for some seriously good street food. Safe to say, the tteokbokki, chewy rice cakes in a spicy, sweet sauce, really lived up to the hype. I then made a quick stop in Yeosu, where I rode the Maritime Cable Car, enjoying views of the coastline and tiny islands below.
In Suncheon, I explored the Wetland Reserve, visited Nagan Folk Village and stopped by the peaceful Songgwangsa Temple before polishing off the day with a scoop of matcha ice cream at Boseong Tea Farm. I ended the trip in Busan, taking in the views from the Sky Capsule, checking out Huinnyeoul Village and the Arte Museum before, of course, squeezing in one last shopping spree.
It had been a long time since I’d properly visited South Korea, with my last trip back in 2018. Returning was reason enough to celebrate, but I also spent my 30th birthday there! Between the incredible food, standout experiences and the country’s infectious energy, it has set the bar pretty high for birthdays to come.
Absolutely! Changdeokgung was one of my favourite discoveries from the trip. It’s a royal palace from the Joseon Dynasty, while it’s often overshadowed by Gyeongbokgung, I actually preferred it. It was far less crowded and felt very peaceful, so I could take my time admiring the architecture.
Hanwoo on repeat – I ordered it almost every evening for dinner. It’s the country’s prized native beef, famous for its rich marbling and melt-in-the-mouth texture. The best part is grilling it yourself at a bustling Korean barbecue restaurant, where every bite is cooked exactly how you like it. My stomach’s rumbling just thinking about it!
Suncheon turned out to be the perfect base for ticking off some of the region’s highlights, and a quick taxi ride took me to Songgwangsa Temple, Boseong Tea Farm and Nagan Folk Village. Hailing a taxi using apps like Kakao T was straightforward, the fares were incredibly affordable, and Google Translate and Papago made navigating language barriers easy.
The hanbok photoshoot was a first for me, and I’d recommend it to anyone visiting South Korea. It’s a real double whammy, too! You can immerse yourself in Korean culture while coming away with some brilliant photos to remember the trip by.
Another treat was travelling first class on one of South Korea’s high-speed trains. It was incredibly easy to navigate, and although my journey was over in a flash, I would have happily spent a little longer dozing away in my ultra-comfy seat. I’ll admit, I also got rather used to travelling in style...
On my final day, I treated myself to a few beauty treatments, and I flew home feeling thoroughly pampered and suitably glowy.
For me, it has to be sunset at Suncheon Wetland Reserve. Golden hour really works its magic here.
I’d also leave plenty of time for exploring Busan. After travelling through the country, it felt like the perfect finale, and I loved having the sea views as my backdrop for the last few days.
One thing that really surprised me was the late-night culture. Restaurants and shops often stay open until 11pm, and there are lots of 24-hour spots too. So, if you suddenly fancy bingsu, Korea’s shaved ice dessert, as a midnight snack, you’re in luck! I also noticed that food arrives at lightning speed – perfect when you’re feeling hungry after a day of sightseeing.
Shopaholics, prepare yourselves for Olive Young. It’s South Korea’s version of Sephora, packed with flashy displays, plenty of testers and shop assistants ready to talk you through the latest K-beauty must-haves. I only popped in for a quick browse and somehow walked out with what felt like a year’s supply of skincare...
Bring your physical bank card, as Apple Pay isn’t accepted everywhere in South Korea. Trust me, you don’t want your shopping spree to come to an abrupt halt when you have an armful of K-beauty goodies.
I also recommend downloading the Naver app for navigation. It’s really accurate and detailed, so you’ll be whizzing around the city like a local in no time.
All blog images by Joyce Chan
Header image by Olivier Romano
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