Miranda ZhangSick of the usual places to visit in Seoul? There are many places surrounding the city that are worth the 1-2 hour trip from your hotel and they are under SGD 30!
1. Watch a Martial Arts Display at Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon-si
Before or after your tour around the 300-acre Hwaseong Fortress, why not check out the martial arts display just outside its front gates? 24 different styles of martial arts are demonstrated following the routine used in King Jeongjo’s time as king. The skills of these men are really quite impressive, so much so we sat glued to our seats (Yes! Free-sitting as well!) and felt heated up by the adrenaline and action.
Getting there: See directions to Hwaseong Fortress below.
Operating Hours: Free Martial Arts Demonstration: 11am daily – March-November: Tue-Sun; December: Sat & Sun only
2. Water Sports at Cheongpyeong Riverland Lake
Image credit: Korean Tourism Organisation
Cheongpyeong Lake is an artificial lake that formed with the construction of Cheongpyeong Dam in the Bukhangang River. It is also a popular place for water recreation activities during the summer. Both locals and foreigners alike love to come down here for water sports as well as try the yummy food in the area. There are a total of 30 boating areas for water skiing, motor boats, jet skis, banana boats, and various other water activities. Rentals start at about 30,000 KRW. Click here for more info.
Getting there: By Bus:From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or Sangbong Bus Terminal. Take an intercity bus to Cheongpyeong (청평). From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take a taxi or a local bus (bound for Seorak) to Cheongpyeong Lake. (15 min ride)
Operating Hours:Weekdays 9am-7pm
Also read: What to Eat in Seoul: Your Guide to Non-Kimchi Korean Food
3. Play Hide-and-Seek Around Le Petit France
Most people may remember this place from the Korean drama, ‘You Who Came From The Stars’. Reenact the scene where the male and female leads fall in love and share their first kiss! For the rest of us, it does have a surprisingly quaint and cosy atmosphere. Le Petit France is essentially a French cultural village right smack in the Korean countryside, consisting of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and experience French food, clothing, and household culture.
Inspired by the book The Little Prince, the whole village features many small nooks and crannies to explore. Or if you err on the side of mischief like us, then you can try playing hide-and-seek! Note: Try. We gave up after a while but it didn’t stop the popular variety show, Running Man’s members from spending an entire day there.
Definitely worth a visit if you haven’t already been.
It costs 8,000 KRW for adults, 6,000 KRW for youths and 5,000 KRW for children. They also have group rates for 20 pax or more.
Getting there: By Bus: From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal or Sangbong Bus Terminal. Take an intercity bus to Cheongpyeong (청평). From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take a local bus bound for Goseong-ri (고성리). Or, from the Cheongpyeong Terminal, take Gapyeong City Tour Bus to Petite France.
By Car: Address is 1063, Hoban-ro, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 가평군 청평면 호반로 1063)
Operating Hours: 9am-6pm; Last admission is 1 hour before closing.
4. Be Dazzled by the Garden of Morning Calm
Every winter, the Garden of Morning Calm holds lighting festival that transforms this beautiful span of nature into a magical feast for the eyes! Located about an hour outside Seoul, the smell of the fresh air and gentle breeze makes this place perfect for an evening stroll. It also features many gorgeous fixtures that you can totally pose for a fun picture with friends and partners. Things like a heart-shaped wire frame, a horse carriage and even a cupid’s bow and arrow. My friends and I ended up having loads of fun taking shots and just being wow-ed by the decorated lights around us!
It costs 8,000 KRW for adults, 6,000 KRW for youths and seniors, and 5,000 KRW for children. Children under 3 go in for free.
TIP: Plan to go back again during different seasons as its landscapes radically transform with each season! Don’t believe me? See the pictures here!
Getting there: By Bus: From Dong Seoul Bus Terminal take a bus bound for Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal, or take bus 1330 at Cheongnyangni Transfer Center (in front of Lotte Department Store) and get off at the Cheongpyeong Bus Terminal. From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take Bus 31-7 to the Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원).
By train: Cheongpyeong Station (Gyeonchun Line) Exit 1. Go left until you reach the 3-way intersection and turn right. Continue straight toward the Cheongpyeong Catholic Church. Pass by Cheongpyeong Elementary School, turn left, and you will see the Cheonpyeong Bus Terminal. From Cheongpyeong Terminal, take Bus 31-7 to the Garden of Morning Calm (아침고요수목원).
Operating Hours: 8.30am-sunset (7pm) / Lighting Festival (오색별빛정원전) 8.30am-9pm. Last admission: 1 hr before closing.
Also Read: How to Travel Korea on a Budget
5. Enjoy a Scenic Eco-Bike Ride at Gangchon Rail Park
Image credit: Korean Tourism Organisation
Fancy a nice, eco-friendly way to explore the Korean greenery? Situated about 2 hours away from the Seoul city centre, Gangchon Rail Bike Park gives you the opportunity to pedal along an old train track while admiring the scenery along the Bukhangang River. Opened in 2010, it replaced the Mugunghwa train that traveled this route for 70 years. It operates from three stations: Gimyujeong Station, Gangchon Station, and Gyeonggang Station.
You can definitely get some exercise in while pedalling as the distance between Gimyujeong Station and Gangchon Station is approximately 8km and the round-trip distance to Gyeonggang Station is approximately 6km. Overall it was really fun!
It costs 35,000 KRW for a four-seater (8,750 KRW per pax), and 25,000 KRW for a two-seater (so, about 12,500 KRW per pax). Online reservation is needed.
Getting there: By Bus:Take Bus 1 or 67 and get off at Gimyujeong Station.
By train: Gimyujeong Station (Gyeongchun Line), Exit 1. 4 minutes on foot
Operating Hours: Opens daily 9am. Gimyujeong Station/Gangchon Station, Summer (Mar-Nov) 5 times / Winter (Dec-Feb) 4 times. Gyeonggang Station, Summer season (Mar-Nov) 10 times / Winter (Dec-Feb) 8 times
6. Explore the Snow-filled Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon-si
The Hwaseong Fortress is also a must-see if you haven’t already been there, especially in the winter, it takes on a whole new facade with snow covered walls. Filled with a great variety of military facilities that is hard to find anywhere else, it was built in the late 18th century by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty to house and honour the remains of his father Prince Sado. Having weathered through many tough periods of destruction, it has now become a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site for all to enjoy.
Admission to the fortress is 1,000 KRW for adults, 700 KRW for youth and 500 KRW for children.
Getting there: Get off at Suwon Station (Seoul Subway Line 1)
Take Bus 2, 7, 7-2, 8, or 13 and get off at Jongno 4-geori (intersection) bus stop. Walk 5-minutes to fortress.
Operating Hours: Hwaseong Fortress is open all year round.
7. Try All the Slides at the OneMount Water and Snow Park
Image credit: Korean Tourism Organisation
If you are one who wants to play in the snow or in the water no matter what season it is, then you need to make a trip down to the OneMount Snow and Water Park. Located just 30 minutes from the Seoul city centre, this huge establishment has an indoor and outdoor water park, a snow park, a sports club and a shopping mall all built into one. I recommend trying all the slides and snow sleds when you are there as they do pack a punch and have things for the whole family.
TIP: They often have discounts and special offers, so check their website here, for the latest promotions.
Snow park: All-day tickets cost 25,000 KRW per adult. Children under 3 go in for free. Afternoon tickets cost 13,000 KRW per adult. Click here for more details.
Getting there: By Bus:Take Bus 10, 89, or 92 and get off at OneMount. By train: Line 3, Juyeop Station, Exit 2, Walk straight for 15 mins.
Operating Hours:Weekdays 10am-7pm / Weekends 10am-8pm
Before you go and have the time of your life in Seoul, be sure to download the extremely useful Visit Korea app which will help you with information, navigation, travel planning and so much more!
Do you know of any more exciting experiences that every traveller should have in Seoul on their first visit? Include your suggestions in the comment box below!
Also Read: 25 Photos to Convince You to Travel To South Korea in Autumn
The directions in this article are taken from VisitKorea, and my wonderful trip to Korea was made possible by Korea Tourism Organisation (Singapore Office).
