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7 Best Travel Books About South Korea

“My happy place is anywhere with bibimbap and kimchi.”

Officially named the ‘Republic of Korea’, South Korea is a country in East Asia. Making up the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula and bordered by the Yellow Sea and Sea of Japan to the west and east respectively, it is a country home to over 50 million people and some of the most vibrant historical, geographical and cultural attractions on the planet. From the highest point at Hallasan to the global phenomenon that is K-Pop, the lure of South Korea entices over 3.2 million tourists each year. Join us at What We Reading as we present the best South Korea books to inspire and guide you through your next trip through the land of morning calm! 

Lonely Planet Korea – Lonely Planet 

From Changdeokgung Palace to trekking across the volcanic terrains of Jeju Island, Lonely Planet offer a complete Korean travel resource. The world’s leading travel experts, Lonely Planet Korea is the ultimate travel planning guidebook designed to help tailor readers’ trips based on their interests and preferences. 

High-quality photographs capture the beauty of South Korea, and the book comes with a wealth of practical tips from the team’s array of experts living in the country. From hours of operation, useful contact details, budgeting planners and a whole host of cultural tips, Lonely Planet Korea is the essential reading material for navigating the country and curating an experience that will stay with you for a lifetime. 

Fodor’s Seoul – Fodor’s Travel

Fodor’s Travel brings readers the most complete travel resource on South Korea’s capital Fodor’s Seoul . From hiking in Bukhansan National Park, exploring new delicacies in Gwangjang Market or blasting out some K-Pop in a karaoke room, this is one of the best South Korean books for anyone looking to capture the spirit of Seoul during their trip. 

Featuring updated information, a fresh layout and beautiful colour photographs, this Seoul guidebook comes packed with maps, curated recommendations on where to visit, and everything else travellers need to simplify their experiences in the capital. With the book also including information and recommendations on excursions to Busan, Jeju and other surrounding areas, it is one of the most invaluable travel companions for tackling Seoul. 

The New Koreans: The Story Of A Nation – Michael Breen 

For getting a sense of the remarkable transformation of South Korea and its people over the past few decades, Michael Breen’s The New Koreans is a captivating read.

Examining how the country has grown from impoverished to one of the world’s leading cultural and economic behemoths, Breen explores how Koreans have been perceived by outsiders, and what determines their ‘national character’ today. One of the most compelling South Korean books for capturing the history and character of this remarkable nation, Breen also casts an eye towards potential developments in the future, across the DMZ and into North Korea. 

Shrimp To Whale: South Korea From The Forgotten War To K-Pop – Ramon Pacheco Pardo

Another one of the most insightful books for understanding the transformation of South Korea in recent times is Ramon Pacheco Pardo’s 2022 book, Shrimp to Whale . The title is an analogy Pacheco Pardo chronicles to readers, documenting the seventy years of history that saw the country emerge from the embers of colonialism and devastating war to develop into one of the thriving powerhouses and cultural hubs on the planet. 

Shrimp to Whale captures the big visions that continue to drive the country to this day. Along the way readers gain an insight into the resilience of the South Korean people, helping to put context behind the identities and landmarks readers will find on a trip to their country. Through his other works on the country, South Korea’s Grand Strategy and Korea: A New History of South & North Pacheco Pardo has established himself as one of the expert voices on the Far East state, with Shrimp to Whale standing as one of his best. 

Check Out The Best Travel Books About China

Hello, South Korea: Meet The Country Behind Hallyu – DK Eyewitness Travel

Whilst there is an abundance of South Korean books designed to inform and educate readers on the culture of the Far East country, few are as colourful and captivating as Hello, South Korea . From its remarkable history to its vibrant pop culture and viral exports, DK Eyewitness Travel capture it all here. 

But as well as taking reads through the usual array of K-Pop superstars, DK also introduce a more hidden side to South Korea. Mapping the rise of the Hermit Kingdom to its modern superpower status, readers will learn about everything from the incredible haenyeo divers of Jeju Island to the diverse varieties of kimchi as they are whisked to the heart of the country’s culture. 

South Korea: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide: Travel Alone. Not Lonely. – Alexa West 

Renowned as the #1 Travel Guidebook Series for Women, Alexa West returns to guide solo female travellers across South Korea in her guidebook on the country. South Korea: The Solo Girl’s Travel Guide is the ultimate tour guide for helping readers plan the trip of their dreams, avoiding all the scams, creeps and tourist traps along the way. 

With insights into Korean culture, food and traditions, the book comes complete with the best-curated recommendations on all the must-see destinations from Seoul, Incheon, Daegu, Busan, Gangneung and so much more. It’s also a practical handbook, detailing everything from budgeting to wardrobe tips that every female needs to know. With safety and security factored into every recommendation, West’s resource is one of the best South Korean books for empowering readers to dive into the trip of a lifetime! 

Korean Culture Dictionary: From Kimchi To K-Pop And K-Drama Clichés. Everything About Korea Explained! – Woosung Kang

Before jetting off on your trip to South Korea, it’s a good idea to know about the culture you’re going to be immersing yourself in. That’s where Woosung Kang’s Korean Culture Dictionary comes in. 

From why the South Korean flag looks the way it is to what ‘Gangnam Style’ actually means, Kang attempts to answer all of the burning questions travellers may have about the country. Featuring 350 topics, the Korean Culture Dictionary is the best resource for understanding the ‘Whats’, ‘Hows’ and ‘Whys’ behind the country’s quirks and curiosities. The result is an illuminating and fascinating cultural deep-dive that will enrich any experiences you have with Korean culture, be it inside or outside of the nation’s borders. 

Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).

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The Rough Guide to Korea

Practical travel guide to Korea featuring points-of-interest structured lists of all sights and off-the-beaten-track treasures, with detailed colour-coded maps, practical details about what to see and to do in Korea. The Rough Guide to Korea also includes details on how to get there and around, pre-departure information, as well as top time-saving tips, like a visual list of things not to miss in Korea, expert author picks and itineraries to help you plan your trip.

The Rough Guide to   Korea  covers: Seoul, Pyongyang, Sokcho, Gyeongju, Busan, Incheon, Suwon, Mokpo, Jeju Island, Danyang, Jeonju, Samcheok, Jeongdongjin.

Inside this travel guide you'll find:

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR EVERY TYPE OF TRAVELLER

Experiences for every kind of trip to Korea, from off-the-beaten-track adventures in Gongsanseong to family activities in child-friendly places, like Seoraksan National Park or chilled-out breaks in popular tourist areas, like Changdeokgung.

PRACTICAL TRAVEL TIPS

Essential pre-departure information including Korea entry requirements, getting around, health information, travelling with children, sports and outdoor activities, food and drink, festivals, culture and etiquette, shopping, tips for travellers with disabilities and more.

TIME-SAVING ITINERARIES

Carefully planned routes covering the best of Korea give a taste of the richness and diversity of the destination, and have been created for different time frames or types of trip.

DETAILED REGIONAL COVERAGE

Clear structure within each sightseeing chapter includes regional highlights, brief history, detailed sights and places ordered geographically, recommended restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and major shops or entertainment options.

INSIGHTS INTO GETTING AROUND LIKE A LOCAL

Tips on how to beat the crowds, save time and money and find the best local spots for ferry rides, hiking, cycling or visiting dazzling temples and traditional tea rooms.

HIGHLIGHTS OF THINGS NOT TO MISS

Rough Guides' rundown of Seoul, the DMZ, Suwon, Namsan's best sights and top experiences helps to make the most of each trip to Korea, even in a short time.

HONEST AND INDEPENDENT REVIEWS

Written by Rough Guides' expert authors with a trademark blend of humour, honesty and expertise, to help to find the best places in Korea, matching different needs.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Comprehensive 'Contexts' chapter features fascinating insights into Korea, with coverage of history, religion, ethnic groups, environment, wildlife and books, plus a handy language section and glossary.

FABULOUS FULL COLOUR PHOTOGRAPHY

Features inspirational colour photography, including the stunning Udo and the spectacular Paekdusan.

COLOUR-CODED MAPPING

Practical full-colour maps, with clearly numbered, colour-coded keys for quick orientation in Seoul, Busan and many more locations in Korea, reduce need to go online.

USER-FRIENDLY LAYOUT

With helpful icons, and organised by neighbourhood to help you pick the best spots to spend your time.

Description

Book details.

This title is a part of Rough Guides Main Series

Practical travel guides series covering countries, cities and regions, with detailed factual travel tips, perfect for independent, long-stay, backpacking and budget-conscious travellers seeking comprehensive travel information and off-the-beaten track experiences

Extensive practical travel information including getting there, getting around, climate information, safety tips, accommodation explanations, food & drink advice and shopping essentials 

Curated author picks with destination highlights at the beginning of each guide

Ready-made itineraries covering every corner of the destination

Colour-coded places chapters with detailed coverage of places and sights, presented in a points-of-interest structure 

Extensive recommendations for accommodation, restaurants, shops and leisure activities for all budgets

Colour-coded detailed maps with marked-up key sights 

Insights on history and nature highlights  

Easy to use, newspaper-style layout

All guides published from January 2021 are printed on paper from responsible sources verified to meet FSC’s strict environmental and social standards

Free eBook with each printed guide published from May 2019 

Format: 129 x 198mm

Price: £14.99-£26.99 | $13.99-$34.99

Extent: 616–1208 page

BOOK DETAILS

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South Korea Travel Guide

Where to go, what to see & how to stay on budget.

By Patricia Liu and Joel Marinan

There has never been a better time to visit South Korea. Clean, modern, sophisticated, and ultra safe, Korea is a destination that you will want to come back to again and again. With the rise of Korean culture and entertainment throughout the world, the country is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, especially for foreigners who wish to experience all that Korea has to offer.

Korea has always been a fascinating country to visit and deserves a place on everyone’s travel bucket list. Known for its stunning blend of tradition and modernity, Korea features futuristic technology, bustling markets, and a thriving pop culture scene. There are no guns or drugs allowed in Korea, and visitors can expect a high level of safety and cleanliness while exploring the country. Also of note is that Korea is a no tipping culture, so savoring the delicious cuisine is extra affordable, as are the cab rides to restaurants and other destinations.

Speaking of affordability, the exchange rate between the Korean won and the US Dollar has been very favorable for Westerners, which is another perk of traveling to Korea right now.

Our South Korea Travel Guide shows you where to go, what to see, and when to travel. Start your journey with itinerary ideas and pre-travel tips, the best day trips, and lots more essential Korean travel advice. Let’s go!

Here are some of our most popular articles that will help you make the most of your trip to South Korea.

A Local’s Guide to Gyeongju

What To Do in Korea in May: The Family Month

19 Did-You-Knows About Korea

10 Ways to Spend a Magical Christmas in Korea

Hiking in Seoul, the Top 5 Mountains You Must Try

Jeju Island: Top 10 Places You Must See

19 Best Things to Do in Seoul Right Now- An Insider’s Guide

23 Reasons Seoul Will Be Your New Favorite City

Latest travel updates.

• Vaccination is NOT a requirement for entry into Korea.
• There is no requirement on the passport’s remainder validity for entry. You may travel to Korea as long as your passport remains valid throughout your stay in Korea.
• From April 1st, 2023, travelers from the USA, Canada, and 21 other countries no longer need to apply for the K-ETA to travel to Korea. This will run at least until 31st December, 2024 and is designed to make it easier to travel to Korea.

Planning Your Trip To Korea

Check the Korean Embassy for any possible travel restrictions.

• If you’re not sure where to stay, check out our guide to the  best hotels in Seoul  . You can find our recommendations for the best luxury, mid-range, and budget hotels in Seoul, as well as long-term apartments that you’ll love.
• For the best flight deals to South Korea, Best of Korea recommends  Skyscanner  and  Expedia . You  can find the cheapest prices and most convenient flights and buy the one that suits you best.
• For the best hotel prices in Seoul, Best of Korea recommends  Klook  0r  Agoda  – they cover most hotels in Seoul and the rest of Korea and offer great prices without hidden fees.
• Before you travel to Korea, it’s a good idea to order an eSim card, regular  sim card  or  portable WiFi router  to collect at the airport so you’re connected as soon as you arrive. You can change a small bit of money before you travel, but you can also use the airport ATM to get some Korean won.
• There are large differences in exchange rates so you will need to do some comparing before you exchange a large sum of money. You can exchange USD to KRW easily at banks or money exchange shops in all major tourist areas like central Seoul (Myeongdong and Namdaemun are good places but the Coex Center also offers money exchange. You can also negotiate the exchange rate with the vendor if you think it is too high.
• You can withdraw cash from bank ATMs. Alternatively, use a pre-paid travel card like the one offered by  Wise , which allows ATM withdrawals and payments and works perfectly in Korea.
• Don’t forget to bring a  travel adapter for your electronics and leave plenty of extra space in your suitcase for the many Korean souvenirs and goodies you’ll buy on your tri

Do US Citizens Need A Tourist Visa?

No, travelers from the USA don’t need a tourist visa to enter South Korea. You can visit for up to 90 days visa-free.

Current COVID-19 Rules In Korea

Most COVID-19 rules in Korea have been dropped and now there are only 2 main rules to be aware of. First, face masks are mandatory when visiting medical facilities (hospitals). There is no longer a 7-day mandatory quarantine for people in South Korea. If you’re infected with COVID, the Korean government recommends a 5 day self-quarantine, but it’s not enforced. Travelers to Korea should follow the current restrictions or may be liable for fines or deportation.

Korean Tourism Support Hotline

If you have any concerns or problems when traveling in Korea, you can call  1330 . This is a dedicated tourism support hotline where trained specialists provide tourist assistance and is available in Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Thai, and Malay.

US Government Travel Advisory For Korea

The U.S. Department of State currently has a level 1 travel advisory (Exercise Normal Precautions) for the Republic of Korea (ROK). Find out more about current travel advisories for South Korea on the  Department of State  website.

6 Best Destinations In Korea

South Korea is truly a country of contrasts. From the bustling, modern city of  Seoul , with cutting-edge designer buildings, VR labs, and AI robots, to peaceful UNESCO World Heritage cities like Jeonju  and  Gyeongju , there are many unique places to explore.

There’s nothing worse than coming back from vacation and hearing about incredible places you missed that you wished you’d seen, such as a beautiful Buddhist temple by the beach (Haedong Yonggungsa Temple) or a leafy island getaway where deer and rabbits roam freely (Nami Island).

Here are 6 of the best destinations in Korea that you absolutely must visit, as well as some of the sights you’ll want to check out while you’re there. We’ll be bringing you lots more detailed destination guides in the future, so be sure to visit again soon.

Korea’s Busy Capital

Seoul is Korea’s largest city, capital, and first, stop for most travelers to Korea. There are  many beautiful places in Seoul , including landmarks, relics from ancient kingdoms, towering skyscrapers, Buddhist temples, Michelin-starred restaurants, and some of the best street food you’ll find in the world. If you see only one city in Korea, you should definitely visit Seoul.

You’ll never be bored in Seoul. Whether you’re traveling as a family, as a couple, or by yourself, there’s so much to do. Be sure to plan lots of time to check out Korea’s capital.

This  Full Day Tour  of Seoul will show you some of the hottest spots in the city, while this  Customized Private Tour of Seoul will allow you to choose where to go.

Here are 10 of the best Seoul attractions:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace
• Bukchon Hanok Village
• Starfield COEX Mall
• Bukhansan National Park
• Myeongdong Street Markets
• Lotte World Tower
• Secret Garden (Changdeokgung Palace)
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza
• N Seoul Tower
• Yeouido Hangang Park

Korea’s Second City

Busan, Korea’s second city, is a thriving port city far away from Seoul both physically and culturally. This popular summer destination features some of Korea’s most popular beaches and bars. Explore Busan and you’ll find sprawling markets, fresh seafood, film festivals, the world’s largest shopping mall, coastal temples, and lots more.

Busan is a city with some very photogenic sights. See the sunrise on the beach, hike around leafy coastal streets on the side of cliffs, and marvel at the wide range of (living!) seafood in the markets.

This  Full Day Tour  of Busan will show you the best beaches, markets, and local sights, while this  Customized Private Tour of Busan  will allow you to choose where to go.

Here are 10 of the best Busan attractions:

• Haeundae Beach
• Gwangbokdong Food Street
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
• Huinnyeoul Culture Village
• Gamcheon Culture Village
• Oryukdo Sky Walk
• Lotte World Busan
• Jagalchi Fish Market
• BIFF Square & Centum City Mall
• Taejongdae Resort Park

UNESCO City

Gyeongju is the former capital of the Silla Kingdom, part of the Three Kingdoms part of Korean history. These days, Gyeongju is an open air museum housing Korea’s finest history and monument. This UNESCO World Heritage City is a must-see for those who want to learn more about Korea’s deep cultural past.

Gyeongju is packed with temples, palaces, historical sights, and monuments. But it’s not just the history that draws the crowds, the city is an area of natural beauty, lined with cherry blossoms and shadowed by misty mountains.

This  Full Day Tour of Gyeongju  from Busan will take you around Korea’s open-air museum city, showing the top UNESCO sites along the way, while this  Customized Private Tour of Gyeongju  will allow you to choose where to go.

Here are 10 of the best Gyeongju attractions:

• Gyeongju Historic Area
• Bomun Lake Tourist Complex
• Bulguksa Temple & Seokguram Shrine
• Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond
• Yangdong Folk Village
• Cheomseongdae Astronomical Observatory
• Gyeongju National Museum
• Gyochon Traditional Hanok Village
• Woljeonggyo Bridge
• Gyeongju National Park

Natural Wonder

Jeju Island is Korea’s semi-tropical island that’s a popular vacation destination for locals and tourists alike. This area of outstanding natural beauty offers up rugged coastal walks, sandy beaches, green hills, and a volcano to hike up for those who enjoy a challenge. Culture and cafe lovers will also find Jeju Island a charm.

From snorkelling under the sea, to hiking above the clouds, sampling Jeju’s black pork BBQ, and drinking local green tea, there’s so many exciting activities, sights, tastes, and experiences waiting for you on Jeju Island.

This  Full Day Tour of Jeju Island  will show you some of the most incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites on Jeju’s East Coast, while this  Customized Private Tour of Jeju Island  will allow you to choose where to go.

Here are 10 of the best Jeju Island attractions:

• Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak
• Jusangjeolli Hexagonal Lava Cliff
• Hallasan Mountain (Volcano)
• Hamdeok Beach
• Jeju Folk Village
• Hyeopjae & Geumneung Beach Areas
• Cheonjeyeon & Jeongbang Waterfalls
• Udo Traditional Island
• Yakcheonnsa Coastal Buddhist Temple
• O’Sulloc Green Tea Fields

Traditional Korea

Jeonju is famous for its historical and cultural sights, including the sprawling Jeonju Hanok Village, packed with more than 700 traditional  hanok  houses. Jeonju’s many impressive sights are close to each other and perfect for a day trip from Seoul or Busan. You can even stay overnight in one of the traditional houses.

Jeonju is a tourist hotspot so there are plenty of things to keep travelers entertained and places to experience traditional Korean food and drinks. Be sure to check out the Jeonju bibimbap, one of Korea’s national dishes. Rent hanbok (traditional clothes), take lots of pictures, and see the sights.

This  Full Day Tour of Jeonju  will show you around the beautiful  hanok  houses and traditional Korean restaurants, while this  2-Day Tour of Jeonju  includes an overnight stay in a  hanok  and lots of delicious Korean meals.

Here are 10 of the best Jeonju attractions:

• Jeonju Hanok Village
• Gyeonggijeon Shrine & Portrait Museum
• Jeongdon Catholic Church
• Jeonju Hyanggyo Confucian School
• Nambu Traditional Market
• Jaman Mural Village
• Omokdae Viewpoint
• Deokjin Park
• Hanbyeokdang Pavilion
• Taiji-ro & Hyangoyo-gil Shopping Streets

Rural Attractions

Gapyeong County is an area just outside of Seoul that’s home to several interesting attractions celebrating Korean and foreign culture. The lush green hills and blue rivers of Gapyeong make it a great place to immerse in Korean nature.

You’ll find some of the hottest day trip locations here. Explore Gapyeong County on a day trip from Seoul. You can see romantic tree-lined streets and cafes on Nami Island, explore one of Korea’s most beautiful gardens, take a trip to Petite France, and enjoy cycling through the hills on an abandoned railway track.

This  Full Day Tour of Gapyeong  will show you around Nami Island, Garden of Morning Calm, and the Rail Bike Park.

Here are 10 of the best Gapyeong attractions:

• Nami Island
• Garden of Morning Calm
• Petite France
• Ganchon Rail Bike Park
• Edelweiss Swiss Village
• Cheongpyeong Lake
• Jarasum Island
• Kalbongsan Recreational Forest
• Gapyeong Sledding Hills
• Nami Island Zip Line

There are loads of locations to visit in Korea that make for a perfect day trip from Seoul. Hop on a coach, train, or tour bus in the morning and explore one or more of these unique destinations.

Here are 10 of the best day trips from Seoul to discover on your next journey to Korea:

• DMZ (North Korean Border)
• Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
• Everland Theme Park
• Jeonju Historic City
• Seoraksan National Park
• Korean Folk Village
• Alpaca World
• Gwangmyeong Cave

Most travelers to Korea arrive at Incheon Airport and then travel into Seoul (it’s only 40 minutes away) to begin their journey. Seoul is certainly an incredible place to start traveling, but it definitely shouldn’t be your only destination. Korea has a lot to offer, including a lot of seasonal activities and events that you should take into consideration.

Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit Korea and during these times the traditional cities like Gyeongju and Jeonju look amazing. They’re covered with cherry blossoms or fall foliage and this creates some postcard-like scenes. Gapyeong area is packed full of natural sights to enjoy, so definitely check out these areas.

If you’re visiting during summer, head towards the coastal areas, including the north-east coastal towns of Gangneung & Sokcho, or the south-east coastal areas of Busan and the nearby islands, such as Geoje, Tongyeong, and Yeosu. You’ll find lots of winter activities to enjoy in these areas.

Winter is cold and dry and, ironically, a great time to visit Jeju Island. This semi-tropical island is warmer than the mainland, but still gets snow on the mighty Hallasan Mountain. You can sit on a sunny beach one day and then hike knee-deep in snow the next. Jeju is also famous for its citrus, with thousands of tangerine trees dropping their juicy fruits in early winter.

Where To Stay In Seoul

South Korea is truly a country of contrasts. From the bustling, modern city of  Seoul , with cutting-edge designer buildings, VR labs, and AI robots, to peaceful UNESCO World Heritage cities like Jeonju  and  Gyeongju , there are many unique places to explore. If you’ve decided on Seoul, here are some of the best hotels that are well located and highly reviewed.

Choosing the best destinations to visit in Korea can be a challenge, especially if you don’t know what there is to see. You might not have heard of some of these destinations, which is not surprising. Korea is a country of undiscovered wonders that are waiting to be found.

If you want the best Seoul has to offer, these luxury hotels are for you. Located in Seoul’s glitziest neighborhoods, these hotels are within walking distance of Michelin-starred restaurants, chic boutiques, galleries, museums, and the finest shopping experiences available.

Expect nothing but the best in terms of service and style at these luxury hotels. Silky soft sheets, immaculate rooms with the finest fixtures and fittings, and true 5-star service from the hotel staff. These hotels have sports, dining, and entertainment facilities to make you comfortable during your stay.

Airport transfers are available with these hotels, making your journey into and out of Seoul a breeze. Located in popular upmarket districts in Seoul, these neighborhoods have lots of local charm for you to discover, as well as allow easy access to other parts of the city with excellent transport options nearby.

Not only are these beautiful, comfortable hotels inside, but they are also located in some of the most iconic buildings or districts and provide amazing views over some of Seoul’s most interesting districts. The view from the first hotel is worth the cost alone.

Recommended Luxury Hotels In Seoul

Here are 3 of the best luxury hotels in Seoul that we recommend for an unforgettable stay in Korea’s capital:

Families. couples and other travelers that want to experience the best of Seoul without breaking the bank can sleep easy with these mid-range hotel recommendations in some of Seoul’s trendy, vibrant districts, including Hongdae, Gangnam, and Myeongdong.

Encounter stylish accommodation in Seoul’s Hongdae districts, which is full of street culture and artistic scenes from the district’s eponymous Hongik University – one of Korea’s leading art centers.

Fashion lovers and shoppers will find lots to love in downtown Gangnam, with its wide streets and glassy storefronts bracketing narrow side streets and hidden delicacies.

Myeongdong is famous for its budget and mid-range accommodation options, including several hotels by the famous Lotte chain – one of Korea’s best mid-range brands.

Whichever mid-range hotel you choose in Seoul, you can be sure you’ll have fantastic city views, convenient subway access, and lots of unique cultural sights, sounds, and tastes to experience.

Recommended Mid-Range Hotels In Seoul

Here are 3 of the best mid-range hotels in Seoul that we recommend for an comfortable stay in Korea’s capital:

Seoul has a wealth of budget accommodation options that will help make your money go further. These hotels are all around $100 or less but offer the comfort and convenience that you’d expect to find in a mid-range hotel. One even has a beautiful rooftop pool.

Although these hotels are cheaper, don’t lower your expectations. You’ll always find great service in Korea. Save on sleeping to spend more on shopping, souvenirs, sights, and all the other fun things there are to do in Seoul.

These budget hotels in Seoul are also in great locations for shopping, enjoying local culture, and seeing the real side of Seoul and Korea. Hongdae offers bargain hunters the chance to get boutique fashion at market prices, Gangnam has plenty of cafes and cheap eats tucked away off the main avenues, and Myeongdong is a budget traveler’s paradise full of $1 street food and bargain souvenirs.

You won’t be disappointed with a night at any of these hotels. If you want to make your budget go further so you can spend more on some of the incredible day trips Seoul has to offer, definitely book a night at one of these hotels.

Recommended Budget Hotels In Seoul

Here are 3 of the best budget hotels in Seoul that we recommend for an affordable stay in Korea’s capital:

Korean Travel Tips

Korea is a unique country with a written language that looks nothing like English, fascinating etiquette rules , and an always busy lifestyle. Travelers may be lost trying to do even the simplest things.

These travel tips include the best options for staying connected, how to use public transportation easily and cheaply, great discount cards that will save you money as you travel, where to exchange money, and how to learn some basic Korean phrases for when you travel.

These essential Korean travel tips have been crafted by experienced travelers who love to save time and money. Only the best quality services and products are recommended here.

Here are our Korea travel essentials that’ll help you get around more easily, save you money, and let you get the most out of your trip.

Plan ahead now and you’ll have fewer troubles on your travels, giving you more time to enjoy your time in Korea.

If you’re traveling to Korea, you’re almost certainly going to want to get access to the internet to help you navigate, translate Korean, or even book tickets to attractions. Korea has one of the world’s best mobile internet and the prices are very reasonable. 5G mobile internet services are available across the country and Korea was one of the first to get the super-fast service. You won’t have problems connecting with a sim card or WiFi router when you travel.

Sim Cards & Data Plans

A Korean sim card is a great way to get access to all your usual cellphone services when you travel to Korea. Sim cards come with data-only packages, or data and phone services combined.

Buying a Korean sim card will give you access to a Korean phone number, which is useful when using Korean apps. If you want to order food online in Korea, you need to have a Korean phone number to complete the order.

Korean Sim Card Costs

Prices start at W5,900 ($5) for a 1-day sim. You can also get 10-day sim cards (W34,700/$28) and 30-day sim cards (64,400/$52). These all come with unlimited data, domestic calls, and texts.

You can purchase a  Korean Sim Card  From Klook and collect it at the airport. This is a very convenient option as you can use it immediately to help navigate and check in back home.

Portable WiFi Routers

A Korean portable WiFi router will give you access to mobile internet throughout Korea by connecting to WiFi hotspots run by the major phone companies in Korea and comes with great coverage.

The major benefits of a portable WiFi router include a lower cost than a Korean sim card and also the ability to connect up to 3 devices to 1 router. That means that families and groups will be able to share the service.

Korean Portable WiFi Router Costs

The cost of a Korean portable pocket WiFi router is W3,200 ($2.60) per day. You can rent the WiFi router for as many days as you require and pay in advance and pay any excess days when you return it.

You can also purchase a  Korean Portable WiFi Router From Klook and collect it at the airport. You can book online before you travel so that it’s guaranteed to be waiting for you.

Should I Get A Sim Card Or WiFi Router In Korea?​

Both a sim card and WiFi router are great options for travelers to Korea and will almost guarantee a great reception for mobile internet. The choice between whether you should get a sim card or WiFi router in Korea really comes down to the costs involved and if you need a Korean phone number.

WiFi routers are cheaper and allow you to connect 3 devices, so they’re perfect for families. However, a sim card gives you a Korean phone number, which means you can call people and also register for Korean apps which require a phone number.

Check out our detailed article about the  Best Sim Card & Portable WiFi  options for traveling to Korea.

Korea is a safe, modern country and one that has pushed hard for the mass adoption of cards. Almost every location that deals with money is required to accept card payments. This is great news for travelers to Korea as you can use a card to pay for meals out, entrance tickets, trains, and lots more.

Cash is still needed for some things, such as topping up transportation cards like the T-Money Card (more on that soon) and for paying for small things like street food. Please note, as Korea doesn’t have a tipping culture, you don’t need cash for leaving a tip. In fact, if you try to leave a cash tip, it’ll be returned to you in most places.

Read on to find the best tips to avoid getting ripped off when exchanging money and how to pay the lowest fees when you use a card to pay in Korea. Be a smart traveler and save more money for shopping and souvenirs.

Korean Money Exchange Options​

Once you arrive in Korea, there are several options for exchanging money. First, you can exchange money at a money changer in tourist areas such as Myeongdong. These money changers used to have the best rates in Seoul.

However, a better option these days is to use the currency exchange machines from WOW Exchange. These machines are located all over Seoul’s most popular tourist spots, stations, and hotels. They allow you to exchange foreign cash directly to Korean won, with better rates than at the airport. You can also use these machines to claim a tax refund for your shopping before heading to the airport. Both options require a passport.

Should I Change Money At The Airport?

Exchanging money at the airport is easy and convenient as you can instantly get cash to use for shopping, transportation, and general use. However, the exchange rate at the airport is usually much worse than you’ll find in other places in Korea, as mentioned previously. If you need cash as soon as you land, withdraw a small amount ($50) and then exchange the rest in Seoul.

Travel Money Cards For Korea

While cash is useful and familiar when traveling, a much better option is to use a travel money card (also known as a currency card). Travel money cards, such as the Wise Travel Money Card, allow you to pay for travel expenses without the need to carry cash or convert money.

A travel money card offers the convenience of using a credit card without high fees that a regular bank could charge. It also allows you to withdraw cash from an ATM without a fee (up to a limit), so you can avoid carrying any cash on the flight or using a money exchange. The exchange rate is the mid-market rate, meaning it’s better than you’ll find even at the money exchanges listed before.

Can I Use My Bank Card In Korea?​

Credit cards are widely accepted in Korea. Visa and Mastercard users shouldn’t face a problem, but other cards aren’t as widely accepted. Debit cards and cash withdrawals might not work depending on the bank. Your bank may charge a fee when using it overseas, or give a bad exchange rate. Check with your bank before traveling.

The best option for travel money in Korea is to have a mixture of cash and cards, with a backup credit card just in case. Taking some USD with you is always a good option as you can find plenty of places to exchange it to Korean won and probably at a better rate than you’ll get in the US. If you want to withdraw money in Korea, look for the global ATMs in tourist areas.

Taking a  travel money card  will be safer, cheaper, and more convenient than relying on your own bank or credit card, too. These cards offer competitive rates and are widely accepted around the world so you can use them to visit other countries, too. If you use a travel money card and it gets lost or stolen, you can freeze the card instantly with the app and not have to worry about losing the balance on the card.

When you visit Korea, you’ll notice that most people pay for goods with a card or payment app, even for small purchases like a bottle of water. Unfortunately, the payment apps that are common in the US, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, aren’t available in Korea. Korean apps, such as Kakao Pay, require a Korean bank account, and therefore aren’t an option for travelers.

T-Money For Public Transport

The T-Money Card is an essential purchase for every traveler to Korea. The T-Money Card is a transportation card that allows contactless travel on Korea’s buses and subways. Simply buy a T-Money Card, top-up the card, then use it to travel.

Not only is this transportation card really convenient, it also saves you money. You’ll receive a discount on every bus or subway journey when you pay with the T-Money Card. These discounted fares are available in all cities across Korea, not just Seoul.

This isn’t the only use of the T-Money Card. You can also use to buy a coffee from Starbucks, get lunch in McDonald’s, shop for Korean cosmetics, and even to watch a baseball game. It’s a very useful card that can be used anywhere you see the T-Money Card.

You can get the  T-Money Card in Korea from subway stations and at certain transport centers, including Seoul Station and Incheon Airport. The card costs 2,500 KRW. You can buy the card with a credit card, but to top-up the card, you need to use cash. If you buy a Discover Seoul Pass, this card includes the T-Money functions.

Save With The Discover Seoul Pass

Travelers to Seoul have a lot of options for incredible attractions to enjoy and experience. However, tourists, especially families, can find that the cost of these attractions quickly add up, especially when you are visiting many locations in a short time.

A great way to save money when you travel in Seoul is to buy a  Discover Seoul Pass  – a special card that offers you big savings on some of Seoul’s top attractions, as well as other benefits.

If you plan to visit Seoul’s Royal Palaces, N Seoul Tower, Lotte World Adventure Theme Park, the COEX Aquarium, Alive Museum, Seoul Zoo, or other premium attractions, you can gain free entry when you purchase a Discover Seoul Pass.

Not only that, you can also get a free river cruise, free hanbok rental, free ride on the Airport Express from Incheon Airport to Seoul, free City Tour Bus Ride, free T-Money Card and lots more.

The Discover Seoul Pass is valid for 24 | 48 | 72 hours and is valid from the moment you first use it until that many hours later.

Things To See & Do In Korea

If you want to build your own itinerary for South Korea, then this section of the South Korea Travel Guide will provide the building blocks you need to craft the perfect trip.

South Korea is a country packed with famous landmarks and sights, unique culture – modern & historical,  family-fun activities, outdoor adventures, cozy cafe districts, and natural wonders. There’s more to do in Korea than you could imagine and it’s impossible to explore it all in one trip. Try to plan your itinerary by cities and locations. For example, plan your day in Seoul stay by district.

Here are some of the best things to see and do in South Korea, broken down into different themes so you can find things that interest you the most. The location of each of these attractions is included, too, so you can create a city by city itinerary, seeing the best South Korea has to offer.

These attractions are available all year round so whenever you go to Korea, you can enjoy them. There are plenty of things to see and do in Korea that only happen during certain seasons. Check out the  Season Guide  in this South Korea Travel Guide for more information about Korean festivals and seasonal events.

Here are 10 of the best Korean landmarks:

• Lotte World Tower (Seoul)
• Bukchon Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Nami Island (Gapyeong)
• Banwol ‘Purple Island’ (West Coast)
• N Seoul Tower (Seoul)
• Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul)
• Seoraksan National Park (Gangwon Province)
• Hwaseong Fortress (Suwon)
• Cheonggyecheon Stream (Seoul)
• Gamcheon Cultural Village (Busan)

Why travel to a diverse country such as Korea and not embrace the local culture? Here are 10 of the best unique Korean experiences you can only enjoy fully in Korea. Be brave, try something new and create lasting memories of your Korean adventure.

Here are 10 of the best uniquely Korean experiences:

• Wear Traditional Korean Hanbok (Royal Palaces)
• Sing In A Korean Noraebang (Everywhere)
• Sleep In A Korean Hanok House (Hanok Villages)
• Visit The Kimchi Museum (Seoul)
• Eat Street Food (Traditional Markets)
• Experience A Korean Temple Stay (National Parks)
• Drink Makgeolli – Korean Rice Wine (Everywhere)
• Visit The World’s Most Dangerous Border – The DMZ
• Relax In A Korean Sauna (Everywhere)
• Visit A Korean Green Tea Field (Boseong, Jeju)

Here are 10 of the best Korean historic sights:

• Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul)
• The Secret Garden (Seoul)
• Bulguksa Temple (Gyeongju)
• Jeonju Hanok Village (Jeonju)
• Seoul Fortress Walls (Seoul)
• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple (Busan)
• Andong Hahoe Folk Village (Andong)
• Gyeongju Historic Area (Gyeongju)
• Baekje Historic Area (Gongju, Buyeo)
• Jangsaengpo Whale Museum (Ulsan)

Here are 10 of the best modern K-Culture spots:

• K-Pop Headquarters (Seoul)
• HYBE Insight (Seoul)
• COEX Artium (Seoul)
• K-Style Hub (Seoul)
• Hongdae Shopping Street (Seoul)
• Hallyu K-Star Road (Seoul)
• Asia Culture Center (Gwangju)
• Busan International Film Festival Square (Busan)
• MBC World Theme Park (Seoul)

As you’ll see, there’s just so much to see and do in Korea. You could spend a whole week in Seoul and not run out of exciting activities to do and sights to explore. Our advice is to try to avoid planning to do too many things in one day and adding in plenty of free time.

There’ll be many random things that catch your eye, such as a curious side street, or your nose, like the delicious smells from a food stall. Make sure you’ve got flexibility in your schedule to investigate these surprises and to take a rest if you need to – walking and traveling for days on end can get tiring.

Korea comes alive at night and markets and city streets are often best explored after the sun goes down. Drab concrete buildings come alive with neon signs, lanterns, and electric lights and are quite a sight to be seen. Visit popular tourist attractions such as the royal palaces and hanok villages during the morning as they’ll be less crowded.

If you plan to visit the Secret Garden in Changdeokgung Palace (you really should!), tickets are available on the day and sell out fast. Getting to these places early can guarantee you get tickets, see the sights unobstructed, and have time in the evening to soak up the night life and culture.

Here are the 10 best family-friendly activities in Korea:

• Nami Island & Garden of Morning Calm (Gapyeong)
• Seoul Grand Park & Zoo (Seoul)
• Lotte World Adventure (Seoul, Busan)
• Alive Museum & Dynamic Maze (Seoul)
• Seoul Children’s Grand Park (Seoul)
• Seoul Children’s Museum (Seoul)
• Everland & Caribbean Bay Theme Parks (Near Seoul)
• Sea Life Busan Aquarium
• Jeju Dinosaur Island (Jeju)
• Alpaca World (Gangwon Province)

Here are the 10 best museums & galleries in Korea:

• National Museum of Korea (Seoul)
• Seoul Museum of Art (Seoul)
• Gyeongju National Museum (Gyeongju)
• War Memorial of Korea (Seoul)
• National Folk Museum of Korea (Seoul)
• National Maritime Museum (Busan)
• Seodaemun Prison History Museum (Seoul)
• Seoul Museum of History (Seoul)
• Museum Kimchikan (Seoul)
• Daegu Art Museum (Daegu)

Here are the 10 best cafe areas in Korea:

• Ikseondong Hanok Village (Seoul)
• Gyeongui Line Hongdae (Seoul)
• Samcheondong Cafe Street (Seoul)
• Jeonpo Cafe Street (Busan)
• Hwangnidan-Gil (Gyeongju)
• Gangneung Coffee Street (Gangneung)
• Sinsa-Dong / Garosugil Road (Seoul)
• Jukjeon Cafe Street (Seoul)
• Hwaseong Haenggung Area (Suwon)
• Kim Kwang Seok Gil Street (Daegu)

Here are 10 of the best Korean markets and shopping areas:

• Gwangjang Market (Seoul)
• Myeongdong Market Area (Seoul)
• Jagalchi Fish Market (Busan)
• Centum City Mall (Busan)
• IFC Mall (Seoul)
• Starfield COEX Mall (Seoul)
• Nambu Market (Jeonju)
• Seomyeong Underground Shopping Center (Busan)
• Seogwipo Maeil Olle Market (Jeju)

Here are 10 of the best natural sights in Korea:

• Hallasan Mountain (Jeju)
• Jirisan National Park (Jeollanam Provice)
• Seoraksan National Park (Gyeonggi Province)
• Seongsan Ilchulbong Sunrise Peak (Jeju)
• Damyang Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (Damyang)
• Boseong Green Tea Plantation (Boseong)
• Haeundae Beach (Busan)
• Udo Island (Jeju)
• Hwaamdonggul Cave (Gangwon Province)

Travel Itinerary For Korea

When planning a travel itinerary for South Korea, it’s best to think about what kind of experience you want when you travel to South Korea and build your itinerary from that. What kind of traveler are you and what do you want to take away from your Korea trip? Are you planning a trip for yourself, for your family, or as a romantic escape?

Do you want to learn about traditional Korean culture and history? Are you visiting to immerse yourself in modern Korean culture and maybe meet your idols? Are you planning to get out into Korea’s mountains to hike and join a Buddhist Temple Stay? Or are you going to eat, drink, shop, and make the most of Korea’s discounted goods? Or all of the above?

This section of this South Korea Travel Guide will offer some of the best one-week and two-week itineraries for South Korea. These itineraries are rough guides, created to help you begin planning your trip. Feel free to pick and choose the parts from them that you like to create your own travel itinerary for South Korea. We’ll be adding more great itineraries soon, be sure to check back for the latest ideas.

Classic 1 Week Itinerary For Korea: Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju

This is one of the most popular of the 1-week itineraries for South Korea and will take you to the most famous and interesting places that are top of most travelers’ South Korea bucket lists. Starting in Seoul, Korea’s capital, you’ll explore the best sights in this city before taking a day trip out to the lovely Gapyeong County to get a breath of fresh Korean countryside air.

From day 4, zip across the whole of Korea on the high-speed KTX train and explore Korea’s second city, Busan. See coastal temples, fish markets, wide beaches, and more in Busan before taking a day trip to Korea’s historic UNESCO World Heritage City, Gyeongju. On the last day, it’s time to return to Seoul to pack your bags full of the best souvenirs and snacks and say farewell in the highest part of the city.

Afternoon : Dressed in your hanbok, enjoy more traditional Seoul with a walk around the narrow streets of the Bukchon Hanok Village. Visit traditional Korean teahouses, galleries, markets, and more.

Evening : Check out the stalls and shops of artsy Insadong, contemplate Jeogyesa Temple, and take an evening stroll along the Cheonggyecheon Stream before dining in Myeongdong or the Jonggak Avenue of Youth. This  Full Day Tour  of Seoul will show you some of the hottest spots in the city, while this  Customized Private Tour of Seoul  will allow you to choose where to go.

Afternoon : Head back to central Seoul and witness the bustling sights and delicious smells of Seoul’s traditional Gwangjang and Dongdaemun Markets. Try delectable Korean street foods here.

Evening : Take the Namsam Cable Car to the top of Namsan Mountain and watch the sunset from N Seoul Tower. See some of Seoul’s fortress walls before heading back down to go late-night shopping at Myeongdong Market.

Afternoon : Zip line or sail over to Nami Island for impressive nature, bike rides, leafy walks, and cozy cafes. See popular scenes from K-dramas and even some wild animals, like deer and rabbits.

Evening : Pedal your way along an abandoned railway at the Gangchon Rail Bike Park before heading back to Seoul for fine dining in Gangnam’s Apgujeong Rodeo district.

Afternoon : Head to the Nampo-dong near Busan Station and visit Jagalchi Market for a fresh seafood lunch. Then explore cosy Bosu-dong Book Alley or take a taxi to the Huinnyeoul Culture Village.

Evening : Take the subway up to Haeundae Beach for Busan’s best night-scenes. Grab dinner overlooking the beach, or at one of the market stalls. If you’re feeling brave, visit BUSAN X the SKY to see breathtaking views over the coast and city.

Afternoon : Head to the Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village for a traditional meal and to see the stunning Woljeonggyo Bridge. Gyeongju National Museum is nearby, too.

Evening : See the tranquil night views of Wolji Pond where palace buildings reflect perfectly in still waters. Stop at Hwangnidan-gil area for dinner and drinks before returning to Busan.

Afternoon : Explore the artistic shopping streets of Hongdae for last minute souvenirs and gifts for yourself. Take a break in one of the unique animal or artsy cafes.

Evening : Either take a night cruise along the Han River from Yeouido Hangang Park or dine in style at the Lotte World Tower in Jamsil, the world’s 6th tallest building. Both offer great night views of Seoul and unforgettable memories to take home.

Korean Seasons Guide

The best time to visit South Korea is during the warm spring or fall seasons. The weather is mild and clear, there’s a range of festivals and seasonal activities to enjoy, and you can travel to Korea comfortably.

The best months to visit are April, May, September, and October. These months are all during the Korean school semester, so there won’t be as many local travelers around during the weekdays. However, expect the weekends to be busy as people leave the cities to travel within Korea.

Large public holidays, including  Chuseok (mid-autumn festival) in September / October) and Buddha’s Birthday (May), provides travelers with the opportunity to experience Korean culture and celebrations. These holidays change each year based on the lunar calendar.

Korean Weather & Climate

South Korea is a country that experiences four very distinct seasons, with temperatures ranging from 100 Fahrenheit in the summer to below 0 Fahrenheit in the winter. Each of South Korea’s seasons brings opportunities to see unique natural views and enjoy the different climates in Korea.

Spring has some of the gentlest weather, with light rain and a quick jump in temperature to the 60s and 70s by late March. Summer begins with the rainy season in late June and becomes extremely humid and hot throughout July and August before cooling again in September.

Fall has the best weather in Korea, with many warm, sunny days. Cold winter weather appears very quickly in mid-November and the first snow usually appears by late November. Winter is dry and sunny with the lowest chance of rainfall but is also very cold. Snow isn’t constant, but can fall for several weeks on and off during winter.

Visiting in spring offers the chance to see beautiful cherry blossoms stretch across the country, as well as many other spring flowers that brighten up Korea after a cold winter.

Spring starts in late March with the awakening of the cherry blossoms and ends in early June with the start of the rainy season. South Korea is a country with a close connection to nature, which can be witnessed in the many spring festivals and celebrations that happen throughout the year.

Some of the best spring festivals include the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival, Damyang Bamboo Forest Festival, Yeon Deung Hoe Lotus Lantern Festival, Jindo Sea Parting Festival, and Boseong Green Tea Plantation Festival.

The weather in summer is perfect for getting outside and relaxing on one of Korea’s many beaches. Some of the best activities include spending a weekend camping or glamping by the beach, hiking in shaded valleys in the national parks, and water sports such as surfing, kayaking, and scuba diving.

Unfortunately, the heat may put off some travelers, and high humidity makes it uncomfortable to move around too much. Fortunately, Korea is a modern country with lots of air-conditioning and ways to deal with the hot weather, including delicious summer dishes.

Cool down with a bowl of Korean bingsu (shaved ice dessert) or a cool latte in one of the many cozy Korean cafes in popular beach destinations.

Travelers to Korea in the fall are treated to spectacular fall foliage creeping far and wide. You can see it falling on palace grounds, sprawled on mountains in national parks, and along city streets.

The start of the fall foliage season in Korea coincides with the end of the hot and humid summer, with clear skies and cool weather, making it the perfect time to travel in Korea. Like spring, the fall season in Korea is one of the festivals and celebrations.

The Chuseok holidays in late September / early October are the biggest public holidays of the year, with cultural events held in popular tourist destinations. There’s also a range of cultural festivals, such as the Andong Mask Festival, Baekje Culture Festival, Jinju Namdang Yudeung Lantern Festival, Jeonju Bibimbap Festival, and the Seoul Kimchi Festival.

Winter, like summer, has more extreme weather than spring and fall, with temperatures often in the 20s and 30s and below. This season, however, is also one of the best for travelers who want to see clear, blue skies and experience good weather.

Winter is the driest season and it very rarely rains. If you don’t mind the cold weather, it’s perfect for traveling around South Korea. One of the biggest draws during winter is the chance to see snowy Korean landscapes, from snow-bedecked royal palaces to frosty peaks atop Korea’s many mountains.

Winter sports are popular in Korea, with ski and snowboard resorts aplenty. Winter also offers the chance for family fun with winter attractions including sledding, winter illuminations, and Christmas parades.

Cost To Travel To Korea

The cost to travel in South Korea largely depends on your personal style of travel. You can travel on a low budget in Korea, for under $50 per day, or you could also travel for 10 times that amount if you wished to.

Food costs range from a few dollars for a bowl of  jajang  (black soybean) noodles to hundreds for premium  hanwoo (Korean beef) steak. The same applies to accommodation, with budget hostels costing $10 per night and premium 5 stars hotels costing hundreds.

Most travelers to Korea will already know what they want to prioritize their spending on. Some travel to Korea to eat, others to shop, and many more to experience the unique culture and history that Korea has to offer.

The costs in this section of our South Korea Travel Guide are based on the latest costs in Korea from this year. Examples of different costs have been covered to give you an idea of what to expect when you try to budget.

Please note, these prices are based on traveling in Seoul during non-peak times. Prices may be higher in peak times, which include cherry blossom season (Apr) and fall foliage season (Oct). Popular tourist cities, such as Gyeongju and Jeonju, may also have higher prices on weekends.

How Much Does It Cost To Travel In South Korea?

Travelers may find they want to spend more on hotels and less on eating out, or vice-versa, so don’t feel like you have to only follow the costs for one section. This is only a guideline to help you plan based on your own personal preferences.

To make it easier to figure out your expected costs to travel in Korea, this South Korea Travel Guide has broken down the costs into 3 different categories. These categories loosely fit 3 different types of travelers, as described below:

• Accommodation:  $200+ per night, per room (double)

Korea has a wide range of luxurious hotel options, including rooms in the Lotte World Tower, historic hanok houses, and glamping for those who want to escape to the countryside.

• Food & Drink:  $100+ per day, per person

It’s easy to spend a lot on food and drink in Korea as there are so many delectable restaurants. Fresh seafood, Korean steak, or the finest foreign foods are all available.

• Transportation:  $20+ per day, per person

Taxis and transportation are relatively cheap in Korea. A taxi journey across Seoul can cost less than $20 for 30 minutes and even the 1st class options on Korea’s high-speed trains are under $100 for the longest journey (Seoul to Busan).

• Accommodation:  $100 ~ $200 per night, per room (double)

You can book 4-star hotels in Seoul for very reasonable prices and enjoy both comfort and lower prices than you’d find at home. Korea has a wide range of comfortable mid-priced hotels.

• Food & Drink:  $50+ per day, per person

With all-you-can-eat Korean restaurants that serve unlimited Korean BBQ and other dishes for under $20 or $30 per person, it’s easy to enjoy the best food Korea has to offer without breaking the bank.

• Transportation:  up to $15 per day, per person

Use the subway and buses to get around the big cities and trains to travel further around Korea without breaking the bank. You can even splash out on a taxi and pay only a few dollars per person when traveling as a group for a few dollars extra.

• Accommodation:  up to $100 per night, per room (double)

Hostels and guesthouses can be found for under $50 per night and are perfect for somewhere to rest and recharge. If that’s all you need, save money here and spend it elsewhere.

• Food & Drink:  $20 – $30 per day, per person

If you budget well and stick to street food, free hotel breakfasts, and convenience store foods, you can eat well and still have enough to splurge on good food for dinner.

• Transportation:  up to $10 per day, per person

Walking and buses are cheap and convenient ways to travel around Korea’s biggest cities. Traveling from city to city is also cheap, with intercity buses costing less than $10 for 1-2 hour journeys.

Further Costs To Travel In South Korea

Besides these everyday costs to travel in South Korea, there are other costs that you’ll need to cover from time to time. These costs include internet & phone access, day trips, activities, souvenirs, travel insurance, and flights. These costs will be broken down into low and high-end costs that you can expect to pay in Korea.

Museums and galleries offer unique (and authentic) Korean souvenirs such as pottery, painting, tea & soju sets, and more. If you want something a bit more special, head to the underground markets near Gwangjang Market in Seoul and get your own handmade hanbok, which you can get posted back home to save luggage space.

• Small Souvenirs: $5+
• Korean Cosmetics: $5+
• Korean Artworks: $10+
• Korean Tea (box of): $10 to $20
• Korean Soju Set: $10 to $20
• Korean Handcrafts: $10+
• Tailored Hanbok: $200+

The day trip prices quoted below are the prices you can expect to pay with a reputable tour company like  Klook  or  Trazy . Hiring a private guide will be a lot more expensive and might come to $200+ per day.

Please note:  The prices quoted below are estimates and may change depending on the season or tour services.

• DMZ Tour – $50 to $120
• Nami Island Area – $40 to $70
• Everland Theme Park – $30 to $50
• Jeonju Hanok Village – $50 to $70
• Korean Folk Village – $50 to $60
• Seoraksan Mountain – $70 to $150

As mentioned earlier in this South Korea Travel Guide, buying a  Discover Seoul Pass  is a great way to save money on Seoul’s premium attractions.

• Royal Palaces – $3
• N Seoul Tower – $10
• Hanbok Rental – $10+
• Seoul City Tour Bus – $10
• Han River Cruise – $15 to $30
• Seoul Sky Observatory – $30 to $50
• Aquariums – $20 to $30
• Seoul Zoo & Seoul Grand Park $10
• Amusement Parks – $30 to $40

The cost to fly to Korea is more than twice the normal price right now. Fortunately, Korea ended the restrictions on the number of flights into the country from June 2022 and flight costs and availability should be improved in the near future.

Best of Korea recommends  Skyscanner  and  Expedia  for the best flight deals to Korea.

Why Travel To South Korea?

In recent years, travelers from around the world have been increasingly drawn to South Korea. The country is a must-see destination in Asia, with more than 17 million travelers in 2019. After reading this South Korea Travel Guide, you’ll understand what draws so many people to the Land of The Morning Calm, as Korea is also known.

There are myriad reasons why people visit Korea. Many come to experience life in a unique country, packed with historical and cultural sights that you won’t find elsewhere in the world. In the afternoon you can walk through a royal palace dressed in  hanbok  (traditional Korean clothes), sip green tea in a  hanok  (traditional Korean house), and pass Buddhist monks walking peacefully through an ancient temple.

Modern South Korean culture is conquering the world, with chart-topping acts that include BTS and Black Pink, Oscar-winning movies like Parasite, and phenomenally successful TV shows like Squid Game. This brings in legions of fans flocking to shooting locations and film sets to relive their favorite K-Culture moments. Some lucky travelers even get to catch sight of their favorite K-Stars walking around Gangnam, a hotspot for Korea’s most famous citizens.

Not only is Korea a beautiful country, it’s a country that will make you beautiful, with some of the world’s best fashion and beauty shops. Korea is famous for its K-Beauty products and is a beauty and fashion shoppers paradise. From the street fashions of Hongdae, to the luxurious fashion malls of Gangnam, and the wall-to-wall malls with discount clothes in Dongdaemun, you’re guaranteed to find something you can’t resist at a great price. If you prefer a cultural shopping experience, there are traditional markets all over Korea, where you can experience street food, buy novel gifts, and see how locals live and socialize.

There’s so much more to South Korea than what you’ll find in the cities, however. South Korea, a country that’s 70% mountainous with coasts on three sides, offers so much to nature and adventure lovers. Hiking, South Korea’s national pastime, is a popular way to see more of the Korean countryside, looking down over rice fields, forested valleys, and pockets of urbanization. Skydiving, parasailing, scuba diving, water sports, cycling, rock climbing, white water rafting, and lots more are on offer and very reasonably priced. South Korea is a great place to enjoy the great outdoors.

The real jewel in South Korea’s natural crown, however, has to be Jeju Island – one of the New 7 Wonders of the Natural World. Explore lava caves, hike to the peak of the central dormant volcano (Hallasan Mountain), trek around the rugged coast, relax on a sandy beach in a modern cafe, and even try your hand at horse riding.

Whatever your reason to travel to South Korea, you’re sure to find more and more reasons to return again and again. Let this South Korea Travel Guide whet your appetite for your first trip, inspire you to plan a follow-up trip, and guide you to the best things to see and do in South Korea.

South Korea Travel Guide FAQs

Not sure about the South Korea travel restrictions and want to know more about visas, vaccinations, and what the rules are? This next section covers some of the most frequently asked questions about traveling to Korea now. If you have more questions that aren’t covered below, feel free to write to us on the  Best of Korea  Facebook page.

Do I need a visa to travel to South Korea?

US citizens and tourists from 111 other countries, including Canada and Mexico, don’t need a visa to travel to South Korea. The US government and South Korea have a visa-free travel arrangement and tourists can stay for up to 90 days.

What happens when I arrive in South Korea?

From September 2022 onwards it is no longer necessary to provide any vaccination status or take any PCR or RAT tests. A mandatory health check will be required, but this is only a simple form you can fill in on arrival.

What happens if I get a positive PCR result?

If you test positive for COVID-19 while in Korea, you will need to quarantine for 7 days at government facilities. Travelers who break the quarantine rules are subject to deportation or fines.

Can I travel to Korea if I'm unvaccinated?

Yes, you can still travel to South Korea if you’re unvaccinated. South Korea no longer restricts travel based on vaccination status (as of October 2022).

However, if a traveler (vaccinated or unvaccinated) tests positive for COVID-19 in Korea, they will have to self-quarantine until negative.

South Korea is a dynamic and culturally rich country that deserves a place on everyone’s travel bucket list. Known for its stunning blend of tradition and modernity, Korea features futuristic technology, bustling markets, and a thriving pop culture scene. Perhaps most importantly, visitors can expect a high level of safety and cleanliness while exploring the country and savoring its delicious cuisine.

This South Korea Travel Guide shows you where to go, what to see, and when to travel. Start your journey with itinerary ideas and pre-travel tips, the best day trips, and lots more essential Korean travel advice. Let’s go!

LATEST KOREA TRAVEL UPDATES

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6/1/23 From June 1st, 2023, there is  no longer any mandatory quarantine  for COVID-infected people in Korea – both locals and travellers. The Korean government now recommends that infected people showing symptoms should self-isolate (voluntarily) for 5 days.

4/1/23 From April 1st, 2023, travelers from the USA and 21 other countries  no longer need to apply for the K-ETA  to travel to Korea. This will run until 31st December, 2024 and is designed to make it easier to travel to Korea.

3/20/23 From March 20th, 2023, the indoor mask mandate has been removed for public transport, including buses, trains, subway, taxis, and flights. The only remaining mask mandate is for medical facilities, including hospitals, care homes, and pharmacies.

How To Travel To Korea

Current Travel Restrictions For South Korea 2023

If you’re suspected of infection when you arrive (high temperature, feverish signs), you may be asked to take a PCR test. PCR tests are now free for travelers suspected of being COVID-19 positive within the first 3 days of arrival. This South Korea Travel Guide is regularly updated with the latest Korean travel restrictions.

Requirements To Travel To Korea

Here’s a simple 2-step guide about how to travel to Korea right now. Most restrictions have been lifted so travel to Korea is easier than ever. This applies to travelers from the US, Canada, and many other countries . As mentioned, it doesn’t matter whether you’re vaccinated or not.

Check the Korean Embassy if you’re not sure in either situation.

• When you travel to Korea, you will be asked to complete a self-check health questionnaire to show you’re not sick. You can do this when you arrive or complete it before you depart on the  Q-Code website .
• You don’t need to do any testing before you fly, but it is a good idea to take a self-test to make sure you’re safe. If you’re infected in Korea, it’s necessary to do 7 days self-quarantine. You don’t need to bring copies of your vaccination records but printing a copy of the K-ETA is recommended.

No, travelers from the USA don’t need a tourist visa to enter South Korea. You can visit for up to 90 days visa-free. However, you must apply for the K-ETA before traveling and upload your travel plans and hotel details.

Here are 6 of the best destinations in Korea that you absolutely must visit, as well as some of the sights you’ll want to check out while you’re there. We’ll be bringing you lots more detailed destination guides in the future, so be sure to visit again soon

This  Full Day Tour  of Seoul will show you some of the hottest spots in the city, while this  Customized Private Tour of Seoul  will allow you to choose where to go.

Korea is a unique country with a written language that looks nothing like English, interesting  Korean Cultural And Etiquette Rules , and an always busy lifestyle. Travelers may be lost trying to do even the simplest things.

If you’re traveling to Korea, you’re almost certainly going to want to get access to the internet to help you navigate, translate Korean, or even book tickets to attractions. Korea has one of the world’s best mobile internet and the prices are very reasonable. 5G mobile internet services are available across the country and Korea was one of the first to get the super-fast service. You won’t have problems connecting with a sim card or WiFi router when you travel

Traveling to any country involves potential scams, bad exchange rates, mistakes, and confusion when it comes to dealing with foreign currency. Fortunately, travelers to Korea have a wide range of options for travel money both before and while they travel.

South Korea is a country packed with famous landmarks and sights, unique culture – modern & historical,  family-fun activities, outdoor adventures, cozy cafe districts, and natural wonders. There’s more to do in Korea than you could imagine and it’s impossible to explore it all in one trip. Try to plan your itinerary by cities and locations. For example, plan your day in Seoul and stay by the district.

Here are some of the best things to see and do in South Korea, broken down into different themes so you can find things that interest you the most. The location of each of these attractions is included, too, so you can create a city-by-city itinerary, seeing the best South Korea has to offer.

Any South Korea Travel Guide would be incomplete without thee top landmarks & famous areas in Korea. These unmissable Korean attractions offer some of the best sights in Korea, showing you Korean history, culture, design, and sense of humor.

Learning about Korea’s past is not only enjoyable, it’ll also open your eyes to how modern Korean culture has evolved. Witness the majesty of grand palaces and the humble Buddhist temples and gain an insight into life in Korea with these fascination historical sights.

Are you a fan of Korean culture? Then check out these 10 modern K-Culture locations in Korea. Whether you’re ARMY or an arthouse cinema fan, you’ll love these sights. K-Drama fans, check out these  K-Drama Filming Spots in Seoul .

If you’re traveling to Korea with your family, you don’t need to worry about the kids getting bored. There are plenty of family-fun attractions in Korea to keep them amused and to show them what Korea’s really like.

Culture lovers will find no shortage of places to learn about Korean, Asian, and world history & culture. Korea has a rich history and displays this through a range of museums. Learn about traditional life, Korean wars, the democracy struggles, and even  kimchi .

Once a land of teahouses, Korea has now fully embraced coffee culture. Korea’s late-night culture makes cafes a great place to gather and chat. The rise of social media has also led to hundreds of insta-worthy cafes with photogenic decor, unusual coffee designs, and delicious desserts.

Many people travel to Korea just to shop, thanks to the low prices, haggling in the markets, and good quality items. From traditional markets to high-end designer goods, there’s somewhere to shop for everyone. Be sure to try authentic Korean street foods in the markets, too.

Korea is a country surrounded by sea on 3 sides and 70% mountainous, giving it a wealth of natural beauty. Besides  Korean cherry blossoms , flowers, and fall foliage, there are sculpted gardens, shimmering ponds, riverside parks, and a volcano to see.

Morning : Explore Seoul’s historic royal palaces starting with Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung Palace in central Seoul. You get free entry if you’re wearing a Korean hanbok, so be sure to pick one up from the rental shops outside.

Morning : Learn about Korea’s history at the National Museum or War Memorial in Yeongsan. These fascinating museums have interactive exhibits and feature 1000’s of years of Korean history.

Morning : Take a day trip from Seoul to explore Gapyeong County. See the wonders of the Garden of Morning Calm and its idyllic nature. This is one of the most beautiful gardens in Korea.

Morning : Grab an early breakfast at Seoul Station and ride the high-speed KTX train directly to Seoul. It takes less than 4 hours and rides past rice fields, mountains, and the Korean countryside.

Morning : Take a day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage City of Gyeongju and roam the Gyeongju Historic Area. See Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Cheomseongdae Observatory.

Morning : Pack your bags and ride the KTX back to Seoul. Head to Hongdae for street food snacks or Michelin-starred delights in famous restaurants.

March to May

June To August

September to November

December to February

Korean Souvenir Costs

The best places to buy souvenirs in Korea are in the traditional markets and tourist areas. Insadong in Seoul has a lot of art and souvenir shops, as do the market streets around Bukchon Hanok Village. Hongdae offers lots of bargain snacks and souvenirs to take home.

Day Trip Costs From Seoul

A day trip from Seoul is a must to see a different side of Korea from what you’ll experience in the capital. Taking a day trip is a great chance to experience Korea’s countryside, nature, and hard-to-reach cultural attractions.

Korean Activity Costs

Seoul and other Korean cities have so much to offer to tourists. From historical palaces to exciting theme parks and attractions, it’s easy to have fun, explore, and discover more about Korea’s history.

Flight Costs To Korea

Flight costs depend on which airports you’re traveling from. A flight from Los Angeles to Incheon Airport (Korea’s main airport) costs around $1370 right now. Flight costs vary depending on the season and time of day.

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12 Essential Books to Read Before Visiting South Korea

By: Author Jess Esa and Willow Heath

Posted on Last updated: 3rd April 2024

South Korea is a fascinating country with a rich history and culture. In recent decades, it has also become a major economic and technological power. As a result, there is a growing interest in South Korea from people all over the world.

South Korean literature is among the most beloved in the world, and immersing yourself in some fantastic Korean books is sure to enrich your travel experience.

South Korea is one of the most popular countries to visit, move to, and work in right now. A lot of that is down to K-pop and K-dramas, but there is such an amazing wealth of beautiful literature and a long and fascinating history beyond all of that.

Korean Books to Read Before You Visit South Korea

This list of fiction and non-fiction books about Korea is designed to introduce readers to South Korea from a variety of perspectives.

It includes books on Korean history and the Korean war, culture, and literature. Some of the books are written by Korean authors, while others are written by those who have lived in or studied in South Korea.

Let’s jump in.

Korea: A New History of South and North by Victor Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo

In one of the newer books about Korean history, authors Victor Cha and Ramon Pacheco Pardo draw on decades of research to explore the complex story of this divided nation. They examine Korea’s unique common history, as well as the sharp differences between North and South that have emerged since the Cold War division.

The book also sheds light on the evolving identities of the two Koreas, and the prospects for unification. It is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand Korea’s past, present, and what possibilities there are in the future.

Buy a copy of Korea: A New History of South and North

Human Acts by Han Kang

Translated by Deborah Smith

Han Kang made waves in the world of literature a few years back when her novel The Vegetarian was awarded the Booker International Prize 2016 (also translated by Deborah Smith). Her book, Human Acts , however, is arguably a more raw and political story.

Human Acts sheds light on the criminally lesser-known political suppression of South Korea that lasted until the Gwangju Uprising of 1980.

From multiple perspectives, including that of the ghost of a boy killed during the uprising, we get to see the turmoil, tears, and bloodshed that led to the vibrant and prosperous nation we have today.

Read More: If you’re looking for Korean short stories then check out the Yeoyu series .

Buy a copy of Human Acts here.

At Dusk by Hwang Sok-yong

Translated by Sora Kim-Russell

One of South Korea’s most prestigious novelists brought us this work in translation recently, in 2018.

It tells two stories: that of a rags-to-riches architect looking back on his life and childhood in a kind of Citizen Kane way, and that of a young woman struggling to forge herself a career in theatre.

At Dusk is a fantastic mirror held up to the disparate classes, artists, and businessmen of Korea today, and it’s a real tear-jerker to boot. Read our review of At Dusk right here .

Buy a copy of At Dusk

Our Korean Kitchen

Written by married couple Jordan Bourke and Jejina Pyo. Bourke is a renowned chef and, working together with his wife and her cultural expertise, they have welded together a fun and engaging cookbook that teaches us all the ins and outs of Korean home cooking.

Our Korean Kitchen is easy to follow and the tantalising pictures are a wonderful motivation, we had great success with the kimchi recipe! Before you head to Korea, it’s good to know what to expect, food-wise.

Maybe even cook some for yourself. You’re certain to fall in love with Korean food, so best to get a head-start. Here are six of the recipes from the book for free.

Buy a copy of Our Korean Kitchen

Read More : 12 Best Korean Cookbooks Available Now

A History of Korea by Kyung Moon Hwang

If you want an introduction to Korean history before you visit South Korea, this is the best book to pick up. A History of Korea concisely covers every major change and event that has led Korea to where it is today. It avoids being dry by favouring brevity and clarity.

Everything you need to know about Korean history can be found and enjoyed here, covering a whopping 1.5 millennia of Korean history (both North and South).

Important themes that define Korean culture are explored with detail and enthusiasm, giving you not only a lesson in Korean history but an insight into Korean social and political behaviour. A really enlightening read and an essential book to read before you visit South Korea.

Buy a copy of History of Korea

The New Koreans by Michael Breen

Written by a man who has spent many years living in and studying the world of South Korea. The New Koreans is a fascinating exploration of the economics, history, and politics of Korea today.

The country is now rich and prosperous. It builds some of the best tech money can buy. And it has the biggest pop music industry. How did it get here? Read this book to find out.

Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park

translated by Anton Hur

Love in the Big City is a queer Korean love story. It is a tale of hedonism and friendship; a book about looking at life from all angles: with love and hate and anger and fear in our eyes.

Translated elegantly and beautifully by Anton Hur, Love in the Big City considers how we live our lives when time is ticking, when there is fun to be had and things to be seen; when there are things to fear and people who want to hurt us.

Love in the Big City paints a raw and honest but ultimately kind picture of love and life in the modern day, and for that, it is one of the finest modern Korean novels.

Buy a copy of Love in the Big City

The Korean War by Max Hastings

I don’t know about you but the Korean War was not covered at all when I was in school. Hastings’ book is not an easy read, but it is an essential one for anyone who wants to understand the Korean War and its impact on the world.

His writing is clear and concise, and he does an excellent job of explaining the complex military and political issues that were at stake. We found a traumatic, bloody, and captivating story of civil unrest, political divides, and Western interference.

The Korean War by Max Hastings will teach you everything you need to know about the story of the Korean War. Everyone should know more about what divided the North and South and the lasting legacy of that decision.

Buy a copy of The Korea War

Read More : Here are some useful travel articles to check out before you visit South Korea .

The Court Dancer by Kyung-sook Shin

Translated by Anton Hur

Based on a true story — set in the final years of 19 th  century Korea as China, Russia, and Japan are threatening the nation trapped between them —  The Court Dancer  is being described as a love story first and foremost: the romantic tale of a man and a woman from two different worlds, colliding in a moment of beauty.

This is the tale of a woman born without a family, adopted into the courts of the Joseon Dynasty, romanced by a French diplomat, whisked away across the waves to foreign shores, and all the while trying to find the time to understand who she is, what she is, and what she wants out of a life that has never really been hers.

If you want to understand pre-Korean War history and see what European globalisation looks like from an Eastern perspective, this book will prove illuminating.

Visiting Korea’s beautiful palaces after reading this book is a real treat. Read our review of The Court Dancer right here or learn more about Anton Hur .

Buy a copy of The Court Dancer

Hello, South Korea: Meet the Country Behind Hallyu

In a sea of books about Korean culture, this one is an easily accessible and colourful exploration of the country and culture that has captivated the world. From its rich history and unique customs to its vibrant pop culture and global exports, this book has something to offer everyone.

Go beyond the surface of Hallyu and discover the real Korea. Learn about the country’s long and fascinating history, from its days as the Hermit Kingdom to its modern-day status as a global powerhouse. Meet the people who have shaped the country and its culture, from the incredible haenyeo divers of Jeju Island to the K-pop stars who have taken the world by storm.

Of course, no book about Korea would be complete without a discussion of its food and fashion. From the diverse varieties of kimchi to the popular glass skin beauty trend, you’ll learn all about the culinary and fashion delights that Korea has to offer.

Buy a copy of Hello, South Korea

Read More : Best Korean Snacks and Where to Buy Them

Drifting House by Krys Lee

Written by a woman born in Seoul but raised in the US, this is a gripping and desperately sorrowful collection of short stories which shine a light on the darker side of Korean society over the past hundred years.

Drifting House looks at the salarymen of Seoul, the starving children of North Korea, and the alienated immigrants attempting to settle in the US.

It is Korea and Koreans as viewed from every angle, and a truly wondrous book that teaches us empathy, history, politics, and humanity. An absolute must-read.

Buy a copy of Drifting House

Flowers of Fire by Hawon Jung

Flowers of Fire is a must-read for anyone interested in feminism , gender equality, and the #MeToo movement. Jung, the former Seoul correspondent for the AFP, draws on her on-the-ground reporting and interviews with many women who became activists and leaders to tell the story of the South Korean #MeToo movement.

The book highlights the courage and resilience of South Korean women in the face of threats, defamation lawsuits, and a criminal justice system that often sides with abusers. Jung’s writing is both informative and inspiring, and she does an excellent job of explaining the complex issues at stake.

Flowers of Fire is an essential read for anyone who wants to understand the #MeToo movement in South Korea and its impact on the global conversation about feminism and gender equality.

Buy a copy of Flowers of Fire

Read More : Thinking of taking a trip to Japan or China? Here’s what to read before you go

15 Books about Korea That’ll Give You Serious Wanderlust

by Julie May 19, 2020 Books , Korea

I lived in South Korea from 1997 to 1998 and at that time Korea was NOT cool. Fast forward 18 years later and for some reason Korean culture is NOW cool. What the heck happened?

I sort of get it, you know. I loved the movie, Parasite, and found Old Boy disturbing but unforgettable. At first, I had scoffed at people’s obsession with Korean boy bands until I saw BTS perform on Saturday Night Live. I was mesmerized by their baby boyish good looks and their other-worldly synchronous dance moves. I found myself guiltily listening to them on Spotify and watching their videos on YouTube.

I was curious to find out how Korea transformed itself from the UNCOOL kid on the block to one of the COOLEST kids in the world.

Since we’re almost all experiencing a global pandemic and most countries have closed themselves off to the outside world, I can’t very well visit Korea to find out. So. I set out to do it from my armchair (literally) and go on a Korean reading binge over 10 days. I read 13 books about Korea—everything from Korean novels to nonfiction books on the horrors of North Korea.

Here’s my one big takeaway from my Korean immersion: Korean literature is brilliant. It’s ten times better than any other of the other literature that I’ve read from other countries and most of the literature from my own country. Sorry Japan and China, but Korea is kicking your butts in not just movies, music, and television but also in literature.

The writing is the best I’ve seen. The topics explore current and relevant issues such as gender discrimination, economic and social inequality, and its country’s mistakes (Gwangju Massacre) honestly and unabashedly.

I’ve divided the list into two sections: books about South Korea and books about North Korea. Within each section, I’ve included both fiction and nonfiction. I’ve also given each book a star-rating out of five stars according to how well I liked them. However, there’s one book on the list that I couldn’t resist giving six stars to. It was THAT good. At the end, I’ll tell you my top five favorite books about Korea. Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate and a Bookshop.org Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.  Please see this website's  Disclosure for more info.

Table of Contents

(Click on the book title to jump to its review)

5 out of 5 stars

• The Birth of Korean Cool
• If I Had Your Face
• Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982
• Native Speaker
• Please Look After Mom
• Nothing to Envy
• Without You There is No Us

4 out of 5 stars

• A Geek in Korea
• Go: A Coming of Age Story
• The Vegetarian

3 out of 5 stars

• The Island of Sea Women
• Orphan Master’s Son
• A River in Darkness

Not rated yet

Books on South Korea

The first eleven books about Korea are set in South Korea, Japan, or the United States. Most of them have been written by women covering similar topics of either gender discrimination or the crimes of the Korean government.

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1. The Birth of Korean Cool: How One Country is Conquering the World Through Pop Culture

By euny hong (2014), my rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

“Ultimately what it boils down to is that even if Koreans disagree with the government, or are resentful of corporate greed, they think of themselves as citizens of a republic in the sense that Plato intended, wherein citizens believe that the well-being of those around you contribute to your own well-being. This idea is very much alive in Korea. That’s why every school in the nation follows the same curriculum: that’s why school is so difficult. Even the most elitist of Koreans believe that everyone has the right to a quality education. Call it enlightened self-interest, if you like. Koreans know from experience that everyone must rise together, or not at all.”

My favorite non-fiction book about Korea is The Birth of Korean Cool by Euny Hong. The book looks at why Korean pop culture has become so popular in so many countries around the world. It covers such topics as music, television, movies, food, and the education system.

It’s sometimes hard for me to get engrossed in non-fiction like I can with a good novel.  But I found it hard to put this book down. On top of that, I’m not even all that interested in Korean pop culture.

I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that how South Korea has spread its culture all over the world is impressively clever and worthwhile knowing.

I also have to give credit to the author, Euny Hong, for making this such an informative and enjoyable book. Having grown up in both Korea and the United States, she understands Korean culture, but she also knows how to communicate in a way that resonates with American readers.

Throughout the book, she would make sarcastic comments that made me chuckle. Here’s how she describes Korea’s reaction to Japanese history textbooks:

In 2008, new editions of Japanese textbooks declared Takeshima to be a Japanese territory. For Koreans everywhere, this was the last straw (or the first of many last straws, as it would turn out).

If you’re someone who is into learning about why some countries are more successful than others, I think you will enjoy this book. At the same time, if you’re interested in learning more about Korean culture, you’ll find it enjoyable as well in this terrific book.

2. A Geek in Korea: Discovering Asia’s Next King of Cool

By daniel tudor (2014), my rating: 4 out of 5 stars.

“Often when Westerners think of East Asian, the stereotypes of stoicism and self-control—the so-called “inscrutable Oriental”—come to mind. But Koreans in fact tend to be very expressive and open with their feelings. Somehow, sadness and happiness both seem to be magnified in Korea.”

A Geek in Korea is the perfect book for those who need a simple and quick overview of South Korea before traveling to the country. It’s part of a series of nonfiction books about Asian culture. You can find A Geek in Japan, A Geek in Thailand, and so on.

Written by Daniel Tudor, the book introduces the reader to a wide range of topics about South Korean culture. Here’s a brief run-down of some of the topics:

• Korean identity (concepts of jeong, han , and heung )
• Traditional Korean culture (religion, art, sports, education)
• Modern Korean culture (competitiveness, dating,
• The Internet in Korea
• Korean society and daily life (suicide, aging population, xenophobia, etc.)
• Koreans at work and play
• Korean music, movies, and television
• Visiting Korea

Having lived in Korea for a number of years as an English teacher, bar owner, and correspondent for the Economist, Tudo has the credentials to write a book about Korea. I liked his writing style. It’s breezy and informal, making it easy to read.

A Geek in Korea is probably the best book about Korea for those traveling to South Korea. I even wished I had read this book before I moved to Korea.

3. Go: A Coming of Age Novel

By kazuki kaneshiro (2018).

“Riffling through the pages of the book, I said, “You’re always reading novels.” I didn’t believe in the power of the novel.  A novel could entertain but couldn’t change anything. You open the book, you close it, and it’s over. Nothing more than a tool to relieve stress. Every time I said as much, Jeong-il would say something cryptic like, “A lone person devoted to reading novels has the power equal to a hundred people gathered at a meeting.” Then he’d continue saying, “The world would be a better place with more people like that,” and smile good-naturedly. And then it felt like maybe he was right.”

Go: A Coming of Age Novel  is one of two books about Korea involving Zainichi (the word used for Koreans born and raised in Japan). It’s not as famous as Pachinko, but I think it’s more honest.

The book is a coming-of-age story about a Zainichi teenager named Sugihara, who attends a North Korean high school in Japan. (I guess Zainichi are divided between those with North Korean citizenship and those with South Korean citizenship). He falls in love with a Japanese girl, but he chooses not to tell her that he is Korean. Of course, you can guess that she eventually finds out. The question is whether she accepts him or rejects him.

Alongside the love story is an examination of what it means to be Korean in Japan, the attitudes and prejudices of the Japanese toward Koreans and of Koreans toward Japanese.  This story is about how Sugihara tries to escape these prejudices.

Sugihara is a flawed and multi-dimensional character. Unlike Pachinko, whose main characters are a bit too perfect.  Go is more critical of the Koreans as much as he is of the Japanese. By the end of the book, I see that Koreans are as prejudiced against the Japanese as the Japanese are against the Koreans, and this prejudice goes so deep and is so stubborn that it feels unsurmountable.

The book won a prestigious literary prize in Japan and was made into a movie.

You can find this book on my list of books about Japan .

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A great way to get FREE books is to sign up for Amazon Kindle Unlimited with a FREE trial for 30 days . I’m a member of Amazon Kindle Unlimited and many of the books on my book lists come from it. You can get both Audio and Digital books, magazines, and my favorite, Lonely Planet Guide Books!

4. Human Acts

By hang kang (2017).

The third book about Korea is by Han Kang called Human Acts . Even though I haven’t read it yet, I’m adding it to this list of books about Korea for several reasons. First It’s written by Han Kang, who wrote one of my favorite books here called The Vegetarian, Second, it’s about an incident I’m curious about–1980 Gwangju Uprising, an incident in which the Korean government massacred hundreds of Korean protestors.  Third, it’s on pretty much every critic’s top 10 list of best books of 2017 (Amazon, Library Journal, NPR, The Atlantic).

The story is about the fifteen-year-old, Dong Ho, who was killed in the Gwangju Uprising, and the people around him whose lives were affected by the massacre and his death.

If you’ve read Human Acts , let me know what you think.

5. If I Had Your Face

By frances cha (2020), my rating: 5 out of 5 stars.

I wanted to reach over and shake her by the shoulders. Stop running around like a fool, I wanted to say. You have so much and you can do anything you want. I would live your life so much better than you, if I had your face.

I didn’t expect to like If I Had Your Face so much. But I did. Of all the books about Korea, this one by Frances Cha was the most unputdownable. It was such a fun read that if you do what I did and ignore everything else in your life to get to the ending, it shouldn’t take you too long to finish.

The book follows the lives of four young Korean women. There’s Ara, a mute hairstylist who while in high school wasn’t your stereotypical goody-goody study-hard kind of Korean teenager. Then there’s Kyuri, a beautiful but depressed room salon girl.

Miho is an artist who seems to have it all—a handsome rich boyfriend and the means to spend her days creating art. Finally, there’s Wonna, a strange married woman who’s pregnant with her first child. These women all live in the same apartment building in the heart of Seoul. They’re all just trying to make enough money to get by, have some fun, and find someone who will love them.

I read this book right after reading Birth of Korean Cool . The latter book made me think South Korea was this perfect society run by a perfect government. If I Had Your Face  erased all that. Instead of popstars and power brokers, the book covers the seedy side of Korea with its elitism, misogyny, and inequality. The focus is not on the successful and wealthy but on the young and powerless women of Korea’s non-elite class—the hairstylists, room salon girls (hookers), and office workers. These are the women that Korean society chews up and spits out when they’re old and no longer beautiful anymore. It’s fascinating and heartbreaking.

6. The Island of Sea Women

By lisa see (2019), my rating: 3 out of 5 stars.

We had yet another struggle between Shamanism, which was primarily for women, and Confucianism, which favored men. Confucius didn’t care much for women: When a girl, obey your father; when a wife, obey your husband; when a widow, obey your son. But when I was a girl, I obeyed my mother; when I was a wife, I had equal say to my husband; and now that I was a widow, my only son had to obey me.

I was really excited to read Lisa See’s new historical novel,  The Island of Sea Women . I’ve read every single one of Lisa See’s books and I’ve loved nearly every one of them. And my favorite genre is historical fiction.

The story takes place on Korea’s Jeju Island  between 1938 and 2008. It’s about the close friendship between Young-sook and Ma-ji, who are haenyeo , or sea women. The location is significant because Jeju Island has a matrifocal society, a society that focuses on women. In Jeju families, the men stay home and take care of the children, while the women provide for the family by diving into the freezing cold waters around the island hunting for abalone, sea urchin, and octopus.

Learning about the haenyeo was fascinating. But what was even more fascinating for me was learning about South Korean history after the war. It’s common knowledge that Korea suffered greatly under the Japanese, but not many people know of the suffering the Jeju people endured after the war finished at the hands of their fellow countrymen and with the backing of the United States government.

Although I enjoyed learning about the history and culture of the island, The Island of Sea Women had some flaws.  See chose a boring and annoying main character in the self-righteous Yeong-sook. Mi-Ja, the daughter of the Japanese collaborator, had a more interesting and tragic life story. It would have been a better story if she had been the main character.

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7. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982

By nam-joo, cho (2020).

The world had changed a great deal, but the little rules, contracts, and customs had not, which meant the world hadn’t actually changed at all.

There’s nothing like a good book to help you escape from a global pandemic! Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 was the perfect antidote for my anxieties.  I zipped through this engrossing novel by Nam-Joo Cho in one day.

Kim-jiyoung, Born 1982 was wildly popular in South Korea when it was published in 2016 even spawning Korea’s #MeToo movement and a backlash of misogynistic incidences across South Korea.

The book tells the life story of Kim Jiyoung, a thirty-year-old Korean mother, who inexplicably begins impersonating other people. Her husband takes her to a psychiatrist. That’s when the story takes an abrupt but still satisfying turn to the life story of Jiyoung’s told through the dry and detached voice of her psychiatrist.

On the surface, her story might seem boring as Jiyoung is nothing special. She’s just a typical Korean female. Yet her normalcy is what actually made the story so compelling for me. I was fascinated by all the endless incidences of gender discrimination that a typical Korean woman faces even before they leave their mother’s womb. As an American, I found some of these injustices to be shocking, while others were actually relatable.

8. Native Speaker

By chang-rae lee (1996).

“He said you could tell about a person not from what he believed, but by what worried him.”

I first read Native Speaker when it came out in the 1990s, and I absolutely loved the book. It was one of the first books I’d read on the immigrant experience (now there are tons of books on the subject), and the one that sparked my interest in questions of identity and assimilation for immigrants and first-generation Americans.

Native Speaker is about Henry Park, a first-generation Korean American and professional spy. The spy part is what really makes this book stand out. Without it, it would be just another immigrant story.

Having learned from his father to hide his true feelings and to keep a distance from others, Henry is the perfect spy. all skills. But these are the same qualities that get in the way of his marriage and in the way of coping with his son’s and father’s deaths.

Henry is also struggling with his job. In his last assignment, he became too emotionally attached to his subject. And now with his current assignment, spying on the up-and-coming Korean-American politician, John Kwang, he’s facing his biggest challenge, a test of his own identity.

There are so many great subplots in this book: espionage, identity, loss of a child, difficult parents, a broken marriage. They all seem to gel together as well. I really got into the struggle Henry was faced with: doing his job as a spy and betraying his race or being loyal to his race and to someone he respects and believes in.

9. Pachinko

By min jin lee (2017), my rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars.

“We cannot help but be interested in the stories of people that history pushes aside so thoughtlessly.”

Written by Min Jin Lee, Pachinko is probably the most well-known book on this list of books about Korea. It was up for numerous literary awards in 2017 and if you look on Amazon it’s got a 4.5-star reader rating with over 4,000 reviews.

The story begins on the southern coast of Korea at the turn of the century when Korea was under Japanese rule. It’s about a Korean woman named Sunja who falls in love with the wrong man and gets pregnant. Luckily, a Christian minister agrees to marry her and take her to Japan. In Japan, her family grows and Sunja endures the hardships of war, poverty, and discrimination over the decades

Pachinko was a very moving and unputdownable book about a topic that I had heard about but didn’t know very deeply: the Japanese colonization of Korea and the discrimination Koreans have faced in Japan.

I loved the first one-third of Pachinko , liked the second part, but wasn’t so enamored with the last part. I felt the last section of the book, which takes place after the 1960s, was rushed and lacked the attention to detail and the emotion of the first two-thirds.

You can also find this book on my favorite books about Japan list.

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10. Please Look After Mom

By kyung-sook shin (2011).

“To you, Mom was always Mom. It never occurred to you that she had once taken her first step, or had once been three or twelve or twenty years old. Mom was Mom. She was born as Mom.”

Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin is a heartbreaking and emotional Korean novel about family, sacrifice, guilt, love, regret, and loss.

So-nyo and her husband are visiting their children in Seoul when her husband loses his wife at the Seoul Subway Station. For her children and husband, her disappearance triggers memories of events between them and their mother/wife. Through these memories, we get to see the life of a typical Korean family and how a mother and wife sacrifices herself for her family.

Please Look After Mom is divided into four parts. The first two parts are narrated by her daughter and son, the third part by the husband, and the last by the mother. The daughter had the strongest voice. But the husband’s part was the most emotional for me.

I highly recommend reading it, especially now during this pandemic as our elderly parents are being hit by this pandemic harder than anyone else. I read it twice: 2012 and 2020 and I can say now the story is much more emotional than it was when I read it back then. The book made me think about my own relationship with my mother. Regardless of what country you’re from, I think most people can relate to the story.

Don’t worry. The title makes it seem sappy and overly-sentimental, but it’s not at all.

11. The Vegetarian

By han kang (2016).

“Before my wife turned vegetarian, I’d always thought of her as completely unremarkable in every way. To be frank, the first time I met her I wasn’t even attracted to her.”

Written by Han Kang, The Vegetarian won’t be for everyone. Once I finished it, I wasn’t even sure it was for me. But at the same time, it’s been a week since I finished it, and I still can’t get it out of my mind. One the one hand, it’s bizarre, dark, and depressing. On the other hand, the writing is raw and poetic and the story is emotional.

The book is broken down into three parts: The Vegetarian, Mongolian Mark, and Flaming Trees. All three parts focus on the life and mental breakdown of Yeong-hye but they’re told from different points of view: the cold-hearted husband, the passionate brother-in-law, and the always responsible sister. We never get to find out what Yeong-hye is thinking. Even when someone bothers to ask her why she’s stopped eating meat, we get a vague answer having something to do with a dream.

I was completely engrossed in the first chapter, rushing through it to find out what provoked her to become a vegetarian. And then the second chapter abruptly stops being about Yeong-hye’s decision and becomes a story of obsession and art. In fact, the title is misleading. The book is nothing about vegetarianism.

To be honest, I’m not even sure what it’s about. but trying to discover its message is what partly made it so interesting for me. The writer says that it’s an allegory of South Korea, but since I don’t know the country well enough, I’m not sure what that is. For me, it seemed to be more about the choices we make in life. Do we hold on and take the responsible route or do we break down and succumb to our desires and dreams? On the other hand, it could also be about how people deal with abuse and tragedy. Do we hold on to our sanity or do we let go and succumb to our insanity?

I’m cautiously recommending The Vegetarian because I know that it’s not going to be for everyone. The narrative is not straightforward and the characters are bizarre and their motivations are incomprehensible at times. But if you’re a fan of good writing with profound themes, then you’ll enjoy–maybe enjoy is not a good word here—you’ll at least appreciate The Vegetarian .

Books about North Korea

Here are four fabulous books on North Korea. There’s one fiction book and three nonfiction books. Before reading the nonfiction books on North Korea, I’d read tons of books on China and I thought a book about North Korea wasn’t going to be much different, so I wasn’t that interested in reading them. I was so wrong! What makes these books below different is that they tell you about what it’s like to experience a famine, which the ones on China don’t. 

12. Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea

By barabara demick (2009), my rating: 6 out of 5 stars.

“It is axiomatic that one death is a tragedy, a thousand is a statistic. So it was for Mi-ran. What she didn’t realize is that her indifference was an acquired survival skill. In order to get through the 1990s alive, one had to suppress any impulse to share food. To avoid going insane, one had to learn to stop caring.”

I bought Nothing to Envy over a year ago when Amazon was selling it for something like 99 cents. It had been gathering dust on my Kindle bookshelf until I went on this Korean reading binge last week. I read six books about Korea in seven days. I gave five of the seven a perfect five-star rating. Nothing to Envy, however, I’m cheating and I’m giving it six out of five stars . It is really , and I mean really THAT good. Let me just say: I reserve six stars only to those books that can make me cry, and I bawled like a baby at the end.

Nothing to Envy is written by Los Angeles Times journalist, Barbara Demick. It follows the heartbreaking but also uplifting life stories of six North Korean defectors. All six are fascinating, but my two favorites were Mrs. Song, a middle-aged woman who was unwaveringly loyal to the North Korean government until she saw her first electric rice cooker, and the orphan Hyuk, who when faced with the option to starve or steal, chose the latter.

A great deal of the book focuses on the famine that took place in the 1990s. It was both horrifying and fascinating reading about what goes on physically and mentally in people when they’re starving to death. I kept on thinking about how I and people in my country would react. Would I survive or die? How would most Americans react?

The other thing that I loved was reading about how these North Koreans adapted to life in South Korea. It told me a lot about the human condition and why some people are happy and others not.

Looking for More Books to Read for Your Travels?

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13. The Orphan Master’s Son

By adam johnson (2012).

“But people do things to survive, and then after they survive, they can’t live with what they’ve done.”

Winner of the 2017 Pulitzer Prize, The Orphan Master’s Son , is one of those rare novels set in North Korea (I don’t know of any other novel set in North Korea). The book is the life story of Pak Jun Do, a boy who begins life as an orphan or perhaps as the title suggests the son of an orphan master. Jun Do’s thinking is that since he received the worst treatment at the orphanage, he must have been the orphan master’s son. I know. It doesn’t seem logical, but not much in this book does.

That’s just one of many bizarre moments in the book that I was never sure whether it was real or not. The Orphan Master’s Son contains page after page of unimaginable pain and suffering. It can get really heavy and depressing at times. It’s not a book that I could read for long periods of time.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part is a straightforward account of the life of Pak Jun Do. He experiences tons of hardships but eventually grows up to become a professional kidnapper. In the second part, the story gets stranger when Pak Jun Do turns into the powerful Commander Ga.

I read books set in other countries to find out about the other country. But since this was written by an American writing about what he thinks North Korea is like, I’m not sure how credible it is. His story is filled with the most extremes of our North Korean fantasies. It’s my least favorite book on this list of books about Korea.

14. A River in Darkness: One Man’s Escape from North Korea

By masaji ishikawa (2018), my rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

“Serfdom is freedom. Repression is liberation. A police state is a democratic republic. And we were the masters of our own destiny. And if we begged to differ, we were dead.”

A River in Darkness is a memoir by Korean-Japanese Masaji Ishikawa, who “immigrated” with his family from Japan to North Korea when he was 13 years old.

Born to a Japanese mother and a Korean father in 1947, Masaji’s family was tricked into immigrating along with thousands of other Koreans. In his memoir, Masaji writes about his experience growing up in both countries and then his eventual escape from North Korea in 1996.

His story like all books about North Korea is heartbreaking. What makes A River in Darkness from other books on North Korea, though, is that because Masaji had seen what life was like outside of North Korea, he knew throughout his life that what he was being told by North Korea was a lie. And because he was part Japanese, his family’s treatment was even worse than an average Korean. There is a lot of bitterness and anger in this story that you don’t find in most other ones of totalitarian countries (Russia, China, and North Korea).

If you’re going to read one book on North Korea, I would choose Nothing to Envy over A River in Darkness . Masaji isn’t a professional writer, so the writing in this book is just not as good. It’s also a rather short book that lacks a comprehensive analysis of and some needed background on North Korea. There are also some things in the book that are a bit muddled (it says his family moved to Nakano but then it talks about Masaji wandering the streets of Tokyo). There are also some things in A River in Darkness that don’t jive with Nothing to Envy (a more thoroughly researched book) such as when or why the famine started.

However, if you’re looking for a short book to read in a day or on a plane ride, A River of Darkness is a good choice.

15. Without You There Is No Us

By suki kim (2014).

“Sometimes the longer you are inside a prison, the harder it is to fathom what is possible beyond its walls.”

I absolutely adored Without You There is No Us by Suki Kim. My only regret is that I borrowed instead of bought the book. I’m writing this review from memory and from notes I had taken when I first read the book.

Suki Kim is a journalist who goes to North Korea to teach English. Before reading this book, I had no idea you could teach English in North Korea. A Christian missionary group was given permission by the North Korean government to send English teachers (also missionaries) to teach at an elite university in Pyongyang.

Kim doesn’t go into detail about the gulags or torture chambers of North Korea that we hear about from the U.S. government. She keeps it focused on her observations of and experiences with her students and colleagues. I found her account more authentic than anyone else’s that I’ve read because she doesn’t focus on the sensational and the men in power. Yes, these are the elite, but they’re also quite naïve and innocent children.

If you’ve taught English overseas like I have, I think you’ll enjoy Without You There is No Us .

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Final Thoughts

So that’s my list of best books about Korea. I read most of these books about Korea in a little over seven days during a pandemic. They were the BEST antidote to my anxiety and worries that I’d been suffering through since mid-March.

There are so many great books on this list, but I think I’ve come up with my five favorite books in order from my absolute favorite to my fifth favorite. However, books 2 through 4 could easily be switched around.

1. Nothing to Envy

2. The Vegetarian

3. If I Had Your Face

4. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982

5. The Birth of Korean Cool

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I love your posts featuring books about specific locations! While planning trips I am also in search of fiction or non-fiction books to learn about the location and have some points of reference during the trip. This is a great list, and I am especially drawn to the first book you mention: The Birth of Korean Cool. (I’m a non-fiction lover! 🙂 ) I went to South Korea on my honeymoon, and I wish I had your list before going! Looking forward to checking out the other destinations you feature.

Thank you! I’m glad to find someone who reads up on a place before traveling there. I think it adds a lot to your experience.

I love reading this. Though I don’t read books when I plan my travel but in general, I love reading and getting to know about different places and Culture.

Thank you! I hope you pick up a few of these books in the near future.

I just finished teaching two years in Korea!! Life must have been so different there even 20 years ago! Love these books recommendations and can’t wait to read a few!

I hope you get a chance to read some of these. Yes, I can imagine that it is very different today from 20 years ago.

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About the bamboo traveler.

Welcome to The Bamboo Traveler, a travel blog dedicated to helping those travelers who want to dig deeply into the history, heritage, and culture of a place. Whether it’s through the pages of your passport or the pages of a book, I’ll help you travel the world and uncover the history, culture, food, architecture, and natural beauty of some of the world’s most fascinating places.

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Are you traveling to Korea soon? Here is your ALL-IN-ONE Travel Guide for places to GO, EAT, SHOP & STAY in Korea.   

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Hi there! I'm Ina and I believe in the power of education to transform lives and make a positive impact. I am a certified teacher, former 3rd grade teacher, life coach, and course creator! With years of experience as a teacher, specializing in Korean and holding bilingual authorization, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our virtual classroom. 

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5 TOP Seoul Travel Guides You Must Read Before Visiting!

If you're thinking about visiting Seoul, South Korea, then you'll want to read up on the country's history, landmarks, culture, and way of life. 

Guide books about Seoul give you all the information you need to make the most of your trip, from finding great places to eat, places to stay, and how to navigate your way around the city's efficient public transport system.

But of course, each Seoul guidebook offers something different and portrays information in different ways. If you’re not sure which guidebook is right for you, then don’t worry, because these are five of the best Seoul travel guides!

Keep Reading for the Best Seoul Travel Guides

1 >> Lonely Planet Seoul by Lonely Planet

One of the leading publishers of guide books around the world is Lonely Planet. What makes Lonely Planet the leading publication is that they are so in-depth and seem to cover, quite literally, everything a traveler needs.

Have you ever traveled and met some young backpacker kids who say they’ve discovered a hidden gem that “no one else knows about”? Well, the likelihood is that the so-called hidden gem is featured in the latest Lonely Planet book guidebook.

The same can be said for Seoul. 

The Lonely Planet Seoul Travel Guide doesn’t just offer detailed insight into the top attractions like the Bukchon Hanok Traditional Village or the Cheong-gye Cheon stream, it also has maps, helpful itineraries, reviews for restaurants and hostels, as well as offering some cultural insights to help you fit in with the locals. 

It's a comprehensive guide that covers everything from the history and culture of Seoul and also includes recommendations for where to eat and sleep.

Read more reviews about The Lonely Planet Seoul Travel Guide on Amazon.  #ad  

Get The Lonely Planet Seoul Travel Guide on Amazon UK.  #ad

Read also:  10 Alternative & Unique Things To Do In Seoul, Korea

2 >> The Monocle Travel Guide to Seoul by Tyler Brule

This book provides a day-by-day itinerary for exploring all the main attractions in Seoul. You won't want to miss out on any of the must-see places!

Seoul is an energetic and sprawling capital that simply never sleeps. It’s home to 10 million people, skyscrapers and dazzling billboards, and modern technology. 

The Monocle Travel Guide to Seoul is a guide to how this contemporary metropolis came to be. It covers some of the best architectural triumphs in the city, from the women’s university to the snappiest coffee shops.  

It offers recommendations for luxury hotels, restaurants, and more, so you can be sure to have a comfortable stay in this often overwhelming city. Plus, it also comes with some complete itineraries to help you decide on where to visit, including late-night trips to a sauna or hiking the surrounding hills.

If modern technology freaks you out and you’re worried about navigating your way around the technological advancements, then this Seoul guidebook is for you. 

It focuses on how to settle into the futuristic side of Seoul whilst also being respectful to its roots.

Get The Monocle Travel Guide to Seoul on Amazon.  #ad 

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3 >> A Curated Guide: Seoul by Robert Koehler and Hahna Yoon

Unlike the Seoul travel guides already mentioned on this list, A Curated Guide to Seoul offers a locals perspective of the city. 

One of the most authentic and safest ways to see a city is to have a friendly local show you the ropes, especially in a city like Seoul which is ever expanding and advancing.

With insights from local experts, ex-pat authors, and the help of the former Editors-in-Chiefs from SEOUL Magazine and Time Out Seoul, you’ll be introduced to some of the best hidden gems in the city, as well as learn about the social, cultural, and historical traditions you need to be aware of before visiting. 

It’s a lighthearted and fun book, with some funny travel stories thrown in there too.

If you’re looking for off-the-beaten-track recommendations for visiting the city, such as learning about exclusive local shops, back-alley restaurants, and hip nightclubs (but without heading into dodgy areas) then this is the best Seoul travel guide for you.

Get A Curated Guide to Seoul on Amazon.  #ad 

4 >> DK Eyewitness Top 10 Seoul Pocket Travel Guide by DK Eyewitness

If you think the Lonely Planet Seoul travel guides are too thick and cumbersome to take with you on vacation, then your next best option is the DK Eyewitness Pocket Travel guide. 

This small and compact guidebook covers everything you need to know in a book small enough to fit in, well, your pocket.

This travel guide not only ensures you'll find your way around the city without a hitch, but it also breaks down the best of the city in lists of 10, such as the 10 best attractions, 10 best museums, 10 best tearooms and bars, and so on. That way, you don’t have to spend hours and hours flipping through pages.

It also has seven simple itineraries for a weekend to a week, information about the most exciting areas, places to shop, and places to visit for free, plus some advice for street smarts. There’s also a laminated map with each neighborhood color-coded, so you’ll never get lost.

It’s impressive to think that so much information can be compacted into such a lightweight book.

Read more reviews about the DK Eyewitness Pocket Travel guide on Amazon.  #ad 

5 >> Korean Culture Dictionary by Woosung Kang

If you’re looking for Seoul travel guides that offer more insight into the culture and local customs, then you’re going to enjoy reading the Korean Culture Dictionary.

It covers everything from the cliches of soju drinking culture to the biggest names in K-Pop to Korean TV. 

If you’re a Koreaboo (a term for someone who loves Korean culture) but you have a lot of questions, such as why does the flag have the Pepsi logo on it? or what does “Gangnam Style” actually mean? Then you’ll find all those unanswered questions resolved in the Korean Culture Dictionary.

This is not just a Seoul travel guide, but a guide to South Korea as a whole, covering 350 essential topics based on the most frequently asked questions about Korean culture. 

It also comes with recommendations for YouTube channels and Korean dramas and movies so you can see what life in Korea is like before visiting. 

This is your ultimate guide to Korean culture so that you can fit right in when your plane lands in Seoul.

Get the book the Korean Culture Dictionary on Amazon.  #ad 

Final Word on Seoul Travel Guides

If you're planning a trip to Seoul, be sure to check out at least one of our selection of Seoul travel guides. 

Whether you’re keen to learn about the history, culture, food, or attractions, there are insights for everyone in these guide books.

If you’re still not sure which guide book is right for you, here’s a quick recap:

❤️ Best In-Depth Travel Guide - Lonely Planet Seoul  #ad 

🤖  Best Guide Book For Technophobes - The Monocle Guide to Seoul  #ad 

👍  Best Guidebook By The Locals - The Curated Guide To Seoul  #ad 

✈️  Best Lightweight Travel Guide - DK Eyewitness Top 10 Seoul Pocket Travel Guide  #ad 

🌶️  Best Guidebook To Korean Culture - Korean Culture Dictionary  #ad 

About The Author

Louisa Smith is the founder of Epic Book Society , a book blog sharing book recommendations and reviews to book worms across the globe. Louisa is not only an avid reader but a world traveler, having left her home in the UK in 2018 to live a life on the road. She has traveled to over 53 countries (so far) and loves to share her travel experience and stories with people she meets. 

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Seven travel packages leverage Korean pop culture to draw overseas visitors

A poster for a popular 2019-20 Korean drama series "Crash Landing on You" featuring Hyunbin, left, and Son Ye-jin [TVN]

The luxurious villa in Gangwon where BTS filmed its ″In The Soop″ reality series. [JOONGANG ILBO]

BTS filmed its music video in Gangwon [BIGHIT MUSIC]

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7 of the best all-inclusive experiences to book this year, from a travel planner

• As a travel planner, my clients seem to be increasingly interested in all-inclusive trips .
• Some of my favorite luxury resorts are in Costa Rica, the Maldives, and Isla Mujeres.
• Cruises, group tours, and adults-only lodgings can also come with all-inclusive options. 

As a travel planner at Marvelous Mouse Travels , I know vacations are expensive — especially if you're looking to go somewhere this summer . But all-inclusive travel is often a great way to get the most value out of a luxury experience.

I've been on several all-inclusive vacations with my family, friends, and work, and I've helped other people book them in destinations around the world .

Here are some of the best all-inclusive experiences I'm recommending to my clients this year.

Try a split-stay vacation to see the best of Costa Rica.

Costa Rica is one of the most sought-after vacations , and for good reason. It's great for both relaxation and adventure.

I recommend booking a split stay, starting at an all-inclusive resort in Guanacaste near the beach for some fun in the sun and moving to a resort near the famous Arenal Volcano for a jungle adventure.

Some of my favorite resorts in Costa Rica are the Westin Reserva Conchal and the Dreams Las Mareas. And if you're looking for an even more unique experience, check out the glorious swim-out suites with private pools at Dreams.

Baglioni Maldives is one of my favorite all-inclusive resorts.

The Maldives, a remote set of islands in the Indian Ocean, offers a plethora of resort options for couples and families, but Baglioni Maldives is my favorite.

For many in the US, getting to the islands can be daunting — there are very few direct commercial flights, and it can take almost an entire day. But it's hard to beat the country's luxury accommodations and gorgeous landscape.

The Maldives also has some of the most beautiful marine life and coveted spots for snorkeling and scuba diving.

No matter where you go, overwater bungalows are the ultimate all-inclusive splurge.

Overwater bungalows — villas standing on poles over open ocean water — are prevalent at all-inclusive resorts in destinations like the Maldives, Fiji, and Bali.

But I've also come across the luxurious accommodations at select adults-only Sandals Resorts throughout the Caribbean.

I think having a private villa on the water is the perfect way to unwind and relax.

Adults-only vacations are on the rise.

Traveling with kids can be a blast, but I also think it's important for adults to take a much-needed break on their own.

Adults-only resorts have been a total respite for me and my husband after hectic months of juggling work with our kids' school and sports schedules.

If you're looking to unwind with a partner, relax on a girls' trip, or even connect with your adult children, there are countless adults-only, all-inclusive resorts to choose from, depending on where you're looking to visit.

Some properties, including Sandals and Beaches Resorts, also offer butler service. Designated staff members can help with anything from room requests and dining reservations to cabana rentals and transportation coordination.

I upgraded to the service at my favorite adults-only spot, Le Blanc Los Cabos, and I felt totally pampered.

Isla Mujeres is pure luxury.

Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancún, is known for its crystal-clear, turquoise water and peaceful vibe. It's also home to Playa Norte, one of the best beaches in Mexico .

Impressions Isla Mujeres by Secrets is a gorgeous all-inclusive resort on the island. It offers luxury at its finest, but with only 125 rooms, it has a boutique feel.

One of my favorite features of the resort is the waterslide that leads right into the beautiful ocean.

There are plenty of all-inclusive packages at sea.

Cruising is one of the most popular vacations , whether it's an epic adventure on a Royal Caribbean Cruise, a couples-only journey on Virgin Voyages, or a regal tour of Europe on Viking River Cruises.

Although cruises aren't traditionally considered all-inclusive, with the right booking, they can have the same feel as a luxury resort.

Most cruise bookings include food, nonalcoholic drinks, and live entertainment. If you add beverage packages and excursions in advance, your trip should be fully paid for before you depart.

Book a small-group or private tour if you're looking for adventure.

Group travel is a great way to explore new places while soaking up culture and history.

Popular destinations include Italy, Japan, Costa Rica, and Alaska, and many travel companies take care of everything for you, essentially making it all-inclusive.

I like Adventures by Disney , which offers small-group travel all over the world facilitated by seasoned guides. All the trip details are taken care of, including experiences, food, lodging, and transportation.

Additionally, Kensington Tours offers luxury private travel where every facet of the trip is meticulously planned for you.

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More From Forbes

7 ways to travel more sustainably.

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Sustainable travel can be fun, rewarding and not at all challenging

Sustainable travel is surging in popularity, but what does it mean? The vague term can refer to traveling in a way that’s conscientious of the environment and local communities, leaving less of an impact on a destination and perhaps even bettering the location in the process. Sustainable tourism, in many ways a reaction to overtourism, helps protect the planet, to ensure destinations are liveable and worth visiting for years to come. And while travel can certainly takes its toll, creating carbon emissions, waste and more, responsible tourism is an essential step in protecting the planet.

Sustainable Travel Tips

Responsible tourism helps the environment by limiting ecological impact, supporting indigenous wildlife, respecting cultural heritage, and not taking away from a destination as a visitor, be it removing a shell from a beach or littering on a hiking trail. Plenty of responsible travel itineraries are easily replicable, but many trips can be adapted to be more sustainable. There are so many ways, big and small, to travel more responsibly and sustainably. Here’s how to start:

1. TSA-Friendly Doesn’t Need To Be Earth Hostile

You can buy single use and tiny versions of pretty much every care product these days, but do you actually need to? Opt for refillable travel bottles to decant your normal products into, and you’ll always have TSA-friendly bottles of shampoo, lotion, whatever you need at the ready. If you prefer to travel without liquids, consider switching to bars of shampoo and conditioner toothpaste powder and other products, which are eco-friendly wherever you are.

Planning ahead can be a major factor in sustainable travel

2. Opt For Public Transit

Public transportation — buses, trains, light rail, etc. — is always more sustainable than a private ride. If possible, use public transit to get to and from your destination and learn your destination’s public transit system to navigate while you explore. Not only will you likely save money as well as lower your carbon footprint, you’ll get a taste of how locals live. If public transit isn’t an option, consider booking shared rides to the airport and excursions, or renting an electric or hybrid vehicle if driving solo is the only option.

First Images Of Helldivers 2 s Illuminate Alien Enemies Emerge

Gervonta davis next fight tank has an opponent for his return, warner bros reveals 115 million investment in harry potter attraction, 3. pack for low waste experiences.

A bit of planning ahead can save considerable landfill waste. Bringing a reusable coffee cup for morning coffee runs and reusable water bottle will hopefully cut down the amount of single-use items you purchase on the go. Other easy to pack items including a reusable travel utensil set, reusable straws and reusable earplugs can help avoid creating more waste on the road. If you’re someone who discards beach reads, consider switching to an e-reader. Pack tote bags to carry souvenirs or other items purchased on the road that won’t require disposable plastic bags.

4. Eat Conscientiously

Eating local is the best way for your diet to support local eco-systems. Not only does dining at independent, small businesses (e.g. not chains), support local business people, but can often have lower environmental impact than major franchised restaurants that ship ingredients and supplies across the country. Making lower impact choices, including eating mostly plant-based, when possible, can also make travel a bit greener. If you don’t have anything to do with leftovers, consider ordering with a bit more restriction so you aren’t creating an excess of food waste.

Local culinary experiences can be healthy, fulfilling and sustainable

5. Book A Sustainable Hotel

Staying at a property dedicated to sustainability can make a big impact, especially by showing the travel industry that this is a priority for hospitality. Hotels are offered various certifications to prove their sustainable status, which can be achieved as a remote eco-lodge or luxury property in a major city. Several hotels are seeking LEED certification , the Green Hotels Association has a collection of vendors who prioritize sustainability, and the Leading Hotels of the World has a sustainability collection of five star properties.

6. Buy Carbon Offsets

While we technically can’t undo the damage we cause to the environment, there are initiatives to at least mitigate it. Carbon offsets allow consumers to compensate for their carbon footprint by funding projects that reduce carbon dioxide pollution. CoolEffect.org can help you decide how much to give, based on trip itinerary and logistics. For example, to offset air travel, a roundtrip, 6-hour flight would add about 1.89 tons of CO2 per passenger, and $31.17 of carbon offsets would help mitigate that.

Some airlines offer the option to purchase carbon offsets alongside airfare

7. Slow Down Your Travel

Slow travel is a buzzword that’s emerged in the 2020s, when work and leisure travel aka bleisure have melded more than ever, and the concept of working and even socializing remotely is totally normalized. Rather than a quick jaunt back and forth, slow travel emphasizes taking your time with tourism, be it living in a rental property for a month and enjoying the sights on the weekends, going backpacking, biking or hiking for an extended off the grid period, or traveling via train instead of air. Slow tourism has been proven to have a positive environmental impact .

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Moscow city administration launches English-language website

The building of the Moscow City Government.

The Moscow city administration has launched the English version of its website for tourists and expats. It is available on Mos.ru beginning today. Guests of Russia’s capital will find an adapted newsfeed, calendar of events and other information relevant for foreign citizens. In particular, there are step-by-step instructions on the portal about how to get medical assistance, book a hotel and use public transport.

“Moscow’s website will also suggest how foreigners can reach the embassy or the consulate of their country and where it’s possible to exchange their currency into Russian rubles,” writes the city’s press center .  

According to reports the English version of the site will not be a mirror of the main portal but instead will become an independent resource, with plans for the content to be adapted for foreign audiences.

Read more: 5 easy ways to learn Russian>>>

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How to Fly Your Kid Solo, Free of Stress

By Alexander Nazaryan

For many parents and guardians, putting a child on a flight alone may seem terrifying. Belligerent passengers, delays, turbulence: All loom large in a caregiver’s imagination.

Life sometimes leaves no other option. Hudson Crites , 17, of Marshall, Va., was 10 when he started flying unaccompanied to visit his father in Kansas and later Georgia, said his mother, Chelsea Tippett. But the extra attention from airline staff made Hudson “feel special,” Ms. Tippett recalls. Other than a single tarmac delay, he has had no problems.

On rare occasions, children have had troubling experiences. In December, Spirit Airlines accidentally flew a 6-year-old to Orlando, Fla., instead of the intended destination of Fort Myers. Spirit apologized, fired the gate agent responsible and offered reimbursement to the boy’s grandmother for her travel to Orlando. But while the boy was unharmed, his grandmother expressed worry that he had been kidnapped .

If you decide to fly your child unaccompanied, you’ll discover that each airline has its own procedures, fees and routes open to children. While some may find the process complicated, flying alone may be exciting for your child, instilling some independence. Here’s what you need to know.

Before you book, know the process

Regardless of the airline or route, flying an unaccompanied minor differs from an adult or a family catching a flight. Airlines require a trusted pre-authorized adult to be at the departure and arrival gates, and will ask you at booking to provide contact information for those adults. They will also need to present identification at the terminals.

The journey begins at the originating airport’s airline ticket counter. There, airline staff will check your identification and check in the child, perhaps handing them a lanyard or wristband to wear. The agents will provide you with a pass to get through security with your child. You will accompany them to the gate, where you will hand them off to a gate agent. You must stay at the gate until the plane takes off.

In the air, the flight crew will keep watch — but will not babysit, or sit with, your child. If the flight has a connection, a crew member will walk your child off the plane and a gate agent will take him or her to the next gate.

At the arrival airport, the child will be handed off by staff to the authorized guardian or parent who should have already checked in at the ticket counter with proper identification, gone through security with their gate pass and be waiting at the gate.

To learn more about this process, read the Department of Transportation’s online guide, “When Kids Fly Alone,” followed by the website of your selected carrier.

Choosing an airline and paying an extra fee

Before purchasing a ticket, experts advise you to consider an airline’s on-time performance. “Solid on-time performance is hard-earned, and signals a carrier that has tight control of its operation,” said the Ask the Pilot author, Patrick Smith. The Bureau of Transportation Statistics has those numbers.

Booking procedures vary. Delta Air Lines and American Airlines require you to call. United Airlines allows bookings online. JetBlue Airways does online bookings, too, but asks for three printed copies of its forms upon arrival at the airport.

International flights may call for a notarized consent letter describing where the child is traveling, with whom they’ll stay and how long they’ll be there.

On top of the ticket fare, flying an unaccompanied minor can be pricey.

Southwest Airlines charges $100 one way for each child, regardless of distance. Alaska Airlines charges $50 per child if the flight is nonstop; a connection adds $25. On Delta, one $150 fee will cover up to four children, and American’s $150 covers all siblings, with no cap on number. United charges $150 for one child, or two children flying together.

Restrictions: There are plenty

U.S. carriers allow children to fly as unaccompanied minors once they turn 5 and before they turn 18. But regardless of your child’s age, make sure he or she is ready by discussing the trip details and your expectations of their behavior. No policy can replace your judgment.

The low-cost carriers Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air don’t allow unaccompanied minors, Other airlines have restrictions that, in the broadest terms, differentiate between young children and teenagers. American and Delta restrict children under 8 from routes requiring connections. Both airlines allow children between 8 and 14 to take some connecting flights.

On American, no unaccompanied minor is allowed to take an overnight flight requiring a connection, or a flight that includes a connection on its final leg that also happens to be the last such flight that day (“unless it’s the only flight,” the company adds). Minors are not allowed on code-share flights.

United and Delta have similar rules. Southwest, JetBlue and Spirit don’t allow unaccompanied minors on connecting flights.

JetBlue prohibits minors from flying to Europe, and limits the number of unaccompanied minors in one party to three. Spirit does not allow children on flights to Central or South America. Southwest doesn’t allow children on any international flights. American, United and Delta let minors fly abroad, but restrictions on connections, code-shares and overnights limit options.

American and Delta allow children to opt out of flying as unaccompanied minors once they turn 15 — that is, the child can fly without the assistance of airline personnel. JetBlue ends unaccompanied minor service at 14, while Alaska has an opt-out option at 13. Southwest boasts the lowest opt-out age: 12.

However, you should be able to accompany your child to the gate even if they’re not flying unaccompanied. American requires that you do so for teens between the ages of 15 and 17, even if they’ve opted out.

What to pack

Have a plan to head off your child’s hunger, boredom and thirst. If they are older, make sure they have emergency money and a charged phone.

When her two daughters, then 9 and 11, flew to Denver, Joey Conover of Charlottesville, Va., had a long list for their carry-ons.

“Pack a backpack with iPad, headphones, lightweight book to read, a pad of paper and colored pencils (markers might smear), a small travel game, water bottle (bring empty and fill in airport), snacks, some kind of surprise fidget or animals to play with, hoodie, and a lovey,” she wrote in an email.

“Write your name and phone number on the inside of their arm in Sharpie and put a parent’s business card in a luggage tag on both suitcase and backpack,” Ms. Conover said. (A sheet of paper with all their identification, and their guardian’s contact information, also works. Simply stick in an easy-to-access pocket.)

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .