Experience the best of South Korea with our 6D5N Itinerary!
It’s no secret that South Korea has always been one of the most desired travel destinations for Singaporeans. Especially so in recent years with the rise of K-pop, K-culture, K-dramas and variety shows made popular by Netflix!
So when the opportunity arose to be part of Singapore’s first VTL to South Korea, there was no way I could turn it down, especially after a 2-year travel drought!
My journey started from the port city of Incheon with its tranquil vibes, I then headed east to Gangwon-do where the magnificence of mother nature greeted me, and finally ended my trip back in Seoul, the mecca of K-culture.
If you’re looking for a wholesome trip to South Korea that includes some of the best nature spots, visiting popular drama filming locations and getting your fix of shopping and Korean cuisine in the city, read on for my 6D5N South Korea itinerary!
Pre-planning for your Korea trip
It definitely has been a long time since anyone got to travel, and with the ‘new normal’ of travelling that includes multiple PCR tests and document checks at the airport, it can get a little stressful.
The good news is that after going through the entire procedure, I’ve come up with a cheat sheet that’s full of tips to make your journey that much smoother!
Don’t forget your South Korea Travel Essentials
With all your tests booked and documents printed out, now comes the fun part of actually heading over to South Korea and experiencing your trip! Remember to use the promo code <WINTERINKOREA> to get $20 off all your South Korea Activities too.
Day 1: Incheon (Paradise City Hotel & Resort)
Because of having to wait for your On-Arrival PCR test results, the 1st day of this ‘new normal’ of travelling to South Korea will probably consist of waiting in your accommodation and exploring its surrounding area when you’re clear.
#KlookTip: If you’re going to be waiting in your room for 4-5 hours, might as well do it in style!
For the 1st day of my trip, I stayed in Paradise City Hotel & Resort. Yes, that Paradise! Being everything and more that you’ve seen on Single's Inferno, the best way to describe Paradise City is if you combine the best of RWS and MBS into a single establishment!
Housing South Korea’s largest casino, and with a collection of 2,700 art pieces, including works from Kaws and Yayoi Kusama, one evening is definitely not enough to finish exploring this integrated resort!
There’s even an indoor family entertainment theme park in the form of Wonderbox that’s perfect for those of you who are travelling with your kids. Oh, did I also mention that this was one of the filming locations of Hotel Del Luna too!
Last but not least, CIMER spa is a must-visit when you’re here! This K-style destination spa has 11 facilities to explore that includes Korean style saunas, a cave spa and even a virtual spa with backgrounds that change every other minute, taking you to exotic locations around the world each time.
After all that exploring, kick back and relax in your luxurious room and get ready for the next day’s adventure! P.S. their bathtubs are one of the best I’ve experienced to date.
Day 2: Incheon (Open Port Cultural District & Wolmido)
Open Port Cultural District
I headed into Incheon’s Open Port cultural district the next day for a tour of this unique city. For the uninitiated, it would feel like you’ve been transported to a different country with every turn of your head! But in actual fact, these buildings are what makes Incheon unique.
Over its 130 year history as a port city, Incheon has played host to a wide array of people from around the world. And as a result, a part of their cultures have remained in the city in the form of these aesthetically beautiful buildings! From European to Japanese, you’ll find these buildings seamlessly blended into the town’s overall design.
Another highlight that can be found here is the Jemulpo Club. Once a space for people from around the world to socialise, it is now a storytelling museum that holds monthly events that display images and videos about the opening of the port and modern history!
K-drama fans would probably also recognise this building as one of the filming locations for Goblin
Wolmido
Just a short bus ride away is Wolmido, a small island that’s popular as a weekend destination for both locals and tourists alike.
With multiple restaurants and an unobstructed view of the ocean, this has also become a hot dating spot for couples too. I mean just look at this view!
#KlookTip: It’s recommended to visit Wolmido during golden hour to get the best photos with perfect lighting
You can either take a leisurely stroll around the island or hop on the Wolmi Sea Train that takes you to a number of popular attractions.
This includes Wolmi Theme Park, a popular amusement park (featured on Squid Game) that houses a large indoor children’s playground that includes water activity facilities. Safe to say this is a perfect destination for families with kids or all you kids at heart!
Day 3: Gangwon-Do (Jeongseon Arirang Center & High1 Resort)
Jeongseon Arirang Center
Heading east into the highlands of Gangwon-do, I made a quick stop at Jeongseon Arirang Center to catch the acclaimed Jeongseon Arirang Performance - Ari Arari! Besides being the No.1 Intangible Cultural Heritage of Gangwon, Jeongseon Arirang is also the original version of Arirang.
Perfect for all you culture vultures out there, this play combines the best of a theatrical performance with the upbeat tempo of modern K-pop and some cool visual effects to boot. Think Broadway meets Korean dramas!
If you’re feeling inspired after watching the play, you can also check out the Arari Village that’s a short 5 min walk from the Arirang Center! Made up of traditional houses that once covered the entire Jeongson region, take a step back in time to see how life was like in Korea during the olden days.
High1 Resort
One of the main reasons people travel to Gangwon-do is to visit their famous ski resorts, and that is exactly what I did! Although I arrived a little too early for the season (It was the end of Autumn at that time).
Fortunately, High1 Resort had activities that could be enjoyed beyond wintertime! I wouldn’t have expected to find myself swimming under 5-degree weather conditions but Water World came equipped with an indoor park with heated pools and even a couple of outdoor hot springs!
Since it is currently winter now, you definitely need to check out the ski resort if you’re visiting! With 18 slopes to explore and the main slope stretching out at 4km from the summit, this resort is perfect for both beginners and experienced ski enthusiasts!
#KlookFacts: Did you know that High1 Ski Resort was used as one of the venues for the 2018 Winter Olympic Games!
Day 4: Jeongseon & Yongin (Romy Zian Garden & Korean Folk Village)
Jeongseon - Romy Zian Garden
Besides its ski resorts, Gangwon-do is also well known for its wellness travel packages, due to the vast amount of nature surrounding this area and the calming effects of being in this environment!
On the way back to Seoul, I took a quick break at Romy Zian Garden, which looked like a page out of a fairy tale picture book!
From the cobblestones that lined each path within the grounds to the fresh countryside air, this is the place to be if you’re looking for a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Address: 12 Eodowon-gil, Bukpyeong-myeon, Jeongseong-gun, Gangwon-do
Opening Hours: 9am - 5pm daily
Directions: After alighting at Jinbu Station, take a taxi or shuttle bus to Romy Zian Garden
Yongin - Korean Folk Village
Before reaching Seoul, I made a final stop, and that was to visit the Korean Folk Village situated in Yongin! Just an hour away from Seoul, this replica village is composed of actual houses that were relocated from around the country, forming what could be called the most accurate depiction of what life was like during the Joseon period.
If you’re a fan of Korean period dramas, this is one destination that should be on your travel list as popular hits like Kingdom and Dae Jang Geun (or more popularly known here as 大長今) were filmed here too!
Day 5 & 6: Seoul (Itaewon & Seoul Olympic Park)
Four Seasons Hotel Seoul
For the final stretch of my journey, I stayed in the luxurious Four Seasons Seoul, because after starting my trip living in the lap of luxury, I felt that it was befitting to end it the same way too. After all, I had 2 years worth of travel budget saved up!
With huge spacious rooms and located near popular tourist spots like Gyeongbokgung Palace, this hotel is perfect for families or those of you who prefer a central location that’s also easily accessible by public transport!
Itaewon
A spot popular with international tourists, Itaewon is the place to be if you’re a foodie on a cafe-hopping adventure or a group looking for a bustling nightlife spot to chill out at!
And if there’s any place for you to start your journey, it has to be at Oriole Cafe.
The filming location of the hit series Itaewon Class, it’s also an actual cafe that serves really hearty and delicious meals and drinks
#KlookTip: Go for the Tteokbokki or Kimchi Fried Rice set!
You can also get a clear view of the N Seoul Tower from the cafe! Being a popular spot for couples and just a short walk away, I would suggest making your way over for a short stroll if you’re travelling with your loved one.
Seoul Olympic Park
A hidden gem located right by the Han river, if you’re looking for a quick escape into nature from within the city, there’s no place better than to visit the Seoul Olympic Park! Oh, and if you’re looking to get some pictures of Korea’s famed Pink Muhly fields, you won’t need to travel all the way to Jeju anymore!
Depending on the season of your visit, you can expect fields of vibrant wildflowers or a sea of Pink Muhly Grass that's just mesmerising to look at!
#KlookTip: As it is situated atop of a hill and it would take roughly 3hrs to cover the entire park, it is recommended that you make your way up to the peak early in the morning, you’ll also be able to enjoy some golden hour light too!
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