Traveling to Korea but on a tight budget? One major travel hack in traveling to Korea is to go to FREE places that you can visit specifically in Seoul. If you are a Hallyu fan, you should definitely add this list on your itinerary!
Bukchon Hanok Village
One of the fascinating sight to see in Korea is seeing their traditional houses or hanok. In Seoul, you can visit Bukchon Hanok Village FREE of charge. Bukchon Hanok Village (๋ถ์ดํ์ฅ๋ง์) which literally means โnorthern villageโ is surrounded byย Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Jongmyo Shrine. It is a home to hundreds of hanok or the Korean traditional houses. Moreover, this village also a home to various Kdrama filming locations which make it more popular among the Hallyu fans. Learn more about it here.
Cheonggyecheon Stream
Another place that you could visit for free in Seoul is the Cheonggyecheon Stream. This stream is actually a stream restored from the Joseon era. It is an 11 km-long modern stream that runs through downtown Seoul. Cheonggyecheon Stream starts from Cheonggye Plaza which is based on the design of traditional Korean bojagi or a colorful wrapping cloth. During the holidays, the area of Cheonggye Plaza is a vehicle-free zone which provides more leisure space. It is a popular venue for cultural arts, performances and various events. This stream is also a famous Kdrama filming location. Read more about it here.
Digital Media City
A place in Seoul that I highly recommend Hallyu fans to visit to have a complete Korean wave experience is the Digital Media City or DMC (๋์งํธ๋ฏธ๋์ด์ํฐ). It is a high-tech complex that houses top Korea media entertainment and IT companies. As a matter of fact, major broadcasting companies such as MBC and SBS have offices and studios at DMC. Thus, it is no longer surprising that many Korean shows are filmed there. Know more about it here.
Haneul Park
Another place in Seoul that doesnโt require entrance fee is the Haneul Park. To commemorate the 17th FIFA World Cup, the Seoul city actually built five parks located in the World Cup Stadium Park. The most famous among these parks is the Haneul Park (ํ๋๊ณต์), which is situated in the parkโs highest point. Haneul literally means โskyโ and indeed, you can get close to the sky when you are in Haneul Park. Read more about it here.
Hangang Parks
The Han River or Hangang is one of Koreaโs major river that flows through the capital city of Seoul. Thus, visiting Seoul wouldnโt be complete without visiting the any of the 12 Hangang Parks and marvel at the beauty of Han River. The riverside parks surrounding Han River in Seoul offers a nice place for leisure to its visitors. All the twelve parks have their unique atmosphere and give stunning view of the river. Click here for the list of Hangang Parks in Seoul that Kdrama fans should definitely visit.
Hongdae
When in Seoul, you should also make sure to visit the neighborhood of Hongdae. It is famous for its vibrant and youthful ambiance during the day and night. From art galleries, to cozy coffee shops, fashionable clothes, karaoke rooms and bars, Hongdae has so much to offer to its visitors. Read the list of 7 fun things that you will definitely enjoy doing in the streets of Hongdae.
Myeongdong
Another a must-visit place in Seoul where the entrance is definitely FREE is the Myeongdong Shopping Street. This a famous tourist area where you can shop, dine, try street foods, chill and relax amid wide selection of shopping stores, restaurant, coffee shops, and many more. Read the 8 things to do in Myeongdong to relieve your stress.
KBS ON Experience Hall
KBS ON Experience Hall offers a FREE Hallyu tour for all Hallyu fans. If KBS sounds familiar to you, then you are right! This hall is owned by KBS or Korean Broadcasting System, one of Koreaโs largest television networks. KBS ON aims to inform people about the history and evolution of the Korean broadcasting industry. It offers various firsthand broadcasting experiences such as new reporting and voice dubbing. Learn more about it here.
Palaces: FREE if you are wearing Hanbok
You can also visit the major palaces in Seoul such as Gyeongbokgung, Deoksugung, Changdeokgung and Changgyeonggung if you are wearing a hanbok or the Korean traditional clothing. Hanbok rental ranges from 30,000 KRW to 40,000 KRW for 4 hours of use.
Seoul Forest Park
The good thing about traveling to Korea is that there are a lot of public parks that you could visit for FREE. One of that is the Seoul Forest Park which is a piece of nature in the heart of the city. This park is great to visit any time of the year from winter, spring, summer or fall. Know more about if here.
Starfield COEX Mall
And lastly, you can also visit the Starfield COEX Mall in Gangname for FREE. You may have heard of Starfield COEX Mall in Seoul as it houses the famous Starfield Library that has been featured in several Korean shows. But did you know that the area where it is located is a home to other buildings and establishments which were used as Kdrama filming locations? Learn more about it here.
If you are looking for simple itineraries and guides to help you plan your trip to Korea, you may refer to the sample below:
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