Will it too much for 7nights at Seoul?
Any place outside Seoul that can consider for 2d1n?
For sure I think no skiing available early nov
Wondering where else can go

err.. depends on your preference.. i can be only in seoul for 1 week eventhough i been there numerous times. it's just like my hometown

you can go to mt sorak

Not too fancy for sorak...lol
A bit lazy at he moment wahaha

Laid back style travel maybe
Other than sorak any outer Seoul thing worth noting?
Still trying to find around what may interest me that may break the 7days apart...

go to busan lor.. or other small cities nearby seoul that interested you. hard to describe and explain here as different people different preference. it's better you check out the seoul and surrounding map for further details. from there you will know how to decide

Why you keep going back then? What do you do there usually?

vacay and gathering with friends la.. eat around and shop too.. spoilt with choices there
just like others when got long holidays will go to bangkok, hk, etc..

This post has been edited by yvonnesoo: Oct 1 2016, 11:51 PM

Yeah man.. I know how u feel.. I feel like going there just to chill hahaha lets go.

i wish too.. but i can't cause i went on apr. plan to go on this month or oct but my financially doesn't allowed me to do so as i just came back from europe.. hahaha..

hahhaa yeah I know how that feels... I am trying to stay away from Seoul but I keep looking at stuff in Seoul and wanting to come back. Now my friends and family are asking me to join them.. soo much temptation.. soo many cafes to seee.. I recommend cafe hopping.. they are soo into the designs.

Haha. Cafe hopping in Seoul is very common but ain't cheap yo. I chill and stay in a cafe chatting for few hours. If you wanna go cafe hopping. Recommend you to go non touristy and non franchise chain

My plan is for a makan exposure trip (non halal).

Would like to try out the real ethnic local fare.

For example, if you work in KLCC, you know to go to Wisma Central for cheaper food or if you work in KL Sentral you know to go to the food courts/mamak/kedai kopi in Brickfields.

I did make a booking for a swanky joint in Seoul to try it out for once, but the rest of the trip will be for the ethnic street fare.

Any recommendations are welcome.

I will spend about 1 week in Seoul and 4 nights in Busan.

thanks for the tips

too many to be listed here. those common one, you know will be touristy and might not suits everyone. but if you are first timer there, no harm trying hehe..

you can try out places like

Tongin market
LeeSsang’s Pal Ja Mak Chang
Mabongnim Halmeoni Tteokbokki
Insadong / Samcheongdong sujebi
Mukshidonna
etc.. too many to be name

Posting my itinerary here for feedback

Day 1 - Arrive Seoul, Gwangjang market and Dongdaemun surroundings
Day 2 - hop on hop off city tour + free and easy
Day 3 - free and easy
Day 4 - O train and V train
Day 5,6,7 - K shuttle West Coast tour from Seoul to Busan
Day 7 - Busan, Gwangalli beach + Millak seafood, night tour
Day 8 - Gamcheon village + other nearby seafood village (Cheongsapo ?, Yeonhwari ?)
Day 9 - Ulsan + Gyeongju
Day 10 - Tongyeong + Geoje
Day 11 - Busan and KTX back to Seoul for dinner
Day 12 - Nami Island + Petite France
Day 13 - Bukhansan (or Bugaksan) + Sanmotoonge
Day 14 - return to KL

This post has been edited by joytest: Oct 3 2016, 08:46 AM

I suggest to avoid Gyeongju for now because they are undergoing a lot of repair works due to the earthquake a few weeks ago. A lot of places are closed or have no entry for visits. Don't waste time there.

As for ethnic food that isn't commercialized or catered towards foreigners, basically it's available almost everywhere in Seoul. Look for small stalls (usually only 2-4 tables available) and menus with no English. But just be prepared to speak some basic Korean otherwise you end up not knowing what you order or the server gets annoyed (trust me on the latter, VERY common scene here).

Thanks for the tip.
So I guess phrases like "nice grilled pork/beef" or "recommended dish?" would be useful?

Depends which stall you go to. Unlike the big chain restaurants, the small ones usually only sell 1 certain type of food.

So for example if you want kbbq, you have to know if you want pork or you want beef. Some only serve pork and no beef, or some just specializes in beef while pork is more of an after thought.

If you are not sure, you can always just ask "mwoga massitseoyo?". If you can read Korean, it'll be easier as you can just read the menu items and Google it up.

Although places like Itaewon, Insadong, Myeongdong and Hongdae are quite foreigner filled now a days, there are still restaurants that only native Koreans go to. Just follow in, worse come to worse ask politely for help from a native.

yeap the quake was terrifying ~~ was still in seoul that nite, hongdae to be precise, during the 2 quake, thus din felt anything or anyone running.
Saw it on the news once back to my hostel ~~ waa dam freaky with them showing repeat of the falling bricks and smashing windows.

Anyway, I still proceed to Busan the next day ~

I prefer Busan as its more slower in pace then seoul.

okay...not for busan...save it for future trip

after think twice....probably save all for seoul...
slightly outside of the town is fine...but find out more later...
book 1 place for all nights easier...
prefer to be more slow going 1...as we travel right after wedding biz....
chill la...

1 week in Seoul is absolutely not enough, even if you have a very concise itinerary. If want to chill and just relax, then don't try and go to places like seoraksan at the peak of fall season (November). The amount of time you have to spend going there because of so many visitors will be crazy to say the least.

Seoul is a much bigger city than what maps would suggest. If it isn't for the amazing subway stations they have, traveling time would be very long indeed.