/**/ Travel Journal : My 30 Days South Korea Trip - Travel + Decor + DIY

Travel Journal : My 30 Days South Korea Trip

 



When I was planning for a long trip to South Korea, there were only a few resources detailing what can be done within a month-long stay. Unlike other countries like Japan or places in Europe, there is a wealth of information on where to backpack in those countries.


Probably the main reason is that South Korea is relatively small, and you can travel around the entire country in just one day. (But of course, we don't want that to be our itinerary.)


So, I thought of sharing what I did during my month-long stay in South Korea. This isn’t a perfect route, but it is very doable. There were stops that I could have planned better or places that I will be recommending even though I didn't visit them. So hold on tight. Here we go.


SEOUL



Seoul was my first stop. As someone flying from the Philippines, Incheon is the airport of choice (or the one you're forced to choose). To be honest, I was a little lost at first, trying to figure out how to get money, where to catch the train, and which train to take.


But the moment I got my bearings, it was easy peasy.


I chose Seoul first because it is the capital. This is where I could get information on where to go and maybe (this was the hope) meet like-minded people with whom I could tag along or at least consult about my “planned itinerary.”


True enough, I got some of my plans updated! Haha. Which might actually be better than my original plan (more on this later).

For this leg of the trip, I chose to stay in Itaewon and Hongdae (during the whole trip, I went back to Seoul two more times).




Throughout my trip, I stayed in Itaewon, Hongdae, Myeongdong, and Ikseondong.


My favorites are Hongdae and Ikseondong.


Although most Filipinos choose to stay in Myeongdong because of its convenience, I chose Itaewon and Hongdae for their vibrant and youthful vibe.




You can spend many days in Seoul and you will not run out of things to do. But for me the real beauty of Korea lies in visiting small towns and experiencing life "as local as possible."


Here are some of my recommendations when visiting Seoul:



Possible day trips if you are based in Seoul: 


* You can use my KLOOK Code: KENNETHSURAT for discounts in some of these trips


Where I stayed in Seoul: 



* You can use my KLOOK Code: KENNETHSURATKLOOK for discounts in some of these trips

SOCKHO



Because I went during the autumn season, it was a no-brainer to visit Sokcho, especially since it was recommended by my hostel host.


You will find Seoraksan, which is famous for being the best place to view the autumn foliage. Aside from that, Sokcho is a coastal town, so you can take this time to enjoy the beach, eat seafood, and watch the sunrise.


Being my first stop outside Seoul, I really appreciated how slow-paced Sokcho is.


If you are visiting during autumn, I recommend booking your bus ticket a few days in advance.






Here are some of my recommendations when visiting Sokho:



* You can use my KLOOK Code: KENNETHSURATKLOOK for discounts in some of these trips


Where I stayed in Sokcho: 



JEONJU


After Sokcho, I was supposed to go to Andong because, route-wise, if we base it on the map, it is one of the more logical choices. However, upon researching and asking my hotel host, I found that the only way to commute there is to go back to Seoul. This is why I decided to skip Andong, spend a few days in Seoul, and then head to Jeonju.


Jeonju is a must-visit if you have a few extra days on your Korea trip. It is a two-hour train ride from Seoul. Most people do this as a day trip, but I highly recommend staying a few days here.



It is the birthplace of bibimbap and, rightly so, the food capital of Korea.

I really enjoyed my time in Jeonju. I ate so many of my Korean favorites and discovered new foods that are now on my "must eat" list. I also got to wear my first hanbok here. (Note: first, haha)




Here are some of my recommendations when visiting Jeonju:


  • Jeonju Hanok Village
  • Must eat: Jeonju Bibimbap
  • Kdrama Locations such as Beloved Summer and Twenty Five Twenty One
  • Jeonju Hanbyoek Culture Center (Try to catch a play here)
  • Omokdae and Imokdae
* You can use my KLOOK Code: KENNETHSURATKLOOK for discounts in some of these trips

Where I stayed in Jeonju: 



GYEONGU


One of the weirdest routes to take, but doable, and apparently, there are a few people who do the same.


You will be crossing the country (literally crossing) from west to east.


Why did I go to Gyeongju? For this trip, one thing is for sure: I was going to Busan to meet some friends. So, while researching things to do in Busan, I came across a blog (which I’ve forgotten) mentioning that Gyeongju is a good day trip from Busan.


It is just an hour away by bus, and you will be in the presence of royalty—meaning the tombs of Korea’s previous emperors. So, it was a big check for me. I thought, why not go to Gyeongju before going to Busan? (Because after meeting my friends, the only option I had was to go back to Seoul with them.)


So, I grabbed the opportunity to go to Gyeongju. Good thing there is a direct bus from Jeonju to Gyeongju. There is also a direct bus to Pohang (more on this later).


It is a two-hour bus ride, which means if you leave Jeonju around lunchtime, you can still enjoy a full afternoon on your first day in Gyeongju.




I recommend spending a day or two here. On the day you arrive, just after checking into your accommodation, you can explore the city center. Grab some food and just familiarize yourself with your surroundings.


The next day, you can start early in the morning to enjoy the sights. Most of the main sites are fairly walking distance from each other (and from my accomodation) aside from the Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto.



Here are some of my recommendations when visiting Gyeongju:


* You can use my KLOOK Code: KENNETHSURATKLOOK for discounts in some of these trips

Where I stayed in Gyeongju: 



POHANG



After Gyeongju, you can either go to Busan or take another side trip to Pohang. Visiting Pohang and Gyeongju when planning a Busan trip seems logical. A lot of people, however, choose only one, maybe due to time constraints, while others do these as day trips from Busan.


But if you have a month to spend in South Korea, why not spend a few days in both cities?


I’ll be honest, Pohang was not an afterthought for me. I actually planned my South Korea trip with the thought, "I NEED TO VISIT POHANG." A "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha" stan knows this. Haha. (I will write a separate blog about this.)



I didn’t know much about Pohang, and when I told my Korean friend that I would be stopping in Pohang, her first reaction was, "WHY?" Haha.


Pohang is indeed a small province on the east coast of South Korea, but if you are not a HOMCHA fan, there are still many things you can do here.





I spent four days here, and at some point, I thought it wasn’t enough.


Here are some of my recommendations when visiting Pohang:


* You can use my KLOOK Code: KENNETHSURATKLOOK for discounts in some of these trips

Where I stayed in Pohang: 



BUSAN



Finally, our last stop before heading back to Seoul. Well, this was my case. But if you still have some extra days, you can continue westward and stop by some more places. I plan to do that on my next trip.


The reason why I will be going back to Seoul after Busan is that I will be meeting friends in Busan who are also traveling. Busan will be their first stop, and then they, of course, want to go to Seoul as they only have very limited time.




I can say that Busan was probably my favorite destination during this trip. It is not as hectic as Seoul but metropolitan enough to provide the convenience of what a major city can offer (hoping you get what I am saying here, haha).


I spent a whole week in Busan, which makes me a local now, haha. Kidding aside, a week in Busan makes you feel at home. At times, you’ll find yourself just staring at the beach for hours or enjoying a morning cup of coffee.


I will be writing a standalone Busan blog (will link it here soon).


Here are some of my recommendations when visiting Busan:


Possible day trips if you are based in Busan: 
* You can use my KLOOK Code: KENNETHSURAT for discounts in some of these trips

Where I stayed in Busan: 

A month in South Korea feels enough, actually. I’ll be honest, it did cross my mind to rebook my flight and stay a little longer, but a part of me thought, as cheesy as it sounds, I am alright. I am ready to go. I have enough South Korean memories to fill my heart. So till then, South Korea. Definitely, I’ll be seeing you again.






Note: 


*Some of the links in the blog are affiliate links which help me keep this blog running. If you support and use these links, I will appreciate it so much.


*Accommodations are based only on the ones I used. These are budget hotels, hostels, and guesthouses, and the prices are fairly reasonable for what they offer. Most of these accommodations are located in town centers and are accessible to bus stations and train stations, which were the criteria for my chosen lodging.



at Location: Seoul, South Korea
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