Korea Travel Guide
What to Expect in Seoul & Beyond
South Korea is vastly under-visited compared to some of its neighbours, but I don’t think this will be the situation for much longer. The huge influx of tourists lately is staggering!
Read on to to find out everything you need to know about visiting one of the world’s most underrated tourist destinations.
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Travel Essentials
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Lotus Lantern Festival in Seoul 2026 | 7 Inspiring Things to See at YeonDeungHoe
Buddhist or not, the Lotus Lantern Festival and Parade is one of Seoul’s most inspiring events, bringing together people from all denominations and faiths, in a wondrous celebration of light. Buddhist or not, the Lotus Lantern Festival is one of Seoul’s BEST events. Also known as YeonDeungHoe, it’s a weeks…
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I Tried Ear Seeding in Seoul: Here’s My Honest Take on Ri& Clinic in Myeongdong
I couldn’t escape ear seeding in Korea — it was literally everywhere online. So after weeks of curiosity, I finally decided to find out what the hype was actually about. I’ll be honest — when a tiny metal seed was carefully pressed onto my ear with tweezers, I wasn’t quite…
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Samgwangsa Temple | A Captivating Lotus Lantern Festival in Busan with 40,000 Lanterns
I’ve long drooled over pictures of the Samgwangsa Temple Lotus Lantern Festival, without actually making the easy trip from Seoul to Busan to see it in person. Shameful, isn’t it? With 40,000 lanterns gloriously illuminating the temple, you can just imagine how breathtaking it is. Just a fraction of the…
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Korea in May 2026 | Spring Festivals, Real Weather & Local Secrets From a Seoul Insider
All the freshness and cherry blossoms of Korea in April might be finished, but Korea in May is the true height of spring. Warm sunshine and bright flowers paint the country in a rainbow of kaleidoscopic colour that’s just as stunning as all that pink. May brings flowers and sunshine…
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Changdeokgung Palace Moonlight Tour 2026 | How to Get Tickets to this Exclusive Event
Moonlight tours at Changdeokgung Palace are back for a 17th year, and it’s something you definitely don’t want to miss. I had the privilege of attending in spring, and the experience was so remarkable, it’s STILL imprinted on my memory. Just imagine wandering Changdeokgung Palace by lantern light alone, admiring…
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Perfect Cherry Blossoms at Yangjaecheon Stream in Seoul
If you’re looking for impossibly impressive cherry blossom trees in Korea away from the tourist hordes, the Yangjaecheon Stream cherry blossom road is a safe bet. This is a popular local hangout and date night spot during springtime for good reason! *Any purchases made through affiliate links here help run…
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How to See the Sublime Gyeongbokgung Palace at Night 2026 | Guide for Tourists
Wandering the hushed stillness of Gyeongbokgung Palace at night, clad in a traditional Korean hanbok, you can’t help but be transported back in time. With its graceful buildings brilliantly lit against the night sky, this is a magical event that not everyone gets access to. Gyeongbokgung at night is simply…
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Top 5 Most Breathtaking Places to See Korean Cherry Blossoms (My Personal Favourites!)
I’ve had the privilege of personally witnessing 15 magical Korean cherry blossom seasons. Each spring has been slightly different in timing and length, but the one thing that doesn’t change is that I’m always awestruck by their fragile beauty. Cherry blossoms are definitely one of nature’s great gifts. With so…
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How to Visit the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival 2026 | Korea’s First Spring Flowers!
As the darkness of winter succumbs to the lovely optimism of spring, maehwa flowers bloom across the warmer southern regions of Korea. Here in the ROK, it’s the first sign that the season of renewal is finally upon us. Maehwa signal the start of spring in Korea. The Gwangyang Maehwa…
READ MORE about How to Visit the Gwangyang Maehwa Festival 2026 | Korea’s First Spring Flowers!
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Spring in Korea 2026 | Travel Tips from 15 Years Living in Seoul
Korea’s spring months of March, April, and May are absolutely one of the most magical times to visit Seoul, Busan, and other popular places around the country. The streets are lined with cotton candy pink, spring blossoms burst with colour, temperatures are comfortable, and the mood is one of buoyant…
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The Dazzling Banpo Bridge Rainbow Fountain | Current Schedule 2026 + How to Get There
At last count, there were 31 bridges spanning the mighty Han River in Seoul’s capital area. But Banpo Bridge is undoubtedly the most famous… and not just in Korea. The Banpo Bridge Moonlight Rainbow Fountain © 서울특별시 소방재난본부 (CC BY-SA 4.0) Why, you may ask? Well, attached to the edges…
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11 Secret Spots to See Cherry Blossoms in Seoul in Total Peace
Come spring in Korea, what’s an introvert to do? Hiding at home simply isn’t an option when the cherry blossoms in Seoul are bursting spectacularly into life. Don’t fret though, quiet soul. I’ve got you covered. Here are 11 secret spots to check out Seoul’s cherry blossoms with the peace…
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안녕! I'm Shelley!
It’s my mission to explore off-the-beaten places in my South Korea, and share them with you. Come with me on a journey to hidden gems and amazing places in Seoul and beyond. Be sure to connect if you have questions!
