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Shahd Alhamdan
Saudi Gazette
South Korea is undoubtedly a country that should be visited. It is a country that offers much and would suit a wide range of tourists. If planning to visit for a week, then visiting the capital Seoul and Deagu is highly recommended.
Here is a suggested schedule. Tourists who prefer classic luxury hotels could pick the Banyan Tree Club and Spa while those who prefer a more practical hotel could stay at the President Hotel.
Day 1
On the first day, tourists could visit Gyeongbokgung Palace which was built in the period of the Joseon, a ruling Korean dynasty that lasted 500 years and was founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye. This palace was the residence of the king, his households and government. It was one of the largest of five palaces that the Joseon built and had 7,700 rooms. Most of the rooms were destroyed in a fire during the Imjin War.
After that, visit Changdeokgung, another palace that was built in 1392 and finished in 1897 for the Joseon dynasty. This palace has large parks and was the preferred residence of several princes.
Lunch is recommended at one of the five branches of the Jinjinbara Restaurant which serves Korean cuisine. The word Jinjinbara means means generous and plentiful. After that, visit Seoul’s Namsan Tower and then take a walk. In the evening, it would be nice to visit a Korean restaurant such as Bamboo House.
Day 2
Visit the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) which is the buffer zone between South and North Korea. Visitors could get more information about the history of the relationship between the two Koreas.
Lunch could be eaten at a Korean restaurant such as Modern Bapsang. After that, spend the rest of the day at Namdaemun Market. This market is a big old market and popular with foreigners and locals. The market sells different kinds of products and one can eat dinner on the street as part of the Korean experience.
Day 3
Lotte World is one of the biggest amusement parks in Seoul. Visit the park in the morning and then travel to Daegu in the evening by bus. The trip takes around four hours. Grand Hotel would be a smart choice for tourists to dine and rest.
Day 4
The Donghwa Temple is a Buddhist place of worship and considered the seat of the 9th region of the Jogye Order of Buddhism in Korea. Visitors can observe people in prayer and see several old houses and temples. They can also drink tea in the traditional Korean way.
The second site to visit would be Suseong Lake where tourists can rent boats and tour the lake. They could, thereafter, visit the Suseong Lake Resort where they can spend the rest of the day in the amusement area and eat lunch. In the evening they could spend their time at Bongsan Culture Street where they could eat and buy traditional stuff.
Day 5
Daegu National Museum is an important site to visit to learn about the city’s heritage and the Gyeongbuk area. Visitors are not permitted to take photographs. A trip to Daegu Art Museum would also be recommended where visitors could see modern art. Several group and individual exhibitions are also on offer.
Seomun Market, the largest traditional street market in Daegu, is also another interesting site to visit. The market is home to over 4,000 shops and since Daegu is a fashion city, this market is considered a key part of the city’s fashion industry. In the evening, have lunch at a Korean restaurant such as the Biwan Restaurant.
Day 6
In the morning, tourists can go to Cheongna Hill and then drink coffee at a café there before returning to Seoul. On their return to Seoul, they could go to Dongdaemun Market which is a large market where visitors can buy many things such as cosmetics and eat at a local restaurant. Karaoke (which is locally called Noraebang) would also prove to be a treat. You can rent a private room at a café for this.
Day 7
Tourists can relax on their last day by visiting one of the green places such as Seoul Forest. A visit to Jogyesa Temple would also be a smart choice. This is a Buddhist temple located in the city. Visitors could eat lunch at a nearby local restaurant. In the evening, people can enjoy watching a traditional Korean dance at the National Gugak Center.
