Backpacking in Seoul South Korea on a Budget
Youthful Korea
South Korea has gradually risen from the ashes of war and economic turmoil to be the trendsetter for fashion and design in Asia. Even more so than their neighbors across the sea in Japan, South Korea’s films and music all sell a style and aesthetic that is uniquely Korean and desired by young people throughout the world. At the heart of this youth culture wave is the capital of Seoul. With districts such as Gangnam well known for their luxury brands and upscale fashion, it is easy to write Seoul off as being a rather soulless city that only cares about the superficial.
While outwards appearances in the city are definitely important, that does not mean that budget backpackers in South Korea will not find a culture to explore behind all the name brands and cosmetic surgery. Outside of all the glitz and the glamour, you will find colorful and elaborate temples, dark tourism, culinary delights, and a more authentic side of the city where you can travel to Seoul on a budget.
Curious about traveling to North Korea? Read about going with Young Pioneers Tours to the DPRK here!
Gwanghwamun Plaza
For tourists in Seoul, Gwanghwamum Plaza is one of the first places they will head to in order to get some classic selfies in order to show the world that they have landed in South Korea. With monuments dedicated to the historic leaders of Korea and the nearby Gyeongbokgung Palace, there are plenty of reasons to head straight to this major city square. Other than being the historical center of the city, you could consider Gwanghwamum Plaza the heart of Seoul for another reason outside of the tourist attractions and statues.
With the American Embassy and several other government offices located around Gwanghwamum Plaza, you can expect this square would be the focal point for many political demonstrations. On any day of the week, you could find yourself at one moment innocently gazing up at the landmarks dedicated to King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the next in the midst of a major protest. These demonstrations seldom turn violent, but due show a side of the complex fabric of Korean society outside of K-pop and the palaces.
You can take a look at rural North Korea in the town of Sariwon here!
Searching for Classical Korea
Much of Korea was ravaged during the Japanese occupation and the Korean Civil War. During this time much of the historical monuments, palaces, and even culture were lost under the bombs that were dropped on the peninsula. The most iconic palace in all of Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace, just completed restoring many of the structures in 2009. This means that even though you will have the illusion of stepping back in the past, the reality is that these temples and grand halls are just full-scale models of what used to exist. Twice a day at 10 am and 2 pm there is a changing of the guard ceremony where reenactors dress as palace guards. But the fake mustaches and cheap costumes further amplify the fact that you are in a Disney-esque attraction rather than an authentic royal palace.
Even though the royal palaces in Seoul are not exactly representing what ancient Korea was like, it still will show you the foundation and roots of the modern culture. Although Gyeongbokgung Palace is the focal point, there are several other royal courts spread out throughout the city such as Gyeonghuigung, Deoksugung, Changgyeonggung, and Changdeokgung. With 5 royal palaces in Seoul alone, it is easy to get tired of the same old wide open courtyards and curved terracotta grand halls.
Another place where you can escape the modern hustle of the city is the largest Hanok village in Seoul, Bukchon Hanok Village. Made up of over 900 traditional houses, you can feel as if you are walking through the set of your favorite K-drama. Being one of the most famous attractions in Seoul, don’t expect to get much time to yourself.
One of the most iconic monuments in North Korea is the Juche Tower. Read more on this landmark in Pyongyang here!
The Great King Sejong Museum
Everything you see on the surface of Seoul is only half of what you can actually explore in the city. Due to lack of space and the conflicts with their aggressive neighbor to the north, South Korea’s capital has much of the city built underground. Doubling as a bomb shelter in times of need, these subterranean shopping malls, offices, and museums bring much of Seoul’s life to below the earth’s surface. Especially when you are traveling to Seoul in the winter, descending under the streets is a great way to escape the chilly South Korean air.
Underneath the Gwanghwamum Plaza, there is a massive museum that your expecting tourist would never expect. Entering from the seated statue of King Sejong, you will at first just be looking for a refuge to keep yourself warm from traveling in South Korea during the winter, but what you will find is an elaborate museum dedicated to King Sejong and Admiral Yi Sun-Sin. What may have been at first just a place to get warm will turn into an hour or longer journey wandering the extensive exhibits of the Great King Sejong Museum.
Is North Korea safe for Americans? You can read about my experience here!
Museums in Seoul
Being a country with such a rich history and a culture that constantly pushes the boundaries, you will find tons of museums in Seoul other than just the King Sejong Museum. With art museums such as the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, exhibits taking you through Korea’s culinary history at the Museum Kimchikan, more cheeky museums like the Poop Museum and the Trickeye Museum, and of course museums taking you through the history of Korea such as the National Museum of Korea, the War Memorial of Korea, National Folk Museum, and many more.
Being a massive mega-city, you can not expect to cover all of the museums in Seoul, even if you lived in the capital for an entire year. But one of the best museums in Seoul you will want to visit before heading on to your next destination is the War Memorial of Korea. With dramatic monuments in the courtyard and half a century old tanks and jeeps parked out on the lawn, you can step back in time and learn more about the war that has kept the world on its toes until this very day. Before heading out on a tour of the DMZ, the War Memorial in Seoul will give you more perspective on a conflict that divided a nation.
Wondering what the DMZ looks like from North Korea? You can read more about traveling in the DPRK here!
The Heart of Seoul At Namsan
No matter where you may find yourself wandering in Seoul, you can be sure to be in sight of the N Seoul Tower. Perched on top of Mt. Namsan in the heart of the city, this park serves as the perfect landmark to aways keep yourself printed while exploring the city. The Namsan Park is so much more than just a place to escape the concrete jungle. From the top of the tower, and even around its base, you will be given some of the most breathtaking views of the Seoul skyline and its endless sprawl of city lights.
Being a popular site for young couples, you will find many people walking hand and hand to the summit of Mt. Namsan and locking their lockets on the chainlink fence on the top of the park. Namsan Park is not only just a place where you can get in touch with nature, but it is also home to its very own Hanok Village and several museums. No matter where you are planning to head to next after visiting the N Seoul Tower, you can be sure it will be in the eyesight of the mountain.
North Korea is a country unlike any other. Read about visiting the Children’s Palace in Pyongyang here!
Buddhism in Seoul
Much like the palaces, all the best temples in Seoul are a hollow reminder of the Korea that used to be. This is not to say that there are not avid and devote Buddhists in Seoul, but rather that young people tend to model themselves after K-pop idols rather than the teachings of Lord Buddha. You are bound to find the occasional monk busily scurrying from shrine to shrine and worshipers chanting in the grand hall, but one still can’t help but feel that the life on the temple grounds are not exactly what they used to be.
What the temples do have is more depth compared to the royal palaces. While the homes of Korea’s bygone kings are left empty, the space at the temples in Seoul are filled with the contemplative rustling of leaves and the songs radiating out of the grand halls. With the intricate carvings, pensive statues, and colorful murals, the Buddhist temples in Seoul are a place where you can immerse yourself in an age-old side of Korean culture.
Are you heading to Busan? Read about visiting Haedong Yonggongsa Temple here!
Seoul Night Markets
If you are wanting to stay more on the off the beaten path side, you will find many traditional markets in Seoul offering everything from street food to budget electronics. But like it or not, if you are wanting to fully experience all things Korean, you will have to head to the shopping center of the city: Myeongdong Market. It is here where you will find many of Korea’s youth descending on the streets to fill their hands with shopping bands. These brightly lit streets become crowded as soon as nightfalls, filled to the brim with both local and foreign shoppers.
Myeongdong and neighboring Namdaemun Market offer not only some of the most popular brand names in Korea, but as soon as the sun sets you will also find all the best street food in Seoul. With loads of bars, restaurants, and stalls peddling their way through the narrow alleyways, you will find no better place to both take in a bit of Seoul’s fashion culture and bite into some traditional Korean treats.
Wanting a different perspective of Korea? Take a look at the DPRK from Dandong in China!
E-Sports in Seoul
South Korea puts out some of the best e-sports competitors in the world. These gamers don’t only stay at home playing late into the night on various StarCraft and League of Legends’ servers, they also fill up massive arenas, going head to head against other e-sports professionals in front of a live audience. Attending an e-sports competition in Seoul may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you are planning your trip to South Korea, but it will get you in touch with a different side of the country’s youth culture.
Matches take place all the time in Seoul at venues such as the Seoul OGN e-Stadium, Survival Arena, LOL Park, and the Nexon Arena. But even if you don’t quite have enough time to fit in attending a sports competition, you can still visit the eSports Hall of Hame in Seoul to see an off the beaten path side of the city. Many of the eSports matches in Seoul are free, but for a game such as League of Legends, expect tickets to sell out quickly.
You can read more about eSPorts in Seoul here!
What To Do In Seoul As A Backpacker
Traveling to Seoul as a backpacker in a budget is not as hard as you may think. Although there are several museums and galleries throughout the city that may require an entrance fee, there are many things to do in Seoul for free. With everything from the War Memorial of Korea to many eSports matches, you can get into many places in Seoul without ever having to spend a single Won. Despite being known as an extremely superficial city, you can still find a unique culture and thriving traditions that have survived and developed over the centuries.
Compared to other modern cities throughout the world, Seoul still has appeal for your average backpacker. Much can get lost in the mega malls and shopping districts, but there is still a soul to the city that shines through the layers of makeup and cosmetic surgery. Although the heart of Seoul is often hidden from plain sight, it can still be found if you keep your eyes open and stray off the beaten path.
