Things to Do & K-Culture

Visitors in traditional hanbok at a Seoul palace during a Korean holiday

Chuseok 2026: Korea’s Biggest Holiday — Dates, Closures & Travel Tips

Last Updated: July 2026 Quick answer: Chuseok 2026 — Korea’s autumn harvest holiday — falls on Friday, September 25, with the official public holiday running Thursday, September 24 through Saturday, September 26. Because the following Sunday is already a non-working day, no extra bridge day has been added and Monday, September 28 is a normal […]

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Golden ginkgo trees in autumn in Korea, the highlight of autumn in Seoul

Autumn in Seoul: Foliage, Weather & Best Spots (2026)

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick answer: Autumn in Seoul (September–November) brings clear blue skies, comfortable temperatures, and brilliant foliage that peaks from late October into mid-November. The best fall-color spots are the palace grounds, Namsan, the ginkgo-lined streets, and parks like Seoul Forest. Many travelers rate it the best season of all. Autumn is, for

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The Myeongdong shopping district in central Seoul

Seoul Shopping Guide: Best Areas & What to Buy (2026)

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick answer: The best shopping in Seoul is in Myeongdong (cosmetics and street fashion), Dongdaemun (24-hour malls and wholesale), Hongdae and Seongsu (indie and trendy), and Gangnam (luxury and department stores). For souvenirs, head to Insadong and the traditional markets. Foreign visitors can claim a tax refund on larger purchases. Shopping

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Geunjeongjeon, the main throne hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace, under a blue sky in Seoul

Gyeongbokgung Palace Guide: Tickets, Hours & Tips (2026)

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick answer: Gyeongbokgung is the grandest of Seoul’s five royal palaces, built in 1395. Tickets are about ₩3,000 and it’s open daily except Tuesdays; entry is free if you wear a hanbok. Don’t miss the changing-of-the-guard ceremony at the main gate and the throne hall and pavilion inside. Gyeongbokgung Palace is

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Snow-covered Gyeongbokgung Palace in winter in Seoul

Winter in Seoul: What to Do, Weather & Tips (2026)

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick answer: Winter in Seoul (December–February) is cold and dry, with crisp clear skies, occasional snow on the palaces, and the cheapest, least-crowded travel of the year. Warm up at jjimjilbang spas and cafés, catch illuminations and ice rinks, and take a ski day trip; pack a proper insulated coat. Winter

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Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul, one of the most filmed K-drama filming locations in Seoul

K-Drama Filming Locations in Seoul: A Fan’s Guide (2026)

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick answer: The best K-drama filming locations in Seoul are the palaces (Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung), the hanok lanes of Bukchon, N Seoul Tower, Cheonggyecheon, and the cafés of Seongsu and Ikseon-dong — plus day-trip sets like Nami Island. Most are free and reachable by subway. Half the fun of a Korea trip

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A woman in a pink hanbok at a historic Korean palace, the classic reason for hanbok rental in Seoul

Hanbok Rental in Seoul: A Guide to Wearing Hanbok (2026)

Last Updated: June 2026 Quick answer: A hanbok rental in Seoul costs about ₩15,000–35,000 for a few hours and gets you free entry to the palaces. Rent near Gyeongbokgung, Insadong, or Bukchon, pick an outfit (hair styling often included), and wear it around the palace grounds and hanok lanes for the trip’s best photos. A

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