You've watched friends post videos of themselves screaming as they whiz down a roller-coaster in one of Korea's theme parks.
You've seen pictures of travellers dressed in beautiful hanboks, walking through Seoul's gorgeous old palaces.
Why should you be missing out all the fun, though? Especially with the year-end holidays coming up ? NOW's the time to start planning your next getaway to South Korea ??
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If you're worried about your expenses, though, have no fear, HHWT is here ?
Due to popular demand, Changi Recommends is extending its awesome discounts on Korea's best attractions, day tours, activities (and even transport!) till 30 November 2017. Take full advantage of this to get MASSIVE savings at up to 35% off retail prices!*
*Valid for travels by 28 February 2018
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#HHWT Tip: You’ll get even more discounts if you spend a minimum of SGD120: just use the discount code GTKR10! The more you spend, the more discounts you’ll unlock at every price tier--you can even enjoy up to SGD50 off! Remember to book by 30 November 2017 to enjoy these savings. Read till the end for more details!
P.S. Travelling elsewhere? Be sure to check out Changi Recommends' discounted prices on attractions, day tours and activities in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan to enjoy awesome discounts as well!
1. Explore the sprawling Everland theme park
First-up: the magical wonderland that is South Korea's largest and most popular theme park--Everland! ?
With over 40 rides and attractions (including a zoo and a water park), a day trip from Seoul to Everland is definitely a must, whether you've got young children, teenagers or simply just your significant other in tow.
Credit: Mark & Emma Hambleton on Flickr
Take your time to explore Everland in full: with 5 different zones, there's no shortage of things to do! Stroll through the gorgeous flowering gardens in the European Adventure zone for a quiet and romantic theme park date to remember ?
Looking for the most adrenaline-pumping rides? Head to T-Express, one of the fastest and steepest wooden roller coasters in the world!
Credit: Walter Lim on Flickr
And if that's not enough for you, hop on to the Double Rock Spin in the American Adventure zone for double the adrenaline ?
Credit: @pck0812 on Instagram
To round it all off, catch the spectacular night-time fireworks show and end your night with a bang!
#HHWT Tip: Get 40% off walk-in prices (save SGD25) when you purchase your Everland admission ticket with Changi Recommends. You'll even get FREE shopping e-vouchers to Shinsegae Duty Free and SM Duty Free!
Price: Adult (SGD41), Child (SGD37)
What you get: Open-dated one-day admission ticket (including theme park rides and access to Hoam Gallery)
Getting there: Book Changi Recommends’ All-Day Round-Trip Shuttle Bus Package (including admission to Everland) so you won’t have to worry about missing the last bus if you want to stay on for the fireworks display!
Operating hours: 10AM - 10PM (Mon - Wed), 9:30AM - 10PM (Thurs - Sun)
2. Lose yourself in Lotte World, South Korea's largest indoor amusement park
If you prefer to stay within Seoul but still want to get the ultimate theme park experience, pop on over to Lotte World in the heart of Seoul's Jamsil district.
Jam-packed with 22 rides, it's South Korea's largest indoor theme park, so you won't have to worry about bad weather spoiling your plans!
Credit: Jeremy Thompson on Flickr
If this place somehow looks familiar, it's because it was a filming location for one of the first few episodes of the popular Korean variety show, Running Man, because of its wow factor.
#HHWT Tip: Lotte World truly comes alive at night, with a maze of blinking neon lights enveloping you at every turn ?
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Scream yourself hoarse on the exhilarating Giant Loop as it brings you through one 360 degree loop after another, go for a romantic skating session with your partner on the ice skating rink, or ride a miniature hot air balloon to get a bird's eye view of the whole park!
Credit: Cindy Teruel Tolentino on Facebook
#HHWT Tip: Get up to 50% off when you buy your Lotte World ticket from Changi Recommends. AND, you'll get FREE shopping e-vouchers for Shinsegae Duty Free and SM Duty Free!
Price: SGD33 (Adult/Child) (Free admission for children under 3 years old)
What you get: One-day admission ticket
Getting there: Jamsil Station (Seoul subway line 4), exit 4--Lotte World is directly connected.
Operating hours: 9:30AM - 10PM (Monday-Thursday), 9:30PM - 11PM (Friday - Saturday)
3. Take in the breathtaking views from Namsan Seoul Tower
With its multiple appearances in countless Korean romance dramas, no visit to Korea is complete without a trip to Namsan Seoul Tower, one of Seoul’s most popular tourist hotspots!
Make your way up to the observatory to get the most stunning, 360 panoramic views of Seoul's gorgeous skyline, and watch the city's gleaming white buildings stretch into the horizon, framed against tranquil green hills.
#HHWT Tip: Though the night-time views here tend to be more dazzling, it also gets more crowded at night. Come during the daytime and on weekdays to avoid getting stuck in long, snaking queues!
Credit: dconvertini on Flickr
Of course, who can forget Namsan Tower's famed locks of love? Whether you're travelling with your spouse or not, you can't deny that the thousands and thousands of love locks left by countless lovers before you makes for a great picture, especially at sunset ?
Credit: Jimmy McIntyre on Flickr
#HHWT Tip: Enjoy 30% savings when you purchase your Namsan Seoul Tower tickets with Changi Recommends!
Price: SGD9 (Adult/Child) (Free admission for children under 3 years old)
What you get: One-day admission ticket, including Observatory Deck
Getting there: Myeongdong Station (Seoul subway line 4), exit 3: take a 10-minute walk to the Namsan Cable Car for the best views as you go up and up!
Operating hours: 10AM - 11PM (Mon - Fri), 10AM - 11:59PM (Thurs - Sun)
4. Don the hanbok for a truly Korean cultural experience
Part of the beauty of travelling is to learn the local culture and do as the locals do, and in Korea there's really no better way to do this than to dress yourself up in a traditional Korean hanbok!
Credit: Hijab Album on Facebook
Match your hijabs to your hanboks and glide gracefully like a true Joseon-era Korean aristocrat as you wander through palace after palace in your resplendent new robes.
Credit: @kemmaphat_nam on Instagram
#HHWT Tip: Turning up in a hanbok to certain palaces and other popular tourist sites around Seoul gets you free entrance, so be sure to plan which ones you want free entry into ?
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Men, don't worry, you won't be left out! Slip into Korean hanboks that were once only reserved for Joseon royalty and channel your inner emperor, or don special robes that used to be worn by Joseon scholars and academics.
Credit: @gentlebells on Instagram
You'll be filling up your Instagram feed with enviable photos of you and your loved ones in rich, flowing multi-colored hanboks in no time!
Price: 4h rental -SGD19 (Adult/Child), 24h rental - SGD34 (Adult/Child)
What you get: 4 hour or 1 day hanbok rental
Getting there: Anguk Station (Seoul subway line 3), exit 2: take a 5-minute walk to 4 Bukchonro5-gil and go up to the 2nd floor.
Operating hours: 10AM - 8PM Daily (Rental is available until 7:30PM)
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5. Cycle the hours away at Gangchon Rail Bike
If the hustle and bustle of city life is starting to get you, all you need is a short respite in the Korean countryside to refuel yourself with friends and family! Make your way down to Gangchon Rail Bike for a cyclin' good time as you admire the magnificent views every step of the way.
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Once a railway for a train route that has since been discontinued, this 60-kilometre stretch of railway winding through Nami Island is the perfect way to take in the stunning sights and sounds of the surroundings.
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Starting from Gimyujeong Station, pedal past tranquil fields against a backdrop of lush green mountains, romantic vintage tunnels, wide, rushing rivers and colourful flowerbeds all from the comfort of a shaded bike.
Credit: @junghwa.u on Instagram
At the end of the rail bike course, rest those hardworking leg muscles and hop onto a lovely train that will take you on a leisurely ride back to Gangchon Station ?
#HHWT Tip: Save yourself SGD2 when you make your Gangchon Rail Bike reservation with Changi Recommends: use it for some well-deserved ice-cream instead after all that pedalling!
Price: SGD36 (2-seater bike), SGD48 (4-seater bike)
What you get: 6KM rail bike ride + 2.5KM romantic train to Gangchon Station + Free shuttle bus from Gangchon to Gimyujeong Station
Getting there: Take the ITX (Intercity Train Express) from Seoul's Yongsan Station to Namchuncheon Station, transfer to Metro and go to Gimyujeong Station.
Operating hours: 9AM - 6PM (Spring, Summer, Fall: 28 Feb - 30 Oct), 9AM - 5PM (Winter: 1 Nov - 7 Feb)
6. See your fave Korean idols in person at MBC World (almost)
This one's for the K-pop and K-drama fans! If the hallyu wave has swept you off your feet and you just can't get enough of the sometimes cutesy, sometimes swoon-worthy Korean idols, you'll absolutely love this place.
Credit: @rozy0203 on Instagram
Joined a fandom recently but haven't gotten the chance to see your favourite idols live?
No worries: get right up-close and personal with their hologram selves and attend virtual concerts by K-pop's biggest acts, from Big Bang to Psy!
Credit: @yeonju4344 on Instagram
If you're more a K-drama addict, seize the chance to take a starring role opposite your favourite Korean actors and actresses! You can even rent matching costumes that'll make it that much more real for you ?
Credit: @fakiya_fictional_love on Instagram
#HHWT Tip: Get an exclusive discounted price of SGD20 when you purchase your MBC World ticket with Changi Recommends!
Price: SGD20 (Ages 18 & above only)
What you get: One-time admission ticket
Getting there: Digital Media City Station (IAirport Railroad Express Line), Exit 9
Operating hours: 9AM - 6PM except Korean New Year and Chuseok Holiday
7. Frolick in snow all year round at OneMount Snow Park
Always wanted to be in an abundantly snowy winter landscape without the hassle of travelling too far? You'll definitely want to look up OneMount Snow Park!
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Hike up powdery white hills of snow and charge back down the steep snowy slopes on rubber tubes, race your friends around the ice skating rink or just let the kids frolick freely in the snow.
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Don't forget to make a beeline for the Fairy Tale Village to catch the mesmerizing aurora and ice shows to get an unforgettable glimpse of the true beauty of nature's light shows.
Credit: @kiki0502wang on Instagram
#HHWT Tip: Enjoy 30% savings when you purchase your OneMount Snow Park admission tickets from Changi Recommends!
Price: SGD21 (Adult/Child) (Free for children under 3 years old)
What you get: One-day admission ticket
Getting there: Juyeop Station (Seoul subway line 3), exit 3.
Operating hours: Different parts of the park have different opening hours, so do check in advance!
8. Look out for those tricky illusions at Alive Museum
Ever watched one of those magic shows as a kid and wondered what it'd be like to be cut into half like the stage assistants are sometimes? Well now you can--amongst other optical illusions you can partake in at Seoul's Alive Museum, that is ?
Credit: @phemrillips on Instagram
Channel your inner Steve Irwin and pretend-wrestle with monstrous alligators or snap the perfect illusory photo for your Instagram feed! The sheer novelty of having your 5 senses get tricked at every turn in the Alive Museum will keep you going for hours on end.
Credit: @sinyiwang on Instagram
#HHWT Tip: Enjoyalmost 30% off your admission ticket when you buy it from Changi Recommends!
Price: SGD11 (Children under 5 not permitted, children under 120cm must be accompanied by adult)
What you get: Admission to Alive Museum
Getting there: Jongno 3-ga Station (Seoul subway line 5), exit 5, 5-minute walk away to Alive Museum.
Operating hours: 9AM - 10:30PM Daily (Last admission 7:30PM)
BONUS: Immerse yourself in nature at Nami Island, Petite France and the Garden of Morning Calm
Okay, so even if they aren't under SGD50, we couldn't possibly leave out these three absolutely stunning sites. Here, you'll find the magnificent beauty of nature at its best no matter which season you choose to visit, so it's really a no-brainer!
All three of them are located closely to one another, so you can easily spend a full day wandering past the ginkgo trees of Nami Island, the pastel-coloured European-style houses of Petite France, and the vibrant flora and fauna of the Garden of Morning Calm!
Credit: .angels. on Flickr
Credit: @melodyhoohooo on Instagram
#HHWT Tip:Book Changi Recommends' Nami Island, Petite France and Garden of Morning Calm Day Tour so you’ll get the efficiency of tour group travel without sacrificing flexibility for the rest of your itinerary!
Price: SGD99 (Adult), SGD90 (Child)
What you get: Day Tour (Available Tues, Fri, Sun), including round-trip shuttle bus, Nami Island ferry & admission tickets, admission tickets to Petite France & Garden of Morning Calm
Getting there: Make your way to one of 3 pick-up points
Hongik University Station, exit 4 (27 Mar - 31 Nov: 7:20AM, 1 Dec - 26 Mar: 10:20AM)
Myeongdong Station, exit 2 (27 Mar - 31 Nov: 8AM, 1 Dec - 26 Mar: 11AM)
Dongdaemun History & Culture Park Station, exit 10 (27 Mar - 31 Nov: 8:10AM, 1 Dec - 26 Mar: 11:10AM)
Buy your day tour package HERE!
Essential tips
1. Befriend the local Korean Muslims at Seoul Mosque in Itaewon
One of the most beautiful things about being a Muslim traveller is the opportunity to witness the universality of the Islamic faith when you meet local Muslims who practice Islam faithfully despite being from such diverse cultural backgrounds. South Korea, of course, is no exception!
Credit: @bagasdirga5 on Instagram
With almost 100,000 local Muslims, the Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon is packed to the brim on important religious celebrations like Eid. We know we're not the only ones who say that visiting a mosque when you're in a completely foreign country always feels like a homecoming ?
Credit: @cherry.ming on Instagram
Itaewon also houses the highest concentration of halal food in Seoul. Whether you want a taste of authentic halal Korean fare or something more familiar to your tastebuds like Turkish food or Indian food, you'll definitely find it here!
2. Transportation
Getting around in Korea is a walk in the park thanks to the extensive public transportation networks at your disposal. Still, cut down on your transportation expenses with Changi Recommends' handy transport discounts ?
Preloaded T-money card - $11
Instead of having to buy a new single ticket every time you hop onto Seoul's public transport, save yourself the hassle and get a limited edition T-money card that you can just tap at the gantries each time you ride the bus or subway.
Credit: Yurapan Meesuwan on Facebook
What's more, some taxis even accept T-money as payment. And with designs as cute as the limited edition Sticky Monster Lab T-money cards, they're pretty much irresistible.
Be sure to collect it from the Changi Recommends counter so you can use it the minute you land in South Korea ?
#HHWT Tip: Get free shopping e-vouchers to Shinsegae Duty Free and SM Duty Free when you purchase your T-money card from Changi Recommends!
Price: SGD11
What you get: T-money card loaded with 5000KRW
AREX (Airport Railroad Express)
Travelling between Incheon Airport and Seoul can get downright uncomfortable because of how crowded the subways and buses can get on this route, so grab a ticket on AREX and you're settled!
Credit: Wei-Te Wong on Flickr
Sit back, relax, and take a comfortable hour-long nap in those plush deep blue seats as the train whisks you away to either Incheon Airport or Seoul Station.
#HHWT Tip: Enjoy 40% savings when you purchase your AREX one-way ticket with Changi Recommends!
Price: SGD10 (One-way ticket)
What you get: One-way ticket on AREX
Getting there:
Incheon Airport: Express Train Information Centre, Incheon International Transportation Centre B1F Floor
Seoul Station: Express Train Information Centre, Seoul Station Basement 2
Operating hours:
Incheon Airport: 9AM - 11:30PM Daily
Seoul Station: 5:40AM - 10PM Daily
Whether you're a first-time traveller to Seoul or a repeat traveller, be sure to tick off these unforgettable experiences one by one from your travel bucket list and make your next Seoul trip one to remember ?
3. Stay safe without compromising convenience and get travel insurance
Nothing is guaranteed in life, especially when you're travelling: the risk of injuring yourself or your loved ones is always going to be there. To protect yourself and stay on the safe side, be sure to get travel insurance before you leave!
The frustration of waiting weeks for your travel insurance to pay out is real, though. Why not get HyfeAssure's instant travel claims pay out* at Singapore Changi Airport? With HyfeAssure, you can receive immediate cash claims of upto $200 at any Changi Recommends counters with plans from just $4/day!
*Terms and conditions apply
P.S. From now to 30 November 2017, enjoy HUGE savings and make full use of Changi Recommends’ amazing discounts on South Korea’s most popular attractions, day tours, activities and transport!*
*Valid for travels by 28 February 2018
Don'tforget to use the discount code GTKR10 with a minimum spend of SGD120! The more you spend, the more discounts you’ll unlock at every price tier ?
Travelling elsewhere? Check out Changi Recommends' discounted prices on attractions, day tours and activities in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan to enjoy awesome discounts as well! ?
This article was brought to you by Changi Recommends. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram!