When coming up with a top attractions travel guide for South Korea it became a daunting task to go through my travel video library collection of Korean videos and decide which ones to use. There is just so much to see and do in Korea from food to culture and from attractions and cities worth visiting. From Seoul to Busan and from countryside to urban city centers there is something for everyone. The following recommendation for the top things to do in South Korea: 1) Visiting Insadong Considered by many to the cultural hub of Seoul, Insadong is the perfect place to indulge in Korean street, go shopping and take in Korean traditional musical performances. It is also one of the best places for people watching as you'll notice a mix of both Koreans and foreigners. 2) Korean Folk Village The Korean Folk Village, nestled in between the cities of Suwon and Yongin, is a place you'll definitely want to check out. While wandering around he scenic premises you can snack on Korean street food delights such as sugary taffy where you'll notice traditional Korean wedding ceremonies, tightrope walking and equestrian students and performances. The best time of year to come is in the fall or spring. 3) Cat Cafes Although we've been to several cat cafes in Thailand, Malaysia and Germany we still haven't found one that tops the cat cafe we visited in Hongdae, Seoul, South Korea. Purchase an entrance ticket, which entitles you to a drink, allows you to come in and interact with the cats playing, feeding and petting them to your hearts content. 4) One of the most historic markets in all of Seoul - and Korea for that matter - is Namdaemun Market. As the largest and oldest open air market in all of Korea you'll have a chance to shop and eat Korean street food all day long. My favorite snack here is hotteok. 5) A scenic and peaceful way to experience the heart of downtown Seoul is to wander along the Cheonggyecheon. There are few places that are more attractive to go walking. When we visited in winter we noticed many ice sculptures. 6) To beat the heat in the winter, visit a traditional Korean tea house for a fragrant cup of hot fruity tea and a delicious plate of Korean rice cake snacks. 7) Not a fan of cats? Try visiting a dog cafe as an alternative. It's the same deal as the cat cafe in terms of purchasing overpriced drinks for the chance to play and interact with cute dogs and puppies. 8) Kimbap Restaurant For excellent Korean rice rolls, known as kimbap, head to one of the ubiquitous locations for some excellent kimchi fried rice, mandu and Korean soups. 9) Bamboo Park If you visit the city of Damyang, in the southern region of Korea, you'll be treated to the Damyang Bamboo Forest Park. A nice scenic escape from urban Korean life, these parks do sometimes get crowded. 10) Boseong Tea Fields and Plantation Not far from the Bamboo Forest Park is the Boseong Tea Fields. Come climb up to the very top - it's quite the workout and enjoy a cup of green tea or green tea flavored ice cream upon returning to the bottom. 11) There are a plethora of fascinating palaces and temples to explore in Seoul. Our favorite, is Gyeongbokgung Palace where admission is only 3000 Won. Pose with Korean guards and stick around for the changing of the guard. 12) If you're ready to shop until you drop be sure to visit Myeongdong, one of the most popular shopping districts in all of Seoul. Here you'll find swanky boutique shops and plenty of restaurants. 13) For the art and hipster scene be sure to visit Hongdae, the most popular student hangout area for Koreans. From food to nightlife to shopping this place has it all for young 20 somethings. 14) An alternative to Itaewon is Songtan - located nearby an American Military base in the Pyeongtaek region. This is where you'll come to buy American goods and to eat International cuisine. 15) Seoul Tower offers amazing views of the city but I enjoyed climbing Namsan even more. The climb is free and it best enjoyed on a fall or spring afternoon when the weather is cool. This is part of our Travel in Korea series. We're making a series of videos showcasing Korean culture, Korean arts, Korean foods, Korean religion and Korean people. Proudly presented by: http://nomadicsamuel.com & http://thatbackpacker.com This video features music -various artists and various songs - available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Commercial license.

• published: 01 Jun 2014
• views: 48636