First Stop of Overseas Travel: Exploring Seoul during National Day Holiday

Seoul, an international metropolis with unique charm, blends ancient and modern, tradition and modernity, bustle and tranquility, offering a different feeling everywhere.

For my first overseas trip, I didn't choose the crowded Thailand, but instead chose the long-desired destination from my childhood K-drama fandom: Seoul, South Korea.

I used to watch K-dramas often when I was young: Stairway to Heaven, My Girl, Autumn in My Heart, etc. Oh, it reveals my age, haha~~ So I had always longed for South Korea. By chance, my sister and her best friend were discussing where to go for a less crowded yet enjoyable trip. After discussion, they both agreed on Seoul~~ We immediately booked flight tickets and hotels! Ready to go~~~

Dates: October 2 - October 6

Flights: Zhengzhou - Seoul, Korean Air, round trip 2500+ RMB (higher due to National Day, normally around 1500)

Accommodation: October 2-5: Nine Tree Premier Hotel Myeongdong 2 (3 nights) 3068 RMB. The stay was very good, close to Myeongdong, convenient to various attractions.

October 5: Howard Johnson Incheon Airport Hotel (1 night) 458 RMB. Near the airport, good environment, paid airport transfer available.

(The accommodation cost was higher than usual, but accommodation in South Korea is generally more expensive than in China. However, my sisters said I didn't need to pay for accommodation, haha, so I only paid for my own flight ticket, haha.)

Before departure, I made a rough itinerary, nothing specific - just a casual trip, playing it by ear.

Before leaving on October 2, I took a photo at Zhengzhou Xinzheng Airport and found that there were really few tourists heading to South Korea. During the National Day holiday, there were hardly any people. I was really surprised.

One of my sisters works at a bank, so we exchanged money in advance at the bank. But it was a bit awkward - we got all large denominations, haha~~ We exchanged 2000 RMB and planned to exchange more locally. As it turned out, local restaurants and small shops in South Korea only accept cash; some chain stores accept WeChat Pay or Alipay. It's still convenient to carry some cash~~

Since it was my first time going abroad, it was also my first time on such a large plane. I found the in-flight entertainment system quite good. Thumbs up for Korean Air! The cabin crew service was also excellent~~ And they had songs by my favorite band, Mayday! So happy, hehe~~ Thumbs up!! The crew distributed arrival cards. I had found a template online in advance and filled it out.

About to land in Seoul

Landed in Seoul~~ Rainy weather

After landing, we went straight to the hotel. After checking in, we headed directly to Myeongdong!!! We went to the duty-free shops. The duty-free shops were incredibly crowded. I saw many live-streamers selling products on the spot. When I stood at the mask counter, it was already surrounded by live-streamers, each packing large bags of masks. I was astonished. I have to admit those live-streamers work really hard!!! It instantly discouraged me from becoming a personal shopper, haha~~~

We found a barbecue restaurant on the street. The shop was very small, but the food was great. We asked the owner if they had a Chinese menu, and they gave us one. Most shops have Chinese menus. When paying, they would use a calculator to show the amount. Most payments were cash.

Let me tell you about an especially awkward moment. When we looked at the Chinese menu, the portions looked very large. We three girls thought ordering two portions of meat would be enough. But when the food arrived, we were shocked. As shown in the picture, two portions meant two large slices of pork belly + six pieces of beef, haha. So two portions cost nearly 300 RMB, haha. We couldn't help but remark how expensive meat is. And the cold noodles (naengmyeon) were different from what we have in China. The taste was very bland, and one bowl cost about 60-70 RMB. I personally wouldn't recommend it.

Seoul cityscape.

Thumbs up for this drink!! I kept drinking it throughout Seoul - it's amazing!!! Before going, I had read some guides that warned about many disappointing drinks at convenience stores, hahaha~~

Recommend a dessert shop in Itaewon called Passion 5~~ The cake shop was very crowded, but they had a wide variety of cakes - a dazzling display, a paradise for dessert lovers! If Itaewon is on your itinerary, I recommend visiting.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, as the 'Forbidden City' of South Korea, is a must-visit spot for tourists in Seoul. To the east of Gyeongbokgung is Geonchunmun Gate, to the west is Yeongchumun Gate, and to the north is Sinmun Gate. Inside Gyeongbokgung are Geunjeongjeon Hall, Sajeongjeon Hall, Gangnyeongjeon Hall, Gyotaejeon Hall, Chagyeongjeon Hall, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, Hyangwonjeong Pavilion, etc. The main hall, Geunjeongjeon, is the largest wooden structure from ancient Korea, the most magnificent, used for formal ceremonies and receiving court officials.

? Address: 1-56 Saejong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

? Transportation: Exit 5 of Gyeongbokgung Station on Subway Line 3, 5 minutes walk; Exit 2 of Gwanghwamun Station on Line 5, 10 minutes walk

? Admission: Adults 3,000 KRW (free with hanbok rental), Youth 1,500 KRW, under 6 or over 65 free

? Opening Hours: Nov-Feb 9:00-17:00; Mar-May, Sep-Oct 9:00-18:00; Jun-Aug 9:00-18:30 (last entry 1 hour before closing), closed on Tuesdays

jQuery17108752078230721241_1594003394169 Hanbok rental tips:

1. There are many hanbok rental shops near Exit 3 of Gyeongbokgung Station. I just picked one closest to Gyeongbokgung. The styles are quite similar.

2. It is recommended to choose dark-colored hanbok to match the majestic palace atmosphere, giving a feeling like a queen.

3. Generally, traditional hanbok costs 9,000 KRW for 2 hours, and improved hanbok costs 20,000 KRW for 2 hours, including simple hairstyling and a small bag. Be sure to go early, preferably by 9 AM.

When visiting a new place, I love eating their local food. Because food contains a nation's evolution and memories, and the attitude towards food reflects the attitude towards life. We eat one meal less each time, so we should enjoy every meal well.

As seen in the picture, on the streets of Seoul, almost every restaurant offers: grilled meat, bibimbap, and large pieces of meat eaten directly with dipping sauce. Interestingly, such thick slices of pork belly (like twice-cooked pork) with dipping sauce and kimchi were not greasy at all. One important thing: the meat shown in the picture cost over 400 RMB. When we looked at the menu, the pictures showed a lot of meat, so we thought three people could order two portions. But as it turned out, the pork belly came as just two thick slices - we were astonished~~ But honestly, the taste was great. Also, the cold noodles in South Korea are different from those in China. As a cold noodle lover, I couldn't appreciate South Korean cold noodles~~~

Hongdae is one of Seoul's iconic areas, gathering many restaurants where you won't be disappointed. We randomly chose one with a short queue. Inside, it was very spacious, and honestly quite noisy, but the atmosphere was great. There were many beautiful girls and handsome guys everywhere, everyone chatting freely. The dining environment was average, but the food was good.

A brand new day started at Cheongdam-dong, lined with luxury goods, haha~~ Shopping in Cheongdam-dong was so enjoyable~~

Our first stop was Dior's largest flagship boutique in Asia, with Dior Cafe on the top floor. The overall design used Montaigne gray as the main color, and the unique artistic appearance attracted a lot of attention. The whole store exuded an aristocratic aura, and the staff were incredibly beautiful~

The ceiling of Dior Cafe was decorated with flowing clouds and mirrors, making you feel like floating in the clouds. The classic cannage pattern on the tableware reminded me of the popular bags and eyeshadow, perfectly merging the cafe with fashion. Besides coffee, Dior Cafe also put great effort into French desserts, inviting Pierre Herme, known as the Picasso of desserts, to create seasonal ingredients. Pierre Herme designed an exclusive menu for Dior Cafe.

Per person: 300 RMB

Cheongdam-dong is the famous wealthy district in Seoul and a major commercial center. Many upper-class tycoons, businessmen, and celebrities live here, symbolizing wealth and power. There are many fashion shopping malls, bars, and cafes. Many Korean celebrities own properties near Cheongdam-dong. The combination of fashion and wealth makes Cheongdam-dong the premier real estate area in Seoul and all of South Korea.

The street from Cheongdam Station intersection to Galleria Department Store is lined with brand-name boutiques. This is a major shopping area for fashionistas and the only fashion special zone in South Korea, officially named Cheongdam Fashion Street. The Korean Wave has made it very popular among Japanese tourists. The alleys off the main road contain many famous restaurants. Many multi-brand stores and galleries have moved in, gradually making it a comprehensive space where you can enjoy both shopping and culture. [3]

The shops in Apgujeong-dong and Cheongdam-dong rival Myeongdong, the number one shopping street in Seoul, in variety and luxury. The quality of products here is guaranteed, and they lead the latest fashion trends. You won't see any street vendors or roadside stalls in these two areas. The area is full of bustling department stores, while narrow alleys are filled with unique and stylish small shops.

View outside the hotel, not bad, right?

Villas in Gangnam's wealthy area, hehe. The big tree at the entrance looked so status-symbolizing~~~

- Finally, about duty-free pickup at the airport -

1. Since pickup is inside the airport duty-free shops, you need to check in, go through security, and pass customs before entering the duty-free area. So even if you arrive early, it's useless; you still have to wait for check-in. Therefore, just arrive at the airport at check-in time. Generally, international flights start check-in about 2.5 hours before departure. Arriving about 3 hours early is about right. At the airport, first check which counter to check in at. If check-in hasn't started yet, line up at the counter. The earlier you queue, the earlier you check in and enter the duty-free area.

2. If you bought items at different duty-free shops, you can only pick them up with your passport and must queue separately. However, at Incheon Airport, there are multiple pickup points, and your designated pickup point will be the one closest to your boarding gate. So the three duty-free pickup points won't be too far apart.

3. It's recommended to arrive at the airport 3 hours early. The order of procedures is:

(1) Take tax refund forms to the designated scanning point (staff will assist and guide you)

(2) Check-in and baggage drop-off

(4) Pass customs

(6) Pick up items and shop at duty-free

4. Many people ask if there's enough time. Yes, it's enough. Each pickup point has Shilla, Shinsegae, etc. At the pickup counter, first take a number and queue. While waiting, prepare your passport and printed pickup slip or pre-captured order number screenshot. When your number is called, present these to the staff. They will ask you to sign and then give you the items. They work very quickly, usually finishing each customer in a few minutes.

- About airport tax refund -

1. When buying cosmetics in Myeongdong: If you spend over a certain amount at the same store, you can get a tax refund. The store will give you a tax refund form. You can process it at the airport and receive cash, or have it refunded to Alipay or credit card. Gimpo Airport might not offer cash refunds.

2. Cosmetics bought on the duty-free website are picked up after security; payment is made online.

3. Items bought at local duty-free shops can be taken on the spot or picked up at the airport. You can pay with cash. If you don't buy too excessively, you probably won't be stopped.

4. For tax refund forms, first find the tax refund point at the airport. Many staff will scan the forms. For small amounts, scanning might be enough without a stamp. But it's best to ask the staff. If a stamp is required, have the items ready for inspection.

5. Tax refund doesn't take long. After check-in, quickly go to the duty-free pickup area, take a number, and queue to collect items. It's generally fine.

- Alipay tax refund process -

Alipay refund is much faster than credit card. If choosing Alipay, you don't need to leave credit card information.

Alipay tax refund process:

1. Get a tax refund application form:

Confirm if the store supports quick tax refund service; obtain a tax refund form from the merchant; fill in the required information in English letters on the form, making sure to correctly enter the mobile phone number linked to your Alipay account; if the form is incomplete, you won't get a refund.

2. Customs stamp:

Allow enough time for tax refund procedures before boarding; before check-in, present your tax refund application form, passport, visa, and purchased items at the customs office in the departure city to get the form stamped; carry unused items for inspection; items must be unused and in original packaging; used items cannot be refunded; without a customs stamp, refund is not possible.

3. Submit the tax refund form:

Go to the corresponding tax refund service counter; place the completed and stamped tax refund form into the collection box of the respective tax refund service company. For example, Easy Tax Refund forms must be placed into the correspondingly marked collection box.

4. Wait for the refund:

If the above procedures are correctly completed, within 3-5 working days, the refund in RMB will be credited to the Alipay account linked to the phone number provided on the form (if multiple Alipay accounts are linked to that number, the refund will go to the verified account first). Processing time: 3-5 working days.

After returning from Seoul, I've always wanted to go again.

I really like Seoul. I hope to have another chance to visit.

In every street and alley, around every corner, scenes I've seen in K-dramas suddenly appear before your eyes.

Whether it's for buying affordable cosmetics or bumping into idols around a corner, it's a place you can't miss.