3 days 2 nights: A "Special Forces" Style Trip to South Korea with Besties

I've been planning a trip to South Korea for a long time. Since middle school, I was a Korean wave fan, from TVXQ of SM Entertainment to current girl groups, and also following K-dramas, K-variety shows, and so on.

Three years later, the time when we can travel freely has finally returned, so I immediately put a trip to South Korea on the schedule.

Departing from Chengdu, the flight takes about 3.5 hours, with a time difference of only 1 hour. Before long, we landed at Incheon International Airport.

This time, we bought a direct flight ticket from Chengdu to South Korea. Both Air China and Sichuan Airlines have resumed direct flights, and the prices were quite reasonable.

For this trip to South Korea, we took advantage of a weekend break, so we chose not to stay in the city center but to stay at Paradise City near Incheon Airport. This was also a place we had been longing to visit for a long time. Finally, we checked in at the Paradise City, the "Hotel Del Luna," "Penthouse," and the paradise island that guests longed for in "Single's Inferno" — all from K-dramas!

This place is also a trending influencer hotel where many K-pop stars have stayed, including BLACKPINK, Kim Jae Joong oppa, MAMAMOO, IVE, etc. Last month, the "Baeksang Arts Awards" were held here, and many Korean stars attended!

Paradise City

Here, there are not only two 5-star hotels but also the first large-scale integrated resort in Northeast Asia that combines tourism, cultural experiences, leisure, shopping, entertainment, and more!

The basic room type is about 60 square meters, with a classic modern American style. Snacks and drinks in the mini-bar are complimentary.

Check-in time: 15:00

Check-out time: 11:00

Around 2000 RMB

Compared to ordinary hotels, Paradise City is more like a theme park where you can enjoy various activities.

If you stay here like I did, you can use the hotel pool, Safari Park, and visit exhibitions for free. Even if you don't stay overnight, you can experience entertainment facilities like the shopping center "Plaza," the theme park "Wonderbox," and the water park "Cimi," or come to enjoy food. Therefore, if you are arriving or departing from Incheon Airport during your trip to South Korea, it's also nice to stop by Paradise City for a cup of coffee before leaving. Anyway, there is a shuttle bus to and from Incheon Airport, which is very convenient.

At the resort, I hesitated for a long time between the water park and the theme park, and eventually chose the theme park.

You must go to Wonderbox to rediscover your childhood. Besides experiencing the rides, Wonderbox is also full of joy.

Weekdays: 12:30 ~ 12:55 / 17:00 ~ 17:25

Weekends and holidays: 12:30 ~ 12:55

Additionally, the hotel has a wonderful "Welcome Performance" for guests, which is definitely worth watching:

MYSTIC MASQUERADE

Location: 1F WOW ZONE, Paradise Hotel

Time: 14:00 ~ 14:15 / 19:00 ~ 19:15

For those who love visiting exhibitions and appreciating art, Paradise City is surely your paradise!

Paradise City itself is a giant work of art, with more than 3,000 pieces of art scattered in every corner. You can feel a strong atmosphere of "life as art" right in the hotel. You can pick up a treasure hunt passport at the service desk during check-in and then go hunting for treasures one by one.

I mentioned earlier that the hotel is like a shopping center, and one reason is that there are many restaurants. Besides tasting Michelin-starred cuisine from five-star hotels, Plaza also offers samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup), ganjang gejang (soy sauce marinated crab), and Korean barbecue often seen in K-dramas. The cafes and food courts have a wide variety of delicious options! In the resort, you don't need to walk too far to find food you love — truly a great experience.

Paradise City is right next to Incheon Airport. Taking the free Paradise City shuttle from the airport takes only 5 minutes, and walking takes no more than 15 minutes.

From downtown Seoul, it takes about 40 minutes by airport subway. There is also a rail transit stop opposite Paradise City (resumed in July 2023) that goes directly to downtown Seoul. So this time I planned a trip covering both Paradise City and Seoul.

♀️ Power Walking through Downtown Seoul

Staying near Incheon Airport was really convenient. It takes about 40 minutes by subway to reach downtown Seoul. You can visit Dongdaemun, Itaewon, Hongdae, Myeongdong, and N Seoul Tower, all accessible by subway.

Eating and Shopping Around "Hongdae"

"Hongdae" is the abbreviation for Hongik University, one of South Korea's most prestigious art schools. Now, the term "Hongdae" no longer refers only to the university but to the surrounding neighborhood. It is especially suitable for young people and trendsetters to check out!

The streets in front of the university are brimming with artistic vibes. Art lovers often display their works here, and there are many performance venues, exhibition halls, and unique cafes. Hongdae is surrounded by bars of various sizes. Unlike bars in Gangnam, those around Hongdae are perfect for young people to have fun without needing flashy makeup or outfits.

Cheonggyecheon Stream · Check Out Seoul's New Landmark: Hikr Ground (Hitecr Ground)

Hikr Ground is the Seoul Tourist Information Center. It has five floors, each very enjoyable to explore and photograph. There are also special themed exhibitions from time to time, covering K-dramas, K-pop, Hallyu experiences, travel information, and more. It is a new experience-type tourism promotion hall where you can experience Hallyu and modern media art!

1. Original passport (valid for at least 6 months);

2. One black-and-white photocopy of both front and back of ID card;

3. Two 2-inch white-background photos taken within the last 6 months (35mm x 45mm, must not be the same as the passport photo, ears exposed, neatly dressed, no tank tops, no selfies);

4. South Korea visa application form (printed single-sided in black and white and filled out)

Single-entry asset proof: Original bank statement of a savings account under your own name for the last 6 months (preferably salary account, average monthly balance above 10,000 RMB);

Those meeting the following conditions can be exempted from providing asset proof if corresponding documents are submitted:

1. University professors, elementary/middle/high school teachers;

2. Holders of platinum or diamond credit cards (card number must start with 62);

3. Alipay Zhima Credit score of 780 or above;

4. Chinese citizens aged 17 and below or 55 and above: only basic documents required;

5. Current full-time undergraduate students and graduates in China (including top-up degrees);

6. Graduates with a bachelor's degree or higher from overseas;

7. Applicants who have visited OECD countries two or more times (excluding group tours): provide copies of the corresponding visa pages with entry/exit stamps; otherwise, provide entry/exit records report;

What are you waiting for? Bring your passport, no need to adjust to jet lag (the time difference between South Korea and China is only 1 hour), and come travel to South Korea — all the scenes from K-dramas become reality!

Travelogue Directory 1, [1. Transportation Guide], 2, [2. Accommodation Guide], 3, [3. Seoul Special Forces Travel], 4, [4. South Korea Visa Guide] Travel Information Hotel Index Guide Index Ticket Index Website Navigation Travel Index Cruise Index Corporate Travel Index Franchise Cooperation Distribution Alliance Friendship Links Corporate Gift Card Purchase Insurance Agency Agency Cooperation Hotel Franchise Destination and Attractions Cooperation More Franchise Cooperation About Ctrip About Ctrip Hot Spots Contact Us Careers User Agreement Privacy Policy Security Center Ctrip Content Center Intellectual Property Trip.com Group Algorithm Disclosure