As of today, we have officially hit ONE YEAR on the Peninsula. It’s been an incredible year exploring, acclimating, and learning to love South Korea. It hasn’t been without its challenges (the Pen can feel so isolating at times), but I am happy to report that our experience in South Korea has been OVERWHELMINGLY positive. There are a few things that have made this past year so wonderful – one of which is the amount of wandering and exploring we’ve done.
Everything we’ve done in South Korea
I thought it would be fun to create a post that listed everything we have done since we moved here 365 days ago. Is this ACTUALLY an exhaustive list of everything we’ve done? No. Only because I didn’t include every restaurant we ate at or every on-post activity we participated in. But I’d say this is dang close to everything we have experienced here. And the best part: everything on this list is within 3 1/2 hours from Camp Humphreys. For more information on any of these items, simply click the links provided to visit the detailed post I made about it. And so, without further ado, here is…
Everything we did in 12 months in South Korea
Plants on the Peninsula
Walk the Asan Gingko Trail in the fall
Visit Royal Azaleas Hill in Gunpo
See the Cherry Blossoms in the Spring
See the Pink Muhly in Pyeongtaek
Visit the Pyeongtaek Flower Festival
See the summer Sunflowers at Anseong Farmland
Our Favorite Parks near Camp Humphreys
Buddhist Temples
Explore Gakwonsa in Cheonan and see the giant Buddha
Learn the legend behind Sudosa in Pyeongtaek
Find an obscure Buddhist temple – Jeongtosa in Pyeongtaek
Visit Myeongbeopsa in Sosabeol
Learn the history behind Simboksa in Pyeongtaek
Explore the large grounds at Waujeongsa in Yongin
Hikes
Hike the entire Seoul Wall – Naksan, Bugaksan (Baegak), Inwangsan, and Namsan
Explore the hikes at Buraksan Culture Park in Pyeongtaek
Hike to Crocodile Peak in Chungju
Experience Deokdongsan Neighborhood Park in Sosabeol
Hike to Elephant Rock in Seosan
Do the Maansan Mountain Hike + visit Bee & Honey Café in Pyeongtaek
Do the Pinnacle Four Hike in Asan
Hike to Sangtubong Peak in Yeonginsan Recreational Forest in Asan
Bridges
Hike to and Cross the Sogeumsan Suspension Bridge in Wonju
Experience the Soyanggang Skywalk in Chuncheon
Visit the Yedangho Suspension Bridge + Musical Fountain in Yesan at nighttime
Cross Cheonjangho Suspension Bridge
Theme Parks/Zoos/Aquariums
Spend a day at Everland Korea
Visit Korean Folk Village in Yongin
Spend a weekend at Legoland Korea
Visit Uncle Brooks Zoo in Sosabeol
Spend a day at Seoul Grand Park Zoo
Visit Lotte World Aquarium in Seoul
Explore Lotte World Adventure & Magic Island in Seoul
Winter Activities
Visit the Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival
Experience the Pyeongchang Trout Festival + Participate in Bare-handed Fishing
Visit the Seoul Lantern Festival in December
Cafés
Visit JumpingGo Kid’s Café in Sosabeol
Experience the Toilet-themed Café in Eumseong
Visit 943 Kings Cross Café – the Harry Potter inspired Café in Seoul (We found this café to be overpriced and underwhelming, so I didn’t even make a post about it. If you want to visit, paste 서울시 마포구 서교동 양화로16길 24 into Naver and it will get you there.)
Spend a few hours at Naughty Child Café in Cheonan
Our Favorite Cafés near Camp Humphreys
Museums
Explore the Asan Insect Museum
Hike through the Geumgang Nature Art Biennale in Gongju
Spend a day at Gwacheon National Science Museum
Visit the Independence Hall of Korea in Cheonan
Experience Mr. Toilet House in Suwon
History
Hike through Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul
Explore Oeam Folk Village near Asan
Take a tour of the DMZ
Hike Doksanseong Fortress in Osan
Visit Nongseong Park in Pyeongtaek
Explore Hwaseong Fortress + go up in the Balloon at night
Hike through Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan
Take a tour of the JSA and step foot into North Korea
Visit the four Great Gates of Seoul (when we did the Seoul Wall Hike) – Heunginjimun (East Gate – sometimes called Dongdaemun), Sukjeongmun (North Gate), Donuimun (West Gate – site visit – gate no longer standing), and Sungnyemun (South Gate)
Visit the four Small Gates of Seoul (when we did the Seoul Wall Hike) – Changuimun (Northwest), Hyehwamun (Northeast), Gwanghuimun (Southeast), and Souimun (Southwest – site visit – gate no longer standing)
Beaches/Pools/Splash Pads
Spend a day at Daecheon Beach
Spend a day at Mallipo Beach
Play at Paradise Spa Dogo for an evening
Swim at Sinjeongho Outdoor Swimming Pool in Asan
Towers
Go Bungee Jumping in Inje
Go to the top of Lotte World Tower in Seoul
Take the elevator to the top of Seoul Tower
Random
Experience the Boryeong Mud Festival
Explore Blue Crystal Village in Asan
Visit Dae Jang Geum Park in Yongin
See Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul
Visit Starfield Mall in Anseong (roughly 2,375 times)
Visit Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul
Experience Gwangjang Market in Seoul
Rent Hanboks in Seoul
Explore Hwalok Jade Cave in Chungju
Visit Pinnacle Land in Asan
Cross the Tando Island Sea Route
So there you have it – how we spent the last 365 days exploring, wandering, and loving South Korea. Hopefully this helps you create your own bucket list and shows just HOW MUCH there really is to do here. I’ve made it easier for you by including pins and all you need to know before you go at the bottom of each post. So happy researching and happy adventuring!
I really can’t put into words how much we’ve enjoyed our time here. And I cannot express how sad I am that our time is so rapidly coming to a close. We have more adventuring to do before our time is up – and you can be certain I’ll share all the details here! So stay tuned!
’til next time…
Ash
Have questions or comments about any of our wanderings? Reach out and let’s talk!
