As a 9x travel blogger named Quynh Journey, Phuong Quynh (real name) had an exciting self-guided tour through two vibrant and romantic cities of Korea: Seoul and Busan. Returning to the land of kimchi for the second time, Quynh not only wanted to experience the Christmas atmosphere here but also wanted to immerse herself in the typical winter space of Seoul and Busan.
Korea is an attractive destination for those who love to experience winter.
The contrast in lifestyle between Seoul and Busan
Seoul, with its modernity and dynamism, is definitely an indispensable destination in the travel itinerary of any traveler who loves the hustle and bustle. Phuong Quynh shared: “Seoul is a busy urban area, where the pace of life seems to never stop. But what makes me feel excited are the peaceful green spaces in the middle of the city. Parks, the Han River or national gardens help me easily find relaxation in the midst of this hustle and bustle.”
Bustling, bustling Seoul
Peaceful Busan with the green color of the sea
Unlike Seoul, Busan has a peaceful, gentle appearance of a port city. “Busan gives me a sense of peace from the cold winter, from the long white sand beaches, and from the friendly people here.” Phuong Quynh especially loves relaxing moments on Haeundae beach at sunset. She described, “The colors of the sunset blend with the waves, making me feel like I can see the full beauty of Busan.”
Busan gives visitors a peaceful, airy feeling.
Memorable memories on the beach of Busan
Every trip has destinations that bring visitors special emotions. Quynh found peace in the Huinyeoul cultural village in Busan. This is a small village stretching along the coast, most Koreans will come to stroll around on weekends. The houses are close together, interspersed with a few cafes, ice cream shops or small handmade souvenir shops. Because this is also a "lazy trip", from the beginning, Phuong Quynh did not expect to have to check-in many destinations. Coming to the village, immersing herself in the quiet, poetic and healing appearance of this place made her think that, it seems, everyone will clearly feel what Busan's specialties are like.
“This is where I spend hours just enjoying a hot cup of cappuccino, looking at the vast ocean and listening to the gentle waves, chatting with my companions or simply sitting and admiring the scenery before my eyes to calm my soul,” she said.
Let your heart drift with the waves, next to a hot cup of coffee
In addition, special moments like watching the sunset at Haeundae beach are one of the indispensable experiences when coming to Busan. “Eating a few famous Busan fish cakes, sitting under the lighthouse, listening to the sea breeze to watch the most luxurious moment of a day pass, I knew that the soul of Busan is here. Haeundae beach was very clear when I went, the sunset dyed the whole sea pink, the trains running along the coast, plus the super cold winter air... An interesting experience that only Busan can bring,” Quynh shared.
Beautiful sunset in Busan
Meet friendly locals
A trip is not only about exploring destinations but also about interacting with local culture and people. Quynh remembers a lovely memory when she had trouble with her broken shoes in a small village in Busan. “Although they could not communicate in English, the people there enthusiastically helped me fix my shoes. They even called the vendors at the nearby stalls to help me.”
Or when eating at local restaurants, the restaurant owners knew that Quynh was a tourist so they proactively instructed her on how to eat properly in Korea. There was even an older female owner who used Google Translate to introduce the names and uses of each dish in the Panchan line to her. Those small but warm actions made Quynh love Busan more than ever.
Cuisine is something not to be missed when traveling to Korea.
Useful tips for tourists planning to travel to Seoul and Busan
If you are a first-time visitor to Korea, especially Seoul and Busan, Quynh offers some helpful advice: “Prepare your visa and necessary documents in advance, always carry your passport with you. In addition, using a local SIM card or Google Translate will be very helpful, as English is not always widely used."
She also suggested that the public transportation system in Korea is very modern and easy to use. However, traveling with luggage can be a bit difficult because not all train stations have elevators. Bringing a round-pin charger or key fob is also necessary, because Korea only uses round-pin power outlets.
Korea is in the temperate climate zone so winters are usually cold and dry, it snows but is not very cold, quite similar to Japan and some European countries.
Finally, don't forget to try the famous Korean dishes. "Food in Korea is delicious and affordable, everyone should stop by local restaurants along the way, add a few glasses of soju in the snowy winter to fully enjoy the native flavors of Korea", Phuong Quynh suggested.
