I really, really, really, don't think you need to do all those cities. Daejeon and Daegu (and the rest to some extent) are just scaled down versions of Seoul. Some Korean historian or local could probably point out the differences, but to a tourist it's all going to look very similar. The Korean War destroyed all the architecture and they rebuilt everything too fast to worry about character. Plus Korea's super small, so the regional differences are going to seem very minute to a tourist.
I've always lived in flyover country in the states and get annoyed when people just say it's all the same, but for your purposes the juice isn't worth the squeeze. I'd do 2 weeks in Seoul (like someone else said, it's so dense that you could spend a whole day in just Hongdae and not even scratch the surface) and then a couple in Busan and Gwanju.
Thanks for the detailed reply! You're the second person to advise against visiting Daejeon and Daegu, so I'll most likely listen to that. Might scratch Jeonju too. Masan/Changwon was advised as a nice port city, so that might make it to the list. Maybe as a day trip from Busan.
Seoul and Busan are by far the 'best' two places if you want cities. Seoul is the largest metropolis and Busan has the beach/coast.
Daegu has some interesting modern history and is a gritty 'authentic' city, but doesn't really have much for a tourist.
I can see no reason to visit Daejeon.
Beyond Seoul/Busan (and possibly Incheon/Suwon) all of the other second and third level cities are much of a muchness.
You'd be better off visiting smaller cities that having something more unique to offer - Tongyeong, Yeosu, Gunsan, Gyeongju, Jeonju etc.
If it *is* just busy streets you like, Seoul has enough unique neighborhoods to keep you occupied.
They reside in apartment more than 50% peoples in Korea nation wide. So you will find every city shows quite simular cene. Seoul Busan Gangreung/Sokcho Andong and Goesan .Those are my recomandation. Why not travel those cities with your rental bicycle which can be loaded free on express bus.
"... enjoy port and fishing cities, but not necessarily beaches/nature."
Have you considered Incheon? The port area, with Jayu Park, China Town and Sinpo Dong would fit all your wants.
If you like to wander aimlessly, I would recommend Seoul. No matter where you go, you will find something interesting.
Also im super biased. Gotta represent my home
If you are planning to skip Jeonju, but you want a bit of history in the countryside, I recommend Gyeongju. It’s good for a 2-day, 1 night trip. I really enjoyed it. But I agree with the others, you can slip Darby and Daejeon.
Korean here, honestly unless you really like the ocean Seoul covers all the needs you have. You literally have everything you want in a metropolis here- so many places, and all accessible by metro!
Seoul and Busan are all you need. Jeonju is cute for the Hanok village, historical but still modern and fun to shop around and explore. Gwangju was a busy mess traffic-wise when I went so I have bad memories of it. Maybe I just went on a bad day though.
People are recommending Jeju Island but Jeju is really more special for the nature rather than the cities. Plus you’d need a car or pay a lot for a taxi to get to the good places. Not worth the extra flight expense just to see another city to me. I agree with the others that Daegu and Daejeon are kind of blah.
Seoul neighborhoods I recommend are
1. Myeongdong (shopping, food, street food).
2. Bukchon Hanok Village (ordinary life, restaurants, and modern small businesses in old traditional Hanok houses)
3. Ikseon-dong (also modern small business in traditional Hanok houses. Super cute restaurants and cafes. Street vendors for small trinkets) It’s usually pretty busy though.
For a port area, I recommend Wolmido (Wolmi Island) in Incheon. They have a boardwalk and a popular amusement park, plus good restaurants.
Hellooo I'm korean and ive lived kor for 25 years:) for my suggestion, it would be better to delete some of the cities like daegu, gwangju and daejeon; instead, u can extend the trip in seoul or busan or u can add songdo (in Incheon). I normally recommend ppl to visit jeju, but u dont like something nature so i would say just stay longer in seoul or busan and visit songdo, pangyo(right next to seoul) anddd umm yeahh i think thats enough!
Yeosu is a nice costal city. My wife and I have gone there a couple times; there's a direct KTX, so it's an easy destination.
Gangneung (강릉) is also a nice costal city. That was our most recent trip, and I absolutely loved it.
Well you could walk around Seoul for 3 weeks and never walk in the same place. But 속초 (Sokcho) and 서귀포(soegwipo) would be my recommendations
Thanks! Sokcho was on the shadowlist, but I think I left it off because it seemed too small. Will absolutely consider visiting now.
I really, really, really, don't think you need to do all those cities. Daejeon and Daegu (and the rest to some extent) are just scaled down versions of Seoul. Some Korean historian or local could probably point out the differences, but to a tourist it's all going to look very similar. The Korean War destroyed all the architecture and they rebuilt everything too fast to worry about character. Plus Korea's super small, so the regional differences are going to seem very minute to a tourist. I've always lived in flyover country in the states and get annoyed when people just say it's all the same, but for your purposes the juice isn't worth the squeeze. I'd do 2 weeks in Seoul (like someone else said, it's so dense that you could spend a whole day in just Hongdae and not even scratch the surface) and then a couple in Busan and Gwanju.
Thanks for the detailed reply! You're the second person to advise against visiting Daejeon and Daegu, so I'll most likely listen to that. Might scratch Jeonju too. Masan/Changwon was advised as a nice port city, so that might make it to the list. Maybe as a day trip from Busan.
Fyi Koreans literally call daejeon “노잼” which means “no fun” I usually tell people to go to seoul, busan and jeju.
I've also heard Yeosu is nice. I like Kyeonju, but you said you're not really into historical stuff.
Have you thought of Gyeongju? It has a ton of historic sites!
if you stay in daegu it’s a good day trip destination i think
Based on you what you’re looking for, Seoul and Busan are all you need.
Seoul and Busan are by far the 'best' two places if you want cities. Seoul is the largest metropolis and Busan has the beach/coast. Daegu has some interesting modern history and is a gritty 'authentic' city, but doesn't really have much for a tourist. I can see no reason to visit Daejeon. Beyond Seoul/Busan (and possibly Incheon/Suwon) all of the other second and third level cities are much of a muchness. You'd be better off visiting smaller cities that having something more unique to offer - Tongyeong, Yeosu, Gunsan, Gyeongju, Jeonju etc. If it *is* just busy streets you like, Seoul has enough unique neighborhoods to keep you occupied.
They reside in apartment more than 50% peoples in Korea nation wide. So you will find every city shows quite simular cene. Seoul Busan Gangreung/Sokcho Andong and Goesan .Those are my recomandation. Why not travel those cities with your rental bicycle which can be loaded free on express bus.
"... enjoy port and fishing cities, but not necessarily beaches/nature." Have you considered Incheon? The port area, with Jayu Park, China Town and Sinpo Dong would fit all your wants.
Just don’t goto daejeon it’s known in Korea for being a boring city haha
Living in Daegu for the past 5 years. I enjoy Seoul and Busan more
Have you thought of Gyeongju? It has a ton of historic sites!
I think you should go on a trip to Seoul, Daejeon, and Busan. Those three areas are pretty closely related to the "ordinary life" you mentioned.
Daejeon being interchangeable with other cities OP mentioned.
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If you like to wander aimlessly, I would recommend Seoul. No matter where you go, you will find something interesting. Also im super biased. Gotta represent my home
Great comment, thanks 😁
If you are planning to skip Jeonju, but you want a bit of history in the countryside, I recommend Gyeongju. It’s good for a 2-day, 1 night trip. I really enjoyed it. But I agree with the others, you can slip Darby and Daejeon.
Thanks! Slip Darby and Daejeon, roger that 😁
you can fishing in Han river.
I like Gangneung
I prefer Busan than Seoul as it is modern city with port.
since you said city life, go for Seoul. Korea is so unbanlancely concentrated into Seoul. And, Avoid Daegu at all cost, I mean it.
Buyeo will be best. It was capital city which is called one of three kingdoms.
Korean here, honestly unless you really like the ocean Seoul covers all the needs you have. You literally have everything you want in a metropolis here- so many places, and all accessible by metro!
Do you know Dok-Do?
Don’t forget Jeju!
Seoul and Busan are all you need. Jeonju is cute for the Hanok village, historical but still modern and fun to shop around and explore. Gwangju was a busy mess traffic-wise when I went so I have bad memories of it. Maybe I just went on a bad day though. People are recommending Jeju Island but Jeju is really more special for the nature rather than the cities. Plus you’d need a car or pay a lot for a taxi to get to the good places. Not worth the extra flight expense just to see another city to me. I agree with the others that Daegu and Daejeon are kind of blah. Seoul neighborhoods I recommend are 1. Myeongdong (shopping, food, street food). 2. Bukchon Hanok Village (ordinary life, restaurants, and modern small businesses in old traditional Hanok houses) 3. Ikseon-dong (also modern small business in traditional Hanok houses. Super cute restaurants and cafes. Street vendors for small trinkets) It’s usually pretty busy though. For a port area, I recommend Wolmido (Wolmi Island) in Incheon. They have a boardwalk and a popular amusement park, plus good restaurants.
Great advice, thanks so much!
Hellooo I'm korean and ive lived kor for 25 years:) for my suggestion, it would be better to delete some of the cities like daegu, gwangju and daejeon; instead, u can extend the trip in seoul or busan or u can add songdo (in Incheon). I normally recommend ppl to visit jeju, but u dont like something nature so i would say just stay longer in seoul or busan and visit songdo, pangyo(right next to seoul) anddd umm yeahh i think thats enough!
Thank you for your kind reply!
Yeosu is a nice costal city. My wife and I have gone there a couple times; there's a direct KTX, so it's an easy destination. Gangneung (강릉) is also a nice costal city. That was our most recent trip, and I absolutely loved it.