Korea Travel - Different Experiences in Seoul, Busan and Jeju

Traveling to Korea is not just about exploring beautiful landscapes or enjoying cuisine, but also a journey to find truly unique cultural, emotional and local experiences. If you have ever checked in famous places such as Namsan Tower or Nami Island, this article will bring you closer to different travel experiences that can only be fully felt in Korea. Below are the top 3 most worth-trying experiences, respectively in Seoul, Busan and Jeju Island.

Việt Nam•08/07/2025

Wearing Hanbok to visit ancient palaces - Unique experience in Seoul

Enjoy Seoul with a cultural experience: wear Hanbok and visit the royal palace. (Photo: Collected)

Traveling to Seoul is not just about the vibrant neighborhoods or bustling shopping centers. One of the most memorable experiences for visitors is wearing traditional Hanbok and walking around ancient palaces such as Gyeongbokgung or Changdeokgung.

The special thing here is that you can easily rent Hanbok right near the palace gate at an affordable price (about 10,000–20,000 won for 1–2 hours), and get advice on choosing the right outfit for your gender and personal color. When wearing Hanbok, you also get free entrance to the palaces, as a way to show gratitude to traditional culture.

The feeling of being transformed into a Joseon Dynasty character, walking through ancient stone corridors, taking pictures with moss-covered tiled roofs and Asian-style architecture is an unforgettable impression. This is not only a travel experience, but also a way to connect with Korean history and culture in the most direct and vivid way.

Don’t forget to visit the nearby Bukchon Hanok Village – home to hundreds of traditional houses still inhabited by locals. You’ll feel the intersection between modern Seoul and the centuries-old past still alive around you.

Buy live seafood and eat it right there at Jagalchi Market - A unique experience in Busan

Live like a local: choose fresh fish and prepare it right on the spot at Jagalchi market. (Photo: Collected)

If Seoul is the convergence of fashion , history and technology, then traveling to Busan will bring you closer to the rustic, simple life of Korean people. One of the most unique activities is buying live seafood and enjoying it right there at Jagalchi fish market - the largest seafood market in Korea.

Jagalchi Market is located on the coast and is famous for its hundreds of stalls selling fish, octopus, squid, oysters, clams and countless other seafood specialties that are only found in the southern waters of Korea. Here, you can choose your own king crab, abalone, or even pufferfish – a fish that is carefully processed to ensure safety.

After selecting, the seller will directly prepare it on the spot and bring it to the second floor - where there are small restaurants serving on demand. One of the famous Korean dishes here is sannakji - chopped live octopus, still moving on the plate when eaten. This is an interesting culinary challenge and also a very "Busan" experience, which cannot be found anywhere else.

The bustling atmosphere, the salty smell of the sea and the friendliness of the saleswomen will make you remember it forever. Jagalchi Market is not just a place to eat, but a part of Busan's vibrant culture that everyone should experience at least once when coming to this port city.

Climb Hallasan Volcano and Watch the Sunrise from Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak - Unique Experience in Jeju Island

Wake up early to catch the sunrise from Seongsan crater – A moment you can't forget in Jeju. (Photo: Collected)

Jeju Island is famous for its pristine natural beauty, but the most attractive point is not the beaches, but the close experiences between the land and the sky, the mountains and the sea. One of the most unique experiences is climbing Hallasan Mountain - the highest volcano in Korea, or watching the sunrise on the top of Seongsan Ilchulbong - an ancient crater shaped like a basin jutting out into the sea.

Hallasan is 1,947m high, located in the center of Jeju Island and is a favorite destination for trekking enthusiasts. Depending on your health and time, you can choose the short route (Eoseungsaengak Trail) lasting about 1 hour, or the longer route (Seongpanak Trail) taking 5-7 hours to reach the top. In spring, both sides of the road are filled with rhododendrons; in autumn, the leaves fall like a painting, and in winter, it is covered with pure white snow... each season has its own beauty, creating an unforgettable journey.

Alternatively, if you don’t have enough time to climb Hallasan, experience the sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong, a prominent volcanic crater jutting out into the ocean, recognized by UNESCO as a world natural heritage. To reach the summit, you need to hike for about 20–30 minutes in the early morning. As the sun gradually rises from the sea, the red light reflects through the clouds and cliffs, creating a magical scene, worthy of being one of the most beautiful moments of Korean tourism .

After an emotional nature journey, you can enjoy grilled abalone, seafood porridge, or Jeju black pork… famous Korean dishes that are only truly best when eaten on the island.

>> See Korea tour: Seoul - Jeju - Camellia Hill - Museum of Light - Nami Island - Lotte World Park - Wolmi Sea Train | Experience wearing Hanbok at Gyeongbok Royal Palace (5N4D)

Traveling to Korea is not just about “where to go, what to eat”, but also about experiencing with all the senses: what to wear, what to touch, what to hear, and what to feel differently. From the moment of wearing Hanbok and walking around ancient Seoul, to the moment of eating live octopus in the bustling Busan market, or climbing to the top of a volcano to catch the morning sun on Jeju Island… these are all experiences that cannot be “googled”, but you can only truly understand when you step into them yourself.

If you are planning to travel to Korea , let this journey bring more than beautiful photos and let it bring truly unforgettable emotions. And who knows, those unique experiences will make you love Korea in a very special way.