Buzz
Seoul, along with Hong Kong and Singapore, is known for its expensive nature in Asia. However, there are still plenty of exciting experiences you can try when traveling Seoul with less than 5 USD.
What to Eat, Where to Go when Traveling Seoul on a 5 USD Budget?
1. Explore Gyeongbokgung Palace
Originally built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace has been destroyed and reconstructed multiple times due to invasions. It wasn't until 1990 that the palace began its restoration, which continues to this day. Gyeongbokgung is considered an architectural symbol of the Joseon Dynasty.
The entrance fee for this palace is approximately 3000 won (2.6 USD) per person. It's recommended to join guided tours, available in English, Japanese, and Chinese, for a deeper understanding of the palace's history.
Moreover, visitors will witness the changing of the guards ceremony taking place daily, and if lucky, you may even get to observe important Korean events at this palace.
2. Visit the Korean War Museum
This is an intriguing place to delve into Korea's centuries-long war history, leading to the country's division into North and South as it stands today.
The museum, with its 3 floors, promises to provide visitors with valuable insights into Korea's war history. Additionally, it resembles a military museum by displaying various war artifacts such as guns, airplanes, tanks, etc. Notably, this museum offers free admission.
3. Indulge in Street Food Delights
One of Korea's renowned street foods is Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), easily found at any street stall. Each serving of Tteokbokki costs around 3.5 – 4 USD, depending on the stall, the sauce, and the spiciness of the Tteokbokki may vary.
Especially on weekends, you can visit pojangmacha – small tents set up to sell affordable food and drinks, a popular scene in South Korea, to enjoy delicious dishes and sip on a glass of soju.
4. Relax at Pet Cafes
Since most families in Seoul have few pet-friendly spaces at home, pet cafes are quite common in South Korea. At these cafes, visitors can easily play and interact with adorable dogs and cats.
Apart from cafes with dogs or cats, visitors can also find cafes with reptiles or even cafes with cute sheep. You can freely enter these cafes, but of course, you'll need to spend money on beverages.
5. Explore Namsan Tower
Namsan Tower (or N Seoul Tower) stands on Namsan Mountain, one of the most popular tourist attractions in the capital of South Korea. The tower has been a symbol of Seoul since its opening in 1980. From the top of the tower, visitors can easily admire the panoramic view of Seoul from above.
The standout feature here is the 'love lockets'. Couples often come here to hang these 'love lockets' on the terrace railing right at the entrance of the tower. On each locket, couples write their names, inscribe vows as an affirmation of eternal love.
You can ascend the tower by either walking or taking the cable car, with a price of about 8,000 won for a round trip.
As per Traveltimes.vn
***
Reference: Travel guide by Mytour
MytourAugust 11, 2015
