HS Must do activities for tourists in Seoul

By Kwon Mee-yoo

Staff reporter

Foreigners living in Seoul suggested drinking makgeolli, taking a bath at a "jjimjilbang," shopping at Myeong-dong and enjoying the nightlife around the Hongik University area as the best things to do in the metropolis.

Seoul City and the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) surveyed 500 international residents in Seoul on the top 20 cultural experiences in the capital city.

Makgeolli, the traditional rice liquor, was the top choice for drinks, followed by "bokbunja," a Korean raspberry wine, and soju, while their favorite food was galbi.

For nightlife, the Hongik University area was selected as the most entertaining location. "The area is full of colorful street murals, vintage clothing shops, small galleries, a flea market, cafes and clubs and it attracts foreigners as well as locals," an STO official said.

N Seoul Tower on Mt. Nam was rated as a not-to-miss place and Gyeongbok Palace was named the most worthwhile among the several old palaces in Seoul.

Jjimjilbang were chosen for the best health/wellness experience in Korea. They are Korean-style spas equipped with a public bath house, sauna, hot tubs and pool as well as a snack shops, restaurants and even PC rooms. Such places can be a destination for a family weekend outing or businessmen who missed the last bus home and needs a cheap place to rest.

A blogger named Natasha, a student from Stony Brook University in N.Y. and currently studying Korean at Yonsei University, spent an "awesome day" visiting N Seoul Tower, drinking makgeolli and resting at a jjimjilbang during her short vacation.

"While in the sauna we drank the rice drink, ate hard boiled eggs, and wore 'Princess Lea' bun towels on our heads," Natasha said on her jjimjilbang experience.

Expatriates liked to climb Mt. Bukhan and preferred the Samcheong-dong area for walking tours.

Myeong-dong ranked first for shopping and Dongdaemun, Yongsan Electronics Market and COEX followed.

"The survey gave us a new perspective on what foreigners are interested in about Seoul, beyond the conventional tour routes of Myeong-dong, Insa-dong and the Dongdaemun area," Lee Hae-woo, Seoul's tourism promotion officer, said. "We will develop new tourism contents based on the results to uncover the hidden charms of Seoul."

서울 관광객들이 꼭 해봐야 할 경험

서울에 거주하는 외국인들이 꼭 해봐야 할 경험으로 막걸리 마시기, 찜질방에서 목욕하기, 명동에서 쇼핑하기, 홍익대 주변 야간 생활을 손꼽았다.

서울시와 서울관광마케팅은 500명의 외국인 거주자를 대상으로 서울에서 맛 볼 수 있는 가장 인기 있는 20개의 문화적 경험에 대한 설문조사를 펼쳤다.

막걸리가 주류 중 1위를 차지했고 복분자와 소주가 그 다음이었으며 가장 사랑 받는 음식은 갈비였다.

야간 오락을 즐길 수 있는 장소로는 홍익대 주변이 뽑혔다. “화려한 길거리, 빈티지 옷 가게, 갤러리, 벼룩시장, 카페와 클럽 등 관갱객들의 눈을 끌만한 것이 많다”고 서울관광마케팅 공무원이 설명했다.