I am covering trend, food and fashion. Previously, I covered diplomacy, city, environment and unification.
Traveler’s guide to staying cool in Seoul’s heat wave
Tourists walk toward Gyeongbok Palace in central Seoul, July 2. The tourist on the right wears only the skirt of a hanbok (traditional Korean attire) without the jeogori, or upper garment, as scorching heat pushed the mercury up to 37 degrees Celsius as of Tuesday. Yonhap
By Kim Se-jeong
Are you traveling in Seoul, or arriving soon?
If so, brace yourself — the city is in the middle of a serious heat wave. On Tuesday, the temperature soared to 37.7 degrees Celsius, the hottest July day recorded in the capital since the weather agency began keeping track. And it’s not cooling down anytime soon.
But don’t worry — here are a few easy and affordable ways to stay cool while exploring the capital.
1. Dress light
When it comes to surviving Seoul’s sweltering summer, what you wear makes a big difference. Stick to breathable fabrics. Many fashion brands offer summer-specific cooling clothing. Among them, Uniqlo’s AIRism line is a solid choice and you’ll find plenty of stores around the city. These clothes are designed to keep your body dry all day.
2. Bring a portable fan
You’ll see locals carrying them everywhere — and for good reason. These mini fans are lifesavers. You can pick one up at any convenience store or Daiso. For example, CU sells them for around 9,900 won ($7). Most are USB rechargeable, so you can use them easily.
However, be cautious when temperatures soar above 35 degrees Celsius. Using a fan in extreme heat can speed up sweat evaporation, potentially raising your risk of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.
3. Stay hydrated
This one is obvious, but still worth repeating: Drink lots of water. If you’re not into plain water, grab a bottle of Pocari Sweat, a popular electrolyte drink. You’ll also find all kinds of fruity beverages, like lemon or grapefruit sodas, at convenience stores and supermarkets to help you cool down.
4. Carry cooling wipes
These are basically wet tissues designed to cool your skin. Look for them at Daiso or Olive Young. A pack of 25 usually costs around 1,000 won ($0.73). Just a note — if you’re wearing makeup, avoid using them on your face, as they can smudge it.
You’ll also find cooling sheets — adhesive patches with a cooling gel, originally designed to reduce children’s fevers. But in the height of summer, even adults stick them on their forehead or neck for instant relief.
5. Eat cold food
Koreans know how to eat for the weather. Try these three summertime favorites while in Seoul.
Naengmyeon is chewy cold noodles in an icy beef broth, while kongguksu is noodles in cold, creamy soybean soup. Bingsu is a dessert of shaved ice topped with milk and sweet toppings such as fruit or red beans.
Cold noodles are easy to find at Korean restaurants and bingsu is available at most cafes — both local spots and big-name chains.
6. Escape to air-conditioned malls
Need a break from the sun? Head indoors. Seoul has no shortage of cool, air-conditioned shopping centers, including some great options located near major tourist hotspots.
If you’re in the area, be sure to swing by Lotte and Shinsegae Department Stores in Myeong-dong, AK Plaza in Hongdae, Anyoung Insadong in Insa-dong, Coex Mall in Gangnam and I’Park Mall in Yongsan for a cool and comfortable indoor break.