Tuesday, March 24, 2026

South Korea Tour 2026

GANGNAM STAR IN SEOUL


17 April 2026: Kolkata (22:40) → Delhi (00:35 ) -  rest and prepare for the tour- Overnight stay

18 April 202    Delhi 

19 April 202   0010 HRS Delhi → 10:30 HRS Seoul (Incheon International Airport ) 

19 April 2026: Seoul

20 April 2026: Seoul

21 April 2026: Seoul – Busan (Train)

22 April 2026: Busan

23 April 2026: Busan →.Jeju (Flight)

24 April 2026: Jeju – stay with friend 

25 April 2026: Jeju

26 April 2026: Jeju

27 April 2026: Jeju → Gimpo (by night flight)

28 April 2026: Seoul (Incheon) → Return to Kolkata.


SOUTH KOREAN VISA

Unlike Schengen, you do it by clicking the link here : 

Step I -  https://www.visa.go.kr/openPage.do?MENU_ID=1020408


Step II - After filling up take a print out .

It was very difficult to upload the photo to the website - it is a common problem. I took the help of Chatgpt to make the photo compatible for upload after 15th attmept and voila it was done in seconds !


Step III -  Write a covering letter and attach the documents.

For documents required check - https://www.visaforkorea-id.com/visa-type.html



Step IV  - Then just walk in for interview at VFS office Kolkata. 

No prior appointment is required in VFS office, Kolkata unlike Schengen. In fact there is no option to take any appointment. I got it confired by calling VFS team mentioned here - https://www.visaforkorea-id.com/


FOR SOUTH KOREAN VISA- SEE THESE TWO GOOD YOUTUBE LINKS FOR GUIDANCE


OR 


CHECKLIST 

Documents:

  • Passport (6 months validity)
  • Visa form
  • 2 photo (white background)
  • Flight tickets 
  • Hotel bookings
  • Bank statement (last 6 months)
  • ITR (3 years)
  • Salary slips (6 months)

South Korea — A Snapshot

Area & Geography

South Korea covers 100,222 sq km — roughly 1.14 times the size of West Bengal (88,752 sq km). The terrain is predominantly mountainous, with the highest peak being Hallasan on Jeju Island at 1,947 metres. 


History

Korea is a civilisation over 4,000 years old that survived Chinese domination, Mongol invasion, Japanese colonisation, and devastating civil war — and emerged as one of the 21st century's most dynamic, creative, and resilient societies. Walking through Gye-ong-bok-gung Palace or the alleys of Buk-chon, you're walking through all of it. 

Ancient Foundations (2333 BC – 57 BC)

Korean history traditionally begins with Gojo-seon, the legendary first kingdom founded by Dangun in 2333 BC — a figure considered the mythical ancestor of the Korean people. However hardly any remnant of that region is found in present day Korea. They are mostly found in present day Chinese literature.

By around 300 BC, it started interacting with China. The kingdom eventually fell to the Han Dynasty of China in 108 BC, but Korean identity and culture survived through local tribal confederacies that emerged in its wake.

The 3 Kingdoms (57 BC – 668 AD)

Three powerful kingdoms emerged and competed for dominance of the peninsula — 

1. Gogur-yeo in the north (a fierce military state that repelled Chinese and later Sui and Tang invasions), 

2.Baek-je in the southwest (culturally sophisticated, transmitting Buddhism to Japan), and 

3. Silla in the southeast (the smallest but ultimately the shrewdest). 

In 668 AD, Silla allied with Tang China to defeat its rivals and unified most of the peninsula for the first time.

Unified Silla & Goryeo (668 – 1392 AD)

Unified Silla oversaw a golden age of Buddhist art, architecture, and scholarship — the stunning      Bul-guksa Temple (will visit on our trip!) dates to this era. 

In 918 AD, a general named Wang Geon overthrew Silla and founded the Gor-yeo dynasty, from which the name Korea derives. 

Gor-yeo was a remarkably cultured state — it produced the world's first metal movable type printing, and the Tripitaka Koreana (80,000 wooden blocks of Buddhist scripture) created during this period still survives today. 

Goryeo endured devastating Mongol invasions in the 13th century but retained its identity through decades of resistance.

The Jose-on Dynasty (1392 – 1897)

General Yi Seong-gye overthrew Goryeo and founded the Jose-on dynasty — Korea's longest-ruling dynasty at over 500 years. 

Joseon adopted Neo-Confucianism as its state philosophy, reshaping Korean society, governance, art, and family structure in ways still felt today.  It has great influence even today. 

The dynasty's greatest achievement came under King Se-jong the Great (1418–1450), who commissioned the creation of Hangul — Korea's brilliantly scientific alphabet, designed specifically so ordinary people could read and write. 

Jose-on also endured devastating Japanese invasions (1592–1598) led by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, repelled largely thanks to the legendary Admiral Yi Sun-sin and his iconic turtle ships — the world's first ironclad warships.

Japanese Colonisation (1910 – 1945)

After decades of geopolitical pressure, Korea was formally annexed by Japan in 1910, beginning 35 years of brutal colonial rule. The Japanese suppressed Korean language, culture, and names, forced Koreans into labour and military service, and exploited the peninsula's resources. 

Korean resistance — most famously the March 1st Movement of 1919, when millions peacefully demonstrated for independence — was met with violent suppression. This period left deep wounds in Korean national memory that still shape Korea-Japan relations today. 

Liberation came only with Japan's defeat in World War II in August 1945.

Division & the Korean War (1945 – 1953)

Liberation brought not freedom but division. The peninsula was split at the 38th parallel — the Soviet Union occupying the north, the United States the south.

Soviet forces advanced from the north after declaring war on Japan, while US forces prepared to land in the south. US, with no troops on the ground, feared full Soviet control of the peninsula. To coordinate the surrender of Japanese troops without direct combat overlap, On August 10, 1945 US officers (Dean Rusk, Charles Bonesteel) picked the 38th parallel using a National Geographic map to split Japanese surrender zones— north for USSR, south for US—ensuring Seoul stayed American without Soviet consultation on Korea expertise—chosen arbitrarily on a map late at night on August 10-11, 1945.The line ensured orderly Japanese disarmament without territorial disputes.


Soviets occupied the industrial north; US took the agricultural south. Intended as temporary until Korean independence .

In 1948 two separate governments were established: the Republic of Korea (South) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North). 

In June 1950, North Korea invaded the South, launching the Korean War. A United Nations coalition led by the US pushed back, China entered on the North's side, and three years of devastating fighting left millions dead and the peninsula in ruins. 

An armistice was signed in 1953 — technically the war has never ended, which is why the DMZ (which is an optional add-on on our Day 2!) remains one of the most militarised borders in the world.

South Korea's Miracle (1953 – present)

What followed in South Korea is one of history's most remarkable transformations. Starting as one of the world's poorest countries after the war, South Korea achieved the so-called "Miracle on the Han River" — explosive economic growth driven by state-directed industrialisation, education, and companies like Samsung, Hyundai, and LG. They are called Chaebol. A chaebol is a large, family-controlled business conglomerate in South Korea, such as Samsung, Hyundai, LG, and SK Group. These groups are characterized by centralized management, diversified interests across multiple industries accounting for a significant portion of South Korea’s GDP.

Military dictatorships ruled through the 1960s–80s, but a powerful pro-democracy movement culminated in free elections in 1987. 

Today South Korea is a fully democratic, high-income country and a global cultural powerhouse — K-pop, K-drama, Korean cinema (Parasite won the Oscar for Best Picture in 2020), and Korean food have captivated the world in what's called the Hallyu or Korean Wave.

Korea Today

Seoul, where your trip begins, is a city that holds all of this history simultaneously — 600-year-old palaces sit beside glass skyscrapers, Buddhist temples neighbour K-pop agencies, and ancient street food markets hum next to Michelin-starred restaurants. The division of the peninsula remains the defining unresolved issue of Korean life, with over 70 million Koreans still separated into two radically different worlds by one of the world's most fortified borders.

Population vs West Bengal and Area

South Korea's population is about 5.2 Crore or 51.7 million  compared to West Bengal's approximately 100 million. So West Bengal, despite being slightly smaller in area, has nearly double the population of South Korea. South Korea is however one of the most densely urbanised nations on earth — about half the entire population, 24.5 million people, is concentrated in the Seoul Metropolitan Area alone, making it the world's second largest metropolitan area. Area of North Korea (1.20 Lakh sq Km) is slightly more than South Korea (1 Lakh Sq Km), but population is 50% of South Korea (2.6 Crore).


Per Capita Income

GDP per capita in South Korea was $35,962 in 2025 vs $39,000 of Italy vs $35,000 of Japan. By contrast, India's per capita GDP is around $2,800. South Korea is therefore roughly 13 times richer per person than India. Per Capita income of North Korea is only 1261 USD, which is 1/28.5 th of South Korea !

1 INR = 16 Korean Won
1 USD = 1500 Korean Won

Size of Economy vs India

South Korea's nominal GDP is $1.86 trillion as of 2025. India's GDP is approximately $3.9 trillion — so India's economy is about twice the size of South Korea's. However, considering that India has 1.4 billion people against South Korea's 51 million, the contrast in per capita prosperity is dramatic. South Korea has the 4th largest economy in Asia and the 13th largest in the world as of 2025, and is ranked 4th in the Global Innovation Index in 2025. Its growth story is famously called the "Miracle on the Han River."

Main Industries

South Korea is ranked as one of the top-10 global exporters, driven by high-tech manufacturing, with semiconductors, automobiles, and shipbuilding as its major industries. 

Global giants Samsung, Hyundai, LG and SK Hynix are Korean. More recently, the Korean Wave (Hallyu) — led by K-pop, K-dramas and films such as the Oscar-winning Parasite and the Netflix series Squid Game — has become a significant economic asset generating revenue through cultural exports and tourism. 

Agriculure

Because Korea is so mountainous and rocky, less than 20% of South Korean land is good for agriculture. Today the share of agriculture in Korea's GDP fell to 1.75% from 50% at the start of the country's modern development — agriculture, forestry and fishery together account for roughly 1.75% of total GDP. By comparison, agriculture accounts for about 15–17% of India's GDP and roughly 20% of West Bengal's economy. So South Korea has essentially become a post-agricultural economy.

South Korea is a vivid example of a country that deliberately chose to industrialise its way out of dependence on agriculture — and largely succeeded. The trade-off is that it now depends on global markets for much of its food, which is a strategic vulnerability. Korean meals are extraordinarily rice-centric or noodle centric, kimchi (fermented cabbage) appears at every single meal, and ginseng is sold everywhere — these are the living remnants of an agricultural identity that the economy has otherwise largely left behind. This is perhaps the most striking aspect. Korea imports more than 60% of its beef, fish and shellfish, and 20% of its fruit, poultry and milk from abroad. Only sugar and eggs are self-sufficient. Wheat, corn and soybeans — the basis of much of the Korean diet and animal feed — are almost entirely imported. 

The most important crop is rice, accounting for about 90% of the country's total grain production and over 40% of farm income. Other main crops include barley, soybeans, kimchi vegetables (cabbage and radish), garlic, peppers, apples, pears, grapes, and ginseng. Ginseng in particular is a high-value export crop and Korea is famous worldwide for its quality.In Jeju Island orange is grown widely. What limoncello is to Sorrento, paprika is to Hungary, and oranges are to Jeju.

Religion

South Korea has no official state religion. Of the 44% of the population that espouses a religion, 45% are Protestant, 35% Buddhist, and 18% Roman Catholic. 

Remarkably, the remaining 56% are non-religious — making South Korea one of the more secular societies in Asia.

Confucianism, while not practised as a formal religion, deeply influences social values, family structures, and work ethic across the entire population. Although officialy 56% Koreans have no religion, it is a misnomer. If Confucianism is a relgion then it is very much present.Similarly Japanese follow Sintoism. Though there is no presence of image of God, in these 56% homes. They have tradition of "Tarpan" or rememberrance of 5 generations also, like what we do on Mahalaya.  After cultural revoultion in China, Confucianism has ceased to be a dominant culture and that is why Chinese people are so different from Korean, according to my friend.

Language

The sole official language is Korean, written in the Hangul script — one of the most scientifically designed alphabets in the world, invented in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great specifically to improve literacy. What Sanksrit is to Hindi or Bengali, Chinese is to Korean. The dominant Chinese language is Mandarin (the official spoken language of China, based on the Beijing dialect). Cantonese is another major Chinese language, spoken mainly in Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau.

The writing system consists of Chinese characters (called Hanzi in Chinese). These characters are used across different Chinese languages, even though the spoken forms may be mutually unintelligible.

The term Hanzi literally means “Han characters,” referring to the Han Chinese, who make up about 90–92% of China’s population. However, the script itself is not tied to a single spoken language; it is a shared logographic writing system used by various Chinese languages.

Therefore, while Hanzi is the native term, it is often more accurate in English to call the script Chinese characters, rather than associating it with any one language like Mandarin.

English is taught widely in schools but spoken proficiency remains limited outside Seoul's tourist and business districts — hence the need for the Papago translation app on this trip.

Generally people are very helpful and there understanding of English is much better than what I thought. But in Japan, I am told it is not so easy, since Japanese peopole hardly travel out side Japan. Only 17% Japanese people have Passport compared to 45% (?) of Koreans .

Military

South Korea maintains one of the most powerful militaries in the world given the ever-present threat from North Korea. For 2026, South Korea is ranked 5th out of 145 countries in the Global Firepower index. Military service is compulsory for virtually all male citizens (fit) between 18 and 40, requiring 18–21 months of active duty followed by reserve training. If you are a Doctor, then you can be recruited as Army Doctor. If you are a scientist, then you may be inducted in Army intelligence. Around 28,500 US troops are permanently stationed in South Korea as part of a mutual defence treaty — a legacy of the Korean War that ended in 1953 with an armistice, technically leaving North and South Korea still at war.

According to the Korean chronicle Samguk Yusa,

  • In 48 AD, a 16-year-old princess named Suriratna from Ayodhya (believed to be Heo Hwang-ok) received a divine message in a dream telling her to travel to Korea
  • Her destination: marry King Suro, ruler of the ancient Geumgwan Gaya

So naturally—like any obedient daughter in ancient times she boarded a ship and sailed thousands of kilometres across the sea.

When she arrived in Korea, King Suro was said to have been waiting for a bride foretold by the heavens. The princess introduced herself and shared her divine mission.The king immediately accepted her. And thus, an Indo-Korean royal alliance was born—about 2,000 years ago. 

Queen Heo Hwang-ok:

  • Became the first queen of Gaya
  • Played an important role in the kingdom’s development
  • Had 10 sons, many of whom became founders of major Korean clans

Today, millions of Koreans (especially those with surnames Kim and Heo) believe they are descendants of this royal couple.

The “Indian Stones” Mystery

  • The queen is said to have brought stones from India to calm the sea gods
  • These stones are still preserved in Korea
  • A memorial exists in Gimhae (near Busan), where King Suro ruled
  • A symbolic memorial has also been built in Ayodhya

    According to my Historian Korean friend it is blown out of proportion. It is  a myth.

# You should Use Naver Maps to naviage, instead of google map in Korea
# KT Corporation tourist SIM

D0 - Sat, 17-18 Apr Arrival  10:40 Delhi                                                                   NH Delhi

D1 - Sat, 19 Apr Delhi>Arrival  10:40 Seoul ( Incheon) → Myeongdong                 NH Seoul

10:40–12:30  : Landed at Incheon International Airport - Immigration 

Do not buy SIM card at the airport . In airport it is expensive. Buy T-money card here at the airport, for metro and bus travel everywhere in Korea ( Seoul, Busan, Jeju)
My friend Kim Min Young came to the airport to receive me. she had T money card already and instructed me not to buy T money card. I took a map of Seould city from the information desk of the airport. There are information desk in every major city/town's train station/airport in Korea. Instead of expensive AREX Express (direct train), we took normal metro, which takes slightly more time with stopping at all stops. It took more than 1 hour to reach Seoul Station. Then we had to change another metro (Line1, blue) to reach our hotel. It is much faster than the bus. 
Alternative:  Airport bus (₹800–₹1,000). It is not cheap

Check-in — Ivy Residence at My-eong-dong ( Booking tip: Use Agoda - cheapest for Korea)

5F, 35, Ujeongguk-ro 2-gil, Jongno-gu,
Myeong-dong, Seoul, South Korea,03189
https://maps.app.goo.gl/4mvzxaLwXSqJiduz5

The quickest and cheapest way to reach Ivy Residence in Myeong-dong is subway Line 1 (2 stops from Seoul Station , Exit gate 10, 5 minutes, ₩1,250).My Hotel is near Jonggak station (which is 1 stop after City Hall and 2 stops after Seoul Station - the main railway station

https://www.seoulmetro.co.kr/en/cyberStation.do?menuIdx=337

# Myeong-dong is best area for first-timers and toursits.  Walking distance to My-eong-dong Street, Namsan, Insadong. 

# Hong-dae (young vibe, cheaper) is also a good place to stay for tourists.

After keeping the luggage in the hotel lobby, we explored Myeongdong on foot. We had lunch in a good restaurant in Myeongdong. There is an in built bbq on the table. We had various kind of food like Pork BBQ, Bibimbap. Bap means rice. Then we left for our hotel to kep the luggage inside the room, since the check in time is 3 pm. My friend Minyoung left for his home.

 We had a Cheonggyecheon Stream walk also. I saw many people , especially foreigners spending time beside the stream and having a chitchat. We did not go to the Seoul Tower for a Panoramic view of the city.

Cable car ~₹750 return, or hike up (40 min, free). 

Observation deck ~₹1,700. Great for sunset views.

   I left for Hong-dae area by metro.   

Step-by-Step Metro Route

  1. Walk to Station: From Ivy Residence (~3-min walk to Jonggak station), Gate 10 

  2. Board Train: Take Line 1 and change to Line 2 (Green Line) for Hongik University Station (Hongik Univ./홍대입구, Line 2)—10 min, ₩1,350 (~3 stops: Sindorim direction).

  3. Exit & Walk: Exit 9 for Hongdae Street—5-7 min walk to main performance area 
    Best evenings 7-10 PM.

This area is famous for  street performances and somewhat Nandan like vibe . I saw K Pop performances. They do it in the designated area - not in a random area. It is a place for K-pop merchandise, fashion and street art too. There are lot of restaurants. It is a pedestrian only area mostly.

Typically you pay around 10,000-12,000 ₩  ie 6 USD for any restaurant. If you have food from a street corner, then it will be cheaper, but not less than 5,000 ₩. 

After I came back to my hotel, I had my dinner from one of the steet side food stall near my hotel. I had tteokbokki, hotteok. Unfortunately I did not have egg bread, corn dogs during the time. May be next time.

D2 - Sun, 20 Apr · Seoul  Seoul full day — Palaces, villages & tower     NH Seoul

10:00 I left for Gyeong-bok-gung Palace by metro. Entry ~₹340. If you rent a hanbok (traidtional Korean dress) then entry is free.  But the rental is more than entry fee ! It is a huge area. It takes lot of time to cover it. I saw many people wearing hanbok.

I saw Changing of the Guard ceremony at 14:00.

Just outside the Gyeong-bok-gung Palace the disable people organizing a demonstration against disability unfriendly amenities for them. I was told them made the whole city stand still few years back.

15:00 Buk-chon Hanok Village —  It is 6 -min walk from the palace (if you exit from the National Folk Museum ). Else you have to walk 10 minutes to reach the place. It is a place where traditional Korean houses are still there. It is like Hoi An of Seoul. Thankfully there is no entry fee. It is the best photo spot in Seoul. Walk the alleys, peek into traditional courtyards.
Note: this is a residential area — keep noise low.

18:00 Then I went to meet my friend near her house at Daebang metro station, exit 3. Her grandmother had a house in that plce. We had a nice coffee and explained to her about my expereince for the day.

Then back to hotel.

Optional : One can go to Korean Demilitarized Zone in the morning. Some tour companies organize these.

D3  Mon, 21 Apr Seoul → Busan by KTX                                   NH Busan

6:00 Leave hotel, head to Seoul Station

7:27 KTX train Seoul → Busan  ~2.5 hrs · ₹3,500. I have booked it through Korail website in advance.  
Window seat recommended — countryside views are beautiful.

10:03 Arrive Busan Station 
You can Stay at Seomyeon or  Haeundae at Busan.  But Seomyeon is the best base — central, affordable, connected. I stayed at Seomyeon area. 


Nol Guesthouse - ₹1,800 
21-3, Gwangbok-ro, Nampo, Busan,
South Korea, 48979
광복로 21-3 (자갈치, 남포동), 남포, 부산, 대한민국,
48979
https://maps.app.goo.gl/qF1vNAjgpTMq8tUF7

Subway 

  • From Busan Station, take Metro Line 1 (Orange Line)
  • Direction: Sinpyeong
  • Get down at Jagalchi Station (just 3 stops). It is a very important seafood market.Everybody knows.

Time: ~6–10 minutes
Fare: ~₩1,500–1,800

From Jagalchi Station: Take Exit 7 and Walk 5–7 minutes to the guesthouse (Gwangbok-ro area)
https://www.hapskorea.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/busan-subway-map-22.jpg

Since the check in time is 3 pm, I kept my luggage in the reception area and got refreshed in the bathroom. The location of the hotel is very good and famous Gukje market is nearby. Importnat tourist spots (BIFF square etc) are also nearby. Gukje Market is a 3-minute walk from Nol Guesthouse in Nampo-dong and BIFF or Busan International film festival square alleys were nearby.

I had the famous street food of Busan - Ssiat hotteok (seed pancakes) at BIFF Square.

After roaming aound the place like BIFF square, I left for Jagalchi Fish Market .It is Korea's largest seafood market. Pick fresh fish downstairs, get it cooked upstairs for a fee. Budget ~₹1,000–1,500 for a seafood feast.

Then I left for Haeundae Beach. I took a metro to reach there. 

Nol Guesthouse (near Nampo-dong, central Busan) to Haeundae Beach is ~17 km;
take Metro Line 1 → Line 2 (55 min, ~₹100) . Since signages were very good, travelling is quite easy, if you have the map of the city with you.

I had a long walk along the promenade and had coffee at CU convenience store beside the Promenade.

19:30 I had my dinner near Haeundae Beach. I had squid and many interesting things and took metro to come back to my hotel                                                                                             

D4 Tue, 22 Apr Gyeongju (ancient capital)                         NH Busan

8:00 Train Busan → Gyeongju 
Frequent departures from Busan Station. You can take KTX Co's train or some other similar trains. It takes around 30-40 minutes to reach Gyeongju

From Nol Guesthouse (Nampo-dong, Busan) to Gyeongju (82 km), high-speed train (27–40 min, ~₹800–1,200) 


Step-by-Step 

  1. Walk  to Jagalchi Station (Line 1) → Busan Station (5 min ride).

  2. KTX from Busan Station to Gyeongju/Singyeongju Station ?? (17 trains/day, 5:20 AM–10 PM)


  3. After getting down at the train station, I got a free map of the whole area and got to know the bus no. to reach the tourist area. The train station is quite far from the main residentail or office area. Then you have to take a local bus to reach the Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal .

    After getting down at the Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal , I met a Bangladeshi student, who is studying there. I walked around 10 minutes to reach manin tourist station. You can Rent a bicycle too to cover the whole area.Gyeongju is perfectly sized for cycling. ~₹400–600/day. It is possibly the Best way to move between sites. But I walked to all the sites in Gyeongju.
    ​

​A Journey Across the Seas (48 AD)
I visited all the plces mentioned in the map. I started with Tumuli Park (Royal Tombs). Large green mounds are royal burial tombs. Very serene.  Then I went to see the Cheomse-ongdae Observatory nearby. Then I went to see Anapji Pond (Donggung Palace).There I met a big group of old Gujrati people. They have come with an organized tour Co. . There is Stunning reflection pool, especially at dusk. Entry ~₹300.

15:00 Bulguksa Temple - UNESCO World Heritage. 

Then I took another bus to go to Bulguksa Temple. It is One of Korea's most important Buddhist temples. Entry ~₹500. 2–2.5 hrs. Bulguksa Temple is about 16–20 km southeast of Gyeongju city center (1–1.5 hours by bus).

Travel Details

Bus #10 or #11 ?? from Gyeongju Intercity Bus Terminal stops right at the temple entrance (every 10–20 min, ~₹200–300, 50–70 min total)

Before I reached the Bulguksa temple, I was very lucky to see Cherry Blossom. The Cherry blossom  season just go over and I thought I will just miss it. But I was very lucky to see it here.

18:30 Return train to Busan Station. Instead of going back to my hotel, I left for Gwangalli Beach.

Gwangalli Beach  and Gwangan Bridge 

From Nol Guesthouse (Nampo-dong) to Gwangalli Beach (~11 km), take Metro Line 1 to Seomyeon (10 min), transfer to Line 2 to Gwangan Station (15 min), then 10-min walk.

Gwangalli shines at night with Gwangan Bridge lights—perfect evening outing from your central spot. 

It is Better than Haeundae for atmosphere.
Gwangan Bridge lights up at night — beautiful backdrop for photos. 

I had many street foods today , so I had some burger today and skipped a proper dinner.

 D5 Wed, 23 Apr - Busan full Day trip                      NH Jeju                                        

10:00 Gamcheon Culture Village or The "Machu Picchu of Busan" — colorful hillside village. 

From Nol Guesthouse (Nampo-dong) to Gamcheon Culture Village , take Busan Metro Line 1 (2 min) + short bus ride (total 25–30 min, ~₹150).

Step-by-Step

  1. Walk 5 min to Jagalchi Station (Line 1, orange).

  2. Get down at Toseong Station (Exit 6, 1 stop).

  3. Outside Exit 6, catch  2-2 bus (5–10 min) to Gamcheon Culture Village stop. It reminded me of Granada's hill side - Albaicín quarter.

It is a colorful hillside Instagramable  village . I spent around 2–3 hrs. It is surely not Machu Pichu, rather it should be compared with Rios Rocinha favela with a wonderful view of the sea. 

Then after buying some souveirs in the near the Gukje Market, I went back to the hotel.

5:30 Head to Gimhae Airport (Busan)

7:00 Flight to Jeju — Jin Air  ~1 hr  :  ~ ₹4,500. 

8:00 Arrive Jeju

My freind and her mother (who was driving) came to the airport to pick me up and we took some fried chicken (a la KFC) from a fast food restaurant .As per Korean tradition they all had their dinner sitting on the floor. There is some internal heating below the floor. It was reasonably cold through out my tour.

 D6 Thu, 24 Apr  Jeju                                                 NH Jeju                                          
We went to the   Iho Tewoo Beach with her mother and friend for Plogging. Her mother has a group of friends who knows foreign lanaguage and do social service on a regular basis. Incidentally it coincided with my visit. I gladly went them and did plogging in the beach and had lunch with them. There are very gargbages on the beach.

Iho Tewoo Beach is famous for its white horse statues. 

 Pl note Jeju has limited public transport. There is no subway or train . Its length is around 31 km and breadth is 20 km ?. Unless you have a car or any organized tour like Viator, it will be difficult to see all these places by using public transport.

Then our plan was to go to Manjanggul Lava Tube Cave ₹700 · 
It is a  1 km walk · 18°C inside.    
Bring a light layer — world's longest lava tube. Unfortunatley the cave caved in and it required repairs - which is still going on. So we could not go inside.

Then we drove to Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak). It is  crater cone. You have to Hike up for 30 min for a breathtaking sunrise over the ocean. It an unesco heritage site. Entry ~₹700. It is One of Korea's top natural wonders — worth the early wake-up. There are Haenyeo (female diver) shows here in the morning too. While I went to the top, my friend and her mother waited for me in the car. It took little more than 1 hour.


D7 Fri, 25 Apr  Jeju East — sunrise & lava caves       NH Jeju   

I decided to take an organized tour through Getyour guide. It is Western and Southern Sightseeing Day Tour

https://www.getyourguide.com/en-gb/jeju-province-l32347/jeju-western-and-southern-sightseeing-day-tour-t517264/?ranking_uuid=138bb65d-2583-408c-bd54-92df0444da21

 It is a 10 hour duration tour. I was also relieved to spare them from driving for such a long duration. They dropped me near the Ocean Suites Jeju Hotel  where the bus will pick me up at 8.30 am.   The itinerary is as follows :   


●● Itinerary Highlights ●●

▶ Mt. Hallasan – 1100 Altitude Wetland or Eoseungsaengak Trail, which is located on Mt. Halla, Korea's highest mountain

▶ Jusangjeolli Lava Cliff: UNESCO Geo park, see the unique pillar stone rock formation created by Jeju's volcanic activity a long time ago.

▶Cheonjeyeon Falls – "The Pond of God," consists of three sections. The first waterfall falls into a pond with a depth of 21 meters. From here, it falls two more times, creating the second and third waterfalls, which then flow into the sea.

**Lunch at a local restaurant. (Black pork BBQ).Black pork (heukdwaeji samgyeopsal) is very famous here.


▶Sanbagsan Bomunsa temple – which is located in Mt.Sanbangsan, it is very beautiful temple which is face to the ocean and you can take a walk to explore the most popular buddhist temple in Jeju

▶Songaksan Mountain – enjoy the panoramic view and you can see the impressive Hallasan in the distance.

▶O'sulloc Green Tea Museum – where you will learn about traditional tea culture, take amazing photos of the endless green fields. I tried some free green tea. Here  snacks such as green tea bread and ice cream are also sold                  

After the tour they picked me up from the same place and we dinner at a nice restaurant. They did not allow me to pay even this time !

 D8 Sat, 26 Apr Jeju West or South ? — waterfalls & coastal drive       NH Jeju   

We decided to skip  Udo Island day trip by Ferry , since it is not very intersting

Today we went to see the Jeju Folk village with her parents. Her father was with us today. Since we need to walk a lot, her mother did not go with us and spent her time inside the folk village. It reminded of Manab Sanghralaya of Bhopal.

After we had our lunch together.

Then we went to see Jeongbang Waterfall — only in Asia that falls directly into sea

It is 5 min from Cheonjiyeon. ~₹500 entry. Stunning and unique.

Cheonjiyeon Waterfall - ~₹700 entry. 22m falls into a volcanic rock pool. The area looks very nice. Canola fields (rapeseed flowers) bloom in April — golden yellow everywhere.

The driver along  Seogwipo coastal road is One of Korea's most scenic drives. 
After that we went to have dinner at a restaurant facing the sea. We had Aboel porridge - it is like Rissoto.

20:00  Return to Jeju City . Jeju is divided into two parts. Jeju City in the north (capital, airport) and Seogwipo City in the south


 D9 Jeju Sun, 27 Apr  → Seoul                                             NH Jeju   

 Today I Explored Jeju City on my own and went to the famous  Dongmun Market. It is walking distance from her house and bought some souvenirs here.  I saw Tangerin / hallabong citrus/ orange all around. What limoncillo is to Sorrento , Italy or Paprika is to Hungary, orange/Tangerin is to Jeju .

Then we left for lunch at 2 pm and finally they dropped me at Jeju Airport.                                

 20: 50  - Flight to Seoul (CJU to GMP)

Flight Jeju → Seoul Gimpo  airport~1 hr. 

From there I took a metro or subway to go to ICN or Incheon Airport.

D10 Mon, 28 Apr Departure day  

12: 20 Incheon Airport >Delhi>CCU 

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CHEAP FOOD STRATEGY

  • Convenience stores (CU, GS25)
  • Local Korean meals (Typically 10,000-15,000 Won or ~₹700-1000)

IMPORTANT PRACTICAL TIPS

1. Language issue :  English is limited → use Papago app

2. Cash vs card

  • Card works everywhere. Even in most Souvenir stops.Smaller restaurants and markets prefer cash.
  • Still carry ₹10–15K equivalent cash
  • Buy T-money card for using in Metro and bus

3. Navigation

  • Use Naver Map
  • Google Maps unreliable

4. Luggage : Travel light (lots of metro walking)

5.Metro in Seoul/Busan (~₹100 per ride) 

https://chatgpt.com/s/t_69c19e7e25008191afff7d5862cf16e6

 Essential apps
Naver Maps — use this, not Google Maps. Google is unreliable in Korea.
Papago — best Korean translator app. Camera translate is a lifesaver at restaurants.
KakaoTaxi — book taxis. More reliable than hailing on the street.
Korail app — book KTX trains. Book Seoul→Busan at least a week early.
Money & SIM


Card: Works everywhere — Visa/Mastercard fine. Notify your bank before travel.

T-money card: Buy at the airport. Top up at any convenience store like 7/11, CU and GS25. These convenience stores are all over the the place.  Works on all metro, buses, and some taxis across Seoul, Busan, Gyeongju, and Jeju.

SIM: KT Tourist SIM .Do not buy from the the Airport. I did not use any Sim in Korea. although my friend my freind got one KT Tourist Sim, but could not be activated.

You can easily buy SIM cards in convenience stores like 7-Eleven, CU, and GS25 all over Korea

Tourist SIMSKT/LG U+ low data3–5GB/5d800–1,200Incheon/Seoul shops 


Basic Plan C is the cheapest

Recommendation for you specifically: get an Airalo or aloSIM eSIM (if your phone supports eSIM) with a 3GB / 10-day plan before you leave Kolkata — it will cost around ₹700–900 total,

Practical tips
Luggage: Travel light. Metro stations have many stairs. Most guesthouses have free luggage storage if you check in early.
Weather in April: 10–18°C in Seoul/Busan/Jeju. It was quite chilly.
Pack a light jacket. Can be rainy — a small folding umbrella is useful.
Power: Korea uses Type C/F plugs (220V). Please carry a good Universla adaptor. I had lot of porblem with the 100/- adaptor I bought from Deshapriya Park market
You can buy interesting staff at Daiso (cheap).

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