Hwacheon | 화천 Korea’s lake country gets even better in winter Written by Steve Miller Photographed by Robert Koehler and the Sancheoneo Ice Festival [box_info] Tip: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival Selected by CNN and the Lonely Planet as one of Asia’s top winter festivals, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (Jan 5–27) is the time to […]
Unhyeongung Palace | 운현궁 Unhyeongung Palace is not, technically speaking, a palace at all, but rather a grand mansion that was originally the home of Heungseon Daewongun (1821–1898), the arch-conservative prince regent who dominated the Korean political scene for much of the late 19th century. In addition to being the Daewongun’s home and seat of power, […]
Hangaram Art Museum | 한가람미술관 Founded in 1990, the Hangaram Art Museum—part of the larger Seoul Arts Center complex—hosts some of Seoul’s best exhibits. Through March 31, it will be hosting the Musei Vaticani exhibit, a collection of Renaissance art from the Vatican Museums, including works by Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. Besides this, the museum is home […]
Dragon Hill Spa & Resort | 드래곤힐스파 The Dragon Hill Spa may be Korea’s best-known jjimjilbang, or Korean spa. Essentially, it’s a seven-story relaxation center, with various hot tubs and pools, an assortment of saunas, massage rooms, a fitness center, sleeping rooms, and even a small theater. The first floor alone has a traditional Korean charcoal sauna, […]
10 Corso Como | 10 꼬르소 꼬모 Located in the trendy Gangnam district in southern Seoul, 10 Corso Como is the brainchild of Italian gallerist and publisher Carla Sozzani. Part art and design gallery, part bookshop, part fashion store, and part something else, the shop was conceived by Sozzani—a former fashion editor—as a virtual […]
Seowoo Shabu | 서우샤브샤브 (Jamsil District) Written and photographed by Daniel Gray When winter comes, hot stock bubbling at the table with various vegetables and meat or seafood is the perfect thing to melt away the icicles in your bones. At Seowoo Shabu, you’ll get your own individual pot of vegetable stock to cook vegetables […]
O’neul the Korean Cuisine | 레스토랑 오늘 (Itaewon) Written and photographed by Daniel Gray O’neul the Korean Cuisine offers refined Korean cuisine using local ingredients and modern techniques. The interior is impressive, with wood paneled walls, marble stairs, and rustic pottery. The many large windows let in plenty of light as well. The restaurant is located […]
Bugak Skyway | 북악스카이웨이 While hiking in Seoul’s mountains in winter can be quite rewarding, it’s not for everyone. The Bugak Skyway, on the other hand, offers windshield tourists lovely views of Seoul and its surrounding hills from the high mountain road connecting the Buam-dong and Seongbuk-dong districts in northern Seoul. The highlight of the trip is the […]
Two Hands Burger | 투핸즈버거 (Haebangchon) Yep, this place located in Haebangchon is aptly named—you do need two hands to eat these burgers. The burger juice, condiments, and maybe egg yolk (or chili) ooze out as you take a bite. The patties are chargrilled, the buns are whole wheat and toasted, and the fillings are piled on just right. […]