advantage of access to nature . Namsan , home to the N-Seoul Tower , is a good place for novice hikers , thanks to extensive facilities , paved trails and stairs , and even a gondola to avoid them altogether . But it ’ s Bukhansan National Park — called the “ lungs of Seoul ”— that offers the greatest rewards , particularly the 2.11-mile hike up Baegundae , Seoul ’ s highest peak ( 2,742 feet ), thanks to the incredible views . As you ’ ll see along the way , Koreans take hiking fashion seriously , with the latest in sweat-wicking clothing , reflective sun visors , walking poles , and other accessories .
JIMJILBANG
In Korea , a trip to the spa , or Jimjilbang , is far more than a simple steam and massage , it ’ s a production on par with a Hollywood epic , with fitness areas , destressing zones , sleeping rooms , rooftop gardens , restaurants , and even movie theaters . Cleanliness is not just the goal , but the requirement before even slipping into the hot baths , and attendants are at hand with scrubbing mitts to ensure it with merciless exfoliations . First timers may blanch at all the nudity , but locals don ’ t give it a second glance . Besides , sections are segregated according to gender . In Seoul , the grandest Jimjilbang of all is Dragonhill Spa , which is a world unto itself , covering eight floors with everything from clay pyramid meditation and natural nephrite jade experience rooms to a video arcade and nail art shop .
NORAEBANG
Thanks to the massive popularity of Korean pop ( aka K-Pop ), Koreans are usually more than happy to step up to the mic and reach for musical stardom , especially in the dozens of noraebang singing rooms throughout the city . Unlike in the United States , this Korean form of karaoke won ’ t put you in front of strangers , but supportive friends , family , and colleagues in private rooms wired with high tech sound systems , giant flat-screen TVs , and light shows . A good place to dip your toe into the scene is the popular Luxury Su Noraebang in Hongdae , with stylish interiors , plush sofas , and floor-to-ceiling windows looking over the city . The soundproofing ensures your take on “ Hips Don ’ t Lie ” won ’ t leave the room . You can even ensure a positive response by pressing the applause button .
KOREAN BBQ
If the Korean chicken wings on bar menus across the United States don ’ t make it clear , the sweet-savory delights of Korean BBQ ( called galbi ) are winning new fans every day . As the wellspring , Seoul is home to hundreds of grills trying to take the BBQ crown , and like pizza slices in New York , the debate over the best will go on forever . The secret is in the marinade , which may be infused with sesame , soy , plums , ginger , rice wine , and a host of other spices . Ganggangsullae in the Gangnam District is a good place to start , thanks to traditional methods , including wood charcoal grills sizzling away in your table , and proper dining etiquette . Remember to wear good socks , as shoes are removed .
BUKHANSAN NATIONAL PARK
Mountains and hills cover 70 percent of South Korea and all but surround Seoul . Traditionally revered as sacred places , they now provide an escape from the urban sprawl and locals take full
NAMDAEMUN MARKET
The national sport of Korea may be shopping based on the vast areas of Seoul dedicated to it , and the gusto locals show in pursuit of it . The oldest and largest is the “ Great South Gate Market ,” or Namdaemun , which swarms with nearly 500,000 customers per day and thousands of stalls selling everything from clothing , hiking gear , and handicrafts to kitchenware , fine arts , and ginseng . As locals say , “ If you cannot find something in the Namdaemun Market , you will never be able to find it in Seoul .” Food is a highlight , with Korean classics sizzling and bubbling away , including sujebi ( dough and shellfish soup ), bibimbap ( mixed rice , meat and vegetables ), and kalguksu ( hand-cut noodles ).
BUKCHON HANOK VILLAGE
The Seoul of yore manifests most evocatively in this historically preserved 600-year-old neighborhood squeezed between Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung palaces . Here , you can find the largest cluster of privately owned hanoks , the traditional Korean wooden homes marked by peaked , tiled roofs ; clay walls ; wood frames ; interior courtyards and gardens , and an ancient underfloor heating system called ondol . Now trendy among young people , many in the neighborhood have been renovated and reopened as guesthouses , restaurants , art galleries and workshops , and tea houses . Be sure to stray off the beaten path into the tiny , twisting alleys , where there is the most charm . Also stop in the Bukchon Cultural Center for maps , info , and classes in traditional Korean arts and crafts .
SAMSUNG D ’ LIGHT
Samsung is not just a company in South Korea ; it ’ s a god , with perhaps greatest tribute paid at the Samsung Electronics building in Seocho-dong , otherwise known as Samsung D ’ light . Far more than just a showcase for the tech giant ’ s latest line of products , the threestoried exhibition immerses visitors in the future of “ digital ” and “ light ” technology . All it takes is strapping on a high-tech wrist band , taking your picture , and start swiping , waving , and poking away . It starts with a journey of the self on the first floor and then transforms into the home of tomorrow on the second , with full smart kitchen included . Based on your choices throughout , Samsung determines your type of visionary , be it “ Peace Barista ” or “ Space Interpreter .”
IHWA MURAL VILLAGE
In yet more evidence of the power of art to transform a neighborhood , the former slum of Ihwa-dong , at the top of Mt . Naksan , has become one of the top sights of Seoul , thanks to a public art project in 2006 that brought in 70 artists to give it new life . The result was a wonderland of colorful and clever murals covering walls , fences , rooftops , and stairs , and soon after , the backdrops of Korean TV shows and films . Add in the panoramic view of Seoul , and you ’ ll understand why the crowds are flocking , albeit much to the distress
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 50 WINTER 2017 / 18