2024 is considered a lucky year, and it's the Year of the Dragon, the blue dragon or wood dragon to be precise, and it's the only mythical creature in the zodiac calendar.
In the 2024 Year of the Wood Dragon, the Korean Lunar New Year in Seoul falls on Saturday, February 10th with public holiday dates stretching from Friday, February 9th to Sunday, February 11th, which means that mostly all Koreans will have days off for this period. We break down some awesome must-do Seollal (Korean Lunar New Year) activities that your wallet will thank you for! Let's check out these five things to do!
Whether you are in Seoul for Seollal this year or thinking about coming to a city outside of Seoul, there are plenty of things to see and do! I personally think it's great to stay in Seoul for Seollal as it's fairly quiet which can make it a fun experience to go sightseeing without the horrendous crowds. Also, if you are thinking about leaving the big city, you WILL get stuck in traffic, because most people head back to their hometowns to reunite with their families. Let's check out the things you should see, while you're in Seoul!
1. GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE & OTHER HISTORICAL SITES
Major royal palaces like Gyeongbokgung and traditional tombs like Jongmyo Shrine will stay open for Lunar New Year in Seoul. Best of all, admission to all sites is free! Now, I think this is one of the most perfect times of year to visit, as usually these sites are very crowded with locals and tourists alike!
Gyeongbokgung promises to be a hub of activity during Seollal in Seoul. If you haven’t had a chance to stop into one of these majestic places yet, this is the perfect time to go to experience cultural performances, traditional folk games, and other fun activities and of course, it will allow you to wear "Hanbok" which means (Korean traditional clothes).
2. Theme Parks
Now, With 35 million Koreans on the road home for the Lunar New Year, theme parks like Lotte World, Everland, and Seoul Land can be a little quieter than normal. Best of all, there are Seollal activities, parades, and light shows to enjoy at a discounted price.
If you are staying in Seoul, and don't have time to travel to Everland (which is located South of Seoul) then perhaps Lotte World Adventure is one of the easiest theme parks to access in Seoul, accessible by subway at Jamsil Station. There are both indoor and outdoor areas at Lotte World, so it’s easy to stay warm even during the depths of winter.
3. SKIING, SNOWBOARDING, AND SLEDDING RESORTS
The Lunar New Year in Seoul usually falls in January or February. With the most snowfall of the year, these months also happen to be the best for skiing, snowboarding, and sledding in Korea.
Phoenix Park located in Gangwon-do is a perfect family-friendly Ski Resort that offers ski lessons & snowboarding lessons for first-timers or to refresh your memory. As for me, I went here during the Christmas holidays and had a fantastic time! There are other resorts in the area, such as Eden Valley & High1 Ski Resort.
Visiting a Ski resort also allows you to take a staycation outside of the city over the Seollal period, before the hustle of a busy work schedule returns.
4. Gwangali Drone Show in Busan
On February 10th — There will be a Lunar New Year Special performance with 2,000 drones at 7 P.M on Gwangali Beach in Busan. This really is not to be missed! With locals and tourists gathering here to watch the drone show, it leads to an impressive experience and great photos too!
Gwangali boasts a wide variety of Korean and Western restaurants as well as many bars, so you will never be short of places to ring in the Lunar New Year. Looking out over the ocean you will also see many boats, soaking in this relaxed atmosphere.
5. Spend a night at a Korean Temple
Imagine swapping the hustle of finding something to do within the city on a Public Holiday like Seollal for a Temple Stay in South Korea – it’s not just a retreat; it’s a cultural adventure!
There are many temples in Korea, which offer special temple stay programs for foreigners that let you dive into traditional rituals while soaking in the serene vibes and beautiful landscapes that most temples here are surrounded by.
For me, it has been something that I have wanted to try for a long time. Picture yourself meditating, partaking in Buddhist ceremonies, and sometimes exchanging smiles with resident monks, how awesome would that be?! So, if you’re up for a different kind of celebration, consider a Temple Stay!
Regardless of your budget, there are plenty of things to do over the Seollal holiday in Korea. Why not tag us in your posts if you visit any of these destinations? Comment below to let us know how you'll be spending your Seollal holiday!