Published & Edited by Seoul Tourism Organization
This newsletter, issued by Seoul Tourism Organization, is intended for Seoul Partner Travel Agencies and related organizations around the world.
Issued on the second Wednesday of every month, the newsletter introduces some of Seoul's best hidden charms and newest attractions.
We look forward to your continued interest and support as we bring you a variety of content in the future!
2026/11/11 |
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T O P I C โ
๐ฟ Leave the Rush Behind: Savor a Slow Autumn in Seoul ๐ต |
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As the colors of autumn deepen and the breeze turns chilly, we all want to linger in one place a little longer. ๐ต
This November issue focuses on โhow to restโ rather than โwhat to see.โ A stroll along a yellow ginkgo-lined path, warm herbal tea and a foot bath, tranquil meditation at a temple in the city, a wellness class to find โmy own scent,โ and a healthy meal that leaves your body feeling lighter! ๐ง
This issue features a variety of ways to โrestโ in Seoul, so you can take care of yourself both physically and mentally even during a packed itinerary. Our picks are based on the โ100 Seoul Wellness Travel 2026,โ โ100 Taste of Seoul,โ and โ50 Cafรฉs & Dessertsโ lists selected by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. ๐ฟ
Late autumn in Seoul, where โrest,โ โstyle,โ and โtasteโ come together.
Now, follow along slowly, one step at a time! ๐ถ
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Contents๐
โ Seoul autumn foliage trip: the end of autumn
โก Herbal wellness: the wisdom of Korean tradition
โข Meditation in the city: time to clear your mind
โฃ Seoul wellness classes for all five senses
โค Seoul wellness dining: a delicious break
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Seoul autumn foliage trip: the end of autumn |
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#SeoulAutumnLeaves #DeoksugungStonewallWalkway #SamcheongDong #SeoulForest #AutumnStroll
๐ Where Seoulโs autumn shines its brightest yellow ๐
In November, every corner of Seoul turns golden. You donโt have to go far to find beautiful ginkgo-lined streets right in the city. ๐ต๏ธ
Every year, the Seoul Metropolitan Government introduces beautiful autumn foliage trails across the city. Many of them are close to major attractions such as historic palaces, hanok buildings, and parks, making it easy to add an autumn stroll to your existing travel plans. ๐
Our first pick is the Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway! Running from Daehanmun Gate toward the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA), the path offers a wonderful view of yellow ginkgo leaves against the classic stone wall. Keep walking along Jeongdong-gil, and a charming scene awaits, where early modern Western-style buildings and old churches stand side by side. ๐๏ธ
You also canโt miss Samcheongdong-gil! Along the roughly 1.2 km stretch from Dongsipjagak at Gyeongbokgung Palace to Samcheong Tunnel, ginkgo trees, galleries, and cafรฉs line the street. After your walk, head to Bukchon Hanok Village and enjoy a cup of hot tea at a hanok tea house. โ
Want to unwind in a wider, more open natural setting? Try Seoul Forest! Soak up autumn along the ginkgo-lined path and spacious walking trails, then explore the cafรฉ streets of nearby Seongsu-dong for a perfect half-day itinerary! ๐ณ
๐ก Photo Tip: Ginkgo leaves glow an even warmer gold in the slanting afternoon light. Visit in the afternoon when the sunlight softens, and capture the autumn mood in your photos! ๐ธ
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๐ฃ Must-Know Tips!
- ๐ Ginkgo season: Early to mid-November (based on previous years; may vary depending on the weather) - ๐ Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway: Daehanmun Gate (Deoksugung Palace) โ SeMA area / City Hall Station (Subway Lines 1 & 2) - ๐๏ธ Deoksugung Palace: 99 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul / 09:00 โ 21:00 (Last admission 20:00) / Closed on Mondays / Adults: 1,000 won- ๐ Samcheongdong-gil: Dongsipjagak (Gyeongbokgung Palace) toward Samcheong Tunnel / Anguk Station (Subway Line 3) - ๐ณ Seoul Forest: 273 Ttukseom-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul / Seoul Forest Station (Suin-Bundang Line) - ๐ Seoul Fall Foliage Trails https://www.seoul.go.kr/story/autumn/pc.html |
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Herbal wellness: the wisdom of Korean tradition |
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#KHerbalWellness #SeoulYangnyeongMarket #BukchonTeaTherapy #KoreanHerbalTea #Footbath
๐ต Time to let your body rest, with a warm cup of tea and a foot bath ๐ฟ
Novemberโs chilly winds make everyone want to bundle up. Since long ago, Koreans have looked after their health with a variety of medicinal herbs and teas. Today, this traditional K-herb culture has become a unique, hands-on wellness experience you can enjoy in Seoul. ๐ฟ
Want to experience K-Medicine culture up close? Head to Seoul Yangnyeong Market! Having grown into a hub for medicinal herbs since the 1970s, it is one of the largest herbal medicine markets in Korea. Here, you can find a wide range of medicinal ingredients, including ginseng, licorice root, jujubes, and many more! ๐ฎ
At the Seoul K-Medi Center near the market, you can look around the Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum and try hands-on programs such as an herbal foot bath and K-herb tea. Itโs a great route that takes you from the herb market to traditional culture experiences, all in one go! ๐ฑ
Planning to visit Bukchon? Why not stop by โTea Therapy,โ a hanok tea house? Choose a K-herb tea that suits your taste and condition, and enjoy a warm, relaxing break in a tranquil hanok. With its foot bath program, you can also rest your feet after a long walk. Please note that the foot bath costs extra and may be unavailable depending on the weather, so be sure to check before you visit! ๐ฆถ
From the lively energy of the herb market to a warm, relaxing break in a hanok! Experience K-herb wellness in Seoul, steeped in the wisdom of Korean tradition! ๐
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๐ฃ Must-Know Tips!
- ๐ Seoul Yangnyeong Market: Yangnyeongjungang-ro area, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul / 5-min walk from Exit 2, Jegi-dong Station (Subway Line 1) - ๐ฑ Seoul K-Medi Center (Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum): 26 Yangnyeongjungang-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul / Nov โ Feb 10:00 โ 17:00 / Mar โ Oct 10:00 โ 18:00 - ๐ต Tea Therapy Bukchon: 74 Yunboseon-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul / Near Anguk Station (Subway Line 3) / Tel: +82-2-730-7507 / 10:00 โ 21:00 (Sundays until 20:00) / Group seating available - ๐ Seoul Yangnyeongsi Herb Medicine Museum https://kmedi.ddm.go.kr/ - ๐ Tea Therapy Bukchon https://www.teatherapy.com/ - ๐ Tea Therapy Bukchon @teatherapy |
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Meditation in the city: time to clear your mind |
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#BongeunsaTemple #MeditationInTheCity #Templestay #Mindfulness #GangnamTravel
๐ง Finding stillness at a thousand-year-old temple, just across from COEX ๐
On weekday afternoons, Samseong-dong is always bustling. But cross just one street from COEX, and a whole different world unfolds: Bongeunsa Temple, which has stood for more than a thousand years in the middle of a forest of skyscrapers. ๐
Bongeunsa Temple is listed in the โRestโ category of the 100 Seoul Wellness Travel 2026. Skyscrapers rising behind the giant Maitreya Buddha statue give the temple a special charm, as if Seoulโs past and present exist side by side. ๐ง
Bongeunsa Temple runs a variety of Templestay programs for international visitors. ๐ชท
- Tuesdays: BONG-PASS, rest freely at the temple
- Thursdays: Temple tour and tea experience
- Sunday evenings: Buddhist ceremony experience
Plus, if youโd like to stay the night and take your time, you can also choose a weekend overnight Templestay!
Put your phone down for a while and focus on yourself as you stroll through the quiet temple grounds. Amid your packed travel schedule, take some time to clear your mind and recharge! ๐
After the experience, why not head to COEX and Starfield Library, right across the street? It rounds out an offbeat Seoul trip where you can enjoy both the energy of Gangnam and the tranquility of Bongeunsa Temple! ๐
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๐ฃ Must-Know Tips!
- ๐ Bongeunsa Temple: 531 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul / Bongeunsa Station (Subway Line 9) - ๐ง BONG-PASS: Every Tuesday 10:00 โ 16:00 / 5,000 won per person / Drop in anytime during operating hours for tea and meditation - ๐ฅ Visitor Information: Tea room capacity: Max 10 people / Socks required / Card and cash accepted on site - ๐ฑ Booking: Templestay booking website / Tel: +82-2-3218-4846 * Program schedules may change depending on temple circumstances, so please check before visiting. - ๐ Bongeunsa Templestay http://temple.bongeunsa.org/ |
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Seoul wellness classes for all five senses |
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#100SeoulWellnessTravel #FragranceExperience #Aromatherapy #Yoga #WellnessClass
๐ธ Awaken your body and mind with scent and movement ๐ฟ
Looking for a break during your trip? Why not try a wellness class that lets you focus on your senses? ๐
The โ100 Seoul Wellness Travel 2026,โ selected by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, features a variety of spots, from retreats into nature to meditation, beauty, and cultural experiences. This time, weโve picked two places where you can care for your body and mind through scent and movement. โ๏ธ
Our first pick is โ121 Le Mal du Paysโ near Hongdae! Choose from hundreds of fragrance ingredients to create your own perfume or diffuser. You can drop by the โCustom Storeโ without a reservation and try it freely, or join a one-day class to make hand cream and solid perfume with scent-blending guidance. Pick whichever suits your taste and schedule! ๐งด
Join a wellness program combining aroma and yoga at Shanti Lifelong Education Center! Focus on the scent, move your body gently, and let go of everyday tension. Isnโt it a great way to add a little downtime to your busy travel schedule? ๐ง
Try these unique experiences that let you keep your memories of Seoul in a scent and gently care for your body and mind. On this trip, treat yourself to some wellness time, just for you! ๐
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๐ฃ Must-Know Tips!
- ๐ฟ 100 Seoul Wellness Travel: Selected by category โ Rest: 52 places, Taste: 17 places, Style: 31 places - ๐งด 121 Le Mal du Pays: 40 Wausan-ro 13-gil, Mapo-gu, Seoul / Tue โ Sun 13:00 โ 20:30 / Closed on Mondays / Tel: +82-507-1347-0121 - ๐๏ธ 121 Le Mal du Pays programs: Perfume & diffuser making is available without a reservation / Advance booking required for the hand cream & solid perfume one-day class - ๐ธ Shanti Lifelong Education Center: 4F & 5F, Daeyoung Building, 528 Siheung-daero, Gwanak-gu, Seoul / Mon โ Fri 06:30 โ 23:00 / Tel: +82-2-540-3078 / See the official Instagram account for detailed program schedules.- ๐ 100 Seoul Wellness Travel https://www.seoulwellnesstravel.com/ - ๐ @121lemaldupays- ๐ @shanti_aroma_yoga |
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Seoul wellness dining: a delicious break |
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#100TasteOfSeoul #SeoulVegetarianRestaurant #TempleFood #TraditionalKoreanDessert #WellnessGourmet
๐ฅ A healthy meal in Seoul that lightens both body and mind! ๐ต
A healthy, delicious meal is the perfect way to wrap up a wellness trip! ๐
In October, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced the โ100 Taste of Seoul 2026.โ The eight restaurants selected in its vegetarian category offer a delicious variety of healthy dishes! ๐ฑ
Balwoo Gongyang: Located across from Jogyesa Temple, this temple food restaurant serves seasonal course meals made with long-aged jang (Korean fermented sauces and pastes) and traditional temple cooking methods.
Sanchon: Located in Insa-dong, this restaurant serves a traditional mountain vegetable set meal with seasonal wild greens (namul) and neatly prepared side dishes. ๐
Curious about more unconventional vegetarian dishes?
Gosari Express: Located in Sindang-dong, this restaurant offers modern takes on traditional ingredients, such as perilla bibim noodles with gosari (bracken), a classic Korean mountain vegetable, and noodle tteokbokki! ๐ฅฌ
After your meal, enjoy a sweet break with traditional K-desserts at a cafรฉ selected for this yearโs โ50 Cafรฉs & Dessertsโ list!
HAAP (Wonseo Branch): Enjoy modern takes on traditional Korean confections, such as juak (deep-fried glutinous rice cakes made with makgeolli-kneaded dough) and baked yakgwa. ๐ก
From temple food and creative vegetarian dishes to traditional K-desserts! Enjoy a delicious wellness trip in Seoul that nourishes both body and mind! ๐
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๐ฃ Must-Know Tips!
- ๐ Balwoo Gongyang: 5F, Templestay Information Center, 56 Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul / Mon โ Sat 11:30 โ 20:20 / Tel: +82-2-733-2081 - ๐ฑ Gosari Express Sindang: 1F, 12-10 Toegye-ro 85-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul / Tue โ Sat 11:00 โ 21:30 / Tel: +82-507-1393-3140 - ๐ฒ Sanchon: 30-13 Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul / Open daily 11:30 โ 22:00 / Tel: +82-507-1393-0312 - ๐ก HAAP (Wonseo Branch): 2F, Arario Museum New Building, 83 Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul / Open daily 12:00 โ 18:00 - ๐ 100 Taste of Seoul 2026 https://tasteofseoul.visitseoul.net/?language=eng - ๐ 50 Cafรฉs & Desserts of Seoul 2026 https://tasteofseoul.visitseoul.net/eng/cafe/list |
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๐ A little pause Seoul offers amid your packed itinerary
Yellow ginkgo leaves along the stone wall path, market alleys filled with the scent of herbs, a quiet afternoon at a temple, a fragrance you chose yourself, and a neatly prepared vegetarian meal. ๐ฅ
When you slow down and pause for a moment, Seoul reveals a different side of itself. ๐ฟ
In this issue, we introduced a variety of wellness experiences you can enjoy in Seoul, from nature and tradition to meditation, hands-on classes, and healthy dining. Adding just one small pause to your usual sightseeing route can make your Seoul trip even more special. ๐
Between autumn and winter, take some relaxing time to recharge your body and mind in Seoul this November! โจ
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