It’s a time of joy and celebrations as the Lunar New Year, referred to as ‘Seollal’, is approaching in South Korea!
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What exactly is Seollal?
Seollal, considered a significant holiday period for Koreans, generally has a duration of 3 days. During this time, most shops and restaurants will be shut, particularly on the official day of Seollal (February 10, 2024). So, keep this in mind if you intend to visit South Korea during this period.
The main palaces, museums, and amusement parks are operational, but it’s advisable to double-check the websites before your visit!
Naturally, there will be significant traffic congestion, making it quite challenging for travelers and tourists to secure a train or bus ticket. Nonetheless, if you still wish to travel to other regions, simply book a Korail Pass (KR Pass) for KTX and Train Travel or Private intercity van transfer via Trazy!
So, how is Seollal celebrated? Let’s discover!
1. Korean traditional attire ‘Hanbok’
During Seollal, you may observe Koreans adorning a beautifully colored and patterned traditional Korean dress known as ‘hanbok’. While not compulsory, wearing a hanbok is increasingly becoming a popular trend in Korean fashion.
If you’re keen on renting or trying on traditional Korean attire for a day, explore these options!
Why not visit the splendid palaces of Seoul? Gyeongbokgung Palace, Deoksugung Palace, Changdeokgung Palaceand Changgyeongung Palace while dressed in a hanbok? Entrance to these palaces is free if you’re wearing a hanbok!
Explore Palace Tours in Seoul:
Korean Folk Village Yongin is also highly recommended if you wish to immerse in traditional Korean experiences.
Discover Korean Folk Village Tours:
Located amidst bustling cities and modern life, the Korean Folk Village provides access to Korea’s rich history. This is a living museum featuring well-preserved traditional Korean houses gathered in a small village where actors, musicians, and hanbok wearers reside. Visitors have the opportunity to firsthand experience the daily life during the late Joseon era and often witness special traditional celebrations for the transition of seasons and holidays such as Seollal. It is also a popular filming location for Korean television and movies set in the Joseon period.
ADDRESS:
90 Minsokchon-ro, Giheung-gu, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do
경기도 용인시 기흥구 민속촌로 90
Hours:
|
Period |
Weekdays/weekend |
|---|---|
|
February ~ April |
10:00 ~ 18:30 |
|
Can. ~ September. |
10:00 ~ 19:00 |
|
Oct. |
10:00 ~ 18:30 |
|
November ~ January |
10:00 ~ 18:00 |
2. An ancient ritual, ‘Charye’
At the crack of dawn on Seollal, all family members gather to initiate an ancestral rite and perform a process called ‘charye‘.
Jointly, family members arrange plates of ceremonial foods and place them on the table. After the table is set, they take turns (starting from the eldest) standing in front of the table and bowing to the spirits of their ancestors. Observe the video below to witness how ‘charye’ is carried out!
3. Pay respects to the elders of the family or ‘Sebae’
This is the delightful part! 🙂 Family members take turns (from oldest to youngest) and bow deeply to the elders and parents. Koreans refer to this act of bowing as ‘sebae‘.
Post bow, parents or relatives will offer children money or ‘sebaetdon (New Year’s money)’ and bestow blessings for the New Year in return.
4. Sample Seollal dish, ‘Tteokguk’
After ‘sebae‘ comes the celebration (at last)! On Lunar New Year’s Day, Koreans savor ‘teokguk (sliced rice cake soup)’. In Korea, it is believed that consuming tteokguk adds one year to your age. Hence, in jest, Koreans say, “The more bowls of tteokguk you consume, the quicker you will age!”
Additionally, explore other Seollal delicacies such as ‘sanjeok’ (meat and vegetable skewer), ‘buchimgae (Korean-style pancake)’ and traditional Korean desserts like ‘yakgwa (honey cookie)’ and ‘hangwa (traditional Korean sweets)’. such as ‘injeolmi (rice cake covered with bean flour)’.
Browse through these traditional Korean food cooking classes in Korea:
Seoul
Busan
5. Enjoy amusing and thrilling theme park attractions
All theme parks remain operational during the Korean Lunar New Year holiday and serve as an excellent venue to enjoy quality time with family or friends. At everland, Korea’s largest theme park, visitors can partake in a day filled with exciting attractions and parades. You can also effortlessly book a full day package, shuttle bus package, private van package Towards Everland Theme Park!
World lot, located in Seoul, possesses the largest indoor theme park in Korea and is effortlessly accessible by subway! One of the favored activities for many youngsters at Lotte World is hire korean school uniforms to take numerous photos! Close to Lotte World theme park, you can also explore Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Korea, and Lotte World Aquarium.
If you have kids, Seoul land is a highly recommended destination, especially due to the availability of snow sledding activities. If you are located in the southern region of Korea, consider visiting Daegu Electronic World where you can also secure a ticket for Daegu Tower 83, an iconic landmark of Daegu.
6. Indoor attractions and activities
If the cold weather discourages you from partaking in outdoor activities, fret not! There are numerous indoor attractions and activities waiting for your enjoyment in Korea. One highly recommended indoor attraction is the Aquarium. Seoul hosts COEX Aquarium in Samseong, Aqua Planet in building 63 in Yeouido, and Lotte World Aquarium in Jamsil.
For those outside Seoul, you can also visit Busan Sea Life Aquarium, Aqua Planet in Ilsan, Yosuand Jeju Island as well.
7. Exciting paragliding experience
tandem paraglider is an exceptional way to admire breathtaking landscapes and revel in thrilling moments! Consider experiencing this unique adventure during your Seollal vacation in Korea. Tandem paragliding can be enjoyed in danyang, Jeju Island, Gyeongjuand Daegu during the holidays!
8. Winter getaways to ski resorts
Should you desire to organize a winter escape during Seollal, reserving ski resorts is an excellent option! Korea boasts several top-notch ski resorts where you can engage in skiing, snowboarding, and snow sledding. Booking ski pass and ski equipment/clothing rental packages at Vivaldi Park ski resort and Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort is trouble-free. If you find yourself in the southern region, such as Busan or Daegu, make your way to Eden Valley Ski Resort!
Furthermore, all-inclusive one-day excursions are on offer at Vivaldi Park ski resort, Elysian Gangchon Ski Resort, Jisan Ski Resort, Alpensia ski resort, Yongpyong Ski Resort, Phoenix Park Ski Resort and Eden Valley Ski Resort.
Explore more ski packages at Korea’s Best Ski Resort Packages Handpicked by Trazy!
9. Engage in traditional games
Seollal is an ideal time for families to participate in enjoyable games together! The most favored traditional game is ‘but nori‘, a board game with four wooden sticks instead of two dice. The primary goal of the game is to maneuver all your pawns to the end, with the first to do so emerging as the victor!
Other entertaining games comprise ‘jegichagi (a game where you kick a shuttlecock and attempt to keep it airborne for as long as possible)’, ‘neolitwiggi (a Korean jumping game akin to seesaw)’ and ‘tuho (a game involving the tossing of sticks into a vessel)’. Why not head to a park and try ‘yeon-naligi (kite flying)’ as well!
10. Adorn trees with lucky bags
One of the customary practices carried out during Seollal is the hanging of ‘bokjumeoni‘ or lucky bags on walls or trees. Koreans believe that these exquisitely embroidered pouches bring prosperity and joy to their owners.
Acquire one of these lucky bags as a memento or for your loved ones. Hang them on the walls of your residence or on the boughs of trees and witness if they truly bring good fortune! 😉
Lastly, watch this video showcasing how Koreans typically spend the Lunar New Year.
Now, go ahead and explore the authentic charm of South Korea with Trazy.com, Korea’s premier travel store. It’s better to see something once than hear it a thousand times! 😉
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