Ep.6 — 🏯 Week 3: Tradition & Healing

By your third week in Seoul, you will have settled into a rhythm of daily life. Now is the perfect time to slow down and connect with the city’s roots. Seoul is not only a modern megacity but also a place where ancient palaces, Buddhist temples, and traditional healing practices still thrive. Week 3 is your chance to experience the cultural depth of Korea while also finding peace and balance through wellness activities.

🏯 Palaces and Hanbok Experience

Seoul’s palaces are living reminders of Korea’s royal past. Visiting them while wearing hanbok (traditional clothing) transforms the experience into something magical.

  • Gyeongbokgung Palace: The grandest palace, framed by mountains and history.

  • Changdeokgung Palace: A UNESCO World Heritage site with the Secret Garden.

  • Deoksugung Palace: Famous for its stone-wall road and changing-of-the-guard ceremony.

👗 Renting a hanbok in Insadong or near Gyeongbokgung is easy, and when you wear one, palace entry is often free. Walking through ancient courtyards in traditional clothing gives you the sense of stepping back centuries.

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🍵 Korean Tea Ceremony & Traditional Crafts

Korean tea culture emphasizes mindfulness and simplicity. A traditional tea ceremony introduces you to the calm side of Korean life.

  • 🍵 Tea Houses in Insadong: Try green tea, omija (five-flavor berry tea), or jujube tea.

  • 🎨 Craft Workshops: Learn Korean calligraphy (hangul brush writing), pottery, or knot-making.

  • 🏺 Souvenirs with Soul: Unlike mass-produced trinkets, handmade crafts carry history and meaning.

These activities connect you not only to tradition but also to a slower, more reflective pace of living.

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🛕 Temple Stay & Meditation

For a deeper cultural immersion, spend a night or two in a temple stay.

  • Jogyesa Temple (Central Seoul): A hub of Korean Buddhism, with meditation programs.

  • Bongeunsa Temple (Gangnam): Famous for combining tradition with accessibility.

  • Experience: Chanting, meditation, vegetarian meals, and dawn rituals.

Temples offer a chance to pause and reflect. Even if you’re not religious, the quiet surroundings and mindful practices create space for inner peace.

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♨️ Jjimjilbang: Korean-Style Sauna

No trip to Seoul is complete without a jjimjilbang experience. These large bathhouses and saunas are a staple of Korean relaxation culture.

  • 🔥 Hot & Cold Baths: Alternate between steaming hot pools and icy baths.

  • 🧖 Sauna Rooms: Each room has different themes—salt rooms, charcoal rooms, or even ice rooms.

  • 🍳 Snacks: Don’t miss sikhye (sweet rice drink) and baked eggs, jjimjilbang classics.

  • 🛌 Overnight Option: Many jjimjilbangs let you sleep on mats in communal areas—an affordable lodging alternative.

Dragon Hill Spa and Siloam Sauna are two popular choices for first-time visitors.

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🌿 Korean Medicine & Healing Practices

Korea’s wellness culture combines modern health with ancient traditions.

  • 🌿 Hanbang Clinics (Oriental Medicine): Treatments include acupuncture, cupping, and herbal remedies.

  • 💆 Massage & Therapy: From foot massages to full-body oil treatments, options are abundant.

  • 🍲 Healing Foods: Samgyetang (ginseng chicken soup) and herbal teas are believed to restore energy.

This is a chance to experience health the Korean way—preventive, holistic, and rooted in centuries of knowledge.

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📝 Tips for Week 3

  • 📅 Book in Advance: Palace tours, craft classes, and temple stays often require reservations.

  • 🧘 Stay Open-Minded: Some rituals may feel unfamiliar but embrace them as cultural learning.

  • 🧴 Bring Comfort Items: Lightweight towel and toiletries help during jjimjilbang visits.

  • 📸 Be Respectful: Always ask before photographing monks, ceremonies, or private spaces.

🌟 Final Thoughts

Week 3 is about depth and balance. While the first two weeks focused on energy and excitement, this week slows the pace. You’ll walk in the footsteps of kings, sip tea in quiet hanok courtyards, breathe deeply in temples, and sweat out stress in jjimjilbang saunas. These traditions are not relics—they are living parts of Korean life that locals continue to embrace.

By the end of this week, Seoul will reveal itself not only as a modern metropolis but also as a guardian of timeless wisdom and healing. This blend of past and present is what makes living in Seoul so enriching.

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