You might just be heading out to Korea for your much-awaited holiday trip – and that’s a smart choice. It’s a perennial favorite among Filipinos during the Christmas season, thanks to its chilly sweater weather, skincare deals that are too good to pass up, and numerous shopping experiences. But beyond the palaces, cafe crawls, and trending spots, Korea today offers experiences that locals themselves actually spend their weekends doing.
Photo from GCash
Many travelers limit their trips to what they already know, or what’s viral online. But for a truly worth it holiday trip, here are some expert-approved activities to add to your Korea itinerary.
Dine Your Way through Michelin Korea
With many Filipinos still hyped about the Michelin Guide, Seoul has a vibrant dining scene with truly unique experiences.
Photo from GCash
Some places to visit include Myeongdong Kyoja, where comforting noodle dishes are served by robots; Flower Blossom on the Rice, a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot known for healthy meals made with organic, farm-sourced ingredients; and Samcheongdong Sujebi – featured in the Michelin Guide from 2017–2018 and 2020–2025—which serves handmade dough soup that is both humble and iconic.
Photo from GCash
Spend More Time Discovering Gangnam
Gangnam is popular for its fast-paced, high-end shopping scene. But it’s also worth slowing down here. Something you can do at Gangnam is create your own signature scent at .NOTE, a popular perfume-making studio where you can blend oils and name your fragrance afterwards. It also makes for a thoughtful gift for the holiday season.
Photo from GCash
Photo from GCash
Immerse in Art at Samcheong Culture Street
Photo from GCash
Located in the Jongno district, Samcheong Culture Street (Samcheongdong-gil) is where old Seoul meets new Seoul. The area is lined with chic cafés, art galleries, and specialty stores tucked among traditional hanoks.
Photo from GCash
It’s also a haven for stationery shopping. Locals love browsing stores like Artbox for notebooks, pens, toys, and uniquely designed finds that make great pasalubong – especially for creatives and kids at heart.
Photo from GCash
Take a Side Trip to Suwon
Just under an hour from Seoul, Suwon offers a refreshing change of pace. Many travelers are familiar with Starfield COEX and its library, but the brand new Starfield Suwon takes things several notches higher. Its headline attraction is its 22-meter-high bookshelves, which are significantly taller than the original with a truly breathtaking view.
Photo from GCash
Beyond the library, Starfield Suwon introduces unique spaces you won’t find elsewhere, like the Vinyl Starfield and Kids Library. You can also shop Korean brands here, such as Musinsa and Beanpole.
Step outside the mall and Suwon has lots more to offer. Explore Craft Street for various handcrafted souvenirs and artworks. Coffee lovers can visit iconic spots like Mong Ted Café, the filming location for the K-Drama Lovely Runner.
Suwon makes for an easy day trip that lets you see another side of Seoul, without straying too far from the main city.
Make It All Worth It with GCash
From shopping and dining to buying souvenirs and gifts, the most worth it rips are always powered by GCash. When you pay with GCash abroad, you get real-time control over your spending, low forex rates that are updated instantly in-app, and fast, convenient transactions all throughout. And there are several ways to do it – you can Scan, Swipe, and Tap!
Photo from GCash
When out shopping or dining, look for the Alipay+ logo and Scan to Pay for quick, seamless checkouts. You can also unlock exclusive promos along the way on GCash Travel – just click on “Travel Treats” to see everything that’s available.
Photo from GCash
Meanwhile, for bigger purchases you’ve saved up for – like your personalized .NOTE fragrance or special holiday finds – the GCash VISA Card makes it just as easy to swipe abroad, without the worry of high FX fees.
And if you’re hopping from shop to shop buying pasalubong for your loved ones back home, GCash makes things even smoother with Tap to Pay. Android users can simply tap their phones on NFC-enabled terminals for fast, hassle-free payments, perfect for crowded shopping districts.
Photo from GCash
This Christmas, travel smarter, spend better, and make every Korean experience truly worth it. For a closer look at how to explore Korea like a pro, stay tuned for Hazel Quing’s full Korea travel guide on her social pages, where she puts the Scan-Swipe-Tap method to the test. Because when it’s travel, it’s gotta be GCash. #TravelMoIGCashMo #TravelGottaBeGCash
Photo from GCash
