For many who have made resolutions, a focus on health for 2016 is a top priority. That’s not always easy to do, especially when you’re on vacation, but if you’re in Seoul and looking to keep yourself fit, happy, and healthy, here are a few suggestions!



To begin with Seoul has an incredible public transportation system but with just a bit of planning and a pair of comfortable shoes, you’ll find Seoul is a very walkable city. The popular N Seoul Tower on Namsan is usually accessed by cable car but how about taking a walk through the beautiful Namsan Park to the tower? From the Namsan Park entrance by the Grand Hyatt, a climb to the tower is only about 40 minutes and you’ll be rewarded with some incredible private views of the city along the way.

Distances between popular tourist sights are also more than walkable if you have a map. For instance, a walk from the northern end of Myeongdong, near Euljiro 1-ga, to Cheonggyecheon stream is only around 10 minutes and from Cheonggyecheon, only another 10 minutes to the southern end of Insadong. From the northern end of Insadong, you can also walk another 10 minutes west to get to Gyeongbokgung Palace giving you plenty of exercise while seeing more of the city than you would underground on a train.

Speaking of subways, be on the lookout at certain subway stations for the health and donation stairs set up by the city. These staircases not only make fun music when climbed but with every step, 10 won is donated to charity making it a fun way to keep up your fitness and do some good! There are some 16 subway stations that have these donation stairs including Wangsimni, Myeongdong, Noksapyeong, Jamsil, and Express Bus Terminal station with more similar stairs in the works.

Healthy eating is just as important in maintaining health which makes Insadong a great place to keep in mind. The various traditional tea shops hold a great collection of excellent teas holding healing properties for common ailments such as indigestion and fatigue. Many are housed in renovated traditional Korean homes which makes the tea houses fantastic for just relaxing in general.

Insadong is also known for the many various Buddhist temple cuisine restaurants around. In addition to these restaurants being vegetarian, Korean temple cuisine refrains from using certain spices, such as garlic and chives, and a reliance on all-natural and in-season ingredients. Temple cuisine is both healthy and filling with a growing fan base from vegetarians and meat lovers alike.

Another great place to explore is the Gyeongdong Market near Jegidong Station. This market is said to be Korea’s largest oriental medicine market and visitors can pick up a variety of medicinal herbs and items. Popular items include red ginseng, mushrooms, mulberry roots, and more which can be vacuum packed by shop owners for convenient long-haul transportation. Special medicine custom made for the individual and ailments can be made by the many establishments here and the medicines sold by them are monitored by the government and come with clearly marked names of the manufacturer and address. Best of all, as a wholesale distributor for Korea, much of the items are cheaper than elsewhere.

Last but not least, a sound mind is just as important as a healthy body. If you’re feeling a little stressed, why not visit one of the many pet cafes around Seoul? These themed cafes feature real cats and dogs you can interact with while enjoying a drink. If you’re searching for something more unusual, there’s even a sheep café in Hongdae! No matter what kind of animal cafe, it’s sure to ease away your stress so give it a try in popular neighborhoods such as Gangnam and Myeongdong.

That’s all for today on Seoul Travel Tips. I’m Stewart Ho. Stay healthy and I’ll see you next time!