A lot of people just like to stick to the main attractions of a city when they go traveling. For example, if they go to France, they just stick to going to the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
I, on the other hand, love to explore the portions of cities that have been untouched by tourists. That little coffee shop that no one knows about? I’ll find it. That street hidden from the main road? I’ll walk it. That little pond with the beautiful view and peaceful atmosphere? I’ll sit by it and reflect.
Yes, of course I will go visit the main attractions of the city I’m visiting; however, I always like to experience what those native to the city experience and enjoy in their everyday life.
And that, is what I found Yongsan to be like. It was that part of Seoul that remained mostly untouched by tourists.
The way I can best describe the part of Yongsan that I explored is that it is a “village” within a bigger city. You are surrounded by smaller houses, but with Seoul’s bigger high-rises as the backdrop.
One morning, I found myself wandering through its streets. It was a quiet day and only the sound of the birds could be heard.
To be completely honest, I didn’t really have a destination in mind. I just wanted to explore and see what I could discover.
I came across coffee shops, murals, grocery stores, and even an old lady who hardcore judged me (whyyy?).
And what made the view even better was that I could spot Namsan Tower in the distance!
So, the next time you go traveling, in addition to visiting the main attractions, consider exploring areas of the city that are not crawling with tourists. I can assure you that you will love it!
xx
Interested in reading more about my Korea adventures? Check them out here.
Couldn’t agree with you more! I love getting off the beaten track and exploring untouched magical places 🙂 love the pictures as well so beautiful
Thank you!! Is there one place in particular that you went to (that wasn’t a tourist location) that you really enjoyed?
I recently explored Cambria (in California) which although is visited by some tourists, its still largely untouched! You get such a feel of a traditional small town life along the west coast! I loved heading out along the beach until there was no-one in sight – check out my post on the wonderful little town 🙂
I’ll definitely check it out! Cambria sounds so wonderful and peaceful!
So true! I’ve done a lot of traveling in my time, and the off the beaten path places are usually what I enjoyed most. Also, you get to have a real glimpse of the place’s people.
Exactly! And even when it comes to the food, I find you end up getting the real deal since it’s not catered towards the taste of tourists
Yes, indeed. I lived in Taiwan for almost a year once in the past, and found a lot of really different food offerings than what you’d get as a tourist. I remember finding this really great Buddhist vegetarian take out joint. The food was wonderful! The best vegetarian food I ever ate, and so beautifully presented. It was a joint where you piled your container high and paid by weight.
That sounds so amazing and delicious! Do you miss the food there?
Oh yes! I do miss the food in Taiwan. And I even mostly just ate the cheapest food there was. I didn’t have that much money to go to more expensive restaurants. I think many people who’ve been to Taiwan agree that the food is pretty good there. I rarely cooked. I mostly always ate at the take-out joints or in at the night markets. Foods in those places were overall healthier than fast food in the U.S. I lost good weight from eating in Taiwan, although I also did a lot more exercise.
I hope I can one day go to Taiwan and have the chance of experiencing what you experienced! It sounds so lively and different than what I experience here in Canada
I hope you get a chance to see Taiwan too. Have you been to Hong Kong or main land China?
Not yet, but it’s definitely on my list of places I would like to travel to! Have you had the chance to visit those places?
Hi WanderingTravelr. In Asia, I have only visited Taiwan (for about a year), Hong Kong, Thailand, and mainland China. I enjoyed all of these countries. I’d love to go back and see other countries in Asia, as well.
Oh wow! Is there any where in particularly that you hope to visit next?
Well, someday I’d like to take my husband to China, but my next major destination will hopefully be northern Portugal. My husband and I visited central and southern Portugal in the past and loved it so much.
That sounds lovely! I hope you and your husband get the chance to go to Portugal soon!
Amazing photos 🙂
Thank you very much!
I do this too, mostly by accident because I often get lost haha!
Hahahaha I remember I used to get so anxious when I would get lost, now I’ve realized that it’s probably inevitable and I’ll get lost anyways, so I embrace it (granted, after a few minutes of panic) 😂
Seen this on the community pool. Great post, travel blogs are very popular on here so you should do well. Now following!
Thank you!
I love to discover out of the way cool and interesting attractions when travelling. I’ve never been one for being a tourist, I’d much rather get to know the city and the people and the culture.
This place looks amazing! I would say I would love to go there one day, but I say that about everywhere haha. I just love travelling!!
Hahaha same here! I wish I could visit everywhere in the world, but then again, I may need a job 😂
I’d take this as inspiring 🙂 I do this a lot too. One candid thing you’d really gain here is spontaneity, the thrill when you score a good spot no one else did. And yup, the raw and genuine face of a place and the people within it.
Exactly! It’s such an awesome feeling when you find a place that has been untouched by the majority of tourists. And it also gives you a glimpse of what every day life in that country may be like.
True. It simply eases your mind.
Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing