u/BigBigslection

Suwon is probably the most famous day-trip destination from Seoul.
If you search for directions on a map app, it usually tells you to take the bus or subway.

Here is my tip:

Take the Train from Seoul (or Yongsan) Station to Suwon Station! You can get there in just 30-40 minutes by taking a train. You don’t need to take the KTX because the distance is so short that there’s almost no time difference compared to the Mugunghwa (the cheaper, slower train).

The most famous thing in Suwon is Hwaseong Fortress. It's a UNESCO World Heritage site, a structure that was destroyed by war and rebuilt. Did you know that rebuilt structures usually don't get listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites? Fortunately, the exact blueprints used to build Hwaseong remained intact. Because those blueprints detailed everything down to how many bricks were used and the number of workers, it was able to be recognized for its historical preservation value despite being rebuilt.
Those blueprints are called 'Uigwe', and they are also registered with UNESCO (Memory of the World) along with Suwon Hwaseong. Personally, I love walking along the fortress walls. Still, the main gates of the fortress are beautiful too, so don't miss them.

Right next to Suwon Hwaseong is Haengridan-gil, a street beautifully decorated with cute snacks and boutique shops. It's a great street to fill up your hungry stomach. If you walk along Haengridan-gil, which connects behind Suwon Hwaseong, you will find Hwaseong Haenggung, the king's temporary palace.

This is the story of Suwon's past, and right next to it is the modernly well-decorated Starfield.

Have you ever been to the Starfield Library at COEX in Seoul? There is a library with a similar yet different design in Suwon too. It spans from the 4th to the 7th floor, and it's fun because the angle looks different from each floor. There is also a Pop Mart store on 4th floor in front of the library. Starfield itself is a massive shopping mall, so it will be fun just looking around!!

Hwaseong is also beautiful at night, so personally, I think it would be great to spend the morning in Seoul, arrive in Suwon in the afternoon, go to Starfield first, and then slowly go see Hwaseong!! Or coming early, enjoying everything, and going back up to Seoul is good too!!

* The 'Hwaseong' in Suwon is a fortress, and there is a separate city called 'Hwaseong' in Gyeonggi-do. They just have the same name.

I really loved Gyeongju!! I've seen a lot of travelers thinking whether or not to include it in their itinerary, and I would definitely recommend going.

Rather than doing a standard full-day trip, I'd suggest arriving in the afternoon, staying for one night, and leaving the next morning. Alternatively, you could arrive around lunch and leave late at night. The night views are seriously stunning!! Plus, all the main spots are within walking distance right in the city center, making it a great city to easily invest a solid day in.

<From Gyeongju Station>

When taking the KTX train from Seoul, it will usually say it’s bound for Busan (since Busan is the final stop). Just check your car number and get off at Gyeongju Station.
When you arrive in Gyeongju station, you can exit through Exit 1, and turn immediately right to find the bus stop. Buses 50, 51, and 70 will take you straight to downtown Gyeongju.

<Downtown of Gyeongju>

[Daereungwon]

A park with 23 ancient tombs. You can walk between these massive hills, and it doesn't even feel like a graveyard. Entry to the park is free, but entering the actual Cheonmachong Tomb costs 3,000won. There's also great photo spot with magnolia tree standing between the tombs.

[Gyochon Village]

While Gyeongju is famous as the 1,500-year-old capital of the ancient Silla kingdom, this village features Joseon Dynasty architecture. This village has the Choe family, which was a highly respected noble family famous for practicing noblesse oblige. Right in front of this village is my absolute favorite spot in Gyeongju...

[Woljeonggyo Bridge]

Seriously gorgeous!! Personally, I think it looks way better at night than during the day. It’s a covered bridge bc it was grand palace gate. it was built to show off rather than just to cross a river. The current bridge is reconstructed based on historical records, and the night view is stunning.

[Donggung Palace & Wolji Pond]

My second favorite spot, and surprisingly the most crowded with tourists. It's famous for its night view and is about a 20-minute walk from Woljeonggyo. Entry is 3,000won. If Woljeonggyo has a flashy night view, this place feels very neat and elegant. There’s a lotus field right next to it, which must look amazing during the summer lotus season.

* It’s easy to spot lotus flowers in Gyeongju. Silla was a Buddhist state, and in Buddhism, the lotus is sacred because it blooms after overcoming adversity. Even the Buddha statue in Seokguram sits on a lotus pattern.

[Cheomseongdae Observatory]

Also beautiful at night! Since this March, they’ve been running a 7-minute light show at 20:30 and 21:30. I didn't expect much, but it was actually really fun and totally worth timing your visit for! It’s on the way from Woljeonggyo to Donggung and Wolji.
Here will be especially pretty here in the fall!! The pink muhly grass is famous near Cheomseongdae. In Gyeongju, you can go see lotus flowers in the summer, pink muhly in the fall, and cherry blossoms in the spring. Cheomseongdae is an astronomical observatory made of roughly 360 bricks, and it is said that the reason for this is to represent the 365 days of a year.

<Bulguksa Temple>

About 30 minutes from the city center. You can take Bus 10 or 11 (Google Maps works well for this). Note that the buses get completely packed. It takes about 1 to 1.5 hours to look around. I actually found it really interesting because, being Korean, I know the folklore behind it. So I found it really interesting while looking around, and I wish other people knew all those stories too.

That's why I'm even thinking of writing up those stories later. It looks great year-round, but judging by the maple trees, Autumn would be beautiful.

<Seokguram Grotto>

About 30 minutes away from Bulguksa. Taking a bus or a taxi takes about the same amount of time, but the buses only run about once an hour. A round trip from Bulguksa by bus will take about 2 hours. I skipped it this time due to a lack of time, so I can't say if it's worth it. Entry is free, but photography is strictly prohibited inside to protect the cultural heritage*.*

Eastern philosophy values Yin and Yang. Seokguram is a temple carved into a mountain (representing Yin/digging), while building up from the ground is Yang like Bulguksa temple. So Seokguram and Bulguksa represent the harmony of Yin and Yang. They were built by the same person, and there’s a really fun legend about him!

<Else>
Public Transport Cash: If you take the bus frequently, avoid using 10,000won, as drivers might refuse you due to a lack of change.

No Takeout Cups on Buses: You absolutely cannot bring cafe drinks onto a bus. You must throw them away at the bus stop before boarding.

Accommodation: The best area to stay is near Cheomseongdae. If I visit Gyeongju again, I will definitely book a place to the North or East of Cheomseongdae.

As someone who lived abroad and is now exploring Korea with a foreigner's perspective, I'm finding it surprisingly fun lol. Let me know what kind of info was helpful, and drop your recommendations for my next trip—I'll see if I can add them to my list!