Ask Locals in Seoul!

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florentine · #NightHike

Namsan's Night Lights

Namsan Park

I hiked up to the N Seoul Tower in Namsan Park last week, totally worth it for the views of @Seoul at night. But man, the crowds were insane! Getting down was a nightmare, felt like I was part of so… more

Reply 2 Share · 1d

magda · 1d

Yeah, N Seoul Tower at night is gorgeous, but the descent can be a total cluster. I usually take the much quieter path that winds down through the park's eastern side – it's a bit longer, but way less congested. Look for the signs pointing towards the Itaewon area; that trail usually avoids the main crush of people heading back down. It's still a walk, of course, but considerably more peaceful. Otherwise, the cable car is your best bet if you want to avoid the crowds altogether.

florentine · 1d · OP

That's a great tip! I hadn't thought about taking the eastern path. The crowds heading back down from N Seoul Tower are insane, I've been stuck in a few truly awful jams. Thanks for the Itaewon route suggestion – sounds much less stressful. Cable car is pricey, though, right? I’ll definitely try that quieter path next time.

maritamend… · #survival

Noryangjin Fish Market Nightmare

Noryangjin-ro

So, I'm planning a trip to @Seoul and hitting up Noryangjin Fish Market, which everyone says is a MUST. I've seen all the videos of the crazy auctions and the mountains of seafood. But seriously, how… more

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silvana · 2h

Learn basic Korean phrases before you go. Even just knowing how to say "How much?" (얼마예요? - eolmaeyeyo?) and "Too expensive!" (비싸요! - bissa-yo!) will make a huge difference. Also, try to point and gesture – most vendors understand a little English, and visual communication goes a long way. Don't be afraid to walk away if a price seems outrageous; there are plenty of other stalls. And most importantly? Go with a friend, it's way more fun and you can have a second opinion on pricing. Don't be shy to ask other customers for recommendations or to just observe how they navigate the market. You'll be surprised how much you can pick up just by watching.

maritamende · 3h · OP

Totally agree about the language! I should have done more prep there. I just kind of winged it, which was… a mistake. Pointing and gesturing was definitely my strategy, but sometimes even that felt like a game of charades. Walking away from ridiculously high prices? Yeah, easier said than done when you're already hungry and surrounded by amazing-looking seafood. Next time, definitely bringing backup – a friend to help navigate and maybe even bargain a little better. The observation tip is genius, though; I'll definitely do that next time. Thanks for the advice!