Chuseok in Korea: How Tourists and Solo Travelers Can Celebrate Like a Local

How to survive and thrive as a solo traveller while the rest of the country shuts down for the biggest holiday of the year—here are the hidden local spots you need to see right now!

Celebrating Chuseok Alone or as a traveller - © KakaoTV

Finding something to do during South Korea's biggest national holiday of the year alone or while travelling can feel slightly daunting, as our writer, Lewis Hooper, experienced back in 2020.

Most businesses close, and locals head out of the big cities to spend quality time with their loved ones and families. That said, spending Chuseok alone or celebrating it while travelling can offer a rare and peaceful opportunity to experience the country at a much slower and less crowded pace.

5 Ways to Celebrate Chuseok Solo or While Travelling

Explore Empty Major Palaces

Major historical sites like Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung in Seoul usually remain open and free of charge during the holiday. This is therefore one of the best times to experience a cultural side of Korea that is crowded at most other times of the year. You can enjoy strolling through expansive royal grounds and soaking in the rich heritage while still being in the heart of the city. Why not opt to wear a Hanbok for that K-drama moment as well?

Hike Quiet City Trails

Palgonsan Mountain in Daegu is a breathtaking experience (Visit Korea)

With millions of residents leaving big cities like Seoul, Busan, or Daegu for their hometowns, urban hiking trails like Palgonsan or Apsan become wonderfully serene and peaceful during this time of year. It is the perfect time to capture panoramic city views in complete tranquillity, while the weather is not too hot either! These views are impressive and allow you to soak in the scale of some of Korea's biggest cities while still being easily accessible. Why not push yourself and wake up early to experience a beautiful sunrise?

Feast on Convenience Store Holiday Boxes

Convenience store Chuseok lunchboxes are a great way to taste a variety of the holiday's foods (7-Eleven)

Many local restaurants close for several days, despite some bigger chains remaining open for tourists. Actually, one of the best ways to celebrate Chuseok like a native Korean is by trying one of the special Chuseok lunch boxes available at convenience stores like CU and GS25. They are not only delicious, but they also let you sample traditional Korean dishes without breaking the bank!

Take a Temple Stay Retreat

Many Buddhist temples across the country welcome solo travellers for immersive holiday temple stay programs during Korea's biggest holiday. If you opt for a temple stay, you can participate in meditation, monastic meals, and cultural workshops away from the bustling city streets. This is actually on the bucket list for a lot of travellers who come to Korea, and it's also a great way to meet new people from all over the world.

Enjoy a Staycation with Movie Marathons

If you are not into meeting new people and prefer to treat yourself to a comfortable hotel staycation instead, why not make sure that your room is equipped with room service and local delivery apps? Korean television stations air special Chuseok movie line-ups, variety shows, and K-dramas throughout the holiday weekend. By indulging in these while ordering from one of Korea's many delivery apps, you can create your very own K-drama moment without even leaving your room. Do you have a favourite K-drama that you watch over and over again?

Final Thoughts

For most of the Dojeon Media team, Chuseok is all centered around spending time with family, although for many of us, experiencing Chuseok alone allows us to enjoy a very rare, peaceful side of modern Korea. This really is a great time to take advantage of the quiet streets and slower pace of some of the world's biggest cities while making memories that will last a lifetime!

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