By Honorary Reporter Serena Thai from the U.S.
Photos = iclickart 

Chuseok, also commonly known as Korean Thanksgiving, is a traditional three-day holiday in which families gather, perform ancestral rites, hold a large feast and spend time with each other. For those in Korea during this time, this is a great opportunity to take advantage of the seasonal promotions and discounts offered to foreigners. Despite most Koreans spending time with their families and thus many places being empty or closed, solo travelers need not worry because they can still have lots of fun during the holiday period. For those with no plans, undecided or looking for last-minute Chuseok ideas, this brief but packed list filled with events and activities can make the holiday budget-friendly, fun and enjoyable. 

For those in Seoul, Chuseok is a great time to visit the plethora of traditional and cultural heritage sites the capital has to offer, from palaces to tombs. Best of all, from Sept. 12-15, admission to royal palaces like Gyeongbukgung, Changdeokgung, Duksugung and Changgyeonggung are free, as well as to Jongmyo Shrine and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. You can rent a Hanbok to wear and stroll through the palace grounds. A variety of cultural events is also scheduled at several of these venues like traditional ceremonies and performances, so please look up the homepages of each site for more information.

Another hotspot in Seoul is museums. From Sept. 14 between noon and 4 p.m., the Seoul Museum of History will host a Chuseok festival with a full lineup of cultural events, traditional performances, folk games and diverse activities. Best of all, admission is also free.

For lovers of theme parks, Lotte World and Everland are both open during Chuseok and offer discounts for foreigners through Sept. 22. Discounted admission for foreign visitors will be available for Lotte World, Seoul Sky, Everland and Caribbean Bay as part of the seasonal promotion.

Another option is Namsangol Hanok Village, which will host events such as making traditional Chuseok foods, a night market and live performances. For more information, please visit the village's website.

Many places outside of Seoul are worthy of visiting during the holiday period, and one of my favorites is Gyeongju, also known as the "Golden City" as it was the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom and houses many of Korea's historical treasures. This city in Gyeongsangbuk-do Province boasts many attractions such as the Buddhist temple Bulguksa, Gyochon Hanok Village, Woljeong Bridge, Wolji Pond, Donggung and Cheomseongdae Observatory. Visitors can rent bicycles to ride to all of these places. Chuseok events are also scheduled at several of these locations.

Chuseok is a popular time for Koreans to go abroad or even travel to other parts of Korea, but for those who prefer a nice and relaxing time away from the traffic and crowds, many cafes, bookstores and movie theaters are sprinkled not just in and around Seoul but all around Korea. So if you don't want to travel too much, just stay close to home or simply hop over to your nearest big city for a day trip and have a great time. In closing, I hope everyone has an enjoyable and safe Chuseok.

chaey0726@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.