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Cherry blossoms are beautiful yet fleeting. So if you are traveling to South Korea on a cherry blossoms season, don't miss the chance to visit these places for picture-perfect scenery.

Seoul Forest

Subway station: Seoul Forest Station (Subway Bundang Line) Exit 3

This place is a fusion of a park and nature. Located in the middle of the bustling city of Seoul, no need to go further to inhale fresh air. This place also has gym equipment, bike rentals, picnic areas, and a handful of beautiful sakura.

Yeouido Hangang Park

Subway station: Yeouinaru Station (Seoul Subway Line 5) Exit 2 or 3

This place is pretty crowded especially during the late afternoon. But what makes it a must-visit? You can enjoy street foods like tteokbokki (rice cake), odeng (fish cake), etc while walking under the perfectly lined cherry blossoms. Romantic, isn't it?

Changdeokgung

Subway station: Anguk Station (Seoul Subway Line 3) Exit 3

You should wear a Hanbok (Korean Traditional Dress) not only to avail of a free admission but to immerse yourself in Korea's culture and tradition. Explore the palace like a cast of a sageuk (historical period dramas).

BONUS...

Of course, spring is not just about cherry blossoms. So here are some spots where you can appreciate other blooms like tulips, magnolia, azalea to name a few.

The Garden of Morning Calm

Everland

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1. Go to https://www.visa.go.kr/. The default language is in Korean. You can change it by clicking your desired language in the upper right of the website.

2. Hover to Check Application Status. Then click Check Application Status & Print.

3. Fill up with your info. Click search.

4. Application status will display.

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Step 1: Requirements (for employed)

Duly-accomplished application form. Fill the form completely in block letters. No erasures. No blank fields, just write "N/A". This can be handwritten or computerized. Print the form in an A4 sized bond paper. Visa application form download link.
1 passport sized colored picture. Attach this on your application form. The photo must be taken not more than 6 months.
Passport. Must be valid for more than 6 months with a least 2 blank pages.
1 photocopy of passport bio-page (page 2)
* Original and photocopy of valid visa/s and arrival stamps to OECD countries for the past 5 years.
Original Certificate of Employment (COE) (must include applicant's position, date hired, compensation, office address, HR landline number(cell-phone number is not allowed), HR e-mail address)
Original Personal Bank Certificate (must include account type, current balance, account opening date, ADB). Your account balance must be greater than the estimated travel expense written in your visa application form.
Bank Statement (original or certified true copy of bank statements/passbook for the last 3 months)
ITR(Income Tax Return) or Form 2316 Copy)
* Copy of PRC Card or IBP Card

* If applicable only
Visit Embassy of the Republic of Korea in the Republic of the Philippines site for other types of visas. Link here.

Sort the documents based on the list and you're ready for the next step.

Step 2: Submission

Go to your nearest Consular office.

122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1634, Philippines
12th Floor Chinabank Corporate Center, Lot 2, Samar Loop Cor. Road 5, Cebu Business Park, Mabolo, Cebu City

Visit this link for more details.

Applications can only be submitted from Mondays-Fridays (except Philippines and South Korea holidays) from 8:30 - 11 am only and cutoff time is 10:30 am.
Visa processing time in Cebu takes 7 working days.

Visa Application through Designated Travel Agency starting July 1, 2018
Walk-in applicants for temporary visitor's visa will be no longer accepted at the Korean embassy, McKinley Hill starting July 1, 208. Instead, the visa applications will be processed through designated travel agencies. More details

List of Designated Travel Agencies

Korean Consulate in Cebu still accepts personal visa applications
For Cebuanos and other applicants who would like to submit their visa application in Korean Consulate in Cebu, they still continue to accept personal visa applications. No need to go to an accredited agency. More details

Step 3: Processing

Keep your lines open and constantly check your emails. You can also go to https://www.visa.go.kr/ to check the status of your application.

How to check your South Korea visa application status online

Step 4: Releasing

Releasing time is only from 1:30 to 4:00 pm.

Feel free to drop your questions and clarifications on the comment section below.

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In Singapore, souvenir shopping won’t cost an arm and leg. Compared to other countries like Japan, Taiwan, and Korea, this country has the most affordable souvenir items.

To get it started, let's shop till you drop at Chinatown and Bugis Street Market.

Chinatown

What to buy

How to get there

Via MRT: Alight at Chinatown Station. Proceed to Exit A.

Bugis Street Market

What to buy

How to get there

Via MRT: Alight at Bugis Station.

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Shifen Old Street is located at Pingxi district. It was once a railroad town that transports coal. Meanwhile, the sky lantern was used as a signalling system for those who are working in the coal mining industry and their families.

The Sky Lantern

Shifen old street is the only place in Taiwan where you can fly a sky lantern. It is open all year round. Every January 15 is the sky lantern festival.

A sky lantern costs 200 NTD. You can choose a single coloured or multi-coloured lantern. Each colour has a meaning. The famous colour combinations are red for wealth, yellow for money, blue for career, and orange for love. After choosing your lantern, you will write your wishes on it. They believe that God in heaven will read and grant written wishes.

The Foods

After flying a sky lantern, a food trip is a must. We tried Chicken Wings with Fried Rice (70 NTD) and Thai Style Hot and Spicy Chicken (120 NTD). Both are delicious and a must-try.

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I have butterflies in my stomach while planning this activity because first of all, I am not a good biker. I rarely drive a bike and had terrible experiences with it. I once tried in Japan and I bumped into a guardrail. In Bantayan Island, Cebu I bumped into a tree. But good thing, I did not experience any of these in Taiwan.

Taiwan is indeed a bike-friendly country. Their spacious sidewalks are dedicated to pedestrians and bicycles. For a not good biker like me, it is pretty bearable because of their two-way bike lanes.

How to rent a bicycle in Youbike

Secure a local sim and Easycard. You can buy a local sim from Klook. Easycard is a top-up card for public transportation.
Go to the nearest Youbike terminal. You can find this beside any rail station.
For first-timers, register your Easycard and local phone number at the terminal kiosks. One local phone number can register up to 5 Easycards for YouBike usage.
Choose a bike. Make sure it is in good condition: the gear and brake are working, the tire is not flat, etc.

How much does it cost

For a rental under 4 hours, every 30 minutes is charged NT$10.
Between 4-8 hours, every 30 minutes is charged NT$20.
Over 8 hours, every 30 minutes is charged NT$40.

Where to start

I decided to jump-start our bicycle adventure at Xinbeitou station. But before that, we made a side trip to Beitou Thermal Valley. The jade-like pond gives off eerie sulphuric steam that makes a picturesque view.

After some photo ops at Beitou Thermal Valley, we went back to a YouBike terminal near Xinbeitou station.

How did it go

It was not an easy kickoff. We started on narrow roads along the highway. I did not ride my bicycle at first because I'm afraid of bumping into the parked cars. It was after an approximate of 1 km before we arrived on a wider bike lane.

Another 1 km and we arrived at Keelung River Riverside Bicycle Lane. But before continuing our bicycle adventure, we stopped by at a cafe to refuel our hungry and parched bodies.

Keelung River Riverside Bicycle Lane

Last stop: Tamsui Station

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View of Taipei 101 from Elephant Mountain

Every country has its own flavor, story, and wonders. Taiwan may not be a top destination for most of the tourists, but this country deserves a spot on your travel bucket list. You can explore Taipei on a bike, fly and make a wish on a sky lantern at Shifen Old Street, hike Elephant mountain and catch the beautiful sunset over Taipei 101, or indulge in a wide array of mouthwatering street foods at Raohe Night Market.