Most beautiful coastal cities in South Korea

Surrounded by water, the Korean peninsula is outlined by a number of coastal cities that offer a welcome escape from everyday inland life. Offering everything from sandy beaches to gorgeous seascapes, these coastal cities are the country’s most beautiful.

Sokcho

Situated on South Korea’s eastern coast, Sokcho is widely known for its white sandy coast that is punctuated by picturesque pine trees. Located near the Sokcho Express Bus Terminal, Sokcho Beach is as accessible as it is beautiful. Here, visitors from all over the country partake in beach swimming in the summer months, while the Haedoji Sunrise Festival is held on New Year’s Day. Visitors can even rent a rod and go fishing at nearby Jodo Island, or head to the pier to get some fresh sushi at one of the many local fish markets. Hiking enthusiasts will enjoy exploring Sokcho’s Seoraksan Mountain – one of Korea’s most celebrated – which features well-maintained trails and breathtaking autumn foliage.

Gangneung

Gangneung’s six-kilometer-long Gyeongpo Beach is much loved for its fine sand and numerous facilities. But it’s also famous for its picturesque sunrise and tranquil moonrise, making a great camping spot. In addition, the beach is the site for various cultural events, including beach festivals and cherry blossom viewings. While Gangneung’s beaches and are splendid, the city’s parks are also worthy of exploration. Kids will love the submarine and decommissioned warship on display at Tongil Park, while adults will appreciate the dramatic architecture and contemporary works at Haslla Art World.

Busan

Boasting a stunning landscape of mountains and beaches, and brimming with hot springs and seafood, South Korea’s second-largest city is a boisterous coastal city that most consider a must-visit on any trip to the peninsula. Spend an afternoon checking out the murals and sculptures in the colorful hillside of Gamcheon Culture Village or take in the tranquil beauty of Haedong Yonggung Temple, one of Korea’s only oceanside Buddhist temples. Foodies will love the culinary scene, which is an eclectic mix of casual tent bars, chaotic fish markets, trendy cafés, and fine dining establishments. Finally, catch the sunset at Haeundae Beach, a beautiful stretch of white sand that offers great views of Busan’s unique urban landscape.

Suncheon

Suncheon Bay and its surrounding area is a natural ecosystem that has remained almost completely untouched. As a habitat for local plant life, a variety of sea creatures and migratory birds, Suncheon Bay has been globally recognized for its ecological value, and is often referred to as the ecological capital of Korea. To see the highlights of the city, take the Suncheon City Tour, which includes stops at Suncheon Bay’s wetlands and reed fields, as well as Seonamsa and Songgwangsa, two century-old temples. Other attractions on the journey include Naganeupseong, a village of thatched roof houses that date back to the Joseon Dynasty, and an open set where a number of popular Korean movies and dramas have been filmed.

Tongyeong

Those seeking some tranquility should head to Tongyeong, a seaside town situated on the southern coast of Korea. Here, evergreen trees and emerald seas are canopied by clear blue skies, creating a spectacular sight. Enchanting islands dot its shores, and they can be reached by ferry services that depart from the central terminal. Any island-hopping excursion should include a stop at Somaemul Island. Quiet and peaceful, the small island boasts hiking trails with varying difficulty levels, all offering incredibly magnificent views. Hungry? Tongyeong is home to countless restaurants that serve up local specialties including sea squirt bibimbap, grilled fish, and spicy hairtail stew – all served with sides of local produce and fresh seafood.

Geoje

Dubbed the “Blue City,” Geoje is not so much a city as it is an island – Korea’s second largest after Jeju – of villages and settlements that are dotted around the coastline. There’s no better way to see the sights than by renting a motorcycle and zipping around from beach to beach. Don’t miss the chance to hike Daegum Mountain, which offers breathtaking island views, especially in spring, when the azaleas are in full bloom. Of course, no visit to Geoje would be complete without a visit to nearby Oedo Island, a botanical garden so beautiful that it has been nicknamed “the paradise of Korea.”

Seogwipo

Jeju Island’s second-largest city is beautifully nestled on a rocky volcanic coastline dotted with lush parks, a deep gorge and two waterfalls. Its clear blue waters and mild ocean temperatures make Seogwipo one of Korea’s top diving destinations. Furthermore, its scenic landscapes are well suited for hiking. Trekking the Olle-gil is a fantastic way to experience the natural and cultural beauty of Jeju. There are more than 20 of them, with four passing through Seogwipo. Each route offers something different, whether it be small villages, beaches, farms or forests, providing visitors with a unique perspective of the island. Typically, the trails are fairly easy to traverse, but there are several points that do get steep and require some athletic ability.

See more: Top 8 things to do in Busan, South Korea

Source: Internet

The best souvenirs to buy in Taichung, Taiwan

Taichung is an incredible city that is becoming one of Taiwan’s most popular holiday destinations. With so many things to see and do it is perfect for a short weekend trip. But what kind of souvenirs can you buy that are uniquely local? Here are five of the best locally made souvenirs you can pick up next time you are in this wonderful west coast city.

Suncake

Mentioning suncake naturally reminds people of Taichung. It is almost like the synonym for Taichung. In earlier times, suncake was all hand-made typically with maltose as filling, with thin pastry skin, good smell and easily melts in your mouth; the keys to the fabulous taste of suncake. Due to the interest in health care in recent years, many pastry shops began to replace animal shortening, which is usually the material oil of suncakes, to vegetable ones and also further invented many lighter flavors for suncakes.

Fengyuan Lacquer Art

Fengyuan in Taichung was once the center of all things lacquer here in Taiwan. In fact, at one point it was said that 99% of the country’s lacquerwares were made in the area. Today, you will find that it is home to the Fengyuan Lacquer Art Museum which is a great place to learn about the history of lacquer art during the Japanese colonial period. It is also the best place to pick up a locally made piece of lacquerware. From chopsticks to bowls, there are plenty of brightly colored pieces to choose from, and they are the ideal souvenir for your living room.

Waipu Wine

Many people laugh at the notion that Taiwan can produce high-quality wines but that is simply down to a lack of wine-producing history. However, that is all about to change as Waipu winemakers Shu Sheng have won international acclaim for their products. Started back in 2000 by a local farmer and a winemaker, the vineyard is slowly gaining recognition as one of the best producers of wine in Asia, with their wines winning many awards across the globe.

Pineapple Cakes

Another one of those popular souvenirs that you just cannot leave the city without, pineapple cakes are plentiful in Taichung. The problem is, which ones are the best?

Dawn Cake can probably take that accolade as their pineapple cakes are incredible. They are without doubt the best locally made cakes, and many people consider them to be on a par with, or even better than the more famous Chia Te or SunnyHills cakes.

Cheese-Filled Mochi

You have probably heard of the sticky and chewy dessert known as mochi, and you may have even tried some with various fillings such as green tea or red bean. It is highly unlikely though that you have tried anything like Paochuan Food Company’s cheese-filled mochi.

It does not sound too appetizing, but then again many of the world’s most delicious snacks started out as a weird combination of two contrasting foods. And this is one of those times when such a strange marriage of ingredients actually works.

Read more: Take a trip to Taichung

Source Internet

Best foods you have to try in the Philippines

Cuisine is one of the things that Filipinos take pride in the most as their foods are always rich in flavour and variety in ingredients. The 10 dishes below are definitely what you should try if you have the chance to visit the Philippines.

Adobo

No list of the top 10 Filipino foods can begin without the famous Adobo on top. The unofficial Philippines national food is made with pork or chicken simmered in soy sauce and vinegar with loads of black pepper and crushed garlic. Adobo is one of the few dishes in the Philippines with local origins as it was given the Spanish name later. This lip-smacking dish is as Filipino as you can get, and it goes with nothing else but rice. Every family in the Philippines has its own way of cooking adobo, so it might taste a little different from place to place.

Lumpia

Feel like tasting Filipino dishes for lunch? Try Lumpia. Influenced by Chinese cuisine, this dish is a delicious deep-fried spring roll. The roll is stuffed with a mixture of chopped vegetables and minced meat. Combined with the right sauces, it is the most scrumptious dish you will ever have for lunch. This is definitely a traditional Filipino dish after trying which, you will never look at spring rolls the same way again. It is a major part of Philippines food culture.

Inasal

Do you love roast chicken? Then you are in for a treat! The Visayan islands’ residents have perfected the dish, and you will never taste anything like Inasal. Marinated in ginger, lemongrass, and calamansi juice, the chicken is roasted over fire and basted with annatto oil. Served with rice, soy sauce dip, and sometimes liquid chicken fat, Inasal is definitely one of the Philippines food items one shouldn’t miss at all.

Pancit

This is another one of the most delicious Philippines foods influenced by Chinese cuisine. This simple dish is a combination of noodles and whatever meat or vegetables you want to add. Pancit is a name that originated from the Hokkien term ‘pian e sit’, which means ‘something conveniently cooked.’ It might be simple but it is rich with flavor and you will definitely love every bite of it.

Sinigang

Often associated with tamarind, Sinigang is a Philippines traditional food that is sour and savory. The dish is a stew made with spinach, eggplant, tomatoes, onions, ginger, and fish sauce. You can choose the meat you want to make the dish with pork, beef, fish, or shrimp. No matter which one you choose, the result is always a mouthwatering stew served with rice or eaten on its own as soup.

Chicharon

Brought to the Philippines from Andalucia in Spain, chicharon is a dish of deep-fried pork crackling. It is quite similar to the chicharron of Mexico – crunchy rectangles of deep-fried pork rinds. In the Philippines, chicharon is dipped in coconut vinegar instead of salsa. This dish is one of the most popular Philippines foods to eat as a snack with beer. Over the years, locals have experimented with the dish, creating new variations. But nothing comes close to the original chicharon.

Lechon

When it comes to popular Philippines food items present at every special occasion, lechon is probably one of the top ones. This is another dish with Spanish influence and no fiesta in the country is complete unless there is enough lechon for everyone. This dish is roast suckling pig that is cooked to perfection. Everyone loves the delicious crunchy skin. If you want to taste one of the most popular authentic Filipino dishes, you should definitely look for a place that serves traditional lechon.

See more: Explore typical breakfast in the Philippines

Source: Internet