Top 10 Unconventional Thrills in Korea

DAE-HAN-MIN-GUK! The land of K-pop, Kimchi, handsome actors/beautiful actresses, and plastic surgery! Korea has become one of the top tourist destinations in the world, because of its delicious cuisine, rich culture, and trendy fashionable styles. Aside from catching the views from Namsan Tower, shopping at Myedongdong and indulging in yummy street food at the roadside pojangmacha stalls, there’s more to Korea that you don’t know about yet!

Check out these 10 unique experiences that you must challenge yourself and try to truly experience Korea!

 

1. Spook yourself out at Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital

Image credit: namu.wiki

 

If you like creepy and spooky places, the Gonjiam Psychiatric Hospital is perfect for you! Claimed as one of the scariest places in the world, it was abandoned in 1996 after a slew of mysterious patient deaths, and the owner fled to the States. So if you are feeling adventurous and seeking out some paranormal activity, make your way down to this abandoned building to satisfy your ghoulish curiosity! Be careful not to offend any spirits when you are there…

 

2. Scream your heart out at Jeongseon County Zipwire

 Image credit: Republic of Korea

 

Get ready for THE RIDE OF YOUR LIFE! Embark on the longest and steepest zipline ride in ALL OF ASIA at Jeongseon County Zipwire. The launch platform is perched high atop a cliff, leaving you with stunning panoramic views of the valley from above. Definitely not for the faint-hearted, this ride will get your adrenaline pumping and etch memories you will never forget!

 

3. Get drunk at Cheongdo Wine Tunnel

 Image credit: Roadgo

 

Opened in 2006, this tunnel has been used as a wine cellar for storing persimmon wine, a speciality of Cheongdo. There is a cafe and bar in the Cheongdo Wine Tunnel where you can sample and purchase a variety of wines available! The tunnel is 13–15 degrees celsius throughout the year, hence making it popular in the summer as a refuge from the sweltering heat, or in the winter to avoid the blistering cold. And the best part? Admission is FREEEE!

 

4. Take part in a Silent Disco

 Image credit: Silent Disco Korea

 

Although the Silent Disco experience is not exclusive to Korea, it allows you to just have fun and enjoy the fresh air outdoors with your friends! A new type of clubbing experience, participants are given wireless headphones where music is transmitted by DJs. Embrace this shared, liberating experience of dancing in solidarity on the streets! Better yet, you also get to provide entertainment for other passer-bys, who will find a huge group of people dancing in silence highly amusing for sure.

 

5. Watch movies in a 4D cinema

 Image credit: Dushan Hanuska

 

Taking movie-watching experiences a step further, 4D cinemas in Korea offer you a unique opportunity to truly immerse yourself in movies! The theatre has special effects including wind, scent, vibration, and water, which will make you feel as if you are actually in the film! This is the best chance to watch long action movies. Some find the effects annoying while others actually find it exciting, so try it and decide for yourself!

 

6. Bungee jump off a crane

Image credit: bigbungee

 

The highest bungee jump platform in Korea is at Cheongpung Land, 62 metres above ground. This will certainly get your adrenaline pumping and blood racing as you strike it off your bucket list! Gather your willpower and pluck up your courage for a rewarding experience you will not regret! TAKE THE PLUNGE.

 

7. Liberate yourself at a Jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouse)

Image credit: Republic of Korea

 

Unwind like a local at the numerous jjimjilbangs around Korea, for a relaxing and invigorating experience! Each bathhouse has a wide variety of unique pool offerings, from indoor to outdoor pools, as well as different saunas with different minerals. They also have massage chairs, TVs and mats for you to lie down and catch a quick nap. Slurp up a bowl of delicious ramen along with refreshing iced sikhye (barley tea) after a good sweat! Sounds like heaven already!  

 

8. Get a mud bath at Boryeong Mud Festival

Image credit: Shawn Perez

 

It’s time to get down and dirtyyyyy! Join in the chaos and mad splashing at the annual Boryeong Mud Festival! Catapult down huge inflatable slides, dunk each other in mud pools, or go for mud facials and lounge around! Add Kpop entertainment acts and fireworks in the equation and there you have it: THE HIGHLIGHT EVENT OF THE SUMMER. Mud is beneficial for your skin so go all out and DON’T leave any inch of your body clean!

 

9. Stay at a themed pension room for a night

 

Image credit: Cozy Theme Pension

 

Spice up your accommodation plans by staying at THEMED pension rooms! Perfect for spamming pictures and selfies while enjoying a unique sleeping experience! Cozy Theme or Unique Pension at Gapyeong offers these interesting rooms, ranging from Gucci heels to banana milk. You’ll love it so much, you won’t want to leave at all!

 

10. Step into North Korea at the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ)

 

 

If you’re an avid history buff, you would definitely love this place. This dangerous divide allows you a peek into the world’s most isolated country, North Korea. Explore the Panmunjeom (Joint Security Area), the 3rd Tunnel, and the Dora Observatory to get a better understanding of North-South confrontations. You get to brag about stepping into North Korea AND gain much more knowledge about the unique humanitarian crisis that Koreans face! This is definitely an experience not to be missed!

SO… have you booked your tickets to Korea yet?! I know you’re dying to try out all these fun-filled activities already!