[FEATURE] Visiting Korea During Cold Season – The DOs & DON’Ts

Living in a tropical country may have its perks but don’t we all sometimes wish to escape the heat and humidity to a beautiful winter wonderland? The Seoul Story has some DOs and DON’Ts for first-timers visiting Korea during the colder months to help you enjoy your holiday as much as possible! Even if you’re not a first timer, keep reading! You might find some of these tips useful as well. 😛

DO adjust your skincare routine in advance
While you might get away with little to no skincare in Singapore (or any other tropical countries), the air in Korea during the colder months is definitely a lot drier. Having dry and peeling skin is no fun while you’re on holiday, so be sure to prep your skin for the dry weather! While it might help if you slap on moisturiser during the trip, prepping your skin in advance to be extra moisturised will make it a lot more comfortable!

We know applying products on your skin in humid weather can feel icky but having good skin while on holiday certainly makes for great selfie material! You can choose lightweight creams that offer moisturising properties and also use serums or essences to give your skin added boost of moisture if you like. Those with oily skin should also moisturise and hydrate their skin by using moisturisers that are gel based instead of cream types. Also when we say skincare, we don’t just mean your face but your entire body! Body butters are really handy for combating the dry flaky skin when you’re on vacation in Korea during the cold season.

Extra tip: You can also purchase masks from the various cosmetic brands and use one every night before bed or in the morning before going out to give your skin some added freshness and glow! 🙂

DO check the weather forecast
This might seem like a no-brainer for most but it is also something that a lot of people overlook. Checking the weather forecast helps you plan your outfits and also prepares you to deal with the change in temperatures. In fact, temperatures can change so quickly sometimes, so be sure to be constantly updated!

Cold season in Korea also brings the possibility of rain and getting drenched while on vacation isn’t a great idea (catching a cold isn’t fun) and can seriously dampen your mood. So always be prepared for any sudden rain and snow while you are planning your holiday itinerary. Should there be any rainy days while you are in Korea, you can choose to visit places that are indoors instead and save the outdoor attractions for days with good weather! Of course you can be a rebel and go for outdoor activities on a rainy day but bear in mind certain tourist spots like ‘Everland’ might not be as fun to experience with rain.

DON’T over-pack clothes
Nothing sucks more than checking in your luggage at the airport and being told your baggage is nearly reaching the maximum weight allowed. We might have a tendency to bring a lot of clothes to layer for a winter holiday but having a good winter coat and thermal wear will really help save on the layers!

Even if you’re someone who is deathly afraid of the cold, bringing along one suitable outerwear will save you tons of luggage weight and space, not to mention the dread of having to remove tons of layers. The buildings in Korea tend to turn up the heating during winter hence you’ll find yourself feeling the heat whenever you venture indoors. Also it isn’t a pretty sight to be wrapped up like a mandu in all your holiday pictures. If you don’t already own any winter wear, you can always purchase good and fashionable outerwear during your trip in Korea too!

It’s usually cheaper than purchasing in Singapore (or any other tropical countries) and you can always justify the purchase by making more return trips to Korea. Borrowing from friends and family members is also a great option if you don’t particularly want to spend money on winter clothing that you might not wear often.

DON’T forget to keep warm
We did say not to overpack but don’t forget important accessories for the cold seasons such as scarves, gloves and beanies! The weather back home might not call for these accessories but it is really important to keep all parts of your body warm. Heat can escape easily from the top of your head so do wear a beanie or a hat to keep it warm and insulate it from the cold harsh Korean wind. Scarves are a great way to look fashionable and keep warm too! Having these accessories in basic colours make it easy to keep warm and look pretty at the same time for your holiday. If you don’t already own such accessories, Korea has tons of these accessories for sale and with really cute designs to boot!

DON’T forget to drink water
In the already dry weather, staying hydrated becomes really important. You not only have to keep your skin hydrated on the outside but on the inside too! For those on a budget, you’ll be happy to hear that most Korean restaurants will serve complimentary chilled water. However if you want a warm drink, do bring your own thermos. Restaurants are more likely to serve chilled water compared to warm water so you might want to bring along your own to warm yourself up. As for refilling the thermos, you can always head to a cafe and ask the baristas for some hot water. You don’t have to worry about constantly trying to find a clean restroom either since the restrooms in Korea are usually pretty clean and dry!

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The tips listed might be simple but they will greatly improve the quality of your escape to your dream wonderland in Korea the next time you visit the country! If you have any other helpful tips not listed in this article, do share them in the comments! Remember to stay warm and keep yourself safe while enjoying the Korean sights, scenery and culture! 🙂

Written by: Lisa & Tricia

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