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Revamped hotels, Michelin-recognized restaurants, and exciting activities make Seoul one of Asia’s hottest destinations for 2025.

Often bypassed in favor of shinier Seoul, the South Korean city of Busan—known for its beaches, bathhouses, and rich history—is a destination all its own.

These six destinations are some of Asia’s most exciting places as of late.

Overview

Dad loves travel. Teen loves Blackpink. Put them together and what do you get? A musical journey through South Korea’s capital city.

Our top picks for the best new hotels in the world.

No, it’s not your imagination. Everyone—men, women, children, even dogs—dresses up in Seoul. Sure, you’re bound to see the odd denim-clad dud, but on the whole you’re more likely to spot bow ties and blazers or blouses and heels walking the streets on a daily basis. If you like a little glitz and glamour in your people watching, head over to Gangnam (yes, the one immortalized by Psy in the song of the same name). Sip a cappuccino at any of the myriad cafes as you watch dolled-up ladies and dandified gents strut their stuff.

Overview

In Seoul’s swank Gangnam district, books are the new black. Upscale book publisher Assouline has various concept stores around the globe, with the Gangnam location being the brand’s first foray into Asia. The lounge provides highbrow customers with luxurious art, lifestyle and fashion books, and the elegant space is also a café and gallery. The sumptuously decorated boutique begs you to linger, and it’s hard to say no when cakes, tarts and French wines sing seductively. Jumgyung Building, Sinsadong 631-36, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

The COEX Complex in Gangnam is more than just a mall, convention center, and exhibition hall. It’s a few city blocks filled with cool buildings that will thrill those who have a penchant for unique architectural design. Perhaps the most iconic of the buildings in the COEX complex is the 54-story Seoul World Trade Tower. Used as a backdrop in the Gangnam Style music video, the tower is unique for its unusual ridged edge. It’s up to you whether to do a reenactment of the galloping dance while standing in front of the building. To get there, take subway line 2, and exit at Samseong (COEX) station.

Notebooks and markers and pencils, oh my! Art Box offers a kaleidoscopic array of school supply fun, a favorite among Korean students of all ages. Found in various locations around Seoul, this colorful stationery shop sells everything from greeting cards and clocks to stickers and socks. Stock up on notebooks with quirky Korean sayings or mechanical pencils adorned with your favorite cartoon characters. Just don’t try to shop here on a Saturday—you may be run down by hoards of schoolgirls looking for the latest in Hello Kitty paraphernalia. F-17, COEX Mall, 58, Teheran-ro 87-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

The Hotel Cappuccino may look like another Gangnam skyscraper hotel, but guests here will find a refreshing emphasis on value—and not just the monetary kind. Among the thoughtful surprises are the Angel Elevator, which makes a clean-water charity donation with each key card swipe, and an in-room Earn & Giveaway box that provides an amenity-traded option for a free drink voucher at the hotel’s café (or the opportunity to pay it forward). The design is vintage-industrial chic, from the metal bunk beds (each with its own TV) in quad rooms to the work stool in the gin-centric rooftop bar. A 24-hour gym, business center, and lifestyle boutique suit pretty much any fancy, and custom-made doggie beds and snacks are available for pets.

Situated along the bustling, tree-lined avenues of Gangnam, Hotel La Casa is a concept hotel created by one of Korea’s most popular lifestyle and furniture stores, Casa Mia. Known for clean lines and modern touches, the brand is the South Korean equivalent of Ikea. The welcoming lobby is decorated like a cozy study with book-lined walls, plush couches, and picture windows. The 61 rooms of Casa Mia’s flagship design hotel, which opened in 2011, look like pages of a catalog come to life. Rich wood, ample white space with pops of color, and kitschy decor items are meant to make guests feel right at home. Love your pillowcase, the bath towels, or the cute alarm clock next to your bed? The first three levels of the hotel are a massive Casa Mia retail store where guests can purchase items found in their rooms.

The most popular destination (and one of the only) for running in Lima is along the Malecón bike path. Be warned that the name changes from Malecón de la Reserva to Malecón Cisneros and finally to Malecón de la Marina. But the more than two miles of scenic coastline stretches from San Isidro through Miraflores past Larcomar shopping centre and the Parque del Amor, all the way to Barranco. You can stick to the path or find the stairs near the Parque del Amor that descend to sandy beach. If along the way toward Barranco you happen upon an outdoor exercise class dancing to a remix of “Gangnam Style,” as there was when I passed, join them.

This glitzy district, considered an Asian Beverly Hills, has its very own Rodeo Drive. Apgujeongdong is an area within the Gangnam district that emits more luxury and ostentation than Oscar Day on the red carpet. Affluent Seoulites flock to Hyundai Department Store and nearby Galleria Department Store to get their designer fix at stores such as Louis Vuitton and Jimmy Choo. Not everything is priced in the triple and quadruple digits. On sunny days, Rodeo Drive has plenty of small boutiques and street vendors selling handmade jewelry and hair accessories, a Korean favorite. Exit at the Apgujeong subway station.