Korea is a beautiful mix of nature, history, and culture, making it a very popular destination for international travellers. Here are 10 of the best places to visit in South Korea as recommended by those who traveled.
1. Gyeongju: Gyeongju is the capital of the Silla dynasty. There are many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Gyeongju, including Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram, and Anapji Temple. When you visit Gyeongju, you can experience the history and culture of Silla.
2. Seoul: Seoul is the capital of South Korea. A visit to Seoul will give you a taste of both modern and traditional Korea. You can enjoy the modern and traditional aspects of Korean culture, such as palaces, museums, shopping, nightlife, and cuisine.
3. Busan: The second-largest city in Korea, located on the southern coast. Busan is a city surrounded by beautiful beaches and mountains. Busan is home to many popular beaches, including Haeundae, Gwangalli, and Taejongdae. When you visit Busan, you can enjoy a romantic trip to the sea.
4. Jeju Island: A volcanic island with stunning natural scenery, such as waterfalls, caves, craters, and forests. It is also famous for its unique culture and folklore. Jeju Island is home to Hallasan Mountain, Oreum Mountain, and beaches. Jeju Island is a world-class tourist destination and has many attractions, including Hallasan Mountain, Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak, and Seopjikoji Temple. If you visit Jeju Island, you can enjoy a healing trip.
5. Gangneung: Gangneung is a city steeped in history and culture, including Gyeongpo Fortress, Ohjukheon Temple, and a mission field. In the winter, Gangneung transforms into a frozen wonderland, where you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding. If you visit Gangneung, you'll be able to enjoy a winter trip full of history and culture.
6. Jeonju: Jeonju is a city with a traditional atmosphere, with hanok villages, Jeonjeon Cathedral, and Jeonju Hanok Village. Jeonju is one of the three major hanok villages in South Korea, and you can enjoy traditional experiences at the hanok villages. A visit to Jeonju will give you a taste of traditional Korean culture.
7. Suncheon: Suncheon is a city with beautiful natural and historical sites, including Suncheon Bay National Garden, Nakan-eup Castle, and drama sets. Suncheon Bay National Garden is the world's largest wetland eco-park, and Nakan-eupseong is a castle town from the Joseon Dynasty. When you visit Suncheon, you'll be surrounded by nature and history.
8. Yeosu: Yeosu is a city known for its beautiful scenery, including the Dolsan Bridge, Odongdo Island, and Yeosu Night Sea. In Yeosu, you can take a scenic drive on the Dolsan Bridge and enjoy the sea at Odongdo Island. The Yeosu Bambaa Beach has a beautiful night view, so we recommend visiting at night.
9. Tongyeong: Tongyeong is a city with plenty to see and do, including Hallil Marine National Park, Tongyeong Cable Car, and Tongyeong Central Market. Hallirae Marine National Park has many beautiful beaches and islands, and the Tongyeong Cable Car offers spectacular views of the coast. You can sample local specialities at Tongyeong Central Market.
10. Ulleungdo: An island that is located in the East Sea, about 120 km east of the mainland. Ulleungdo has stunning natural scenery, such as volcanic rocks, cliffs, waterfalls, and caves. Ulleungdo is also famous for its squid dishes and dried seaweed.
There are many other places in South Korea where nature, history, and culture coexist. If you're visiting Korea, you should definitely check them out.
- DMZ: The Demilitarized Zone that separates North and South Korea. It is a place where you can learn about the history and reality of the Korean War and the division of the peninsula. You can also visit the Joint Security Area (JSA), where soldiers from both sides face each other across a concrete line.
- Seoraksan National Park: A mountainous park that boasts some of the most spectacular landscapes in Korea. It has rocky peaks, valleys, waterfalls, streams, and wildlife. You can also see the famous bronze Buddha statue at Sinheungsa Temple.
- Andong: A city that preserves the traditional culture and heritage of Korea. It is known for its folk village, where you can see old houses and experience rural life. It is also home to the Andong Mask Dance Festival, which showcases various forms of masked performances.
- Suwon: A city that is famous for its Hwaseong Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress was built in the 18th century by King Jeongjo to honor his father and protect his tomb. You can walk along the fortress walls or take a trolley ride around them.
- Nami Island: A small island that was formed by the construction of a dam on the Bukhan River. It is a popular destination for couples and families, as it has romantic scenery and various attractions, such as gardens, sculptures, bike paths, and ziplines.
- Boseong: A county that is famous for its green tea fields. You can see the lush green hills of tea plants and enjoy the fresh aroma and taste of green tea. You can also visit the nearby Yulpo Beach or Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation.
- Daegu: A city that is known for its textile industry and fashion culture. Daegu has many shopping areas, museums, and festivals, such as the Daegu International Bodypainting Festival and the Daegu International Jazz Festival.
- Daejeon: A city that is a hub of science and technology in Korea. Daejeon has many research institutes, universities, and museums, such as the National Science Museum and the Expo Science Park. Daejeon is also famous for its yukgaejang, a spicy beef soup with vegetables and noodles.
- Gwangju: A city that is known for its democratic history and culture. Gwangju was the site of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, a pro-democracy movement that was brutally suppressed by the military regime. Gwangju has many monuments, museums, and art galleries that commemorate the event and celebrate human rights. Gwangju is also famous for its tteokgalbi, a grilled beef patty with rice cakes.
- Incheon: A city that is the gateway to Korea, as it has the largest international airport in the country. Incheon has many attractions, such as Chinatown, Wolmido Island, Songdo International City, and Incheon Grand Park. Incheon is also famous for its jjajangmyeon, a noodle dish with black bean sauce.
- Windy Hill in Geoje Island: A scenic spot on a small hill overlooking the sea. It has a windmill and a grassy field that create a romantic atmosphere. It is also a popular filming location for dramas and movies.
- Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in Seoul: A cultural space and design platform that hosts various exhibitions, fashion shows, conferences, and events. It has a distinctive curved shape and a mega-sized roof that are examples of 3D asymmetrical architecture. It is also surrounded by Dongdaemun Market and other interesting sights.
- Seoul Sky in Seoul: An observation deck that is located on the 117th to 123rd floors of Lotte World Tower, the tallest building in Korea and the fifth tallest in the world. It offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Seoul from 500 meters above ground. It also has various attractions, such as Sky Bridge, Sky Deck, Sky Terrace, and Sky Cafe.
- Lotte World in Seoul: A theme park that consists of an indoor park (Adventure) and an outdoor park (Magic Island). It has various rides, attractions, shows, parades, and festivals for all ages. It also has an aquarium, a folk museum, a shopping mall, and a hotel nearby.
- Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul: A village that has many traditional Korean houses (hanok) that date back to the Joseon Dynasty. You can walk along the alleys and see the architecture and design of the hanok. You can also visit some of the cultural centers, museums, galleries, and cafes that are located in the hanok.
- Namsan Seoul Tower in Seoul: A landmark tower that stands on top of Namsan Mountain. It has an observation deck that offers a panoramic view of Seoul. It also has various attractions, such as N Seoul Tower Plaza, Namsan Cable Car, Namsan Park, and Locks of Love.
