In the 21st century, South Korea has become one of the most popular tourist destinations for their food, fashion, pop culture, and rich history.
Here are 10 things you need to see in South Korea.
10. Gyeonghwa Station, Jinhae
Image by Jinhae Gunhang Festival
Image by Jinhae Gunhang FestivalHome of the internationally esteemed Cherry Blossom Road, Gyeonghwa Station is one of Korea’s most beautiful cherry blossom viewing sights.
This spot is very lively during the spring season, full of photographers landing shots right out of a postcard.
The annual cherry blossom festival in Jinhae features parades, air shows, and starlight events where the cherry blossom trees are expertly illuminated for evening viewing.
9. Gyeongju
Image by HYUNGNAM PARK
Gyeongju was once the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom and is a marvel to experience today.
Take a step back in time and visit Wolji Pond within the 1,300 year old Donggung Palace.
If comfort is more your style, experience Korean culture from the Bomun Lake Resort, built in traditional architecture and offering shopping, golf, a folk village, and traditional music concerts year-round.
Those who wish to fully immerse in Korean culture may want to join a templestay program, where they will sleep overnight and participate in morning rituals, community tasks, and train in martial arts and tea etiquette.
8. Jeonju
Image by nana kim
Jeonju is full of history and, of course, food. Native Koreans say that all food generally tastes better here, in the birthplace of the famous dish bibimbap.
Eat at 200-year-old Nambu Market, full of a variety of different dishes including locally grown produce.
When they’re full, visitors can walk around Jaman Mural Village to see local art or the largest hanok village in South Korea, with about 800 traditional hanok homes lining the streets.
Walk up to Omodae Viewpoint for picturesque views of the homes from above, and, at night, sleep like former royalty inside one.
7. Chuncheon
Image by @darkwind/pixabay
Chuncheon is another foodie’s paradise in Korea, but it’s most visited by tourists for being the site of filming for television shows including Korean romance-drama Winter Sonata. Some of its most memorable locations are often visited by fans in Chuncheon's Nami Island.
Image by Black Joon
This capital city of the Gangwon Province also dazzles visitors with its stunning natural scenery of flowers, lakes and mountains.
Take a day tour of moon-shaped Nami Island for the views and maybe even the romance.
6. Suwon
Image by 종덕 지
Just outside of Korea’s capital city, Suwon is worth the detour.
It’s home to plenty of historical sights, Samsung and its Innovation Museum, the “Big Bird” Suwon World Cup Stadium, the beautiful Manseok park, and even the Toilet Museum.
From the busy streets of Suwon, visitors can easily find the Paldalmun Gate of the historic Hwaseong Fortress, or look for the fortress’s more photogenic north gate, the Hwahongmun Gate.
Hwaseong Fortress itself is impressive and welcomes tourists into the museum and royal palace inside. Guests can even try their hand at archery here.
5. Seoraksan National Park
Image by 하늘 조
Start a tour of the UNESCO-protected Seoraksan National Park by picking up a map in Korean or English at the Visitor Centre, and experience South Korea’s vivid naturescapes.
Pause for a moment at the giant bronze Buddha statue near the entrance of the park to admire Sinheungsa Temple, said to be the oldest Zen Temple in the world.
Walking and hiking trails and cable car rides are the best way to see over 2,000 species of wildlife in the park, the jagged rocky mountains, pine forests, and crystal clear lakes and streams.
4. The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
4. The DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
Image by Peter Anta
The DMZ, or Demilitarized Zone, is a point at the border between South Korea and North Korea, considered a cease-fire zone.
Experience modern history with an authorized and guided tour of the Joint Security Area -- a part of the DMZ that’s open to the public, and even safely stand in the country of North Korea.
North Korea’s portion of the Joint Security Area has a gift shop where guests can bring home things like stamps, currency, and wine straight from North Korea.
There will be armed soldiers stationed in the building.
3. Busan
Image by @Duckman Yoon
Dubbed the “Santorini of Korea,” for its colorful, hillside buildings by the sea, Busan is an exciting and beautiful coastal city with a wide variety of things to do.
Temples, beaches, and hot springs make Busan a relaxing destination for some, while the Gamcheon Culture Village and one of the biggest shopping complexes in the world make Busan a must-see for others.
Explore 9 levels of retail at Shinsegae Centum City, tan at Haeundae Beach, visit the unusually placed temple by the sea: Haedong Yonggungsa, or stay overnight at one of Korea’s most well-known temples, Beomeosa Temple.
View all of this and more from above at Busan Tower’s observation deck, where, when the weather is right, even parts of Japan are visible from the top of the tower.
2. Jeju Island
Jeju Island is off the southern coast of Korea and is one of the most beautiful locations in the country, earning the nickname the "Island of the Gods."
This island carries lush green scenery, volcanoes and lava tube caves open to visitors, beautiful beaches, and plenty of entertainment.
Couples may want to explore South Korea’s adults-only park, Loveland, featuring 140 spicy exhibits we can’t show here, and families may spend a day at one of Jeju Island’s water or amusement parks.
On one of Jeju’s rocky beaches lives Jeongbang Waterfall, Asia’s only waterfall that flows directly into the ocean. Take a moment here to listen to the sounds of the waterfall and ocean waves at the same time.
You can surf on Jeju Island and visit the island's many parks, or climb up Mount Hallasan, a dormant volcano designated as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, offering a crater lake at the top, picturesque views of nearly 6,000 types of plants and animals, and Jeju Island below.
1. Seoul
Image by @cmmellow
Nearly 20% of South Korea’s population is in or around Seoul, proving that this city is lively and exciting.
With everything from temples, shrines, and public parks, to street food, to South Korea’s largest amusement park Lotte World, every single visitor to Seoul will have something to do.
Shopping enthusiasts will be interested in unique venues like Common Ground: an innovative shopping complex made out of blue containers, Myeongdong Shopping Street: known for its internationally-coveted skincare products, or Ewha Womans University Fashion Street: for trendy but affordable clothes, hair salons, and more beauty products.
In the streets of Seoul, visitors will find a variety of themed cafes, ranging from princess and prince cafes, toilet and number 2 cafes, and animal cafes: cats, dogs, birds, reptiles, even sheep, meerkats, and raccoons.
The city has done their part to beautify Seoul -- even adding seats at the Cheonggyecheon Stream below the city for relaxing evenings, and ensuring pleasant experiences no matter where a guest goes.
At night, be dazzled by large, active clubs and casinos, the night market, or stunning views from the N Seoul Tower and lookout cafes over Hangang River.
☆
Whether it’s for culture, food, entertainment, or its 22 national parks, South Korea is a beautiful and enriching destination.
This is only 10 of many, many things you need to see in South Korea.
First Image by HYUNGNAM PARK
All images uploaded with photographer's permissions.
