Korea Travel Guide: Places to Visit and Activities to Do
Korea Travel Guide: Places to Visit and Activities to Do
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia that forms the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. There are many options for places to visit and activities to do in Korea, and South Korea is a country frequently visited by tourists. South Korea was visited by 11.1 million foreign tourists in 2012, making it the 6th most visited country in Asia. Seoul and Busan are among the tourist destinations in South Korea and the most visited cities by tourists.
South Korea has visa exemption agreements with many countries, and citizens of these countries are not required to have a visa for short-term travel; for this reason, South Korea is a tourist destination where foreign citizens can easily travel.
Which Cities Should You Visit in South Korea?
The must-see Korean cities in South Korea are listed below.
- Pyeongchang
- Seoul
- Busan
- Incheon
- Gyeongju
- Suwon
- Jeju City
- Sokcho
- Jinhae
- Boseong
Where is Pyeongchang?
Pyeongchang is a county located in the Taebaek Mountains region of Gangwon-do province, South Korea, approximately 180 kilometers east of Seoul, the capital of South Korea. Pyeongchang is also home to several Buddhist temples, including Woljeongsa.
The population of Pyeongchang is 43,666 as of 2013. 84% of the land of Pyeongchang County consists of mountains with an average elevation of 750 meters. Pyeongchang's 16 heritage sites, museums, Buddhist temples festivals and the 2018 South Korea Winter Olympics being held in Pyeongchan are among the reasons why Pyeongchang is preferred by tourists.
What are the Popular Places in Pyeongchang, Korea?
Below are the must-see places in Pyeongchang.
- Taebaek Mountains
- Woljeongsa, Sangwonsa Buddhist Temples
- Odaesan National Park
- Phoenix Snow Park
- Pyeongchang Trout Festival
Where is Seoul?
Seoul is the capital of South Korea and its largest metropolitan area, with a population of 9.9 million and an area of 605.2 square kilometers. Almost half of the population of South Korea lives in Seoul. Located in the northwest of South Korea, on the Han River, approximately 60 kilometers inland from the river's mouth, Seoul's history dates back two thousand years to its founding in 18 BC by Baekje, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea.
Seoul was ranked as the most livable city in Asia by Arcadis in 2015, with the second highest quality of life in the world. Seoul is also one of the cities that hosted the 2002 FIFA World Cup tournament hosted by South Korea and Japan. The city's nightlife, technology, architectural structure, culture and traditions, Buddhist temples, magnificent geographical elements, authentic Korean food, shopping opportunities and festivals are considered by tourists as one of the places to visit in Seoul.
What are the places to visit in Seoul, South Korea?
Below are the must-see places in Seoul, South Korea.
- National Museum of Korea
- National Folk Museum of Korea
- Seoul Museum of Art
- Bukhansan National Park
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Lotte World amusement park
- Jogyesa Temple
- Banpo Bridge
- Gangnam district
- COEX shopping mall
- Korean War Memorial
Where is Busan?
Busan, Korea With a population of 3.4 million and an area of 770 square kilometers, it is the second-largest and most populous city in Korea after Seoul. Busan is the economic, cultural, and educational center of South Korea and is home to the busiest port in Korea and the sixth-busiest in the world.
Located at the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula, Busan is bordered by low mountains to the north and west and the sea to the south and east. Busan became the first international port in Korea under the terms of the Treaty of Ganghwa in 1876 and became a central trading port with Japan during Japanese rule.
With its traditional market culture, hot springs, street food and beaches , Busan is on tourists' list of places to visit in Korea.
Where to Visit in Busan?
Below are the must-see places in Busan.
- Haeundae Beach
- Jagalchi Market
- Busan Sea Life Aquarium
- Gwangalli Beach
- Haedong Yonggungsa Buddhist Temple
- Gwangandaegyo Bridge
- Busan Tower
- Yongdusan Park
What are the Historical Sites in South Korea?
Historical sites in the Republic of South Korea are given below.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace
- Changdeokgung Palace
- Bukchon Hanok Village
- Haedong Yonggungsa Buddhist Temple
- Bulguksa Temple
- Hwaseong Fortress
- Gwangandaegyo Bridge
Gyeongbokgung Palace, one of the five grand palaces of Seoul, South Korea, was built in 1395 by the famous architect Jeong Do-Jeon and has housed the kings of the Joseon Dynasty, the royal households, and the Joseon government throughout South Korean history.
Where is Gyeongbokgung Palace?
Gyeongbokgung, also known as Gyeongbokgung Palace or Gyeongbok Palace, is at the top of tourists' list of places to visit in South Korea and was the main royal palace of the Joseon Dynasty.
Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is located in Northern Seoul, South Korea. The founder of the Joseon Dynasty, Joseon Lu Taejo, commissioned renowned architect Jeong Do-Jeon to design and build the grounds and palace. The largest of the Five Great Palaces, Gyeongbokgung Palace has housed the kings of the Joseon Dynasty, the royal households, and the Joseon government throughout South Korean history.
Where is Hwaseong Fortress?
Hwaseong Fortress is a fortification surrounding the centre of Suwon, the capital of Gyeonggi-do province in South Korea, and was built between 1794 and 1796 by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty to honour the remains of his father, Prince Sado.
Located 30 kilometers south of Seoul, Hwaseong Fortress contains King Jeongjo's palace, Haenggung. Hwaseong Fortress and Haenggung Palace were classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.
What are the Natural Beauties of South Korea?
The natural beauties of South Korea are given below.
- Seoraksan National Park
- Cheonjiyeon Waterfall
- Jiri Mountain
- Suncheon Bay
- Taebaek Mountains
- Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)
- Udo Island
- Manjanggul Cave
Known for its K-Pop and K-Drama culture, South Korea offers unique experiences in terms of South Korean geography with its variety of natural beauties to be discovered and seen.
Where is Sunrise Peak (Seongsan Ilchulbong) in Korea?
Seongsan Ilchubong, also called Sunrise Peak, is an archetypal tuff cone formed by hydrovolcanic eruptions on the shallow seabed approximately 5,000 years ago. Located on the east coast of Jeju Island, Seongsan Ilchubong has a 182-meter-high preserved bowl-like crater and displays various internal structures originating from the sea cliff.
Sunrise Peak was designated a Natural Monument on July 19, 2000, and was later added to the World Natural Heritage List by UNESCO on July 2, 2007. Known for its geological value, Seongsan Ilchubong is one of the places to visit in Korea.
Where is Manjanggul Cave?
Manjanggul Cave Lava Tube is located in Jeju, South Korea. Measuring 23 meters wide, 30 meters high, and 8.928 kilometers long, the Manjanggul lava tube is the 12th longest lava tube in the world and the second longest on Jeju Island.
Despite its age, Manjanggul Cave has significant scientific and heritage value due to its good preservation conditions. Manjanggul Cave has three entrances, and entrance number three is the most suitable habitat for life inside the cave.
The Manjanggul Lava Tube is home to a variety of creatures, including the Jeju Cave Spider. Above the entrance at number two is the largest bat colony ever confirmed to live in Korea. The bat colony inside Manjanggul Cave is home to 30,000 slender-winged bats.
Where is Seoraksan National Park in Korea?
Seoraksan National Park, Korea is a national park located in South Korea. Seoraksan National Park covers an area of 163.6 km2 and has many mountain peaks higher than 1,200 meters above sea level. UNESCO and the South Korean government have listed Seoraksan National Park as a tentative World Heritage site.
Located in the eastern Korean Peninsula, Seoraksan National Park is home to many rare taxa of flora and fauna. There are about 1,013 known plant species with 822 vascular plant species within Seoraksan National Park in Korea, and Hayabusaya asiatica is among the rare plants in the reserve.
1,562 animal species have been classified in Seoraksan National Park so far, and the park's local fauna includes otters, Siberian flying squirrels, and Chinese sparrows. Seoraksan National Park is among the places to visit in South Korea for nature and animal lovers.
What Activities Should You Do in South Korea?
Activities to do during your South Korea trip are listed below.
- Seeing the Gyeongbokgung Changdeokgung palaces in Seoul
- Visiting Everland and Lotte World amusement parks
- Going up N Seoul Tower
- Visit the National Museum of Korea, the War Memorial of Korea, the Seoul Museum of Art, and the National Folk Museum of Korea
- Shopping in Myeong-dong, Dongdaemun, Hongdae
Where to Shop in Korea?
There are many shopping malls, shopping streets and famous markets for shopping in Korea, and Korean skin care products are the most purchased by tourists.
The following list includes the most famous Korean shopping streets and Korean shopping malls.
- Myeongdong shopping street in Seoul
- Shopping malls in Dongdaemun
- Gangnam shopping district
- Mecenatpolis Shopping Center
- Seoul Starfield COEX Mall
What is the Nightlife Like in South Korea?
The city with the most intense nightlife in South Korea is known as Seoul, and contrary to popular belief, Koreans have a very colorful understanding of nightlife. There are many areas in Seoul that are popular with both locals and tourists, and each area has its own unique nightlife.
The most dynamic areas of Seoul's nightlife in South Korea are Hongdae, Gangnam and Itaewon. Club Octagon, Club Avenue 535, Noise Basement 2, Cakeshop and Soap Seul are among the best nightclubs in South Korea.
What to Eat When Traveling to Korea?
The famous foods of Korea are given below.
- Kimchi
- Samgsyeopsal
- Ramen
- Bulgogi
- Japchae
- Bibimbap
- Samgyetang
- Korean style barbecue
- Kalguksu
- Naengmyeon
- Korean style spicy fried chicken
World-famous South Korean dishes such as Kimchi and Bibimbap are best eaten at 853, Jungsik, a Michelin-starred restaurant, Choigozip Hongdae and Kyochon Chicken Dongdaemun.