10 Best Places to Visit in South Korea
South Korea is one of the most visited places in Asia. It has beautiful natural sites, historical places, modern cities, and amazing food. If you like traveling and want to visit somewhere new, then South Korea is the perfect place for you and your family. You can't leave the country without taking in the history, culture, and scenery of beautiful South Korea. But where to go outside Seoul? The country is also very modern, with plenty of entertainment options for travelers of all ages.
No matter where you go in South Korea, there are always new things to see and do. Therefore, deciding which cities or regions are worth visiting can be hard.
10. Daegu
Daegu is the fourth-largest city in South Korea. Its old downtown area is well-known, filled with markets, restaurants, and shops. The city also has a variety of tourist attractions, including the Hwangseongul Cave, where visitors can see beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.
The most popular tourist attraction in Daegu is Palgongsan Park which is filled with lush green pine trees at an altitude of 700 meters (2,300 feet). It also has scenic trails where visitors can enjoy hiking or cycling through nature along with views of Mount Palgongsan itself.
Daegu is especially attractive during fall when many festivals are held throughout the city. One of these festivals is called the Daegu International Bodypainting Festival, which takes place every year in September at Daegu Artpark and features hundreds of artists from around the world painting each other's bodies to create amazing works of art. Daegu has many interesting places to visit that will leave you wanting more.
9. Jeonju
Jeonju is one of the best places to visit in South Korea, though it remains relatively unknown to international travelers. Jeonju, which means “perfect region” is a great mix of historic and urban sites and is about 90 minutes by train from Seoul. Jeonju boasts a vibrant historic district and has a fantastic food scene. It is said to have some of the best food you’ll ever eat. Koreans say that if you try even just one meal here, you'll be spoiled for life. Jeonju was chosen as a Creative City for Gastronomy as part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network.
Jeonju is also known for the Jeonju Hanok Heritage Village. This village consists of beautifully traditional houses, craft shops and delicious food stalls. Some of the homes in the Hanok Villages are open for tours, and others have been made into museums, but most remain private homes. Another must see is The Jeonju Korean Traditional Wine Museum, which provides detailed demonstrations of how local rice wine is made.
8. Chuncheon
Chuncheon is a city in Gangwon Province, South Korea. It is the provincial capital and a popular vacation spot for Koreans from Seoul and other areas.
Chuncheon is famous for its natural environment and hot spring resorts, which relieve stress and aid digestion. It is situated between two mountain ranges, Mt. Taebaek to the east and Mt. Jiri to the west. The city also has many parks with pine trees, such as Sangwang Park and Seongbuk Park. Tourists can also enjoy hiking through beautiful pine forests and visiting various Buddhist temples.
Tourists can enjoy skiing and snowboarding during winter time while hiking or camping during the summer months. An interesting fact about Chuncheon is that it has an amusement park called Chuncheon Dream Land, the largest theme park in Korea.
7. Andong
Andong is a city in the North Gyeongsang province of South Korea. Andong is well known for its traditional culture, cuisine, and beautiful scenery. It was the capital of the Baekje Kingdom between 18 BC - 660 AD. Andong has been designated a metropolitan city with a population of over 1 million.
There are over 1,200 registered historic sites in Andong, making it one of the most important historical cities in South Korea. Among the many historical sites are Hahoe Folk Village and Seokguram Grotto. The old houses feature traditional architecture and unique artifacts on display inside their walls.
Andong is known for its traditional Korean cuisine and Andong jjimdak, a chicken dish with gochujang (red pepper paste). Andong is one of many cities that claim to be the birthplace of tteok, also known as rice cakes. UNESCO has designated Andong as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity.
6. Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan National Park is a national park in Gangwon-do, South Korea. It was established in 1978 and covers 1,850 square kilometers (708 sq mi). It is home to many Buddhist temples, including Seoraksan Temple and Cheonbuldong Valley, which are considered holy places for Buddhists in Korea. Seoraksan is one of the most popular hiking destinations in South Korea and is often called the "Korean Alps." The park is characterized by granite peaks and ridges with deep valleys.
The main attractions of Seoraksan include its historic Buddhist temples, panoramic views from Odaesan mountain, and various hiking trails that lead visitors through forests and past waterfalls.
If you want to see a wide variety of birds, Seoraksan National Park is one of the best places in South Korea for bird watching. Over 400 species of birds can be found here. The park is also home to various wildlife species, such as wild boars and bears.
5. Suwon
Suwon is a city in South Korea and the second-largest city in Gyeonggi Province. It lies about 30 kilometers south of Seoul and has a population of about 2 million. The history of Suwon dates back to Joseon Dynasty when it was established as a fortress town called Suwon Hwaseong (Hwaseong means "castle") to protect against attacks from Baekje and Goguryeo kingdoms during the Seven Year War (1592-97).
Suwon is known for its many historical sites, including Hwaseong Fortress, which dates back to the Joseon Dynasty; Jongmyo Shrine, built to house memorial tablets, a form of ancestral worship; Gyu-Hwa-so Pavilion; Sunhwang Park; as well as other monuments such as Tongil Bridge.
Suwon is also famous for its annual festivals, which include the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival and the Dong-Suwon World Expo.
4. Busan
Busan is the second largest city in South Korea, and it's also an important port city. Its population is about 3 million, making up about 20% of the country's overall population. It is great for tourists because it has beautiful beaches, delicious food, and an excellent nightlife. It's also known for having some of the best seafood in South Korea.
If you want to visit Busan, I suggest you take a cruise across the bay to Haeundae Beach or stroll along Gwangalli Beach on a sunny day. There are also many amusement parks in Busan, such as Seaworld and Lotte World Amusement Park, which children will love.
Busan is also the most visited destination by foreign tourists, a fact that's not hard to understand when you consider that it offers a bit of everything: beaches, mountains, and history.
3. Jeju Island
Jeju Island is the largest island in South Korea and is famous for its natural beauty and unique culture. The island is a paradise for honeymooners but also great for families with children. The main attraction of Jeju Island is Mount Halla, which rises to 1,950 meters or 6,400 feet above sea level and boasts amazing views of the surrounding ocean.
Jeju Island has some fascinating cultural traditions you'll want to learn more about during your stay at this beautiful Korean destination. This volcanic island is an ideal destination for nature lovers who want to escape the city life's hustle and bustle. It's also home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone and the Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes because of the Geomunoreum Lava Tube System in Hallasan National Park.
2. Gyeongju
Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. It is known for its many historical sites, including Bulguksa Temple and , both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Gyeongju has many museums, including the Gyeongju National Museum and the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art.
Gyeongju is also known for its many traditional markets and shopping districts. The most famous are Central Market, which has more than 1,000 shops selling food, clothing, and additionally you can visit Seomun Market and Wolgok-dong Market.
1. Seoul
Seoul is the capital and largest city of South Korea. It has a population of 10 million people. The name Seoul means "capital" or "royal capital." It is a leading global city, hosting the headquarters of many of the largest Korean companies and South Korea's largest corporations. Seoul is a modern city with many shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.
A visit to Seoul would not be complete without seeing the magnificent Gyeongbok-gung Palace and the 15th century Changdeok-gung. However, there is more to see than just ancient temples; you can find beautiful public parks, modern architecture, crowded shopping malls, and some of Asia's best food here too.