Top Tourist Attractions in South Korea
South Korea has many incredible tourist destinations. The country offers an interesting blend of traditional and modern attractions. Korea is rich in history, culture, food and technology. Seoul is the primary destination for most of the travelers. There are many other places that offer great experience to visitors. Grab some cheap flight tickets and head to these wonderful spots.
Jeju Island
Jeju Island is also referred to as the "Island of the Gods." The island is one of the top destinations among the newlywed Koreans. Jeju has a very captivating fusion of volcanic rocks, temperate climate and frequent rains. Visitors can indulge in a number of activities here such as go hiking on the highest peak of South Korea, Halla-san, savor the majestic views of sunrise and sunset over the ocean, catch the lovely waterfalls and lava tubes, enjoy horse-riding or just lie down on the beautiful sandy beaches. The island is also home to several museums such as Bear Museum, Jeju Teddy, Jeju Education Museum, Jeju Independence Museum, Natural History Museum and the Folklore, among many others. The island also has many caves and parks. Travelers can find great offers on Asiana Airlines Flights and Korean Air flights that fly to Jeju throughout the year.
Seoul
Seoul is the capital of South Korea and the economic and political hub of the nation. Architecture admirers will have a great time here discovering the beautiful ancient and modern architecture that makes the city worth exploring. The Korean capital is home to many cultural and historical landmarks. The metropolitan area of the city houses four UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, Jongmyo Shrine, Hwaseong Fortress and Changdeok Palace. Some of Seoul's most prominent landmarks include the Tower Palace, the World Trade Center, N Seoul Tower and the Korea Finance Building.
Haeundae beach - Busan
Busan is a seaport nestled amid numerous beaches. The most scenic of them is Haeundae-beach. It is a popular destination in summer as well as in winter season. In winters, it is a beautiful place to take a stroll, with many seagulls overhead. The beach is frequented by visitors throughout the year as it hosts many beach festivals. The coastline is a popular fishing spot. Haeundae beach is also a popular site to catch the first sunrise of the year on January 1st with about a thousand visitors gathering before dawn.
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is known as "The museum without walls" as the city is home to many historical sites. A particular highlight is the Bulguksa Temple that once featured on its paper money, the old 5,000 won note. Sitting atop a mountain, the temple is one of the finest examples of Korean Buddhist architecture. The ideal time to visit Bulguska is early morning. This 8th century temple is considered a Buddhist art masterpiece.
Hiking Chiaksan in Wonju, South Korea
Korea isn't a big place. It's roughly the size of the state of Minnesota for my fellow Yankees.
But you know what they say: great things often come in small packages. One benefit of living in such a geographically compact place is that you can visit just about anywhere in the country in a day or over the weekend.
If you're eager for an outdoor adventure but only have a single day or weekend to spare, Chiaksan in Gangwon-do, Korea is a great choice. Read on for details and directions!
A Mountain of Myth and Beauty
If we're talking mountain ranges in Korea the best known are Jirisan and Seorraksan. These are beautiful places to visit and worthy of their reputations, but they're often crowded with hikers.
Chiaksan isn't quite as spectacular as it's more famous brethren, but it still makes for a worthwhile destination and -- bonus! -- it's far less crowded.
Chiaksan is located in Gangwon-do about 30km from the city of Wonju.
Like all but the most remote and abandoned trailheads in Korea, the base of Chiaksan is a busy place. You'll find an array of stores and vendors selling everything from reliquary beads and Buddhist trinkets to kimchi pancakes and rice wine.
It might be a good idea to fuel up before your hike and the kimchi pancakes sizzling on griddles are sure to satisfy a hungry stomach.
Once you make your way through the distractions and delicious smells of this mountain bazaar you'll arrive at the entrance to Chiaksan. The entry fee to Chiaksan is 2,500 won per person, cash only.
Not far from the entrance is Guryeongsa Temple.
Guryeongsa Temple is a medium-sized temple complex built during the Silla Dynasty. Built on the side of a steep hill, you enter the temple complex through a pavillion, towering wooden statues of the "Four Heavenly Guardians" looking down at you, and then climb a steep flight of stairs into Guryeongsa Temple.
As with most Korean temples, the air will likely be faint with incense and the rhythmic chanting of monks at their prayers will echo off of temple walls. It's a pleasant and relaxing environment to spend a few minutes before setting off on your journey.
Hiking the Trails
From Guryeongsa Temple it's a 5km hike to Birobong, the peak of Chiaksan. For roughly half of that hike the trail is easygoing -- more of a leisurely walk than a hike, really.
You can follow trails through forests of towering pine, through quiet bamboo groves, down into valleys where the trail runs alongisde a bubbling mountain stream, or criss-cross between the two.
About 2km from the base of Chiak Mountain is Seryeong waterfall and from there the hike gets steep. I'm talking a Jekyll and Hyde transformation from the earlier part of the hike, so if you plan on trekking to the peak of Chiaksan make sure you're well prepared.
If you're not up to the challenge there's a lovely botanical garden located between the Seryeong waterfall and Guryeongsa Temple. It's a wonderful place to relax and simply enjoy the beauty of nature.
When you need a break from Seoul, or if you're just in the market for your next outdoor adventure, head for Chiaksan. It's a beauty of a mountain and one of Korea's better kept secrets.
Getting There
Unless you have access to your own transportation, Wonju is going to be your base of operation for a trip to Chiaksan.
Take a bus to Wonju. Exit out the front of Wonju Bus Terminal and take local bus number 2-1, 31, 33, or 35. Any one of these busses will take you to a stop called "sanghanjuyooso".
From "sanghanjuyooso" you'll transfer to either the 41 or 41-1. It's about 10 mintue trip from Wonju Bus Terminal to the transfer, and another 30-35 minutes to get from the transfer to Chiaksan.
Chiaksan is the final stop for both the 41 and 41-1. Bus fare is 1,200 won per trip, but your T-Money card (a public transit card available from most convenience stores and at most bus and train stations -- essential if you're travelling in Korea!) will work as well.
Seoul, Korea: A City With an Overwhelming Amount of Things to Do
You get off the plane at Incheon Airport. You've finally arrived in Seoul, South Korea. There are many you want to visit in Seoul. There is so much to see, so much to do. But where should you start? There is so much to do in Seoul that it may be a bit overwhelming to figure out where to begin. Here are a couple of cities to begin with and a little of what to do there.
ApgujeongApgujeong is an area in Gangnam and one of the most affluent parts of Seoul. There are 2 aspects to consider when visiting Apgujeong. First, Apgujeong is known for their high priced shopping and day time activities only available in Apgujeong. They house famous brands from around the world including Prada, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, and their department stores, shops, and boutiques are devoted completely to fashion and beauty. Their Rodeo Street is a fashion mecca and leads the fashion trends in Seoul. The second aspect is their nightlife. Rodeo Street is transformed during the night. Apgujeong has a booming nightlife with a different atmosphere than Hongdae and Itaewon, containing many exclusive nightclubs, jazz clubs and bars.
DongdaemunDongdaemun is famous for their Dongdaemun Market. Known as the commercial district, and comprised of traditional markets and shopping centers around dongdaemun gate, it is a prominent landmark in Korea. They contain the largest wholesale and retail shopping district, featuring 26 shopping malls, 30,000 specialty shops, and 50,000 manufacturers. Home to all kinds of goods, they include fabric, clothes, shoes and accessories, electronics, leather goods, sporting goods, office supplies, pet products, toys, and more.
ItaewonItaewon is home for the majority of expats residing in Korea. Known as the mini melting pot of cultures and religions, the Seoul Central Mosque resides in Itaewon along with numbers of military personnel stationed in Yongsan Garrison. Due to the diverse inhabitants, Itaewon is one of the most cosmopolitan areas, and houses restaurants, shopping and nightlife equally diverse and catered to international tastes. If you get a bit homesick during your stay in Seoul, Itaewon is a great place to visit to get a taste of international foods.
MyeongdongMyeongdong is Seoul's shopping mecca and a must see not only as a shopping destination but also as a center of commerce, banking and culture. Myeongdong is a mixture of street stalls and retail outlets, from high fashion to casual attire, as well as Korean cosmetic stores, and a haven for shoppers. They offer high quality products at competitive prices when compared to Apgujeong and Cheongdam.
InsadongThe streets of Insadong are filled with the traditional cultures of Korea. The area known as Insadong has been the center of culture since the Joseon era. Car traffic has been banned since 1997 to make the streets of Insadong friendlier for visitors and to improve the general atmosphere of the area. Around 40% of Korea's antique stores can be found in Insadong. But, that is just the beginning. As you wonder around the alleys and byways of Insadong, stores selling old books, pictures and calligraphy can be found. On the weekends, the streets of Insadong spring to life with cultural festivities, such as parades, traditional wedding processions, traditional musical and dance performances and more.
HongdaeHongdae is renowned for its art and artistic atmosphere. You'll find boutiques, restaurants, cafes, and even street performances at Hongdae. There is an artists' market in Hongdae Park where you can purchase handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, and other items. The nightlife in Hongdae is very animated as well. Known for its countless clubs of various music genres, Hongdae holds a Club day the last Friday of every month where you can purchase a ticket that will gain you entry into numerous clubs.