Welcome to part two of our guided travelling ideas in South Korea, a delightfully colourful nation with a warm heart, unparalleled natural wonders and a fascinating past. From hyper-modern to ancient, here are some more fantastic places to visit in one of the planet’s most unusual and exotic countries.
Visit Donggung Palace
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond are simply gorgeous. This large artificial pool in Gyeongju National Park was once part of the ancient Scilla palace complex dating way back to between 57 BCE and 935 CE, built by King Munmu in 674 CE. Measuring 200m by 180m, it is home to three pretty islands. More than 700 artefacts are on display at the Anapji Exhibition Hall in the National Museum, on-site, and the crown prince’s palace itself is magnificent. You can walk over a stunning ancient bridge, enter an excavated burial mound, experience all sorts of historic and cultural treats, relax in one of the many restaurants and cafes, or do it like a local and fly a kite. There’s even the chance to dress in traditional clothing for photos.
Consume a bucketload of tasty K-Pop
To do South Korea Gangnam style, you need to delve deep into K-Pop. Short for Korean popular music, it covers worldwide styles and music genres, all given the Korean pop treatment. Whether you’re into hip hop, R&B, rock, jazz, gospel, reggae, House music or techno, folk, country, disco or classical, it provides an authentic accompaniment to your adventures. Love it or hate it, K-Pop is South Korea’s soundtrack.
Admire the sun’s awesome display at Seongsan Sunrise Peak
Sunrises don’t get much better than this! Jeju Island is your destination for sunrise at Seongsan Peak. Another of the country’s 16 UNESCO World Heritage Site, it came into being thanks to vast hydro-volcanic eruptions five thousand years ago, now home to super-rare plants as well as one of the world’s most epic sunrises. The lush greenery alone will blow your mind.
Climb Chunwang Peak, South Korea’s second highest mountain
Chunwang isn’t for the faint hearted, climbed by only the toughest and most experienced. Standing at 1915 metres above sea level, it is a haven for local mountain climbers as well as home to a spectacular mountainous national park covering three provinces. The sunrises here are remarkably beautiful, as are the lovely flora and fascinating fauna.
Experience the wild side at Upo Marsh
Upo Marsh is the country’s biggest inland wetland, a magical place created more than 140 million years ago when humanity wasn’t even a twinkle in the universe’s eye. Home to over 1500 species of plants and animals, many endangered, you can explore by bicycle or on foot. The perfect destination to calm down, smell the coffee, take it slow and absorb nature, it is heavenly for birdwatchers.
Visit the ‘slow city’ and discover Juknokwon
If you enjoyed slowing time down in the wetlands, carry on the chilled-out story at the ‘slow city’ of Damyang, home to the lush Juknokwon bamboo forest. Here’s where you can stroll eight walking trails, each with its own theme to give you a real flavour of bamboo land. This is also where Jukro tea comes from, whose delicate new shoots spring to life thanks to the dew that drops off the bamboos. A nature walk you won’t forget, it makes amazing Instagram photos. You’re also close to Gwanbangjerim forest, the May 18th National Cemetery, and gorgeous Gangcheonsan County Park.
Go back in time at Andong Hahoe Folk Village
So how did ordinary people live here, once upon a time? Find out at this charming traditional Korean village, whose name translates as ‘village surrounded by water’. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it’s all about old local traditions and culture, set in a beautiful place next to the scenic Nakdong river. The pretty tile and thatched homes, sandy beaches and cool pine trees make it special, and you can sample traditional Korean culinary delicacies while you’re there. Don’t miss the dramatic mask dance. You’re close enough to Bongjeongsa temple for rock ‘n’ roll, and you can take splendid photos from Buyongdae Cliff, accessible by boat.
Smell the cherry blossom
So many photos have been taken of this famously lovely place where, at the right time of year, the cherry blossoms spill from the trees, all frothy and pure against a clear blue sky. It’s a picture-perfect experience, a true delight as you see the train zooming through its unique cherry blossom tunnel.
Taste the magic at Boseong Green Tea Field
More stunning scenery awaits you at this famous tea field that produces over 40% of Korea’s tea. No wonder it appears in so many Korean movies. There’s an annual Green Tea Festival to enjoy and the nature walks are simply spectacular. While you’re there, sample some of their fantastic green tea ice cream. Then drop into nearby Songjeong Station Market and pretty Darangee Village.
Lounge on Ggotji Beach
Ggotji Beach is perfect for quality lounging, located on pretty Jeju Island with pure white sands and sunsets to die for. Two dramatic rock formations called the Granny and Grandpa Rocks come with an interesting story: the loyal wife of a Shilla Dynasty commander eventually turned to stone while waiting faithfully for her husband. The other smaller rock represents him. The sun sinks between the two rocks to give you a stunning image. People love the excellent diving here, too.
Beautiful Bulguksa Temple
Another of the nation’s UNESCO Listed Heritage Sites, Bulguksa Temple is unforgettable. One of the best-loved historic sites in South Korea, the magnificent granite pagodas alone are worth the visit. Don’t miss the gorgeous Dabotap and Seokgatap Pagodas.
Jeungdo Salt Farm and mud flats
South Korea has so many faces, including the extraordinary beach and salt farms at Jeungdo. This is also where countless stunning Song Dynasty artefacts have been discovered on the seabed, so keep your eyes open for washed up treasures! The marine life here is fascinating and the mudflat town itself is uniquely, strangely attractive.
Marvel at Haeinsa Temple
This place is home to the world’s oldest intact Buddhist canon. Carefully restored inside a temple dating back 1200 years, it is so old, steeped in history. Look our for Janggyeong Panjeon, the oldest wooden Buddha Statue in the country.
Visit the famous Gwang-An-Bridge or ‘Diamond Bridge’
The Diamond Bridge suspension bridge in Busan joins Haeundae-gu to Suyeong-gu, 6500m long and only accessible to drivers. Take a taxi over it for the full experience with vast open views far and wide. The bridge itself is dramatic enough for photos, quite a sight.
Hike along the rocky edge of Gongryong Ridge
The Seorak mountain range is quite something. Misty mountain landscapes await you at Gongryong Ridge, a rocky spine loved by hikers and walkers, famed for being a magical climb with splendid mountain range views. Make sure to wear the right clothes for a tough, challenging walk and take all the usual sensible hiking precautions.
The Mysterious Island
Mysterious Island, AKA Uleung Island Seaside Road, is where the people of Seoul go for weekend getaways, a place of great calm featuring strange rock formations, endless waterfalls, dramatic sea cliffs and more. You can hike the pretty Haengnam Coastal Walking Path and admire the Dokdo Observatory while you’re there.
Plus…
Chuncheon’s spectacular lakes and peaks, Namiseom Island, Cheongpyeong Lake and icy Halla Mountain complete the picture. We hope you enjoyed parts one and two of our guide to the best bits of South Korea but to be honest, every destination in this extraordinary country is special. So let’s go!
Follow Us