Top 10 Must-Visit Places in South Korea

Jeju Island is a paradise and an enticing tourist destination not only for international travelers but also for South Koreans. Known as the 'Island of the Gods,' Jeju is a popular tourist spot for both locals and international visitors. Newlyweds often choose Jeju as their honeymoon destination, and it has also served as the backdrop for several famous films.

The island features a blend of volcanic landscapes, frequent rainfall, and a temperate climate, making visitors feel like they're in Hawaii. While in Jeju, you can hike Mount Hallasan (South Korea's highest peak), enjoy sunrise and sunset over the sea, or relax on the white sandy beaches.

The island is home to the Jeju Independence Museum, Jeju Education Museum, and notably, the Teddy Bear Museum. Sounds unusual, doesn't it? According to travel experiences, Jeju is a year-round destination, allowing visitors to explore at any time depending on personal preferences. Go ahead, experience how interesting that museum is!

Haeundae Beach is considered the most beautiful and famous beach in Korea. The name “Haeundae” was given to this place by a Silla dynasty poet. According to local legend, he was captivated by the beauty of Haeundae Beach and carved the word “Haeundae” on a rock to dedicate to this small island.

Haeundae Beach Korea has a coastline stretching 12km, with a width of about 30 – 50m, covering an area of about 58,400m2. Unlike other beaches, Haeundae's sand is golden, coarse, and sticks easily to the skin. The sand at Haeundae is not as fine as usual beaches because it is formed from the natural decomposition of shell types and the sedimentation of the Chuncheon stream. If compared, Haeundae Beach is very similar to Nha Trang Beach due to its long and wide coastline.

Opposite the beach are office buildings, hotels, and restaurants along the shore. Right next to Haeundae Beach Korea is an 80m-long underwater tunnel, the largest aquarium in Korea with a diverse marine life system. Along the beach is the Sea Village area along the Pojangmacha road, where a variety of seafood such as live octopus, lobster, crab, and abalone are sold. The atmosphere at Haeundae Beach is fresh, the beach is spacious, clean, and the golden sand, making it suitable for both vacationers and sightseers.

When it comes to Korea, you can't miss Seoul. Seoul is the capital of South Korea and the main center of politics and economy in the country. Despite its modern architecture, Seoul maintains a historic charm that captivates visitors. One often thinks of the picturesque autumn foliage on the streets, parks, and every corner of Seoul during the fall season.

This is a dynamic city, the birthplace of K-pop culture. When you come to Seoul, there is not just much but countless things for you to explore. To fully experience Seoul, the best time to visit is from March to May when Korea enters spring with cool, warm, rain-free, and lightly sunny weather. From September to November, the climate is still cool and pleasant, making it the most suitable time for sightseeing. The culinary scene is also diverse during this season. Finally, from February to December, this period is covered in snow, extremely cold, but compensates with special, dreamy scenes. There are unique winter activities and hot spring baths that add excitement to this season.

Seoul has numerous historical and cultural landmarks, including 4 UNESCO-recognized World Cultural Heritage sites: Changdeok Palace, Hwaseong Fortress, Jongmyo Shrine, and the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty.

Seoul is also famous for its street food and night markets. If you visit Seoul, don't forget to try all the famous spots and local cuisine.

Gyeongju (pronounced as:'kjəːŋdʑu', Han Viet: Khanh Chau) is a coastal city located in the southeast corner of North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. Gyeongju is now called the 'museum without walls' and is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Korea. In addition to tourism, the food in Gyeongju, in general, is characteristic of the diverse cuisine of other places in Gyeongsang Province.

The ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty (57 BC-935 AD) – the small city of Gyeongju in the Southeast is one of the cultural and scenic treasures of South Korea. At least three places have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Bulguksa Buddhist Monastery and the exquisite Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju National Park with numerous relics from the Silla era, and Yangdong Village as an authentic Joseon-era rural landscape.

It may take weeks, even months, to fully appreciate the beauty of this place, but a short weekend trip is enough for you to feel satisfied, without wasting money, effort, and time – especially in spring – the blooming season when the whole city is ablaze with yellow and pink flowers.

Seoraksan National Park was recognized as the 5th national park in South Korea in 1970 and designated as a nature reserve on November 5, 1965. Additionally, Seoraksan was appointed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1982.

The total area of the park is 398,539 km2, sprawling across Inje-gun, Goseong-gun, Yangyang-gun, and Sokcho-si. To the east lies OeSeorak, and to the west lies NaeSeorak, further divided into North NaeSeorak and South NaeSeorak. OeSeorak features numerous waterfalls and unique rock formations, including Cheonbuldong Valley, Ulsanbawi Rock, Gwongeumseong Fortress, Geumganggul Cave, Gwineeonam Site, Biryong Falls, Oryeon Falls, and Togwangseong Falls. Both locals and tourists predominantly visit the OeSeorak region due to its less steep and hazardous terrain.

Seoraksan Park boasts a total of 30 mountain peaks spread across its vast expanse, such as Hwachaebong, Hangyeryeong, and Madeungryeong. Among them, Daecheongbong Peak, standing at an elevation of 1708m, is the highest peak here.

This is a particularly favored South Korean tourist destination, especially in the fall, due to the diversity of its flora, with approximately 1,013 known species. The southern slopes are dominated by coniferous trees (Siberian pine). In contrast, the northern mountain slopes are characterized by oak trees and numerous deciduous species, with 822 vascular plant species. Coniferous trees, such as Siberian pine, are abundant on the southern slopes, while the northern mountain slopes of the range are characterized by oak trees and other deciduous trees. Needleleaf evergreens thrive in deep valleys. And countless other plant species are found within this conservation area.

South Korea boasts the strength of possessing numerous breathtaking natural landscapes that captivate travelers when they have the opportunity to behold them. One of these is undoubtedly Bomun Pavilion, often referred to as the celestial panorama on the lower realm.

Bomun Pavilion, also known as Bomun Pavilion, is located to the east of Gyeongju City, the former capital of the ancient Shilla Kingdom, and proudly stands as a 'museum without walls.' The petite Bomun Pavilion, entirely constructed from wood, sits by a tranquil pond with clear water and graceful weeping willows. The pavilion consists of four round pillars painted in a red hue, surrounded by ornate railings, and its roof is covered with neatly arranged black tiles, creating an eye-catching sight.

Visitors to Bomun Pavilion can enjoy the splendid scenery of the distinct seasons in South Korea. In spring, guests can admire the enchanting spectacle of cherry blossoms delicately dancing over the water, creating an exquisitely charming landscape. In summer, the atmosphere is refreshing, cool, with lush greenery adorning the branches. Perhaps, the most beautiful time to visit is during autumn at Bomun Pavilion. This place will gift travelers with a serene view, where golden and crimson leaves gently sway in the wind, slowing down the surroundings, making onlookers reluctant to move on. In the chilly winter, looking out from Bomun Pavilion, one sees a painting of a snow-covered landscape, cold yet stunningly beautiful.

Fall in South Korea has long captivated travelers with the mosaic of yellow and red leaves intertwined everywhere. Let's explore the first place to witness the miraculous change of nature, igniting the autumn season in the land of kimchi - Seorak Mountain.

Located in Sokcho, Yangyang, and Inje provinces of Gangwon-do, Seorak Mountain is the third-highest peak in South Korea, renowned for its autumnal foliage. Every year, from late September to early October, numerous global tourists come here to marvel at the enchanting beauty of the rocky mountains, valleys, and waterfalls of Seoraksan National Park. Above all, they come to witness the miraculous transformation of nature, as the entire landscape is painted with vibrant hues of yellow, red, green, white, and orange.

Visitors will be completely mesmerized when gazing from the summit of Daecheongbong (1,780m) to behold the vast, expansive space of the sky amid the majestic mountainous region, interspersed with endless stretches of golden and red foliage.

Additionally, tourists are sure to be impressed when visiting the oldest wooden house in South Korea - Ojukheon House, the birthplace of the famous scholar Yul-gok. An interesting fact is that you can see this house and scholar Yul-gok on the face of the 5,000 won banknote. Don't miss the opportunity to explore the Alpensia Ski Jump area, the venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics and the backdrop for the highly acclaimed South Korean film, 'Winter Sonata.'

Cheongsando Island (Korean: 청산도) is located off the southern coast of South Korea, in Jeollanam Province, surrounded by fishing villages and vast barley fields. It is part of the Dadohae Marine National Park. The island is renowned for its expansive azure sky, lush canola fields that stretch as far as the eye can see, and the emerald waters along with green forested mountains. Cheongsando resembles a canvas painted by nature, gifted with fresh, vibrant air and serene beauty.

Originally famed for its golden rapeseed terraces and extensive barley fields that create a striking harmonious landscape, during the blooming season, everywhere you look is a peaceful and radiant expanse of yellow. On both sides of stone walls and dirt paths on the island, myriad cosmos flowers and rapeseed flowers coexist with extensive barley fields and various colorful blooms, enhancing the allure of Cheongsando. Cheongsando Island will not disappoint travelers seeking the tranquility and beauty it offers.

If you desire a retreat from work pressures and are in search of a serene space, this is an ideal destination not to be missed.

9. Haeinsa Temple

Haeinsa Temple, also known as Haein-sa or Sea of Tranquility Temple, stands out as one of the renowned temples in the Gangwon region. Its history dates back to 802 when it was originally constructed on Mount Gaya in South Gyeongsang Province. The temple, with its traditional architecture, has undergone multiple renovations and maintenance, emerging as not only a tourist attraction but also a guardian of the Tripitaka Koreana, a carved collection of Buddhist scriptures.

The Tripitaka Koreana consists of over 81,258 wooden printing blocks engraved with Buddhist scriptures, making it the oldest and most complete collection of Buddhist scriptures in the world. This petite yet celebrated temple nestled in the deep mountains captivates many as a stopover for exploration.

Notably, the Tripitaka Koreana serves as a unique heritage, documenting the development of culture, society, science, technology, and art. At Haeinsa, there are dedicated buildings for housing the Buddhist scriptures, known as the Janggyeong Panjeon area. Constructed in the 15th century using traditional wood, it impresses not only with its architecture but also the systematic arrangement of artifacts. Until today, it faithfully fulfills its 'duty' by preserving the precious artifacts within.

The Janggyeong Panjeon building at Haeinsa was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, becoming one of South Korea's nine World Heritage Sites. Haeinsa stands as one of Korea's renowned temples, attracting Buddhist followers and pilgrims from around the world. Don't miss the chance to explore this tourist gem on your upcoming trip to South Korea!

10. Nami Island

Nami Island captivates travelers exploring South Korea as it served as the backdrop for the immensely successful Winter Sonata, a TV drama starring Bae Yong Joon and Choi Ji Woo in the lead roles.

Here, you'll stroll down the romantic path lined with rows of metasequoia trees, a familiar scene from the Winter Sonata series.

With its crescent shape, located just 63km south of the capital Seoul on the Cheongpyeong River, Nami presents a picturesque sight resembling a giant leaf boat. Despite being a completely artificial island, Nami enjoys a cool climate throughout the year, sometimes with a hint of chilliness.

Each passing season drapes Nami in different attire. Spring adorns it with the vibrant pink of cherry blossoms, accompanied by lush greenery and a pleasant cool breeze. Summer brings a refreshing landscape with abundant green vegetation. The much-anticipated fall transforms Nami with romantic hues of red and yellow as the leaves change, while winter turns it into a pristine white wonderland with snow covering every corner.