Travel  ( Attractions )

Other Links

Within a compact radius, South Korea offers ancient artifacts, modern cities, coastal villages, secluded beaches, snow-capped mountains, and enchanting islands.

Seoul

The capital of South Korea is a modern metropolis. Yet nestled among the gleaming towers are five ancient gates, part of the original city wall, palaces, and shrines-and utmost care is taken to ensure that the architectural treasures of the past are not lost in Seoul's rush toward the future. Monuments commemorating more recent history are scattered around the city.

Modern Seoul is a center for spiritual pursuits, art, theater, dance, and music-and if you get tired of all that culture, there's always sports, shopping, eating, shopping, nightlife, and shopping. Many theme parks, zoos, and aquariums in the city and surrounding areas may be of special interest to younger family members.

Seoul Environs

When you've had enough of rubbing elbows in South Korea's populous capital, you can find many attractions in the surrounding rural areas.

Suwon is south of the city and close to the Korean Folk Village, a living museum. The port city of Inchon, southwest of Seoul, has great historical significance to South Korea; it also has many recreation areas, lovely beaches, and wonderful seafood restaurants. Inchon Pottery Village is the best site in South Korea to buy traditional porcelain. Not far from here is 2,000-year-old Namhansan Castle, the Shilla dynasty temple Shinrruk-sa, and the 15th-century tomb of King Sejong.

Two major attractions are located north of Seoul. Kanghwa Island is Korea's fifth-largest island, just a 1½ hour drive northwest of the city. Here the mythical founder of Korea, Tangun, is said to have descended from Heaven.

No visit to South Korea is complete without seeing Panmunjom, less than 56 kilometers (35 miles) northwest of Seoul. This 4-kilometer-wide (2.5-mile) demilitarized zone is where North and South Korea are joined. Visiting it is a thoroughly sobering experience.

The Southeast

The southeastern part of Korea enjoys relatively mild weather, lovely beaches, beautiful scenery, and some of the oldest and most beautiful tombs, shrines, and temples in the world. 

Pusan, South Korea's second-largest city, has been a cosmopolitan harbor since ancient times. Today's Pusan is a bustling metropolis. The area surrounding Pusan is a haven of parks, beaches, temples, and monuments. Among Pusan's famous temples are Haein-sa, repository of the Tripitaka Koreana, and Pomo-sa and Tongdo-sa, the country's largest Buddhist temples. Pusan is also famous for its hot springs, the unique United Nations Memorial Cemetery, and magnificent Hallyohaesang National Park.

Kyongju is one of world's ten great historic sites. At the height of its glory as capital of the Shilla dynasty (57 BC-AD 935), the Golden City had 1 million inhabitants. Top tourist attractions are Tumuli Park, site of the recently excavated Chonma-chong (Heavenly Horse Tomb) and 19 other tombs; Pulguk-sa, one of the oldest surviving monasteries in the country and one of Korea's five great temples; Punhwang-sa Pagoda, the oldest datable pagoda in Korea; and Sokkuram, the grotto shrine on Mt. Tohamsan. Even if you're not up to climbing around the tombs and shrines, do visit Kyongju National Museum, the country's most beautiful house of treasures. If you're in Kyongju in October, you'll be in time for the Shilla Cultural Festival.

The Southwest

"The rice bin of Korea" slopes gently down to the jagged coastline and is an area of mountains, ski resorts, and rugged national parks. Heavily influenced by the Paekche kingdom, it is also rich in shrines, temples, monuments, and museums. There are beautiful small islands off the coast. Catch the Chinhae Cherry Blossom Festival in the beginning of April and the Yongdungje Festival on Chindo Island in mid-April.

Cheju Island

Only 96 kilometers (60 miles) off the southern Korean coastline is a world far removed in spirit from bustling Seoul. The largest island in Korea, Cheju is also called Island of the Gods. It is indeed a mystical place, full of strange rock formations, volcanic craters, otherworldly caves, tropical grottoes, and places where gods are supposed to have emerged. It is also the home of a very old culture that has changed little over the centuries. Cheju's mild climate and romantic atmosphere make it a favorite destination for honeymooners. Pursuits for the fit and adventurous include hiking through the world's longest lava tube, climbing Songsan Illch'ulbong (Sunrise Peak), hunting, scuba diving, horseback riding, fishing, and golfing. Pursuits for those not quite as athletically inclined include visiting museums, folk villages, and the many attractions of nearby Sogwip'o, the southern coast's major city. Cheju's cultural festival takes place in early October.

The Central Area

This is a region of plains and mountains, extensively traversed by trains. Highlights include Taejon, the area's major city and a burgeoning center for scientific research. Ch'ongju, an hour from Taejon, is the gateway to Mt. Soraksan National Park. A bit further from Taejon are Kongju and Puyo, capitals of the old Paekche kingdom (18 BC-AD 660). Many ancient tombs and fortresses are found in these towns.

The East

The eastern portion of South Korea is known for its natural beauty and national parks. Snow-capped mountains are offset by soft, sandy beaches (Tonghae's are famous) against a backdrop of forest-a paradise for skiers, beachcombers, and hikers. The area is also rich in historical sites, and there are many coastal towns to explore.

One of the area's primary attractions is Mt. Soraksan National Park. Just a few miles south of the demilitarized zone, it's been dubbed the Switzerland of Asia: 357 square kilometers (138 square miles) of spectacular forests, waterfalls, lakes, and rugged snow-capped peaks. This is a year-round sporting area for hiking, skiing, skating, tobogganing, golf, and fishing. It's still relatively unknown to foreign visitors, although the country's largest hotel/condominium/recreation complex is slated to put this snow-peak chain on the map of Asia. Mt. Soraksan National Park is just about one hour by air, or five hours by express bus, from Seoul.