{"id":2493,"date":"2023-10-25T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T09:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/?p=2493"},"modified":"2026-03-26T08:37:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T08:37:07","slug":"places-to-visit-in-south-korea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea","title":{"rendered":"Things to see in South Korea: the best places to visit"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n<p>Who would have predicted that <strong>South Korea<\/strong> would become such a travel hotspot? <strong>Korean culture<\/strong> has become an absolute world leader in recent years: teens worship K-pop singers like BTS, adults watch Squid Game and eat kimchi, and the whole world knows how to dance Gangnam Style. As people grow more curious about Korean culture, the country has seen a massive rise in visitors.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you&#8217;re curious about Korea, it&#8217;s time to <strong>pack your bags<\/strong>! This travel guide to the <strong>best places to go<\/strong> in South Korea will let you see the country at its finest. From ultra-modern cities to gorgeous islands, South Korea is a <strong>country of contrasts<\/strong>. Get ready to see it for yourself with our guide to the very best of the Korean Peninsula.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seoul<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Most trips to South Korea start in the <strong>capital<\/strong>, as it&#8217;s where you&#8217;ll find the country&#8217;s biggest airport. Don&#8217;t be tempted to just pass through on your way to your next destination. Instead, with its intriguing mix of ultra-modern skyscrapers and ancient palaces, it&#8217;s worth spending a few days exploring the capital.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Seoul<\/strong> is home to some of the <strong>most interesting things to see <\/strong>in Korea. Take a trip to the <strong>National<\/strong> <strong>Museum<\/strong> and the <strong>War Memorial<\/strong>, where you can learn more about the country&#8217;s long and often tragic history. Go partying in the trendy neighbourhood of <strong>Euljiro<\/strong>, or try the student-friendly and low-budget nightlife of Hongdae if you&#8217;re on a budget. Visit the beautiful Changdeokgung Palace, built in the 15th century. Oh, and if you&#8217;re wondering what Gangnam Style is all about? Well, head to the neighbourhood of Gangnam, known for its high-end boutiques and great shopping, to see the place that inspired one of the biggest hits of the 21st century.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Dedicated <strong>K-pop<\/strong> fans will probably already have a personal bucket list of places to visit in South Korea, particularly in Seoul. There are dozens of sites around the city for Korean <strong>culture lovers<\/strong>. Regular <strong>pop-up events<\/strong> celebrating different bands are held, and many cafes host special events to mark the birthdays of their favourite idols. Some singers even opened their very own cafes and restaurants, where K-pop fans can flock for a taste of the idol lifestyle!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1023\" height=\"609\" class=\"wp-image-2564\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mathew-schwartz-01hH6y7oZFk-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial photograph of skyscrapers illuminated at dawn in Seoul.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mathew-schwartz-01hH6y7oZFk-unsplash-1.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mathew-schwartz-01hH6y7oZFk-unsplash-1-800x476.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mathew-schwartz-01hH6y7oZFk-unsplash-1-768x457.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1023px) 100vw, 1023px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Busan<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Busan<\/strong> is another <strong>big city<\/strong>. It&#8217;s also a huge South Korea tourist spot for two very good reasons. First, it has some of the country&#8217;s <strong>best beaches<\/strong>, including the sandy <strong>Haeundae Beach<\/strong>, which attracts beach bums from across Korea and beyond. Secondly, it boasts some truly impressive <strong>natural sights<\/strong>, including hot springs, mountains for hikers and a river estuary that&#8217;s a favourite with bird watchers.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There are some <strong>hidden gems<\/strong> located in and around Busan, too. Visit the colourful <strong>Buddhist temples <\/strong>nestled between the skyscrapers, or head to the <strong>Maritime Museum<\/strong> to learn more about how South Korea became a world powerhouse in the shipping industry. Best of all is the food. As you&#8217;d expect from a port city, it focuses heavily on seafood. Head to <strong>Jagalchi Market<\/strong> for an eye-opening experience. This is the largest fish market in the country, and you&#8217;ll be blown away by the sheer number of stalls laying out the catch of the day for you to admire. Once you&#8217;ve chosen some fish that takes your fancy, head upstairs to one of the restaurants, where the staff will clean and cook it for you.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-image-2567\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/minku-kang-ss2eCCSjSQo-unsplash-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Haeundae Beach in Busan.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/minku-kang-ss2eCCSjSQo-unsplash-1-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/minku-kang-ss2eCCSjSQo-unsplash-1-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/minku-kang-ss2eCCSjSQo-unsplash-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jeju Island<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you&#8217;ve seen Squid Game, you might remember characters talking wistfully about Jeju Island. Ask a Korean, and they&#8217;ll tell you that <strong>Jeju<\/strong> is one of the <strong>best places <\/strong>to go in South Korea. It&#8217;s just 85 kilometres from the coast of the peninsula, but it feels like another world. Dense pine forests, beautiful beaches and eerie volcanic craters all make this an unmissable destination during your Korean adventure.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Love to hike<\/strong>? Then be sure to add Jeju to your list of places to visit in South Korea. There&#8217;s an official route that runs all the way around the island, the Jeju Olle Trail. The full loop spans an impressive 437 kilometres, and it will take about a month to complete. If you don&#8217;t have the time to spare, you can easily choose to dip in and out, following short stretches of the trail. One of the major highlights is <strong>Seongsan<\/strong> <strong>Sunrise<\/strong> <strong>Peak<\/strong>, a volcanic mountain. As the name suggests, it&#8217;s at its best early in the morning. Strap on your hiking boots and head up to the top for a blazing sunrise you&#8217;ll never forget.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>At the end of the day, you&#8217;ll find the island&#8217;s best <strong>sunsets<\/strong> at <strong>Ggotji Beach<\/strong>. The sun seems to sink between the two huge rock formations out in the bay, lighting the water up with a brilliant orange glow as it sets. While you&#8217;re here, don&#8217;t miss the barbecued black pork. This local delicacy is a must-try for all visitors!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"wp-image-2570\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jieun-lim-oMsXE4kIKC8-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"A photo of Jeju Island in South Korea.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jieun-lim-oMsXE4kIKC8-unsplash-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jieun-lim-oMsXE4kIKC8-unsplash-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jieun-lim-oMsXE4kIKC8-unsplash-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">DMZ<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Not every traveller to South Korea makes it to the <strong>DMZ<\/strong>, but if you&#8217;re interested in history and politics, this place is definitely worth a visit. The DMZ is the <strong>demilitarised<\/strong> <strong>zone<\/strong> that marks the border between <strong>North<\/strong> and <strong>South<\/strong> Korea. Only a small section is open to the public, and you can only visit here as part of a guided tour. As you&#8217;d expect, security is pretty intense here, with North Korea being just a few metres away.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>So why would anyone want to visit the DMZ? The truth is that it&#8217;s an incredibly fascinating place. Unless you do something very foolish, it&#8217;s likely the closest you&#8217;ll ever get to North Korea. At the <strong>Observation<\/strong> <strong>Post<\/strong>, you can actually see across the border into Kim Jong-Un&#8217;s mysterious country. You&#8217;ll also find some intriguing historical sites like the <strong>Infiltration Tunnel<\/strong>, which the North Koreans secretly built in the 1970s. The area also contains a North Korean gift shop, where you can buy North Korean currency and stamps, as well as wine brewed north of the border.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>The history of the two Koreas involves a number of very complicated and sad stories. While many visitors to the country prefer to focus on the glitz and glamour of Seoul, a trip to the DMZ is something really special, offering a glimpse into one of the planet&#8217;s most enduring conflicts. This is one of the most singular <strong>places to visit<\/strong> in South Korea, and your experiences here will stay with you for a lifetime.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-image-2573\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/elizabeth-cho-lSH-dJSODz4-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"The Korean Demilitarised Zone.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/elizabeth-cho-lSH-dJSODz4-unsplash-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/elizabeth-cho-lSH-dJSODz4-unsplash-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/elizabeth-cho-lSH-dJSODz4-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gyeongju<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>We often think of Korea as a very <strong>modern country<\/strong>, thanks to its skyscrapers and huge influence on pop culture. That&#8217;s why it&#8217;s interesting to take a step back and visit <strong>Gyeongju<\/strong>, an ancient city with more than 2,000 years of history.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Originally built as the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom, Gyeongju offers living history on an enormous scale. Marvel at the 8th-century <strong>Bulguksa Temple<\/strong> and the <strong>Seokguram Grotto<\/strong>, two sites that have attracted Buddhist pilgrims for centuries. Inside Seokguram, a beautifully atmospheric cave temple, you&#8217;ll see one of the world&#8217;s best statues of Buddha, sheltered from the elements for over a thousand years.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-image-2575\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/insung-yoon-GJWh9RrwF-o-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"Gyeongju Temple Photos.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/insung-yoon-GJWh9RrwF-o-unsplash-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/insung-yoon-GJWh9RrwF-o-unsplash-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/insung-yoon-GJWh9RrwF-o-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Suwon<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Now it&#8217;s time to visit another era of Korean history! <strong>Suwon<\/strong> is known for the <strong>Hwaseong Fortress<\/strong>, built in the 18th century to defend the city and serve as a mausoleum for the late Crown Prince Jangheon. Designated as a <strong>World Heritage Site<\/strong> by <strong>UNESCO<\/strong>, this brick fortress is brilliantly preserved. You can wander the ramparts, enjoying views that sweep across the city and watching out for any approaching enemies! There&#8217;s also an area within the fort where you can try your hand at archery. Korea was once famed for the ferocity of its bowmen. Will you pass the test?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>One of the best places to visit in South Korea, Suwon is a city where the <strong>old meets the new<\/strong>. Not far from the fortress, you&#8217;ll find the <strong>Samsung Innovation Museum<\/strong>. As the name suggests, this museum focuses heavily on modern technologies and developments from Korea&#8217;s most famous brand. There&#8217;s also the beautiful <strong>Gwanggyosan<\/strong> <strong>Mountain<\/strong> nearby, which is a highlight for anyone who&#8217;s a fan of <strong>hiking<\/strong>. Several trails wind their way up to its summit, giving you great views over the surrounding area.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"wp-image-2578\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jean-pierre-tran-0ub8u4-Cogo-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"A pond in a park with a pagoda in the background.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jean-pierre-tran-0ub8u4-Cogo-unsplash-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jean-pierre-tran-0ub8u4-Cogo-unsplash-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/jean-pierre-tran-0ub8u4-Cogo-unsplash-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pyeongchang<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Feel like no trip is complete without doing some <strong>serious<\/strong> <strong>trekking<\/strong>? There are many great spots for hiking dotted all around the country, but when it comes to natural places to visit in South Korea, it&#8217;s hard to beat the beautiful zone of <strong>Pyeongchang<\/strong>. During the summer months, there are great trails through the <strong>Taebaek Mountains<\/strong>, with something to suit every hiker. That includes serious, challenging routes, like the trail to the summit of <strong>Baegunsan<\/strong>, 883 metres above sea level. There are also some gentler trails that are less taxing but just as beautiful. Go for a hike along the <strong>Seonjaegil<\/strong> <strong>Trail<\/strong> or take the route that winds through the <strong>Odaesan Woljeongsa Needle Fir Forest<\/strong>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>If you visit Pyeongchang in <strong>winter<\/strong>, you&#8217;ll find something <strong>completely different<\/strong>. In the snowy months, the mountains are transformed into a haven for winter sports enthusiasts. In fact, the 2018 Winter Olympics were held here. If the skiing infrastructure is good enough for the best athletes in the world, then it&#8217;s bound to be impressive! Hit the slopes at the <strong>Alpensia<\/strong> or <strong>Yongpyong<\/strong> ski resorts, perfect spots for <strong>snow<\/strong> <strong>bunnies<\/strong> in South Korea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Gwangju<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Not many Westerners have heard of <strong>Gwangju<\/strong> \u2014 yet. This hip, modern city is determined to increase its number of visitors, and to that end, it&#8217;s invested a huge amount of money in developing attractions for travellers of all ages. You can expect it to become one of the top places to visit in South Korea in the near future. Start your day with a visit to the <strong>Gwangju Museum<\/strong>, which is one of the best in Korea. It&#8217;s designed to look like a <strong>traditional Korean palace<\/strong> and features archaeological exhibits dating back a whopping 66,000 years. There&#8217;s also a fascinating 14th-century shipwreck on display. Best of all, <strong>it&#8217;s free to enter<\/strong>!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Gwangju is also home to the <strong>Asia Culture Centre<\/strong>, which demands a full day to explore. Inside, you&#8217;ll find art galleries, history, architecture, theatrical performances, live music and more. You can also visit the <strong>Boseong Green Tea Field<\/strong>, one of the most interesting places in South Korea. Here, you can learn about how tea leaves are grown and harvested, which is surprisingly fascinating, and you&#8217;ll be able to sample the local tea while you explore!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1023\" height=\"416\" class=\"wp-image-2580\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/asia-culturecenter-klAeqlNf4Tk-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial view of the city buildings during the day.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/asia-culturecenter-klAeqlNf4Tk-unsplash-1.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/asia-culturecenter-klAeqlNf4Tk-unsplash-1-800x325.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/asia-culturecenter-klAeqlNf4Tk-unsplash-1-768x312.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1023px) 100vw, 1023px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Andong<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Andong<\/strong> is an absolute must if you&#8217;re interested in Korean history and culture. The major highlight is <strong>Hahoe<\/strong> <strong>folk<\/strong> <strong>village<\/strong>. At this living history site, you can see how Koreans lived during the days of the Joseon Dynasty. Another of South Korea&#8217;s World Heritage Sites, the village contains old houses and pavilions where you can explore the old Confucian way of life. Everything about this village is remarkable. Even its layout is designed in the shape of a lotus flower, which was considered auspicious.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>In the village, you can see old, traditional rituals, including the <strong>Mask Dance Drama<\/strong> and the <strong>Sunyu<\/strong> <strong>Line<\/strong> <strong>Fire<\/strong>. It&#8217;s a singular location in the Korean Peninsula, where you can really learn about what daily life was like for normal people in centuries gone by. Visitors from all over the world flock here. Even Queen Elizabeth II chose to celebrate her 73rd birthday in Andong, immersed in Korean traditions.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Not that keen on history? Well, you&#8217;ll also find plenty to interest you. If you&#8217;re a foodie, Andong is an absolute <strong>paradise<\/strong>. The local speciality is <strong>jjimdak<\/strong>, a rich dish made up of braised chicken and noodles. Andong is also the birthplace of <strong>soju<\/strong>, a Korean liquor that&#8217;s become one of the country&#8217;s national drinks. Raise a glass to that!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-image-2584\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mathew-schwartz-zyVdO6dQufQ-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"Brown wooden houses surrounded by mountains.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mathew-schwartz-zyVdO6dQufQ-unsplash-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mathew-schwartz-zyVdO6dQufQ-unsplash-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/mathew-schwartz-zyVdO6dQufQ-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Seoraksan National Park<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Korea is a country where each season feels completely different. If you&#8217;re visiting in the autumn, there&#8217;s no better place than <strong>Seoraksan National Par<\/strong>k. This rugged area is home to the <strong>Snowy Crag Mountains<\/strong>, making it a great spot for hikers. It&#8217;s carpeted with a dense forest, so as the leaves change colour, it looks truly spectacular. Take a hike that will lead you to the beautiful <strong>Yukdam-Pokpo waterfall<\/strong>, admiring the brilliant colours that surround you all along the way. Forget New England \u2014 if you want to see autumn foliage, Seoraksan is the place to be.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>There&#8217;s more than just nature in this national park. Seoraksan is built around the <strong>Baekdamsa<\/strong> <strong>Buddhist<\/strong> <strong>temple<\/strong>, which is definitely one of the most beautiful places to visit in South Korea. In the middle of the path ahead of you, an enormous statue of the seated Buddha seems to appear out of nowhere. With its perfect blend of nature and spirituality, it&#8217;s worth taking a moment to rest and contemplate the scene.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>As you wander through the park, keep your eyes peeled. There are over 2,000 species of animals and birds that call this place home. If you&#8217;re lucky, you might spot<strong> Siberian flying squirrels<\/strong>, cute otters and goat-like<strong> Korean gorals<\/strong>. There are even <strong>black bears<\/strong> lurking in the forests \u2014 but don&#8217;t panic, as they tend to steer clear of humans.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"wp-image-2586\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/alexa-soh-qdFP0OB6b1I-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"A person walking across a bridge over a river in the Seoraksan National Park.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/alexa-soh-qdFP0OB6b1I-unsplash-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/alexa-soh-qdFP0OB6b1I-unsplash-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/alexa-soh-qdFP0OB6b1I-unsplash-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jeonju<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>Jeonju<\/strong> was once the <strong>spiritual capital<\/strong> of Korea, and if you want to see temples, pagodas and museums, it&#8217;s still a great place to visit. Take time to explore<strong> Jeonju Hanok Village<\/strong>, a living history site that displays a preserved snapshot of life from the early 20th century. Here, you can try out one of Korea&#8217;s most interesting traditional crafts: the making of Hanji paper. In centuries gone by, Hanji was made by hand. It&#8217;s a surprisingly strenuous process that involves a great deal of pounding and stirring.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>This city is also home to one of South Korea&#8217;s most important Catholic sites, the <strong>Jeondong Cathedral<\/strong>. Established in the early 20th century, the cathedral honours Korea&#8217;s Catholic martyrs, and its unusual architecture shows off an East meets West design.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" class=\"wp-image-2589\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rawkkim-KKz6NgO69yQ-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"Aerial photograph of houses during the golden hour.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rawkkim-KKz6NgO69yQ-unsplash-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rawkkim-KKz6NgO69yQ-unsplash-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/rawkkim-KKz6NgO69yQ-unsplash-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Halla Mountain<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>You&#8217;ve probably realised by now that South Korea is an <strong>ideal spot<\/strong> for <strong>hikers<\/strong> and <strong>nature<\/strong> <strong>lovers<\/strong>. One final hiking hotspot is the glorious <strong>Halla<\/strong> <strong>Mountain<\/strong>. Visit during early spring to see it at its best. The flowers are just starting to bloom, creating a vibrant carpet of bright pink, purple and other colours, but there are still icicles dangling from the tree branches at higher altitudes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Halla Mountain, known locally as Hallasan, is located on <strong>Jeju<\/strong> <strong>Island<\/strong>, and it&#8217;s the highest peak in all of South Korea. There are many different trails you can take to explore it. If you&#8217;re a hardcore hiker, attempt the full route to the top \u2014 but be warned, it takes around 10 hours to complete! There are many shortcuts if you&#8217;re not up for the challenge.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\r\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" class=\"wp-image-2681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/diggity-dog-gTSIjng_LjQ-unsplash-1.jpg\" alt=\"Image among the rocky mountains of Halla Mountain.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/diggity-dog-gTSIjng_LjQ-unsplash-1.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/diggity-dog-gTSIjng_LjQ-unsplash-1-800x600.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/diggity-dog-gTSIjng_LjQ-unsplash-1-768x576.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n<p><strong>South Korea<\/strong> is a country with something for everyone. Whether you&#8217;re a culture vulture looking for a city break or a nature lover longing to escape, there&#8217;s a Korean tour perfect for you. Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/destinations\/south-korea-360\">our fabulous trips to South Korea<\/a>, and start planning your next holiday to discover the <strong>best places to visit<\/strong> in South Korea.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n<p>Do you love Asia? Then also discover <a href=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/what-to-see-in-japan\/\">the best places to visit in Japan<\/a>!<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Who would have predicted that South Korea would become such a travel hotspot? Korean culture has become an absolute world leader in recent years: teens worship K-pop singers like BTS, adults watch Squid Game and eat kimchi, and the whole world knows how to dance Gangnam Style. As people grow more curious about Korean culture, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":2562,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[167],"mete":[214],"class_list":["post-2493","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-what-to-see-and-do","tag-south-korea","mete-asia"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v25.3.1 (Yoast SEO v26.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The best places to visit in South Korea: all the things to see - Stories<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Let&#039;s discover together the best places to visit in South Korea, this list will allow you to see the country at its best.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Things to see in South Korea: the best places to visit\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Let&#039;s discover together the best places to visit in South Korea, this list will allow you to see the country at its best.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Stories\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/weroadtravel\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-10-25T09:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/daniel-bernard-qjsmpf0aO48-unsplash-1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"684\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"WeRoad Team\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"WeRoad Team\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"14 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"WeRoad Team\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/cda50f51c03bd7a697399bb1e702b8e7\"},\"headline\":\"Things to see in South Korea: the best places to visit\",\"datePublished\":\"2023-10-25T09:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea\"},\"wordCount\":2585,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/daniel-bernard-qjsmpf0aO48-unsplash-1.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"South Korea\"],\"articleSection\":[\"What to see and do\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.weroad.com\/blog\/places-to-visit-in-south-korea\",\"name\":\"The best places to visit in South Korea: all the things to see - 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