the Best places in South Korea

Gyeongju

Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Silla, Gyeongju is a coastal city in South Korea with a rich selection of cultural and historical attractions. Its Silla heritage stretches back over 1000 years, with ancient sites, relics and ruins found throughout the city. The Gyeongju National Museum is home to countless treasures and the 23 ton Emille Bell cast in AD771. Gyeongju's other highlights include the scenic Anapji Pond, Tumuli Park which is the site of incredible giant grass-covered burial mounds and the ancient UNESCO World Heritage Listed Bulguk-sa Temple. Just out of town, dramatically located on the slopes of Toham Mountain, Seokguram Grotto is another must see! Gyeongju is the historical and cultural heart of South Korea, providing an unrivaled insight into the country's history, religion and culture
 

Pyeongchang

A peaceful place with astonishing scenery, Pyeongchang has seen a lot of development in recent years. It’s found in the Taeback Mountains region with parts of it sitting 2,300 feet above sea level. With lots of seasonal snow and maximum temperatures reaching just above freezing in January, it’s the perfect location for the 2018 Winter Olympics. The two main ski resorts in the region, Alpensia and Yongpyong, attract avid skiers and snowboarders with their slopes which reach up to 1.4km. The area is also popular with mountain hikers who make their way through the snow-capped peaks. The Pyeongchang Hills are home to dozens of ancient Buddhist temples, some dating back to the 7th century, including the Woljeongsa Temple. Visiting these temples is a great insight into Korea’s Buddhist past.

Suwon

Suwon is the largest metropolis of Gyeonggi-do, the province which surrounds Seoul. The Hwaseong Fortress was built in 1794 by the Joseon dynasty ruler King Jeongjo with the aim to move the capital from Seoul to Suwon. However, before this could happen King Jeongjo died and power stayed in Seoul. But the fortress encircling the original part of Suwon remains today, stretching for nearly 6 km and includes four gates, bastions, artillery towers and observations decks. This impressive defensive wall was designated a UNESCO site in 1997 and takes nearly two hours to walk around. Another spectacular building left over from the ruling of King Jeongjo is the Hwaseong Haenggung Palacem, built at the base of Mount Paldal.

Jeju Island

Although it lies only 85km off the coast of South Korea, Jeju Island (more specifically Jeju-do) has developed its own unique history, traditional dress, architecture and linguistic traditions. With a moderate climate that differs surprisingly from the mainland, Jeju-do has a sub-tropical southern side and a more temperate northern region. On the island, which was recently voted one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, you’ll find exquisite botanical gardens, sandy beaches, lava caves, a folk village and the O’Sulloc Tea Museum where you can learn about South Korea’s famous traditional tea culture.