Some twenty five million South Koreans — about half the population — journey abroad not less than after a yr, but it truly is harmless to think that almost all haven’t viewed all the lovely sights within their own nation.
Seoul only takes up a mere 0.6% of South Korea’s territory: listed here are 50 beautiful images in the other ninety nine.4% in the place which might be all worth a check out.
Listed here will be the flowery spring landscapes, sandy beaches, rocky mountains and quietly stunning historic internet sites in your new travel bucket list for South Korea. And just in case you were wanting to know, they are in no certain buy.
1. Seongsan Sunrise Peak
Cue the cinematic audio.
Courtesy Korea Tourism Group
Hydrovolcanic eruptions formed this majestic volcanic crater five,000 decades ago on Jeju Island.
A UNESCO earth heritage web site, the height is known for numerous issues, together with several uncommon plant species, but is very best recognized for the superb sight in the sunshine increasing about it (hence the identify).
The climb up the peak’s northwest aspect ridge (its other sides are steep cliffs) for the 180-meter maximum level will take thirty minutes.
two. Ggotji Seashore
Located four kilometers southwest from Anmyeon-eup, this cream-colored seashore would be the excellent put to opt for a push and check out the sunshine sink in the ocean in between two huge rock formations often called the Granny Rock as well as Grandpa Rock.
Legend has it that the spouse of a base commanding officer in the Shilla Dynasty turned the Granny Rock when she died following ready faithfully for her partner.
three. Darangee Village
Darangee Village Viaje a Corea, a little well-preserved village while in the southernmost spot of west Namhae-gun, attributes an extraordinary sight of many little fields (above 100 amounts) with a steep mountain slope against the open sea.

four. Gwang-An Bridge
The Diamond Bridge at dusk.
Also known as the Diamond Bridge, this two-story bridge connects Suyeong-gu and Haeundae-gu and features an astonishing see of mountains, sandy shorelines, hills and town lights.
Gwang-An Bridge isn’t for pedestrians, but everyone can take pleasure in the magnificent evening view of your bridge from afar; its state-of-the-art lighting procedure allows an exterior lights of about 100,000 colours.
5. Kyeong-Wha Station, Jinhae
This little whistle-stop bustles with travellers and amateur photographers every single spring.
Cherry blossoms rain down on the educate monitor and numerous shutters simply click madly away because the teach approaches the station below the cherry blossom tunnel.
The cherry blossom street at Yeojwa stream, (variety 17 on this checklist) is usually close by for those who want far more photo-ops.
six. Upo Marsh
At 2,314 kilometers squared, Upo Marsh is the premier inland wetland in Korea and 3 times the dimensions of Yeouido. Shaped above 140 million several years back, the marsh is house to 1,500 plants and animals, a number of which happen to be endangered species.
Guests can bike or wander all-around this lovely all-natural swamp, the place migratory birds are noted for traveling small.
7. Jeungdo Salt Farm
Harvesting salt by hand: Far more enjoyable than you might hope.
This treasure island (artifacts through the Song Dynasty have really been identified within the bottom of the sea) is famous for its distinct seawater, tender seaside, and salt farms.
The magical sight of huge salt farms is not the only spectacle which can be uncovered here; the mud flat leisure city allows visitors to experience and observe the marine life of your mud flat.
8. Gongryong Ridge, Seorak Mountain
Really don’t miss out on out over the views from Seorak Mountain.
Actual physical health and mountaineering expertise are conditions to viewing these curious peaks within the Seorak mountain selection.
Regarded as shaped such as the backbone of a dinosaur (hence the name, “Dinosaur Ridge”), this rocky ridge provides stunning views of the two inner and outer Seorak. The climb isn’t any picnic: the peak elevation of Gongryong Ridge, quite possibly the most popular ridge route from the range, is somewhere around one,two hundred meters.
nine. Uleung Island Seaside Highway
Uleung Island, nicknamed “Mysterious Island,” is a well-liked weekend getaway location for Seoulites. Curious rock formations, shore cliffs and various waterfalls adorn the island’s Seaside Street.
Any individual intending to stroll or bike their way all-around Uleung Island should really ensure that they put aside more than enough time, since they will inevitably end a great number of instances to admire the glorious view.
10. Seopjikoji, Jeju Island
First-time site visitors to Jeju Island need to program their vacation correctly, since the Jeju bucket checklist is very long and various. One particular on the musts within the listing is Seopjikoji, a promontory around the coast renowned for its serenity and romance. Yellow rape blossoms fill the sector in the spring, making a colourful distinction using the crimson soil and cerulean sky.
The ideal photos of Sungsan Dawn Peak (the primary item on this listing) is usually taken in this article at Seopjikoji.
The surroundings of Seopjikoji has also been captured by numerous Korean movies and dramas, which include “All In,” a person on the very first Hallyu dramas starring Lee Byung-hun and Song Hye-kyo.
11. Bomun Pavilion, Gyeongju
Gyeongju, an historic cash in the Shilla Dynasty, boasts the nickname “a museum without any walls.”
Bomun Pavilion, a little picket gazebo standing in excess of a peaceful duck pond, can be a good location to experience Korea’s spring; the cherry blossoms fluttering in excess of the pond supply an exquisite sight. In actual fact, it’s the perfect put to watch all of Korea’s markedly diverse seasons: summer’s lush eco-friendly leaves, fall’s scarlet and mustard foliage, and winter’s blankets of snow.
12. Udo
Just fifteen minutes away from Jeju Island, Udo is an additional addition to Jeju’s bucket list. Readers can hike on Olle highway, or opt for a scooter experience alongside the shore, a submarine excursion or sea fishing. Just don’t forget the sunblock.
13. Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon
Haeinsa has actually been household into the Tripitaka Koreana due to the fact 1398.
The world’s oldest intact Buddhist canon, the Tripitaka Koreana, is diligently housed inside the one,200-year-old Haeinsa Temple.
The temple’s other landmarks contain the oldest wooden Buddha statue in Korea (the Haeinsa Vairocana) plus a UNESCO earth heritage Janggyeong Panjeon ( a “storage hall of Buddhist Sutras”).
fourteen. Chunwang Peak, Jiri Mountain
Climb the next best peak on Jiri Mountain.
At 1,915 meters, Chunwang Peak on Jiri Mountain is the 2nd optimum peak in South Korea as well as the beloved conquest of numerous a Korean mountain climber.
The national park on Jiri Mountain stretches about five metropolitan areas and three provinces, and is home to quietly stunning natural world at the same time as seven countrywide treasures and 26 treasures.
Lots of tread the trail to Chunwang Peak to observe the sunshine rise, some simply to take pleasure in the check out through the top rated, and others for your satisfaction of respiratory from the crisp, clear mountain air and drinking the brain freeze-inducing spring water of Chunwang Spring, which can be positioned just three hundred meters down below Chunwang Peak.
15. Juknokwon, Damyang
Escape in the metropolis and head to Juknokwon.
This dense bamboo thicket is situated in Damyang, another “slow city” that welcomes all who will be tired of hectic metropolis lifetime.
8 trails within the thicket give eight distinctive themes to saunter by way of. In case you glimpse carefully between the bamboo crops, you’ll be able to spot the environmentally friendly tea shoots that improve from the dew that drips from the bamboo leaves, generally known as Jukro tea. The Juknokwon observatory in the middle of the thicket sometimes hosts Jukro tea tasting occasions.
16. Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon
Fences in the Naganeupseong Folks Village.
Straw-roofed properties, federal government offices, guesthouses in addition to a castle, all with the Chosun Dynasty, remain completely preserved of their authentic sorts with this 22 sq. kilometer historical site.
No, it isn’t really an exterior set of a historic drama, men and women really live in these residences and superior nevertheless, they offer right away homestays.
17. Yeojwa Stream
The fifth item on this checklist previously touched about the competition of cherry blossoms in Jinhae, but the cherry blossom highway at Yeojwa Stream is so strikingly attractive that it deserves a different point out (and an additional picture).
Fans go to this page to cross the “Romance Bridge”, which has been made use of for a shooting spot for “Romance,” a drama starring Kim Ha-nul and Kim Jae-won.
Bloggers express that these intimate blossoms might be most appreciated in the evening, when you can find much less vacationers plus the pale pink flowers glow in opposition to the dark sky.
eighteen. Boseong Eco-friendly Tea Area
Just about 50 % of Korea’s environmentally friendly tea is manufactured listed here.
Korea Tourism Firm
Around 40% of Korea’s tea is manufactured inside the rolling fields of Boseong, which has also delivered the backdrop of numerous Korean dramas and movies.
Of course, eco-friendly tea-related specialties (fresh inexperienced tea ice cream and inexperienced tea pork stomach) are tasty treats, even so the spectacular view of the seemingly limitless tea fields could be the authentic reason numerous people quit by Boseong. A environmentally friendly tea pageant is held just about every May possibly whilst within the winter, the fields are decorated with very small mild bulbs.
19. Bulguksa Temple
This UNESCO-listed web site is perhaps one of the most famed historic web page in Korea.
Two granite pagodas on either sides of your temple, Dabotap and Seokgatap, at the same time as Seokguram, a man-made grotto just over the temple, incorporate into the splendid grandeur of this 1,500-year-old dwelling of numerous important relics.
twenty. Daegwallyeong Ranch
This only sheep ranch in Korea doubles to be a natural sledge park in winter season. The dreaminess on the see is as heady as being the mountain air. Meat-lovers must end from the dining establishments within the ranch village for the style on the highest quality lamb.
21. Cheongdo Bull Combating Pageant
Since the greatest bull combating festival in South Korea, Cheongdo Bull Battling Competition appeals to around fifty percent 1,000,000 individuals each calendar year. Additionally to the massive matches of one hundred thirty fighting bulls, you will find artwork contests, cow-play exorcisms, rodeo working experience, and in some cases magic exhibits to entertain the crowd.
In the event the sights really are a bit also violent for the taste, look at out other Cheongdo sights including the Nakdae Waterfall and Unmun Temple.
22. Hyeopjae Seashore, Jeju Island
Fantastic for sunning oneself.
This white sandy seaside is perfect for households with its shallow h2o (typical depth of 1.2 meters), close by facilities, and tenting from the pine forest surrounding the seashore. Hyeopjae is usually notably noted for its scrumptious abalones and conches, served refreshing inside the seafood eating places dotting the beach.
23. Anapji (Anap Pond)
Look at the lotus flowers replicate on Anap Pond.
This man-made pond was established during the Shilla Dynasty approximately one,500 yrs ago.
Three structures stand on 3 artificial islands though patches of lotus flowers frame the pond. Beautiful exterior lights that go on immediately after sunset create a magical night watch.
24. Seryang-Je
Stunning scenes at Seryang-Je reservoir.
Seryang-Je, a reservoir built in 1969 in Hwasun, is an additional well-known location for both professional and beginner photographers for its ethereal mist and reflections of colorful blossoms and leaves.
twenty five. Kwanghan Pavilion
Kwanghan Pavilion could be the environment of Chunhyangjeon, one of Korea’s most renowned folk tales.
Chunhyang, the youthful, beautiful daughter of a gisaeng (Korean geisha), and Mongryong, the handsome son from the community governor, very first satisfied and fell in adore in this fantastically intended pavilion, which was designated a treasure in 1963.
26. Seomjin River Educate Village
Kudos towards the Gokseong district place of work, that has managed to generate a lovely vacationer attraction from abandoned railroads. A quick steam educate experience (they do not make ’em like this any longer, literally) is on the market for vacationers, who will also take pleasure in a motorcycle hike over a trail bicycle or simply a passionate stroll beside the train observe.
27. Cheongsando
For any modest nation highway, Cheongsando marks a lot of “firsts” — it’s the world’s very first “Slow Road” in Asia’s first “Slow Town.” It isn’t going to take long to appreciate why it is actually named “Slow Road” — one’s tempo obviously slackens to fall in together with the speed of the rest from the island.
Rape blossoms (in spring) and Mexican Asters (in fall) in complete bloom are bordered by basic stone partitions.
28. Halla Mountain
Halla Mountain at sunset.
This fairy-tale sight of snowflakes and icicles covering tree branches on Halla Mountain have been the inspiration for that Halla Snow Festival which was held late January/early February each and every calendar year.
However, the pageant was halted a number of years back simply because when they established a date it would rain and people would get mad. But the snow-covered trees are still there, therefore you are welcome to go sledding, snow rafting and ice sliding all by yourself.
29. Terraced Fields, Hamyang
This compact village on the foot of Jiri Mountain shows a curious sight of terraced rice paddies. In spring the h2o in the paddies demonstrates the sky, whilst in autumn the paddies glow with golden grains.
thirty. Nuri Peace Park
This inventive park positioned in Paju embodies South Koreans’ craving and longing for peace from the Korean Peninsula.
Sure, it is a relatively weighty topic, but even these who couldn’t treatment a lot less regarding the death of Kim Jong Il can continue to enjoy the beauty of the park, that’s well-known for its colorful screen of pinwheels and the big bamboo colossi.
31. Silk Slide, Jiri Mountain
This mossy waterfall is in a very now-restricted place of Jiri Mountain, which means a $450 (?500,000) great for any person caught venturing close to here.
Believe of it like a seriously prolonged sabbatical for nature.
32. Young-san River
Amid the many gorgeous river views in Korea, people from your Young-san River rank among the the highest and provides individuals from Han River some serious levels of competition.
For devoted cyclists, there exists a 132 kilometer-long cycle path next the river from Damyang to Mokpo.
33. Poppy Yard, Simhak Mountain, Paju
The poppy-dotted surroundings at Simhak Mountain looks like it’s straight away from a Claude Monet portray. Just one of your couple of areas in which you may see poppies in Korea, the regional city hosts a Poppy Competition listed here just about every yr all around June.
34. Royal Azalea Pageant, Hwangmae Mountain
Spot the azaleas at Hwangmae Mountain.
At one,108 meters, Hwangmae Mountain could be the highest peak while in the Sobaek mountain array, which is covered by royal azalea blossoms each individual spring.
The festival runs from the commencing of Might for two weeks, and organizers recommend coming at dawn to capture one of the most rigorous photos on camera.
35. Sin-Reuk Temple, Yeo Ju
This aged riverside temple is fairly mysterious into the general public and capabilities pretty a handful of treasures together with stone pagodas, a stone bell and a grove of zelkova trees. The temple and its encompassing place also hosts a sweet potato pageant early each and every January.
36. Daedun Mountain Suspension Bridge
Daedun Mountain is legendary for its vibrant autumn shades and its 81-meter-high Geumgang Suspension Bridge.
The crimson bridge that connects Imgeum Rock and Ipseokdae can make mountaineering appear easy.
37. Haeundae Beach front
The seashore of Haeundae in South Korea’s southern port city of Busan.
Many hundreds of thousands regular to this renowned seashore each summertime, but summer season isn’t the only season it is possible to see some flesh at Haeundae — the Polar Bear Competition is held each and every January, when contestants leap while in the chilly ocean screaming and laughing.
Close to 2,000 individuals attended this year’s festival, marking the most important range of individuals up to now.
38. Yongam Temple
Originally inbuilt 552, this temple requires its identify from a nearby rock that was alleged to are already formed just like a dragon but was destroyed along with most of the temple in the course of the Japanese occupation.
Based on legend, the final prince on the Shilla Dynasty wept here following glimpsing a watch of his hometown. He was on his strategy to Geumgang Mountain following the autumn on the dynasty.
On brisk drop mornings, the mountains bordering this temple are slathered using a sea of clouds, as well as the sight of your solar mounting via this dense whiteness of clouds renders the viewer speechless.
39. Snow in Taebaek Mountain
Atmospheric mountain sights at Taebaek Mountain.
Gangwon province is famous for catastrophically heavy snows inside the wintertime.
Whilst driving there might be tough, the snowfall makes to the ideal snowboarding within the place.
The High1 Vacation resort features the best peak (one,345 meters) and puffiest snow amongst ski and snowboard resorts in Korea.
forty. Yang Dong Regular Village
The character and culture of this village continues to be exactly the same because it was through the Chosun Dynasty. A person on the newest additions for the UNESCO world heritage record, the village has highlighted popular company which include Prince Charles and Ban Ki-Moon.
41. Nami Island
Regardless of the reality that Nami Island is really a spot of historic curiosity (the island is known as soon after Minister Nami, a Minister of War all through the Chosun Dynasty), most visitors come to stroll down the famed Metasequoia street or see where Bae Yong-joon and Choi Ji-woo stood or sat all through the filming for the first Hallyu drama “Winter Sonata.”
Entertaining simple fact: Nami Island wasn’t an island right until the nineteen forties, once the Cheongpyeong dam was constructed.
42. Suncheon Bay
The proper respite from town everyday living.
One particular of the largest coastal marshes in the world, Suncheon Bay is house to numerous crops and maritime lifestyle and capabilities the greatest industry of reeds (five.4 kilometers squared) in Korea.
The Suncheon Bay Reed Competition is held each and every year in Oct, but the bay is just as wonderful and charming some other thirty day period with the year.
forty three. Inje Smelts Festival
The Inje Smelts Festival takes position on Soyang lake every winter season and presents family members and couples (plus the occasional single visitor) some important fun on ice. Whether or not fishing isn’t your plan of pleasurable, you can take pleasure in the feeding on section.
44. Ulsan Rock, Seorak Mountain
This six-peaked rocky mountain has five urn-shaped holes in the leading and is named “Crying Mountain,” owing to legends and historical documents that declare the rocks over the mountain cry just before a giant wind is going to blow.
An additional legend powering the mountain’s name states that a rock was wandering close to wanting for Geumgangsan but settled in Seoraksan when it couldn’t uncover it, and became the Ulsan rock.
forty five. Bangwhasuryujeong, Suwon Hwa Seong
Bangwhasuryujeong is among four polygonal pavilions in Hwa Seong.
All through the Joseon dynasty, this pavilion was utilized to keep a lookout and for performances of King Jungjo’s archery abilities; now folks maintain recitals of Korean standard tunes and poetry surrounded via the duck pond, the willow trees and the bouquets.
forty six. Namdae Stream, Muju
Usually, a seop bridge — a short lived bridge fashioned from logs, mud, and pine branches — was built to let the villagers cross Namdae River from early winter season till the summertime, when major rains would clean the bridge absent.
47. Donglim Reservoir, Gochang
Each 12 months, in excess of two hundred,000 spectacled teals (the colour takes its name from the bird) fly about within an orderly fashion earlier mentioned this attractive reservoir, which was voted “Kingdom of migratory birds” in 2004 within a national study.
Inbuilt 1935, the three.82-square-kilometer reservoir is also famous being a fishing hole.
48. The Backyard of Early morning Relaxed
The Backyard garden of Early morning Serene is really a fantastically created and balanced arboretum in Gapyeong, run by a professor of horticulture.
The garden functions over 20 themes and five,000 different styles of vegetation, and may be internet hosting a luminarie — an ornamental structure studded with 6 million LED lightbulbs — until finally March one.
forty nine. Chok-suk Pavilion
This beautiful, historical pavilion overlooking Nam River is most well-known because the spot wherever Nongae, the concubine of a governing administration formal during the Chosun Dynasty, jumped to the river which has a Japanese normal just after the castle of Jinju fell into Japan’s arms. Check out the check out with the pavilion to the cliff, but really don’t leap; they won’t be telling your tale in the similar way.
50. Samkwang Temple
Each individual yr, all-around Buddha’s birthday, the largest Lotus Lantern Competition in Busan is held at Samkwang Temple. Your entire temple is strung with countless lotus lanterns and lanterns of other inventive kinds.