10 Destinations in Korea That Will Blow Your Mind
South Korea is undoubtedly an exotic land that calls out to everyone that loves adventure. It ticks off the boxes of whatever a traveler could want in a location.
The country has a rich cultural heritage, mouthwatering dishes, incredible citizens, and amazing tourist centers. There are countless unexplored areas and you can be left confused when trying to settle for places that will blow your mind.
Some people consider Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, as the only place worth visiting but that isn’t true. There are beautiful villages, food markets, temples, fortresses, palaces, museums, malls, etc spread all over the country. We know how overwhelming it can get when trying to pick suitable and fun places to visit so we have outlined 10 destinations in South Korea that will blow your mind.
- The Enchanting Capital City of Seoul
- The Incredible City Of Busan
- Boseong Green Tea Field
- Jeju Island
- Seoraksan National Park
- National Museum of Korea
- Darangee Village
- Itaewon
- The Blue House
- The DMZ
1. The Enchanting Capital City of Seoul
This tops the list of destinations that will blow your mind. There are reasons why Seoul is loved by locals and foreigners alike. The city is a perfect blend of urban architecture, pop lifestyle, fascinating parks, fashion stores and boutiques, cafés, restaurants, and party vibes. These attributes put it in a top place in the country.
Everything about Seoul screams charm and vibrancy. Despite this, the city has deep connections to its heritage and is also rich in cultural values. There are a lot of museums and memorials supporting this fact and each takes you down memory lane of the country.
Here are some interesting places to visit in Seoul:
● N Seoul Tower: This is an astonishing landmark in Seoul. It is also known as Namsan Tower or Seoul Tower. A lot of tourists visit the tower not only to get great views of the city but also to learn about the country. There are other attractions within the tower including N Seoul Tower Observatory, Hanging padlocks (this is for couples), Dining options at various bars and restaurants, Namsan Park, Hanbok Culture Experience Center, etc.
● Lotte World Amusement Park: This is the perfect location for sightseeing and fun. This park is loved by Koreans and foreigners alike. You can call it the “Disneyland of Korea”. The park is the largest indoor-themed park in the world.
● Bukhansan National Park: Located at 262 Bogukmun-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, South Korea, Bukhansan National Park is a great spot for hikers. The park records over 4 million visitors annually and this gave it a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. You can enjoy the beauty of nature while at the park. There are over three thousand animals and plant species here, along streams, gorges, trails, Buddhist temples, etc.
● Changdeokgung Palace: This is one of the oldest palaces in Seoul and it was built in the Joseon era. It is decorated with an amazing garden and environment. This feature made it become a UNESCO World Heritage site. The special garden (Huwon Secret Garden) is the highlight of a visit to the palace. The garden was a place of relaxation for royals. There is a pavilion that was used as a library and for reading by the king then. One of the best seasons to visit the garden is Fall. A visit to the palace will leave you satisfied and happy.
● Bukchon Hanok Village: Located in Central Seoul, this is another beautiful location to include in your list. Hanok villages are built in a way that makes you feel like you are in a 600-year-old Korean settlement. These villages can be seen in Seoul and some other parts of the country and they represent ancient Korean homes and neighborhoods. You can call them living museums. Most of the hanoks are private homes owned by locals of that area. The streets here are narrow and some of the hanoks usually display cultural activities. Bukchon Hanok Village is situated between two grand palaces, Changdeokgung Palace and Gyeongbokgung Palace.
● Myeongdong: You have probably noticed that Korean ladies put on beautiful dresses and makeup. If you want to get beauty products for yourself then you must visit Myeongdong. This area has everything from dresses to skincare products and different makeup brands. No matter your skin type, you will find something suitable for you. Most shops offer discounts on their products so you need to be very alert so that you don’t miss out. Interestingly, some will allow you to try out their samples before you decide on which product to buy.
The list of places to visit in Seoul is quite lengthy but we believe that these places can get you started.
2. The Incredible City Of Busan
You cannot visit Korea and leave out this amazing city. Doing that would be unfair to your travel list. Busan is next in line after Seoul, as one of the biggest cities in the country.
Busan is decorated with countless urban structures, serene beaches, exotic mountains, ancient temples, fashion outlets, and recreation centers. It also has some of the best tourist centers in Korea. You will get to appreciate Korean culture on your trip to this magnificent city.
Some fascinating places to visit in Busan include the following:
● Jagalchi fish market: This is a market that offers you a variety of seafood to choose from, be it a live octopus, anchovies, crabs, prawns, etc. You get them very fresh and at very affordable prices. It is the biggest seafood market in the country. What is there not to love about this market?
● Haeundae Beach: It is a very serene beach and is a perfect spot for a family hangout or outing with friends.
● Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: This is a revered Buddhist temple located close to an ocean, unusual for most temples in Korea.
● Gwangalli Beach: This is yet another landmark in Busan. The beach is known for its powdery and soft sand. The beach attracts countless locals and tourists because of how well it is managed. You can have a good time in any of the cafes and restaurants surrounding the beach. There are stores where you can buy trendy clothes and accessories as well. There is also a bridge (Gwangan Bridge) that runs over the beach and it’s a beautiful sight to behold at night.
● Beomeosa Temple: It stands tall as one of the biggest temples in the country and is a great place to learn about Buddhism. The temple runs a program that allows visitors to have a feeling of what life looks like in the temple, especially for the monks.
● Hurshimchung Hot Springs: This is a fancy area equipped with different hot spring baths, about 40 of them. Its goal is to provide health and vitality to its visitors by incorporating medicinal and seasonal herbs into hot spring water.
● Gamecheon Village: This is a beautiful village built to look like a European village. It stands above the sea and looks like Santorini.
Busan is popular for having so many restaurants that specialize in preparing seafood and street food stalls as well. You can get to Busan from Seoul in just about 2 hours.
3. Boseong Green Tea Field
The Boseong Green Tea Field is a lovable place to visit in any season. If you love nature then you should check out this wonder of nature. The tea field is always green all year round. Isn’t that spectacular?
There are 3 known regions in Korea that produce tea and Boseong is one of them. Tea from this field tastes great and has a unique aroma. This quality has made it known as the green tea capital of the country.
There are 2 festivals held annually to celebrate green tea in the region:
● Boseong Tea Plantation Light Festival: This light festival takes place from November to January. You get to see different light installations in the evening.
● Boseong Green Tea Festival: It holds annually in May and it is held to celebrate the production and consumption of green tea in Boseong. The festival features various experiences and demonstrations.
4. Jeju Island
The largest island in South Korea has been a great center of attraction over the years. Jeju island stands out as an iconic site. Covering an area of 1,833.2km, there are a whole lot of places to explore on the island. An international airport is on the island, connecting it to the rest of the world.
The island is a volcanic island, the youngest in Korea. The landscapes are magnificent, notable among them is the famous Volcanic Mount Hallasang. Mount Hallasan is the tallest mountain in South Korea. Taking a hike up the azalea-framed mountain is what most tourists look forward to.
Viewing the sunrise and sunset along the coast is magical. There are waterfalls at Jeju island. One famous one is Cheonjiyeon Waterfall. There is a trail that you can follow to use the falls. At night the rocks at the falls are lit up with artificial lights. This sight is so beautiful.
The island is an ideal place to take beautiful pictures while enjoying its rich heritage and culture. You can also take a tour of various botanical gardens.
Some notable places on the island include Hamdeok beach, Seongsan Sunrise Peak, Seopjikoji promontory, Cheonjiyeon waterfalls, Halassang National Park, Jeju National museum etc.
There are also hiking trails for those who love hiking, spas, incredible restaurants, and hot springs. A visit to Jeju Island will leave you fulfilled. Take our word for it.
5. Seoraksan National Park
Everything about this park screams nature and serenity. There are so many elements of nature to explore including waterfalls, trees, streams, hiking trails, lakes, mountains, etc. The park is blessed with over a thousand unique plant species and animal species.
If you like hiking then hop on the hiking trails to get started but if you are not a fan of that, there is a cable car that can aid your movement. Being inside the cable car allows you to get an obstructed view of the beautiful park.
6. National Museum of Korea
This is the largest of all museums in Korea. Exploring the museum is a lot and cannot be fully done in a day. The museum is a cultural hub where you are opportuned to learn about the history and culture of Koreans. There are artworks on display as well as archeological items.
Most items in the museum are over a million years old. A visit to the museum is ideal for families too. The museum is located at 137 Seobinggo-ro, Seobinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu.
You can also visit their official website to get detailed information: www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/home
7. Darangee Village
This is one village where you will get to experience typical Korean village life. The village has been well preserved to maintain its beauty and culture.
There are countless small step fields in the village; this is an avenue to take perfect photos.
Darangee Village allows you to immerse yourself in native Korean life. It’s incredible to be in a country that combines both ancient and modern features simultaneously. Backpacking is the ideal activity in this area.
8. Itaewon
Itaewon is another beautiful city that will blow your mind in Korea. It is a great place to enjoy your afternoon. The city is filled with various gift shops de stalls selling delicious street food. The thought of it is exciting already.
You will find most foods not available in Seoul here. Evening time is a period when most residents and locals come out relax and have dinner. Families can be seen in different restaurants having a good time.
Itaewon is one area where you will find a lot of tourists.
9. The Blue House
The Blue House is to South Korea what the White House is to The United State of America. This is where the Korean president resides. There are many buildings and pavilions here, each having blue-colored roof tiles.
Many government offices and meeting sites are housed here. It is a must-see on your list of places to visit. Public tours and sightseeing of the Blue House are given periodically. You will need to apply online ahead of a security check before you are granted access to the premises.
You can check out this website to apply for a convenient tour time: www.english1.president.go.kr/Contact/Tours
10. The DMZ
This article would be incomplete if we fail to mention the DMZ. DMZ is short for Korean Demilitarized Zone. It is the border between two countries.
If you want to know what the misunderstanding existing between South and North Korea is, then you need to visit this location. You will also understand what the current situation is.
Different sites will keep you updated with modern history. You can only visit the area on a guided tour and you will also be allowed to visit the Joint Security Area. There is an observatory post from where you can take a look into North Korea. You can also take walk through the infiltration tunnel. All these activities will give you a sense of adventure.