10 reasons to tour Korea
Located in East Asia, South Korea has a reputation for having one of the fastest-growing economies. From a very vibrant tradition to its world-class technology, mouth-watering cuisines, places of pure and quality entertainment, and sites of rich heritage, among other things, Korea has become one of the top tourist spots in the world. There is also Korean fashion, skincare, K-pop, cafes, and many other Korean-peculiar cultures to delight in. So, there is absolutely no reason not to pay a visit to this country.
What better way to enjoy all the wonderful things Korea has to offer than to explore the country through touring? If you’re still not convinced, here are ten reasons why you should tour Korea.
1. You get to experience a very rich tradition and vibrant culture, and meet great people
Photo Credits: Korean Club
When you visit a new place, especially one endowed with rich culture, traditions, and wonderful people like Korea, you get the chance to learn about the way of life of the people, what makes up their culture, and the mentality that has shaped the lives of the people over the years. Korea is a fantastic place to visit because the people are friendly and welcoming to visitors. Although they have their own etiquette and unique culture that frowns on some of the things you may be used to, they still welcome you with open arms. You will be greeted enthusiastically, may be invited for a drink, and they will not hesitate to make you feel at ease.
You can trace the traditions and rich culture of Koreans back to their long history. And despite the presence of technology, the evolution of industrialization, and the modernity of the present day, Koreans have tried to preserve their cultural practices and rich traditions that set them apart in the world. Touring Korea would give you the opportunity to immerse yourself in their culture through a visit to their traditional homes and teahouses, wearing their cultural dresses, enjoying their conventional music, and hearing tales of how their rich traditions were formed. So, touring Korea helps you acquire new knowledge to share with your friends and family, you get to take home new concepts, and you even pick up very helpful habits and more effective ways of doing certain things.
2. The food is absolutely delicious
Photo Credits: SFGate
A tour around Korea promises a heavenly experience for your taste buds and a feast for your tummy. So it is fair to say that food is a very valid reason to visit and tour the country. Whether we’re talking about the mouthwatering local dishes like kimchi or Tteokbokki (spicy rice cakes), the divine side dishes like galbitang (stewed short ribs), bulgogi (roasted marinated beef), and samgyeopsal (pork belly), the modified Korean meals like the infamous ramyeon (instant noodles), or the wonderful street food, you are sure to enjoy pure deliciousness wherever you find yourself while touring Korea.
Korean local and modernized food usually come in diverse flavors to suit different taste buds. Then, there are also the different levels of burning spice, sourness, and texture to choose from. Another amazing attribute of Korean cuisine is the eating culture, which sees every meal as a feast and may follow a unique course. For instance, you could have chicken with beer or soju and snacks by the side, and then afterward, devour kimchi pancakes or tofu, or both, as your stomach wills. Let’s not forget to mention the tasty street food, e.g. fish cakes, kimbap, and Bingsu, etc., that are quite exceptional. This is why it is advisable to tour with a local or a professional guide to ensure you get the best of the Korean culinary delights. You may argue that some of these Korean dishes can be found globally, but wouldn’t it be more satisfying to your tongue and your stomach to taste them at home base?
3. You get the opportunity to experience great festivals and enjoy a sensational visit to sites of history
Photo Credits: Daily Hive
The eleven UNESCO World Heritage sites, mind-blowing festivals, state-of-the art galleries and museums, cultural villages, the DMZ area, and fascinating palaces and temples all contribute to giving a breakdown of what went down in history in Korea. There is no tour of Korea without a visit to the 11 UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty, the Historic Villages of Korea, the Changdeoggung Palace, the Getbol (Korean Tidal Flats), the Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, the Seokguram Grotto, and Bulguksa Temple, among others. These historic sites boast impressive architecture, a mind-blowing aura, and demonstrate the beauty of Korean heritage and a firm connection to their past.
While touring Korea, you would also be able to take part in some of the amazing traditional festivals, such as the Seoul International Fireworks Festival, the Sancheoneo Hwacheon Ice Fishing Festival, the Lunar New Year Festival, the Boryeong Mud Festival, and the Hwaseong Suwon Traditional Festival, with their brilliant displays and unique practices that accompany them. A visit to the temples in Korea places you in nature and is a nice way to indulge in the Korean Buddhist culture. You get to relax and revitalize your body and soul through the numerous exercises like yoga, meditation, tea ceremonies, and martial arts. Then we have the DMZ, which gives a glimpse of the history of the separation of South Korea from North Korea, and the conflict that has ensued.
In all, touring Korea offers you a truly mind-blowing platform to go back in time and get a better understanding of the history of the country and how it has influenced their lives in the present time.
4. The cities are delightful to explore
Photo Credits: Beautifully Travelled
The cities in Korea, with their skyscrapers and eye-catching architecture, spots that break records, cool technology, bubbling nightlife, and waves of Korean entertainment, are one of the main reasons to tour Korea. We have established that Korea is blessed with a rich culture and various sites of heritage distributed all over the nation, but apart from the contemporary culture, there is a modernity that accompanies the country that is truly phenomenal.
Seoul, Incheon, Busan, Pohang, Jeju, Mungyeong, Gyeongju, and Daegu are some of the top locations tourists love to visit due to their acclaimed creative arts and culture, mighty architecture, temples, fashion and beauty sites, trendy lifestyles, bustling street performances, and nightlife, amongst other unique attributes. Despite the general blend of tradition and modernity found in these cities, each of them is known for some unique features. It could be either a tall building, the wild shopping culture, beaches, cultural sites, or technologies. A stop in these cities as you tour Korea gives you the chance to get a taste of the exciting urban lifestyle that comes with being in Korea. And the best part about it is that Korea doesn’t sleep, so the party never ends. which explains why the nightlife in the cities is a special tradition of its own. You get to be a part of the fun parties at amazing clubs situated in nice places, watch live performances from top Korean artists, and drink to your satisfaction.
5. Delight in Korean breathtaking nature and even get healthier for it.
Photo Credits: YYZ Travel
It has often been said that traveling is beneficial for health and that taking part in adrenaline-pumping activities in nature reduces the risk of heart disease. Well, a tour of Korea offers both—the chance to delight in the beauty of nature and nice exercises that are good for the body. If there is one reason to visit Korea, it should be to relax and enjoy the beautiful natural environment, as well as to be enveloped in the solitude and peaceful aura it has to offer. If you love the active life and prefer the outdoors to the busy life in the city, then the numerous walking trails and hiking paths would surely solidify your decision to tour Korea.
The Bukhansan Mountain, preserved by the Bukhansan National Park, is one of Korea’s majestic mountains to hike, with varying difficulty levels for everyone. This park also comes with nice walking trails that present a nice way to explore the region. There are many natural parks, mountains, hills, walking trails, and other lovely places that promise you a date with nature that you can visit while on your tour of Korea. The beauty wows you, and then your mind and body relax in bliss—like heaven on earth.
6. The unique beauty of the seasons
Photo Credits: Real Life Korea
Every season in Korea comes with its own unique charm, features, diverse clothing and fashion trends, and accompanying fun activities, among other things. Hence, another reason to visit the country is that it is a beautiful destination all year. The four distinct seasons in Korea are spring, summer, fall, and winter.
People may argue that spring, which runs from April to June, is the best time to visit Korea because the weather is at its most pleasant, the flowers bloom, the mountains transform beautifully with the aura, and there are lots of events, especially the cherry blossom festival, to enjoy. Because the weather is so nice this time of year, you can enjoy early morning meditations outside while admiring the magical way the cherry blossoms decorate the nation. The summer, which lasts from July to August, is equally awesome despite the heat. It entails fun beach time—from swimming to surfing, walking by the sea, or having a nice picnic. Let’s not forget the other fun activities that come with the summer. September to November is the fall or autumn season, which is another beloved time period due to the natural beauty and sensational aura it brings with it. Finally, while the winter season in Korea is often associated with extreme cold, it does have its benefits, such as winter-related sporting activities like skiing or snowboarding, the opportunity to flex your fashion muscles with winter clothing and accessories, and a reason to enjoy a hot, delicious cup of Korean tea.
7. There are uncountable wonderful places to visit
The best part about touring any country is the fascinating places you get to visit while sightseeing. Well, rest assured that there is no lack of such locations in Korea. The gorgeous islands, incredible beaches, and awesome theme parks offer you entertainment and fun at its peak. Jeju Island has earned the name Hawaii of South Korea for very good reasons. It has a breathtaking landscape, a rich culture unique to its people, stunning gardens, waterfalls, beaches, and thrilling adventures to enjoy. Jeju is not the only mind-blowing island in Korea, which is why tourists usually opt for island hopping whenever they pay a visit to the country. The exclamation, “wow” would keep leaving your lips as you explore these islands with their unique features. The theme parks in Korea are designed for the entire household; they are not limited to children alone. Adults can have an exciting time at these parks and participate in other adrenaline-pumping sports and games while in the facility.
In different parts of the country, there are several other different establishments like aquariums where you get to see sea creatures in their natural habitat, local markets for exploring the culture of the locality, resorts for sweet entertainment, and spas and Korean Jjimjilbang famous for pure relaxation. So, depending on your preferences and even your budget, touring Korea provides you with a variety of sites to visit.
8. The amazing Café culture
Photo Credits: This Girl Abroad
Cafes and mini bakeries offer a great place to meet up with friends over light snacks and tea, or even have some official meetings. But Korea takes the café culture to an exciting level. You can find tea houses with museums on the history of tea in Korea and how the different flavors of Korean tea came to be, then the cafes, which come with very stylish interiors, and Wi-Fi. Let’s not forget to mention the theme café with unique concepts dedicated to famous characters, personalities, or people.
Island hopping is very popular among those touring Korea, but café hopping is now becoming a fast growing trend that seems not to be going away any time soon. In fact, there are so many cafes and bakeries that there is a law in place to ensure that a particular area is not congested with them. The law highlights that bakeries should have a certain acceptable distance between them, this is how much cafes are spreading across the country. So, you can safely add the exciting experience of café hopping to the list of reasons to tour Korea.
9. The chance to have a shopping spree and visit the lovely Korean Beauty shops
If you are a fashionista, shopaholic, or lover of Korean skincare and beauty products, then a tour around Korea would be your ultimate paradise. Even if you do not fall into any of the above categories, Korea’s markets, shopping malls, beauty stores, and shops offer you affordable and lovely clothing, accessories, trendy fashion pieces, cosmetics, and other nice items. Plus, there are special discounts and underground markets that offer Korean brand products at a more affordable price. The fact that there are numerous shopping destinations that offer different price ranges and diverse products makes the experience worthwhile.
10. The wonderful memories to be made
Touring Korea is the best way to accumulate unforgettable memories and tales to tell friends, family, and even your grandchildren. You would see a beautiful landscape, meet nice people who would help you embrace and enjoy their culture and heritage, eat very delicious meals, and have massive fun. Then, if the Korean wave has enveloped you, you can attend live pop concerts and performances, visit karaoke and sing your heart out, and stop by popular Korean film and drama filming sites. So, one major reason to tour Korea is that the experiences and amazing times you would have while touring the country would surely leave you with lasting and cherished memories.
All the elements of Korea, from the food to the rich culture, heritage sites, amazing people, cool places to visit, pop culture, and stunning nature, among other things, make Korea a fantastic location to tour. I hope this article has been helpful in highlighting the reasons why you should tour Korea. Happy travels!