REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT SOUTH KOREA

While South Korea might not yet be the number one travel destination for many around the world, there are
plentiful reasons why you should visit the country of the morning calm on your next vacation. From history to
culture and food to religion, take a look at our guide to the top reasons why you should visit South Korea at
least once in your lifetime.

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Sing karaoke in Seoul, go hiking in Seoraksan National Park and eat bibimbap in Jeonju on our 10-day small-
group trip to South Korea.

Pulsating Culture
Due to their long history, South Koreans have a variety of traditions they have kept alive throughout centuries.
Still today, you can watch traditional Korean dance and music performances, while people love to dress in
traditional clothes (hanbok) – you can rent it to wear around Seoul and Jeonju, for example. Even in modern
Seoul, you can still find traditional hanok house neighborhoods with lovely teahouses that have been in
existence for decades. This mix of old and new is truly fun to explore when traveling in South Korea.
Rich History
The history of South Korea is
long and dating back over a
thousand years. Due to the
natural isolation of the Korean
Peninsula, the country’s culture
hasn’t changed as much as in
other regions. Still today, you can
stand in awe of some of the most
significant cultural heritage sites
of the country, such as
Gyeongbokgung Palace, the main
palace situated in Seoul. The city
of Gyeongju is also a place of
historic value and is often called
a ‘museum without walls’. Gyeongju was the capital of Korea during the Silla Dynasty from 57 BC – 935 AD
and is home to countless royal tombs, palaces, and temples that are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Year-round Festivals
When you are for the first time in South Korea, make sure
you visit a festival. Every year, there are more festivals in
South Korea than one could attend, with a couple of main
festivities everyone likes to join in with. When the snow melts
and the weather gets warmer, pink and white cherry blossoms
transform South Korea into a magical wonderland for a short
period at the beginning of spring, and thousands of people
come to see the blossoms from all over the country. Buddha’s
Birthday is another major holiday celebrated in May with
lantern parades and performances at local temples, while in
fall, Koreans celebrate their own version of Thanksgiving
during Chuseok and honor their ancestors during proudly
conducted ceremonies. In fact, there are festivals in every
month of the year for every taste.
Exciting Food
Koreans are very proud of their unique cuisine. Over the centuries, Koreans have created a fascinating and rich
food culture made up of meat dishes, stews, soups, noodle dishes, seafood and many vegetable side dishes.

Kimchi Kimchi consists of Korean cabbage, radish, pumpkin, onion, ginger, and scallion with chili
powder, crushed garlic and salted seafood, which is then left to ferment.

Bibimbap The most common bibimbap consists of warm rice topped with mixed vegetables, beef or
chicken, and raw egg, as well as soy sauce and a dollop of chilli pepper paste for seasoning

Tteokbokki A traditional Korean street food that’s made with thick slices of garaetteok (boiled rice
cake), fish cake, onions, diced garlic, salt, sugar and assorted vegetables that are stir-fried in sweet red chili
sauce.

Bulgogi Bulgogi consists of thin slices of marinated beef sirloin that are cooked alongside sliced
onions, green peppers, and garlic using a charcoal burner, resulting in a distinctive smoky flavour.

Jajangmyeon A Korean-Chinese fusion dish, jajangmyeon uses thick handmade wheat noodles topped
with raw cucumber slices and a mixture of salty black soybean paste, diced pork and vegetables.

Templestay
You can find even more tranquility and inner peace when joining a one- or two-day templestay program,
which allows you to spend some time living like Buddhist monks in temples across Korea. While the Korean
templestay program might not be as heard of around the world, it’s a well-established organization offering
English-speaking programs to anyone around the country. Whether you want to experience a templestay in
downtown Seoul or in rural South Korea on top of a mountain, the options are endless and the results are
incredibly rewarding.
Vibrant Cities
While Seoul is arguably the most thrilling city in South Korea, it’s not the only large city that’s worth a visit.
Each of Korea’s nine provinces has its own local cuisine and attractions that are worth exploring.

South Korea has plenty of exciting cities from north to south.

Busan in the very south, for example, is the country’s second

largest city and located on a beautiful coastline with sandy
beaches and clear ocean water.

Jeonju in the west of the country is one of the last places

featuring a traditional old town with Korean hanok houses
and a beautiful destination in spring and fall.

K-pop Culture
South Korea is world-famous for its exciting music
culture. K-pop is not only a music genre, it’s part of
Korean culture that captures people all over Asia and
the world. Walking down main pedestrian streets in
South Korea, you will hear the latest hits of the
industry. K-pop fans visit South Korea in waves and
visit their favorite group’s or singer’s music label, get
a K-pop makeover or visit K-pop-themed cafés. If
you’re not yet into Korean music, we guarantee you
that after you visit South Korea, you will be.
STUNNING PLACES TO VISIT IN SOUTH KOREA
The elusive, exotic land of South Korea beckons every traveler and backpacker to experience its many
wonders. You’ll be spoilt for choice when shortlisting places to visit in South Korea, which offers such an
unbelievable range of unexplored natural sites and urban delights. There are tradition folk villages and swanky
cities, gorgeous islands and breathtaking natural vistas.We have listed out some of the most amazing places in
South Korea here that you can visit and explore.

No Place Reason
1 Seoul The Dazzling Capital City

2 Jeju Island A Stunning Island

3 Busan Something For Everyone

4 Gyeongju A Treasure Trove Of Cultural Sites

5 Pyeongchang County Paradise for Hikers

6 Gwang-An-Bridge The Famous Diamond Bridge

7 Chuncheon Spectacular Lakes & Mighty Mountains

8 Haeinsa Temple World’s Oldest Intact Buddhist Canon

9 Kyeong-Wha Station Capture The Essence Of Cherry Blossoms

10 Seongsan Sunrise Peak For Gorgeous Sunset Views