Why not try out a cruise line experience without getting sea-sick? — by Kate Filer from On The Go Tours. South Korea has a little something for everyone. For a memorable sit down meal try Dongnae Halmae Pajeon. Situated near the Gyeongbokgung Palace is the Jogyesa Buddhist Temple. Don’t forget to check out my other comprehensive bucket lists! Home to the Seoul Zoo, a colourful theme garden, the National Museum of Contemporary Art, the Seoul Land amusement park, and all of the usual things you’d expect to find in a park – it’s a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. It’s definitely got a charm all of its own. It’s 2018 and South Korea hit the international stage by hosting the incredible Winter Olympics and Winter Paraolympics in Pyeongchang! Hongdae: The streets of this neighbourhood is filled with amazing art, cafes, clubs, live music bars and boutiques. *Please note that the prices are as of July 2018. This is a great way to experience what the origins of the Korean architecture and housing started. Criss-crossed by walking and cycling paths, Upo Marsh is an exercise in tranquility located not too far from Korea’s second largest city, Busan. While South Korea has many different amusement parks, you may not have enough time to visit them all in one trip. Never stop exploring it’s natural and man-made wonders! Big kids will find some thrills of their own here, with the towering T-Express being the world’s fourth tallest wooden roller coaster and one of the ten fastest. — by Ashley NA from I Love Seoul Tour. The peak of blossoming only lasts few days from late March to mid-April so make sure to book at the right time to be able to enjoy beautiful spring landscapes. South Korea has built massive cycling infrastructure in the past few decades, including a network of cross-country bike paths. You can read more about South Korean festivals, but I’ve highlighted the most significant below. Delve into the ancient history and glorious culture of Korea by visiting the Changdeokgung Palace. Moving into a new place can be overwhelming but moving into one on the other side of the world creates a whole new level of stress. While Jejudo in the nation’s south gets the most attention, more and more people are starting to realize what an unspoiled paradise Ulleungdo is. Aside from kimchi (which isn’t really a dish as much as it is a side), Korean BBQ is the country’s signature dish. In Korea, it is considered polite to be silent while you and everyone else eats. One of the best places in Seoul to take in a view of the sprawling city, N Seoul Tower (otherwise known as Seoul Tower or Namsan Tower) offers a great panorama of the city. It’s also home to Bulguksa, #34 on this list. South Korea has so many great museums each with their unique style, charm, and history focus points whether that’s animals, agriculture, country/world history, art, and more. Don’t take my word for it – check out the picture above and let it do the convincing! The Lantern festival, mud festival, cheery Blossom festival, hiking till national park all have fascinated me much. There is a South Korean festival for almost every occasion, and they offer a great chance to immerse yourself in local culture that you won’t get just wandering the usual tourist trail. Ten years later and they’ve been back multiple times and are already planning their next big trip. 7 of the Best Things to Do in South Korea 1. It’s amazing how quickly Koreans have been able to rebuild their country into the thriving, first world sensation it is today. For mouth-watering street food in Seoul, go to Myeong-dong for hotteok (sweet potato cake), gimbap (rice roll) and beondegi (silkworm pupae); or Gwangjang Market for mayak kimbap (rice roll), bindaetteok (mung bean pancake) and soondae (Korean blood sausage). Find what to do today, this weekend or in January. You may also want to see our tours and holidays in South Korea: Unlock discounts globally. Once at the DMZ you can peer into North Korea from a safe and secure location such as Panmunjom where you will find the Military Demarcation Line or the Joint Security Area (JSA). As Busan was one of the only places in South Korea not to fall to North Korea during the Korean War, Haedong Yonggungsa also has the selling point of being one of the oldest temples in the country. News. Expat or Korean, it seems like everyone in South Korea knows how to have a good time. Sit on the beach and watch haenyo or traditional women divers who dive to depths of 10-20 metres without equipment in search of clams, abalone as well as octopus. Perched high on Mount Geumjeong overlooking Haeundae Beach, you can spend the night meditating while learning about Buddhism from the monks. Insanely choreographed dance routines, screaming fans, and frustratingly catchy tunes make for an unforgettable night out. It’s a sad fact that South Korea is often overlooked in favour of its neighbours – Japan and China. Loveland is packed with numerous statues dedicated to love and sex. We have reviews of the best places to see in South Korea. The Seoul Trick Eye Museum isn’t something you can’t find elsewhere in the world, but it’s a fun way to kill a rainy afternoon snapping silly photos of you and your friends. The city is so famous for the spicy dish that there is an annual Dak Galbi Festival, and bloggers and locals alike debate over where to find the best dak galbi in Chuncheon. It’s important to note that ZooTopia offers not only pandas, giraffes, and lions, but they also are home to the famous Korean speaking elephant who mimics the words from its handler. Known as ‘Korea’s Hawaii’, there are certainly similarities between this tropical, volcanic island and the US state. Now that I have traveled the country extensively, this is my list of top things to do in South Korea. Insider’s tips: The best way to get a feel for the daily life in Seoul is to walk around in your free time. Situated on 40 hectares, the Gyeongbokgung Palace is composed of fourteen restored buildings that include the king’s main living quarters, Gangnyeongjeon. The most famous of these is a route called the “4 Rivers Bike Path”, that runs from Seoul to Busan, South Korea’s second largest city on the southern coast. Things to Do in South Korea, Asia: See Tripadvisor's 843,680 traveller reviews and photos of South Korea tourist attractions. The festival typically takes place in late April. South Korea’s largest seafood market, Jagalchi Market in Busan is a must-see if you like your seafood fresh. There are a variety of tour operators offering trips to the Demilitiarized Zone, but only the USO DMZ Tour takes you into the infamous ‘Blue Room’ in which you can stand in both South Korea and North Korea at the same time. Not only do they have great street artists, but there is also a great mix of old and new Korean culture including cafes, restaurants, and shops selling authentic souvenirs. Few places epitomise the beauty of tea plantations quite like Boseong, located just outside of Gwangju in the nation’s south. It doesn’t resonate culturally with me the way that Japan or China do (probably because it’s barely ever portrayed in media), but it has a real appeal that keeps me coming back. Many of the hanok houses are still lived in and some are also re-modeled into guest houses, restaurants, cafes, and other culture centers. While we’re sure you’re reading this because you want to travel around and see exciting places, but one of the must things to do in South Korea is to see the street artists perform on Insa Dong Street in Seoul. For those wanting to see traditional Korean architecture and to experience a (somewhat watered down) old Korea, it’s an invaluable resource. There are more things to do in Seoraksan than simply hiking, and the park offers a little something for everyone from the hardcore hiker to the avid photographer. Built in 1395 C.E., Gyeongbokgung Palace is the most ornate and largest of the five palaces constructed during the Joseon Dynasty. Check out the high end restaurants, cafes and malls that fills this area. Travelling to South Korea? For those wanting a glimpse into Korean life before the high rises and factories, the Hanok Village in Jeonju is a great way to step back in time. An especially popular event with expats living and working in South Korea, the Boryeong Mud Festival is a wild party that combines alcohol, a beautiful beach, oodles of therapeutic mud, and visitors from all walks of life into an orgy of fun. From what the government knows there are 4 total tunnels discovered and it’s rumored that there are a dozen more undiscovered tunnels. A volcanic island jutting out of the dark seas between Korea and Japan, Ulleungdo is an island of quiet fishing villages, sweeping vistas, and breathtaking volcanic terrain. It is also a museum of Korean military history, and visitors can wander the more than 13,000 item exhibition as well as a large outdoor area displaying aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels. Have you ever dreamed of walking through an ancient village wearing traditional clothing or indulging in some of the finest street cuisine in the world? Insider’s Tips: When you visit Jagalchi fish market, you can buy fresh seafood you like and have it cooked for you in a local restaurant of the market. Besides, it is very common to order fried chicken in the parks to eat peacefully while talking with your friends and contemplating by the river. Insider’s Tips: South Korea is actually one of the best countries in the world to explore by bike, and almost no one knows, not even cyclists! Things to Do in South Korea, Asia: See Tripadvisor's 843 644 traveller reviews and photos of South Korea tourist attractions. Why not take a trip to the third discovered tunnel that is only 44 km from Seoul and is open to tourists and learn about what happened and how they found out about them? Published by Jane Andersen on August 2, 2018. It’s a visually stunning evening and well worth the detour. Great pictures! A true labour of love, Oedo is sometimes known as the Oedo Botania for the stunning gardens that have been nurtured onto what was once a barren piece of rock. Perhaps you are dreaming of a pristine beach or spending the night with Buddhist monks? Speaking of must-see temples, Bulgulksa is a World Heritage listed temple site that is considered South Korea’s most important historic site and is also home to seven of the country’s national treasures. Here are 18 things to do in South Korea to keep you busy exploring the exciting landscape it has to offer. 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