Places to visit in South Korea

Busan is the second largest city in South Korea with a population of 3.5 million people. The city has many sun-kissed beached, magnificent mountains. Busan is a lively port town that has much to offer to tourists and locals alike. Busan has a wide range of chic cafes, tent bars and fish markets that sell every imaginable species of seafood. There is something to match everyone's taste here. The urban landscape of the city is defined by rocky mountain ranges and on the other hand events such as the International Film Festival of Busan make give it a global feel and appeal.

Attraction: Gamcheon Culture Village, Haeundae Beach, Gwangandaegyo Bridge, Beomeosa Temple, HaedongYonggung Temple

Activity: Skiing, Banquet Shows, KNN Diorama World, Cruising.

Food: Sharky’s Bar and Grill, Merciel, Ventanas, Yong Ggum

Shopping: Shinsegae Centum City, Gukje Market, Buejon Market.

This festival is celebrated on the first Friday of November each year when the streets of Seoul light up with hundreds of grand illuminated lanterns. The festival attracts tourist from all over the world and lasts for a whole two weeks. Each year the festival has a new theme that ranges from traditional and modern aspects of the South Korean society.

Why you should attend this: Each year the festival has a new theme that ranges from traditional and modern aspects of the South Korean society. Who should attend this: Couples, families and solo travelers.

This festival is a celebration of a beloved Korean folk character Chunhyang from the popular story Chunhyangjeon. The story tells the tale of how Chunhyang was devoted to her beloved despite the many troubles, and the festival is celebrated to honor her struggle and devotion. The festivals feature many activities such as love booths, lantern parades, wrestling and fan dancing.

Why you should attend this: The festival has a unique theme its nor religious or musical. Instead, it celebrates a beloved Korean folk character Chunhyang from the popular story Chunhyangjeon. The story tells the tale of how Chunhyang was devoted to her beloved despite the many troubles, and the festival is celebrated to honor her struggle and devotion. It's a remarkable festival and is must visit if you happen to be in South Korea at the time.

Who should attend this: Couples, families and solo travelers.

This festival happens every year in the historically significant Hahoe Folk Village in Andong. The festival glorifies the rich and vast Korean traditions, and each year the festival has on display many different form and styles to mask dances from some countries in Asian and around the world. Although the most spectacular display is, of course, the Korean dances.

Why you should attend this: The festival glorifies the rich and vast Korean traditions, and each year the festival has on display many different form and styles to mask dances from some countries in Asian and around the world. Although the most spectacular display is, of course, the Korean dances.

Who should attend this: Couples, families and solo travelers.

The festival is celebrated in January in Hwacheon located in the Gangwon province. During the festival, you can enjoy the breath-taking views, crystal clear ice and white snow. There are also some activities you can enjoy such as making ice sculptures, snow sledding, ice fishing and other.

Why you should attend this: You can enjoy the beautiful winter views and activities such as making ice sculptures, snow sledding, ice fishing and other.  

Who should attend this: Couples, families and solo travelers.

The temple is located along the coastline, was built by Naong a great Buddhist teacher. The temple was built under the reign of the Goryeo Dynasty and is a testimony to Koreas rich historical past.

Location: 416-3, Sirang-ri, Gijangeup, Gijang-gun, Busan, South Korea

Known for: The temple is a testimony to Koreas rich historical past. 

How to reach: Best way to visit the temple is to book a guided tour as it will include roundtrip transfers and an English guide.

Approximate Cost: Entry is free, but if you are driving you will have to pay for parking.

Operating hours: 5 am to sunset 

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides and weather appropriate clothing

Type: Temple

This is a burial country for the soldiers in United Nations who were martyrs of the Korean War. It's the only remain burial grounds dedicated to UN soldiers with over 2300 graves. The cemetery is spread over several acres and consists of many monuments such as British Commonwealth monument, Australian monument, Greek monument and the Turkish monument.

Location: 93 UN pyeonghwa-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, South Korea

Known for: This is a burial country for the soldiers in United Nations who were martyrs of the Korean War. It's the only remain burial grounds dedicated to UN soldiers with over 2300 graves.

How to reach: Take bus #134 from Busan station, and it will take you straight to the museum.

Approximate Cost: Entry Fee

Operating hours: 9 am to 5 pm 

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides and weather appropriate clothing

Type: Historical Monument

This village is a testimony to the creative and artistic side of South Korea with an abundance of graffiti, artworks, and paintings that decorate every nook and corner of this beautiful village. The village sits atop a tall mountain, but once you make your way to the top, the scenic views are truly breathtaking. Make sure you grab a map on your way as the streets of the village can be hard to navigate.

Location: Gamcheon-dong, Saha-gu, Busan, South Korea

Known for: This village is a testimony to the creative and artistic side of South Korea with an abundance of graffiti, artworks, and paintings that decorate every nook and corner of this beautiful village

How to reach: Best way to travel to the village is to book a guided tour, and you can include a visit to the Eden Valley Ski Resort.

Approximate Cost: Entry is free, but tours can cost approx. INR 3000/- per person

Operating hours: 9 am to 5 pm 

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides and weather appropriate clothing

Type: Culture Centre

Seoul is the capital city of South Korea with a total population of 9.9 million people. Seoul is a busy metropolitan with a constant hustle and bustle. The capital city of South Korea is Seoul and is located on the Han River and is currently the largest city in the world. The city is operational 24*7, and at every corner, you will find a taxi or subway station, cafes and restaurants and information booths. As a tourist its very unlikely that you will feel lost here.

Attraction: Seoullo 7017, Changdeokng, Deoksugung, Jogye-Sa, Gyeongbokgung, Olympic Park, National Museum of Korea and Wal Memorial of Korea. 

Activity: Visit the trick eye Museum, Visit Mount Namsan, visit a cat café, take a food tour

Food: Doramu, Jungsik,The Beastro

Shopping: Myeongdong (cosmetics), Lotte Department Store’s Main Branch, Ewha Woman’s University Shopping Street.

Incheon is South Koreas thirds largest city and is an ever-expanding metropolis. The city mainly serves as an industrial port and is only 36km away from the capital city of Seoul. It is an Incheon that Korea first welcomed foreigners in the year 1883, before which the country was living in absolute isolation. The city played a significant part in the Korean War of 1950 and fragments of the ill dated war can still be seen there, specifically in the port areas and colorful Chinatown. Most places in the city can be accessed by the well designed and efficient subway system. Here you can enjoy delicious Chinese food, walks on the Wolmido Waterfront, and visit the Yeonan fish market. You can even catch ferries to the Islands in the West sea and China from here. If you fly into Incheon instead of Seoul, please note that the international airport of Incheon is located an hour outside the city.

Attraction: Muuido, Jeondeungsa, Baengnyeongdo, Jajangmyeon Museum, The Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Operation, Incheon City Museum.

Activity: Ferry rides to nearby islands, visit china town.

Food: BuamGalbi, Liquor Burger, IlmiHwapyeongdongNaengmyeon, Gonghwachun

Shopping: Bupyeong station underground shopping mall, Sinpo International Market,NC Cube Canal Walk, Square 1. 

The museum is an iconic attraction in Seoul. The museum has on display 10 Hanok aka traditional Korean houses and 2,000 plus traditional Korean furniture pieces. The museum itself is a beautiful and significant architectural wonder in Seoul. It an ideal tourist attraction for the whole family and you can take home some inspiration for your home interiors.

Location: 330-577 Seongbuk-dong, Seongbuk-gu

Known for: The museum is an iconic attraction in Seoul. The museum has on display 10 Hanok aka traditional Korean houses and 2,000 plus traditional Korean furniture pieces

How to reach: The nearest subway Station is the Hansang University Station, the museum is a 5 minutes taxi ride from there.

Approximate Cost: approx. INR 2000/- per person. 

Operating hours: 11 am to 6 pm 

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides, and weather appropriate clothing.

Type: Museum

Bukchon is without a doubt an iconic historical district in Seoul. Visitors here can stroll at leisure in tiny streets lined with brick walls and traditional Korean houses that vary in shape and sizes. Unlike the Korea furniture museum, the village has a livelier feel, and there are even an outdoor museum and several tea houses that you can visit.

Location: Bukchon Culture Center, 105 Gye-dong, Jongro-gu

Known for: Visitors here can stroll at leisure in tiny streets lined with brick walls and traditional Korean houses that vary in shape and sizes.

How to reach: The nearest subway station is Anguk Station and the village is just 300 meters from there.  

Approximate Cost: Free entry

Operating hours: 9 am to 5 pm 

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides, and weather appropriate clothing.

Type: Culture Centre

You must be wondering what's so iconic about a subway station, well if you want to visit three of Seoul's most popular tourists' spots, i.e., King Sejong statue, The Cheonggyecheon stream, Gyeongbokgung Palace, you must first make your way here. Everything else is a stone throw away from the station. In addition to many popular tourist attraction, you can enjoy open views of the cities and spot mountain ranges in the far distance. There are many places to eat, shop, especially if you want to but stationery and designer products.

Location: 83 Doryeon-dong, Jongro-gu

Known for: The station is an iconic landmark and situated close to King Sejong statue, The Cheonggyecheon stream, Gyeongbokgung Palace. 

How to reach: Take the subway to Gwanghwamun Station, from there you can walk to all the nearest attractions. 

Approximate Cost: Entry fees are applicable at different attractions. 

Operating hours: Vary from place to place

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides and weather appropriate clothing

Type: Landmark

In the recent years, Insadong has made its transition from a traditional Seoul district to a modern, artsy hot spot. There are many art galleries, tea shops, artsy spots, souvenir shops to visit. You can get portraits made here, but cool paintings and traditional handicrafts as well as enjoy tasty teas and scrumptious food.

Location: Insadong, Jongro-gu

Known for: There are many art galleries, tea shops, artsy spots, souvenir shops to visit. You can get portraits made here, but cool paintings and traditional handicrafts as well as enjoy tasty teas and scrumptious food.

How to reach: The nearest station is Anguk Station from where Insadong is 100 meters away.

Approximate Cost: Entry fees are applicable at different attractions. 

Operating hours: 12 pm to 11 pm 

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides and weather appropriate clothing

Type: Landmark

Incheon park covers a staggering area equivalent to 727 acres making it the largest park in the city. On either side of the park are two iconic monuments, Sangassan Mountain and Gwanmosan Mountain. You can visit these monuments and go hiking and hill sledding. A fun activity for kids. In addition to these great monuments, there are many other attractions such as playing grounds, children's zoo, botanical gardens and beautiful lakes in the park for tourists to enjoy. One can easily spend an entire day here without getting bored or running out of things to do.

Location: Incheon Grand Park, 236, Munemi-ro, Namdong-gu, Incheon, South Korea

Known for: There are numerous activities you can do here as well visit some iconic monuments located nearby. 

How to reach: The park is centrally located in the city, you can easily hail a cab to here. 

Approximate Cost: Free Entry

Operating hours: 5 am to 11 pm 

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides and weather appropriate clothing

Type: Park

After you make your way through the extensive list of attractions in Incheon, you are bound to be tires and exhaust. So, what better way to relax than spending a couple of hours taking a relaxing bath. If that sounds like fun, then you must make your way to Spaces, the largest sauna and spa center in Incheon. The place has on offer many swimming pools, cave rooms, fitness room, movie theatre, restaurants, billiards and children's room.

Location: Spaces, 548-21, Dohwa-dong, Nam-gu, Incheon, South Korea

Known for: The place is a famous spa with many swimming pools, cave rooms, fitness room, movie theatre, restaurants, billiards and children’s room

How to reach: The nearest station is Dohwa station from there the place is a 10-minute walk.

Approximate Cost: Entry fees are applicable at different attractions

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Swim Wear and extra clothing

Type: Tourist attraction

This is a religious temple located within the Samrangseong Fortressbuilt nearly a thousand years ago. In the olden days, the temple was used as a shrine for the family ancestors. The temple is very grand with several grand structures and great buildings such as Yaksajeon, Yangheonsu Victory Monument, Beomjong Bell and Daeungbojeon. In addition to all this, the temple is surrounded by colorful trees and flowers.

Location: Jeondeungsa Temple, 37-41, Jeondeungsa-ro, Gilsang-myeon, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon, South Korea

Known for: This is a religious temple located within the Samrangseong Fortressbuilt nearly a thousand years ago. In the olden days, the temple was used as a shrine for the family ancestors.

How to reach: Distance from airport/ commutation facilities etc

Approximate Cost: Entry Fee approx. INR 180/- per person

Operating hours: 7:30 am to 6:30 pm

Any precautions/ must carry items etc.: Carry your cameras, water bottles, translation guides and weather appropriate clothing

Type: Temple