What is South Korea famous for? This is a modern country filled with fascinating contrasts between its high-tech cities, ancient temples, and vibrant pop culture that has captivated audiences globally.
South Korea has something for every interest, regardless of whether you’re strolling through Seoul’s neon-lit streets, sampling delicious Korean BBQ at gogi-jip meat houses, or wandering around historical palaces.
Apart from its urban dynamism, South Korea offers peaceful countryside regions, pristine beaches, and mountain ranges with excellent hiking opportunities. This nation provides remarkable journeys for travelers seeking adventure, intriguing cultural sites, relaxation, and plenty of spicy culinary delights.
Seoul’s Historical Palaces
Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
One of the best things to do in Seoul is visit its magnificent palaces. As soon as you enter, you’ll be transported back to Korea’s imperial era, when emperors and court officials walked these very same grounds.
Gyeongbokgung Palace, constructed in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty, is Seoul’s largest palace. It was the seat of government and the residence of the royal family.
It’s a beautiful locale where you can view traditional Korean palace architecture, distinguished by stylishly curved roofs, dancheong multicolored decorative motifs, spacious courtyards, exquisitely landscaped gardens, and a royal guard-changing ceremony.
Gyeongbokgung is also home to the exquisite Gwanghwamun Gate and the lovely Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, which is opposite a pretty lotus pond.
Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul
After touring Gyeongbokgung Palace, head to Changdeokgung Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The palace’s Secret Garden, known for its striking landscaping, was once restricted to royal access only. Luckily, part of it is now open to the public, as long as an official tour guide accompanies you during your visit.
Deoksugung Palace, which served as a royal residence and a temporary royal palace in the past, stands out due to its combination of Western design influences and Korean architectural elements. This is exemplified by Seokjojeon Hall’s neoclassical style, where you can enjoy some “royal” coffee and dessert at the Seokjojeon Terrace Café.
Changgyeonggung Palace, Seoul
Changgyeonggung Palace, rebuilt in the 1600s after a Japanese invasion, was a former residence for queens and concubines. Today, the palace offers serene surroundings, a large pond, stone bridges, and a grand greenhouse.
Seoul’s different palace complexes showcase this country’s architectural acumen and royalty-centered culture, making them all worth exploring.
K-Pop and K-Dramas
K-pop concert in Seoul
South Korea is the center of the Hallyu movement. Hallyu describes the worldwide appeal, or wave, of South Korea’s cultural prowess through its pop culture and entertainment industry. K-pop music and K-dramas maintain a strong presence among worldwide audiences.
Whether you love Korean pop culture or not, it’s worth visiting some entertainment-rich areas in Seoul and Busan.
If you’re a fan of Korean pop music, or merely curious about the phenomenon, swing by one of Seoul’s K-pop companies. Major firms such as HYBE, SM Entertainment, YG Entertainment, and JYP Entertainment are focal points where devotees hang out to see some of their favorite K-pop stars.
Many entertainment companies in Seoul also feature neighboring zones with themed cafés, shops, and other attractions related to their artists. You can also visit landmarks like K-Star Road, which showcases art and merchandise related to various K-pop talent, including life-sized bear statues representing different idol groups.
Gamcheon Culture Village, Busan
BIFF square in Busan is a contemporary movie district with a “Star Street,” where famous movie actors have left their handprints on plaques in the pavement stones. Simply look down and check out all of the famous names. Busan’s colorful hillside Gamcheon Culture Village has also been featured in numerous domestic and international productions.
Korean Cuisine
Samgyeopsal
Korean cuisine brings together robust flavors and an extensive culinary legacy. The Korean dining table always features kimchi, a fermented vegetable dish made from cabbage or radish and flavored with chili powder, garlic, ginger, and fish sauce.
Of course, while exploring Korea, don’t miss out on some scrumptious Korean BBQ. You can grill marinated bulgogi—thin slices of beef—or samgyeopsal, which is pork belly, directly on your table, enjoying your grilled protein with fresh lettuce wraps, spicy ssamjang red chili paste, and soybean dipping sauce.
Gochujang
In Korean cooking, gochujang, which is fermented red chili paste and doenjang, soybean paste, are essential ingredients that form the base of many dishes. You’ll be given plenty of chances to enjoy these distinct flavors.
Street food stalls, which comprise a big part of Seoul’s and Busan’s dining scenes, tend to feature spicy rice cake tteokbokki, sweet nut-filled hotteok pancakes, and odeng fish cakes floating in hot broth. A quick snack is never more than a food cart away.
Myeongdong, Seoul
In Seoul, Myeongdong and Gwangjang markets are great spots for street food. In Busan, head to Nampodong Street for some fantastic street eats.
The Koreans’ love of fermentation is also expressed in piping-hot bowls of doenjang-jjigae and kimchi jjigae stews. Seoul, Busan, and more remote spots like Jeju Island, known for its black pork serve up Korea’s traditional spicy flavors, along with a range of zesty stews and grilled meat.
Shopping Culture
Myeongdong, Seoul
Seoul is a shopaholic’s dream, with everything from luxury designer brands to affordable street markets. The city’s most famous pedestrian shopping district, Myeongdong, features high-end fashion boutiques and beauty salons selling the newest K-beauty lotions and products.
The Gangnam district is renowned for its luxury shopping scene, which includes upscale malls such as Starfield COEX Mall, the Galleria Department Store, and the Apgujeong Rodeo Street, which locals often refer to as Korea’s “Beverly Hills.”
Gangnam district, Seoul
Namdaemun Market is where you’ll want to go for a more traditional Korean shopping experience. This market is one the country’s largest, where you can pick up a diverse selection of items, from clothing and accessories to ginseng, adorable trinkets and souvenirs, and ceramics.
Dongdaemun Shopping Complex offers fashionistas access to wholesale markets and designer boutiques. If you adore vintage items, independent labels, and a vibrant, youth-oriented atmosphere, you should also put Hongdae Shopping Street on your list of areas to visit.
Jeju Island’s Volcanic Wonders
Jeju Island
One thing South Korea is known for is the volcanic island of Jeju, off the southern coast of the Korean Peninsula, filled with breathtaking landscapes, stark cliffs, and crashing seaside surf.
Hallasan Mountain is the tallest peak in South Korea and the dominant feature on the island, towering above the surrounding terrain.
This beautiful shield volcano offers hikers magnificent panoramas of the greenery below along four different trekking routes, which, depending on the path you choose, traverse the crater, woodland areas, and alpine meadows.
Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs, Jeju Island
Another must-visit site on the Asian island is the Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliffs’ hexagonal basalt columns. These striking lava columns, formed after a Hallasan eruption, cooled down after running into the sea, creating a beautiful formation that now wows visitors searching for coastal beauty.
For more things to do in Jeju, check out Jeongbang Waterfall. This lovely, soaring cascade of water is a rarity as it drops straight into the ocean.
Seongsan Ilchulbong, Jeju Island
Jeju’s Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, also known as Sunrise Peak, is a fascinating volcanic geological oddity that stands majestically above the sea. It’s a small, circular peninsula with outstanding ocean views from the top.
When it comes to cuisine, you can sample freshly caught seafood such as abalone and sea urchins, as well as Jeju’s black pork, known for its rich, smoky flavor and chewy texture, during your stay.
Haenyeo in Jeju Island
You may also want to learn about Jeju’s Haenyeo women, who engage in an age-old free-diving practice to harvest seafood from the ocean bed, a longstanding custom that enhances the island’s rich cultural landscape.
Busan
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan
South Korea’s dynamic port city of Busan, in the southeastern part of the country, combines the modern attractions of a Korean metropolis with the region’s long history and striking coastal geography.
The arresting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple should be at the top of any list of Busan sites to visit. This Buddhist temple, dating back to the 1300s, sits atop rocky cliffs along the coast, offering sublime ocean views.
Geumjeongsan Fortress, Busan
Another one of the best things to do in Busan is hiking to Geumjeongsan Fortress. This stone stronghold, built to repel Japanese invasions, is perched on Geumjeong Mountain. It’s ideal for hiking and offers outstanding views of the forested hills and Busan below.
Back in the city proper, visit the massive and lively Jagalchi Fish Market for a memorable experience picking out fresh seafood, which you can then have cooked upstairs for immediate consumption.
If you love effervescent outdoor art and color, explore Gamcheon Culture Village, time allowing. This hillside Busan neighborhood features fanciful sculptures, vibrant murals, art galleries, small boutiques, colorful buildings, and narrow, winding walkways that are a joy to stroll around.
Gwangalli Beach, Busan
Haeundae Beach will offer you vast, sandy shores in the city, plus a lively boardwalk with eateries and cafés. Gwangalli Beach, on the other hand, will provide stellar views of Gwangan Bridge, skyscrapers, fresh seafood, and other dishes, as well as a more laid-back seaside atmosphere.
The world’s biggest department store, Shinsegae Centum City, is located in Busan. This massive shopping complex also features Spa Land, an expansive indoor spa area perfect for relaxation after a bout of shopping.
N Seoul Tower
N Seoul Tower
N Seoul Tower, on Namsan Mountain, is one of the best places to visit in Seoul. It offers spectacular vistas of the sprawling megalopolis below. During the day and at night, the tower’s observation decks let you see the city’s buildings and sparkling lights.
The tower has also gained fame for its collection of “love locks,” colorful padlocks covering its fences. These locks represent couples’ eternal love.
Namsan Cable Car, Seoul
There are several ways to reach the tower. You can either take the Namsan Cable Car for a panoramic ride at treetop level or follow one of the many trails through Namsan Park to the top. The latter is incredibly beautiful during spring or autumn.
At the summit, stop for a meal at the N Grill restaurant on the tower’s top floor. This restaurant offers exquisite city views and fancy French cuisine. A digital laser projector art installation is also featured at the tower, adding a futuristic art experience to your observatory visit.
Insadong, Seoul
Market in Insadong, Seoul
Traditional Korean culture comes alive in Insadong, an animated district in Seoul that is a paradise for art and history enthusiasts, souvenir shoppers, and foodies.
Galleries here display Korean paintings, ceramics, and calligraphy exhibits. Side alleys host charming teahouses, traditional craft shops, and artistic workshops for pottery, woodworking, jewelry, and more.
The multi-story Ssamzigil shopping complex stands out with its spiral walkway design, unique handmade crafts, and quirky items for sale. Hanok-style tea houses offer tea and desserts, and you’ll also find food stalls serving hotteok sweet pancakes, dumplings, spicy tteokbokki rice cakes, and other culinary goodies.
A short walk from Insadong’s electric ambiance, you’ll run into Jogyesa Temple, the head of Buddhism in Korea. This temple is home to enormous Buddha statues and vibrant lantern displays, creating a restful city escape where you can recharge before returning to the city fray.
Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest offers a leafy city retreat. This large urban park in Seongsu-dong combines natural elements with cultural activities and recreational opportunities, creating a pleasant, nature-filled morning or afternoon.
The park comprises five themed zones, including the Hangang Riverside Park Project, the Wetland Eco Center, the Eco Forest, the Experiential Learning Park, and the Cultural and Arts Park.
Deer Park, Seoul Forest
Additionally, you can drop by the Deer Park to feed friendly deer in their enclosure. If you’re a butterfly lover, the park’s Butterfly Garden will treat you to an array of multicolored insects and aromatic flowers.
Seoul Forest also boasts cycling trails. You can rent a bike to ride along scenic routes next to the Han River or walk through the grounds to admire the cherry blossoms and ginkgo trees.
Seoul
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