Are you looking for a culture shock? Plan a trip to South Korea and prepare to be amazed.
Sandwiched between the superpowers of China and Japan, South Korea is one of those countries that remains very much off the beaten track, yet holds so much for visitors who take the time to explore it.
It is a country with a rich history and incredible contrasts and despite rapid industrialisation in recent years, cultural traditions remain strong. The major cities such as Seoul and Pusan are very modern in feel and the standard of living is high; yet close to high-rises, fast food outlets and cheap arcade rooms one can find back street markets to haggle in and small Buddhist monasteries.
Away from the urban centres, the countryside is predominantly mountainous and there are superb opportunities for hiking and camping in the forested hills. The coast is dotted with numerous small islands. Transport services are regular and reliable nationwide, so it is easy to travel around, visit ancient temples and discover other historical delights dating back from Korean’s many dynasties. It takes curiosity and time to learn and how and why Korea is different.
Confucianism still underpins values and it is fascinating to learn first hand about the etiquette which governs people’s behaviour. Visitors are inevitably struck by the kindness and generosity of the Koreans they encounter and the warmth with which they are received.
South Korea Travel Booking Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Search cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Find the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
South Korea Tours
• Browse small group adventure tours with G Adventures.
Getting to South Korea
Due to its landmine strewn border with North Korea, South Korea is essentially an island and often the only way in or out is to fly (though if you’re heading to/from Japan you can get the ferry from Busan).
Top Places to Visit
Seoul
Seoul is the capital of South Korea and one of the best cities to visit in Asia. I wrote a separate guide to this megacity, check it out today.
DMZ
A day trip out to the DMZ (the border with North Korea known as the “demilitarised zone”) is a poignant insight into the division that defines South Korea. Through mounted binoculars guarded by armed soldiers you can stare into the show “peace” village of Kijong-dong and get a glimpse into one of the world’s most secretive countries. Another highlight is a visit to the incursion tunnels – attempts by the North to infiltrate the South with the most recent only discovered in 1990!
Beaches and Islands to Visit in Korea
It’s well-known that a lot of Koreans tend to visit nearby countries to enjoy the weather and do a little sightseeing. Resorts in the Philippines, for example, see a steady flow of Korean tourists. But this doesn’t mean that Korea doesnít have its fair share of sand and the sea.
On the southern coast of Korea, you will find Busan, a lively sea port that’s also home to two popular beaches: Haeundae and Songjeong. Haeundae is especially one of the best-known beaches and is one of the places that are simply packed during the summer. If you’re looking for a little more peace and quiet, then you might want to check out Songjeong. The beach isnít as developed as Haeundae yet, so you may find that it still lacks some convenience facilities.
Jeju Island off the coast of Korea is also home to several beautiful beaches. Hamdeok is considered one of the safest beaches in the country and one of the top choices for relaxation and even camping. A sand dune separates the main beach and its attractions from the camping area. Hyopjae, on the other hand, offers stunning sights like white sands and beautiful blue waters.
Hwajinpo Beach also deserves a spot on a list of notable beaches in Korea. Apart from a shoreline thatís nearly two kilometers long, youíll find the waters are also very clean and that youíll be treated to the sight of a fabulous sunset. The nearby pine forest can also serve as a calming refuge for beachgoers after a day in the sun.
Korea may not be the most popular beach destination in the world, but it definitely offers a fine selection of seaside hangouts. During the holidays, people come to the beach in droves and you may find that relaxing and even swimming can a bit hard to accomplish, given the sheer number of beachgoers.
Food & Drink
Korean food is among the best in Asia, although often spicy, sometimes scary and (almost) always delicious. For Korean’s a meal is not a meal without Kimchee – a fermented cabbage dish served with almost every meal along with an array of other side-dishes. Best of all – tipping is unheard of! If you fancy cooking a local speciality, view my Korean Mandu dumpling recipe.