Mohsin Khaiyam (Senior Sub-Editor)
One of the most fascinating countries to travel to and explore is South Korea. The county is filled with a fascinating history and marvels that make one’s time there worthwhile. South Korea is known for its great culture and food options, along with its tourism infrastructure, which includes an impressive high-speed rail system. The country is filled with ancient mountaintop Buddhist temples as well. From the Bulguksa to Seoul’s ultra-modern skyscrapers like the Lotte World Tower, there are attractions that will fascinate you. However, to plan a perfect visit to South Korea, you need to have the following five places on your itinerary:
1. Changdeokgung Palace
Located in Seoul, Changdeokgung Palace was a royal residence that hosted the king and royal family. They lived their daily lives here. While it was the home of the king, the palace was not just a single building but a complete complex. Each building in the palace had a different purpose. The palace had libraries, dining rooms, and meeting rooms built with architecture as close to perfect as possible.
2. Busan
Visiting South Korea and not visiting Busan cannot be right. This is the second-largest city in South Korea and has a beach to double up on your enjoyment. Since it has a coast, it is not just one beach; it has a number of them, including some great resorts. The best places to visit here, apart from the beach, are the Beomeosa Temple and the hillside village of Gamecheon. Another place is the Jagalchi Market. The great thing here is that the seafood can be cooked and given to small restaurants in the vicinity so that it can be cooked and enjoyed right after you get it. How do I get there? Well, “The Train to Busan” is the way. It takes two hours from Seoul to reach Busan using the KTX high-speed bullet train.
3. Jeonju
Just 90 minutes on a train from Seoul, Jeonju was once the spiritual capital of the Joseon Dynasty. Many ancient temples and shrines lie here. Hanok village is also here, making it a notch more interesting. These villages are home to ancient houses (hanoks). These allow visitors to feel ancient Korea. While most are museums here, one can also get lodging and food in some of the tourist-designated Hanoks.
4. N Seoul Tower
500 metres above sea level, and you see everything in Seoul. The N Seoul Tower is an iconic observation tower. The tower is built near the top of Mount Namsan and has indoor and outdoor observation areas. You can also get a good meal at the restaurants on top of the tower.
5. Bukchon Hanok Village
Like we said, Hanok villages are museums that are living. One can feel the past of what ancient lives may have been in Korea. They’ve restored and preserved ancient neighbourhoods that have kept the original history and stories alive. People visiting them can feel what it was like to live in a hanok as well as in Korea some 600 years ago. Bukchon has tiny and narrow streets similar to the ones that were in the past. People can explore authentic Korean culture here. Visitors can also rent a home slash hanok if they want to.
