South Korea Destinations & City Guides

Framing forested granite peaks around centuries-old wooden Joseon palaces and ultra-modern neon neighbourhoods, Seoul effortlessly steals the show on any East Asia journey. Walk serene Bukchon Hanok village lanes, join expert historians for a fascinating half-day DMZ excursion, savour bustling sizzling Korean BBQ in Euljiro, and catch KTX bullet trains south from Seoul Station.

Capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years, scenic Gyeongju feels like a tranquil open-air museum of pine-clad royal burial mounds, Asia's oldest astronomical observatory (Cheomseongdae), and serene UNESCO-listed mountain temples. Connected in 2 hours by KTX bullet train from Seoul, it also offers South Korea's most atmospheric traditional heated-floor (ondol) Hanok stays.

South Korea's exuberant second city marries sweeping white beaches at Haeundae with dramatic coastal sea temples perched right above breaking waves, colourful hillside murals in Gamcheon Village, and Asia's freshest bustling harbour seafood markets. Reaching Busan straight from Seoul or Gyeongju by KTX bullet train gives travellers a refreshing coastal climax.

Just a 65-minute hop from Seoul or Busan lies Korea's beloved sub-tropical volcanic jewel — Jeju Island. Crowned by mist-wrapped Mount Hallasan (Korea's tallest mountain), black hexagonal basalt cliffs along Jusangjeolli coast, UNESCO lava caves, lush green tea terraces at O'Sulloc, and Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff crater rising dramatically from the ocean.