Southern Jeju-do
A steep, 20-minute walk up the south face of the craggy Sanbang-san is a small stone Buddha in a 5m-high cave called Sanbanggul-sa. From Sagye-ri, the…
Must-see attractions in South Korea
Jeollanam-do
A Buddhist hermitage with a 1350-year heritage, Hyangir-am has an enviable location perched halfway up a mountain at the tip of Dolsando, an island…
Mokpo
Right on the coast, this park is filled with rocky cliffs and pavilions, with views across the island-scattered sea. Follow the main path for about 45…
Jeollanam-do
Elsewhere traditional markets may be losing out to newer shopping centres, but the Jeongnamjin Saturday Market in Jangheung (장흥) is definitely a happening…
Seoul
This extension of the Gyeongui Line Forest Park is a book-themed pathway of bookshops housed in train-carriage-like containers. The street commemorates…
Gyeongsangnam-do
This temple is a visual masterpiece filled with enchanting contours, colours and contrasts. It begins at the park entrance with an 800m walk through a…
Jeollanam-do
Songgwang-sa is considered one of the three jewels of Korean Buddhism (along with Tongdo-sa and Haein-sa, in Gyeongsangnam-do). Featured in the Little…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Stretching out 1975m, this is Korea’s longest cable-car ride. Near the top of Mireuk-san (461m), the view of Hallyeo Maritime National Park is dramatic…
Busan
On the southern tip of Yeongdo (영도; Yeong Island), experience the city’s rugged coastline along a well-groomed walking path. For those less inclined to…
Jeollabuk-do
This temple has a unique sculptural garden of 80 stone towers or pinnacles that were piled up by a Buddhist mystic, Yi Kapmyong (1860–1957). Up to 15m in…
Busan
Among the city's seven beaches, Gwangan is the best option for access and quality (the other beaches are Haeundae, Dadaepo, Songdo, Songjeong, Ilgwang and…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Just east of town along the railway line, you will come to this beauty – the oldest and largest brick pagoda in Korea. At almost 17m in height, the pagoda…
Jeollanam-do
Picturesque views of Korea's southern coastline reward hikers who scale the rocky path up to the peak, Duryun-bong (630m). The hike, which begins just…
Seoul
Originally built after Korea’s first oil crisis in 1973 and reopened in 2017, this cultural centre is made up of five abandoned oil tanks. Planted in a…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Peaceful and remote, Yeonhwado is a small island ideal for three-hour hikes. From the ferry (return ₩18,400, one hour, departs 6.30am, 9.30am,11am, 1pm…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Bijindo is actually two islands joined together by a sand bridge, which makes for some outstanding photography. It's a popular getaway destination for…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Haegeumgang, a collection of breathtaking rocky islets and a jagged coastline, forms part of the Hallyeo Maritime National Park – famous for life…
Busan
If the trails of Geumjeong Fortress seem more like work than pleasure, there are opportunities to explore Busan’s natural beauty at a more leisurely pace…
Gwangju
This gallery displays landscape, flower and bird paintings by the famed Heo Baek-ryeon (1891–1977), whose pen name was Uijae. His rebuilt house is a short…
Jeollanam-do
One of Korea's most iconic sights, the Boseong Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation is spectacularly set on a hillside covered with curvy row after row of…
Jeollanam-do
The southern coast's best beach is a nearly 4km stretch of golden sand backed by a boardwalk and pine trees. There's a popular campground (20 June to 31…
Gwangju
Learn about traditional life in Jeollanam-do through the somewhat retro-looking dioramas and models here, which cover everything from kimchi and clothing…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Geojedo's busiest tourist attraction is a tiny island-sized botanical garden 4km off the coast. It’s popular with Korean travellers, but unless you…
Jeonju
Eclectic, colourful murals adorn the walls of this shantytown, on a hill overlooking Jeonju's hanok maeul. It's slowly gentrifying, meaning several spots…
Gwangju
By the early 2000s, this traditional market in the city centre was nearly shuttered. As part of the 2008 Gwangju Biennale, artists added colourful murals,…
Busan
One of the country's few temples situated on the coast, Haedong Yonggung offers spectacular views of the temple grounds and surrounding ocean. Located…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
Held on the last Saturday of each month, this market attracts hundreds of shoppers to Usadan-ro on top of Itaewon Hill, where local artists sell their…
Jeollanam-do
Sandy walking trails wend through this bamboo grove, past pavilions and film locations for Korean dramas. It's one of the area's most popular attractions…
Gyeongsangnam-do
For most of the year this pretty beach with 2km of soft white sand and shallow water is a quiet destination. During summer it's packed with fun-seeking…
Mokpo
A grand four-floor atrium building that displays the work of local artists who work in all genres – from traditional ink to colourful modern splodges,…
Jeju-si
View interesting permanent and temporary exhibits of contemporary visual art at this excellent gallery next to Jeju Loveland. The beautifully designed…
Jeju-do
Ando Tadao–designed gallery with site-specific works that aid meditation. The building is angled to frame Seongsan Ilchul-bong. Exhibits art-nouveau glass…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Tucked near the eastern border of Jirisan, this temple is an active nunnery where a famed female sanshin (mountain spirit) is thought to reside. A…
Gyeongsangnam-do
Traditional market with a fantastic variety of street vendors and indoor shops.
Northern Seoul
Originally built in the 15th century by King Sejong for his father, this is one of Seoul's 'five grand palaces'. It backs onto the more impressive…
Chungcheongnam-do
One of Korea's smallest parks, Gyeryongsan means ‘Rooster Dragon Mountain’ because locals thought the mountain resembled a dragon with a rooster’s head…
Gyeongju
Close to the summit of the thickly forested Obong-san (640m), Bokdu-am features a huge rock face out of which 19 niches have been carved. The three…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
Beautifully situated among the Baekdu mountains, this 106-sq-km national park is most notable for its sublime limestone pinnacles, verdant valleys,…
Gangwon-do
This temple was originally established in AD 671 and enjoys a glorious perspective overlooking the sea. Also facing the sea is a majestic (but modern,…
