Suwon
The World Heritage–listed fortress wall that encloses the original town of Suwon is what brings most travellers to the city. Snaking up and down Paldal…
Must-see attractions in Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
Gyeonggi-do
Granite-peak-studded Bukhansan National Park's sweeping mountaintop vistas, maple leaves, rushing streams and remote temples draw over 5 million hikers…
Gyeonggi-do
Opened in 1976, Everland is Korea's largest theme park, with five zones of rides, fantasy buildings and impressive seasonal gardens. The lush hillside…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
The partially restored remains of a small palace, dating back to the Goryeo dynasty (918–1392), sit on a hillside in Ganghwa-eup. The palace was completed…
Gyeonggi-do
This leafy cul-de-sac off a busy main road is the centre of Icheon's porcelain and celadon trade, a thriving tradition that dates back to the Joseon…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
The spectacular 2km-long Seopori Beach, located along Deokjeokdo's southern shore and backed by a thick grove of 200-year-old pine trees, is a sleepy…
The DMZ
Unquestionably the highlight of any trip to the DMZ is the Joint Security Area (JSA) at Panmunjeom. An improbable tourist destination, it's here where the…
Gyeonggi-do
This retirement home around 50km south-east of Seoul is still inhabited by a declining handful of women, now mostly in their 90s, who were forced to work…
Gyeonggi-do
The largest and most attractive of the World Heritage–listed royal tombs scattered around Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, Donggureung is the burial place of seven…
Namhansanseong Provincial Park
Gyeonggi-do
The World Heritage–listed fortress of Namhansanseong (남한산성 도립공원), 20km south-east of central Seoul, once guarded the city’s southern entrance. Today it's…
Suwon
This 245-acre themed experience is designed to transport you back to the Joseon dynasty as you wander through picturesque grounds filled with thatched and…
Gyeonggi-do
If you're partial to a day out at a winery, brewery or distillery, mixed in with a bit of culture amid nature, then a day trip to Sansawon Brewery &…
Suwon
A contender for Korea's wackiest museum, Mr Toilet House is the former residence of Suwon's mayor, the late Sim Jae-duck. Appropriately designed like a…
Gwacheon National Science Museum
Gyeonggi-do
While aimed at kids, this interactive science museum can be enjoyed by all. Set within a gigantic futuristic building, there are plenty of entertaining,…
Gyeonggi-do
Good luck trying to persuade the kids to exit Everland to go see an art museum, but if you manage it you'll be richly rewarded with the personal…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
Skip across this grassy field beside Ganghwa History Museum to marvel at Bugeun-ri Dolmen (부근리 고인돌), a trio of giant stones hefted into a megalithic tomb …
Gyeonggi-do
A relaxing blend of art and nature, Anyang Art Park comprises dozens of quirky sculptures and installations by Korean and international artists scattered…
Gyeonggi-do
Contemporary architecture and original building concepts are abundant in Paju Book City, a purpose-built neighbourhood 10km south of Heyri that's home to…
Gyeonggi-do
This art complex within Seolbong Park has several galleries showcasing contemporary ceramic art from Korea and around the world. There's also an…
National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Gyeonggi-do
The best reason for making the trip out to Seoul Grand Park is to visit this large and striking museum spread out over three floors and surrounded by a…
Suwon
This gallery features the pioneering new-media work of internationally acclaimed avant-garde artist Nam June Paik (1932–2006). It's not far from Korean…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
Situated high in the pine-forested hills of the west-coast island of Seongmodo, this temple has some superbly ornate painting on the eaves of its…
The DMZ
Since 1974, four tunnels have been found running under the DMZ, dug by the North Koreans so that their army could launch a surprise attack. Walking along…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
It's a steep one-hour climb, with more than 900 steps, to reach the top of scenic Mani-san (469m). At its summit you'll find Chamseongdan (참성단; 10am to…
Incheon
This attractive complex of 1930s and ‘40s brick warehouses was turned over to the Incheon Foundation for Arts and Culture, which has created gallery…
The DMZ
Peer through binoculars for a voyeuristic glimpse into the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK; North Korea). On a clear day you can make out…
Gyeonggi-do
An impressive indoor and outdoor water park with white-knuckle luges, flumes, tubes, a lazy river and a not-so-lazy wave pool. It's best avoided on summer…
Odusan Unification Observatory
Gyeonggi-do
This observation deck is just 2km from North Korea, permitting visitors to peer across the water into the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). There's also an…
Incheon
This large fish and seafood market has row upon row of vendors hawking every kind of edible sea beast, which can be consumed right here at several small…
Gyeonggi-do
Designed by Korean architect Kyung Kook Woo, this award-winning modernist building was listed in the book 1001 Buildings You Must See Before You Die. The…
Blume Museum of Contemporary Art
Gyeonggi-do
This contemporary gallery exhibits a mix of emerging and established artists across all mediums. It's inside a postmodern building designed by Korean…
Gyeonggi-do
An impressive collection of classic automobiles and sports cars are buffed to a sheen at this kid-friendly museum. A free shuttle bus goes here from…
Suwon
Sitting at the base of Paldal-san (143m), King Jeongjo’s palace was built in the late 18th century as a residence for when he visited to worship at his…
Incheon
Historically notable as the site of the Incheon Landing Operations during the Korean War, today the former island of Wolmi (it was joined to the mainland…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
This 150m-tall Songdo landmark has sensational 360° views from its IFEZ Observatory on the 33rd floor. From here you can see just how many empty city…
The DMZ
Awaiting the next departure to Pyongyang (and onward trans-Eurasian intercontinental travel), Dorasan train station stands as a symbol of hope for the…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
Covering 5000 years of the island’s history, the exhibits at this imaginative museum start with Ganghwa's ancient (and Unesco-listed) dolmen sites and…
Incheon Landing Operation Memorial Hall
Incheon
This sombre, strikingly designed museum commemorates the daring attack in which some 70,000 UN and South Korean troops took part in a surprise landing in…
Gyeonggi-do
Keep the kids happy all day at this family amusement park with five themed areas, special shows and classic fairground rides, from bumper cars to a…
Gyeonggi-do & Incheon
This multiplex observatory just 2km from North Korea offers prime views into the 'hermit kingdom'. Through binoculars (₩500 for two minutes) you can spy…
