50 years after the devastating civil war, Korea has developed tremendously with sophisticated cities like Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon, etc. However, Korean tourism also offers unique natural landscapes to attract visitors, especially the famous filming locations of Korean dramas that have become proud tourist attractions of Korea.
JINHAE
Jinhae-gu is an area in the city of Changwon, southern Korea. Jinhae is famous for its annual cherry blossom festival in spring. The two most beautiful places to admire cherry blossoms in Korea are at Kyeongwha Train Station and Yeojwa Stream in Jinhae. In particular, at Yeojwa Stream, couples can walk across the romantic Romance Bridge, a filming location of the famous Korean drama “Romance” starring the famous actors Kim Ha Neul and Kim Jae Won.
SEORAK MOUNTAIN
Seorak Mountain is the third highest mountain in Korea, located in Gangwon Province in the northeast. Seoraksan National Park is a treasure of Korean tourism with many outstanding attractions such as the Ulsanbawi rock formation with 5 adjacent rock blocks, each with a concave gap like a basin on its top. There is also the Valley of a Thousand Buddhas, also known as Seorak Valley, because the mountains on both sides of the valley are arranged like two rows of Buddha statues.
JEJU ISLAND
Jejudo is a renowned island of Korean tourism, appearing in many Korean dramas. To explore the entire island, you need to spend a considerable amount of time. Some outstanding destinations include the Seopjikoji coastal road with volcanic rocks of various shapes, Seongsan Ilchubong Mountain (also known as Sunrise Peak) – a 5000-year-old volcano with a great view at sunrise, and Halla Mountain with a mysterious scene of snow-covered trees in winter. Udo Island, located near Jejudo, is also a famous tourist destination in Korea, with the Bat Cave being one of the 8 most beautiful scenes of the island. Here, visitors can also admire the rare red Rhodolith coral on the beach.
BOMUN OBSERVATORY
Bomun Observatory is located in Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty. This is one of the tourist destinations in Korea where you can enjoy beautiful scenery in all 4 seasons: cherry blossoms in spring, green leaves in summer, red and golden leaves in autumn, and white snow in winter
HAEINSA TEMPLE
The 1200-year-old Haeinsa Temple is the oldest temple in the world that preserves the Tripitaka Koreana, the oldest Buddhist scriptures. In the temple, there is alsoa wooden building called Janggyeong Panjeon, where the Tripitaka Koreana is stored. The temple is located in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, and it is registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
NAMI ISLAND
Nami Island, also known as Namiseom Island, is located in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. This small island has become famous as a filming location for the Korean drama “Winter Sonata.” The island is beautiful all year round, with different colors of vegetation in each season. Visitors can take a leisurely walk, ride a bike or take a zip line to admire the beautiful scenery.
GYEONGJU
Gyeongju is called the “museum without walls” as it is the ancient capital of the Silla Dynasty. This city has many historical sites, including Bulguksa Temple, the Seokguram Grotto, and the Cheomseongdae Observatory. Visitors can also visit the Gyeongju National Museum to learn about the history and culture of the Silla Dynasty.
BUSAN
Busan is a bustling city located in the southeastern part of Korea. This city has many tourist attractions such as Haeundae Beach, Gwangalli Beach, Gamcheon Culture Village, and the Busan Tower. Visitors can also enjoy fresh seafood at the Jagalchi Market, the largest fish market in Korea.
DMZThe Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a unique tourist destination in Korea because it is a buffer zone that separates North and South Korea. Visitors can see the tension between the two countries at the Joint Security Area (JSA) and visit the 3rd Infiltration Tunnel, which was dug by North Korea to invade South Korea.
GANGNEUNG
Gangneung is a city located in Gangwon Province, on the east coast of Korea. This city has many beautiful beaches such as Gyeongpo Beach and Anmok Beach, which are famous for their beautiful sunrise views. Visitors can also explore the traditional Korean village of Seongyojang and the Ojukheon House, where the famous Korean scholar Yi Hwang was born.
In summary, Korea has many tourist destinations for visitors to explore, from natural landscapes to historical and cultural sites. Visitors can also enjoy Korean cuisine and experience the unique culture of this beautiful country.