Top 14 Tourist Attractions in South Korea

Popular South Korea landmarks and tourist spots

• 1 Ulleungdo Island

  8 /10

  

  In Ullungdo Island, South Korea, wonder and beauty await. Here, you can get plenty of sun, sea, sumptuous food, and beautiful scenery for you to feast on and enjoy. It is one great place to relax with family and friends. Because of its picturesque scenery, Ullungdo Island is a favorite among locals and tourists alike ...

  Read more about the Ulleungdo Island

• 2 Seoul Festival of Lights

  7.9 /10

  

  The Seoul Festival of Lights, organized by The Seoul foundation for Arts and Culture, is the biggest winter festival in Seoul, South Korea.
  
  Title: 2009 Seoul Festival of Lights
  Theme: De:Light of Seoul
  Slogan: "Seoul, Delightful City"
  Period: 12. 19(Sat)2009 ~1. 24(Sun)2010, 37days
  Venue: Gwanghwamun Square
  Organization: Seoul Metropolitan Government/ Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture
  Events: Exbibition of Nam June Paik's "Fractal Turtleship", Large-scale Media Facade and Interactive Media Experience
  Details: Site-specific programs that represent the history and significance of Gwanghwamun Square and neighboring major buildings(Storytelling of five-theme zones: History/Culture/Communication/Creation/Repose)
  
  
  "Seoul, Delightful City"
  
  In December 2009, Gwanghwamun Square transforms itself into the 'Square of Lights' ...

  Read more about the Seoul Festival of Lights

• 3 Hi Seoul Festival

  7.5 /10

  

  The HI SEOUL FESTIVAL is a global city festival where you can experience the true colors of Seoul, one of the most attractive city in the world.
  
  Hi Seoul Festival 2010 will invite the World with motion, bringing Spring.
  
  It begins on the 1st of May down by the Han River basin (main stage), and will spread to the entire metropolitan area of Seoul until the 9th of May ...

  Read more about the Hi Seoul Festival

• 4 Great South Gate

  7.4 /10

  

  Nandaemun (or Sungnyemun) is a prime example of the old majestically mixing with the new and the modern. Amidst the hustle and bustle of traffic and the skyscrapers that seem to sprout in the area, it is a refreshing reminder of Korea's glorious past. Namdaemun is a historic city gate, one among the four belonging to the old city walls ...

  Read more about the Great South Gate

• 5 N Seoul Tower

  7.4 /10

  

  No matter where you are in Seoul, look to the horizon and you will be sure to find the Seoul Tower. This landmark stands at the top of Mt. Namsan. This broadcasting tower is 370 meters tall (above sea level) and was erected in 1969. The digital observatory features cutting edge digital equipment such as a high powered telescope ...

  Read more about the N Seoul Tower

• 6 Gyeryongsan National Park

  7.4 /10

  

  Gyeryongsan (or Kyeryongsan) National Park is a favorite tourist destination in South Korea. And indeed, the park is chockfull of attractions that has something for everybody – a wide variety of flora and fauna for nature lovers, 15 peaks for avid mountain climbers and hikers, temples and ruins for the culture vulture, plus a calm and tranquil atmosphere for those who want to get away from the hubbub of city life ...

  Read more about the Gyeryongsan National Park

• 7 Changdeokgung

  7.4 /10

  

  The Changdokkung Palace (or Palace of of Prospering Virtue in English) in Seoul, South Korea, enthralls with its secret garden and magnificent architecture of the Joseon Dynasty. For over 250 years, it served as the seat of the royal regime and has largely preserved its architectural style.
  
  The design of the palace was based on the specification from the Three Kingdoms Period ...

  Read more about the Changdeokgung

• 8 Gyeongbokgung

  7.4 /10

  

  Gyeongbokgung / Kyongbokkung Palace (Heavenly Blessed Palace) in Seoul, South Korea, is among the Five Grand Palaces that was built during the Joseon Dynasty. It is also the dynasty's largest palace, and probably the most beautiful. It is massive and awe-inspiring – with its 330 buildings and over 5,000 rooms. Yes, the Royal family estate is a majestic symbol of power and wealth – it has over 400,000 square meters! It is a treasure trove of architectural structures, gardens, sculpture art and so much more ...

  Read more about the Gyeongbokgung

• 9 Deoksugung

  7.4 /10

  

  Standing proudly at a busy intersection in downtown Seoul is Deoksugung (Toksukung) Palace. It is known for its stately stone-wall road. It was built during the rule of the Choson dynasty.
  
  Its features include the Taehanmun Gate, which is the palace's main gate. Moving inward, you can see the Chunghwa-jeon Hall, which is the throne room of the Palace ...

  Read more about the Deoksugung

• 10 Panmunjom Village

  7.4 /10

  

  Straddling the border between South and North Korea is the "truce village" – Panmunjom. It is a relatively small village, only 800 meters in diameter. It lies in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the two sides ever since the end of the Korean War in 1953.
  
  The zone is filled with soldiers carrying loads of ammunition ...

  Read more about the Panmunjom Village

• 11 Jongmyo Shrine

  7.3 /10

  

  The Jongmyo (or Chongmyo) in Seoul, South Korea, is a royal shrine dedicated to the ancestors of the Choson dynasty, starting from King Taejo (who founded the Joseon dynasty). Among Confucian shrines, this is the most authentic and also the oldest. It is well preserved – what you see goes as far back as the 16th century. During the era of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, there were quite a number of shrines similar to Jongmyo ...

  Read more about the Jongmyo Shrine

• 12 Geumjeong Fortress

  7.3 /10

  

  The Geumjeongsanseong(or Geungjeong or Kumjongsansong) Mountain Fortress is all about size and the spirit of patriotism. Located south of Beomeosa, on Mt. Geumjeongsan in Busan, it stands as a symbol of the glory of Korea. If it is hiking and nature tripping you like, coupled with some history and culture, Mt. Geumjeongsan is the place to visit ...

  Read more about the Geumjeong Fortress

• 13 Beomeosa Temple

  7.1 /10

  

  Find serenity in Beomeosa (also Pomosa) Temple (Mt. Kumjong, Busan). In spite of tourists and worshippers milling about the temple, you can still feel a sense of tranquility in the midst of the hubbub. Its name means the "Temple of the Fish from Nirvana" ...

  Read more about the Beomeosa Temple

• 14 Cheomseongdae Observatory

  6.7 /10

  

  Delve deeper into Korean culture by visiting Gyeongju and its Cheomseongdae Observatory. Gyeongju, South Korea, used to be the capital of Silla (an ancient kingdom that existed from 57 B.C. to 935A.D.). It is described by some as an open air museum and this is shown by a visit to Cheomseongdae Observatory and other nearby attractions and relics ...

  Read more about the Cheomseongdae Observatory