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South Korea
From Seoul's glittering nightlife to Seoraksan National Park's vertiginous hikes, South Korea offers the traveler a dazzling range of experiences, beautiful landscapes and 5000 years of culture and history.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
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…
Myeong-dong & Jung-gu
One of Seoul's five grand palaces built during the Joseon dynasty, Deoksugung (meaning Palace of Virtuous Longevity) is the only one you can visit in the…
Gyeongsangbuk-do
This delightful traditional riverside village – a Unesco World Heritage site – is a place to commune with the traditional fabric of old Korea and, in the…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
This vast and imposing concrete slab of a museum takes visitors on a fascinating journey through Korea's past from prehistory all the way to the Korean…
Gangnam & Southern Seoul
This large and pleasant park was the focus of the 1988 Olympics. Strolling its paths takes you past its stadiums surrounded by plenty of greenery, ponds…
Gyeonggi-do
Granite-peak-studded Bukhansan National Park's sweeping mountaintop vistas, maple leaves, rushing streams and remote temples draw over 5 million hikers…
Itaewon & Yongsan-gu
This huge museum documents the history of the Korean War (1950–53) using multimedia exhibits and black-and-white documentary footage, along with artefacts…
Jeonju
This maeul (village) has more than 800 hanok (traditional wooden homes), making it one of the largest such concentrations in the country. Virtually all of…
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Planning Tools
Expert guidance to help you plan your trip
Best Things to Do
South Korea has an incredible mix of attractions that will keep you coming back for more. These are 11 of our favorites.
Read articleThings to Know
Before your trip to this cultural powerhouse, read our tips for planning, navigating etiquette, health and safety concerns and more.
Read articleTransportation
With some of the best public transport in the world, South Korea is a gift to travelers. Here's what you need to know about getting around when you arrive.
Read articleMoney and Costs
If you’re looking to travel to South Korea on a budget, follow this money-saving guide, from advice on SIM cards to tips on transit.
Read articleBest Road Trips
South Korea might not leap out as the obvious place for a road trip, but the back roads reveal a different side to the peninsula. Here are our top trips.
Read articlePlan with a local
Articles
Latest stories from South Korea
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Tips & Advice
Japan vs South Korea: which impressive East Asian destination should you visit?Nov 19, 2024 • 8 min read
ActivitiesLonely Planet's guide to visiting a Korean bathhouse for the first timeJun 19, 2024 • 8 min read
Destination PracticalitiesVisas for South Korea: here’s what you need to knowFeb 18, 2024 • 4 min read
Road TripsThe best road trips in South Korea weave through mountains, islands and historyFeb 17, 2024 • 10 min read
Destination PracticalitiesEverything you need to know about getting around South KoreaFeb 17, 2024 • 8 min read
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