One of the fastest growing economies in Asia, South Korea will wow you with its fine Buddhist temples, feudal-era forts, ancient pagodas, Western opulence, deep-rooted Confucian traditions, glitzy shopping markets, exotic food and national pride.
With its origin dating back to as early as 2333 BC, South Korea is going to be a paradise for history lovers with its vast collection of historical sites which are wrapped in interesting tales. If we talk about its culture, the country seems to be influenced by China, in bits and pieces as the Koreans are a pretty independent community who don’t like to be dominated by any region or country. Archeological records show that South Korea was linked to Gojoseon Kingdom and its roots were traced back to 7th-4th century BC. Gojoseon was defeated by Chinese Han Dynasty and subsequently the control came into the hands of the native tribes; there were three groups, namely Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla.
Adorned with several sightseeing wonders, it is very hard to pin down the must visit attractions in South Korea. Still, there are some places out of all that you cannot miss exploring to soak up the essential flavours. So let’s start with Seoul, the capital city which is home to famous palaces, Secret Garden and Seoul Tower any many more. It is also home to world heritage sites in Gyeongju, so don’t miss out on that when you are in the land of South Korea. There is so much to explore and experience here that you will feel that time is running out of your hands and there is still so much left to discover. It has something for everyone, be it history buffs, nature lovers or the adventure enthusiasts. You can try your hands at a world of activities and sports like trekking/hiking, snowboarding/skiing or opt for learning the famous forms of martial arts such as taekwondo, taekkyeon and hapkido. If you happen to travel to places like The city of Boryeong, don’t miss the fun-filled Mud Festival which is an annual event in July. The Gyeonggi-do & Kangwon-do province has a number of water parks and amusement parks which are perfect getaways for your family or friends.
When it comes to shopping, South Korea could be the best bet for shoppers as it has umpteen shopping arcades and local markets which are lined with shops selling traditional items, trendy apparels, electronic items, antiques and other stuff. Food is another national pastime here as people love to indulge themselves in variety of cuisines. The favorite Korean food is rice and soup along with a meat or fish dish, just to make it complete. However, people are here comparatively subtle and mild in their ways where nightlife is concerned. They might not be as happening as their Western counterparts but still have some decent beer places and decent pubs where you can quench your thirst with your favorite drink. With all this and more, South Korea has what it takes to be a global tourist attraction and you will surely fall in love with the country.