Things to do in  South Korea

Nowhere is the tension between North Korea and South Korea more palpable than in the no-man’s-land known as the Korean Demilitarized Zone, or DMZ. As a divided nation, only 2.5 miles (4 kilometers) separate the North from the South at what is the most heavily armed border on earth. The 150-mile (241-kilometer) zone has served as a buffer since the 1953 cease-fire agreement between the United Nations and North Korea that put the Korean War on hold.

One of four known tunnels in the DMZ (demilitarized zone between North Korea and South Korea), the Third Tunnel of Aggression sits more than 229 feet (70 meters) below ground. North Korea likely built the tunnel to attack South Korea. When it was discovered, the government claimed it was a coal mine. You can walk through the tunnel.

Gyeongbokgung Palace (also known as the Northern Palace) is one of South Korea’s must-visit attractions. Of the five main palaces in Seoul, it’s the biggest and most beautiful—and its 1395 construction date also makes it the country’s oldest Joseon dynasty palace. Highlights include the grand Gyeonghoeru Pavilion, supported by 48 stone pillars and used for ceremonies, and the on-site National Folk Museum of Korea, which features roughly 10,000 artifacts.

This half-moon-shaped island, situated southwest of Chuncheon, served as a filming location for the popular Korean TV drama Winter Sonata. Namiseom (Nami) offers a peaceful escape from the bustle of Seoul with facilities for bike riding, ziplining, camping, and boating. The island’s redwoods, ginkgos, and pines offer a habitat for roaming deer and waterfowl.

Situated atop Mt. Dora on the South Korean side of the 38th parallel, the Dora Observatory sits as close to North Korea as possible from the south. The observatory often is the highlight of a Korea Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) tour itinerary, and you’ll have the opportunity to observe parts of North Korea through high-powered binoculars, including the Kijong-dong “propaganda village” and the city of Kaesong.

Located just south of the Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Imjingak Park serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of the Korean War and a yearning for peace and reunification between the two Koreas. The park is dedicated to the 10 million South Koreans separated from their families when the peninsula was divided, with various monuments, statues, and other points of interest throughout.

Insadong is Seoul’s cultural and artistic hub, as well as the place to shop for local crafts, visit a traditional Korean tea shop, or catch an impromptu street performance. The neighborhood, located in the Jongno-gu district, offers one of the largest antiques and craft markets in the country, with many shops and cafés housed in historic buildings.

Head to the top of Namsan Tower (N Seoul Tower) in hilly Namsan Park, the largest in Seoul, for some of the best panoramic views over the South Korean capital. The 777-foot (237-meter) tower offers three observation decks and half a dozen restaurants where you can soak in the views, day or night.

Flanked by Gyeongbokgung Palace and Changdeokgung Palace—two of Seoul’s Joseon Dynasty palaces—Bukchon Hanok Village comprises hundreds of traditionalhanok houses that today are home to restaurants, teahouses, cultural centers, art galleries, and B&Bs. It’s one of the best places to experience a taste of old Seoul.

Established in 1910, Jogyesa Temple serves as the center of Zen Buddhism in South Korea. Highlights of the temple complex include Daeungjeon, Seoul’s largest Buddhist shrine, as well as a garden area with a white pine tree that is more than 500 years old.

Gwangjang Market, Seoul’s first and oldest covered market, was originally the place to buy traditional Korean clothing items, such as hanbok. Though the market still specializes in textiles, it’s become one of Seoul’s biggest street food hot spots, where foodies can sample nearly any type of Korean cuisine under the same roof.

Gamcheon Culture Village spills down a hillside in a riot of colors just outside Busan. The village, nicknamed “Santorini on the South Sea” and “the Machu Picchu of Busan,” was once an enclave for refugee members of the Taegeukdo religious movement. Today, the neighborhood attracts visitors with its steep cubicle houses, galleries, and cafés.

Visitors come from all over to sample the fresh seafood at Jagalchi Fish Market in Busan. The largest seafood market in the country, Jagalchi is unique in that it’s run largely by women—a tradition dating back to the Korean War, when many of the men were off fighting and their wives took over the family businesses.

Just outside Gyeongju, the 8th-century Bulguksa Temple is renowned for its ornate gardens and vibrant pagodas. Built on a sprawling site, it’s still a functioning Buddhist temple, so visitors will likely see resident monks performing ceremonies. Seven National Treasures, mischievous chipmunks, and wish-granting rock piles add to the UNESCO-listed complex’s charm.

Built during the Goryeo Dynasty in 1376, historic Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is one of only a few Korean temples on the coast, and it honors Haesu Gwaneum Daebul, a Buddhist goddess believed to live in the ocean, where she rides atop a dragon. Legends aside, the east-facing temple offers a spectacular view of the rising sun.