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South Korea Travel Guide

The history of South Korea stretches back to 2,300 BC, but this country officially known as the Republic of Korea has enjoyed quite a bit of time in the spotlight lately. In addition to the popularity of K-pop, K-dramas, and other parts of South Korean pop culture, the country also successfully hosted the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. It takes just over five hours and 30 minutes to fly the 3,720 km directly from Bangkok to South Korea's bustling capital city, Seoul.

South Korea is beginning to rival Japan as a popular tourist destination during the spring cherry blossom (sakura in Japanese) season. Another reason why spring may be the best time to visit South Korea is because it is considered the most pleasant of the country's four distinct seasons. Springtime in South Korea is usually dry and mild, while summers are typically hot, humid, and rainy. Skiing is the best winter activity in this country whose natural landscape is dominated by mountains. Two of South Korea's largest ski resorts, Yongpyong and Phoenix Park, hosted the 2018 Winter Olympics skiing and snowboarding events.

No other indoor amusement park on Earth can match the size of Seoul's Lotte World, which includes a shopping complex and hotel next to its Camelot Carousel and thrilling roller coasters. A gigantic castle towers over the dozen attractions on Magic Island, the Lotte World outdoor park on Seokchon Lake. The country's only safari experience and the planet's steepest roller coaster made of wood are a couple of the attractions at Everland, South Korea's biggest outdoor amusement park. K-pop fans who cannot see their favourite idols perform in person can enjoy 3D holographic mini concerts at the unique Play K-Pop digital theme park on the island of Jeju.

Kimchi is the first dish which comes to mind when most people think about Korean food. Seoul's Museum Kimchikan is not only the best place to learn more about kimchi, but also to learn how to prepare this Korean signature dish. Foodies can cook their own meat at Korean barbecue restaurants, which serve up dozens of namul side dishes and cold ray myung noodles as dessert. Other Korean restaurant menu staples include samgyetang chicken soup and a mixed rice dish called bibimpap. The island of Jeju and the southeast coastal city of Busan feature some of South Korea's best seafood restaurants. A rice malt beverage called makgeolli ranks not far behind soju on the list of popular drinks at South Korean bars.

Gyeongbokgung Palace, first constructed in 1395, is the biggest and most beautiful of Seoul's five grand palaces. The National Folk Museum and National Palace Museum are both located near this “palace of shining happiness” where visitors dressed in traditional Korean hanbok do not have to pay admission fees. There are many hanbok rental shops near the Gyeongbokgung Palace. Foodies can learn to prepare and feast on up to 14 courses at South Korea's Royal Cuisine restaurants.

Prices in South Korea tend to be higher than in Thailand, but bargaining can result in great bargains for shoppers at Seoul's Namdaemun Market. This indoor and outdoor market is also a good place to sample snacks like Orion Choco Pies, dried fruits, and roasted seaweed. Seoul's main shopping districts are Dongdaemun, which features many massive shopping centres. Insadong in Seoul’s Chongno-gu is packed with shops selling beautiful ceramics, clothing and other unusual designer style goods. Skin Food and Tony Moly are two of the South Korean cosmetic brands which have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. The enormous Lotte Department Store and shops in Myoeng-dong offer a large range of Korean beauty products.