South Korea: The land of morning calm
Or why you must visit this country.
South Korea is an extraordinary country filled with beautiful beaches, thriving cities, ancient temples, remarkable natural scenery and most importantly, friendly people with ancient history.
South Korea has come a long way since The Korean War which ended in 1953. Today it is one of the most popular destinations in the World. In 2019, South Korea saw a record number of around 17.5 million visitors (according to statistics https://www.statista.com/). Why so? Let’s find out!
Geography
Geographically, South Korea is located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. It has coastlines along the Sea of Japan and the Yellow Sea, so there are a lot of places to swim.
If you like to, the best options are picturesque beaches in Busan, for example — Haeundae Beach.
Capital city
Its capital and largest city is Seoul.
Seoul is hailed as one of the most vibrant cities in Asia, attracting visitors from various parts of the world. As the capital city of South Korea, it is home to modern structures as well as a rich culture and remnants of history dating back more than 2,000 years.
Present-day Seoul has plenty to offer tourists — you’ll find grand palaces from the Joseon dynasty, some of Asia’s biggest theme parks, Buddhist temples, and vibrant districts dedicated to shopping. Seoul’s efficient public transportation can easily take you from the metropolitan capital to traditional villages in the countryside.
By the way, the city has its own slogan:
Main tourist attractions
South Korea is home to an endless number of world class attractions and annual festivals that foreigners and locals alike enjoy each year.
N Seoul Tower also known as the Namsan Tower is an iconic landmark in the Korean capital that offers a panoramic view of the city. In addition to a sightseeing platform, the tower has several restaurants, a café, souvenir shops and a museum. Many couples come to the tower as a romantic spot to visit. The palace was also featured in some South Korea dramas which has only increased its popularity. The views of Seoul city from the tower are unrivaled anywhere else in the country.
Gyeongbokgung Palace (Seoul), the “Palace Greatly Blessed by Heaven” was the first palace built by the Joseon founder in 1395.
This is the largest of all five grand palaces built in the Joseon Dynasty, remaining in Seoul. The palace is beautiful for visits in all four distinct seasons in Korea.
Jinhae Gunhangje Cherry Blossom Festival in Busan. Jinhae is a city located in the South part of Korea close to Busan city. During the festival season, the whole city is shrouded with beautiful pink and white flowers creating an almost dream like scenery. Besides the beautiful cherry blossom scenery, the festival also offers various street performances and food that will keep you fed and entertained the whole time you are there.
Food
Koreans are very proud of their unique cuisine. Over the centuries, they have created a fascinating and rich food culture made up of meat dishes, stews, soups, noodle dishes, seafood and many vegetable side dishes.
You can’t miss Noryangjin market, the biggest fish market in the country. If you wish to eat as a local, the formula is simple: buy your fish fresh and still alive at the market, then take it to the local restaurant to have it cooked for you! Delightful!
Climate
The climate in South Korea is temperate with 4 distinct seasons. There are heavy monsoon rains in the summer months June through September with temperatures exceeding 35°C. The winter months can see temperatures dropping to -14°C in the northern provinces. Tut the all-too-brief spring and autumn are just about perfect.
The best time to visit South Korea is between March and May if you want to see the vibrant pink of the cherry blossoms in bloom. If you want to see the landscapes come alive as the leaves change in the cooler weathers, then I’d recommend visiting between September and November. Temperatures during these times are generally pleasant and suitable for outdoor activities.
June, July and August offer the best conditions for hiking, but the weather is hot and humid away from the mountains.
Landscape
The country is largely mountainous, with small valleys and narrow coastal plains. The variety of nature beauty gives you an opportunity to see the places of your dreams in real life.
For example, some of the most beautiful scenery in South Korea. are located in Seoraksan National Park (Gangwon-do). It’s famous for the rocky landscape, with jagged peaks rising out of pine forests. Seoraksan also boasts a diverse habitat for animals, with over 1,500 species home to the area and over a thousands plants growing there.
On Instagram you can find an account visit.southkorea https://www.instagram.com/visit.southkorea/. These are a lot of amazing landscapes that you can enjoy!
https://www.instagram.com/p/CF2FXBOj5-8/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BzMsUAGn5FV/
To be more inspired of this country, I recommend you to watch this video about Seoul:
…and about Korean’s beauty
I hope you enjoyed this short post:-)
