Title: Visit South Korea: Best of South Korea Tourism | Expedia Travel Guide - Expedia.ca [South Korea Hotels](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-South-Korea.d94.Hotel-Destinations)[Vacation Rentals in South Korea](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-South-Korea.d94.Vacation-Rental-Destinations)[South Korea Flights](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-South-Korea.d94.Flight-Destinations)[South Korea Car Rentals](https://expedia.ca/Destinations-In-South-Korea.d94.Car-Rental-Destinations)[South Korea Vacations](https://expedia.ca/South-Korea.d94.Destination-Travel-Guides) # South Korea ## Travel Guide ![Bongeunsa Temple showing a park and outdoor art](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/250000/250300-Bongeunsa-Temple.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Oedo Paradise Island which includes rugged coastline and landscape views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/69000/69260-Oedo-Paradise-Island.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Jeju Island which includes a park, landscape views and forests](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/39000/39235-Olle-Walking-Paths.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Dongdaemun Design Plaza featuring modern architecture](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/249000/249867-Seoul.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) ![Noryangjin Fish Market featuring interior views and food](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/249000/249849-Seoul.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=1040&h=580&q=mediumHigh) #### With a landscape as diverse as its culture and cuisine, this breathtaking region of East Asia is a feast for the senses. Encounter a thrilling mix of old and new in South Korea. While neon signs and high-tech industries may abound in its cities, this nation promises more than just hustle and bustle, with sleepy coastal fishing villages and grand temples to explore here too. Established in 1948, South Korea, or the Republic of Korea as it is officially known, composes the southern half of the Korean peninsula, along with thousands of outlying islands. The capital city, Seoul, is a buzzing metropolis at the heart of the country’s technology scene. For the best bird’s-eye view of Seoul, head to the observatory at the N Seoul Tower, which offers a 360-degree view of the cityscape and the summit of Mount Namsan. Back on the ground, visit Deoksugung Palace, a modern palace flanked by a traditional gate, and watch the daily Changing of the Royal Guard. In the evening, attend a traditional Korean performance at the Jeongdong Theater. For a complete change of pace, venture to the white-sand Haeundae Beach in Busan. Stretching around 1 mile (2 kilometers) long, this beach offers a relaxing break from the buzz of city life. Find Bulguksa Temple on the slopes of Mount Toham on the southeastern coast. This Buddhist temple complex features unique Silla-era pagodas and a monumental sea-facing statue of Buddha. South Korean food is flavorful and spicy. Be sure to try kimchi, spicy fermented cabbage, often used as an accompaniment to main dishes bibimbap, a mixed rice and vegetable dish, often topped with egg and meat and bulgogi, barbecued marinated beef. The largest airport in South Korea is Incheon International Airport, located in Seoul. Each of the country’s major cities has their own subway system, with signs written in both English and Korean, and journeys paid for using rechargeable money cards. Taxis are abundant and inexpensive, and ferries run regularly from the mainland to the hundreds of outlying islands. Visit South Korea during spring, and you’ll likely be blessed with warm temperatures and little rainfall. See where ancient and modern collide in this fascinating East Asian nation. ### Popular places to visit ![Namdaemun Market showing markets, street scenes and a city](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/30000/30198-Namdaemun-Market.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Namdaemun Market This traditional Korean market is the largest and oldest in Seoul, and where you’ll find all manner of clothes and food at very reasonable prices. [](https://expedia.ca/Namdaemun-Market-Jung-gu.d6080055.Vacation-Attraction) ![Gyeongbok Palace featuring a square or plaza and heritage architecture as well as a small group of people](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/250000/250119-Gyeongbok-Palace.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) #### Gyeongbokgung Palace This royal palace has been destroyed on more than one occasion, but today it stands as one of Seoul’s finest examples of classic Korean architecture. [](https://expedia.ca/Gyeongbokgung-Palace-Jongno-gu.d6080009.Vacation-Attraction) ![Photo provided by Korea Tourism Organization](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/30000/30203-N-Seoul-Tower.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=900&h=506&q=mediumHigh) [Photo provided by Korea Tourism Organization](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/30000/30203-N-Seoul-Tower.jpg) #### N Seoul Tower This Seoul landmark can be seen from miles around and offers the finest panoramas of the city. [](https://expedia.ca/N-Seoul-Tower-Yongsan-gu.d502744.Vacation-Attraction) ## Regions in South Korea ![Gangneung showing rugged coastline, general coastal views and views](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/247000/247591-Gangwon.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Gangwon This mountainous region in South Korea offers visitors beautiful landscapes, stunning coastal towns and the chance to visit Demilitarized Zones. [](https://expedia.ca/Gangwon.dx6129076) ![Samsung Innovation Museum which includes a city](https://a.travel-assets.com/findyours-php/viewfinder/images/res70/248000/248547-Gyeonggi-Korea.jpg?impolicy=fcrop&w=512&h=288&q=medium) ### Gyeonggi South Korea’s most populated province contains some of the country’s very important cultural treasures, including forts, palaces and prehistoric relics. [](https://expedia.ca/Gyeonggi.dx6129075) - [Packages](?pwaLob=wizard-package-pwa) - [Stays](?pwaLob=wizard-hotel-pwa-v2) - [Flights](?pwaLob=wizard-flight-pwa) - [Things to do](?pwaLob=wizard-lx-pwa) - [Cruises](?pwaLob=wizard-cruise-pwa) - [Cars](?pwaLob=wizard-car-pwa) # South Korea ![](https://a.travel-assets.com/mad-service/footer/bnaBanners/BEX_Footer.jpg) ## Go further with the Expedia app Save on select hotels and earn double points when you book on the app. Our app deals help you to save on trips so you can travel more and manage it all on the go. Scan the QR code with your device camera and download our app ![QR code to download the app](data:image/png;base64,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)