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| Image: Aleksandar Pasaric/pexels.com |
School holidays are the perfect time for an unforgettable family adventure, and South Korea offers a vibrant destination that promises experiences for all ages.
Here are the top 10 destinations you should consider visiting in South Korea for your school holiday getaway.
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| Euljiro Neon Lights in Seoul |
One of the great cities of East Asia, Seoul is South Korea’s economic, cultural, and political capital, a supercharged metropolis teeming with people, markets, restaurants, bars, and oodles of historical sites. There’s a contagious excitement pulsing throughout its streets, which makes it the perfect place to begin your Korean journey. With bars and clubs open until the early hours, futuristic architecture galore, and K-Pop music blaring out of trendy shops, Seoul feels like any other high-octane 21st-century capital city. Yet beneath its neon-lit exterior, Seoul is also a city steeped in history and culture, and the ever-present mix of old and new is always a delight. This 24-hour city is bound to offer something to engage your senses, no matter the time of day, whether it’s an early-morning temple visit or a midnight stroll through the night markets.
To the east of Seoul, along the serene Bukhan River, sits Nami Island, an idyllic hideaway shaded by trees, drawing visitors from the bustling capital, particularly couples and those on the brink of romance – thanks to the island’s depiction in the hugely popular Korean drama, Winter Sonata. Today, the most thrilling approach to Nami Island is via zipline. Embark from an 80-meter-high tower, soaring nearly a kilometre across the river. Throughout the exhilarating journey, marvel at the panoramic vistas of lush mountains cloaked in forest and the crystalline river meandering between them.
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| Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan |
Also referred to as “The Summer Capital of Korea”, today Busan is a bustling and vibrant city with much more to offer than initially meets the eye. Busan is a mecca for foodies with numerous local specialties on offer, an ever-changing restaurant, cafe, and bar scene, abundant street food stalls selling everything from sweet stuffed pancakes to kimbap (Korean-style sushi rolls), and is home to the world’s 6th biggest fish market run almost entirely by women traders. Check out the vibrant Gamcheon Culture Village nicknamed “Korea’s Santorini”, a colourful neighbourhood brimming with art installations, murals, sculptures, cute cafés, maze-like alleys, winding staircases, and independent shops (not to mention stunning views over the city and the sea). From ancient temples to museums, thriving arts and culture districts, as well as being home to the largest department store in the world – nowhere beats Busan.
The perfect day trip from Busan, Tongyeong graces the picturesque Hallyeohaesang National Park in the South Sea of Korea. The city consists of 151 islands dotting the coastline which makes it a famous tourist destination, with romantic coastal views of the sea and many islands showing the local culture, from mural villages to delicious foods. Visitors can explore Dongpirang Village, a small village decorated with various mural paintings, ride the cable car on Mt. Mireuksan, and admire the sunset in Dara Park.
Nestled in the heart of South Korea, Jeonju captivates with its fusion of tradition and modernity. Renowned for its rich cultural heritage, this charming city boasts over 1,000 years of history, evident in its well-preserved Hanok village, with narrow, white-walled alleys winding between temples, workshops, guesthouses, and museums. There are around 800 traditional Korean houses within Jeonju Hanok Village, making it one of the biggest Hanok Villages in South Korea. Most of the main attractions in Jeonju are within walking distance of each other so it is an easy city to explore on foot. Filled with culinary wonders, there is no shortage of markets filled with hundreds of colourful stalls – perfect for sampling delicious snacks such as sundae blood sausage, nokdu jeon fried mung-bean cake, and even makgeolli rice wine ice cream!
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| Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju |
For anyone who wants to relive the glory days of Korean history, Gyeongju is the place to start – locals often refer to it as a “Museum without Walls”, on account of the regal burial mounds spread liberally not just inside the city, but throughout the fields and forests starting just outside the centre. Founded in 57 BC as the capital of the Kingdom of Silla, Gyeongju has more historic sites than anywhere else in the country, from its ancient tumuli stuffed with fifth-century treasures to its Buddhist grottoes, set amid arched bridges and willow trees straight from the pages of a Korean fairy tale. Anapji Pond, meanwhile, is not just the prettiest spot in the city, but a fascinating archaeological site that once formed part of an enormous palace complex.
Today, Andong’s primary tourism draw is Hahoe, a World Heritage village that sits on a bend of the Nakdong River just outside of the city. The village is renowned for its preserved traditional architecture in the form of thatched and tiled houses reminiscent of the Joseon Dynasty, ceramics, and several designated cultural assets. Wandering freely through the narrow stone-walled roads traversing local houses, Confucian schools, immaculately kept gardens, and communal courtyards, it’s easy to see why Queen Elizabeth was taken to Hahoe during her state visit in 1999 has requested to be taken to the “most Korean place in South Korea”. Locals can often be seen in traditional dress here. Just a short walk and ferry ride across the river awaits Buyongdae Cliff – a great place to get an ariel view of the folk village and surrounding majestic rolling hills.
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| Image: Virginia Chien/pexels.com |
Tucked up in the northeastern corner of the country, Seoraksan National Park is Korea’s most spectacular mountain area – and if you’ve got the energy, you’ll also find some of the best hiking trails in the country here. The park is famed for its surrounding views, crystal-clear mountain streams, and vivacious flora and fauna. In spring its slopes are covered in blossom and azaleas; later in the year, the cooler temperatures of autumn see the park blanketed with foliage of bright yellow and crimson red. At 1,708 metres, Mount Seorak is the highest mountain in the Taebaek Range, which forms the backbone of the Korean Peninsula. Here, valleys are threaded with walking trails leading to hidden temples, fantastical rock formations, ancient ruins, and crashing waterfalls.
The perfect place to visit for sunrise or sunset, Yeonggeumjeong is surrounded by natural beauty and pays testament to South Korea’s rich cultural heritage. The origin of the name Yeonggeumjeong stems from the notion that the rhythm of waves crashing against rocks echoes the serene melody of the geomungo, a traditional stringed instrument with six strings. Located at the end of a 50-meter-long bridge stretching over a rocky peninsula, the pavilion offers a panoramic view of the East Sea. The surrounding city of Sokcho offers a perfect blend of coastal relaxation, delectable seafood indulgence, and invigorating hiking adventures. Whilst in the region, don’t miss the chance to explore the historic Naksansa Temple. With a rich legacy spanning over 1300 years, this revered site attracts countless Buddhists, irrespective of their social standing, drawn to witness the authentic relics of Gwaneum.
The largest of South Korea’s 3,000 islands is also the country’s favourite summer holiday destination, and it’s not difficult to see why. Jeju boasts a balmy climate, juicy tangerines, beautiful beaches, and a rich, indigenous culture all of its own. Its famous “sea women” dive up to 30 metres to harvest seafood from the ocean floor, while traditional communities still live in thatched-roof villages built from black lava rock. Fantastical rock formations, towering volcanic peaks, and twisted lava tunnels provide a dramatic backdrop to tea plantations and tropical gardens, where contemporary art and sculpture mix with waterfalls, lily ponds, palm trees, and cacti. Jeju is, quite simply, the jewel in South Korea’s crown.
