If you became as obsessed with the 2018 Winter Olympic Games as we did, you probably ended up learning a thing or two about South Korea during the coverage. These epic sporting events have made a lot of people more curious about the host country and what it has to offer travelers in its various cities and towns. From busy urban centers to historical sites, stunning scenery, and delicious cuisine, here are our top picks for cities to visit for your Olympics-inspired trip to South Korea.
Pyeongchang County
Pyeongchang hosted the recent Winter Olympics, but it’s a place worth visiting even without a big event going on. Marked by the beautiful mountain scenery of the Taeback Mountains, the big ski resorts here are called Alpensia and Yongpyong. The winter weather is typically cold and snowy, but hiking is also popular in these mountains when the temperatures warm up. Aside from outdoor adventure, you can check out Buddhist temples that date back to the seventh century when you visit Pyeongchang. There’s also the Baegnyong Cave, Pyeongchang Freshwater Fish Museum, and Eoreumchi Village to check out while you’re in this region of the country.
Seoul
However, most travelers start and end their journeys to South Koran in Seoul, which is a modern and exciting city that has so many great places to shop, eat, and drink. The shops of Insa Dong are ideal for finding souvenirs, and Hongdae is where you’ll find the city’s best nightlife scene. You can also learn about South Korea’s history when you visit Seoul by visiting the Changdeokgung and Gyeongbokgung Palaces. Many first-time travelers here take a city tour with a local guide, although the Seoul Metro is a great way to get around town. Make sure to see the War Memorial of Korea, Myeongdong Shopping Street, and Bukhansan National Park while you’re here.
Busan
Busan is home to South Korea’s most popular beach, Haeundae Beach, but it also has towering mountains, impressive temples, and an excellent culinary scene. There are many seafood markets and restaurants here, so foodies will definitely want to spend some time in Busan. Another big draw to the city is the Busan International Film Festival, which takes place in October. Other popular things to do when you visit Busan include taking a dip in the natural hot springs at a spa, seeing the Haedong Yonggung Temple, and hiking at Jangan Mountain. This is a travel destination where you can experience a little bit of everything, from nature to art, shopping, and much more.
Incheon
The city of Incheon is a place to experience South Korea’s great history and diversity. There’s a Chinatown here that is home to a large Chinese population in the country. This is a port city and also home to Grand Park, Eurwagni Beach, Wolmido Island, and the Sinpo International Market. When you visit town, you can also check out the Jeondeungsa Temple, relax in the Spasis spa and sauna center, and have a meal at the famous Buam Galbi Korean barbecue restaurant that serves up traditional pork belly and ox tongue.
Gyeongju
Gyeongju is a South Korean city along the coast with great historical significance and lots of opportunities to learn about it. Here you’ll find the Gyeongju National Museum with its over 16,000 artifacts, the Bukguk-sa Temple UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the grass-covered burial mounds at Tumuli Park. The tombs of former kings can be found as you get into Gyeongju, and you can even go inside one of them.
Suwon
Suwon is another great place to visit on a trip to South Korea. This area is best known as home of the Hwaseong Fortress, which was built in 1794 and circles around part of the city. This is a very large and impressive wall that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. You can also see the Suwon’s World Cup Stadium and relax in the large Manseok Park and its lake when you visit this area.
Jeju City
Jeju City is the largest city on Jeju Island, which is just off the southern coast of South Korea. Due to its geography, this island has a more moderate climate than elsewhere in the country and some really unique landscapes. Here you’ll find beaches, lava caves, botanical gardens, and even get to learn about how South Korean tea is made. The tallest mountain here is Hallasan, which is a great place to go for a hike and soak up the beauty of nature on the island. The Cheonjiyeon waterfall is also a popular sight to see for tourists. The island is an excellent vacation spot, and flights book up very quickly during holiday seasons.
Sokcho
Sokcho isn’t as large or busy of a city as many others on this list, but it’s a popular place to stay and see the nearby sites. You can get to Seoraksan National Park in about 30 minutes by bus from here, and the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is about an hour away by bus. This national park is one of the most beautiful in all of South Korea, and popular attractions include the Geumganggul Cave and Biryong Waterfall.
Jinhae
The city of Jinhae is best known for hosting the cherry blossom festival in the spring. There’s a short amount of time when these colorful petals bloom and fall off, so people travel here from all over the world to witness the natural beauty of these trees. The annual festival draws in over two million visitors each year and hosts art and culture performances and parades. There’s a lovely stretch of trees about a mile long near Gyeonghwa Station that is a popular place to see the cherry blossoms.
Boseong
To escape city life for a while and see the countryside of South Korea, plan to take a trip out to Boseong. This place is known as the tea farming capital of the country, and you can see farmers picking tea leaves in the fields still today. This place is very well known for its high-quality green tea and mountainous landscapes that surround the peaceful fields.
