The stunning destinations to visit in South Korea

Looking for a unique destination for your holiday? Why not visit South Korea, a vibrant and spectacular country, which is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination?

With ancient temples, trendy neighborhoods, tea plantations, and more than 3,000 offshore islands to explore, South Korea is the country you should visit at least once in your lifetime. Here are the most picturesque destinations in South Korea that are worth visiting if you are looking for a vacation full of culture, magic, and friendly people.

Andong

A very welcoming and friendly place, Andong is renowned for its delicious cuisine, so foodies will rejoice at all the local delicacies on offer.

Founded over 2000 years ago, Andong boasts many historical and cultural attractions and often markets itself as a spiritual center due to its many temples and local religious sites. One of the most interesting places to visit is the Andong Hahoe Folk Village, where you can learn all about the local traditions, culture, and history.

Jeju Island

This stunning island just 85km off the coast is one of the most beautiful places in South Korea. Having been voted as one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature, the pristine beauty of Jeju-do will take your breath away. Surreal white sand beaches surrounded by pine forests, volcanic craters and lava caves, beautiful botanical gardens and a rich culture are some of the high-points of this natural paradise.

Itaewon

With its colorful winding streets and alleys filled with bars, street art, cafes and restaurants and the area’s international vibe, eclectic Itaewon is a great neighborhood to base yourself or to spend time in on a visit to Seoul. Itaewon was the first special tourist zone in Seoul, designated in 1997, and where you will find a high concentration of expats, giving the neighborhood its multicultural feel.

You can get almost any type of cuisine you are craving here, from Italian to Greek and everything in between, in particular among the rows of international restaurants right behind the Hamilton Hotel. Itaewon is also home to Antique Furniture Street filled with over 100 shops selling unique pieces of antique furniture and home décor items.

Suwon

Due to its proximity to Seoul, Suwon is a fantastic day trip option from the capital, although it often gets overlooked by travelers.

Now a major center for industry, the city is home to Samsung Electronics. Its busy streets are packed with bars, restaurants, and shops. The main reason that people visit Suwon is for the stunning 18th-century fortress of Hwaseong that lies at the heart of the city, its twisting walls and looming towers are lovely to explore.

See more: Enjoy the autumn cuisine in Korea

Pyeongchang

This is one of the best places in South Korea to experience tranquillity and awe-inspiring scenic beauty all around. Located in the Taebaek Mountains, this picturesque county 180 kms away from Seoul hosted the prestigious Winter Olympics in February 2018.

The Odaesan National Park is a hikers’ delight with trails going up the snow-peaked mountains, while the ski resorts Alpensia and Yongpyong are popular with skiers and snowboarders. The mountains are also home to many beautiful Buddhist shrines. This place is surely one of the best places to visit in South Korea during winters.

Namdaemun

This area is where to go to shop at Korea’s oldest and largest traditional market, also named Namdaemun. The market and the greater Namdaemun area are named after the large gate located nearby, which is one of eight majestic gates you will find in Seoul along the city’s Fortress Wall. The market itself is a twisting maze of stalls spread over several city blocks, making it fairly easy to get lost but that is half the fun. Take your time wandering the crowded tangle of stalls and shops, stopping to buy and browse among locals and sample some street food when you are hungry.

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What to do when you are in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Despite the fact that Cambodia attracts a lower number of tourists than its neighboring countries, Sihanoukville is popular for its natural beauty and untouched beaches. With plenty to see and do, Sihanoukville is one of the greatest cities to explore when in Cambodia.

Wat Leu Temple

Cambodia is known for its Buddhist Wats or temples. They are an absolute must-see when you visit the country. The temples are stylistically diverse, ranging from the green-tinged stone of Angkor Wat to the colorful pointed roofs of temples such as Wat Leu, which resembles a pagoda. Religiously significant and intriguing in its architecture, Wat Leu has several features to note, such as the three-headed carved white elephant, its gold decorations and a huge black statue of the Lord Buddha. This is an attraction representative of Cambodia’s rich spiritual culture.

Beaches

Sihanoukville earns its reputation as Cambodia’s premier seaside resort with an array of beaches to wonder along. The beaches boast white powdery sand, stunning views of the Gulf of Thailand and a calm atmosphere. A few of the famous beaches to explore include Otres, Ochheuteal and Serendipity, each of which has its own collection of beach bars for that necessary mid-afternoon cocktail.

Water Sports

Sihanoukville is an ideal location for a number of water sports activities and adventures, essential accomplishments for any beach holiday. Submerge yourself in the ocean and get a good view of the coral and sea creatures lurking in Sihanoukville’s depths on a scuba diving trip. If diving is too extreme, many places on the beach offer snorkeling trips, fun for having a flipper around. Other water sports activities include kayaking, windsurfing, and for a slightly higher price, you can practice kitesurfing. All of these activities make for a thrilling day by the sea.

Khmer Cooking Class

Learning how to make culinary Khmer specialties is an essential activity for any lover of Southeast Asian cuisine. With experienced chefs giving clear instructions, the use of authentic ingredients and the opportunity to take recipe cards home so that you can replicate the experience, a traditional Khmer cookery class is an original and rewarding way to spend the day. Among the range of dishes, visitors can learn to cook. A few that stand out are the Banana Flower Salad, Lok Lac, and Spring rolls.

Kbal Chhay Waterfall

Kbal Chhay Waterfall is seven kilometers away from the center of Sihanoukville. The trip in a tuk-tuk to get there is reasonably priced, so it is worth venturing out of the city to admire this serene natural spot. If you visit after the monsoon period the waterfall has a spectacularly strong flow. Surrounded by tall green trees this is the perfect environment for witnessing Cambodia’s tropical jungle-like geography.

Golden Lions Roundabout

Hard to miss yet not to be missed, the Golden Lion Roundabout is an iconic landmark in Sihanoukville. Comprised of a lion and lioness coated in yellowy gold paint sporting scary facial expressions and unrealistic proportions, the lions in the roundabout are prominent. A great pointer as to where you are located in Sihanoukville, the roundabout is surrounded by a number of restaurants and bars worthy of a visit.

Mini Golf

Perfect for a laid-back competition, mini golf is a great activity to partake in during a lazy day on the beach. You can find mini golf facilities at Queenco Palm Beach, Ream National Park, and Mollie Golf Mini Golf. Mollie Golf Mini Golf, located near the Ochheuteal beach, offers very good value for money. It costs between $1.50 and $3.50 to play 18 holes. Visitors can have some drinks at the golf course, and they also offer free entry to their gardens.

See more: Top cultural activities in Siem Reap, Cambodia

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5 South Korean must-try dishes in the fall

For each of Korea’s four distinct seasons, a different set of dishes takes center stage in Korea’s culinary scene. Autumn marks the season of the nation’s three most popular kinds of seafood: blue crabs, jumbo shrimp (prawns), and gizzard shad.  Foods are best in terms of taste and nutritional value when they are eaten in season. Read on to see more what’s in for this fall.

Blue crab - Delicious and nutritious

Blue crabs are in season during spring and autumn. The abundant, creamy roe of the pre-spawning female crabs are best enjoyed in the spring, while the flaky, plump meat of the male crabs is a delicacy best enjoyed in autumn. Crabs are prepared in a variety of ways and can be made into spicy crab soup with vegetables and other seafood, or it can also be steamed, shelled, and eaten plain. Another delicacy is gejang, or raw crab marinated in soy sauce or red chili-pepper paste sauce. Prepared in any form, freshly-caught crabs are a true seafood lover’s delight.

Not only are blue crabs tasty, but they are also packed with nutrients. The crab’s shell contains calcium and chitin and the meat has an abundance of essential amino acids and vitamins. In Korea, blue crabs are known to be effective in the prevention of geriatric diseases and aid in alcohol detoxification.

Jumbo Prawns - A feast for the eyes & palate

Jumbo prawn is another seafood that tastes the best in autumn. Filled with sweet flesh from September to December, prawns are enjoyed in various forms, grilled on top of a bed of salts, to name one. In the port cities like Incheon and Busan, you can find the freshest prawns ready to be enjoyed. Some of the street food vendors prepare them as a whole and serve deep-fried, which is available only when fresh.

Gizzard Shad - Soft flesh and bold flavors

In the fall, gizzard shads store up plenty of nutrients for the long, cold winter; meaning they are packed with healthy oils and plenty of flavor. The best months to eat these delicious fish are between late September and mid November. Larger gizzard shads are higher in fat, so make sure to pick a fish over 15cm to enjoy the fish’s true taste.

There are many ways to cook and eat gizzard shads. Slices of raw gizzard shads taste best when wrapped in lettuce and seasoned with chili and garlic sauce. The spicy taste of a seasoned gizzard shad platter mixed with various vegetables and condiments is also a local favorite. However, the best way to cook gizzard shad is to take a whole fish, salt it lightly, and put it on the grill. There’s no need to debone it, so it is ready to be eaten as soon as it is done.

Pine mushrooms - Small in size, big in flavor

Pine mushrooms only thrive on live pine trees and are harvested in autumn. Pine mushrooms are referred to as diamonds in the forest for their high nutritional value and efficacy. The mushroom is great for preventing geriatric diseases and protecting the stomach. More than anything, it is known for its cancer prevention qualities.

Pine mushrooms are expensive as they cannot be grown commercially, but must be collected in their natural environment. Despite the high price tag, it is in great demand thanks to its delicate flavor and nutritional value. The mushroom can be sliced and grilled over a light fire, but it is more commonly cooked with other ingredients. When it is cooked along foods like abalone or beef, it is fortified with minerals and proteins, turning into a great stamina health food.

Persimmon - A sweet and healthy dessert

Fall is the season when many of the fruits grow fully ripened. Among many, apple, pear, and persimmon represent autumn fruits of Korea. As Koreans enjoy fruits as a dessert, people tend to regard the sweetness as the most important thing when choosing a fruit. Fruits enjoyed in fall are not only sweet but also rich in nutrients.

Read more: 7 interesting fall festivals in Korea

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