Explore South Korea

Seokguram

Seokguram

An 8th-century rock-carved Buddhist sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage site, Seokguram shelters a white granite Buddha and 41 relief sculptures on the heights of Gyeongju.

Manjanggul Lava Tube

Stretching 13 km and UNESCO-listed, the Manjanggul lava tube in Gujwa on Jeju Island shelters a 7-meter lava column and a vast bat colony.

Jongmyo Shrine

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul houses the spiritual tablets of Joseon dynasty kings. The world's oldest preserved royal Confucian sanctuary.

Hwaseong Fortress

Just 30 km south of Seoul, Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon stretches 5.7 km of 18th-century ramparts, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Hallasan

Hallasan

South Korea's highest peak (1,950 m) and UNESCO site, Mount Hallasan dominates Jeju Island with its seven trails, caldera and lava tunnels.

The Hahoe Mask Museum

At the entrance to the UNESCO village of Hahoe, this Andong museum preserves the Hahoetal masks, National Treasure No. 121, and a collection of ritual masks from around the globe.

Hahoe

Hahoe

Some 24 km from Andong, the village of Hahoe (UNESCO 2010) preserves hanok, traditional masks and shamanist rituals inherited from the Joseon dynasty.

Haeinsa Temple

On Mount Kaya near Daegu, Haeinsa houses the 80,000 wooden tablets of the Tripitaka Koreana, inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage since 1995.

Namsan Mountain (Gyeongju)

Namsan Mountain, 5 km south of Gyeongju, brings together carved Buddhist statues, pagodas and Silla remains along trails designated as UNESCO World Heritage.

Royal Tombs of Daereungwon

23 tumuli from the Silla kingdom, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the heart of Gyeongju. Cheonmachong, the only accessible tomb, reveals a gold crown and a painting of the Korean pegasus.

Changdeokgung Palace

UNESCO-listed Joseon Palace, Changdeokgung is renowned for its historic halls and the 32-hectare Huwon garden, in northern Seoul.

Byeongsan Seowon Confucian Academy

A 16th-century neo-Confucian academy inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, Byeongsan Seowon overlooks the Nakdong River 25 km from Andong. History, visiting and access.

Temple Bulguksa

Bulguksa Temple

On the slopes of Tohamsan near Gyeongju, the UNESCO-listed Bulguksa Temple houses two 8th-century pagodas and several national treasures.

Suwon

Suwon

Just 30 km from Seoul, Suwon is home to the UNESCO-listed Hwaseong Fortress, the royal Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, and renowned cuisine. Our guide to visiting this Joseon-era city.

Séoul

Seoul

Seoul presents itself as a city of two faces: on one side, the chic and vibrant atmosphere of the business districts compares it to a metropolitan city, a worthy rival of Hong Kong or Tokyo; on the other side, the soul of the old city revives, to the delight of strollers, in the palaces of the Joseon dynasty and Buddhist temples.

Seoraksan National Park

An iconic mountain range in South Korea near Sokcho, Seoraksan offers hiking, Buddhist temples, and autumn foliage renowned throughout Asia.

Gyeongju

Gyeongju

Former capital of the Silla kingdom, Gyeongju concentrates 4 UNESCO sites, 150 royal tumuli and a living hanok village. Complete guide to visiting this open-air museum in southeastern South Korea.

Buyeo

Buyeo

Former capital of the Baekje kingdom and UNESCO World Heritage site, Buyeo concentrates 1,500 years of Korean history between a mountain fortress, a thousand-year-old pagoda, and lotus ponds.