South Korea is a country often overlooked, especially when compared to its giant neighbors China and Japan. Yet this "land of the morning calm," as it's affectionately known, is home to countless ancient and modern sites well worth exploring. We've selected 5 of the most remarkable and captivating attractions for you to discover!

1/ Seoraksan National Park

Seoraksan National Park sits near the border with North Korea. It's an opportunity to discover an exceptional landscape with its waterways, waterfalls, and lush vegetation. Exploration is done on foot, often on easy trails, sometimes challenging ones.

Main highlights

Seoraksan National Park is home to exceptional sites such as: The town of Sokcho Located in the heart of the park, this town boasts considerable attractions. The sea displays beautiful colors. It's also home to many features including the stunning views offered by the mountain range in its western section, beautiful beaches, ski resorts… Hot springs are also present. Hiking trails through the park The park is a favorite destination for hiking, with numerous trails crossing its expanse. The most famous include the Biryong Waterfall circuit, the Seongguksa Temple circuit, the Baekdamsa Temple circuit and many more. However, the difficulty levels vary greatly. Hikes can last from half a day to 3 days for the most challenging. Ulsan Bawi This is a highly sought-after location on this site, yet the route is very difficult and requires passage through a metal staircase with 808 steps. However, once you reach the heights of the place, the view of Ulsan Bawi is breathtaking. Still, be careful, as during seasons when the wind is quite strong, gusts can reach over 150 km/h. The Sinheung-Sa temples Sinheung-sa houses 20 Buddhist temples. They date back to around 652. The structure and artwork are impressive. You'll also find pagodas typical of South Korea. A bronze Buddha also presides over this section of the park. 

2/ National Museum of South Korea

The National Museum of South Korea is one of the world's largest museums, spanning 137,200 m². Spread over 3 floors, a complete museum visit can take up to 10 hours! 

• Main highlights

Across the three levels of the museum, you can discover: The Archaeological and Historical Gallery All objects found here date from the Paleolithic era. More than 4,500 objects are on display. To trace the history of South Korea, a visit to the Historical Gallery, located on the same level, is essential. The Donations and Fine Arts Gallery On the second level, you can discover the history of South Korea's religion and traditions. They are represented by 890 objects. The National Museum of South Korea has also made space for cultures from around the world, dedicating a specially designed section for donations featuring 800 objects from across the globe. The Second Fine Arts Gallery This gallery is located on the third floor of the building. Craftsmanship plays an important role here. 630 objects of Korean craftsmanship are displayed, including Buddha sculptures, porcelain, and metalwork. More than 950 objects are exhibited, originating from different regions of Asia. Beyond these 3 levels, the museum also houses magnificent parks and gardens, steles, and pagodas. 

3/ Jeju Love Land Theme Park

Jeju Love Land is an unusual theme park with eroticism as its general theme. Sculptures are displayed in a park, each one featuring erotic elements and references to sexuality.

Even the signposts have been designed with unusual shapes. This park features:

• 140 sculptures

• A play area

• Giant statues

A must-see during your visit to Jeju Island! 

4/ Journey Aboard the DMZ Train

The DMZ train is a tourist train that dates back 100 years. Originally, it connected the two Koreas. Today, it's back on the rails to offer a unique tourist experience.

The train has 3 cars decorated in a highly original way. What ties them together is that the decorations reflect hope and peace. You'll discover:

• An exhibition space

• Entertainment performances by the crew

• Screens showcasing the landscape ahead of the train

• A restaurant

The journey departs from Seoul Station and reaches Sintanri Station. Stops are made along the route while visiting the remnants of the war between the two Koreas. 

5/ The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty

The site housing the royal tombs of Joseon encompasses 40 tombs. They are located in the heart of a natural, verdant landscape. Some date back to the 1400s. Areas were used for ceremonies and funerals. The tombs are decorated with stone objects. The site is also surrounded by a mountain range and waterways.

 And you, do you have any locations or attractions to recommend in South Korea?