Going to Korea? Do not know where to go? Wanna know where are the must-visit cities in South Korea, here it goes my chingudeul.
South Korea is not a huge country but it’s really big in culture, beautiful places from modern to historical. That’s why a lot of tourists have been interested in visiting the country. When Hallyu was introduced to the whole world in the year 2000 it started to attract more visitors.
We can’t deny that Korea has many beautiful tourist spots, aside from that Korean dramas and kpop are also a good help in promoting the country’s tourism. It’s been famous across the whole world.
Guide and Tips
- Book for pocket wifi before your travel and you can pick it up at the airport upon arrival
- Do not sit in elderly seats even if itโs emptyย (but if you have a baby with you you can take a seat)
- Pink seats are for pregnant women
- Transportation like the subway and buses is easy to navigate. For more guides and tips, you can read the full write-up here.
- Some doors are automatic but some have those door buttons that need to be push like a bell to open.
- Eating alone is not bad, some restaurants have seats for alone customers.
- Restrooms are clean and there’s a breastfeeding room for moms and babies too.
- When taking photos people usually says “kimchi”.
- Fall in line whenever taking on the subway, bus, buying, or paying for something.
Getting to South Korea
Beforehand, of course, you need to have a visa and a passport to get to Korea. Of course, you need a plane ticket, hotel reservation, and pocket money, aside from your personal belongings.ย There are 112 countries that are visa-free like the United States and Canada. You may check it to your immigration if your country is included. The Philippines is not visa-free that why tourist of the said country needs to apply for a tourist visa.
Getting to Korea, Incheon International Airport (ICN) is one of the biggest, famous, and interesting airports in the world.ย You can fly thru Korean Air, Asiana Airlines but if you are looking for the cheapest fare T’way Airlines, Korea on Air Busan, Air Seoul, Jin Air Eastar Jet, and Jeju Air are the ones you can check.
Getting Around Korea
Getting around in Korea is not hard because of the accessible transportation like subway, buses, and taxis. Subways are the best ones for roaming around because they can take you to your destination without hassle. Plus it’s been connected to other cities. Get a T-money card and reload it for convenient traveling. Guide on how to reload a T-money card read the full write-up here. For a personalized T-Money card, you can read this article.
KTX the fastest train in Korea that can take you to Busan in two hours. Korail can take you to Gangneung and other places.
Must-Visit Cities in Korea
Seoul
One of the topmost visited cities in Korea, Seoul. Your trip is not complete without getting to the busiest city in the country. It has a great culture, tons of delicious foods, great subways, best palaces, a city of modern and historical place. In Seoul, you can see the five palaces like Gyeongbuk Deoksung, Changdeo, Changgyeong, and Gyeonghui. Namsan Tower is also well known and seen in many Korean dramas and Korean variety shows. Gangnam is also famous because of its the kpop world.
Busan
Busan is the other largest city in Korea which has its biggest port. In the photo is the famous Haeundae beach is the most famous beach which is really full of visitors during summer. There’s a lot more to see in Busan not just the beach but even the colorful village named “Busan Gamcheon Culture Village”.
Gyeongju
Aside from Seoul, another city has the most historical place. Gyeongju is where the Silla dynasty resides. It is known as Seorabeol, a coastal city in the far southeastern corner of North Gyeongsang Province in South Korea. It is has a lot of tombs, temples, and pagodas. Buddhism in this place is well known because it’s a Buddhist sanctuary. A beautiful and must-visit place.
Incheon
Incheon is the third-largest city in Korea and the international airport is here.ย This city is known for its industrial and metropolis port but it’s also known for its China Town and open ports where tourists and even locals can come and visit anytime. Wolmido Island can be found here too where you can enjoy the theme park with different kinds of rides, can watch different performances too.ย Moreover, there are many cafes and seafood restaurants lined up along the coast. Visitors can enjoy the cruise ship too and fireworks.ย (Check for the schedule of the fireworks before buying a ticket for the cruise ship)
Gangwondo
Gangwon-do is known as the “east sea” where you can find the beautiful seas in the country. It also is known for its beautiful mountain “Seoraksan” and valleys. A lot of tourists come here during summer and even on the first day of the year, January 1,ย to watch the first sunrise known as “ํด๋์ด” (haedod-i).
Jeju Island
Jeju Island is a very stunning place which is well known for its beach resorts and volcanic landscape of craters and cavelike lava tubes. There’s a lot of places to see in Jeju like Hallasan which best to do hiking trails. We spent 4 days and 3 nights here and still not enough to look around. There’s a lot of things to do here and see. Read: Wondering Where to go to Jeju Island.
Read: Flight and Space: Jeju Aerospace Museum
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Xoxo, Hyejinย 
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This reminds me of our Gyeongju vacation during the Chuseok holidays. chuseok na naman ngayon:-)
Kaya nga, my first years during Chuseok are boring. This year they made some changes, went camping and a bit of mountain hiking after the charye.
South Korean is been one of my dream travel destination since high school. I deeply need your tips in visiting this beautiful country! I will keep these until my next travel!
My dream travel destination!! Thank you for sharing this such amazing blog post. Saving it for future reference ๐
This is such a great quick guide to South Korea. I am looking forward to visiting the country, too. Well, I like to have a gastronomic tour in particular.
Thank you for having an interest in my blog. Keep posted!
I’m curious to witness the city-like in South Korea. Are people always just on the go? Hahaha. Also so surpised to see so many places and culture in the middle of those biggest cities! Amazing. Wish i could visit real soon!!
Been reading a lot of posts about SoKor. Can’t wait to visit it too. The only cities I know are Seoul, Jeju, and Busan. HEHE
Such a detailed guide, I love how this is written! Would definitely help me in my upcoming trip to Korea
Already bookmarked this reference. Thanks a lot for taking time to share all these with us!
South Korea is a lovely place, and influential as well in travel. But for.now, I am too pre-occupied to explore the 47 prefecture of Japan ๐
Thanks for your guide and tips. Aside from the advice on which places to visit, I appreciate the tips that help us appreciate Korean culture and sensibilities like not sitting on the seats for the elderly.
I love it when folks come together and share thoughts.
Great blog, continue the good work!
Thank you for visiting my blog.
Jeju and Busan on my list. But def Seoul is one to consider. I really hope to visit Sokor soon. My dream country!
Gyeongju and Busan seems to be a very nice place to visit in Korea. I really have to get a passport now. This article of yours makes me wanna travel now.
Gyeongju is the one the most historical place in Korea because it was the home of Silla Dynasty. It is more like a province than a city. If you love peace and silence this place is the best to visit.
Ohhhh, the Incheon region does look nice! It is like the Philippine China Town but much wider and cleaner. ๐
Yes, that’s true. Visitors need to park their cars in the designated parking lots.
I really agree that South Korea is not a huge country but itโs really big in culture, beautiful places from modern to historical. I know all of this from my friend. This blog is really helpful for those who haven’t visited South Korea but planning to there and take a visit. I’m also one of those people who are planning to visit South Korea but don’t have the opportunity yet. I’m taking notes about this for future use. Thank you so much for sharing.
South Korea is always on my bucket list especially
Seoul, Jeju and Busan. As I always see in some kdrama, temples are beautiful and lots of mountains and parks around the country you can enjoy. It is a very safe place to travel around and cities have also interesting vibes and stuff going on. Still thank you Ms. Jin for the advice on which places to visit and for the tips about Korean culture. โค๏ธ
South Korea is my number one dream destination because I love kdrama and bts. I wanna visit some of filming locations.
I love the places that you have listed especially the Jeju island. I really want to see this place, the usual escape of kdrama characters.
I’m glad that you put some helpful tips and guidelines which can help tourist.
Done reading this blog po ms abby. I really want to visit south korea someday especially in seoul and jeju island dahil yan po yung mga madalas kong makita sa mga kdrama. Talagang korea has a good and unique culture I also really want to wear hanbok and take a picture on a temple or palace. Thanks for sharing this ms abby this is very helpful especially to those people who really want to go in korea ๐ฅฐ
Done reading this blog po ms abby. I really want to visit south korea someday especially in seoul and jeju island dahil yan po yung mga madalas kong makita sa mga kdrama. Talagang korea has a good and unique culture I also really want to wear hanbok and take a picture on a temple or palace. Thanks for sharing this ms abby this is very helpful especially to those people who really want to go in korea ๐ฅฐ
I already read this Blog, Isa po ito sa pinaka paborito kopong puntahan simula nung bata pa ako is South Korea. , Siguro dahil na din sa sinasabi ng ibang tao na Napakaganda daw po sa lugar na yun.. Anyway thankyou po sa pag share nyo ng tips nyo. Napakalaking tulong po talaga nito specially sa mga nag paplano palang na makapunta sa Korea .
Thanks thanks sa pagShare nito mommy Jin truly seoul is one of the Country na talaga nmang Isa sa magiging Bucket List ng karamihan tulad ko na gstong makapunta jan, sobrang dami po talaga na pwedeng Puntahan na talaga nmang mag Eenjoynka at hindi mo mKakalimutan at hindi ka rin magsasawang puntahan ito… thanks for the tips and amazing Reminders for tourist or Stay in Korea …