Tours to South Korea are rapidly gaining popularity among Russian travelers. In the country of morning freshness, sandy beaches and virgin nature, thermal springs with health programs and architectural attractions in an exotic oriental style await tourists. Unique cuisine and a variety of active entertainment, hotels for every taste and a favorable climate at any time of the year make travel comfortable and attractive. What to see in South Korea if you have a family vacation or a romantic trip? We have collected the most interesting sights and offer to draw up a route taking into account the recommendations of experts.
TOP 15 sights of South Korea
Gyeongbokgung
The palace complex in the north of Seoul was the main residence of the ruling Joseon Dynasty for five centuries:
- The palace was built in 1394 and reconstructed in the middle of the 19th century.
- The total area of 330 buildings and 5792 rooms is 410 thousand square meters. m.
- The list of national treasures includes the throne room and the Gyeonghweru pavilion, which stands on 48 columns in the middle of an artificial reservoir.
Before entering Gyeongbokgung, you can watch the ceremony of changing the guard of honor, reproduced exactly as during the Joseon Dynasty.
The ticket price is 2, 5 euros.
Seoul TV Tower
The tallest building in the Korean capital is Namsan TV Tower. Built in 1971, the tower has been providing television and radio broadcasting in Seoul ever since.
The height of the tower is 236 meters, and thanks to the mountain on which it is installed, the tip of the spire is 480 meters above the sea.
You can climb Namsan Mountain by funicular, and there are observation platforms on the tower itself, from where you can enjoy the best panoramic views of the city. One of the venues is a revolving restaurant that makes a complete revolution in 48 minutes. In the evening, the tower is illuminated with blue light, and sometimes it becomes a participant in laser shows.
Ticket price: from 4 to 10 euros.
Everland
An amusement park in the suburbs of Seoul is the largest complex of its kind in the country. It ranks in the top ten world amusement parks in terms of attendance. The pride of the creators of Everland is a roller coaster with a length of 1, 7 km. In addition to a variety of attractions, the zoo and water park "Caribbean Coast" are popular among visitors.
There are many restaurants with national cuisine in the park and hotels where you can stay.
Getting there: Shuttles from Seoul from Hongik Univ. Buses NN 5002 and 5700.
Ticket prices: from 40 euros.
Changdeokgung
The construction of another palace of the Joseon Dynasty began in 1405, and it was repeatedly destroyed during the bloody Japanese invasions. The last Korean emperor lived in Changdeokgun until his death.
The most interesting structures of the complex: the official residence of the queen, the main gate of Donghwamun, the oldest Seoul bridge, the throne room and the secret garden of Pivon with a lotus lake and trees, whose age reaches 300 years.
The ticket price is 4 euros.
Lotte world
Lotte World occupies a worthy place in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest indoor amusement park. More than 7 million people come to see this landmark of South Korea every year.
Dozens of different attractions, a shopping center with hundreds of shops, a huge food court with various cafes and restaurants, cinemas, an ice skating rink and a theater with world-famous illusionists are waiting for you in the park.
In the evenings, a laser show is shown under the ceiling of the main building.
Rainbow Fountain
The peculiarity of the most famous bridge in South Korea is that streams of water rush down on both sides of it, illuminated at night with all the colors of the rainbow. Powerful fountains turn on three times per hour and consume about 190 tons of water in one minute. The water flows back into the Hangang River, the banks of which are connected by a ferry.
The bridge was inaugurated in 2009 and immediately became one of the main attractions of Seoul. For an engineering marvel, choose a time after sunset, when the bridge looks particularly bright.
Getting there: The nearest Seoul subway stations are 338, 734 and 923.
Seoraksan
A national park in northeastern South Korea attracts many tourists. It protects more than 2000 species of animals and almost the same number of plants. The main natural attractions of Seoraksan are the most beautiful waterfalls Yuktam and Piren.
The Khindylbavi stone is an unsolved mystery of the park. A five-meter boulder stands on top of another stone, contrary to all the laws of gravity and balance. Nearby, Buddhist temples have been cut down in a rock formation. Koreans believe that stones have a soul, and the mysterious Hyndylbawi came from afar and, fascinated by the beauty of these places, remained in the park forever.
How to get there: from Seoul by car along the Yeongdong Express Way, by express bus to Sokcho or by intercity bus to Gangneung Station.
The price of a ticket to the park is 1.5 euros.
Deoksugun
The Deoksugun palace complex served as the residence of Prince Wolsan in the 15th century, and then hosted the entire royal family during the era of Japanese intervention. Then the rest of the palaces of the Joseon dynasty were burned and only Deoksugun survived.
Several buildings are available for viewing, including the Taehangmunjeong pavilion at the entrance, Chikchodan, where the coronations of kings took place, Jeongwanghong for the rest of the monarch, and Seokjeong for tea ceremonies.
Access: Seoul Subway Lines 1 & 2, City Hall Station.
Ticket prices are less than 1 euro.
Dongdaemun Gate and Market
The locals consider the Dongdaemun Gate to be an ancient symbol of Seoul, built at the end of the XIV century by the same Joseon dynasty. Their name is translated from Korean as "the gate of rising kindness." A stone base with an arch of the gate is crowned by a two-tiered structure in the style of Buddhist pagodas, decorated with carvings and paintings.
The modern landmark of Dongdaemun is a huge market that spontaneously emerged and grew over time into an entire shopping area. Here you will find shops with local industry goods, gift shops, world-famous fashion boutiques, cafes with authentic Korean food and a food market selling exotic fruits and specialties.
How to get there: subway station "Dongdaemun History and Culture Park".
Hedong Yonggunsa
One of the oldest Buddhist monasteries in South Korea is located in the city of Busan. In 646, Haedong Yonggunsa was founded by monks of the Choge Order.
The Japanese invaders burned down the monastery, but they managed to restore it to its original form. Although the monastery is active, the entrance for tourists is possible at any time.
The most beautiful landscapes await guests in the spring during the cherry blossom season and in the fall, when the mountains around the monastery bloom in hundreds of shades of foliage.
Visiting hours: from 5.00 to sunset.
Admission is free and the price of parking is around 2 euros.
Jongmyo
According to UNESCO experts, the Confucian Jongmyo Shrine is the oldest surviving royal sanctuary, where funeral rituals were practiced already in the 14th century. In those days, the sanctuary was the record holder - the longest building in Asia.
You can see 19 memorial plates of the rulers and 30 plates, under which their wives are buried. Jeonjeon's main hall is still considered the longest ancient Korean structure.
The ticket price is 1 euro.
Pomosa
The Pomosa Buddhist monastery in the suburb of Busan is one of the largest in Korea. In it you can look at the old buildings that have survived from the 7th century. The monastery was founded and built by the Buddhist monk Yisan. As you might guess, the Japanese, during the invasions in the 16th century, burned and ruined a lot. However, Pomosa was reconstructed and today it is accessible to tourists.
The abode is located on Mount Geumjongsan - the highest in Busan.
Seokguram
A grandiose rock temple was carved out on Mount Thohamsan in Gyeongju city at an altitude of 750 meters above sea level. Construction work on the temple began in 742, when the state of Silla was ruled by Prime Minister Kim Daesung.
In the center of a large stone grotto is a huge statue of Buddha, surrounded by 15 panels depicting scenes involving a bodhisattva and ancient Indian gods. The ceiling of the grotto is decorated with lotus flowers, and its proportions are symmetrical and in accordance with the principles of the golden ratio.
The ticket price is 3 euros.
Hwaseong
30 km south of the capital, you will find the Hwaseong Fortification, the name of which literally translates as “blooming fortress”. The fortifications were built at the end of the 18th century and were intended to bury the remains of the father of Prince Sado-gun, who tragically died as a result of the intrigues of his own parent.
The fortress was built in an unusual style, and its architecture can be traced both typically Korean architectural techniques and European elements. The gates of the fortress are reminiscent of Namdaemun in Seoul, and the remaining three of the four walls of the fortress provide an idea of the former greatness and inaccessibility. In some places, their height reaches six meters.
The ticket price is 1.5 euros.
The cost of parking a car is 1.5 euros.
Yondusan
The main attraction in Busan's Yongdongsan Park is the 118-meter lighthouse (the tallest in the world), and the mountain in the center of the park resembles a dragon's head. The park has several pavilions in a typical Korean style, on the lawns you can sit with a book or for a family picnic.
