Â鶹APP

By Oskar Alexanderson – Wikimedia

Top 5 Cities to visit in South Korea

South Korea is an exciting country to visit and has become a popular travelling destination. The country has several temples, trendy neighbourhoods, vast tea plantations and countless offshore islands.

Not only will you get to experience the traditions and culture of the South Koreans, but you will also experience the unconventional K-pop culture.

Today I’ll guide you on the best cities to visit in South Korea. One city that you’ll notice missing from the list is Seoul. Here is a previous article about where stay in Seoul.

Here are the top 5 cities to visit in South Korea.

1. Busan – The Port City of South Korea

A beach in Busan by By StephNurnberg -Wikimedia

The city of Busan may be laid back but there is a ton of secret treasures here. This city is in the southeastern area of the mainland and has a population of 11.6 million. It is the second-largest city in South Korea after Seoul.

It being a port city means that there are beautiful beaches to lounge and swim. There are beautiful mountains for excursions and savoury seafood to sate your appetite.

Busan is perfect for those that love and live for outdoor activities. The beach is perfect for scuba diving, kayaking at the river rapids, hiking the mountains, rock climbing or a cruise on a yacht.

The Gamcheon cultural village in the outskirts of the city is a pretty intimate village that will catch your attention. The houses in the village are colourful and there is more history to them and is the other reason you should visit.

The most visited temple in Busan is Haedong Yonggusa also known as the water temple.

This city is modern, multicultural, and trendy. It is home to the largest department store, traditional markets, and sophisticated restaurants.

2. Jeju City

A beautiful waterfall in Jeju Island by By Douglas Knisely-Wikimedia

Jeju city is famed as being the honeymoon hotspot in South Korea. It is without a doubt the most romantic city in the country.

Jeju is the largest island and has the tallest mountain in South Korea, Mount Hallasan.

The landscape is defined by an amazing rock formation, a panoramic backdrop of lush greenery and that’s not all.

The top attractions in this city include the Loveland theme park. The park has adult-only structures and is one of the most romantic places for couples.

Jeju Folklore and Natural History Museum is another place worth your time. Here you will find historical materials gathered from all over the city.

The climate in this city speaks volume to it being romantic. It is warm and among the best cities in South Korea for hiking.

The beach is another place to venture to while here, also hike to the Cheonjiyeon

Waterfall.

3. Gyeongju City

Gyeongju National Museum By by martinroell -Wikimedia

If you love old traditional architecture then Gyeongju is the city to visit. The buildings in this city have been built in the traditional Korean style.

The city is also full of historical sites and other national treasures that have been well preserved. In short, Gyeongju is an open-air museum and it explains why the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There are shrines, temples, tombs, castles, gardens, remains of palaces, and Buddhist statuary spread out in the city. History and culture enthusiasts will most definitely have a ball in this city.

The Gyeongju national museum at the city has more than 16,000 local artefacts, you can also visit Cheomseongdae the oldest astronomical observatory in Asia.

If you do not want to venture far out, the city centre has old tombs, picturesque pagodas and traditional house that you can explore.

One thing not to miss while in Gyeongju is Bulguksa temple from the 18^th century.

4. Daegu City

Daaegu Lantern Festival By -Wikimedia

Daegu city has been compared to the French Capital Â鶹APP because of the magical night lights. This is one of the liveliest cities in South Korea, it could be due to a large student population giving it a youthful vibe.

It is full of live music and is loved by families, couples and solo travellers.

Daegu frequently hosts colourful festivals such as the annual Daegu International Bodypainting festival. Check out the CW restaurant whose diner is blown up with collectables from Star Wars, terminator, Marvel and other epic television shows.

Those curious about traditional medicine can visit Yangnyeong Market. Learn about Korea’s oriental medicines, famous for treating different forms of diseases.

You can spend your afternoons strolling the streets downtown line with museums and old churches and temples and then end the night savouring their yummy meals and dancing in the eclectic clubs.

5. Incheon City

The city of Incheon By Cameron Henderson – Wikimedia

This is the third-largest city in the country and it lies just at least 40 kilometres from the capital city.

Incheon is an important historical and economic city to South Korea. American soldiers landed here in 1950 during the Korean War to take back the capital. The economic aspect of it is due to the busy port in the city.

One area of the city that attracts many tourists is the ever-busy Chinatown. There are several shops, restaurants and taverns.

It is also home to the oldest temple in South Korea. The architecture is also lovely and you can walk by the waterfront promenades.

When in Incheon, check out the underground shopping mall, enjoy some noodles in one of the restaurants in Chinatown among many other fun places.