10 reasons to visit Korea

By Korea.net Honorary Reporter Samiha Ayman

Photos = Korea.net Flickr

Korea is a very interesting country, which I recommend visiting for a series of reasons. Below are 10 reasons to visit Seoul and Korea.

1. Korean food 

Even though Korean food has some elements in common with other Asian cuisines, such as the use of soy and soy products, some spices and rice, it is entirely unique.

There are ingredients, combinations of flavors and recipes that you will not find anywhere else, so, if you are a food lover and interested in experiencing new flavors, it's worth visiting Korea. There are Korean restaurants around the world, but you will never find the same flavors and variety of Korean cuisine as in Korea itself.

2. Shopping 

Shopping in Korea is an amazing experience. In a city like Seoul you're able to go shopping at any time of the day or night. Also, the variety of shopping centers, markets, shopping areas and department stores is incredible and caters to every taste, need or pocket. Often, shopping in Korea is part of a family day out, as many shopping centers are created near attractions such as amusement parks, aquariums and places of interest for tourists.

3. The kindness of people  

Like in other Asian countries, interpersonal relationships in Korea are very important and so people are usually friendly, very kind and willing to help their friends. Sometimes they might seem blunt, compared to Westerners, but they are rarely malicious. The important thing, anyway, is to know some of their customs and etiquette in order to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

4. Experiencing Korea as a whole 

It's worth visiting Korea just for the opportunity to experience a society that's so different from our Western societies. Korea, even if it's a small country, has a unique society, where traditions and innovations, old and new, coexist.

5. Cherry blossom festivals 

The cherry blossom festivals run from March to May and are a must see, even if flowers aren't your thing. Tunnels of pink blossoms blanket the country. The best places to visit are Gyeonghwa Station in Jinhae in Gyeongsangnam-do Province, known as Cherry Blossom Road, where train tracks run through avenues of pastel blossoms.

6. Hiking 

Once you’ve Instagrammed your way through the art district and bought out the best of the independent shops, it’s time to stretch your legs, up to the top of a mountain. Although there are many mountains, Hallasan Mountain might be the jewel in Korea's crown, especially in the winter when snow descends. There are seven mountains in Seoul itself but for a lazy person's view from above, head to N Seoul Tower where a speedy elevator will take you to the top.

7. Jeju Island 

Just off Korea’s southern coast, Jeju Island is a treasure trove for tourists. It’s proved a little too popular with tourists and the beach resorts have rolled in. Still, there are lots of places to escape to. There are endless fields of canola flowers, and Korea’s highest mountain, blanketed with pink azaleas, and white sand beaches. The most special part of Jeju is also its most vulnerable: the haenyeo. They are female divers who plunge to collect sea urchins without any modern equipment. In 2015, there were around 4,000 divers, down from around 20,000 in the 1960s. The divers are mostly over 60-years-old and now part of a UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage items.

8. Go to Busan’s beautiful beaches 

Busan is the second largest city in Korea, and it’s located on the southeastern tip of the Korean Peninsula. The beaches in Busan are world-famous for their pristine beauty and lively atmosphere. Busan is also famous for its fresh seafood, specifically octopus, a tasty food item for which people come from all over the world to sample. The most famous beach in Busan is Haeundae Beach, which is often compared to Miami Beach in Florida. It’s arguably the most beautiful beach to hang out at by day, and it’s the place where all the youngsters go to party at night.  Head down to Busan from May to September and enjoy the fantastic atmosphere.

9. Hike incredible mountains 

The geography of Korea is filled with mountain ranges, which makes hiking a very popular sport and activity among people there. Especially around Seoul, there are dozens of trails that are located inside of the official city limits. One of the best hikes in Seoul is at Bukhansan Mountain, located just north of the city center. There are several trails up this mountain, of all different levels, and the views at the top are magnificent.  You can see the entire area of northern Seoul.

10. Bhuddist temples 

Take a break in one of Korea's many, many Buddhist temples. You can stay overnight in a lot of them, like at Woljeongsa Temple, the nine-story pagoda in Gangwon Province, which is quite a step up from your standard AirBnB. Bongeunsa Temple is nestled in Seoul itself and is the home of Buddhism in Korea. Over 1,000-years-old, it runs at a different pace to everywhere else in the metropolis. 

Korea is the most beautiful country you will ever see, with its great history and society. It has so many beautiful places, temples and food items. It's just a great adventure to have.

wisdom117@korea.kr

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