The impressions gained in South Korea will last forever, especially if you’re ready for mysterious discoveries. The contrast of the harmonious local culture with the ultramodern architectural solutions is amazing. The ancient history is imprinted on the ancient palaces, while the modern culture is reflected in the majestic skyscrapers that will give you the impression you are in New York for a second. And there are the towns, where you will find yourself fully surrounded with nature. The locals have got a chance to preserve the nature in its initial forms.
The first stop in the country should be made in the capital, Seoul. The city is located on the right side of the Han River. Here the mixture of the old and the new will be most obvious. The most ancient building here is the one of the powerful royal dynasty – Gyeongbokgung Palace complex, dating back to the 14th century. The complex includes several museums. Here you will be able to get a tourist guide, who will tell you the entire history of the rulers. If not too much interested in listening to long stories, you can just have a walk through the exhibitions, which will tell you even about the small details of the ancient rulers’ lives.
Not far from this majestic palace, you will find its friend Changdeokgung. If compared with the oldest palace, this Seoul palace is no less beautiful and ideally fits into the description of an ancient palace. But the main advantage of it is that besides the architecture and incredibly rich interior, the palace hosts an awesome inner park. This used to be the main destination of the dynasty of the kings, who were escaping the everyday noise and worries. And it’s interesting that here you can also find a Catholic Cathedral, build in the Gothic style.
The modern part of Seoul is basically located on the opposite side of the historical one. The most noteworthy statement of the modern world in Seoul is definitely its skyscraper, numbered “63”. This district is amazing with the abundance of attractions, including noisy bars, amazing restaurants and aquarium.
The next historical location in the city is the Hwaseong Fortress. It is located not far from the capital of the country. The place is amazingly demonstrating the richness of the local culture. This might be one of the reasons why it’s included in World Heritage list of UNESCO.
While moving a few kilometers from the capital, you will find yourself in an open-air museum. The park complex called Hanguk Minsokchon is rather impressive.
Namsangol Hanok Village is the final stop for those, who wish to get acquainted with the local culture. This Korean village is hosting those families, which are in love with their traditions and still preserve them even centuries later. Here you will get an overall impression about what it takes to be a native Korean. If you are lucky, then you will be able to be a witness of one of the local festivals or holidays. Usually the locals are allowing the visitors to have a look at the ceremonies.
Among the other places in South Korea you should also visit Gyeongju, which used to be the capital of the old powerful kingdom, called Silla.
The natural green tourism is quite popular in South Korea. The architectural charm is usually paralleled with interesting gardens, therefore there’s much more to experience in this land. In particular some parts of the country in east are hosting orchards and farmlands. Similar to other Asian countries, the locals are in love with amazing colorful flowers.
The presence of the sea already makes South Korea a great resort. The east coast of the Yellow Sea is ideal during summer. Those who wish to experience active rest during the rest of the year will find it amazing to climb the mountains. This activity is not only amazing due to the interesting views opening from the tops of the high mountains, but also because you’ll have an amazing adventure staying in the caves.
