South Korea Travel

Chungbuk is the only province that has no coastline, but it makes up for it by being the country’s lake district. A two-hour ferry ride along Chungju Lake zips past attractive cliffs that inspired Joseon-era artists and poets. Lakeside, Cheongnamdae is a

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How to capture the essence of this fascinating, complex nation? Social relations may be grounded in ancient Confucianism but South Korea is most decidedly a forward-thinking country thanks to its hurry-hurry approach to everything, an insatiable appetite

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With world-class facilities and lots of trees, YongPyong (033-335 5757; www.yongpyong.co.kr) is one of Asia’s best ski resorts. It only missed out on hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics to Vancouver by 56 votes to 53. The season runs from December to March a

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The port city of Yeosu is about halfway along Korea’s steep, island-pocked and deeply indented southern coast. By the time you reach Yeosu you will have seen comparable city centres, but its shoreline, peppered with cliffs, islands and peninsulas, is spec

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Although Yeongjongdo is home to Korea’s busiest international airport, the western beaches are not disturbed by the air traffic. The seafood market at Yeongjongdo Wharf and a flashy seawater hot spa are other popular attractions. In the north of the islan

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Woraksan, which means ‘Moon Crags Mountains’, offers fine hiking through picturesque forests, with lake views and the slim chance of seeing an endangered goral antelope. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office (653 3250; adult/youth/child W1600/600/

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Wonju is a relaxed, youthful city with a large Korean army base. Yonsei University has a campus here; its green lawns overlook a man-made pond and make for a relaxing place to stroll among students who generally jump at the chance to practice their Englis

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East of Yeong·am, 42-sq-km Wolchulsan (473 5210; adult/youth/child W1600/600/300; 5am-7pm Mar-Oct, 8am-6pm Nov-Feb), Korea’s smallest national park, invites a day of hiking. There are crags, spires and unusual shaped rocks around every corner as well as a

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Another island now connected by a bridge to the mainland, Wando is scenic with ever-changing views of scattered offshore islands. Ferries to Jejudo leave from the main town, Wando-eup, which has stacks of flashy new motels. There are other ferries running

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Come to Ulleungdo to get away from it all in the true sense – not the way the spa-resort brochures mean. The scenery is spectacular, offering vistas of spun-cotton clouds lazing over volcanic cliffsides, seabirds and fishing boats, quiet harbours dotted w

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Northeast of Seongsan-ri, 3.5km off the coast, is Udo Island (Cow Island), which has 1750 inhabitants yet still manages to be rural and relaxing despite throngs of tourists and tour buses, particularly at weekends. The highlights are the black-lava cliffs

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