Incheon, a bustling, industrial port 36km west of Seoul, is big enough to warrant its own subway line. The international airport sits on an offshore island, so be sure (if you’re heading to the airport) that you don’t go to Incheon proper. Instead, take a
Just 60km southeast of Seoul is the mountain-surrounded city of Icheon (not to be confused with Incheon on the west coast), famous for its numerous potters, ceramic vendors, Ceramic Village and a relaxing spa. There’s no nightlife, but the city has a quie
This sandy beach is popular in July and August but almost deserted at other times. Nearby is a lake and three summer villas (admission adult/child W2000/1500 for all three; 9am-6pm) that belonged to former politicians. Everything is within walking distanc
Heuksando, on the way to Hongdo, is the larger, more populated and more accessible of the two islands. Views from its peaks show why Dadohae Haesang means ‘marine archipelago’. Fishing villages are linked by trails, but walking around the island would tak
This Unesco World Heritage temple (055-931 1001; admission W3500; 8am-11am, noon-5pm Wed-Mon) should be on every visitor’s not-to-be-missed list.
The eastern entrance to Gyeryongsan National Park (825 3003; adult/youth/child W3200/1200/600; 6am-7pm) is 18km from Daejeon. The park contains two famous temples surrounded by forested hills, which give way to rocky cliffs towards the peaks. It’s a small
South Gyeongsang province is a study in contrasts. Travellers looking for big-city action are unlikely to go away disappointed as Busan is full of interesting restaurants, thousands of places to drink and enough cultural assets to fill a few days of explo
Gyeongsangbuk-do’s natural beauty is seconded only by its profusion of spectacular temples, Confucian schools, ancient pagodas, rock-carved Buddhas, teashops and tombs. Gyeongju, once the capital of the Shilla dynasty (57 BC–AD 935), is often called ‘the
Known as ‘the museum without walls’, Gyeongju holds more tombs, temples, rock carvings, pagodas, Buddhist statuary and the ruins of palaces, pleasure gardens and castles than any other place in South Korea. Tumuli (grass-covered burial mounds) are only th
The province of Gyeonggi-do hugs Seoul like a reverse letter ‘C, ’ providing excellent day trips or longer expeditions to some of Korea’s gems. Often overlooked due to its proximity to the Bladerunner-esque cityscape that is Seoul, Gyeonggi-do is a varied