Whether you find enjoyment outdoors, immersed in nature, or prefer getting lost in an endless concrete jungle, South Korea should be added to the top of your travel list immediately. Only recently has South Korea been gaining worldwide attention with the popularization of Korean artists and Kdramas in the media, but truthfully, this country has been a hidden gem for decades. From their capital city of Seoul, to the mini island of Naminara, to the coastal city of Busan, there is an endless variety of things to do in this country, to an extent that it is virtually impossible to settle down and get bored. That being said, as a sponsored journalist for The Lonely Planet, I am going to provide the top locations and attractions that will appeal to nature and city lovers alike; the only criteria for those taking interest in this list is that you must love to travel!
Disclaimer: I took all the photos used in this article
1) The Han River
When in Seoul, it is impossible to miss the giant river splitting the city in half, stretching for great distances and serving as an excellent tourist site. That’s right, the ‘Han River’ is a must-visit for any tourist in the Seoul area. This should be a place you visit at either the beginning or the end of your tour, since the activities associated with the Han river are quite casual and require no planning at all. You can go for a stroll around the river and even across the bridges, which cars and trains also take to reach to get to each side of the city, or you can settle down at any local park that the river area is filled with for a picnic. Street food is commonly served along these parks, and some of the most common foods include ‘tteokbokki’- spicy rice cakes, or ‘eomuk’- fish cake on a skewer. Regardless of the occasion, or even the season, the Han River has excellent views of the city of Seoul as well as nice parks to walk through for those who enjoy staying in touch with nature. If you visit at the right time in Spring– between late March and early April, you may be able to enjoy the blooming of ‘beot-kkot (벗꽃)’– or cherry blossoms– all along the river. The Spring season is distinguished by these blossoms, and makes for some great photography or scenery during an afternoon stroll. 
If you’re feeling more energetic, the Han offers bike rentals in most of the main locations along the river for very cheap– about 5$ for one hour! Perhaps the biggest advantage of visiting Korea in Spring or Summer is the ability to do more outdoor activities, but nonetheless, this area looks great any time of year.
2) Naminara Republic
Similar to the Vatican City being a small district within Italy that is considered ‘independent’ by the general public, Naminara Republic is a small island in Korea that is viewed as its own micronation by Koreans. Some give it this attribute jokingly, and others give it this attribute by mutual agreement. Whatever the case, anyone would agree that this site is a beautiful location rich in nature and forestry. Naminara Republic, also called Nami Island, is a crescent-shaped island off the city of Chuncheon (about 75km from Seoul) that is only between 2-3 miles in diameter. That being said, anyone who visits Nami Island can walk around the entirety of this site in only an hour or two. In order to get to this island, you have to purchase a ferry ticket from Gapyeong Wharf; however, they also offer a zipline to the island for those who enjoy the thrill. Nami island is notable for its many walking paths, most of which are lined with trees, making for a nice hike in the forest kind of feel. Ideally, for the best scenery of these trees, it is best to visit the island in the autumn season. During this season, the leaves on these trees turn into a bright yellow pigmentation, to which this forest is then referred to as “Gingko Tree Land”. Conversely, this forest-covered island also turns pink with cherry blossoms in the Spring, which would undoubtedly make for a great time to visit as well. Aside from the nature aspect of Nami Island, this location is quite simple: it has cafes with traditional Korean sweets, some restaurants, and hotels. Ultimately, Nami Island is a great location to relax, spend the day with nature, and enjoy the scent of coffee and baked goods as you walk along a path of trees.
3) Busan City
Last on this list, but definitely not least, is the coastal city of Busan. Located at the southernmost tip of South Korea, Busan makes for an excellent beach getaway. Now, since Korean Autumns and Winters can get quite cold, the best way to enjoy your time at the beach would be between the months of May and September. Anyone who makes an extended visit to Korea during those months definitely ends up at Busan at one point or another in their trip, since the ‘city by the beach’ feel is something that just cannot be attained in Seoul or any other tourist location in the country. Most people who visit Busan from another city take the KTX high-speed train, which, from Seoul, makes fifty daily departures that each take roughly 3.5 hours. There are two main beaches in Busan: Haeundae Beach and Gwangalli Beach (pictured below). Both are within reasonable walking distance of each other, with Haeundae being the larger of the two and Gwangalli being distinguishable by the red and white umbrellas lined along the sand close to the water and a bridge off to the distance. There are quite a variety of things to do in this city, such that it has begun to foster a culture of its own. For one, the Haedong Yonggungsa Temple is a popular site among visitors, which is built completely along the rocks that lie on the very edge of the beach. This temple makes for a great walk/hike and is rewarding if you make it to the actual location. If you are a bit worn out or hungry from that trek, explore the city that surrounds the beach to try some of Busan’s famous food. In the summer, ‘Milmyeon’, or wheat noodles served in cold broth with sheets of ice, beef, and vegetables is a popular dish to cool off from Korea’s hot temperatures and high humidity. Year-round, Busan is known as the seafood capital of Korea, and their dishes are a must try. They specialize in Eomuk, which is the fish cake mentioned earlier, ‘Jogae-gui’- or fresh shellfish grilled on an open flame, and ‘saengseon hwe’- or Korean-style sashimi just to name a few. Whether you were a seafood fan or not before visiting Busan, it is promising that you will leave this city with a good impression on fresh-cooked Korean seafood.
Final Thoughts…
Whether you were familiar with Korea or not before reading this article, and whether you are an outdoor or city person (or both), I hope this article has brought anyone reading the all-inclusive greatness this country has to offer. As someone who lived in South Korea for five years (though I do not live there any longer, unfortunately), I learned to appreciate and immerse myself in all aspects of Korea’s culture, cuisine, and leisure. And so, going forward, I hope this list was able to convince you to consider traveling to this country whenever possible. Lastly, I would like to thank The Lonely Planet for the opportunity to share this travel guide on their site. Enjoy your visit!
