Snuggled between the nations of Japan and China is the lesser-known country of South Korea.  Although often overlooked as a destination spot in the area, this area of Southeast Asia is an excellent place to visit. 

set up in 1948 when it separated from its sister nation, North Korea, the Republic of Korea changed into a democratic state at the end of world war ii.  In 1950, the North invaded the South, causing the Korean War until the 2 sides signed an armistice in 1953.  Both the North and the South have similar, long-time customs, but South Korea has become a modern, world business leader that Western culture has heavily influenced over the last half-century. 

South Korea is home to approximately 48 million folk of whom about 12,000,000 live in and around the capital and largest city of Seoul.  The land area is 38,463 square miles, slightly bigger than the state of Indiana.  The climate of the region is really mild all year and residents enjoy all four seasons.  The landscape of Korea is typically mountainous and covered with lush forests in the agricultural areas, but you may find rice fields, the country?s staple crop, in numerous of the valleys. 

Top Attractions

Many attractions in the country are bound to lure a spread of travelers.  One of the most famous is Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul.  While the positioning of the palace is over six hundred years old, the particular buildings had been rebuilt a number of times due to invasions and hostile takeovers.  The present buildings house both the national Museum of Korea and the national people Museum.  Once home to kings and rulers, the palace is rich with history, cultural artifacts and design, and enjoys a large number of visitors yearly. 

Those entranced by the history and culture of the country should also take a look at the Korean people village located near Seoul.  See what life was like for Koreans in the Chosun period ( from the 1700s up until 1910 ) in this 243-acre hamlet.  Observe and engage with residents as you bump into them in normal Korean dress, but do not be fooled.  These folk aren’t employed actors.  Lots of the residents of the town basically live there!  Enjoy music, shows, and authentic foods from a long lost but not forgotten chapter in Korean history. 

the most well liked attraction in South Korea is the Demilitarized section, or DMZ, in Panmunjom.  Set at the 38th parallel, this area is where the democratic South borders the red North.  Here you may witness rhetoric from each side of the border.  See what the North wants visitors to see as a stable, booming economy, complete with complicated buildings and highways, but in actuality is a sluggish, repressed society, as shown by the South.  Many South Koreans have buddies and relatives still living in the North that they had no contact with for over 50 years.  Travel and communication between sides is restricted and the hope is that, one day, an end point to dictatorial rule will open up the border once more.

On South Koreas west coast, in the city of Incheon, you may visit the Incheon Landing Operation memorial Hall.  This site is a memorial to General Douglas MacArthurs combat operation that led to the liberation of Seoul in the Korean War.  There are also a selection of amusements and maritime attractions in the neighborhood for visitors to enjoy. 

Some festivals that visitors should consider in their itinerary include the Chunhyang holiday, the Nankye normal Music festival, and the celebration of Buddhas birthday.  The Chunhyang holiday occurs annually in Namwon.  Chunyang is the Korean equivalent of the story of Romeo and Juliet.  Many visitors come to this holiday at the beginning of May to experience Korean dance, music, and parades.  The Miss Chunyang pageant is held on the final day of the holiday.  The Nankye Traditional Music holiday is a party of Nankye, a Korean composer who is claimed to have created Chosun Dynasty Korean Music.  This kind of music is a beautiful ensemble of strings, winds and percussion that produce a sound wholly original to Korean culture.  This event is held annually in Yongdong in September.  The celebration of Buddhas birthday is held in May all over the country.  Many Buddhist temples hold holidays and parades on this holiday that’s celebrated by many Koreans, without regard for religion. 

Culinary delights

While traveling in South Korea, visitors can enjoy a variety of culinary delights.  Most dishes are spicier than most Western palates are used to, however.  The favourite of most travelers is pulgogi.  This is a conventional Korean dish that consists of marinated slices of meat with rice and vegetables that’s then wrapped in a leaf of lettuce.  With rice, another basic foods of Korean culture is kimchi.  This side dish is typically served with every meal.  Kimchi is a mixture of fermented veggies, generally cabbage, and is especially hot and spicy.  Since it is eaten continually, there are lots of variations of kimchi to select from.  For those less adventuresome, many Western eateries have made their way to Seoul and surrounding cities, so those who want to experience the culture but can’t handle spicy foods, there’s customarily a McDonalds or a KFC around the corner.

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Tags: delicacies, delights, Seoul, South Korea