Exploring South Korea
John Lockett overlooking Seoul, South Korea at Namsan Tower.
A lot of people want to backpack through Europe and call it a day. But there's the rest of the world out there left to be seen. I encourage you to stop by South Korea sometime. You won't be disappointed.
Here are some places to see in Korea along with things you have to try. This is only a tiny sample of the things you can do while in Korea. Click on the title of each section for more information, or go to www.visitkorea.or.kr.
Sights To See
Insadong
Insadong is a shopping district in Seoul that specializes in all things uniquely Korean. Dating back nearly 500 years, it is the perfect stop for tourists who want to shop around for Korean antiques and artwork. The street is lined with vendors who specialize in such things as traditional masks, porcelain and calligraphy. There are also plenty of restaurants with a wide assortment of Korean cuisine. If you're there at the right time, you can witness the procession of an ancient Korean court.
Namsan Tower
Namsan Tower, also known as N Seoul Tower, is an observation tower that overlooks the entire city. The view of Seoul at night is absolutely breathtaking. Visitors can take a cable car to the base of the tower where they will find a gift shop and revolving restaurant. A tradition started a few years back where couples and friends would attach locks with a special message written on them to the fence surrounding the tower. These are referred to as "locks of love" and number in the thousands. Some of the locks can be seen in the picture above.
Jeju Island
Jeju Island is a once volcanic island off the southern tip of the Korean Peninsula. It is a popular honeymoon destination for Koreans and Japanese. You can fly in on Korean Air or take a ferry. There is a lot to do once you're on the island including hiking along volcanoes and horseback riding. Some tourists might like to visit Love Land which is a sculpture park dedicated to sex.
Things To Eat
Kimchi
Kimchi is a signature Korean dish that consists of vegetables pickled in a hot pepper sauce. Once the vegetables are coated in the sauce, they are left to ferment, often underground, for a long period of time. The most common type is made with Chinese cabbage and is eaten with almost every meal. It is sometimes incorporated into soups, dumplings and savory pancakes.
Dolsot Bibimbop
Dolsot bibimbap, which means "mixed rice," is an extremely popular Korean dish that consists of rice, mixed vegetables, meat and pepper paste in a hot stone bowl. It is sometimes seen as the quintessential Korean meal and is served throughout the country in various forms and on several airlines.