South Korea's top places

If it’s tradition you’re after, Andong will get your senses tingling: a journey through the city’s sumptuous surrounding countryside will allow you to enjoy the sights and sounds – and some of the more pleasant smells – of a Korea now almost extinct.

Swathed in a blanket of pine trees and dotted with secluded temples, Bukhansan National Park rears up behind Seoul like a jagged granite crown. Its myriad peaks will allow you to pick your level of exertion quite precisely – anything from a gentle forest stroll to an exhilarating pant to the top.

Korea’s bustling second city often comes out in first place with visitors, and it should be no surprise – as well as boasting the country’s most popular beach and Asia’s biggest film festival, “Seoul by the sea” has spent the last decade cementing its reputation as the country’s hippest destination.

Gangneung, the largest city on Korea’s east coast, boasts an enviable location, hemmed in by lofty mountains and the big blue sea – you could quite easily go surfing and mountain climbing on the same day, or perhaps even the same afternoon.

Known for its proud, independent streak, Gwangju has an authenticity that is all its own. In addition to being testament to Korea’s long and often bloody struggle for democracy, Gwangju is famous for its fiery cuisine, colorful street art, and as a gateway to the bucolic wonder of southwest Korea.

An ancient East Asian capital, seat of power for a thousand years, and still home to a staggering host of treasures from that period – it’s hard for Gyeongju to avoid comparisons with Kyoto, though we’d argue this little city is actually even better than its far more famous Japanese counterpart.

Korea’s arrivals lounge to the rest of the world, Incheon is often ignored thanks to the presence of Seoul just to its east. However, the place has some fascinating historical strings to its bow, plus one of the best Chinatowns outside China itself.

The largest of Korea’s thousands of islands is also the country’s favorite vacation destination, and it’s not difficult to see why. Jeju Island boasts a balmy climate, juicy tangerines, beautiful beaches, Korea’s highest mountain, and a rich, indigenous culture all of its own.

Love Korean food? Then you’ll most likely love Jeonju too – Koreans themselves call this charming city their culinary capital. And if filling your belly’s not enough, its central district of traditional wooden hanok buildings might just be the most attractive neighborhood in the country.

This once-hidden treasure is now served by the high-speed KTX train, making it easily accessible from the capital. Mokpo boasts a bounty of natural attractions and is the gateway to Dadohaehaesan National Park, a whole host of islands (about 1,700!) that stretches into the distance off the coast.

Given that three quarters of South Korea is covered by mountains, it’s both annoying and convenient that most of the best-looking ones have decided to huddle together in the same location, near the east coast – welcome to Seoraksan National Park, the answer to all your Korean hiking prayers.

Spend a week in Seoul, and you’ll most likely come away feeling that you’ve barely scratched the surface – this hyperactive, endlessly beguiling megalopolis somehow feels uber-cool, hyper-modern, charmingly traditional and historically fascinating, all at the same time.