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Located in the heart of East Asia and offering a unique combination of cultural, historical and nature-based attractions, there are countless reasons why South Korea should be first on your list of travel destinations for 2021.
Here are just a few:
- Where tradition and modernity coexist: Korea offers a rich cultural heritage combined with cutting-edge technology.
- Picturesque scenery in every season: Whether it’s the cherry blossoms of spring or the golden leaves of autumn, you will not be disappointed.
- A unique culinary experience: Try everything from indulgent street food to nutritious, plant-based temple cuisine.
- Home of the Korean Wave: Wow your friends and family with pictures of Parasite filming locations or K-Pop concerts.
- The perfect stopover destination: Korea is a major transport hub, with easy connections to other East Asian countries.
All the reasons to explore Korea in 2021
Discover the diverse flavours of Korea
Traditional Korean food or hansik takes rice as its staple, served with soup and an assortment of side dishes. From quick, satisfying street food – try tteokbokki (stir-fried rice cakes) or hotteok (sweet filled pancakes) – to innovative Michelin-starred restaurants, foodie travellers are spoilt for choice.
Seoul: the city that comes to life at night
In Korea’s capital, many shops and restaurants stay open 24/7 and popular downtown areas bustle with people well after midnight. We’d recommend checking out the rooftop bars in Itaewon or trying out noraebang, Korean karaoke. And if you’re more into culture than cocktails, why not opt instead for a moonlit tour of the city’s royal palaces?
Relax and rejuvenate on a wellness getaway
Korea is a leading destination for wellness-oriented travel, with a wide variety of resorts offering unique spa treatments in picturesque natural settings. Treatments are often inspired by traditional Korean medicine and Buddhist meditation practices, allowing travellers to heal both body and mind before returning to the fast pace of the city.
Immersive yourself in Hallyu pop culture
With Parasite winning Best Picture at the Oscars, and K-Pop group BTS capturing audiences globally, Korea is quickly becoming a pilgrimage site for fans of Hallyu (Korean Wave) pop culture. Experience Hallyu in Korea by attending a K-Pop concert, treating yourself to a “K-Beauty” make-over or visiting the shooting locations of your favourite Korean films and dramas.
Escape into nature
Korea offers the very best in hiking, walking and cycling trails. Its mountains are numerous and diverse; the highest is Hallasan on Jeju Island, whose Olle Trail is also a great option for those who prefer to walk closer to the sea. Travellers on two wheels can cycle the length of Korea on the scenic Four Rivers route from Seoul to Busan.
Experience a ‘Templestay’
At least once on your trip to Korea we’d recommend escaping into the mountains for a templestay. Whether you choose to stay for one afternoon or several days, you’ll be provided with an authentic experience of traditional Buddhist customs, including Cham-seon (meditation), Da-seon (tea ceremony) and Balwoogongyang (a monastic meal using natural vegan ingredients).
UNESCO World Heritage in Korea
Korea is home to 13 UNESCO Cultural Heritage and one Natural Heritage Site (Jeju Island). Scattered around the country, these sites shed light on Korea’s long and rich history, from ancient dolmen tombs to the more recent folk villages and royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).
Modern History at the DMZ
If you’re interested in the modern history of North and South Korea, you can book special tours of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that divides the peninsula. Visitors can catch a glimpse of North Korea through binoculars at the Dora Observatory or even explore the third infiltration tunnel discovered by South Korea in 1978.
Traditional Arts & Crafts Experiences
Arts and crafts workshops provide the most hands-on and creative way of learning about Korean culture, especially for families. Traditional hanok villages in Seoul and elsewhere offer a variety of classes, from simple crafts using Korean paper (hanji) to intricate knot making (maedeup), as well as folk painting, ceramics and more.
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