Travel in Asia
While North Korea might be secretive and mysterious, South Korea is a land of mountains and beaches--available to anyone and everyone who wants to see its 93,000 square kilometers.
Start in the capital city of Seoul, a bustling city full of modern day amenities and historical sites. If you'd rather ski, head to the ski resorts around Pyeongchang, known as the Korean Alps.
For anyone who'd rather see the 10,000 Buddhist Temples around South Korea, make sure you see the Haeinsa Temple that was built by monks back in 802; and home to some 80,000 wooden blocks that's really like a Buddhist scroll.
The natural side of South Korea is wonderful, too. The Seoraksan National Park is believed to be the most beautiful. For all its streams, waterfalls, and temples--you can believe it.
Jeju-do Island is another place to fall in love with South Korea's beauty. This land was created by volcanoes--creating a landscape that you won't see almost anywhere else.
You won't eat like anyplace on Earth, like you will here. Try some Seafood Stew, or try the Ginseng Wine.
A shopping trip is just what you need after a delicious lunch. The choice is your if you want to hit up the little craft markets, or shopping malls--there's even one entirely underground.
Perhaps it was built to get away from the frigid Siberian winds that make their way here. Winter can get quite cold with them, and to the opposite extreme, summers are really hot; making Spring & Autumn your best bet. And typhoons only occasionally hit South Korea, so no worries there.
Getting around South Korea is relatively easy as there is a good network of well-maintained roads if you're driving. South Korea's rail network offers 3-classes of service for all budgets, and ferries are available to take you to a few of the outlying smaller islands. Bus service is inexpensive, but can be confusing if you don't speak Korean, the official language. English is widely spoken, just not on many of the country's long-distance buses.
The biggest concern in South Korea lies with its mosquito-borne Japanese enchephalitis, mostly between June to October. Take care to avoid bites, and make sure you've got all your vaccinations current.
South Korea's water is safe to drink, but its been said that it doesn't taste all that great to Western standards. If you don't like it, drink bottled water instead.
To enjoy the best of the South Korea all you need is a simple passport, as no visa is required for most foreign nationals. It's always best to check with the consulate before leaving. As you can see, South Korea is inviting--they even make it easy for you come.
