Located in East Asia, on the Southern half of the Korean Peninsula, South Korea is a fairly small country and a truly unique destination, which has remained largely unexplored by foreigners. Though small in size, South Korea is a country with lots to offer. It has lots of stories to be told about its culture, people, mores, beliefs, its culinary art, attractions and many more. So your trip to this immensely fascinating country will be a great experience.
The best time to visit South Korea is between late March and May, as well as September through November, when the weather is moderate, with flowers blooming in the spring and leaves changing in the fall.
Gyeongbokgung Palace
Built in 1935, at the beginning of the Chosun Dynasty, when the Yi Dynasty moved the capital to Seoul, Gyeongbokgung Palace, also known as Gyeongbok Palace, has long remained the main seat of power for Korea kings. Translated into English as the ‘Palace of Shining Happiness,’ Gyeongbok is a unique getaway greatly blessed by haven, with Mt. Bugaksan to its rear and Mt. Namsan in the foreground. After great restorations, the palace now looks gorgeous, authentic and offers enough to keep you busy for a full day. Well worth a visit are the many restored buildings, like the throne hall, living quarters, official quarters and pavilions, as well as the National Palace Museum of Korea, where you can get a detailed info about royal life, palace architecture and ancestral rites.
Lotte World
With an amusement park, folk museum, sports center, a shopping center and hotel, Lotte World is like a small city. Perfect for those who plan their next trip to the vibrant city of Seoul, Lotte World offers fun and entertainment to kids and adults alike. Broken into two areas, the indoor area and the outdoor theme park, Magic Island, Lotte World comes with plenty of things to do and attractions, from numerous thrilling rides to all year round ice skating ring to a shooting range, not to mention the many picnic areas and dining venues, where guests can relax and satisfy their hunger at their heart’s content. Movie lovers will find a cinema multiplex, while for shopping enthusiasts the complex offers a huge mall, selling everything from clothing to food.
Everland
Another great family-friendly venue located in Yongin, a suburb of Seoul, the stunning Everland Amusement Theme Park is the biggest theme park in South Korea, operated by Samsung Everland. Also ranked as the most attended theme park in the world in 2007, Everland looks and feels a bit like a Disney Land clone, with its fairy tale castles and bright colors. The park is divided into a number of themed zones that include Aesop’s Village, Zoo-Topia, Magic Land and European Adventure. A novelty feature of the park is the 15-minute African Safari bus ride through wildlife zones, which offers close-up views of tigers, lions, and hyenas, as well as zebras, elephants and giraffes. The park is also characterized by its numerous parades and festivals, which are always something special.
