The world's most dynamic culture export — K-pop, Korean drama, the best skincare on Earth, Michelin-starred bibimbap and bulgogi, and a high-speed rail network connecting ancient palaces to ultramodern Seoul.
- Capital
- Seoul
- Population
- 51,159,889
- Area
- 98,480 km²
- Languages
- Korean
- Currency
- South-Korean Won (₩)
- GDP
- $1,790,322M
Good to know
Driving side
Right
National dish
Kimchi, bulgogi
Annual visitors
2,519,000 (2020)
Safety
Very low (0.48/100k)
Big Mac
$3.74
Avg temp
12.2°C
Coast
Coastal
☎ Police 112 · Ambulance 119 · Fire 119
Travel guide
South Korea (Korean: 한국, 韓國 Hanguk), officially the Republic of Korea (대한민국, 大韓民國 Daehan Minguk), is a country in East Asia. Known as the "Land of the Morning Calm", Korea has served as a cultural bridge between its neighbors, China and Japan, for a long time. In the 2nd half of the 20th century, South Korea emerged from the shadows of its turbulent past and achieved impressive economic growth, making it one of the world's most affluent countries today. South Korean pop culture, especially K-pop, is incredibly popular worldwide, driving higher levels of tourism to this nation. Despite their modernity and love for high technology, Koreans also take great pride in their history and traditions, and there many well-preserved historical sites that can give history buffs a glimpse into the ancient past.
© Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA)
Explore South Korea
Best time to visit
Spring (March–May) for cherry blossoms in Seoul and Gyeongju. Autumn (September–November) for foliage. Summer (June–August) is hot and humid with monsoon rains. Winter (December–February) is cold but great for skiing in Gangwon province.
Visa
Citizens of 100+ countries including US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia receive 30–90 days visa-free. South Korea also offers a K-ETA (electronic travel authorization) for most nationalities.
Highlights
Namsan Seoul Tower was the first multipurpose tower to be established in Korea, effectively incorporating a sightseeing observatory to a broadcasting tower. For the past 40 years, Namsan Seoul Tower has served as an iconic landmark of Korea and a representative tourist attraction. The tower's observatory offers an unobstructed view of the whole city, allowing it to become one of the all-time favorite attractions of Seoul citizens as well as domestic and international tourists. Another highlight of the tower is the Namsan Cable Car. The cable car began its operation in 1962, transferring passengers from the foot of the mountain to the base of the tower. Shuttle buses to the Namsan Cable Car from downtown Seoul are also available for visitors' convenience. N Seoul Tower, also commonly known as Namsan Tower, is an iconic Seoul landmark that provides bird’s-eye views of the city. It is both an observation and communication tower located at the top of Namsan Mountain in the geographical center of the city. It is also a popular date spot among locals.
Public holidays
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (18)
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Major cities
Seoul
A hyper-modern city of palaces, street food markets, K-beauty, and one of the world's most dynamic urban cultures.
Busan
South Korea's second city on the coast — beaches, seafood markets, Buddhist temples, and spectacular urban hikes.
Gyeongju
South Korea's ancient Silla capital, the outdoor museum — tumuli burial mounds, Bulguksa temple, and Seokguram Grotto.
Jeju Island
South Korea's volcanic island paradise — Hallasan mountain, Manjanggul lava tube, Seongsan Ilchulbong sunrise peak, and haenyeo divers.