Thursday, 20 November 2014
23 BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO VISIT IN KOREA
Some 25 million South Koreans -- about half the population -- travel abroad at least once a year, but it’s safe to assume that most haven't seen all the beautiful sights within the country.
Seoul only takes up a mere 0.6 percent of South Korea's territory: here are 50 stunning photographs from the other 99.4 percent of the country that are all worth a visit.
Here are the flowery spring landscapes, sandy beaches, rocky mountains and quietly stunning historic sites on your new Korean travel bucket list.
1. Seongsan Sunrise Peak
Hydrovolcanic eruptions formed this majestic volcanic crater 5,000 years ago on Jeju Island.
A UNESCO world heritage site, the peak is famous for many things, including numerous rare plant species, but is best known for the magnificent sight of the sun rising over it (hence the name).
The climb up the peak’s northwest side ridge (its other sides are steep cliffs) to the 180-meter highest point takes 30 minutes.
2. Ggotji Beach
Located four kilometers southwest from Anmyeon-eup, this cream-colored beach is the ideal place to go for a drive and watch the sun sink into the ocean between two large rock formations known as the Granny Rock and the Grandpa Rock.
Legend has it that the wife of a base commanding officer in the Shilla Dynasty became the Granny Rock when she died after waiting faithfully for her husband.
3. Gwang-An Bridge
Also known as the Diamond Bridge, this two-story bridge connects Suyeong-gu and Haeundae-gu and offers an astonishing view of mountains, sandy beaches, hills and city lights.
Kwang-An Bridge is not for pedestrians, but anyone can enjoy the spectacular night view of the bridge from afar; its state-of-the-art lighting system allows an exterior lighting of over 100,000 colors.
4. Kyeong-Wha Station, Jinhae
This small whistle-stop bustles with tourists and amateur photographers every spring.
Cherry blossoms rain down on the train track and countless shutters click madly away as the train approaches the station under the cherry blossom tunnel.
The cherry blossom road at Yeojwa stream, (number 17 on this list) is also nearby for those who want more photo-ops.
5. Upo Marsh
At 2,314 kilometers squared, Upo Marsh is the largest inland wetland in Korea and thrice the size of Yeouido. Formed over 140 million years ago, the marsh is home to 1,500 plants and animals, some of which are endangered species.
Visitors can bike or walk around this beautiful natural swamp, where migratory birds are known for flying low.
6. Gongryong Ridge, Seorak Mountain
Physical fitness and mountain climbing experience are prerequisites to viewing these curious peaks in the Seorak mountain range.
Thought to be shaped like the spine of a dinosaur (hence the name, "Dinosaur Ridge"), this rocky ridge offers spectacular views of both inner and outer Seorak.
The climb is no picnic: the peak elevation of Gongryong Ridge, the most popular ridge route in the range, is approximately 1,200 meters.
7. Uleung Island Seaside Road
Uleung Island, nicknamed "Mysterious Island", is a popular weekend getaway spot for Seoulites.
Curious rock formations, shore cliffs and numerous waterfalls adorn the island’s Seaside Road.
Anyone planning to walk or bike their way around Uleung Island should make sure they set aside enough time, as they will inevitably stop countless times to admire the glorious view.
8. Seopjikoji, Jeju Island
First-time visitors to Jeju island need to plan their trip wisely, as the Jeju bucket list is long and varied. One of the musts on the list is Seopjikoji, a promontory on the coast famous for its serenity and romance.
Yellow rape blossoms fill the field in the spring, creating a colorful contrast with the red soil and cerulean sky.
The best photographs of Sungsan Sunrise Peak (the first item on this list) can be taken here at Seopjikoji.
The scenery of Seopjikoji has also been captured by several Korean films and dramas, including "All In," one of the first Hallyu dramas starring Lee Byung-hun and Song Hye-kyo.
9. Bomun Pavilion, Gyeongju
Gyeongju, an ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, boasts the nickname "a museum with no walls."
Bomun Pavilion, a small wooden gazebo standing over a quiet duck pond, is a great spot to experience Korea’s spring; the cherry blossoms fluttering over the pond provide an exquisite sight.
In fact, it's the perfect place to view all of Korea's markedly different seasons: summer's lush green leaves, fall's scarlet and mustard foliage, and winter's blankets of snow.
10. Yeojwa Stream
The fifth item on this list already touched on the festival of cherry blossoms in Jinhae, but the cherry blossom road at Yeojwa Stream is so strikingly beautiful that it deserves another mention (and another photo).
Lovers visit this site to cross the "Romance Bridge", which has been used as a shooting location for "Romance," a drama starring Kim Ha-nul and Kim Jae-won.
Bloggers say that these romantic blossoms can be most appreciated at night, when there are fewer tourists and the pale pink flowers glow against the dark sky.
11. Boseong Green Tea Field
Approximately 40 percent of Korea's tea is produced in the rolling fields of Boseong, which has also provided the backdrop of many Korean dramas and films.
Yes, green tea-related specialties (fresh green tea ice cream and green tea pork belly) are tasty treats, but the spectacular view of the seemingly endless tea fields is the real reason so many visitors stop by Boseong.
A green tea festival is held every May while in the winter, the fields are decorated with tiny light bulbs.
12. Bulguksa Temple
This UNESCO-listed site is perhaps the most famous historic site in Korea.
Two granite pagodas on either sides of the temple, Dabotap and Seokgatap, as well as Seokguram, a man-made grotto just above the temple, add to the splendid grandeur of this 1,500-year-old home of many important relics.
13. Daegwallyeong Ranch
This only sheep ranch in Korea doubles as a natural sledge park in winter.
The dreaminess of the view is as heady as the mountain air.
Meat-lovers should stop by the restaurants in the ranch village for a taste of the highest grade lamb.
14. Anapji (Anap Pond)
This man-made pond was created during the Shilla Dynasty approximately 1,500 years ago.
Three buildings stand on three artificial islands while patches of lotus flowers frame the pond.
Gorgeous exterior lighting that go on after sunset create a magical night view.
15. Seryang-Je
Seryang-Je, a reservoir built in 1969 in Hwasun, is another famous spot for both professional and amateur photographers for its ethereal mist and reflections of colorful blossoms and leaves.
16. Kwanghan Pavilion
Kwanghan Pavilion is the setting of Chunhyangjeon, one of Korea's most famous folk tales.
Chunhyang, the young, beautiful daughter of a gisaeng (Korean geisha), and Mongryong, the handsome son of the local governor, first met and fell in love in this beautifully designed pavilion, which was designated a treasure in 1963.
17. Seomjin River Train Village
Kudos to the Gokseong district office, which has managed to create a lovely tourist attraction out of abandoned railroads.
A brief steam train ride (they don’t make ’em like this anymore, literally) is available for tourists, who can also enjoy a bike hike on a trail bike or a romantic walk beside the train track.
18. Cheongsando
For a small country road, Cheongsando marks a lot of "firsts" -- it is the world’s first "Slow Road" in Asia’s first "Slow City".
It doesn’t take long to realize why it is called "Slow Road" -- one’s pace naturally slackens to fall in with the pace of the rest of the island.
Rape blossoms (in spring) and Mexican Asters (in fall) in full bloom are bordered by simple stone walls.
19. Halla Mountain
This fairy-tale sight of snowflakes and icicles covering tree branches on Halla Mountain were the inspiration for the Halla Snow Festival that was held late January/early February every year.
Unfortunately, the festival was halted a few years ago because whenever they set a date it would rain and people would get mad.
But the snow-covered trees are still there, and you are welcome to go sledding, snow rafting and ice sliding on your own.
20. Terraced Fields, Hamyang
This small village at the foot of Jiri Mountain displays a curious sight of terraced rice paddies.
In spring the water in the paddies reflects the sky, while in autumn the paddies glow with golden grains.
21. Royal Azalea Festival, Hwangmae Mountain
At 1,108 meters, Hwangmae Mountain is the highest peak in the Sobaek mountain range, and is covered by royal azalea blossoms every spring.
The festival runs from the beginning of May for two weeks, and organizers recommend coming at dawn to capture the most intense images on camera.
22. The Garden of Morning Calm
The Garden of Morning Calm is a beautifully designed and balanced arboretum in Gapyeong, run by a professor of horticulture.
The garden features more than 20 themes and 5,000 different kinds of plants, and will be hosting a luminarie--a decorative structure studded with 6 million LED lightbulbs--until March 1.
When there is a luminarie, the garden is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends. The luminarie lights turn on at sundown.
When there is no luminarie, the garden is open from 8:30 a.m. until sundown.
Tickets cost ₩8,000 for weekends and holidays, ₩7,000 for weekdays from April to November and ₩6,000 from December to March.
23. Chok-suk Pavilion
This beautiful, historical pavilion overlooking Nam River is most famous as the place where Nongae, the concubine of a government official in the Chosun Dynasty, jumped into the river with a Japanese general after the castle of Jinju fell into Japan’s hands.
written by :
NURUL HIDAYAH BINTI MANAFA13A0968
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