Shannon O'Brien Travel Itineraries

The best destinations

Photo of South Korea
Photo of South Korea

The Best of South Korea

#21 best destination in the world

Map view

Lotte World

Photo of Lotte World

Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov

Cost: $

  • Major recreation complex in Seoul, that consists of a large indoor theme park, an outdoor amusement park called "Magic Island", an artificial island (on a lake) linked by monorail, shopping malls, a luxury hotel, an observation tower, a Korean folk museum, sports facilities, and movie theaters

Dongdaemun Design Plaza, Seoul

Photo of Seoul

Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov

Cost: $

  • Major urban development landmark in Seoul, inaugurated in 2014, with a distinctively neofuturistic design characterized by the curving forms of elongated structures
  • The landmark is the centerpiece of South Korea's fashion hub and popular tourist destination, Dongdaemun, featuring a walkable park on its roofs, large global exhibition spaces, futuristic retail stores, and restored parts of the Seoul fortress

Baegunbongammun, Bukhansan National Park

Photo of Bukhansan National Park

Walk difficulty: Moderate

Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov

Cost: $

  • The Bukhansan National Park is located in Seoul and Gyeonggi, and was established in 1983
  • The park contains forested areas, temples and granite peaks
  • The Bukhansanseong Fortress is located in the park, together with its 9.5 km (5.9 mi) long defensive wall
  • A fortress was first built on this site in 132 AD to protect Seoul from foreign invasions, and it was expanded to its current size in 1711

Gyeongbokgung

Photo of Gyeongbokgung

Walk difficulty: Easy

Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov

Cost: $

  • Gyeongbokgung was the main royal palace of the Joseon dynasty, built in 1395, located in Seoul
  • It served as the home of Kings of the Joseon dynasty, the Kings' households, as well as the government of Joseon
  • The architectural principles of ancient Korea were incorporated into the tradition and appearance of the Joseon royal court
  • In the early 20th century, much of the palace was systematically destroyed by Imperial Japan during its occupation of Korea
  • Since the 1990s, the walled palace complex is gradually being restored to its original form

N Seoul Tower

Photo of N Seoul Tower

Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov

Cost: $

  • Communication and observation tower located on Nam Mountain in central Seoul, built in 1969
  • The 236-meter (774 ft)-tall tower marks the second highest point in Seoul and is considered a local landmark
  • The N Seoul Tower is South Korea's first general radio wave tower, providing TV and radio broadcasting in Seoul

Bukchon Hanok Village

Photo of Bukchon Hanok Village

Walk difficulty: Easy

Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov

Cost: $

  • Korean traditional village in Seoul with a long history, located on the top of a hill
  • The traditional village is composed of many alleys, hanok and is preserved to show a 600-year-old urban environment
  • The area was traditionally the residential quarter of high-ranking government officials and nobility during the Joseon Dynasty

Changdeoggung

Photo of Changdeoggung

Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov

Cost: $

  • Set within a large park in Seoul, it is one of the "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897)
  • Changdeokgung was the most favored palace of many Joseon kings and retained many elements dating from the Three Kingdoms of Korea period
  • One such element is the fact that the buildings of Changdeokgung blend with the natural topography of the site instead of imposing themselves upon it

Cheonggyecheon

Photo of Cheonggyecheon

Best time to visit: March-May, Sept-Nov

Cost: $

  • Modern public recreation space in downtown Seoul, opened in 2005
  • The massive urban renewal project is on the site of a stream that flowed before the rapid post-war economic development caused it to be covered by transportation infrastructure