11 Amazingly Beautiful Places in South Korea (My 2027 Guide)

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I came to Korea expecting the cyberpunk energy of Seoul…the neon signs, the K-Pop blasting from shops, the 24-hour hustle. And I found that. But the moment that actually hooked me wasn’t in a skyscraper; it was 4:00 AM at a temple stay in the mountains, watching steam rise off a cup of tea while the world was completely silent.

That is the duality of South Korea in 2027. It is a place that demands you keep up, yet begs you to slow down. After exploring the peninsula multiple times—from the volcanic tubes of Jeju to the coffee-scented coast of Gangneung—I’ve realized that the “best” places aren’t just the famous ones, but the ones that offer this distinct contrast.

If you are planning a trip this year, you don’t need a list of 100 random spots. You need a curated guide to the destinations that are actually worth your travel time. Here are the most beautiful places to visit in South Korea that stick with you long after the flight home.

🇰🇷 The Beauty of South Korea: At a Glance

If you are short on time and want to quickly match your travel style to the right destination, use this cheat sheet to build your itinerary. Korea is compact, but the vibes change drastically from city to city.

Destination	Best For…	Best Season	One “Must-Do”
Seoul	Best For…History, Nightlife, Shopping	Best SeasonSpring / Fall	One "Must-Do"Gyeongbokgung Palace in Hanbok
Jeju Island	Best For…Nature, Hiking, Beaches	Best SeasonSummer / Spring	One "Must-Do"Sunrise at Seongsan Ilchulbong
Busan	Best For…Seafood, Ocean Views, Markets	Best SeasonSummer / Fall	One "Must-Do"Gamcheon Culture Village
Gyeongju	Best For…Ancient History, Temples	Best SeasonSpring (Cherry Blossoms)	One "Must-Do"Bulguksa Temple
Jeonju	Best For…Traditional Food, Architecture	Best SeasonSpring / Fall	One "Must-Do"Eating Bibimbap in Hanok Village

Now that you have a high-level overview of where to go, let’s look at the practicalities of how to travel. The infrastructure has improved massively recently, so here is what you need to know about getting around in 2027.

What’s New in South Korea for 2027

Traveling to Korea has changed significantly in the last few years. If you are visiting in 2027, here are the major updates regarding transport, visas, and tech that you need to know.

1. The GTX-A Line is a Game Changer

The biggest frustration for travelers used to be the travel time between Gangnam and the historical center. As of 2026, the fully operational GTX-A (Great Train Express) high-speed underground rail has slashed commute times. You can now zip from Seoul Station to southern Seoul in under 20 minutes. This means you can book accommodation further out to save money without sacrificing time.

2. The “Workcation” Visa (Digital Nomad)

If you plan on staying longer than the standard 90-day tourist entry, South Korea’s Digital Nomad Visa (F-1-D) is now well-established. It allows remote workers with a qualifying income to stay for up to two years. It has sparked a boom in “work-friendly” cafes and co-living spaces in coastal cities like Busan and Sokcho, not just Seoul.

3. Contactless Payments are Finally Easy

For years, international travelers struggled because Google Maps and Apple Pay didn’t work well here. In 2026, the landscape has shifted:

• Apple Pay is now widely accepted at convenience stores (CU, GS25) and major retailers.
• NAMANE Cards allow you to load a prepaid card for transit and shopping using an international credit card via an app—a lifesaver if you don’t have cash.
• Naver Maps now has fully integrated English navigation that is actually reliable (delete Google Maps for this trip, trust me).

4. Robot Servers are the New Normal

Don’t be alarmed if your BBQ is delivered by a robot. Labor shortages have accelerated automation. In 2026, you will often order via tablet at your table (usually with multi-language support) and a robot will bring your side dishes. It makes dining out much less intimidating if you don’t speak fluent Korean!

👉 Find Your Perfect South Korea Accommodation
👉 My Favorite Tour in South Korea

My #1 tip to save money on your trip to South Korea

Let’s first cover some quick tips that will save you time and money on your Korean adventure.

• FLYING: If you haven’t already, I HIGHLY recommend signing up for Scott’s Cheap Flights (now called Going). Last summer, I flew to Seoul for just $370 roundtrip thanks to their email alerts. The premium and elite version are even better!
• Food: Save by eating at local kimbap shops and street food markets. A filling meal at these spots costs around $5-7, with kimbap rolls under $3. University neighborhoods like Hongdae have great budget options.
• Transport: Get a T-money card. It works on all metros, buses, and even taxis across different cities. For intercity travel, book KTX (high-speed rail) tickets in advance through the Korail app.

South Korea can be surprisingly expensive, especially in Seoul. But if you follow the strategies above, you can explore this dynamic country for much less.

South Korea packs a lot into a relatively small country, so I mapped out the most amazingly beautiful places below. Save this map to your phone to easily navigate between scenic landscapes, cultural landmarks, and iconic city views.

The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in South Korea

Ready to jump into all the prettiest locations in South Korea? From world-class cities to next level nature spots, here are all the best locations in South Korea you should know about.

1. Seoul: The Dynamic Capital

• 📍 Location: Northwestern South Korea, on the Han River
• 🏆 Best For: 🏯 History fans, 🌃 city explorers, 🎵 K-culture lovers, 🍜 food lovers
• 📸 Top Experiences: Wearing hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace, watching the Royal Guard Changing Ceremony, sunset at Namsan Seoul Tower, tea houses in Insadong
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Early April for cherry blossoms or mid-October to early November for fall colors 🌸🍁
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Nine Tree by Parnas Seoul Myeongdong 2 – Four-star value near Myeongdong Station, with rooms larger than typical Seoul hotels

Seoul is South Korea’s capital and the city I recommend starting with on a first trip. I suggest at least three full days here, with a hotel near a subway line to cut your travel time. You can tour a palace built in 1395 in the morning and eat Korean barbecue after midnight.

My top tip is to rent a hanbok near Anguk Station before visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace. Wearing one gets you free entry here and at Changdeokgung, Deoksugung, and Changgyeonggung, though the regular adult ticket is only ₩3,000 (about $2). Arrive by 9:45 a.m. for the guard-changing ceremony at Gwanghwamun, and avoid Tuesdays, when the palace is closed.

For city views, I skip the Namsan cable car, where the line can hit an hour at peak times. I walk the trail from Myeongdong up to Namsan Seoul Tower and time it for sunset to see the skyline in daylight and after dark. Afterward, I head to Insadong for traditional tea houses or Hongdae for street performers and late-night food.

Plan ahead if your trip falls in summer 2027. Seoul hosts World Youth Day from August 3 to 8, with up to 1 million attendees expected, and hotels will fill early. US travelers also need a K-ETA starting January 1, 2027, and I’d apply at least 72 hours before your flight.

• Read next: My Favorite Pretty Spots in Seoul

2. Jeju Island: Nature’s Masterpiece

• 📍 Location: Off the southern coast of South Korea, a one-hour flight from Seoul
• 🏆 Best For: 🌋 Nature lovers, 🥾 hikers, 🏖️ beachgoers, 🚗 road trippers
• 📸 Top Experiences: Walking the newly reopened Manjanggul Lava Tube, climbing Seongsan Ilchulbong, hiking Hallasan, swimming at Hyeopjae Beach
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to early June or late September to October for clear skies 🌤️
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Nanta Jeju – Hillside hotel on the slopes of Hallasan, close to the Gwaneumsa trailhead and 6 miles from the airport

Jeju Island is South Korea’s volcanic island and the first place I send nature lovers. I recommend four to five days to cover the coast and fit in at least one big hike. Rent a car if you can because it cuts travel time roughly in half, and bring a physical International Driving Permit since digital copies aren’t accepted.

My top pick for 2026 is Manjanggul Lava Tube, which reopened on May 30 after a two-and-a-half-year closure for safety repairs. New walkway decks cover the 1-kilometer open section, and I’d bring a light jacket for the cool, damp air. Tickets cost ₩4,000 at the door, and the cave closes on the first Wednesday of each month.

Seongsan Ilchulbong, known as Sunrise Peak, is a volcanic cone rising 182 meters from the sea. The climb to the crater rim takes 20 to 30 minutes, adult tickets cost ₩5,000, and the summit trail closes on the first Monday of each month. For sunrise, check the exact time for your date, since it shifts from about 5:30 a.m. in summer to after 7 a.m. in winter.

To reach the top of Hallasan, South Korea’s highest peak, you need a free advance reservation at visithalla.jeju.go.kr. The Seongpanak trail allows 1,000 hikers a day and Gwaneumsa allows 500, and popular dates fill fast. On lighter days, I head to Hyeopjae Beach for turquoise water and finish with black pork barbecue in Jeju City.

3. Busan: The Coastal Gem

• 📍 Location: Southeastern coast of South Korea, about 2.5 hours from Seoul by KTX
• 🏆 Best For: 🏖️ Beachgoers, 🎨 art seekers, 🍣 seafood fans, 🌃 night owls
• 📸 Top Experiences: Riding the Haeundae Sky Capsule, walking Gamcheon Culture Village, visiting Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, eating at Jagalchi Market
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late May to early November, with July and August for peak beach season 🌞
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Arban Hotel – Seomyeon hotel with a rooftop garden, a 7-minute walk from Seomyeon Station and next to Lotte Department Store

Busan is South Korea’s second-largest city and the place I recommend for beach days without giving up city life. The KTX from Seoul takes about 2.5 hours, and I suggest at least two full days here. I base myself in Seomyeon for easy subway access, or in Haeundae if the beach is your top priority.

Haeundae Beach is the busiest stretch of sand, and I pair it with the Sky Capsule at Haeundae Blueline Park, small cabins that glide along an old coastal rail line. Sunset slots sell out, and I’d book online a few weeks ahead. Gwangalli Beach is calmer, with the lit-up Gwangan Bridge in view and a drone light show on Saturday nights.

Gamcheon Culture Village covers a hillside with pastel houses and murals, and I’d go early in the morning before tour groups arrive. Haedong Yonggungsa Temple sits right on the rocky shoreline, which is unusual for a Korean temple. For seafood, I head to Jagalchi Market, buy fish on the first floor, and have it prepared upstairs.

Plan ahead if you’re visiting in early November. The Busan Fireworks Festival returns to Gwangalli Beach on Saturday, November 7, 2026, with free viewing on the sand and reserved seats from ₩70,000. Around a million people attend, and I’d book a hotel near Gwangalli or Haeundae as early as possible.

4. Gyeongju: The Ancient Capital

• 📍 Location: North Gyeongsang Province, about 2 hours from Seoul by KTX
• 🏆 Best For: 🏛️ History buffs, 🌸 spring travelers, 🧘‍♂️ temple lovers, 📸 night photographers
• 📸 Top Experiences: Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, walking inside Cheonmachong tomb, Wolji Pond at night, cafes on Hwangnidan-gil
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Early April for cherry blossoms or late October to mid-November for fall colors 🌸🍂
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Hilton Gyeongju – Lakeside resort at Bomun Lake with indoor and outdoor pools, about 5.5 miles from the historic center

Gyeongju was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly 1,000 years, and locals call it a “museum without walls.” The KTX from Seoul takes just over two hours, and I recommend at least one overnight stay. Several of the top sites are lit up after dark, and a day trip means missing them.

Start at Bulguksa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that has been free to enter since May 2023. Seokguram Grotto sits higher on the mountain, also free, with a granite Buddha facing the East Sea. I’d go early in the morning and budget three hours to see both.

In the city center, Daereungwon Tomb Complex holds the grassy burial mounds of Silla royalty. Cheonmachong is the one tomb you can walk inside, and entry to the complex costs ₩3,000. From there, I walk to Cheomseongdae Observatory and grab coffee on Hwangnidan-gil, a street lined with hanok cafes and shops.

Save your evening for Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, open until 10 p.m. with last entry at 9:30 p.m. The pavilions are lit after sunset and reflect on the water, and adult tickets cost ₩3,000. Since hosting the 2025 APEC Summit, Gyeongju has added more English signage and better walking paths between its historic sites.

5. Incheon: The Gateway to South Korea’s Wonders

• 📍 Location: West coast, about 1 hour from central Seoul by subway
• 🏆 Best For: ✈️ First and last nights, 🧳 layovers, 👨‍👩‍👧 families, 🍜 food lovers
• 📸 Top Experiences: Eating jajangmyeon in Chinatown, riding the Wolmi Sea Train, visiting the National Incheon Maritime Museum, walking Songdo Central Park
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to June or September to November for mild weather 🌤️
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Oakwood Premier Incheon – Songdo aparthotel with full kitchens and free parking, about 35 minutes from the airport by car

Incheon is home to South Korea’s main international airport, and I use it for my first or last night in the country. Staying in Songdo puts you about 35 minutes from the terminals by car, which takes the stress out of an early flight. I’d plan one full day here, split between the old port area and modern Songdo.

Start at Incheon Station on Subway Line 1, where Chinatown sits right across the street. This neighborhood is the birthplace of jajangmyeon, the black bean noodle dish, and I always eat a bowl before exploring. The red gates and hillside streets make it easy to fill a morning on foot.

From the same station, the Wolmi Sea Train loops 6.1 kilometers around Wolmido on an elevated track. Adult tickets cost ₩8,000, and trains stop on Mondays but stay open until 9 p.m. on peak-season weekends for sunset views. Hop off at Museum Station for the National Incheon Maritime Museum, which opened in December 2024 and is free with an online reservation.

In the afternoon, I head to Songdo Central Park to walk the canals and rent a boat for skyline views from the water. The Oakwood Premier is about 15 minutes away on foot, with a Lotte Mart next door for snacks and supplies. If your flight lands late, Songdo is an easy place to rest before heading into Seoul the next morning.

6. Daegu: The Colorful Metropolis

• 📍 Location: South-central South Korea, under 2 hours from Seoul by KTX
• 🏆 Best For: 🧘‍♀️ Temple lovers, 🥾 hikers, 🍢 street food fans, 🎉 festival-goers
• 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking Palgongsan National Park, visiting Donghwasa Temple, eating at Seomun Night Market, walking Kim Gwang-seok-gil
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to May or late October to early November for mild weather and fall colors 🌤️🍁
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Hotel Laonzena – Suseong-gu hotel with a sauna and free parking, an 8-minute drive from Dongdaegu Station

Daegu is South Korea’s fourth-largest city, and few international travelers stop here. The KTX from Seoul reaches Dongdaegu Station in under two hours, and I’d give the city one to two days. It pairs well with Gyeongju, which sits just east of Daegu.

Palgongsan became South Korea’s 23rd national park in December 2023, and it’s the top reason I recommend Daegu. Start at Donghwasa Temple, founded in 493, where a giant stone Buddha sits on a terrace above the main halls. Bus 401 from Dongdaegu Station gets you there in about 50 minutes, and the nearby Palgongsan Cable Car takes you to ridge-top views without the steep climb.

Back in the city, Seomun Market is Daegu’s largest traditional market. Its night market opens at 7 p.m., with food stalls stretching about 350 meters. The next morning, I walk Kim Gwang-seok-gil, a mural-lined alley honoring the late folk singer.

If you like festivals, come in July for the Chimac Festival, Daegu’s celebration of Korean fried chicken and beer. Summer here is one of the hottest in the country, and I’d plan hikes for early morning with plenty of water. For Palgongsan itself, I prefer late October to early November, when the fall foliage peaks.

7. Boseong Green Tea Fields: A Verdant Wonderland

• 📍 Location: South Jeolla Province, about 1.5 hours from Gwangju and 5 hours from Seoul
• 🏆 Best For: 🍵 Tea lovers, 🌿 nature photographers, 🥾 easy hikers, 🚗 road trippers
• 📸 Top Experiences: Hiking the Daehan Dawon terraces, green tea ice cream at the plantation cafe, the Green Tea Festival in May, soaking at Yulpo Haesu Green Tea Center
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late April to June for bright new leaves and the Green Tea Festival 🌱
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Nokcha Resort – Log cabin condos with kitchenettes and free parking, about 1 mile from Daehan Dawon and a short walk from the Tea Museum of Korea

Boseong grows nearly half of South Korea’s green tea, and its terraced hillsides are the classic image of Korean tea country. The trip takes about 5 hours from Seoul by bus, and I’d pair it with Suncheon nearby for a two-day trip. Local buses from Boseong Bus Terminal stop near the plantation, but a rental car gives you far more flexibility.

Daehan Dawon is the main plantation, opened in 1957 and still the only tea farm in Korea set up for tourists. Adult tickets cost ₩4,000, and I take the hiking loop through the cedar forest to the upper observatory, where you can see the sea on clear days. Afterward, I stop at the plantation cafe for green tea ice cream.

The Boseong Green Tea Festival is usually held in May, with tea picking and processing demos. The fields stay green all year, but the new spring leaves look brightest. Boseong is also one of Korea’s rainiest areas, and I pack a rain jacket in any season.

Finish at Yulpo Haesu Green Tea Center next to Yulpo Beach. Its baths mix seawater pumped from 120 meters underground with tea brewed from local leaves, and the third floor has an open-air bath facing the ocean. Entry costs ₩7,000, it’s open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you’ll need a swimsuit for the third floor.

8. Jeonju: A Culinary and Cultural Odyssey

• 📍 Location: Jeonbuk State, southwestern South Korea, under 2 hours from Seoul by KTX
• 🏆 Best For: 🍚 Foodies, 🏠 architecture lovers, 👘 hanbok fans, 🎬 film fans
• 📸 Top Experiences: Walking Jeonju Hanok Village in hanbok, the rooftop view from Omokdae, visiting Gyeonggijeon Shrine, eating Jeonju bibimbap
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: April to May or October to early November for cool, dry days 🌤️
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Laon Hanok Gguljam – Traditional hanok guesthouse with free breakfast, a 1-minute walk from Jeonju Hanok Village

Jeonju is the capital of Jeonbuk State, known as North Jeolla Province until January 2024, and it’s famous across Korea for its food. The KTX from Seoul’s Yongsan Station takes about 1 hour 40 minutes, and one night here covers the highlights. The Hanok Village drew around 15 million visitors in 2024, and I’d start early to beat the crowds.

Jeonju Hanok Village has 700 to 800 traditional houses, and I rent a hanbok to walk the alleys. For the best view, climb the short path to Omokdae and look down over the tiled rooftops. Gyeonggijeon Shrine, built in 1410, holds the portrait of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty, and adult tickets cost ₩3,000.

Entry to Gyeonggijeon is free on the last Wednesday of each month and half price on the fourth Saturday. Jeondong Cathedral, completed in 1914, sits right across the street. For lunch, I order Jeonju bibimbap in a hot stone bowl and grab a local choco pie for the train.

If you visit in spring, the Jeonju International Film Festival is usually held in late April or early May, and I’d book your hanok stay early for those dates. Hanok guesthouses often use traditional floor bedding. Check the room type before booking if you need a raised bed.

9. Gangneung: The Coastal Cultural Hub

• 📍 Location: Gangwon State, east coast of South Korea, about 2 hours from Seoul by KTX
• 🏆 Best For: ☕ Coffee lovers, 🏖️ beach lovers, 🌸 cherry blossom chasers, 🎭 festival-goers
• 📸 Top Experiences: Coffee at Anmok Beach, walking Gyeongpo Lake, visiting Ojukheon, soft tofu at Chodang Village
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Early April for cherry blossoms or July and August for beach season 🌸🏖️
• 🏨 Where to Stay: St. John’s Hotel – Beachfront hotel on Gangmun Beach with a seasonal infinity pool, a short walk from Chodang Sundubu Village

Gangneung sits on the east coast in Gangwon State, and it’s the easiest beach trip from Seoul. The KTX from Seoul Station or Cheongnyangni takes about 2 hours, and a taxi from Gangneung Station to the coast takes around 6 minutes. I’d stay one night to catch sunrise over the East Sea before the day-trippers arrive.

The city calls itself Korea’s coffee capital, and Anmok Beach Coffee Street has more than 30 cafes along a 500-meter stretch of coast. The scene started with beachside vending machine coffee in the 1980s, and a hand-drip cup now costs around ₩7,000 to ₩10,000. If you’re here this fall, the 18th Gangneung Coffee Festival takes over the area from October 21 to 25, 2026.

Gyeongpo Beach is the city’s biggest summer beach, and Gyeongpo Lake behind it has a cherry blossom loop in early April. Nearby Ojukheon, where the scholar Yi I was born, is known for its black bamboo, and his face appears on Korea’s ₩5,000 bill. For lunch, I walk to Chodang Sundubu Village for soft tofu made with seawater.

For 2027, plan around the Gangneung Danoje Festival, a UNESCO-listed celebration of the Dano holiday. The 2026 edition drew more than 1.1 million visitors over eight days. Dano falls on June 9, 2027, and I’d book a beach hotel early for that week.

• Read next: Cheapest Beaches to Fly To from the US

10. Suncheon: Nature’s Sanctuary and Historical Haven

• 📍 Location: South Jeolla Province, southern South Korea, about 2.5 hours from Seoul by KTX
• 🏆 Best For: 🐦 Bird watchers, 🌾 nature photographers, 🌷 garden lovers, 🧘 slow travelers
• 📸 Top Experiences: Suncheon Bay National Garden, sunset over the wetland reed fields, riding the SkyCube, visiting Songgwangsa Temple
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Late October to November for golden reeds, or winter for hooded cranes 🍂🐦
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Suncheon Hotel Gite – Free breakfast and free parking, about a 19-minute walk from Suncheon Bay National Garden

Suncheon is a coastal city in South Jeolla Province, built around a wetland that’s part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The KTX from Seoul takes about 2 hours 25 minutes, and I’d give the city one full day plus a night. Boseong’s tea fields are about an hour away by car, which makes an easy two-day loop.

I start at Suncheon Bay National Garden, Korea’s first national garden, where themed gardens surround a central lake. The SkyCube, a small unmanned pod train, then carries you toward the wetland for ₩8,000 round trip. Gates open at 8:30 a.m., and closing time shifts from 6 p.m. in winter to 8 p.m. in summer.

Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve has wooden boardwalks through huge reed fields, and the round trip to the hilltop observatory takes about 90 minutes. Time your walk for sunset, when the S-shaped waterway below turns gold. From October to April, thousands of hooded cranes winter in the fields nearby, and I’d bring binoculars.

On a second morning, I drive about 45 minutes to Songgwangsa Temple, part of a UNESCO listing of Korean mountain monasteries. Closer to town, the Suncheon Open Film Set recreates Korean streets from the 1960s to 1980s. The city’s integrated ticket can cover the garden, wetland, film set, and Naganeupseong Folk Village over two days.

11. Chuncheon: The Lakeside Jewel of South Korea

• 📍 Location: Gangwon State, northeastern South Korea, about 1 hour from Seoul by ITX train
• 🏆 Best For: 🛶 Lake lovers, 🍗 foodies, 🚆 day-trippers from Seoul, 👨‍👩‍👧 families
• 📸 Top Experiences: Walking Nami Island, riding the Samaksan Lake Cable Car, eating dakgalbi on Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street, fall foliage by the lakes
• 📅 Best Time to Visit: Mid-October to early November for fall foliage and lake views 🍂
• 🏨 Where to Stay: Sangsangmadang Chuncheon Stay – Lakefront hotel with a rooftop terrace, a 4-minute drive from the Samaksan Lake Cable Car

Chuncheon is a lake city in Gangwon State and one of the fastest nature escapes from Seoul. The ITX-Cheongchun train reaches Chuncheon Station in about an hour. I’d make it a long day trip, or stay one night to pair the lakes with a dakgalbi dinner.

The top draw is Nami Island, a river island lined with tall metasequoia trees that turn red and gold in autumn. Adult admission is ₩19,000, including the round-trip ferry from Gapyeong Wharf, and ticket sales end at 6 p.m. I’d arrive by 9 a.m., since holiday weekend lines can stretch past 45 minutes.

For lake views, I ride the Samaksan Lake Cable Car, Korea’s longest at 3.61 kilometers, across Uiam Lake. The one-way trip takes about 20 minutes, and a short walk from the top station leads to a skywalk observatory. I book online before weekend visits, because on-site ticket lines can top 30 minutes.

Save dinner for Myeongdong Dakgalbi Street, where spicy stir-fried chicken cooks on an iron griddle at your table. When you’re nearly done, ask the staff to add rice to the leftover sauce for fried rice. Traveling with kids? LEGOLAND Korea is about a 7-minute drive from the Sangsangmadang hotel.