South Korea - Country Of Fashion Conscious And Nature Loving people

With China looming to its west and Japan nudging it from the east, it's no wonder South Korea has played unwilling host to centuries of war games. But no matter how many times its neighbours try to swallow it, South Korea manages to survive intact.

However, the country is a blend of green mountains, rocky terrains, and the Koreans are a people obsessed with nature, and with mountains in particular. Wherever you travel, you'll see Koreans out in the open air, clad in the latest adventure fashions.

It occupies the southern half of the Korean Peninsula that lies between the Yellow Sea and the East Sea. It is bordered to the north by North Korea, and Japan lies across the Korea Strait to the southeast.

When To Go

Korea has four distinct seasons, with a wet monsoon/summer in the middle of the year, and a very cold winter from November to March. Jeju-do off the south coast is the warmest and wettest place in the country.

If you possibly can, time your visit to South Korea for autumn (September to November). It's sunny, the skies are blue, and Korea's spectacular autumn foliage is a real draw. Winter is cold but dry, and a good time to visit if you like skiing, snow-draped temples, a dearth of tourists and crisp (ie below freezing) weather. Spring (April to May) can be beautiful, but it's also the most popular time with Japanese tourists and you'll have trouble getting mid to top-end accommodation. Summer is hot, muggy, crowded, wet, typhoon-prone and expensive.

Major Cities

Seoul — the 600 year old capital of South Korea, a fusion of the ancient and modern
Busan — the second largest city and a major port city of the Southeast
Daegu — a cosmopolitan city, rich with ancient traditions and sights
Daejeon — a large and dynamic metropolis located in Chungnam province
Jeju — an ancient port city, now a vacation hot spot
Jeonju — once the spiritual capital of the Joseon Dynasty, now a leading center of the arts filled with museums, ancient buddhist temples, and historical monuments
Suwon — a historic administrative and fortress city of the Joseon Dynasty
Gwangju — the largest city in South Jeolla province
Gyeongju — an ancient capital of the kingdom of Silla