South Korea
Asia · Seoul · KR
South Korea is a peninsula nation that has undergone one of the most remarkable economic and cultural transformations in modern history, evolving from a war-devastated agrarian society into a global leader in technology, entertainment, and design within a single generation. The country's geography is predominantly mountainous, with the Taebaek range running along the eastern coast and creating a dramatic divide between the steep Pacific-facing slopes and the gentler western plains where most of the population lives. Seoul, a megacity of nearly ten million, pulses with a frenetic energy driven by cutting-edge fashion, a world-renowned food scene, and an entertainment industry that has captured global attention through K-pop and Korean cinema. Yet beyond the urban intensity, South Korea preserves Buddhist temple traditions in forest settings, maintains fishing villages where life has changed little in decades, and celebrates seasonal festivals that connect modern Koreans to agricultural rhythms older than the nation itself.
Overview
South Korea is a country in Asia. Its capital is Seoul and the international dialling code is +82. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Korean. Local currency is the South Korean Won (KRW). Our guide covers 1 airport, including Incheon International Airport. We also list 1 city in South Korea: Seoul.
Seoul's Palaces and Contemporary Design Districts
Seoul's identity is defined by the juxtaposition of Joseon-era royal architecture and twenty-first-century urban design, often visible within the same neighborhood. Gyeongbokgung Palace, the largest of the five royal palaces, was built in 1395 and anchors the northern end of the city's central axis, its stone courtyards and painted wooden halls serving as a living museum of Korean court culture. Adjacent to the palace, the Bukchon Hanok Village preserves hundreds of traditional Korean houses with their distinctive curved tile roofs and heated ondol floors, though the neighborhood struggles with the tension between tourism pressure and residents' desire for privacy. South of the Han River, the Gangnam and Cheongdam areas represent Seoul's contemporary face, with high-end fashion boutiques, glass-walled galleries, and the Dongdaemun Design Plaza — a silver, spaceship-like building designed by Zaha Hadid that has become a landmark of Korean design ambition.
Jeju Island's Volcanic Coastline and Haenyeo Culture
Jeju Island, a volcanic landmass off the southern coast, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its exceptional volcanic geology, including the Hallasan summit crater and the UNESCO Global Geopark-recognized lava tubes. Manjanggul Cave stretches for over seven kilometers through a basalt tunnel formed by ancient lava flows, its ceiling adorned with silica stalactites and columns found nowhere else in Asia. The island's cultural identity is inseparable from the haenyeo, a tradition of women free-divers who harvest shellfish and seaweed from the cold surrounding waters without oxygen equipment. This practice, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, has persisted for centuries and defined the island's matriarchal social structure. Hallasan, the shield volcano at Jeju's center, rises to 1,950 meters and offers hiking trails through forests that change with elevation from subtropical to subalpine, culminating in a volcanic crater lake at the summit.
Gyeongju's Silla Dynasty Archaeological Landscape
Gyeongju served as the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly a thousand years, from 57 BCE to 935 CE, and the city's archaeological landscape is unparalleled in East Asia for the density and preservation of its ancient monuments. The Tumuli Park contains over twenty massive grass-covered burial mounds of Silla kings and nobles, arranged in a gentle valley setting where locals walk their dogs among the graves. Cheomseongdae, an eighth-century stone observatory, is the oldest surviving astronomical observation tower in East Asia and demonstrates the scientific sophistication of Silla court culture. Bulguksa Temple, set in the foothills of Tohamsan mountain, houses some of the finest examples of Silla-era stone architecture and metalwork, while the nearby Seokguram Grotto contains a seated Buddha of extraordinary serenity facing the East Sea. Unlike most Korean cities, Gyeongju's modern development has been restricted to preserve the archaeological integrity of the Silla heritage zone.
Temple Stay Experiences and Korean Buddhism
Korea's Buddhist temples are not merely historical monuments but active religious communities that offer overnight stays known as temple stays, allowing visitors to participate in monastic routines alongside resident monks. Programs at temples like Beomeosa near Busan, Haeinsa in the Gayasan mountains, and Jogyesa in central Seoul provide structured experiences that include morning chanting, meditation sessions, communal meals of temple cuisine, and manual labor in the temple grounds. Korean temple cuisine is a distinct culinary tradition in itself, built on the Buddhist principle of不吃 (not eating meat), featuring dishes made exclusively from vegetables, tofu, wild herbs, and fermented preparations that have been refined over centuries. Haeinsa Temple, home to the Tripitaka Koreana — the most complete set of Buddhist scriptures in East Asia, carved onto over 80,000 woodblocks in the thirteenth century — represents the intersection of Korean devotion, artistry, and scholarly dedication at its most ambitious.
Busan's Coastal Markets and Beach Districts
Busan, South Korea's second city and busiest port, occupies a dramatic position where mountainous terrain meets the Korea Strait, creating a cityscape of steep hills, bridge-connected districts, and harbors facing the open sea. Jagalchi Fish Market, the largest seafood market in Korea, sprawls along the waterfront at the foot of the Busan International Film Festival venue, where vendors sell everything from live octopus and sea squirt to dried anchovies by the kilogram. Nearby, the Gamcheon Culture Village — a hillside neighborhood of former refugees' homes painted in bright pastels and murals — has become one of the most photographed urban art installations in Asia. Haeundae Beach, Korea's most famous stretch of sand, hosts the Busan Sea Festival each August alongside modern high-rises and luxury resorts. The Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, built directly on rocky cliffs above the East Sea, offers a coastal temple experience unlike any other in Korean Buddhism, with ocean waves crashing below as worshippers burn incense at the entrance gate.
Compare hotels, cover your trip and stay connected.
- Capital
- Seoul
- Currency
- South Korean Won (KRW)
- Languages
- Korean
- Calling code
- +82
- Internet TLD
- kr
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter South Korea.
Which nationalities can enter South Korea?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (1)
All airports →Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit South Korea?
For the origins we track, travellers from Morocco currently enter South Korea visa-free for tourism. Entry rules depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of South Korea?
Seoul is the capital of South Korea, and the country sits in Asia.
What currency is used in South Korea?
You pay with South Korean Won (KRW) in South Korea. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in South Korea?
The languages we list for South Korea are Korean. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for South Korea?
The dialling code for South Korea is +82 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve South Korea?
Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul is the airport we cover for South Korea.
Which cities in South Korea do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for South Korea: Seoul (capital).