Songgwangsa is one of the Three Jewel Temples of Buddhism symbolising the Sangha , or community of followers of Buddha. No less than 16 national masters were trained here – their portraits grace the Guksa-Jeon – and the temple remains an important c..

Visitors flock to Jeonju Hanok Village to see the traditional buildings that are beautifully preserved and conform to strict architectural conventions. Pass through Pungnammun Gate then wander about the little streets lined with buildings reminisce..

Several Buddhist temples built out of stone nestle between two peaks reminiscent of a pair of horse's ears. Two of these are Unsu-sa Temple and Tap-sa Temple, which are linked by a magnificent footpath. Don't miss out on a trip here, an hour away fro..

For a complete picture of the Joseon Dynasty, that reigned from the late 14C to the early 20C, admire the rich collections of the National Palace Museum of Korea: artefacts, furniture, paintings, etc. An ideal way to complement a tour of Gyeongbokgun..

Like many buildings dating from the Joseon Dynasty, the Jongmyo sanctuary was rebuilt in the early 17C on the ashes of the original edifice destroyed by Japanese invasions. This Confucian sanctuary, an architectural masterpiece, remains the scene of ..

The palace's royal origins date back to the 12C, and despite successive reconstructions following Japanese invasions and fires, the edifice's handsome proportions and superb ornamentation continue to impress. Not to be missed, particularly when the g..

Don't be put off by the hordes of tourists that throng here; Insadong is full of hidden treasures. Former haunt of artists, its narrow lanes are lined with innumerable art and craft shops, galleries and traditional hanoks. Well worth a stroll.

Cheonggyecheon now boasts yet another asset as the banks of the River Cheonggye have been landscaped into a long and pleasant riverside walk. However don't miss the late 19C Western buildings, the Deoksugung or a glimpse at the frenzied bustle that d..

Deoksugung, a palace built in the 15C, served as sanctuary for the royal family on several occasions. Among the various edifices, most of which were rebuilt in the early 20C, look out for the amazing Seogodang. The brightly coloured changing of the g..

Start exploring the Jung-gu district by Namsangol Hanok Village and its traditional hanoks, then go for a stroll along the streets of Namdaemun and Chungmuro to admire the buildings dating from the Japanese occupation. You may also be tempted by the ..

Three architects, three halls and three exhibition areas. Jean Nouvel, Mario Botta and Rem Koolhaas combined their skill and talent to work on Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, creating a series of complementary and attractive volumes where traditional Ko..

Although there is no substitute for discovering rural South Korea for yourself, the Korean Folk Village is worth visiting for its vast reconstruction of traditional buildings (14C-19C) and their interiors. You can also see craftsmen at work and atten..

The tangible trace of the Korean War, which tore the country apart between 1950 and 1953, is summarised in three letters: DMZ stands for Demilitarized Zone, a 240km-long divide between the two worlds of the North and the South. If you are interested ..

The Gangjin Celadon Museum celebrates the beauty of celadon, pottery that is characterised by its finesse and blue-green colour. The collection takes visitors on a journey of discovery of this thousand-year-old art, which is entwined with the Korea's..

Dolsan Do, one of the islands of Yeosu , is remarkable for the 7C Hyangiram Hermitage, and for the bridge that links it to the mainland: Dolsandaegyo. This 450m-long work of art is a sight to behold by night. In the daytime the bridge also affords l..

Built in the second half of the 19C for Prince Regent Daeweongun, Unhyeongung provides a chance to see an interior typical of aristocratic homes at the end of the Joseon era. The edifice, entirely built out of wood, was beautifully restored in 1996.

While the cultural highlights of the Itaewon district are undoubtedly the National Museum of Korea and the Leeum Samsung Museum of Art, it is also home to a rich and varied nightlife, a throwback to the former American military presence. Caution reco..

A cable car leads up to the highest point of Namsan Park, which is dominated by N Seoul Tower and stands in the heart of the Korean capital. Admire the breathtaking panorama at your feet, after enjoying a walk down refreshingly lush green paths.

Samneung Park, a haven of greenery in the sprawling business district of Seoul, is home to three Seonjeong tombs, which are Unesco world heritage sites, as are the other Joseon Dynasty royal tombs. Not to be missed.

An unusual ambience reigns in Seodaemun at the heart of urban Seoul. Climb to the top of the sacred mountain of Inwang and enjoy the view over this lush green district, home to the Seoul Museum of History and Seodaemun Prison History Hall, both of wh..