Seoraksan National Park<\/h1>\n
You Might Also Enjoy: Seoul Searching: Your Guide to a Fun-Filled Stop in South Korea\u2019s Capital<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.cheapoair.com\/miles-away\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/South-Korea-Countryside-Seoraksan-National-Park.jpg\")
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\nAlthough it\u2019s just one of the 20+ national parks in South Korea, <\/span>Seoraksan National Park<\/span><\/a> in the northeastern province of Gangwon is a nature lover\u2019s dream. It\u2019s a little over 60 square miles and is renowned for its mountains and diverse ecosystem. There are plenty of hiking opportunities and its scenery remains picturesque no matter the season, which makes it a great visit no matter what time of year you\u2019re there. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nJeju Island<\/h1>\n
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\nWhile it\u2019s not technically part of the countryside, <\/span>Jeju Island<\/span><\/a> is an iconic South Korean destination. It\u2019s the country\u2019s largest island, located off its southern coast, and has long been a popular holiday and honeymoon hot spot for locals. The big draw is the dormant volcano Hallasan–a UNESCO world heritage site and the country\u2019s highest mountain–which is great for hiking. But there are also beaches, relaxing spas, unique local history, fresh seafood, and even an adults-only amusement park–because of the island\u2019s reputation among honeymooning couples.<\/span><\/p>\nDamyang<\/h1>\n
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\nThe county of Damyang in the South Jeolla province has a lot to offer. There\u2019s great hiking, an ancient fortress and a couple of temples, and delicious local cuisine. But it\u2019s #1 claim to fame is its bamboo. It’s home to the renowned <\/span>Juknokwon bamboo garden<\/span><\/a>, which is open year-round; the\u00a0<\/span>bamboo museum<\/span><\/a>; and, in early May, <\/span>a bamboo festival<\/span><\/a>. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nNaksan Beach<\/h1>\n
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\nNot far from Seoraksan National Park, <\/span>Naksan Beach<\/span><\/a> is a quiet alternative to the crowded beaches of Busan. People first began coming to the two-and-a-half-mile stretch of white sand on the northeast coast in the 1960s to escape the summer heat in its cold and clear blue water. Since then, the town of Nakasan has become a charming beach town with a boardwalk-like atmosphere. There\u2019s also a nearby temple and the area has reputation for beautiful sunrises and sunsets.<\/span><\/p>\nJinhae<\/h1>\n
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\nIf you\u2019re looking for cherry blossoms, then you need to <\/span>head to Jinhae<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s a district of Changwon City in the Gyeongsangnam province that\u2019s home to the largest and most famous cherry blossom festival in South Korea. Unfortunately, it can be hard to predict just when the distinctive pink and white flowers will make their week-long bloom–it\u2019s usually sometime in April–so planning a trip far in advance can be tough. But if you do find yourself in Jinhae during this famed festival, it\u2019s a breathtaking experience with fireworks, a parade, and the chance to go on lots of walks to take in the gorgeous scenery. <\/span>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nDaedunsan Mountain<\/h1>\n
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\nDaedunsan Mountain<\/span><\/a> is a hiker\u2019s dream. The mountain, which is in the South Chungcheong province of Western South Korea, is best visited in the fall when the leaves are in autumn colors. And while it may seem like a short hike on paper–the trek is only about 2 km–it\u2019s incredibly steep and can take about 4 to 5 hours to complete. Luckily there\u2019s a cable car that you pay to ride up the mountain and back (if you don\u2019t feel like hiking at all). But no matter if you take the cable or not, you\u2019ll have to walk across the famed 50-meter-long Geumgang Gureumdari suspension bridge, AKA the cloud bridge, which sits more than 80 meters off the ground and spans a narrow canyon (see picture below), and then up the 70-degree, 127-step Daedunsan Stairway, to take in the stunning views at the the peak of the mountain.<\/span><\/p>\nGyeongju<\/h1>\n
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\nLocated in North Gyeongsang Province, close to the eastern coast, is the ancient capital of <\/span>Gyeongju<\/span><\/a>. Home to a plethora of temples, ruins, tombs, and statues, the city of more than a quarter million people has been called \u201cthe museum without walls.\u201d For almost a thousand years, from 57 BC to 935 AD, the Silla dynasty ruled the Korean peninsula from Gyeongju and the city is now a history lover\u2019s paradise. Some of the top things to see include the Gyeongju Historic area, the Daereungwon Tomb Complex, and the Gyeongju National Museum Park.<\/span><\/p>\n