Wondering where to begin your adventure in ROK during your stay? Here is a list of the top must-explore cities offering all the beauty Korea has to offer. Also, check out the four host cities of U.S. military bases and their top attractions. Go explore and make the best out of your time here!    

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Andong is often referred to as a center of Korea’s traditional spirit, Confucian heritage and seonbi culture. The city proudly preserves many traditions and history from the Joseon Dynasty. Visitors can experience being a traditional scholar through Seowon (Confucian Academy) stay programs.

Top Attractions

• Hahoe Folk Village

• Dosan Seowon and Byeongsan Seowon (Confucian Academy)

• Bongjeongsa Temple

• Jjimdak (braised chicken) Street

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Busan is Korea’s second-largest city and a favorite coastal destination. Known for its beaches and water activities, the city also offers lively markets, scenic hikes, temples and hot springs.

Top Attractions

• Haeundae Beach

• Gwangalli Beach

• Haedong Yonggungsa Temple

• Jagalchi & Gukje Market

• Huinnyeoul Culture Village

• Songdo Yonggung Suspension Bridge

• UN Memorial Cemetery

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The city is home to Dak-galbi (spicy stir-fried chicken), and a popular destination for leisure trips with a variety of theme parks and natural attractions. Enjoy Chuncheon year-round as it has water activities to cool off in the summer and access to ski resorts the winter. Nearby, smaller counties like Gapyeong also have great water sports sites to check out.

Top Attractions

• Nami Island

• Gangchon Rail Park

• Soyang-gang River Skywalk

• Elysian Ski Resort

• LEGOLAND Korea

• Garden of Morning Calm (Gapyeong)

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As one of the largest cities in the ROK, the city offers diverse shopping, entertainment and recreational opportunities. Daegu is home to major U.S. military installations and a significant ROK military presence.

U.S. bases: Camp Walker, Camp Henry, Camp George, Camp Carroll (Waegwan/Chilgok)

Attractions nearby

• Dongseong-ro Street (Downtown) & Sparkland

• Seomun Market (traditional market)

• Suseong Lake Resort

• E-World & 83 Tower

• Spa Valley

• Daegu Arboretum

• Mt. Palgongsan

• Daegu National Science Museum

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Located on the frontline, the city was once home to a significant U.S. military population due to its importance in national defense and security. However, the numbers have greatly decreased after relocation. From Bosan Station, you can easily access Seoul by subway, but make sure to check the schedule in advance as trains arrive at intervals of 10 to 30 minutes.

U.S. bases: Camp Casey, Camp Hovey

Attractions nearby

• Jihaeng Station (Downtown)

• Mt.Soyosan

• Freedom Protection Peace Museum

• Pocheon Herb Island

• Pocheon Art Valley

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Gangneung features dozens of beaches with clean blue water and white sand of the East Coast. Additionally, many travelers extend their trip to Sokcho and Yangyang after visiting Gangneung. Yangyang’s Surfyy Beach is a summer hotspot among young enthusiasts while Sokcho is renowned for Seoraksan National Park and hot springs.

Top Attractions

• Jeongdongjin Beach (Famous for sunrise viewing)

• Gangmun and Geumjin Beach (Surfing)

• Anmok beach (Coffee street)

• Daegwallyeong Natural Recreation Forest

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These two cities along the South Sea boast the breathtaking scenery of Hallyeo Maritime National Park with numerous stunning attractions such as cable car rides and cruise tours. Being just 40 minutes apart, many explore both cities together.

Top Attractions

• The Hill of Wind

• Oedo-do Botania

• Hakdong Black Pearl Pebble Beach

• Geoje POW camp

• Geoje Sea World

• Mt. Mireuksan (Cable car, luge ride)

• Hansando Island

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ü Gunsan’s transportation options including a local airport, trains and intercity buses make it easy to reach other cities. The city’s modern history district features preserved streets and museums from the late Joseon period into the early 20th century. These sites from the occupation period sites also point to Gunsan’s complex past as a port used to transport rice and other resources to Japan.

U.S. base: Kunsan AB

Attractions nearby

• Eunpa Lake Park (trendy neighborhood)

• Bieung Mapaji-gil Road (Coastal trail near the base)

• Geumgang Wetland Ecological Park

• Sinheung-dong Japanese House (Time Travel Village)

• Gunsan Modern History Museum (Time Travel Village)

• Jinpo Maritime Theme Park (Time Travel Village)

• Teddy Bear Museum Gunsan

• Gyeongam-dong Railroad Town.

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This historic city is the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom, one of the oldest cities of Korea with over a thousand years of history. The whole city is surrounded by numerous cultural heritage sites. Spring or fall is the best time to visit the city to see the beautiful assets surrounded by colorful flowers and leaves.

Top Attractions

• Woljeonggyo Bridge

• Cheomseongdae Observatory

• Daereungwon (park of royal tombs)

• Donggung palace and Wolji Pond

• Bulguksa Temple

• Seokguram Grotto

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With Incheon International Airport and Incheon Port, the city functions as an international hub for industry, logistics, and tourism. The city is renowned for its 168 islands, numerous beaches, historical landmarks, and a wide array of leisure activities.

Top Attractions

• The Memorial Hall for Incheon Landing Operation

• Paradise City Cimer Spa

• Songdo Central Park

• Incheon Chinatown

• Wolmido Island & Wolmi Theme Park

• Eulwangri Beach

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Korea’s largest island, Jeju is the only tropical area in Korea. The island is a popular domestic holiday vacation spot due to its breathtaking landscapes, untamed nature and many attractions.

Top Attractions

• Hallasan National Park

• Cheonjiyeon Waterfalls

• Jeju Olle Trail

• Bijarim Forest

• Seongsan Ilchulbong (Sunrise Peak)

• Udo Island

• Manjanggul Cave

• Panpo port (Snorkeling spot)

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Jeonju stands as a beautiful historical city surrounded by picturesque traditional houses (hanok), and is also home to tasty local foods such as bibimbap. It’s a perfect destination for backpackers traveling by rail since three major trains (Mugunghwa, ITX-Saemaeul, KTX) stop at Jeonju Station. Many of the city’s attractions are in small districts, making it a good place for a walking trip.

Top Attractions

• Jeonju Hanok Village

• Gyeonggijeon Shrine

• Jeonju Hyanggyo (Confucian school)

• Jaman Mural Village

• Deokjin park (Famous for lotus flowers)

• Nambu Outdoor Market

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Though this border city of the two Koreas is popular for the Demilitarized Zone tour, Paju is also known as a city of art and culture surrounded by beautiful nature. It’s a famous destination for a day trip among families and lovebirds.

Top Attractions

• DMZ attractions (Third Tunnel, Dora Observatory & Panmunjeom/JSA tours)

• Imjingak Pyeonghwa (Peace) Nuri Park

• Majang Lake Suspension Bridge

• Gamaksan Suspension Bridge

• Heyri Art Village & Provence Village

• First Garden (theme park)

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With its rich flatlands, proximity to Seoul, and Pyeongtaek Port, it has become a hub for U.S. military base installations after the nationwide relocations from places like Yongsan and Dongducheon. Industrial complexes also attract a significant foreign population to the city.

U.S. bases: Camp Humphreys, Osan AB

Attractions nearby

• Songtan Special Tourist District

• Tongbok Market

• Sosa-beol District (trendy neighborhood)

• Sopung Garden & Baramsae Village

• Jinwicheon Recreation Area

• Pyeongtaek Agro-Ecological Park

• Pyeongtaek Port (Marine Center, Main Street cafe)

• Starfield Anseong

• Anseong Farmland

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Known as the “Ecological City,” Suncheon is home to nature preserves with scenic landscapes. It also features destinations such as a 600-year-old folk village and beautiful mountain temples, making the city a blend of culture, nature and history.

Top Attractions

• Suncheonman Bay Nature Reserve

• Suncheonman Bay National Garden

• Nagan Eupseong Folk Village

• Suncheon Open Film Set

• Songgwangsa Temple

• Seonamsa Temple

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Home to hundreds of traditional houses dating back to Joseon Dynasty.

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 This shopping complex includes many popular attractions such as Starfield Library, exhibition halls, and the COEX Aquarium.

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Home to the largest shopping district, wholesale markets, outdoor markets, Toy Street, and more.

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This upscale district is a hot spot for luxury shopping, eating, drinking, medical tourism and beauty treatments.

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At the center of the latest trends and local youth culture, neighborhood is home to unique cafés, local shops, restaurants, bars and clubs.

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This neighborhood features trendy cafés and restaurants in photogenic narrow alleys lined with hanok houses.

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This multicultural hub offers diverse options of foreign cuisine, shopping, and nightlife.

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This landmark skyscraper is the tallest building in Korea and a symbol of Seoul. The huge skyscraper has an observation deck, an aquarium, lots of shopping and restaurants.

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This is a major recreation complex in Seoul with an indoor and outdoor amusement park, Folk Museum, and ice-skating rink.

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A busy shopping district for cosmetics, clothing, fashion items and great street food.

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Large traditional market offering a variety of specialized items. Great for souvenirs and unique Korean products.

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A popular seafood market known for fresh and live seafood.

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ü The royal palaces of Joseon Dynasty were home to kings and royal families. Renting and wearing hanbok is popular in these areas and allows free admission to the palaces. 

• Gyeongbokgung Palace

• Changdeokgung Palace

• Changgyeonggung Palace

• Deoksugung Palace

• Gyeonghuigung Palace

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An iconic landmark of Korea, sightseeing observatory, popular date spot.

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This museum is dedicated to the Korean War and Korea’s military history.

Related article

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The Han River, flowing through the heart of Seoul, is beloved by Seoulites for picnics, outdoor activities, water sports, cruise tours, festivals and more.

Camp Casey

Fleet Chinhae

USAG Daegu

Camp Humphreys

USAG Yongsan

Osan Air Base

Kunsan Air Base