Snuggled between the countries of Japan and China is the lesser-known country of South Korea. Although sometimes overlooked as a destination spot in the area, this area of Southeast Asia is a fabulous place to visit.
set up in 1948 when it separated from its sister country, North Korea, the Republic of Korea turned into a democratic state at the end of WW2. In 1950, the North attacked the South, causing the Korean War until the 2 sides signed an armistice in 1953. Both the North and the South have similar, long-time practices, but South Korea has become a modern, global economic leader that Western culture has heavily influenced over the last half-century.
South Korea is home to roughly 48 million folks of whom about 12 million live in and round the capital and largest city of Seoul. The land area is 38,463 square miles, slightly bigger than the state of Indiana. The climate of the area is extraordinarily mild year-round and residents enjoy all four seasons. The landscape of Korea is mostly mountainous and covered with lush forests in the agricultural areas, but you may find rice fields, the country?s staple crop, in numerous of the valleys.
Top Attractions
Many attractions in the country are certain to lure a selection of travelers. One of the most famous is Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul. While the location of the palace is over 600 years old, the actual buildings had been rebuilt a number of times due to invasions and antagonistic takeovers. The present buildings house both the national Museum of Korea and the national folk Museum. Once home to kings and rulers, the palace is rich with history, cultural artifacts and design, and enjoys a big number of visitors yearly.
Those entranced by the history and culture of the country should also take a look at the Korean people village located near Seoul. See what life was like for Koreans during the Chosun period ( from the 1700s up until 1910 ) in this 243-acre town. Observe and have interaction with residents as you come across them in normal Korean dress, but do not be fooled. These folk are not hired actors. Plenty of the residents of the town basically live there! Enjoy music, shows, and authentic foods from a long lost but not forgotten chapter in Korean history.
the hottest attraction in South Korea is the Demilitarized section, or DMZ, in Panmunjom. Set at the 38th parallel, this area is where the democratic South borders the red North. Here you may witness propaganda from each side of the border. See what the North wants visitors to see as a stable, booming economy, complete with intricate buildings and roads, but in actuality is a sluggish, repressed society, as shown by the South. Many South Koreans have buddies and relatives still living in the North that they have had no contact with for over 50 years. Travel and communication between sides is prohibited and the hope is that, one day, an end point to dictatorial rule will open up the border once again.
On South Koreas west coast, in the city of Incheon, you can visit the Incheon Landing Operation commemorative Hall. This site is a memorial to General Douglas MacArthurs combat operation that led straight to the liberation of Seoul during the Korean War. There are a spread of entertainments and maritime attractions in the area for visitors to enjoy.
Some festivals that visitors should think about in their itinerary include the Chunhyang holiday, the Nankye Traditional Music festival, and the party of Buddhas birthday. The Chunhyang festival occurs annually in Namwon. Chunyang is the Korean equivalent of the story of Romeo and Juliet. Many visitors come to this holiday at the beginning of May to experience Korean dance, music, and parades. The Miss Chunyang festival is held on the final day of the holiday. The Nankye Traditional Music festival is a celebration of Nankye, a Korean composer who is claimed to have created Chosun Dynasty Korean Music. This kind of music is a beautiful ensemble of strings, winds and percussion that produce a sound completely unique to Korean culture. This event is held yearly in Yongdong in Sep. The party of Buddhas birthday is held in May all over the country. Many Buddhist temples hold holidays and parades on this vacation that’s celebrated by many Koreans, without regard for religion.
Culinary pleasures
While traveling in South Korea, visitors can enjoy a selection of culinary delights. Most dishes are more spicy than most Western palates are used to, however. The favourite of most travelers is pulgogi. This is a conventional Korean dish that consists of soaked slices of meat with rice and vegetables that is then wrapped in a leaf of lettuce. Together with rice, another staple food of Korean culture is kimchi. This side dish is typically served with every meal. Kimchi is a mix of fermented vegetables, typically cabbage, and is particularly hot and spicy. Since it is eaten frequently, there are many variations of kimchi to choose from. For those less adventuresome, many Western restaurants have made their way to Seoul and surrounding cities, so those who want to experience the culture but cannot handle spicy foods, there’s customarily a McDonalds or a KFC round the corner.
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