3 photographers share their favorite South Korea travel spots - CNN 제공 Courtesy Seo Heun Kang ​ Sambuyeon Falls : Legend has it that a dragon once flew out from this 20 - meter - high waterfall in the Gangwon Province -- that ' s why the name of the nearby village Yonghwadong begins with the character for dragonCourtesy Seo Heun KangNamhansanseong Fortress : Located on Mt . Namhan in Gyeonggi Province , this 12 - kilometer - long earthen fortress was originally built 2 , 000 years ago and reconstructed in 1621 . With lots of hiking trails in the area , it ' s a popular place for day excursionsCourtesy Seo Heun Kang ​ Sareung : This UNESCO World Heritage site is actually the royal tomb of Queen Jeongsun ( 1440 - 1521 ) from the Joseon Dynasty . Located in Gyeonggi Province , access to the tomb area is restricted to those with " the purpose of academic research and field investigation " and guests with " the purpose of education and worship . " Courtesy Seo Heun Kang ​ Seonjeongneung : This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises royal tombs of Joseon ' s ninth King Seongjong , his queen Jeonghyeon and son , King Jungjon . Located in Gangnam , Seoul , the tombs are open to visitors daily ( excluding Mondays ) for less than $ 1 . Courtesy Seo Heun KangGobungun , Changyeong : These ancient tombs date to the 5 th and 6 th centuries . There are approximately 180 tombs in this area in South Gyeongsang Province that are close to main roads and easy to access . Courtesy Seo Heun Kang ​ Anapji Pond : Built in the year 674 during the Silla Dynasty , this beautiful circular pond in North Gyeongsang Province was originally constructed inside a fortress that was later destroyed . Courtesy Seo Heun KangGeunjeongjeon , Gyeongbokgung : ​ Important state affairs were once conducted in the Geunjeongjeon , the Throne Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace in Jongno - gu , Seoul . The welcome ceremony depicted in this photo was held in honor of the historic return of Korean royal books that had been looted by the French military 145 years before . Courtesy Seo Heun KangChanggyeonggung : Built in 1483 by King Sejong , Changyeonggung was ​ typically used as the residential palace for queens and concubines of the Joseon Dynasty . Admission tickets can also be used at Seoul ' s four palaces , Deoksugung , Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung , as well as the Jongmyo shrine . Courtesy Seo Heun KangInwangsan : This 338 - meter - high mountain on the outskirts of Seoul offers probably the best view of the city , including the palaces , N Seoul tower and the Blue House , residence of the Korean president . Known for its hiking trails , the mountain has a number of castles that were built to protect the city from foreign invasion . Courtesy Seo Heun KangJongmyo Shrine : Built by the first king of the Joseon Dynasty , Lee Seong Gye , the Jongmyo Shrine in Jongno - gu , Seoul , is where kings came to worship and conduct memorial services . A memorial service that ' s reenacted the first Sunday of each May incorporates music and dance from five centuries ago . Courtesy Seo Heun KangGochang Dolmen site : Dubbed the Stonehenge of Korea , there are more than 400 dolmen ( stone graves built during the prehistoric era ) at this UNESCO World Heritage Site . There ' s a dolmen museum on site . Courtesy Seo Heun KangWanggungri : The five - story pagoda at Wanggungri in Iksan , North Jeolla Province , is an iconic example of the refined architecture of the Baekje Period ( 18 BCE - 660 CE ) . Courtesy Seo Heun Kang ​ Seoul Seonggwak Fortress Wall : The 18 . 2 - kilometer - long stone wall here was erected in Seoul during the Joseon Dynasty to protect the capital . A scenic walking tour goes past many points of interest , including Dongdaemun ( home of late - night trendy shopping centers ) and Naksan Mountain , and ends at Ehwajang , where Korea ' s first president , Syngman Rhee , once lived . Courtesy Im Jay - CheonGangneung Anbandeok - gil : Thanks to its close proximity to Seoul ( approximately three hours by express bus ) , Gangneung in Gangwon Province is one of the most popular year - round destinations in the country for domestic tourists . The city is known for its mountains and beaches , a Confucian school , museums and more . Courtesy Im Jay - CheonSoyang Lake : Soyang Lake ' s nickname is " sea on land . " It owes its existence to Soyang Dam , Asia ' s largest rock - fill dam . A hotspot for ice - fishing , the lake in Gangwon Province is known for its tranquility and exquisite scenery . Courtesy Im Jay - Cheon ​ Upo Wetlands : The Upo Wetlands are home to more than 1 , 000 species and span 5 , 550 square kilometers . The wetlands have been protected since 1998 . It ' s best to visit in the morning or early evening to catch the prettiest views of rain , fog and fireflies . Courtesy Im Jay - CheonHapcheon daraknon : The terraced rice paddy fields of Hapcheon in South Gyeongsang Province are a wonderful sight . Thin and long terraced rice paddies like these are called " daraknon , " a North Korean term still used in the South . Courtesy Im Jay - Cheon ​ Buseoksa : The 108 steps between Cheonwang gate and Anyang gate at Buseoksa Temple represent the number of cycles it takes for redemption from agony and evil . Built in 676 during the Silla Dynasty , Buseoksa Temple in North Gyeongsang Province is the oldest wooden building still standing in Korea . The temple ' s bell is rung 33 times every evening at 6 p . m . Courtesy Im Jay - CheonGeumsan Boriam Temple : Pray at Geumsan Boriam Temple and your prayers will be answered -- so locals say , anyway . Located in North Gyeongsang Province , the temple offers a program for visitors to spend the night . Courtesy Im Jay - CheonDolsan Bridge : The longest cable - stayed bridge in Korea has become a local tourist attraction in itself due to the dramatic way it ' s lit up at night . Located in South Jeolla Province , the bridge is perfect for evening walks . Courtesy Im Jay - CheonAndong Hahoe Village : Korea ' s most iconic folk village in North Gyeongsang Province has long been a birthplace for scholars and nobles of the Ryu family . Even Queen Elizabeth paid a visit in 1999 . Visitors can sleep in a traditional Korean house and experience how Korean nobles lived for hundreds of years . Courtesy Im Jay - Cheon ​ Ojakgyo : Meaning " crow and magpie bridge , " Ojakgyo in North Jeolla Province is the setting for Korea ' s most famous love story , in which a couple is forced to live on either side of the Milky Way , only to be reunited when magpies form a bridge . Courtesy Kim Bong - Sun ​ Biyangdo : This tiny island 15 minutes by boat from Jeju Island ' s Hallim Port is known for its summer fishing . Legend has it that this tiny island flew to its current spot from China 1 , 000 years ago . Courtesy Im Jay - CheonGwangalli : Along with Haeundae , Gwangalli is one of Busan ' s iconic beaches . The Gwangan Bridge , Korea ' s longest suspension bridge , presents one of Busan ' s hallmark photo ops . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunSamhwasa : Poets and painters have sought out Samhwasa Temple in Gangwon Province for centuries for its incredible scenery . The west peak of Dutasan Mountain , where the temple is located , is said to look like a phoenix and a crane , while the east peak has the shape of a tiger and a dragonCourtesy Kim Bong - SunHamdeok : ​ Hamdeok is a small seaside village located 30 minutes east of Jeju Airport . Beautiful fields of rapeseed flowers cover the landscape in summer , but play second fiddle to Hamdeok ' s sapphire beach , a popular kayaking destination with calm waters . Courtesy Kim Bong - Sun ​ Hyeupjae Beach : Ask a Korean travel writer which beach is the most beautiful in the country and probably 10 times out of 10 , the response will be Hyeupjae Beach . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunMarado : This island in Seogwipo - si is relatively difficult to reach -- a ferry leaves only a handful of times each day from the south coast , at Moseulpo Harbor . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunYonghwa Beach : This Samcheok city beach has a fragrant pine forest and a stream running alongside it , making for a shaded happy holiday with the choice of playing in seawater or freshwater . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunSehwa - ri : Seagulls flock to this small white beach on Jeju Island , especially in winter . ​" The road from Sehwa - ri to Seongsaneup , home of fabulous sunsets , is beloved by the locals for its pretty scenery , " says photographer Kim Bong - sun . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunSongaksan : ​ Known for its 99 peaks , this Jeju volcanic mountain has a crater spanning 500 meters in diameter . It takes only an hour to walk to the highest peak , which is 104 meters above sea level . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunUdo : Another satellite island off Jeju , Udo has a wicked black pork barbecue that ' s worth the journey . The island is a 15 - minute boat ride from Seongsan Harbor , about an hour ' s drive from Jeju Airport . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunYongduam : Yongduam , meaning " dragon head rock , " is a must - visit spot for Jeju Island tourists . Rough weather makes for dramatic shots of waves crashing against the rock . Courtesy Kim Bong - Sun ​ Cheonjiyeon Falls : The beautiful waterfall located on Jeju Island takes its name , which means " the pond of the gods , " from a legend about seven heavenly attendants coming down to earth to bathe in the pond . To honor the legend , a Seven Fairies Festival is held each May . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunTokkiseom : ​ When covered in white flowers in summer ( this is the only place in Korea where crinum grows ) , this small island off Jeju is said to look like a white rabbit from a distance . Hence its name , which means " rabbit island . " Courtesy Im Jay - CheonYeongam : Yeongam in South Jeolla Province is a pleasant , leisurely place to visit . Local attractions include temples , ancient tombs and traditional estates . Courtesy Im Jay - CheonMiryang Maneosa : The thousands of floatstones around this ancient temple in South Gyeongsang Province are supposedly fishes that were turned into stone . Wishing on the rock is said to grant sons to women who were unable to conceive them before . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunSeongsan Ilchungbong : South Korea ' s most famous " sunrise peak " is a 5 , 000 - year - old volcanic crater in Jeju - si . A UNESCO World Heritage Site with views like this every morning , it ' s a magnet for photographers from all over the country . Courtesy Seo Heun Kang ​ Changdeokgung : The second oldest of the five grand palaces in the country , Changdeokgung in Jongno - gu , Seoul ( not to be confused with Changgyeonggung ) is home to a number of exceptionally beautiful photo ops . Courtesy Kim Bong - SunHalla Mountain : The highest mountain in South Korea is also Jeju Island ' s most iconic landmark and home to approximately 4 , 000 different animal species . The hiking trails are exquisitely developed , but the fickle weather can be daunting and hiking is allowed only during the day . Back to article