40 most beautiful places in South Korea By Frances Cha 12 August , 2013 사진 전문가 강세 헌 , 김봉선 , 임재선 이 찍 은 한국 의 아름다운 곳 -- 그러나 모든 아름다운 곳 을 담지 는 못했 다 . Photographers Seo Heun Kang , Kim Bong - Sun and Im ​ Jay - cheon shared their favorite spots around Korea . Three or four appeared in our article 50 beautiful places to visit in Korea , but we haven ’ t covered most of these places before . Which is your favorite photo ? Which South Korean destination do you most want to visit ? Let us know in the comments section . ​​ 40 . 사릉 / Sareung 경기도 남양주시 진건읍 사릉 리 Sareung is named for a queen ’ s lifetime of longing for her murdered king . ​ This UNESCO World Heritage site is actually the royal tomb of Queen Jeongsun ( 1440 - 1521 ) , the queen of the Joseon Dynasty ’ s sixth king , Danjong , who ruled for three short years before being forced to abdicate the throne by a power - hungry uncle . “ This place houses one of the most beautifully kept pine tree forests in the Seoul vicinity , where the prettiest pine trees are grown and sent to the palace gardens or other royal tombs , ” says photographer Seo Heun Kang , who took this photo . Access to the tomb area is restricted to those with “ the purpose of academic research and field investigation , ” reporters and guests with “ the purpose of education and worship . ” Prior appointments must be made through the management office at + 82 31 573 8124 . Sareung - ri Jingeon - eup Namyangju Gyeonggi Province 39 . 삼 부연 폭포 / Sambuyeon Falls 강원도 갈말읍 신철원리 Here be dragons . ​ Legend has it that a dragon once flew out from this 20 - meter - high waterfall -- that ' s why the name of the nearby village Yonghwadong begins with the character for dragon . “ This is one of the eight sights of Cheorwon , and is a sight to see especially after rain when the falls swell , ” says photographer Seo . Jeong Seon , one of the most celebrated artists from the Joseon Dynasty , fell in love with this waterfall and painted it immediately . Sincheorwon - si Galmal - eup , Gangwon Province 38 . 남한산성 / Namhansanseong Fortress 경기도 광주시 중부면 산성리 Protecting the capital . Located on Mt . Namhan , this 12 - kilometer - long earthen fortress was originally built 2 , 000 years ago and reconstructed in 1621 . It was one of the four big fortresses protecting the country ’ s capital , then called Hanyang . “ It ’ s a great place for day excursions , as there are many hiking trails , ” says Seo . Sanseong - ri Jungbu - myeon Gwangju - si Gyeonggi Province 37 . 선정릉 / Seonjeongneung 서울시 강남구 선릉로 100 길 Raised stones leading to the gates are meant for the dead king , the lower stones on either side are for the living . ​ This UNESCO World Heritage Site comprises royal tombs of Joseon ’ s ninth King Seongjong , his queen Jeonghyeon and son King Jungjon . Located among a “ forest of skyscrapers ” in Gangnam , Seoul , the tombs are open to visitors daily ( excluding Mondays ) for a fee of less than $ 1 . Seolleung - ro 100 - gil , Gangnam - gu 36 . 고분군 , 창녕 / Gobungun , Changyeong 경상남도 창녕군 창녕읍 교리 가 야 시대 고분군 Call us morbid , but these are beautiful tombs . ​ These ancient tombs date to the Gaya confederacy of the 5 th and 6 th centuries . There are approximately 180 tombs in the area , which are close to main roads and easy to access . Changnyeong - eup , South Gyeongsang Province 35 . 안압지 / Anapji Pond 경남 경주시 인왕동 Lighting at night makes it even more stunning than it is during the day . ​ Built in the year 674 during the Silla Dynasty , this beautiful circular pond was originally constructed inside a fortress that was later destroyed . State celebrations were held here and it ' s also where Silla ' s most important guests were received . Inwangdong , Gyeongju - si , North Gyeongsang Province 34 . 근정전 , 경복궁 / Geunjeongjeon , Gyeongbokgung 서울시 종로구 세종로 1 가 Built in 1395 , Throne Hall is perhaps the most iconic building of the Joseon Dynasty , which lasted from 1392 to 1897 . ​ Important state affairs were once conducted in the Geunjeongjeon , the Throne Hall of Gyeongbokgung Palace . The palace hosts a changing of the guard ceremony every day , and occasionally hosts ceremonies for major events of national importance . The welcome ceremony depicted in this photo was held in honor of the historic return of Korean royal books that were looted by the French military 145 years before . Gyeongbokgung , Seojong - ro 1 , Jongno - gu , Seoul 33 . 창경궁 / Changgyeonggung 서울 종로구 창경궁로 185 The queens ’ palace . ​ Typically used as the residential palace for queens and concubines of the Joseon dynasty , Changyeonggung was built in 1483 by King Sejong , who invented the Korean alphabet , for his father King Taejong . “ The most important buildings in the palace face east , so it is best to visit in the morning , ” says Seo . Admission is ₩ 10 , 000 ( $ 9 ) and the same ticket can be used at Seoul ’ s four palaces , Deoksugung , Gyeongbokgung and Changdeokgung , as well as the Jongmyo shrine , within one month . 185 , Changgyeonggung - ro , Jongno - gu , Seoul 32 . 인왕산 / Inwangsan 서울 종로구 무학동 The view from Inwangsan includes the palaces , N Seoul tower and the Blue House , residence of the Korean president . This 338 - meter - high mountain on the outskirts of Seoul offers probably the best view of the city . Known for its hiking trails , the mountain has a number of castles that were built to protect the city from foreign invasions . San 3 - 1 , Muak - dong , Jongno - gu , Seoul 31 . 종묘 / Jongmyo Shrine 서울시 종로구 종로 157 Yet another UNESCO Heritage Site in Seoul . Built by the first king of the Joseon Dynasty Lee Seong Gye , the Jongmyo Shrine is where kings came to worship and conduct memorial services . Jongmyo Jaerye memorial service is reenacted the first Sunday each May and incorporates music and dance from five centuries ago . 157 Jongno , Jongno - gu , Seoul 30 . 고창 고인돌 / Gochang Dolmen site 전라북도 고창군 아산면 The Stonehendge of Korea . ​ More than 400 dolmen ( stone graves built during the prehistoric era ) can be found at this UNESCO World Heritage Site , making it one of the most concentrated dolmen sites in Korea ( there are approximately 30 , 000 such stone graves throughout the country ) . There ' s a dolmen museum on site and a train tour departs from the museum every hour from 10 : 30 a . m . Asan - myeon , Gochang - gun , North Jeolla Province 29 . 왕궁리 / WanggungriWanggungmyeon , Iksan - si , North Jeolla Province 28 . 서울 성곽 / Seoul Seonggwak Fortress Wall 서울 종로구 이화동 Seoul just wanted to be left alone . ​ The 18 . 2 - kilometer - long stone wall was erected during the Joseon Dynasty to protect the capital . A scenic walking tour goes from Dongdaemun ( home of late - night trendy shopping centers ) to Naksan Mountain , stopping by the Seoul Seonggwak Fortress Wall then Naksan ’ s park and museum , and comes to an end at Ehwajang , where Korea ’ s first president , Syngman Rhee , once lived . 1 Ewha - dong Jongno - gu Seoul 27 . 강릉 , 안반 댁 길 / Gangneung Anbandeok - gil ​​​​ 강원도 강릉시 왕산면 Korea ’ s east coast destination . Thanks to its close proximity to Seoul ( approximately three hours by express bus ) , Gangneung is one of the most popular year - round destinations in the country for domestic tourists . The city is known for its mountains and beaches , and also has a wealth of cultural sites including a Confucian school , museums and centuries - old hanok ( traditional Korean architecture ) estates . Daegiri , Wangsangmyeon , Gangneung - si , Gangwon Province 26 . 광안리 / Gwangalli 부산시 수 연구 광안 2 동 Gwangan Bridge , Korea ' s longest suspension bridge , is one of Busan ' s iconic sights . ​ Along with Haeundae , Gwangalli is one of Busan ’ s iconic beaches . It can get ridiculously crowded during summer , but has a laid - back vibe during off seasons . Younger crowds like to come and drink in small groups on the beach . 192 - 20 Gwangan - 2 - dong , Suyeong - gu , Busan 25 . 소양 호수 / Soyang Lake ​ 강원도 춘천시 북산면 Massive Soyang Lake ’ s nickname among locals is is “ sea on land . ”​ Soyang Lake owes its existence to Soyang Dam , Asia ’ s largest rock - fill dam . A hotspot for ice - fishing , the lake is known for its tranquility and picture - postcard scenery . Cheongpyeongsa Temple , which dates to the Goryeo Dynasty , is nearby , and hiking trails to Obongsan Mountain are popular with locals on weekends . Buksan - myeon , Chuncheon - si , Gangwon Province 24 . 우포늪 / Upo Wetlands 경상남도 창녕군 유어면 우포늪 길 It ’ s best to visit in the morning or early evening to catch the prettiest views of rain , fog and fireflies . ​ As the largest natural swamps in Korea , these wetlands are home to more than 1 , 000 species and span 5 , 550 square kilometers . The wetlands have been protected since 1998 , when they became part of the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance . 220 , Uponeup - gil , Yueo - myeon , Changryeung - gun , Gyeongsangnam - do 23 . 합천 다락 논 / Hapcheon daraknon 경상남도 합천군 합천 면 In the autumn , the terraced rice paddies turn golden brown . ​ While Hapcheon is known for its beautiful mountains and temples ( Haeinsa is one of Korea ’ s three “ jewel temples ” and a UNESCO World Heritage Site ) , the terraced rice paddy fields of the area are also a wonderful sight . " The rice paddies are the most striking on August afternoons , when they glow bright green , " says photographer Im Jay - cheon . Thin and long terraced rice paddy fields like these are called “ daraknon , ” a North Korean term still used in the South . Hapcheon - eup , Hapcheon - gun , South Gyeongsang Province 22 . 부석사 / Buseoksa 경상북도 영주시 부석면 부석사 로 The calligraphy on the temple ' s signboard was written by Korea ' s first president . ​ 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 is the oldest wooden building still standing in Korea . " Every evening at 6 p . m . they ring the bell 33 times , " says photographer Im . " It ' s a sound that touches your heart and soaks into the land . " 345 , Buseoksa - ro , Buseok - myeon , Yeongju - si , North Gyeongsang Province 21 . 금산 , 보리암 / Geumsan Boriam Temple 경상남도 남해군 상주면 상주리 A temple on " treasure island . " ​ If you pray at Geumsan Boriam Temple , your prayers will be answered -- so people say , anyway . Like most temples in Korea , Geumsan Boriam Temple offers a temple stay program where visitors can spend the night and immerse themselves in the Buddhist way of eating , sleeping and meditation . 48 Bukji - ri , Buseok - myeon , Yeongju - si , North Gyeongsang Province 20 . 돌산 대교 / Dolsan Bridge 전라남도 여수시 돌산읍 Perfect for an evening walk . 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 . Nearby attractions include a temple , a replica of Korea ’ s most famous attack ship , “ Geobukseon , ” and a raw fish town . Dolsan - eup , Yeosu - si , South Jeolla Province 19 . 안동 , 화회 마을 / Andong Hahoe Village 경상북도 안동시 풍천면 종가 길 Queen Elizabeth paid a visit in 1999 . ​ Korea ’ s most iconic folk village has long been a birthplace for scholars and nobles of the Ryu family . Visitors can do a hanok stay , sleeping in a traditional Korean house and experiencing how Korean nobles lived for hundreds of years . 40 , Jongga - gil , Puncheon - myeon , Andong - si , North Gyeongsang Province 18 . 오작교 / Ojakgyo 전라북도 남원시 천거동 Setting for an epic love story . ​ Meaning “ crow and magpie bridge , ” Ojakgyo 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 . Legend has it that real - life couples who cross this bridge together will love each other for eternity and have healthy children . Cheongeo - dong Namwon - si North Jeolla Province 17 . 비량 도 / Biyangdo 제주도 제주시 한림읍 The legend of the flying island . ​ 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 . Hallim - eup , Jeju - si , Jeju Island 16 . 삼화사 / Samhwasa 강원도 동해시 무릉 로 Where poems come from . Poets and painters have sought out Samhwasa Temple 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 dragon . 584 Mureung - ro , Donghae - si , Gangwon Province 15 . 함덕 / Hamdeok 제주도 제주시 조천읍 삼덕리 Fields of rapeseed flowers cover the landscape in summer . ​ Hamdeok is a small seaside village located 30 minutes east of Jeju Airport . As beautiful as they are , the fields of rapeseed flowers play second fiddle to Hamdeok ’ s sapphire beach , a popular kayaking destination with calm waters . Hamdeok - ri , Jocheon - eup , Jeju - do , Jeju - si , Jeju Island 14 . 협재 해변 / Hyeupjae Beach 제주도 제주시 한림읍 협재리 A perfect day at a perfect beach . ​ Ask any Korean travel writer about which beach they think is the most beautiful in the country and nine times out of 10 , their response will be Hyeupjae Beach . OK , we lied . It ’ s 10 times out of 10 . 2497 - 1 Hyeopjae - ri , Hallim - eup , Jeju - si , Jeju Island 13 . 마 라도 / Marado 제주도 서귀포시 대정읍 마라리 It takes about three hours to see the whole island . ​ While this island is relatively difficult to reach -- there ’ s a ferry that leaves only a handful of times each day from the south coast , at Moseulpo Harbor -- the trip is worth it for the views . Tiny sculptures of famous lighthouses around the world stand in front of the island ’ s lighthouse . There ’ s a jajangmyeon ( black noodles ) shop that delivers to anywhere on the island . Mara - ri , Daejeong - eup , Seogwipo - si 12 . 용화 해변 / Yonghwa Beach 강원도 삼척시 근덕면 용화 해변 길 This Gangwon Province city is known for its seafood . 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 . Camping sites cost only ₩ 10 , 000 ( $ 9 ) per night . Yonghwahaebyeon - gil , Geundeok - myeon , Samcheok - si , Gangwon 11 . 세화 해변 / Sehwa - ri 제주도 제주시 구좌읍 해 화리 Seagulls flock to this small white beach , especially in the 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 . The nearby Sehwajang market sells fresh seafood . Gujwa - eup Jeju - si Jeju Island 10 . 송악산 / Songaksan 제주도 서귀포시 대정읍 산 모리 Heaven for geologists . Not bad for the rest of us , either . ​ Known for its 99 peaks , this Jeju volcanic mountain has a crater spanning 500 meters in diameter that ’ s a sight to see , apart from all the beautiful islands in the distance . It takes only an hour to walk to the highest peak , which is 104 meters above sea level . Sangmo - ri , Daejeong - eup , Seogwipo - si , Jeju Island 9 . 우도 / Udo 제주시 우도면 The cow - shaped island , not the German metal band . ​ 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 . Udo - myeon , Jeju - si 8 . 용두암 / Yongduam 제주도 제주시 용담 1 동 " Dragon head rock . " See it ? ​ Yongduam , meaning “ dragon head rock , ” is a must - visit spot for Jeju Island tourists . Rough weather makes for a dramatic shot of waves crashing against the rock . “ The best spot to see it from is about 50 meters away , rather than actually climbing the spot itself , ” says Kim . Yongdam - 1 - dong Jeju - si Jeju Island 7 . 천 지연 폭포 / Cheonjiyeon Falls 제주도 서귀포시 천지동 Fairies ' bathtub . ​ The beautiful waterfall 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 . 666 - 7 Cheonji - dong , Seogwipo - si , Jeju Island 6 . 토끼섬 / Tokkiseom 제주도 제주시 구좌읍 하도리 Rabbit Island . ​ 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 . ” Hadori , Gujwa - eup , Jeju - si 5 . 영암 / Yeongam 전라남도 영암군 영암읍 Yeongam ' s latest endeavors include hosting Korea ' s first Grand Prix , with mixed results . Although the county of Yeongam in the South Jeolla province has been in the local headlines in the past few years for its controversial hosting of Korea ’ s first Grand Prix , the county is a pleasant , leisurely place to visit . Local attractions include temples , ancient tombs and traditional estates . Yeongam - gun Yeongam - eup South Jeolla Province 4 . 밀 량 만어사 / Miryang Maneosa 경상 남 도 밀 량 시 만어산 Cultural immersion experience . ​ The thousands of floatstones around this ancient temple are supposedly fishes that were turned into stone . According to more legends , the five - meter - long rock on the temple site is the son of the dragon king who was also turned into stone . Wishing on the rock is said to grant sons to women who could not conceive them before . Maneosan , Miryang , South Gyeongsang Province 3 . 성산 일출봉 / Seongsan Ilchungbong 제주도 제주시 성산읍 성산리 Good morning . Korea ’ s most famous “ sunrise peak ” is a 5 , 000 - year - old volcanic crater . A UNESCO World Heritage Site with views like this every morning , it ’ s a magnet for photographers from all over the country . 1 Seongsan - ri , Seongsan - eup , Seogwip , Jeju - si 2 . 창덕궁 / Changdeokgung 서울 종로구 율곡로 It ' s not just our favorite palace , it was the favorite of many a prince throughout the Joseon Dynasty . ​ The second oldest of the five grand palaces in the country , Changdeokgung ( not to be confused with Changgyeonggung ) is home to a number of exceptionally beautiful spots , even for a palace . The most treasured of these is Biwon , the palace ' s back garden , a veritable lover ' s lane on any given evening . 99 Yulgok - ro , Jongno - gu , Seoul ​ 1 . 한라산 / Halla Mountain 제주도 제주 시 Hiking is allowed only during the day . ​ The highest mountain in 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 . Haean - dong , Jeju - si , Jeju IslandCNN Travel ' s series often carries sponsorship originating from the countries and regions we profile . However CNN retains full editorial control over all of its reports . Read the policy .