Best places to visit in South Korea
In 2006, approximately 6 million tourists traveled to South Korea and ranked 31st in tourism grosses. The main tourist destination is Seoul for non-Korean visitors (China, Japan, Hong Kong or Taiwan). Popular tourist destinations beyond Seoul include Seorak-san national park, the historical city of Gyeongju, and subtropical Jeju Island.
Some popular beaches in the country are Haeundae (Busan's most popular beach, and with Seogwipo's); Gwangalli (noted for its bars, café and restaurants along the beach); Jungmun (surfing attraction on the south coast of Jeju Island); Sokcho (near to Seorak Mountain attract numerous tourists as some hikers visit the beach. It is along with Cheoksan Hot Springs, Cheongchoho, Seorak Mountain, and Yeongrangho plays a very important role in launching Sokcho-si as a great tourist destination) and Wido (splendid scenery of the Wangdeungdo Island draws a favorite tourist destination to the nature lovers and enjoy sea fish-hooking).
The national park in South Korea is included in tourist destinations namely Gyeongju (was pointed as first national park in 1968 and covers numerous of the main Silla historical places in Gyeongju City); Gayasan (was designated as a beautiful site in 1966 by the Korean authorities and came to be recognized as a National Park in 1972); Juwangsan (settled in North Gyeongsang province and designated the national park in 1976); Bukhansan (in Seoul and Gyeonggi and established on 1983 and Bukhansan implies "mountains north of the Han River"); and Wolchulsan (dwells in South Jeolla province and pointed as a national park in 1988).
The National Museum of Korea is the most notable among museums in the country. It was established in 1945 and is the ethnic milestone of Seoul. This museum features approximately a collection of 150,000 artifacts and souvenirs. It is the 6th biggest museum in the world (area of 307,227 sq. ft.). Other museums found in Seoul are Beautiful Tea, Hanbok, Ilmin Art, Kumbo Art, National Museum of Contemporary Art, Onggi Folk, Owl Art and Craft and Seoul Olympic.