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Gyeongbokgung Palace in autumn.
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Gyeongbokgung Palace is beautiful in spring, particularly during cherry blossom season, which typically occurs from late March to mid-April.
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Seoul City skyline
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Seoul city nightlife.
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Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
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Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
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Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
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The painted detail of Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
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The Gyeongbokgung Palace Royal Guard Changing Ceremony is a daily reenactment of the changing of the guard procedure that takes place in front of the main palace gate.
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Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul
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Military Guard at Sungnyemun gate, Seoul.
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Changdeokgung Royal Palace in Seoul
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The secret garden at Changdeokgung palace in Seoul
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Two ladies dressed in traditional Hanbok at Gyeongbokgung Palace, Seoul.
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Bulguksa temple in Gyeongju - the temple is considered as a masterpiece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla kingdom.
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Prayer lanterns at Bulguksa temple in Gyeongju.
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Haetalgyo bridge in autumn at Bulguksa Temple, Gyeongju
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Thousands of colorful prayer lanterns at Bulguksa temple, each one with their own written prayer inside.
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The Woljeonggyo Bridge in Gyeongju, was originally built in 760AD during the Silla period. It was lost during the Joseon period but was painstakingly rebuilt in 2013 and finished in 2018. The restoration project is noted as one of the largest wooden bridge reconstructions in Korea.
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Tumuli Park is home to the Daereungwon Tomb Complex in the ancient capital city of Gyeongju.
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Suyoung Bay Yacht Marina, Busan
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Busan at night.
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The annual Busan Fireworks Festival held every autumn, which features a spectacular show over the ocean with the Gwangandaegyo Bridge (also known as the Diamond Bridge) as a backdrop.
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The arty Gamcheon Culture Village is known for its layered streets, twisted labyrinth-like alleys and brightly painted houses.
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Haedong Yonggungsa Temple, Busan
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The United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Busan.
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Jagalchi Market is one of the largest seafood markets in Korea, selling both live and dried fish.
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Freshly prepared spicy fish stew at Jagalchi fish market.
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Kimchi is a traditional Korean side dish (banchan) consisting of salted and fermented vegetables.
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Haenyeo divers, Jeju Island
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The Jeju Olle Trail on Jeju Island is a 437km network of routes that loop around the island. These trails offer a variety of landscapes, from coastal paths to mountain hikes, and allow visitors to explore the island's natural beauty and culture up close.
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Dol Hareubang are Jeju Island's traditional volcanic rock statues known as "Stone Grandfathers".
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Two women in traditional dress at Jeonju Hanok Village.
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Jeonju Hanok Village
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Jeonju Hanok Village in the Snow
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Korean BBQ is an interactive, communal dining experience where diners cook meat at their table.
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Bibimbap is a popular Korean dish of warm white rice topped with seasoned vegetables, beef or tofu, and a fried egg, all mixed together with a spicy gochujang sauce.
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Gyeonggijeon Shrine in Jeonju Hanok Village.
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Pungnammun city gate in Jeonju was built during the Joseon dynasty in 1734.
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Traditional South Korean mask festival, Andong
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Wolyeonggyo bridge, Andong
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Hahoe Folk Village, Andong
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Hahoe Folk Village, Andong
50/50South Korea: Best Time To Go
South Korea is a year-round destination, but the most appealing seasons for travel are spring (April to early June) and autumn (late September to early November), when the weather is mild, skies are clear, and landscapes are at their most beautiful - cherry blossoms in spring and fiery foliage in autumn. These periods are understandably popular, so hotel rates tend to be higher and advance booking is strongly advised.
Summer (late June to August) is warm, humid and marked by a short monsoon season in July, though it’s also the time when Jeju’s beaches are at their best. Winter (December to February) is cold but crisp, ideal for travellers who enjoy fewer crowds, clear skies, and atmospheric snowy temples; it’s also the prime time for skiing in Korea’s mountainous interior.
Peak domestic travel periods to avoid include Seollal (Lunar New Year), Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) (both movable holidays typically falling between January-February and September-October) and parts of Golden Week in early May. During these times, transport and major sights become extremely busy.
N.B. All information provided is accurate to the best of our knowledge, but seasonal patterns and holiday schedules can change at short notice. Ampersand cannot accept liability for such occurrences. If you have any tips or recent experiences that might benefit fellow travellers, we would be delighted to hear from you.
There are direct flights from the UK to Seoul, with a flight time of around 11–12 hours. South Korea also has an excellent network of domestic flights, making it easy to connect between major destinations such as Busan and Jeju Island. High-speed rail links and efficient intercity buses further simplify travel across the country.
British passport holders can visit South Korea visa-free for short stays up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return and contain at least one blank page. Travellers must also complete the K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorisation) prior to departure. This is a straightforward online application, usually approved within 24–72 hours. The official portal is www.k-eta.go.kr. Be sure to use the official site, as third-party agencies often charge unnecessary additional fees.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the appropriate visa(s) for your trip.
It is essential to visit your GP as soon as possible to check if you need any vaccinations prior to travel. Risk for vaccine preventable diseases can change at any time. MASTA (Medical Advisory Services for Travellers Abroad) can supply a quick and easy online Travel Health Brief. This includes easy to understand vaccination advice for single or multi-country trips. Their website is www.masta-travel-health.com.
London - Seoul (Incheon): 11 hours 15 minutes
London - Busan (via Seoul): 13–14 hours (including connection)
We highly recommend reconfirming your onward and return international flights at least 72 hours before departure.
Places of Interest
Accommodation
