10 Beautiful Summer Destinations in South Korea

With these incredible travel spots throughout South Korea looking the way they do, it’s kind of hard to understand why a whopping one-fifth of the country's population lives on top of each other in Seoul. As glitzy and glittering as it is, the capital, after all, takes up less than one percent of the entire country. These beautiful places were photographed by veteran travel photographers who know the country well and who’ve been photographing Korean landscapes for decades.

10. Gwangalli

​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.

9. 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.

8. Yonghwa 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.

7. Sehwa-ri

“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. 

6. Sambuyeon Falls

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. 

5. Hamdeok

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.

4. Udo

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.

3. Cheonjiyeon Falls

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.

2. Seongsan Ilchungbong

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. Hyeupjae 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.

Source: CNN