Cities & Regions in South Korea

Korea's oldest Chinatown, Japanese colonial port district, and island ferries - Incheon rewards a day beyond the airport transit hall.

Street food in Gwangjang Market, palaces in Bukchon, indie music in Hongdae, and night views from N Seoul Tower - four days in Korea's capital.

Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress is a 5.7km UNESCO city wall with four grand gates and a palace complex - reachable in 40 minutes from Seoul on the subway.

Daejeon city guide: Expo Science Park, day trips to Gyeryongsan or Magoksa temple, and the KTX hub for covering central Korea, plus hotels and food.

Eat bibimbap where it originated, wander 800 hanok rooftops, drink makgeolli in street alleys, and tour a Joseon royal shrine - all in Jeonju.

Haeundae beach, Gamcheon hillside art village, Jagalchi fish market, and Beomeosa temple hike - Busan packs more variety than any other Korean city.

Korea's Gyeongbuk temple circuit starts here - Haeinsa, Bulguksa, and Daegu's own Korean Medicine Alley make this a more rewarding city than expected.

Walk among royal Silla burial mounds, cycle past Donggung Palace ruins, and explore UNESCO Bulguksa Temple - Gyeongju guide from Seoul in 2 hours.

Swim Gyeongpo's pine-backed beaches, tour the Ojukheon Confucian estate, and work through Korea's most concentrated coffee culture - all in Gangneung.

Cable-car to Seoraksan's granite peaks, fresh abai sundae at the port market, and autumn foliage - base yourself in Sokcho for Korea's best mountains.

Walk Hahoe UNESCO Folk Village, watch the mask dance festival, and taste heotjesabap - Andong is where Korea's Confucian heritage is most alive.

Asia's biggest art biennale, 5.18 democracy uprising memorials, and Korea's finest regional cuisine - Gwangju repays the journey from Seoul.

Seogwipo pairs waterfalls, Jusangjeolli lava cliffs, and Hallasan trailheads: Jeju's quieter, more dramatic south coast base for nature-focused stays.

Suncheon travel guide: Suncheon Bay wetlands and national garden, Naganeupseong folk village, drama set, plus bus from Busan and KTX from Yongsan.

Tongyeong travel guide: Mireuksan ropeway, Dongpirang murals, Gangguan harbour, Yi Sun-sin naval history and the bus from Busan in about 90 minutes.

Island ferries, fresh seafood at Yeosu's night market, and a cable car over the bay - Korea's most scenic south coast, with easy Odongdo access.