The futuristic, 21st century city of Seoul is only one small part of this intriguing country which is rich in ancient culture and harmony. Have fun in vibrant Seoul, where neon signs compete with exquisite temples and palaces, shop in duty-free shops and take in the view from the Seoul Tower from where you can see the Han River as it winds through the city.
The mountainous countryside couldn't contrast more with Seoul. Here you will find thousands of temples, home to many thousand monks, where you can enjoy a contemplative stay. Temple hop in the former capital of the Silla kingdom, Gyeongju, and admire the beautifully preserved 80,000 wooden printing blocks of Buddhist scriptures, Tripikata Koreana, in Haeinsa Temple in Gayasan National Park. Take the cable car to a hilltop temple and soak in the hot springs. Explore ancient villages, take the high-speed train from Seoul to Busan or peek into North Korea from the Border Unification Observatory.
