World Guide

South Korea

Country · Asia, Eastern Asia

Korean Demilitarized Zone
Pictured: Korean Demilitarized Zone · Photo: Driedprawns at en.wikipedia, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

South Korea is located in Eastern Asia and covers an area of 100,295 square kilometers with a population of about 52 million. Its capital is Seoul. The country offers visitors a total of 44 sights across cities like Seoul and Gyeongju.

Highlights

The site covers 44 sights, including major cities such as Seoul and Gyeongju. Notable locations listed among the 44 sights are Gyeongbokgung, Changdeokgung, Hwaseong Fortress, Seongsan Ilchulbong, the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Lotte World Tower, Cheong Wa Dae, Bridge of No Return, Cheonggyecheon, Panmunjom, Statue of Peace, National Museum of Korea, Seoul World Cup Stadium, Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Olympic Stadium, War Memorial of Korea, Bukchon Hanok Village, Everland, Korea International Circuit, and Myeong-dong.

Food and drink

Local dishes include Budae-jjigae, Korean fried chicken, Dak-galbi, Yangnyeom chicken, Jjamppong, Chimaek, Buldak, Andong jjimdak, Tornado potato, Gyeran-ppang, Dak-kkochi, and Hodu-gwaja.

When to go

The climate at the capital features daily highs and lows. In January, temperatures range from a high of 1 °C to a low of -9 °C with 21 mm of rain. February brings a high of 4 °C and a low of -6 °C. March sees highs of 10 °C and lows of -1 °C. April warms to 17 °C with lows of 5 °C and 80 mm of rain. May averages a high of 22 °C and a low of 11 °C. June reaches a high of 26 °C and a low of 17 °C with 137 mm of rain. July is the wettest month with 405 mm of rain and temperatures between a high of 28 °C and a low of 21 °C. August has similar temperatures with 322 mm of rain. September cools to a high of 24 °C and a low of 16 °C. October sees highs of 18 °C and lows of 8 °C. November brings a high of 10 °C and a low of 1 °C. December has a high of 3 °C and a low of -6 °C with 20 mm of rain.

Practical notes

The currency is won. Spoken languages include Korean and Korean Sign Language. Plugs are type C and F with a voltage of 220.0. Driving is on the right side. The time zone is UTC+09:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in South Korea

  • Budae-jjigae
  • Korean fried chicken
  • Dak-galbi
  • Yangnyeom chicken
  • Jjamppong
  • Chimaek
  • Buldak
  • Andong jjimdak
  • Tornado potato
  • Gyeran-ppang
  • Dak-kkochi
  • Hodu-gwaja

Top sights in South Korea

  1. Korean Demilitarized ZoneKorean Demilitarized Zone
  2. GyeongbokgungGyeongbokgungSeoul
  3. Lotte World TowerLotte World TowerSeoul
  4. ChangdeokgungUNESCOChangdeokgungSeoul
  5. Cheong Wa DaeCheong Wa DaeSeoul
  6. Bridge of No ReturnBridge of No ReturnPanmunjeom
  7. CheonggyecheonCheonggyecheonSeoul
  8. PanmunjomPanmunjom
  9. Statue of PeaceStatue of PeaceCheonan
  10. National Museum of KoreaNational Museum of KoreaSeoul
  11. Seoul World Cup StadiumSeoul World Cup StadiumSeoul
  12. Hwaseong FortressUNESCOHwaseong FortressSuwon
  1. Gwanghwamun Square · Seoul
  2. Seoul Olympic Stadium · Seoul
  3. War Memorial of Korea · Seoul
  4. Seongsan IlchulbongUNESCO
  5. Bukchon Hanok Village · Seoul
  6. Everland · Yongin
  7. Korea International Circuit · Mokpo
  8. Myeong-dong · Seoul
  9. Third Tunnel of Aggression
  10. Deoksugung · Seoul
  11. Bulguksa · Gyeongju
  12. Namdaemun · Seoul
  13. Cheomseongdae · Gyeongju
  14. Namsan Seoul Tower · Seoul
  15. Myeongdong Cathedral · Seoul
  16. Hantan River · Cheorwon
  17. Changgyeonggung · Seoul
  18. Seoraksan · Sokcho
  19. Seokguram · Gyeongju
  20. Starfield COEX Mall · Seoul
  21. Love Land · Jeju
  22. 63 Building · Seoul
  23. Haedong Yonggungsa · Busan
  24. Namhansanseong · GwangjuUNESCO
  25. Jangneung · YeongwolUNESCO
  26. Royal Tombs of the Joseon DynastyUNESCO
  27. Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava TubesUNESCO
  28. Suwon World Cup Stadium · Suwon
  29. Camp Bonifas · Panmunjeom
  30. Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium · Ulsan
  31. Jongmyo · SeoulUNESCO
  32. Hahoe Folk VillageUNESCO
  33. Janggyeong Panjeon of HaeinsaUNESCO
  34. Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen SitesUNESCO
  35. Bangudae Petroglyphs · Ulsan
  36. Korean Folk Village · Yongin
  37. Yangdong Folk VillageUNESCO
  38. Seoul Grand Park · Gwacheon
  39. Incheon Chinatown · Incheon
  40. Seoul Land · Gwacheon
  41. Independence Hall of Korea · Cheonan
  42. Manjanggul · Jeju
  43. Daegu Samsung Lions Park · Daegu
  44. Yeongjongdo · Incheon
  45. Samseonghyeol · Jeju
  46. Incheon SSG Landers Field · Incheon
  47. Daegu iM Bank Park · Daegu
  48. Ho-Am Art Museum · Yongin
  49. Donghwasa · Daegu

UNESCO sites in South Korea →

Weather by month

The warmest month is August, with an average high of 28 °C. The wettest is July, with about 405 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C141017222628282418103
Average low, °C-9-6-15111721221691-6
Rainfall, mm21244680100137405322168494820
Rainy days3458810181811885

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Seoul (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

Also worth a look

Neighbouring countries and territories