Things to Do in South Korea

This distinctive structure was built in Suwon in 1796 by King Jeongjo in honor of the rather gruesome death of his father, Prince Sado, who had been forced to commit suicide by shutting himself up in a rice chest.

One of five royal palaces built in Seoul by the Joseon Dynasty, this UNESCO World Heritage site is the oldest. It served as the dynasty's main palace for over 300 years and the beautiful 31.5 hectare rear garden is a stunning example of Asian landscape design.

A dramatic open-air museum, these protected sites encompass scores of cultural treasures from the Silla kingdom of the 1st to 10th centuries. Gyeongju was the capital of the kingdom and its amazing array of temples, tombs, pagodas, statues and gardens offer a carefully preserved glimpse into the country's distant past.

Around five million people visit the most popular amusement park in South Korea every year. The site includes the outdoor theme park, Magic Island, and the indoor version, Adventure – the largest indoor theme park in the world.

Government green initiatives have radically decreased Seoul's air pollution levels, partly thanks to schemes such as this city forest (which cost $255.4 million). Reminiscent of New York's Central Park, it is divided into five areas – Cultural Art Park, Ecological Forest, Nature Experiencing Studying Field, Wetlands Ecological Park and Han River Waterside Park. The forest opened in 2005 and provides a green escape from busy city life.