52 days in East Asia Itinerary

Korea's most populous province, Gyeonggi-do surrounds (but does not include) the savvy national capital, boasting rivers, lakes, and mountains. The main cultural attractions in Gyeonggi-do emphasize Korea's distant and recent past, including a huge World Heritage-listed fortress, royal tombs, a folk village, and the Demilitarized Zone. Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the region's emphasis on ecology, while families can visit a range of kid-friendly spots, from ceramics workshops and museums, to numerous theme parks and water-sport facilities along the coast.

Rich in mountains and sea, rivers and fertile fields, Jeollabuk-do offers plenty of attractions for nature lovers and foodies. This small southwestern province features snow-capped peaks with ski slopes and a World Heritage-listed biosphere preserve adjacent to beaches from where you can go island-hopping. Tourism in Jeollabuk-do focuses on its archeological heritage, pristine nature, and healing food and sports tours set in royal palaces and pavilions. Visit prehistoric World Heritage-listed megalithic sites, tour villages with traditional hanok houses, and make time on your trip to Jeollabuk-do to sample spicy pond loach stew or bibimbap, a mixed rice dish.

With nearly 2,000 islands off its long coastline--most of them uninhabited--Jeollanam-do makes an attractive spot for nature lovers. Tourism in Jeollanam-do focuses on boat exploration of the coast and islands, and inland trips to the fertile alluvial plains famous for their agricultural products. Visit picturesque tea plantations, an eco-wetland park full of birds and crabs, or global-themed gardens in a scenic bay. Traditional folk villages preserve age-old local culture, including Arirang folk songs and traditional Pansori music. Foodies on holiday in Jeollanam-do will do well to try the province's renowned seafood, particularly the oysters.

A popular vacation island for Koreans and foreigners with a mild coastal climate, Jeju-do offers hiking, caving, horseback riding, and plenty of beaches on which to relax and observe the sunset. A holiday in Jeju-do usually involves a visit to a UNESCO-protected lava tube, where you can see the world’s largest known lava column. Other lava and limestone caves set in botanical gardens, as well as a number of folk villages, combine to offer a diverse range of attractions during treks through the densely forested island, with the well-marked hiking trails also leading past giant basalt statues. Inland theme parks--ranging from a teddy bear museum to an erotic sculpture park--and golf courses provide a diverse range of entertainment options. The matriarchal island is known for its fisherwomen and female divers.

An efficient transport system and combination of urban coastal life and pristine mountainous hinterland offer plenty of vacation ideas in Gyeongsangnam-do. A World Heritage-listed Buddhist temple houses tens of thousands of carved woodblocks with ancient writings, while wetland reserves, natural hot springs, and easy mountain trails offer outdoor enthusiasts lots of options. Provincial capital Changwon boasts a diverse eating and drinking scene, as well as one of the world's largest entertainment centers. If planning a trip to Gyeongsangnam-do in the spring, don't miss the cherry blossom festival.

Predominantly mountainous, the northernmost province of Gangwon-do offers a wide range of outdoor activities in natural scenery. A typical Gangwon-do itinerary includes scenic hikes through national parks dotted by Buddha statues and tall pagodas, plus relaxation on clean beaches in summer or excellent skiing in winter. Take a cable car to enjoy a view of the World Heritage-listed mountain biosphere, and tour the Demilitarized Zone to understand the magnitude of foreign-imposed division. Forests with edible alpine plants and mushrooms add unique flavors to Gangwon-do's cuisine, which also uses cuttlefish and pollock harvested from the long, steep coast.