South Korea - where past and present unite

South Korea, a country of great history and rapid economical development, is a fascinating tourist attraction nowadays. Its palaces, temples and city gates have been the silent witnesses for years which have passed from the foundation of Joseon to becoming one of the world’s largest economic powerhouses, the “Asian Tiger”. It is situated on the Korean peninsula, and that is the reason the geography and climate conditions of the country are very diverse. Mountains cover over 70% of South Korea’s territory. The eastern coastline consists mainly of sandy beaches, and the western one presents by itself rocky shores and mud flats. There is an exclusive transportation system in Korea, which can deliver you to any corner of the state. And furthermore, there are a lot of South Korea vacation rentals, so every part of the country can be explored with no difficulties.

It is a very special place to visit, and here are some advices for you if you decide all this is worth to see by yourself.

The main thing is not to confuse South and North Korea! While the southern part of the peninsula is a democratic and tourist-friendly country of South Korea, its northern part is occupied by a socialistic North Korea. The border between them is one of the most heavily guarded and fortified in the world. And it is not likely for you to get inside North Korea, because the country is closed for foreigners. Just make sure you’ve made correct inquiries, bookings and planned itineraries before the departure.

Another significant thing about Korea is its architecture. It is an outcome of the country’s turbulent history, which often caused both creation and destruction. Now there is an exciting medley of designs and styles. Traditional Korean architecture is known by its aspiration to a harmony with nature. It can be observed in temples, palaces, old houses – hanok, and, of course, at nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The end of the nineteenth century brought western architecture, with churches, schools and universities being built in a new way. And finally, in the late twentieth century the main task of the architects was to preserve the original nature-friendly manner while handling the fast urbanization of the country.

One of the best places to enjoy all those architectural fusions is Seoul – the capital of South Korea and one of the largest metropolises in the world. The past and the present are introduced by numerous sights, such as royal palaces of the Joseon Dynasty, Insadong, museums, art centers and much more. To use your time wisely and see as much as you can during you stay, Seoul vacation rentals are sure to be handy. When your accommodation is arranged, there are no more impediments for exploring the wonderful South Korea!