The Land of K-Pop. What's in Korea that it produced so many hot K-Pop idols? BTS, EXO, Blackpink, Twice, Girls' Generation, Red Velvet, Big Bang, and so many more. It might be the famous kimchi, the country’s traditional side dish of fermented vegetables. Or it could be the strong soju, the world’s number-one selling liquor.
The country is small—just over 100,000 square kilometers (24.7 million acres)—with a population of 51 million people. But this small nation packs a punch, it is one of the most talked-about countries in the world. Of course, a large part of that is K-Pop's world invasion. Another reason for South Korea's popularity is its advances in the technology game. A staggering 97.7% of the young population—those aged 18 to 24 years old—have smartphones. This makes sense because 82.7% of the country has internet. Almost everything in South Korea is done online—payments, shopping and even television viewing (yes, South Koreans watch TV on their smartphones while mobile).
The nation known as the Land of the Morning Calm is also well ahead of others when it comes to cosmetics. It has created the 10-step beauty regimen that uses snail cream, charcoal beauty products or any ingredient that may sound weird but works as a cosmetic. South Koreans are obsessed with beauty. There are many plastic surgeons in the country because of the demand of its population. The country has now become a plastic surgery destination among other nationalities.
South Korea's obsession with beauty also expands to national parks. For such a small nation, the government was still able to set aside 6.6% of its land as protected areas. The country has 22 national parks.
For those interested in visiting, here are the top 10 unexplored parks in this beautiful nation.
Byeonsanbando National Park
This is the only peninsula-based park in South Korea. But the centerpiece is not just the sea, as the park also comprises mountains that are high enough for challenging adventures. The two sections of the park are known as the Naebyeonsan or the mountain area and the Oebyeonsan or the coastal area. One is just as beautiful as the other. So if tourists happen to drop by this park, both sections should be explored.
The park was established in 1988. The Naebyeonsan part comprises of three mountain peaks with unique rock formations. There is the Uisanbong Peak at 508 meters, Sinseonbong Peak at 486 meters and Ssanseonbong Peak at 459 meters. The peaks are great for hiking and mountain climbing. Not only will trekkers sweat it out, but they will also see picturesque vistas. And when they are at the top, they will get a bird's eye view of the park.
The park also has temples: Gaeamsa Temple, Naeamsa Temple, and Naesosa Temple. But as far as natural resources go, the park is also home to the Jikso Falls, which has a beautiful cascade. Other landforms include the Bongnae Valley and Nakjodae Overlook. There are 877 noted species of vascular plants and 996 species of animals.
Chiaksan National Park
Located in the province of Gangwon-do, the park is named after its highest peak, the Chiaksan Mountain, which stands at 1,288 meters. The name means Pheasant Peak Mountain, which is derived from a fable about a man who saved a pheasant from being eaten by a snake.
The park, though, is much more interesting than the legend. There are unique sculptures at the summit, which makes for interesting climbs. There are various trails to follow, but no trail will leave tourists disappointed because the way to the top is just refreshing with green trees providing a canopy, while peaceful pools can be seen along the way. The summit also has an observation deck for visitors to take in the panoramic view of the park.
There are 2,364 species of animals living in the park including the endangered flying squirrel and Hodgson's bat. There are also over 820 species of plants documented. Visiting the park in the spring means witnessing blooming azalea trees around.
Dadohaehaesang National Park
Established in 1981, this park is the largest one in the country with a land area of 2,321 square kilometers (573,531 acres). The majority of the park is a marine area. The park also forms part of the Sinan Dadohae Biosphere Reserve, which consists of 1,000 islands that have become important habitats for marine animals and migratory birds.
The park’s main attractions are the beautiful triumvirate of islands: Baekdo, Heuksando, and Hongdo. Baekdo comprises dozens of uninhabited rocky islets. It is not accessible and is mostly there for sightseeing purposes. The Heuksando comprises several peaks that are great for various activities. Among the mountains on this island are Gitdaebong, Munamsan, Sangrabong, and Seonyubong. The heights range from 300 to 400 meters with Munamsan having the highest peak. Getting to the top of these peaks will also give tourists a stunning vista of the park: blue waters with crumbs of green islets.
Hongdo Island is a steep mountain range. The name translates to Red Island because the rocky outcroppings are red, due to the combination of the water's salinity and the kind of rock the mountain is made of. The entire island is also considered a national monument, so not every area is open to the public. There are various tourist spots on the island, though.
The entire park is known for its biodiversity, just as much as its appealing natural attractions.
According to records, the park is home to some 1,541 species of plants as well as over 1,000 species of land animals, close to 900 of which are insect species. As for the marine animals, some 165 species are documented.
Gyeryongsan National Park
South Korea’s second national park is located in Chungcheongnam-do. Established in 1968, the park is named after its highest peak, the Gyeryongsan Mountain, which stands at 845 meters. The mountain is said to be sacred and possesses the highest qi. This is why the mountain is also home to three temples: Donghaksa, Gapsa, and Sinwonsa. These had been erected over a thousand years ago.
There have been 1,121 species of plants recorded in the park, along with 645 animal species—excluding insects wherein over 1,800 species have been identified to live in the park. Among the animals' in the park are the common buzzards, martens, otters, and woodpeckers.
Jirisan National Park
Setting the standard for national parks in Korea, Jirisan certainly did not disappoint when it was established in 1967. It traverses Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Jeollanam-do. Jirisan is also the largest terrestrial park in the country.
There are a dozen peaks in the park and they are over 1,000 meters high. This park is also home to the country’s second-highest mountain, the Cheonwang-bong, which stands at 1,915 meters. The park is certainly an attractive one among active hikers and mountain climbers.
But there are other things in the park for non-active visitors. The vast and dazzling landscape is a perfect breather from exhausting real-life activities. Since the park is over 470 square kilometers (116,140 acres), there are so many natural sceneries that visitors can bask in.
The park is also home to the Asian black bear, which prompted authorities to start the Jirisan Bear Project in 2004 to conserve and protect the 50 wild bears inhabiting the park at the time. The population is believed to have increased since then.
Hallyeohaesang National Park
Designated as a national park as early as 1968, this park comprises six districts: Geoje-Haegeumgang district, Namhaedaegyo district, Sacheon district, Sangju-Geumsan Mountain district, Tongyeong-Hansan district, and Yeosu-Odongdo district. Each district has its own set of natural attractions for tourists.
The landscape in this park is truly magnificent, especially if viewed from one of the mountain summits like the Mireuksan peak. The park has close to 100 islands within it and these are visible from up above. The park also provides sea-to-summit trails, which gives hikers different layers of scenic views, providing additional highs apart from the physical activity.
With over 1,142 plant species, the most common along many trails are the black and red pines, cork and serrate oaks and camellias. There are also rare plant species known as daeheongnan, nadopungnan and the Korean winter hazel. There are also over 1,750 species of animals, but over 1,500 of them are insects.
Naejangsan National Park
Named after Naejangsan Mountain, which stands at 763 meters, this park traverses Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do provinces. It was established in 1971. The park is home to over 900 species of plants and over 1,800 species of animals, 12 of which are in the endangered list.
This park is beautiful year-round but it comes alive with the autumn colors that make the park even more stunning. It is home to some 600-year-old nutmeg trees among others and plants that band together to provide the picture-perfect fall foliage. The park also has two temples: Baekyangsa and Naejangsa temples. The temples appear to be swallowed by the orange and red forest when you get to the top and experience the view.
But this doesn't mean that one should only visit the park during autumn. Summer also brings vibrant greens to the forest with smidgens of wildflowers providing pops of color. Spring brings in beautiful cherry blossoms. By the way, the park also has some beautiful bodies of water that runs through the lush vegetation, which almost blanket the entire park.
Seoraksan National Park
Comprising several mountain peaks including those over 1,200 meters high, this park is certainly a great one for adventurers. The highest peak is Daecheongbong at over 1,700 meters. What makes the landforms in the park unique is that they are mostly composed of dissected granite and gneiss.
The park is largely famed for its floral diversity. There are over 1,000 species of plants in the park and a lot of those produce colorful flowers. There are also different ecosystems with varying plant life due to the park’s different elevations.
The park also has some cultural landmarks in the form of Buddhist temples: Baekdamsa and Sinheungsa.
Taebaeksan National Park
The country's youngest park has a long history that goes with it. The park was established in 2016. The mountain from which the park derived its name, is believed to be sacred among South Koreans. This is the reason for the number of shrines erected in various areas of the mountain.
The park is great for hiking, some people even prefer a run to get to the top, as most of the peaks are not very strenuous. But one popular activity in Taebaeksan is watching sunrises and sunsets. They are truly magnificent. Throw in the belief that the mountain is sacred, and the experience becomes truly magical. Some South Koreans hike at the crack of dawn during the first day of the year, so they can see the first sunrise at this sacred park.
The great thing about this park is that it also changes color with the season. Rhododendron blooms in the spring giving the park a pinkish hue, while winter brings in wonderland purity. Summer brings lush green with a peppering of colorful wildflowers, while fall brings forth the orange-ish vibe.
Woraksan National Park
Named after its highest peak, the 1,094-meter Woraksan, the park traverses Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do provinces. There are various Buddhist shrines and historical sites along the mountain’s slopes.
Woraksan is known as Little Kumgang-san, which is in reference to Mount Kumgang, one of the most popular mountains in South Korea, known for its scenic beauty and historical significance. Mount Kumgang carries a different name in every season because of the different vista it evokes. The names, translated in English, are the following: The Place Where the Spirit Dwells during summer, Hill of Colored Leaves during autumn, and Stone Bone Mountain during winter. Just as the names suggest, Woraksan provides a different look in every season.
There are at least 67 species of birds along with 17 mammalian species, 14 species of reptiles and 10 amphibian species that live in the park. 16 endangered animals also dwell in the park. There are also some 27 freshwater fish species in the park's bodies of water.