Visit Korea
11. Bomun Pavilion, Gyeongju (경주 보문정)
Gyeongju, an ancient capital of the Shilla Dynasty, boasts the nickname "a museum with no walls."
Bomun Pavilion, a small wooden gazebo standing over a quiet duck pond, is a great spot to experience Korea’s spring; the cherry blossoms fluttering over the pond provide an exquisite sight.
In fact, it's the perfect place to view all of Korea's markedly different seasons: summer's lush green leaves, fall's scarlet and mustard foliage, and winter's blankets of snow.
Bodeok-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 경주시 보덕동)
12. Udo (우도)
Just 15 minutes away from Jeju Island, Udo is another addition to Jeju's bucket list.
Visitors can hike on Olle road, or opt for a scooter ride along the shore, a submarine excursion or sea fishing. Just don't forget the sunblock.
Udo-myeon, Jeju-si, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (제주특별자치도 제주시 우도면)
13. Haeinsa Temple, Hapcheon (합천 해인사)
The world's oldest intact Buddhist canon, the Tripitaka Koreana, is carefully housed in the 1,200-year-old Haeinsa Temple.
The temple's other landmarks include the oldest wooden Buddha statue in Korea (the Haeinsa Vairocana) and a UNESCO world heritage Janggyeong Panjeon ( a "storage hall of Buddhist Sutras").
10 Chiin-ri, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 합천군 가야면 치인리 10번지)
14. Chunwang Peak, Jiri Mountain (지리산 천왕봉)
At 1,915 meters, Chunwang Peak on Jiri Mountain is the second highest peak in South Korea and the beloved conquest of many a Korean mountain climber.
The national park on Jiri Mountain stretches over five cities and three provinces, and is home to quietly dazzling flora and fauna as well as seven national treasures and 26 treasures.
Many tread the trail to Chunwang Peak to watch the sun rise, some simply to enjoy the view from the top, and others for the pleasure of breathing in the crisp, clean mountain air and drinking the brain freeze-inducing spring water of Chunwang Spring, which is located just 300 meters below Chunwang Peak.
Samjang-myeon/Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 산청군 시천면, 삼장면)
15. Juknokwon, Damyang (담양 죽녹원)
This dense bamboo thicket is located in Damyang, another "slow city" that welcomes all who are tired of hectic city life.
Eight trails around the thicket offer eight different themes to saunter through.
If you look carefully between the bamboo plants, you can spot the green tea shoots that grow from the dew that drips off the bamboo leaves, known as Jukro tea. The Juknokwon observatory in the middle of the thicket occasionally hosts Jukro tea tasting events.
Hyanggyo-ri, Damyang-eup, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 담양군 담양읍 향교리)
16. Naganeupseong Folk Village, Suncheon (순천 낙안읍성 민속마을)
Straw-roofed houses, government offices, guesthouses and a castle, all from the Chosun Dynasty, remain perfectly preserved in their original forms in this 22.6 kilometer-squared historical site.
No, it’s not an exterior set of a historical drama, people actually live in those houses and better yet, they offer overnight homestays.
Choongmin-gil, Nagan-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 순천시 낙안면 충민길 30)
17. Yeojwa Stream (경상남도 진해 여좌천 벚꽃길)
The fifth item on this list already touched on the festival of cherry blossoms in Jinhae, but the cherry blossom road at Yeojwa Stream is so strikingly beautiful that it deserves another mention (and another photo).
Lovers visit this site to cross the "Romance Bridge", which has been used as a shooting location for "Romance," a drama starring Kim Ha-nul and Kim Jae-won.
Bloggers say that these romantic blossoms can be most appreciated at night, when there are fewer tourists and the pale pink flowers glow against the dark sky.
Yeojwa-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 창원시 진해구 여좌동)
18. Boseong Green Tea Field (보성 녹차밭)
Approximately 40 percent of Korea's tea is produced in the rolling fields of Boseong, which has also provided the backdrop of many Korean dramas and films.
Yes, green tea-related specialties (fresh green tea ice cream and green tea pork belly) are tasty treats, but the spectacular view of the seemingly endless tea fields is the real reason so many visitors stop by Boseong.
A green tea festival is held every May while in the winter, the fields are decorated with tiny light bulbs.
Bongsan-ri, Boseong-eup, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 보성군 보성읍 봉산리)
19. Bulguksa Temple (경주 불국사)
This UNESCO-listed site is perhaps the most famous historic site in Korea.
Two granite pagodas on either sides of the temple, Dabotap and Seokgatap, as well as Seokguram, a man-made grotto just above the temple, add to the splendid grandeur of this 1,500-year-old home of many important relics.
15-1 Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도 경주시 진현동 15-1)
20. Daegwallyeong Ranch (대관령 양떼목장)
This only sheep ranch in Korea doubles as a natural sledge park in winter.
The dreaminess of the view is as heady as the mountain air.
Meat-lovers should stop by the restaurants in the ranch village for a taste of the highest grade lamb.
14-104 Hoenggye 3 ri, Doam-myeon(Daegwallyeong-myeon), Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do (강원 평창군 도암면 횡계3리 (대관령면 횡계3리) 14-104번지)
More on CNNGo: 7 ways to love winter in Korea