The Country of the Dragon, or why you should visit South Korea

According to research, tourism in South Korea is steadily growing as the country continues to recover from the Great Recession. So why not take a trip to this Asian gem? The Land of the Blue Dragon has plenty to offer: modern skyscrapers, cuisine, art...

The Korea Times has published a list of Dragon-themed tourist destinations, compiled by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) and the Seoul Tourism Organization (STO).

Yonggung Temple in Busan

This is one of the most beautiful temples in Korea. Its name translates to "Dragon Palace." It is believed to be the residence of the Dragon King, or "Yeonwang," as Koreans call it. The temple was built in 1376. Legend has it that the sea king appeared to the monk Naong in a dream and instructed him to build a seaside temple on the edge of Mount Bongrae, where he would pray. It was believed that these prayers would alleviate the nation's suffering and bring much happiness.

The shrine is popular with tourists because it is believed to have miraculous powers to grant wishes. Local lore assures that if you pray sincerely, at least one dream will come true. The temple is open from 4:30 AM to 7:00 PM, and admission is free.

Blue Dragon Staircase Leading to the Sky

This is a hiking trail along a picturesque coastal cliff where it is believed that a blue dragon ascended into the sky. According to local legend, blue and black dragons fought here over the Euja, a magical pearl possessing supernatural wish-granting powers. A village archer named Ryu Shi-in dreamt of a wise man who instructed her to prevent disaster by shooting an arrow at one of the dragons, thus putting an end to their battle. She struck the black dragon. The blue dragon, on its way to heaven, traversed a 120-meter-high cliff, leaving a five-meter-long trail that is still visible today. The trail, where the blue dragon once trod, stretches for 4 kilometers and offers breathtaking views of the ocean. The Goheung Space Launch Observatory is also situated here.

View from the Summit of Mount Yongma

Night hiking in the mountains has become a popular trend in tourism in recent years. Mount Yongma in Seoul is perfect for this! Climbing up, you can behold the city at night and its landmarks. Near the mountain's summit lies Yongma Falls Park, where three artificial waterfalls cascade down a rocky cliff and are open from May to August. The park also features a rock climbing stadium. In 2019, the famous Korean disaster blockbuster movie "Exodus" was filmed here.

Urban Cityscape from Yongmasan Peak

Yongmasan Jejeong Park, located near the south bank of the Han River in Seoul, has been open to tourists since April 2021. It was named after the nearby palace where King Jeongjo stayed during his visits to his father's grave. The king himself named the palace after the landscape, which, in his opinion, resembled a dragon soaring into the sky with its head held high.