31 days in South Korea Itinerary

One of east Asia's major cultural and financial centers, Seoul boasts five World Heritage Sites and a huge selection of museums, temples, shrines, palaces, parks, gardens, and glass-and-steel skyscrapers.

Take a break from Seoul with a short trip to Korean Folk Village in Yongin, about 1h 15 min away. Pack the 3rd (Thu) with family-friendly diversions at Lotte World. There's still lots to do: explore the galleries of Gyeongbokgung Palace, take in nature's colorful creations at Namsan Park, shop like a local with Myeongdong Shopping Street, and take some stellar pictures from N Seoul Tower.

To find ratings, reviews, more things to do, and tourist information, go to the Seoul online driving holiday planner.

Singapore, Singapore to Seoul is an approximately 10.5-hour flight. You can also drive. Traveling from Singapore to Seoul, you'll lose 1 hour due to the time zone difference. Plan for much colder temperatures traveling from Singapore in December, with highs in Seoul at 3°C and lows at -5°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 7th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Chuncheon.

The capital of the country's northernmost province, the city of Chuncheon acts a gateway to the wilder sights of the rural region.

Kick off your visit on the 8th (Tue): admire the sheer force of Gugok Pokpo, step off the mainland to explore Nami Island, and then explore the world behind art at Interactive Art Museum. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the natural beauty of World Oncheon, then take in the spiritual surroundings of Cheongpyeongsa, and then get in on the family fun at Gangchon Rail Park.

To see other places to visit, maps, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Chuncheon tour itinerary maker tool.

Traveling by car from Seoul to Chuncheon takes 1.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a subway. In December, daily temperatures in Chuncheon can reach 3°C, while at night they dip to -5°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 9th (Wed) early enough to drive to Sokcho.

Tourism in Sokcho mostly revolves around the local national park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Kick off your visit on the 10th (Thu): explore the striking landscape of Seoraksan National Park. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 11th (Fri): take in panoramic vistas at Sokcho Lighthouse Observatory, take in the natural beauty of Cheoksan Foot Spa Park, then get outside with Biryong Falls, then head outdoors with Osaek Jujeongol Valley, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Cheonjin Beach.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, photos, and other tourist information, you can read our Sokcho trip itinerary planner.

Drive from Chuncheon to Sokcho in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. Finish your sightseeing early on the 11th (Fri) so you can travel to Donghae.

On the 12th (Sat), explore the fascinating underground world of Hwanseongul Cave, then admire the verdant scenery at Mureung Valley, and then don't miss a visit to Donghae City Suhyup Seafood Distribution Center. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 13th (Sun): get outside with Mangsang Beac, then explore the fascinating underground world of Cheongok Cave, and then kick back and relax at Chuam Beach.

To find maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, read Donghae trip builder tool.

Explore your travel options from Sokcho to Donghae with the Route module. Finish your sightseeing early on the 13th (Sun) to allow enough time to travel to Gyeongju.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in the Republic of Korea, Gyeongju combines a rich cultural heritage with mountain and coastal scenery.

Kick off your visit on the 14th (Mon): explore the activities along Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, then identify plant and animal life at Gyeongju Bird Park, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Bulguksa Temple, and finally get to know the fascinating history of Tongiljeon. On the 15th (Tue), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: examine the collection at Gyeongju National Museum, then appreciate the history behind Seokguram, and then contemplate the long history of Cheonmachong Tomb.

To find photos, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Gyeongju online travel route planner.

Explore your travel options from Donghae to Gyeongju with the Route module. In December in Gyeongju, expect temperatures between 3°C during the day and 0°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 15th (Tue) early enough to go by car to Gwangju.

Gwangju is the sixth largest city in South Korea. On the 16th (Wed), explore the wealth of natural beauty at Mudeungsan National Park, take in the spiritual surroundings of Mudeungsan Jeungsimsa Temple, and then make a trip to Yangnim-dong History & Culture Village. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: get into the urban bustle at Asia Culture Center, then head outdoors with Soswaewon, and then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Unjusa.

For other places to visit, traveler tips, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Gwangju sightseeing planning tool.

Traveling by car from Gyeongju to Gwangju takes 3.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus; or fly. In December, daily temperatures in Gwangju can reach 1°C, while at night they dip to 0°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Thu) to allow time to travel to Buan-gun.

Change things up with these side-trips from Buan-gun: Naejangsan National Park (in Sunchang-gun) and Gochang-gun (Seonunsa Temple & Gochangeupseong Fortress).

To see maps, more things to do, and tourist information, read our Buan-gun trip planner.

Explore your travel options from Gwangju to Buan-gun with the Route module. Expect somewhat warmer weather when traveling from Gwangju in December: highs in Buan-gun hover around 7°C, while lows dip to -1°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 20th (Sun) early enough to travel to Jeju.

The main town on the largest of Korea's islands, Jeju has a volcanic landscape protected by UNESCO.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Jeju: Seogwipo (Gwangchigi Beach & Seongsan Ilchulbong). Spend the 22nd (Tue) wandering through the wild on a nature and wildlife tour. And it doesn't end there: explore the fascinating underground world of Manjanggul Cave, kick back and relax at Woljeongri Beach, get outside with Gwakji Gwamul Beach, and walk around Handam Park.

For other places to visit, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Jeju vacation builder website.

Explore your travel options from Buan-gun to Jeju with the Route module. Cap off your sightseeing on the 26th (Sat) early enough to travel to Busan.

The country's second city, Busan has often been referred to as South Korea's summer capital.

Busan is known for shopping, beaches, and historic sites. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: kick back and relax at Haeundae Beach, get outside with Songjeong Beach, take some stellar pictures from Taejongdae, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Haedong Yonggung Temple.

Before you visit Busan, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

You can fly from Jeju to Busan in 3 hours. Other options are to do a combination of ferry and car; or do a combination of ferry, taxi, and train. December in Busan sees daily highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 31st (Thu) to allow enough time to travel back home.