When compared to economic and cultural giants like China and Japan, Korea is usually placed in the background. While the Northeast Asian nation is known for its divided state and perhaps for hosting the 1988 Olympics, it was not until recently that Korean culture gained notice.

Around Asia, Korean pop culture is well known. Soap operas like the popular Winter Sonata, are dubbed and exported throughout Asia. Korean pop stars perform throughout the region. In the cinema, directors like Kim Il-Duc (most famous for directing the art-house hits Three-Iron and Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring. have gained acclaim the world over. On the travel circuit, however, Korea is infrequently considered a destination.

Most of Korea has hot summers and cold winters. Spring and fall are good times to visit in order to avoid these extremes.

The Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea is still one of the most heavily fortified places in the world; even though the war between the two Koreas ended more than 50 years ago. The communist North does not allow many visitors and is closed to most foreigners in general. U.S. and South Korean troops patrol the border areas. Tours of the DMZ are expensive, but guaranteed to be like anywhere else in the world.

Korea is a place of great natural beauty. Soraksan Park is a good place to view the scenic mountains that are a trademark of Korea. Many Koreans and foreign tourists consider the park one of the countries main tourist attractions. Therefore, accommodations and transportation are not difficult to arrange.

Kimchi is perhaps Korea’s best known food. It is spicy pickled cabbage (though other vegetables are sometimes used). Kimchi accompanies most meals in Korea, and can be difficult for visitors to eat at first because of its pungency and spiciness. Korea is also known for its barbecues. Bulgogi, for example, is a marinated beef cooked on a small, tabletop grill. Meat or seafood are used at every meal. Even if some aspects of Korean cuisine are difficult to acquire a taste for, every meal is hearty and there is enough diversity in the dishes that anyone but the pickiest will find something that they like.

Beaches like Haeundae Beach are best visited during the summer months. This beach, near Pusan on the southern coast, gets crowded during July and August. There are numerous seafood restaurants and shopping venues along the beach road.

Korea is a mainly buddhist country. Visiting some of the temples can be interesting. Many of the temples in the countryside are secluded and surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery Korea has to offer.

Seoul, Korea’s capital and largest city, has lots to offer, including museums, markets, and a vibrant music scene.

While it seems unknown relative to neighboring China and Japan, Korea offers interesting and beautiful sights and a culture that is unique in more ways than one.