By Michelin has recently released a guide that lists what they think are the top tourist attractions in Korea, many of these should be easily recognizable by most Korea watchers:
Michelin has revealed its selection of recommended tourist attractions in Korea, which will appear in the Michelin Green Guide Korea, set to be released in France on May 17.
On Michelin’s 3-star list (3 being the highest rating) are Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace and Bukchon Hanok Village in Seoul and the Daereungwon Tomb Complex (twenty-three ancient tombs of the Silla Dynasty) in the historic city of Gyeongju. Other top 3-star tourist destinations in Korea are Gyeongju Yangdong Village (a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with traditional houses) and Andong Hahoe Village (another UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular travel destination).
Also joining the list of Michelin favorites are: Suncheonman Bay in Suncheon, Jeollanam-do Province (known for its mesmerizing natural landscape), Seonamsa Temple and Songgwangsa Temple (with their long history and valuable cultural heritages), Maisan Provincial Park in Jinan, Jeollabuk-do, andDolmen Museum in Gochang, Jeollabuk-do.
Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon, Gyeongsangnam-do and Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak on Jeju Island were also recommended by Michelin as best travel destinations in Korea.
I have been to every location on the list except for Yangdong Folk Village and the Dolmen Museum. I was glad to see that Maisan made the list because the Buddhist temple there as well as the unusual mountain are quite a scenic location that few international tourists visit. I was surprised that the JSA tour didn’t make the list because a visit there is very popular with international tourists. I was also surprised that Soraksan National Park or Songnisan National Park didn’t make the list either.
She hasn’t seen...
8:40 am on May 17th, 2011 1
Having been to most places on the list, I think they did a good job evaluating for themselves instead of following what Korea thinks are the cool places. The national parks, unfortunately, are difficult for tourists to reach without cars or a guide, and are inconsistent with their signage.
10:30 am on May 17th, 2011 2
Weird. Does Michelin own a stake in Kumho or Hankook tires?
1:44 pm on May 17th, 2011 3
I would have chosen some other places but it sounds like the contributor enjoys hiking and camping out. Those are not everyone’s cup of tea.
1:48 pm on May 17th, 2011 4
Korea is boring without Korean friends and/or family anyway. As are every other country. Who needs a book red or green?
Well, okay, that was a thinly-veiled Hobbit reference; but I am pretty happy with the Korean bits I’ve seen without Michelin’s help. I use their tires; but I trust no tourbooks…
3:26 pm on May 17th, 2011 5
4, You’re correct. Tour books, guide books, reviews,and blogger recommendations all have to be taken with a grain of salt. You never know who was paid what to say this or that.
4:24 pm on May 17th, 2011 6
Well, one could argue that there’s a bit of a mistake in the title. Since the guide covers, apparently, South Korean sites a more appropriate title could been “Corée du Sud”, not just simply “Corée”. But, still, in French we rarely refer to both the Northern and Southern parts as separate entities.
4:39 pm on May 17th, 2011 7
JSA wasn’t mentioned? I’m not so surprised.
I took the trip a few years ago and thought it was a lot of false drama. Passport checks. Dress code. Meh. Best part of the trip was chatting to a JSA guard.
Now, I took a private charter bus trip. Not the USO adventure and I have to say it was a bum ride.
Our English guide seemed bored and provided scant details while the Japanese tourists on the same bus seemed to get a much more infomation filled ride.
I wouldn’t recommend it to friends coming over.
On the bright side, Hahoe Village is a great destination.