These 16 UNESCO-listed sites are true cultural and natural gems to visit in South Korea

Juhamnu Pavilion(Secret Garden) of the Changdeokgung Palace

From the lava tunnels of Jeju Island to the ancestral ceremonies of the Jongmyo sanctuary, these 16 UNESCO-listed sites showcase the rich heritage of South Korea, where traditions, natural treasures and architectural innovations have existed side by side for thousands of years.

How many sites and monuments in South Korea are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

South Korea currently has 16 UNESCO World Heritage sites, either a cultural or natural site. There are 14 cultural sites, such as temples, palaces and traditional villages, which bear witness to the country's history and dynasties. The remaining two are areas of preserved nature, including the volcanic island of Jeju, listed for their scenic beauty and ecological value.

Which locations in South Korea are UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

The temple of Haeinsa Janggyeong Panjeon, guardian of the Tripitaka Koreana

It is one of the Republic of Korea's most important treasures: in the Gayasan mountains, the Haeinsa temple preserves the complete collection of Buddhist writings from the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392), engraved on some 80,000 wooden tablets in the 13^th century. This collection, known as the Tripitaka Koreana, is carefully preserved in the Janggyeong Panjeon, a 15^th-century building with some creative feats of engineering, such natural ventilation techniques which provide a level of climate control to protect the tablets from humidity and heat.

The Jongmyo sanctuary, a tribute to the kings of the Joseon dynasty

In the heart of Seoul, the Korean capital, the Jongmyo sanctuary was built in the 14^th century to honour the spirits of the kings of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). Built according to the principles of Confucius, the site is characterised by its architectural simplicity, designed to blend in with the surrounding nature. Every year, the ancestral Jongmyo Jerye ceremony perpetuates an age-old tradition; this ritual of singing and dancing is listed as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.

Seokguram cave and Bulguksa temple, Buddhist treasures of Gyeongju

Nestled in the mountains of Tohamsan, on the east coast of the Republic of Korea, the Seokguram cave and Bulguksa temple are one of the rare last testimonies to the golden age of Korean Buddhism, dating back to the 8^th century. The cave, a veritable treasure of cave art, houses a majestic statue of the Buddha, while the Bulguksa temple is full of captivating stone pagodas, delicate sculptures and bridges, symbols of the path to nirvana and enlightenment.

Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul's imperial jewel

The early centuries of the Joseon dynasty saw the construction of sumptuous palaces, and this is clearly one of them! Built in the early 15^th century, Changdeokgung Palace is one of Seoul's five royal residences, amidst 45 hectares of wooded parkland. Designed to blend in with the surrounding landscape, the garden expresses the Confucian balance between man and nature. The palace, a very well preserved two-storey wooden pavilion, was the seat of royal power several times during the Joseon dynasty.

The Hwaseong fortress, a symbol of innovation in the Joseon kingdom

Built between 1794 and 1796 in Suwon, some thirty kilometres from Seoul, the Hwaseong fortress, considered to be one of the most beautiful in Asia, marks a turning point in Korean military engineering. For the first time in Korea, this defensive masterpiece combined Eastern and Western fortification techniques, with almost six kilometres of walls adorned with monumental gates, watchtowers and pavilions.

The getbol, Korea's tidal flats, and their preserved ecosystems

Located in the west and south of the Korean peninsula, the four UNESCO-listed getbol are coastal mudflats renowned for their precious biodiversity and unique salt marshes. These wetlands have been maintained by generations of fishermen and farmers who, for several centuries, have worked the land and sailed these waters treating nature with the respect it deserves. Even today, these four areas provide a crucial habitat for migratory birds and other threatened species.

The dolmens of Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa, standing stones from the Bronze Age

South Korea has one of the highest concentrations of dolmen standing stones in the world, with some 35,000 listed on its territory alone. The most remarkable of these are stand at the Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa sites on the country's east coast: dating from around a thousand years BC and on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 2000, these are standing proof of the ingenuity of ancient civilisations, who managed to transport and erect these massive stone blocks with raw muscle and creativity, without the aid of modern technology: the largest are 6 metres high and weigh around 30 tonnes!

The tumuli of Gaya, royal tombs of the ancient Gaya Confederacy

All across the south of the Republic of Korea, the Gaya tumuli create a striking visual: round, even funerary mounds in the heart of a verdant, mountainous environment. These seven complexes, each comprising around ten tumuli, date back to the Gaya Confederation, one of the peninsula's main kingdoms during the War of the Three Kingdoms era (42-562). The burial mounds contain a large number of funerary objects - weapons, pottery and jewellery.

Seowon, neo-Confucian academies and Joseon centres of learning

The nine seowon were private educational institutions founded between the 16^th and 17^th centuries to teach the precepts of Confucian doctrine to the progeny of the elite class. Far removed from urban centres up in the heart of the Korean mountains, these places were created encouraged meditation and rigorous study. The architecture, minimalist and elegant, is also designed to inspire the minds of students... and even visitors!

The historic areas of Gyeongju, capital of the Silla kingdom

Called the “museum without walls,” Gyeongju was the capital of the Kingdom of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 57 BC to 935 AD. Today, the former royal city is one of the most visited places in the country, and with good reason: it is a collection of temples, palaces, pagodas and royal tombs, hidden away in a preserved natural setting. These structures bear witness to the city's cultural, religious and artistic development that occurred over almost a millennia. The Cheomseongdae observatory, the oldest in Asia, is a reminder of the kingdom's interest in science and astronomy.

Namhansanseong, a mountain stronghold of the Joseon resistance

Located in the mountains to the south-east of Seoul, the Namhansanseong fortress has served as a royal refuge against invasions since the 17^th century. The stronghold’s defensive layout follows the natural curves of the land and surrounds Buddhist temples, military pavilions and royal residences, testifying to the site’s strategic importance in Korean military history.

The volcanic island and lava tunnels of Jeju, one of Korea's natural wonders

This is quite an eye-catching geological and plant spectacle! With its perfectly designed crater rising to 1,950 metres, its endless lava tunnels, its volcanic caves and curious mineral formations, Jeju Island is one of the most beautiful spots on the Korean coast. On the island, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007, there are several hiking trails letting you witness the biodiversity of the rainforests, the majesty of the Jusangjeolli cliffs and the glorious roaring displays of the Cheonjiyeon waterfalls. Enjoy them all!

The royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty, the final resting place of the sovereigns

Scattered all around Seoul, the 40 royal tombs of the Joseon dynasty, dating from the 14^th to the 19^th century, mark the transition between life and the afterlife according to Confucian precepts. Each has been laid out according to the principles of pungsu, Korean feng shui, blending into carefully selected natural landscapes to ensure spiritual harmony. The funeral structures, with their grassy mounds, sacrificial altars and guardian statues, are a reminder how important ancestors are in Korean society.

The historic villages of Hahoe and Yangdong, a reminder of Joseon aristocratic life

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2010, Hahoe and Yangdong are two of the country's most beautiful villages. These two traditional villages, founded in the 14^th and 15^th centuries, are almost completely surrounded by trees and flowers, and offer a rare glimpse into the lifestyle of the Korean aristocracy: remarkably well-preserved wooden houses, elegant mansions with flared roofs, picturesque hillside gardens... Everything here tells of a past when nature and tradition coexisted in perfect harmony.

The historic areas of Baekje, the legacy of a vanished kingdom

In the mountains in the centre of the country, the sites of Gongju, Buyeo and Iksan are the last preserved remains of the Baekje kingdom (18 BC - 660 AD), which made a major contribution to the spread of Buddhist culture across East Asia. This group of eight World Heritage sites includes the Mireuksa temple, several fortresses and royal tombs. Chinese and Japanese cultural influences are evident in the numerous artefacts and impressive structures.

Sansa, the mountain Buddhist monasteries, spiritual retreats in Korea

Founded between the 7^th and 9^th centuries, the seven Sansa monasteries are spiritual retreats nestled in the southern mountains of the Korean peninsula. Each site has a madang, an open courtyard surrounded by four richly decorated buildings - a pavilion, a reading room, a dormitory and a hall dedicated to Buddha. These monasteries are sacred places that uphold the daily practice of the Buddhist faith.