Dangling off East Asia like a giant dewdrop, South Korea is a pleasingly underexplored mix of pine-clad mountains, misty archipelagos and rice paddies of emerald green, interspersed with urban pockets of incomparable joie de vivre. Surrounded by the global powerhouses of China, Japan and Russia, South Korea is turning into a little powerhouse of its own, and its traditions and customs have largely survived intact through troubled times.

South Korea’s cities are a pulsating feast of eye-searing neon, feverish activity and round-the-clock business. Here you can shop till you drop at markets that never close, feast on eye-wateringly spicy food, get giddy on a bottle or two of soju, then sweat out the day’s exertions at a night-time sauna. However, set foot outside the urban centres and your mere presence will cause quite a stir – in the remote rural areas life continues much as it did before the “Economics Miracle” of the 1970s, and pockets of islands exist where few foreigners have ever set foot.

South Korea’s compact size and superb transport infrastructure mean that tranquillity is achievable within an hour of the urban sprawl. Hike to the peaks of craggy mountains enclosed by densely forested national parks. Sail to remote islands, where farming and fishing folk welcome you into their homes. Sample the serenity of a Buddhist temple retreat. But rest assured – South Korea knows how to rock. There’s almost always a festival or event on, and friendly Koreans are happy to share their culture. For visitors, this highly distinctive culture is an absolute joy to dive into, whether it’s drinking ginseng infusions at a Seoul teahouse, peeking into a temple full of sutra-chanting monks, watching the spectacular ribbon-hatted “farmers’ dance”, or barbecuing galbi meat with new-found friends. If nothing else, your tastebuds will be tingling at the discovery of one of Asia’s most delicious cuisines.

Seoul is a city to be explored all on its own with its efficient subway system that takes you everywhere from Apgujeong to Changdeokgung. Take the high-speed KTX train to Gyeongju to experience South Korea’s historic sites, or visit the beaches of Busan. Smaller towns hold the greatest rewards, such as the gorgeous islands viewed from the cable car atop Tongyeong and the neatly lined shrubs of green tea growing on soft hillsides in Boseong.

The best city experiences are:

Must-visit natural landscapes:

Examples of architecture from all periods of Korea’s history can be discovered across the country. Seoul is particular offers a fascinating hodgepodge of the old and the new with ancient fortress walls, grand palaces and decorative temples within walking distance of charming early-20th century hanok (traditional wooden homes) and dramatic contemporary structures such as Dongdaemun Design Plaza. Korea also offers a spectacular range of arts. Rich, colourful costumes set the scene for passionate traditional pansori operas. Folk dances such as samullori, with its whirling dervish of dances, seamlessly meld the cacophonous and melodic. The country’s cinematic output along with Korean pop (K-pop) and TV operas makes up the hallyu (Korean Wave) of popular culture sweeping across the world.

Don’t miss these hanoks, temples and palaces:

On even a short trip around the country you’re more than likely to stumble across a special event of some sort. Many are religious in nature, with Buddhist celebrations supplemented by Confucian and even animist events. Most festivals are concentrated around springs and autumn, but there are many spread throughout the year. If you’re heading to one, don’t be shy – the locals love to see foreigners joining in with traditional Korean events, and those who dare to get stuck in may finish the day with a whole troupe of new friends.

Top festivals to experience:

It’s not all about kimchi! Let your appetite lead you on a merry banquet around Korea and you’ll be astounded and sated by the range of culinary offerings, much of it unfamiliar outside of the country. Each region of the country has its own specialty, based on the season and what’s grown nearby. Beach towns specialise in hwae (raw fish) and other seafood, such as shellfish hand-caught by women divers in Jeju-do. Gangwon-do is known for its potatoes, Jinju for its bibimbap (mixed rice bowl) and Danyang for its garlic. Grill meat on your table, slurp chewy cold naengmyeon bbang (buckwheat noodles) in the summer or just enjoy some spicy boong-uh-bbang (goldfish cookies) from a street vendor.

The best food & drink experiences: