Only 4% of the size of China; South Korea lies below the 38th parallel on the Korean peninsula. It is mountainous in the east and in the west and south there are many harbours, quaint bays and offshore islands.

Korea’s history dates back as far as 2333 BC. Surrounded by powerful neighbours, it has come under attack on numerous occasions and over the millennia responded by turning its back on the world and developing its own unique culture in isolation, a fact that keeps tourism levels high.