More and more people are attracted to South Korea thanks to its culture and entertainment exports. But like other East Asian countries, the country is also known as the Land of the Morning Calm is rich in history and tradition worth exploring.

If you’re looking to visit historical sites, you couldn’t go wrong with South Korea. Here are the historical sites we recommend you visit on your next tour of the country!

Sinheungsa Temple is a historic site you can visit on Mount Seorak. Build in the 7th century, this Zen Buddhist temple has been destroyed by fire five times between 699 until 1645. The last restoration was done in 1648.

Located in Seoraksan National Park, Sinheungsa Temple is one of the stops tourists can visit as they climb to the top of the mountain. Inside the temple complex, you can see a bronze statue of Buddha as tall as 14.6 meters.

Build in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also known as the Northern Palace because it is located on the northside of Seoul. Among the five palaces in the city, Gyeongbokgun is the largest and arguably the most beautiful one.

Although it had been damaged by war, Gyeongbokgung Palace still holds a number of relics from the Joseon Dynasty. Meanwhile, some of the sites you can still see there now include the Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and the Hyangwonjeong pond.

Changdeokgung was the second royal villa built after Gyeongbokgung in 1405. It became the principal palace for many of the Joseon Dynasty kings. Unfortunately, in 1592, Changdeokgung was burned down by angry citizens who were disappointed by the royal family after they fled during Japan’s invasion.

The palace was later repaired in 1611 and became Joseon Dynasty's most preserved palace. It has also been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sits alongside western-style buildings, Deoksugung Palace adds a touch of uniqueness to Seoul's busiest downtown intersection. Build in the 15th century, this castle was the temporary residence for the kings of the Joseon Dynasty and has several historical halls.

The first one is Junghwajeon, which was the nation’s center of politics during the Korean Empire. Then, there’s Jeonggwanheon that has several secret passageways and Seokjojeon which is used to exhibit the royal treasures.

Designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, Hwaseong Fortress has a wall that extends as far as 5.52 kilometers and various military facilities. Build in the 17th century, this fortress had suffered heavy damage due to war. In fact, there are still some areas that cannot be repaired.

Today, Hwaseong Fortress is home to a number of cultural events and performances, including the Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival which is held during spring.