DMZ: Panmunjeom, 50km (31 miles) north of Seoul, is the joint security area in the heavily guarded Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), a buffer between North and South Korea since 1953. Curious visitors walk through UN exhibitions, gaze at North Korean soldiers just paces away and even walk through the infiltration tunnel on this unique day-long bus tour (tel: (02) 399 2700; website: www.tourdmz.com).

Temple Stay: Zen meditation, chanting, communal meals, community work and the traditional tea ceremony can be experienced in a Buddhist Temple Stay on the cities outskirts (tel: (02) 732 9925; website: www.templestaykorea.com). Stays range from half a day to four days and can include learning traditional crafts or Buddhist martial arts.