Korea has been invaded about a gazillion times and this is the best place to learn about its troubled history, especially its relationships with its near neighbors. Though it calls itself a war memorial, this is really a huge military history museum ($3 admission), with tanks, planes and guns on display. Given that the peninsula is still technically at war with North Korea, this place seems very relevant. Take subway line 4 to Samgakji Station.

• 1. The War Memorial of Korea
  8 Yongsan-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, South Korea 140-021; 82-(0)2-709-3139 warmemo.or.kr