PROVINCES
Best Things to do in all Provinces in South Korea!
Don't fret if the restlessness of Seoul or South Korea's other major cities ever feel draining. Despite it's seemingly limited size, there's a plethora of sites to visit and things to do across the peninsula. We're going to break down some of the essential trips to make while visiting Korea's nine respective provinces.Gangwon-do
A coastal and mountainous haven, Gangwon-do is most known for its national parks, beautiful beaches, and winter sports.National Parks
Gangwaon-do is blessed with some of the country's most beautiful mountains. Seoraksan, Chiaksan, and Odaesan make up just some of what this province has to offer for the hungry hiker.Winter Sports
There's a good reason the 2018 Winter Olympics were being held in Gangwon-do. Pyeongchang, Gangneung, and Jeongseon are the three locations to hold Olympic events and are home to the country's most lavish ski resorts.Beaches
Come New Year, Koreans flock to Gangwon-do's beaches for their breathtaking sunsets. Gyeongpo Beach, the largest beach on the east coast, and Jeongdongjin Beach make up two of the most visited coastal locations in the province. Just outside Seoraksan National Park you can find Sokcho city, a great place to vacate yourself while visiting the national park.Gyeonggi-do
Gyeonggi-do is often overshadowed by its central city of Seoul. The province, however, is home to a large variety of tourist sites and cultural landmarks.Heritage
Suwon's Hwaseong Fortress is Korea's largest fortress and echoes with Korean history within its walls. If you're looking for a real taste of where Korea's heritage came from, the Korean Folk Village is a must see. Introducing traditional culture from the late Joseon period, the folk village offers classes detailing the lifestyle and practices from the region's historical residents.Fun and Thrills
Two of Korea's largest theme parks, Seoul Land and Everland, are also stationed in Gyeonggi-do. Korea's largest theme park, Everland, was made for true thrill seekers. Bring some decent walking shoes because the park is huge and you probably won't get through the whole thing in one day.Gyeonggi-do is also home to the DMZ, one of Korea's most interesting and visited sites. If you come on a bad week between inter-peninsula relations, you may not be able to check out the Joint Security Area where you can actually step into North Korea. Regardless, there are some cool historic sites, military tunnels, and views into one of the most divided regions in modern history.
Chungcheongbuk-do
Chungcheonbuk-do is Korea's most central province and is the only land-locked province in the country.Nature
Chungcheongbuk is all about nature. Woraksan and Sobaeksan Mountains, Daecheongho and Chungjuho Lakes, as well as Gosu and Cheondong Caves make up some of the country's most remarkable landsites. Beopjusa, in Songnisan National Park, houses one of the oldest temples in Korea and resides under Mt. Songni, one of the countries largest mountains.As a central location, Chungcheongbuk-do is reachable from any stretch of the country, making a great day trip for any circumstance.
Chungcheongnam-do
Mostly composed of plains, Chungcheongnam-do (South Chungcheongnam), is a vital transportation region connecting a number of railways and highways. Most major cities, including Seoul, connect through the province.Regional Sites
Gyeryongsan National Park, the Independence Hall of Korea, and Hyeonchungsa Temple, are some of the top coast land sites, giving a nice mix of natural and historic attractions.Mud Festival
One of Korea's most visited festivals, the mud festival takes place in Boryeong. The mud festival provides a spring break vibe with its crowded beaches, beer-breathed pedestrians, and live music. Surely one of the biggest parties of the year, Boryeong will impress any party-going first timers.Gyeongsangbuk-do
Gyongansgbuk-do is South Korea's cultural archive province. Streaming with a plethora of natural sites and beach side views, the province is also a library to heritage sites, fascinating temples, rock-carved Buddhas and tombs, and ancient pagodas. It's closest city is Daegu, a vibrant, neon-drenched mega-city famous for its herb markets.Culture
Haein-sa is a must see site with relics you can't find anywhere else in the country is. Home to 1,000 year old wooden tablets inscribed with sacred Buddhist texts, Haein-sa is among the most authentic and unique cultural sites Korea has to offer.Andong city is a great place for trying some of the country's strongest soju, delicious mackerel, and is a solid home base to venture off to surrounding cultural and historic sites. It would also be a cultural crime not to visit Gyeongju, “the museum without walls” as its known in Korea. It holds more tombs, temples, Buddhist carvings, and pagodas than anywhere else in Korea.
Nature
Juwangsan National Park, East of Andong, is immersed with beautiful limestone pinnacles like you won't find anywhere else in Korea. Its suffused with stunning waterfalls, gorges, and cliff walks that provide the chance, with good fortune, to spot a Eurasian flying squirrel.Don't miss the provincial parks, some lying just outside of Daegu, that provide sprawling, mountainous views with brilliant shrubbery and towering peaks.
Gyeongsangnam-do
Gyeongsangnam-do highlights two of Korea's most endearing qualities: its innovative and modern edge, and its preservation and constant awareness of the heritage and culture from which it came. With Busan providing both breathtaking natural sites as well as one of the world's largest department stores and an industrial foundation to match any seaside metropolis.Busan
Home to some of the best surf, seafood, and beaches in the country, Busan is a must city for anyone visiting the country. Check out the GOODLIFE city reviews for a full look at what Busan has to offer.Islands and Beaches
Geoje Island and Namhae Island are two very memorable places that offer two very different experiences. Namhae is a more minimal, natural, and untouched region. Famous for its garlic and rice fields, the ride around this island is arguable one of the most scenic routes in Korea. Its beaches, engulfed by hillsides, have semblances of something you'd find in South East Asia. There's also a German Village that has some of the best sausage, German beer, and sports an Octoberfest that, if anything, allows a vicarious if not quirky experience for the yearly event.Geoje provides some awe inspiring views of its own but is also famous for its massive shipbuilding industry. The coastal scenery shifts between industrial and serene, and it offers a downtown area specially catered to foreigners with a range of bars and western styled
restaurants.
Don't forget Jirisan, Tongyeong, or Jinju to catch up on your hiking, island hopping, and cultural havens.
Jeollabuk-do
Jeollabuk-do is all things culture, food, and hiking. This small, but impressively dense region is known for its preservation of Korean traditional homes, agricultural heartland, and delicious array of Korean cuisine.Jeonju
Jeonju is a charming, often missed destination that has established itself as the country's capital of Korean cuisine. Often known for its hearty Bibimbap (assorted vegetables and meat with rice), Jeonju also has some of the best Gukbab (rice soup often served with meat and vegetables), Makgeolli (a sweet, rice-based alcoholic beverage) and rice cakes to top off your meals.You can also find one of Korea's most visited sites in Jeonju, especially among Korean natives, the Hanok Village. It houses hundreds of traditional Korean style homes, an array of delicious street foods, and cultural delights ranging from cultural tours to archery and traditional Korean games.
Parks
If you're looking to burn some of the calories you put on in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do provides a large choice of national and provincial park. Muju National Park is one of the most visited and scenic parks, and mountains, on the peninsula. You can enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the winter, fishing in the warmer seasons, and departing on breathtaking hikes all year round.Gochang, Naejangsan National Park, and Daedunsan all provide different natural experiences for different times of the year.
Gochang has worthwhile natural sites in its own respect, but additionally provides the gateway to Seonun-sa temple. Naejangsan is one of the region's best hiking spots and evinces a brilliant display of leaves in the fall. And Daedunsan is the landing point for a number or towering peaks and craggy cliff sides.
Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do, one of the least developed and greenest provinces in Korea. It's the nation's agriculture center and carries a rich history of culture, tradition, and rebellion. This province provides a number of things to do and see, most of which come in the form of coastal cities, natural wonders, hundreds of islands, and delicious Korean food.Natural Sites
Suncheon Bay is a wetland showered in reeds and divided by a river that leads out of the peninsula. During the fall season, its beautiful sights are highlighted with the reeds festival and bird watching events that commence during the migration period. It's great to visit anytime of year and has one of the most stunning sunsets you'll find anywhere in Asia.Yeosu is near Suncheon, just an hour south of Gwangju, and is home to some of Korea's most unique and beautiful beaches. The clear air, rolling hills, and blue ocean side makes an ideal coastal visit beyond Busan, Jeju, and other famous seaside regions.
Boseong is among the most scenic and beautiful places in Korea. Famous as being Korea's largest producer of green tea, visitors can get an up close look at the descending levels of green tea fields. Simple trails are strewn throughout the hillsides, and with a cone of some of the world's best green tea ice-cream, there's very little to match this outdoor day trip.
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