Gyeonggi-do (경기도)
What to see in Gyeonggi-do. Top things to do in Gyeonggi-do. Where to go in Gyeonggi-do and the tips and tricks to make travel there amazing. (경기도에서 볼거리. 경기도에서 해야 할 일들. 경기도 어디를 가야하는지, 그리고 그곳의 여행을 놀랍게 만들 수 있는 요령과 요령들.)
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Wonimisan is a Magical Mountain of Azaleas South of Seoul
Cherry blossoms aren’t the only early spring blooms to burst forth each year in Korea and some of the other blooms are really magical. Azaleas (진달래) are just beautiful and you can see them in numbers on the Wonmisan mountainside (원미산) just south of Seoul in Bucheon. Looking for a mountainside of flowers this spring in Korea? Here is where to go. Plan your trip to see azaleas this spring in Korea: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank you for your support.) How To Get There Address: 21-1san, Chunui-dong, Bucheon, Gyeonggi-do…
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Koo House: A Gapyeong Museum of Art & Design
There are some pretty cool things to do in Gapyeong just east of Seoul, but some get a bit more attention than others. The next time you take a trip to Gapyeong, bypass some of the more popular touristy destinations and find the hidden gems the locals check out. Koo House Art Museum is one of those gems that is a fun stop for everyone and something a bit artsy to see. It’s fun. It’s colorful. It’s a great daytrip option. Plan a trip to Gapyeong that includes Koo House Art Museum: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
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The Coolest Culture Space In Korea Is In A Cave In Gwangmyeong
In the summer we were studying rocks and lava and decided to take a field trip south to Gwangmyeong Cave, or Gwangmyeongdonggul, (광명동굴). When Seoul starts to get too hot and humid to bear, take a trip here. The interior of the cave has a dramatic temperature difference from the outside and you can fill it literally as soon as you take one step in the entrance. Visiting is a really cool thing to do near Seoul… literally. Once a mine, today, it is the largest themed cave park in Korea. Plan your visit to Gwangmyeong Cave: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of…
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The Latin American Museum To Visit Near Seoul
We have started homeschooling and with that comes the hunt for educational and fun things to do. An advantage of living here in Seoul means there are a ton of awesome museums and centers to visit to learn and have fun. Recently, I stumbled upon the Latin American Cultural Center-Museum (중남미문화원 병설 박물관) in Goyang and was surprised because there wasn’t much information online but it seemed right up our alley. Off we went. There are so many cool things to do with kids in and around Seoul but so much of it isn’t really promoted to foreigners so here is the info if you’re interesting in adding another great…
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Bucheon EcoPark: A Fun Thing To Do With Kids In Korea
Ever on the lookout for parks, gardens and outdoor spaces near Seoul, I drove by Bucheon EcoPark (부천자연생태공원) some time ago as I was on the way to see the beautiful azaleas that cover Wonmisan Mountain in the spring and made sure to mark it on our map for another trip to Bucheon. Bucheon has some really interesting things to see, with or without kids, like the B39 Art and Culture Space and there’s also an aquarium in Bucheon to check out. For this trip though, we were ready to get outside, see some bugs, some flowers, and enjoy the scenery and the Bucheon EcoPark was great for that. Looking…
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The Gimpo Sculpture Park: A Fun Thing To Do Near Seoul
Always on the lookout for nature and artistic spots, seeing anything on that map that possibly melds the two becomes a must-see for me. After visiting the beautiful Anyang Art Park down south, I began searching for other art parks around Seoul and Korea to see what else there was to find and the nearby Gimpo Sculpture Park (김포조각공원) came onto my radar. I haven’t spent a lot of time in Gimpo and generally just pass through as I’m headed to the Gimpo Airport bound or other spots but there are some great things to do in Gimpo and it’s an easy area to get to if you’re still looking…
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Sansawon Museum & Baesangmyeon Brewery: The Hanok To See & Try Traditional Korean Liquor
Just northeast of Seoul in Pocheon is one of the most beautiful and also traditional Korean liquor breweries you can find in Korea. Sansawon (전통술박물관 산사원) is a museum and tasting room just next to a beautiful brewery called Baesang,yeon (배상면주가) that features traditional onggi pots, those giant brown earthenware pots you see around Korea, that create a maze to wind through before ending up at a beautiful Hanok building and pavilion where you can laze away the afternoon. I’d heard of Sansawon a few times over the years and was intrigued by the pictures but just never found the time to get up there… until recently. Want to take…
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The Majang Suspension Bridge & The Cafes To Visit There Too!
There are so many things to do in Paju, an area just northwest of Seoul in the Gyeonggi-do province and visiting Majang Lake is definitely one of them. Majang Lake was probably not on most peoples’ radar until a couple years ago when the longest suspension bridge in Korea was opened. This beautiful suspension bridge spans the water from what forested side to another that features an observatory. There are numerous gorgeous cafes and restaurants to stop into too. It’s a great area to take a day trip from Seoul and it’s pretty easy to get to as well. Looking for something to do this weekend? This is the spot…
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B39 In Bucheon: The Art & Culture Space To Check Out
I LOVE checking out how older factories are being given new life as cafes or restaurants and seeing how old military bunkers in Korea are being given new life as culture spaces for local communities. The new art and culture spaces that are being given back to the community are really intriguing and are definitely great places to see in Seoul and its suburbs. This city is always adapting and changing and as factories close, something else must take their place. Recently, we visited Bucheon, a suburb of Seoul in Gyeonggi-do and stopped into the Bucheon Art Bunker B39 (부천아트벙커 B39). Just opened in 2018, it took an old garbage…
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Jangheung: The Secret & Wonderful Place To Take Kids North Of Seoul
On the way up to Majang Lake one time, I took a road through Jangheung and saw lots of colorful facades, interesting signs for art spaces and places, and gardens and so it was put on the list for the next trip out. We’ve since been to this area at least three times and we love it. If you’re looking to take an adventure with your kiddos and want to find a best kept secret, this is the area to go. It’s fun and full of hidden gems. Plenty more that we haven’t yet visited. Here are some great things to do in Jangheung. Also note, this is Jangheung-eub in…
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Petite France: How To Get There From Seoul & What To Do There
Petite France (쁘띠프랑스) is one of those popular spots for tourists to get away to when they head out of Seoul. It’s in Gapyeong, an area that has a lot to do so it’s a great area to take a day trip from Seoul to see not one, but multiple fun things. From gardens and parks with light festivals to farms, islands, and unique villages, there’s a ton to do in the area. So, it’s no wonder there are tours that head out there daily and often include a stop at Petite France. Petite France is one of those Instagrammable hot spots to the east of Seoul in Korea that…
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The Coolest Rest Stop In Korea Has An Illumination Theme Park
I’ve been in Korea for thirteen years and been driving for six of them. I’ve been on buses that pulled off at rest stops and pulled off at many on my own road trips and up until this month, I didn’t know there could even be a “cool” rest stop, but there is. Generally, rest stops in Korea feature a large cafeteria space with tables and chairs to eat food from one of multiple fast options. There is a convenience store and large bathrooms. There are also a few coffee shops too, but that’s about it and that’s pretty standard. You don’t really need much more out of a rest…
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Daytrips From Seoul: Oido Island & Daebudo Island
There is more to Korea than Seoul and so often people just miss it. Did you know there are islands just off the west coast and some are even accessible via the Seoul subway system? We took a day trip down to Oido Island and Daebudo Island and it definitely reminded me that I need to get out that way more. Want to take a trip outside of Seoul for the day or the whole weekend? There are awesome islands to visit like Yeongjongdo Island and Ganghwado Island to name a couple and here are two more spots to look into. You won’t be sorry. From ocean blues and salty…
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Pocheon: What To See & What To Do Northeast Of Seoul
Pocheon is an area that sits to the northeast of Seoul in the Gyeonggi province. Last summer, I headed northeast to visit the beautiful flowery fields of Nari Park which is just south of the Pocheon area. It was an invitation to explore more in that region this year. Here are some places in Pocheon that are must sees and for those K-drama addicted among us, quite a few recognizable dramas have been filmed in these places, so enjoy! Want a day trip option from Seoul? This is a great area to explore with numerous nature spots and artistic finds too. I’ve got you covered if you’re looking for places…
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Camp Greaves: An Abandoned Military Base With An Artistic Future In The Korean DMZ
The DMZ has never been calling to me so much as it has this year. I didn’t visit the area for most of the past decade living in Korea and somehow have been quite a few times in just mere months. Here’s the thing, I like authentic historical sites and have never been interested in the touristy/photo zone spots and somehow the DMZ mingles between both. It’s an odd thing for me to go someplace that has so much meaning for separated families and people that fought here, then to see an amusement park and photo zones really throws me. Some areas along the line are worth the trip and…
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Herb Village: Lavender Fields & Waterfalls Near Seoul
Searching for flower fields in Korea has become somewhat of a hobby of mine. There are flowers everywhere but seeing an entire mountainside covered in azaleas, a field of tulips or the gorgeous fields of Nari Park in the autumn is just breathtaking. This year, I was on the hunt for lavender fields in Korea. There’s a lavender farm in the northeast of Korea that I’ve had on my list for some time to go see. The only problem is that it’s not the easiest place to get to, it’s a bit far and while beautiful, requires just a bit more planning. That’s all good and fine, and I will likely…