Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도)
What to see in Gyeongsangnam-do. Top things to do in Gyeongsangnam-do. Where to go in Gyeongsangnam-do and the tips and tricks to make travel there amazing. (경남에서 볼거리. 경상남도에서 해야 할 일들. 경남 어디로 갈지, 그리고 그곳 여행을 기막히게 만드는 요령과 요령들.)
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Sammilsa Temple: What To Find in the Hidden Mountain Hermitage Above Jinhae
You might think Jinhae is just a cherry blossom town. And yes, in the spring it puts on one of the most spectacular floral displays in all of Korea. But nearby above the city in the slopes of Jangboksan Mountain, there’s a quiet little temple that has nothing to do with petals or festivals but it’s worth taking a detour for. Whenever I travel in Korea, I always look up what temples are in the area. Often they sit on nearby mountains with great views and that’s how I found Sammilsa (삼밀사). Not only were the views what pulled me in, but the faces of 500 stone statues beckoned as…
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Tongdosa Temple: The Korean Temple with No Buddha Statue
I’ve heard it said that if you’ve seen on temple in Korea, you’ve seen them all and yet I find that so many of them have history and intrigue far more than people realize. If you’ve visited several Korean Buddhist temples, you may think you know what to expect in the main hall, a large gilded Buddha statue, flanked by attendants, facing the entrance perhaps. At Tongdosa Temple (통도사), Korea’s largest monastic complex, the main hall has no Buddha statue at all however. Surprising isn’t it? Visit and you’ll find a cushion, a window, and beyond the window, a stone altar holding relics of Sakyamuni Buddha himself: a piece of…
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Gimhae Gaya Theme Park Is Fun For Everyone
We head down to Gimhae, Korea for every major Korean holiday to see my Korean in-laws so I’m always looking for things to do in Gimhae and the Gaya Theme Park (김해가야테마파크) was AMAZING! This theme park in Gyeongsangnam-do really has something for everyone from the extreme fun to the cultural (and apparently it’s going to get even better as they’re expanding and building Korea’s largest freshwater aquarium). The great thing about visiting amusement parks in Korea that are off the beaten path and in more rural areas is that you can have a lot more space and you can ride the rides and have the experiences without the lines.…
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Learn About Korean Ceramics At The Clayarch Gimhae Museum
As my in-laws reside in Gimhae, Korea, I’m constantly on the lookout for interesting places to go when we visit them over the holiday periods. On this last trip we found the very interesting Clayarch Gimhae Museum (클레이아크 김해미술관) and the museums that surround it. Gimhae is a city with a long tradition in crafts like Gaya pottery and Buncheong ware that was produced during the Joseon Dynasty and so the region today has created a thriving creative industry for visitors to learn more, see more, and create more. There are some really interesting things to do in Gimhae if you happen to be in the area. If you’re planning…
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Guide To Gimhae: The Historic Places, Spaces & Fun Things Too!
Have you been to Gimhae, Korea yet? Often overlooked due to its proximity to Busan, this city, also home to the airport nearest Busan, has some cool things to see that I’ve enjoyed as it’s where my Korean in-laws live. Gimhae is relatively easy to get to and if you’re going to Seoul, you can just take a flight from Gimpo. It’s only 50 minutes and is sometimes even cheaper than the train to Busan! From museums to fortress walls and an awesome amusement park, there are a lot of cool things to do in Gimhae. The next time you want to head south, maybe head here. A lot of…
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Geochang, Gyeongsangnam-do: A Guide To This Hidden Gem In Korea
Geochang, Korea is an unassuming area with a lot to share. If you’re looking for a hidden gem in Korea with natural views, a ton of history, and fun things to see, this don’t miss Geochang in Gyeongsangnam-do. Haven’t heard of the area before? Wondering what is there to do in Geochang? If you like mountains and views, then it should be on your radar. Take a trip in South Korea and see what you can see. Plan your trip now. There are plenty of things to do in Geochang and more: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase…
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The Best Kept Secret In Ulsan, Korea is the Taehwagang River Bamboo Forest
The Taehwagang National Garden (태화강 국가정원) is the most beautiful bamboo forest in Korea that I have visited and I have visited a few. When I walked into this gorgeous forest of green bamboo shooting into the sky, I remember wondering why I’d never heard of it. The Damyang Bamboo Forest is known far and wide in Korea and yet, there are other bamboo forests. There’s even a bamboo forest I visited on Geoje Island near Busan that is really off the beaten path too. Suffice to say, this bamboo forest in particular is a stunner… a massive stunner. If you haven’t visited Ulsan, Korea, it’s definitely time and when…
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An Amazing Bamboo Forest on Geoje Island
On a recent trip to Geoje Island in Korea for a business meeting, my host took me to a bamboo theme park or the Maengjongjuk Theme Park (맹종죽테마파크). I was pleasantly surprised when we came upon the natural 90,000 square meter bamboo forest on the side of a hill. If you’re looking to enjoy the beautiful nature of Geoje Island, definitely check out this bamboo forest. Get ready to find this bamboo forest on Geoje Island in Korea: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking. Thank you for your support.) Basic Info Address: 700 Geojebuk-ro, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do…
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Yeonji Park’s Lake in Gimhae
While most people probably don’t head out of Busan to the nearby city of Gimhae unless they’re going to the airport located there, my in-laws live in that ‘burb so I am always on the lookout for places to go around town when my mother-in-law is not trying to fill our bellies. On previous trips, we’d stumbled upon the dilapidated and abandoned Gaya Land Amusement Park, learned about the historical relevance of the area at King Suro’s Tomb and enjoyed Dongrimsa and Eunhasa Buddhist temples located nearby. While there for Chuseok this past weekend, we decided to find a park so that the little one could enjoy some swings and…
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Gaya Land: Abandoned to Revived Amusement Park in Korea
Just a short walk from my in-laws house, I spotted a Ferris wheel and never one to pass up a good view we headed in the direction only to find ourselves at an abandoned amusement park. I have never been one to enter places where entrance is clearly not permitted, but this was different. The front entrance wasn’t fenced off in any way and the signage didn’t make it sound too serious if we did enter. Down in Gimhae, Korea, you can find some great places to explore that are lively and fun like the Gimhae Gaya Theme Park and the ClayArch Ceramics Museum, but there are also some derelict…
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Oedo Island: How To Get There From Geoje & What To See
There are some pretty amazing islands to visit around Korea like Nami Island and Ulleung-do Island and Oedo Botanica is another one of them. Oedo Island is the first island in Korea to be owned and developed privately and is a marine botanical garden that is a part of the Hallyeo Maritime National Park. The island is only accessible from nearby Geoje Island which sits off the coast of Busan. If you want to take an adventure in Korea, this is a good place to shoot for. The entire island is a stunning example of labor and creativity with manicured gardens, flowers everywhere and some gaudy sculptures too. Plan your…
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The Sancheong World Traditional Medicine Fair & Festival
Dongui Bogam Village in Sancheong-gun is surrounded by Mt. Jirisan, Mt. Jarakwangsan, and Mt. Palbongsan, a spot widely known to be highly spiritual and full of energy in Korea. Because of this, it was chosen as the perfect location for the World Traditional Medicine Fair and Festival. If you’re interested in Korean holistic medicine and herbal remedies, like learning about traditional Korean culture, or just want a new place to visit with a festival at the same time, definitely check out this healing expo and the experiences you can have there. If you’re interested in holistic and herbal medicine in Korea, don’t miss the Sancheong World Traditional Medicine Expo: (This…
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Geoje POW Camp: Korea’s Largest Prison Camp, Then and Now
Geoje Island, off Korea’s southern coast, is a popular destination for visitors from Busan and well beyond, known for ocean views, dramatic rock formations jutting from the sea, and genuinely beautiful beaches. There’s also a far darker chapter here, the Korean War-era POW camp (거제도 포로수용소 유적공원), now preserved as a historic park. If you’re interested in the parts of Korean history that don’t make it into the highlight reel, this belongs on your list. Here’s what to know: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking. Thank you for your support.) Basic Info Address: 61 Gyeryong-ro, Geoje-si,…
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Things To Do In Geoje Island: Visit Haegeumgang Sea Diamond & Oedo Botania
Headed to Geoje Island in Korea and wondering what to do? Let me make this easy for you. If you only do one thing in Geoje, take the ferry to nearby Haegeumgang (해금강). Often called the “Sea Diamond of Korea,” Haegeumgang is one of the most dramatic coastal landscapes in the country. Located in Hallyeohaesang Marine National Park, these towering rock formations rise straight out of the deep blue sea just off the southern coast of Geoje Island. Visiting islands in Korea is definitely a must if you’re staying here for any amount of time and visiting Haegeumgang is a fun ferry ride out that includes a stop at another…
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Dongrimsa Temple in Gimhae, South Korea
Sitting just 400 meters away from the more popular Eunhasa Temple on Sineosan Mountain, or Fish of the Gods Mountain, is Dongrimsa Temple (동림사). As it is smaller and was quieter without the people milling around on Lunar New Year, it felt as if we’d arrived to a shop afterhours. Also said to be from the time of King Suro in the Gaya Kingdom, it was supposedly established by King Suro’s wife’s, Heo Hwangok, brother, monk Jangyuhwasang. It features a tall statue of Jijang-bosal, the God of the Afterlife, in the courtyard surrounded by six smaller statues of Jijang-bosal that are the most telling feature of the temple. The statue is rather…
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Eunhasa Temple in Gimhae, South Korea
If you’re in Gimhae, Korea and looking for a beautiful quaint temple to visit, look no further than Eunhasa Temple. Enjoy a walk in the woods, hike up a mountain if you want, or take a drive up and come upon this beautiful Buddhist temple. Eunhasa Temple isn’t huge, but when I go hiking in Korea, I tend to enjoy having temples to stop off at or as a goal for the walk. There’s always a beautiful one to sit and enjoy on every mountain 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…
