Jeollanam-do (전라남도)
What to see in Jeollanam-do. Top things to do in Jeollanam-do. Where to go in Jeollanam-do and the tips and tricks to make travel there amazing. (전라남도에서 볼거리. 전남에서 해야 할 일들. 전남의 어디로 갈 것인가와 그곳의 여행을 놀랍게 만드는 요령과 요령들.)
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A Guide to Gwangju’s Art Scene: Museums, Studios & Public Art Beyond the Biennale
Gwangju is a city in Korea with an immensely important history when it comes to democracy in South Korea, but when I sat down to write the Gwangju travel guide, I realized that there’s one side of the city for some travelers, and there’s another side that is for a different traveler. It’s great to mix and match to be sure, but an art lover could travel to Gwangju and easily fill an entire weekend on a whimsical artistically inspiring adventure. This guide is for those people that are looking to visit Gwangju and be inspired artistically. My main Gwangju guide covers the bigger picture, the May 18 history (which…
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Gwangju Travel Guide: Democracy, Art & Kimchi in One of Korea’s Most Overlooked Cities
You might think of Seoul for palaces, Busan for beaches, and Jeju for nature, but what comes to mind when you think of Gwangju? For a lot of international visitors, the answer is probably not much, and that’s exactly why I think Gwangju deserves more attention. If you live in Korea like I do, you’ve probably heard of their heroic democratization movement, but aside from that, what is actually there? I’ve now visited Gwangju a few times, and every trip has revealed another layer of the city. This is one of the most important cities in Korea for understanding the country’s modern democracy, but it’s also an incredibly creative place…
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The 5.18 Democratization Movement Archives In Gwangju: A Complete Visitor Guide To Korea’s Democracy Museum
I came to Korea 20 years ago, and over those years I had heard pieces of the story of May 18. I knew about the Gwangju Democratization Movement, called the Gwangju Uprising more often in those early years after I’d arrived, had read bits of the history, and understood that it was an important moment in Korea’s fight for democracy. But learning about what happened while actually standing in Gwangju hits different. The events of May 1980 are really not such a distant history and this was made especially clear to me when martial law was declared in South Korea in December of 2024. One of my first thoughts was…
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Gwangju Kimchi Festival: A Delicious Dive Into Jeolla’s Boldest Flavors
When it comes to foodie celebrations, Korea has a ton and the townie fun that they entail is worth making the trip when you hear about one. One of the most popular food festivals in Korea is of course in celebration of that iconic side dish known as kimchi. You might think you already know all there is to know about kimchi, but visit the Gwangju Kimchi Festival (광주김치축제) and you’ll not only get to taste Korea’s most iconic fermented dish, but you’ll also get to celebrate the cabbage concoction that graces every table in the country at meal time. Head to Gwangju Korea in the autumn and you will…
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The Most Touristy Thing In Wando Is A Tower
Wando, Korea might not be the first destination that comes to mind when you think of traveling in Korea. Tucked away in the southern part of the country, this island is most visited by travelers that are taking the ferry from the southern part of mainland Korea to Jeju Island. That’s exactly why we were visiting, but wow is the food good and the ocean glistening here. We’ll be through a few times, so for our first trip through, we stopped at what seems to be the most touristy thing there—the Wando Tower (완도타워). I thought we’d just pop in to this observatory and pop out, but boy was I…
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How To Eat Abalone: 7 Korean Ways To Try It in Wando
I am an abalone fiend. Can’t get enough. So, when we were headed through Wando recently, the island responsible for about 80% of the country’s abalone production, I was determined to try as many abalone dishes as I could. Here, the locals have mastered the art of preparing this delicacy in various mouthwatering ways. From thinly sliced raw abalone served fresh to the warm, hearty comfort of abalone porridge, there’s something for every palate. But one of the most surprising creations you’ll find here is “abalone bread.” Get ready to learn about all of the abalone delicacies you can try in Wando, Korea. If you’ve ever wondered how to eat…
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The Myeongnyang Battle Festival: A Celebration of Valor and Victory in Haenam
When we’re planning a trip in Korea, we often plan them around a cool festival. With most festivals based around either food or some part of history in Korea, there are a lot of things to learn and eat. The Myeongnyang Battle Festival (명량대첩축제), held in Wando-gun around Uldolmok, is a vibrant and meaningful celebration that honors the spirit of Jeolla-do’s people and the heroic and well-known Korean General Yi Sun-shin. This annual event commemorates the remarkable victory in the Battle of Myeongnyang. If you haven’t heard of it, fear not, that just means you have more to learn and some place new to visit. The Myeongnyang Battle Festival is…
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The Muan Mud Flats and The Other Mud Festival In Korea To Know About
When mud festivals in Korea come up, most likely people are talking about the Boryeong Mud Festival, but there’s another mud festival in the country and a beautiful ecological landscape to go with it in Jeollanam-do. The Muan Ecological Tidal Flat Land (무안황토갯벌랜드), featuring the largest educational facility for natural ecology in Korea, is a gorgeous escape and filled with some great muddy fun if you visit for the Muan Mud Flat Festival. Even if you don’t visit during the festival period, the Muan Eco Mudflat area is beautiful and feel remote despite being two larger cities. Get ready for an adventure in Korea! Get ready for an adventure to…
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Unveiling the Charm of Suncheon Bay National Garden: A Guide
As avid nature lovers and the sort that will travel for a beautiful natural landscape, the Suncheon Bay National Garden (순천만국가정원) was on my list of must see destinations in Korea for years. We’ve now managed to visit twice in two very different seasons and I can say without a doubt, it is one of the most beautiful and interesting natural landscapes and gardens in Korea to visit. If you’re looking to get away, look into heading to Korea’s southern coast. There is so much to explore. Plan a trip to the gorgeous Suncheon Bay National Gardens. From spring to autumn, they are a must-see: (This post contains affiliate links, which…
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The Timeless Charm of Seomjingang Train Village in Jeollanam-do
Traveling around the countryside of Korea is such an opportunity to travel back in time. While Seoul can seem so modern and new, there are plenty of places in Korea still that offer the opportunity to be transported to another age. Take the Seomjingang Train Village (섬진강기차마을) in Gokseong, Jeollanam-do; dedicated to Korea’s railway heritage, you can take a ride on an old steam engine train and enjoy a beautiful rural landscape. And if that’s not enough, it’s also home to a substantial flower garden. It’s a great family-friendly adventure to take to the heart of Korea. Visit Gokseong in Jeollanam-do for a ride on the retro rails: (This post…
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Arte Museum: The Immersive Exhibition To Find In Korea
Ever on the lookout for immersive art experiences, we couldn’t help but step in to the media escape that Arte Museum provides. If you’re like us and always looking out for the cool places to go and things to do in Korea, then there is no doubt that Arte Museum (아르떼뮤지엄) has already been on your radar. Created by d’strict, a digital design firm, there are Arte Museums located in Gangneung, Jeju, and Yeosu and soon to be one opened in Busan, Korea. In a country that grapples with fine dust every year which causes a major issue with spending time outside, especially if you have little ones, the focus…
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Travel Back In Time In Naganeupseong Folk Village In Suncheon
Having visited the Naganeubseong Folk Village (순천 낙안읍성), or Nagan Folk Village, twice in the past year, it’s high time I write about this charming and very unique folk village in Korea. Considered the best preserved Korean fortress town in the country, this is absolutely something you need to see in Jeollanam-do. Not only is it the best preserved, but it’s still active! There are 100 households with a bit over 200 residents that live in the traditional thatched roof homes in the village. It’s pretty amazing really. The town has been growing in popularity over the past few years but is still very much a hidden gem in Korea…
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Boseong Green Tea Fields: How To Get There & What To See
Did you know the green tea terraces of Boseong are green year round? I just found out and I think that is awesome because while it can be a rather popular place to visit in the spring and the summer, maybe more people should go in the autumn and winter instead. The Boseong green tea fields, as they’re often called, will still be quite gorgeous… which I can say from experience as I’ve just been there, whenver you want to visit Jeollanam-do. Looking for a beautiful escape this winter in Korea? Or maybe you are looking for things to do in Jeollanamdo. Whether you’re a tea lover, nature lover, or…
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Gangjin Travel Guide: Celadon, Cherry Blossoms, and Hidden Jeollanam-do
I’ve been to Gangjin twice, both times in spring, and both times I’ve found cherry blossom lanes with nobody on them. Not fewer people than usual, nobody. Just cherry blossoms, roads, and the particular quietness of a place that doesn’t know it’s supposed to be popular yet. That’s the best way I can describe why Gangjin belongs on your Korea itinerary. Gangjin is a beautiful place to go in Jeollanam-do. Gangjin is far enough south in Jeolla that most people heading toward Yeosu and Suncheon Bay drive right past it. It has 1,000 years of celadon pottery history, green tea fields at the foot of a mountain, a folk painting…
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Yeosu Travel Guide: Things to Do, Eat, and Where to Stay
Popular with Koreans and consistently skipped by foreign visitors, Yeosu sits far enough south in Jeollanam-do that it took me 14 years to finally make the trip. Not for lack of travel elsewhere, it had simply been on my radar a long time, since at least the 2012 World Expo that put the city on the map. Should you go and see all of the cool things to do in Yeosu? Absolutely. Don’t wait as long as I did to take a trip to Jeollanam-do to see this part of the southern coast. Tourists heading to Yeosu often add the amazingly beautiful Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve too making the trip…
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Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve: Where To Go In Jeollanam-do
Taking a trip to Jeollanam-do, don’t miss the natural wonder of Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve (순천만습지 or 순천만자연생태공원), a world-class wetland located on the southern coast of Korea. Officially certified by the Ramsar Convention and UNESCO, this pristine reserve boasts intact natural coastlines and a diverse ecosystem. One of the most popular places in Suncheon and something that people visiting nearby Yeosu often add to their itinerary, the reserve is beautiful in every season so I’ve been told but is most often showcased in the autumn when the reads are brown and waving in the wind. From rare bird sightings to thriving wildlife, get ready to explore the unique features…
