Explore Korea (한국 탐험하기)
Top places to see in Korea. Where to go in Korea and what to do. Want to travel in Korea? See more outside of Seoul. (한국에서 볼 수 있는 최고의 장소. 한국에서 어디로 갈 것인지, 무엇을 할 것인지. 한국에서 여행하고 싶으세요? 서울 외곽에서 더 많이 보십시오.)
-
Sanbangsan Temple on Jeju Island: A Beautiful Grotto Hike
This mountain was the peak of Mt. Halla before it was broken off and thrown to this spot in the southwest part of Jeju island, at least that’s one of the legends that surrounds the Sanbangsan Mountain (산방산) and the grotto that’s there. If you’re creating a Jeju Island itinerary, this is a beautiful and easy to walk mountain on Jeju Island you should visit. It’s a great place to visit if you’re staying in Seogwipo City or in the southern part of Jeju Island. It has gotten more popular in Jeju in recent years thanks to flower blooming in nearby fields. Keep reading to find out why you should…
-
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…
-
Nonsan Strawberry Festival: Eating In Strawberry Fields in Korea
It’s strawberry season in Korea, as if you didn’t notice the bucketfuls being sold in the markets and from trucks driving through your neighborhoods everywhere right now. When I was growing up, I LOVED having strawberry plants that I could pick my own strawberries from and luckily in Korea, there are strawberry festivals where you can do just that. Nonsan is Korea’s largest strawberry producer and the city welcomes people from near and far every spring in Korea for the Nonsan Strawberry Festival which took place this past weekend to the delight of many, myself included. Don’t miss it next year! Visitors can taste some of their delicious strawberries freshly…
-
7 Places To Learn About War in Korea
Most people that spend any amount of time in Korea, visiting or living, will at some point hear references made to war, commonly the Korean War and WWII or any number of wars with Japan. Signs at historical sites will remind people that the historic site was burnt down during some Japanese invasion before being rebuilt and political turmoil between North and South Korea is a constant reminder of the Korean War. Before jumping headfirst into conversation with a Korean about said wars, it’s best to take the time to learn and get some perspective. Want to learn about the Korean War in Korea? Want to learn about the comfort…
-
Visit A Temple in Taebaek: Mandeoksa
While I tend to save temple visiting to spring in Korea due to how beautiful they are with the lanterns hung in celebration of Buddha’s birthday, I don’t just pass them by if I have the time and it’s not spring. While we were in Taebaek for the beautiful Taebaek Snow Festival, I spotted a temple nearby. Since we were spending the day in the area, we decided to stop into Mandeoksa (만덕사). The golden statues at the entrance were beckoning and we couldn’t say no. Wondering what to see in Taebaek? Or want to do more when you head to the area for winter fun? Maybe a temple stop…
-
Taejongdae: A Must See in Busan, Korea
Taejongdae Resort Park (태종대), named after the 29th King of the Silla Dynasty, King TaeJong, who enjoyed shooting arrows off the cliffs, is a must see for anyone traveling to Busan, Korea. The southernmost tip of Yeongdo-gu offers beautiful views of the ocean, cliffs, and on clear days people can even spot Daema, or Tsushima, Island of Japan. This is one of the top tourist spots in Busan and it’s worth the trip it takes to get out there. Whether it’s sunny, rainy, spring, summer, winter, or autumn, the views are gorgeous and the walk around the tip of the island, fun and energizing. The varying shades of blue as…
-
Jagalchi Market In Busan: How To Get There & What To Eat!
Jagalchi Fish Market (부산자갈치시장) is a must see for anyone headed to Busan on the southern coast of Korea. The fish market is the largest fish market in South Korea and fun to check out even if you won’t be dining but just want to see some amazing seafood delights. Each booth of the market is run by an older woman, who may not seem so kind on the outside, but that’s just the strong southern demeanor. They seem used to foreigners ogling their fishy goods and snapping pictures without purchasing and just look the other way. Fishy water and maybe some fishy guts cover the small umbrella covered alley…
-
A Hidden Lake That’s Not So Hidden Anymore: Jusanji Lake, Cheongsong
Popular scenes from the movie “Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring” were shot at the Jusanji Lake (주산지) located in Juwangsan National Park and up until then, this lake was pretty much a secret to everyone except the locals in the Cheongsong area. It’s not a secret anymore though. A common stop on tours out to Cheongsong, Jusanji Lake is… not much to write home about but holds a special place in Korea’s heart. You’ll see why. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking. These funds go to maintain the site. Thank you for your support.) How…
-
Juwangsan National Park: The Smallest National Park In Korea
Juwangsan National Park (주왕산국립공원) in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea was designated as such in 1976 and holds the title of the smallest national park in South Korea. But, don’t let that sway you from heading there as it’s got everything you’d want in a national park from mountains, rivers and waterfalls to tales of assassinations. There are some really cool things to see in Korea and when looking for a spot that is a bit more off the beaten path, this would make a great one. It’s also a great place to head if you’ve got kids and want a family-friendly national park to visit. Here’s what to know about Juwangsan National…
-
An Old Traditional Nobleman’s Home in Cheongsong, Korea
You can find traditional Korean buildings all over Korea still and if you know what you’re looking for, you can find some really interesting stories and history in them too. Take Songso Gotaek ( 송소고택), or Songso’s Old House, built around 1880 by the nobelman Sim Ho-taek, the 7th generation descendant of Sim Cheo-dae a very wealthy man during the time of King Yeongjo in the Joseon Dynasty, for example. If you’re looking for something to see in Gyeongsangbuk-do and you’re in Cheongsong, don’t miss this historical house. Korean history is so interesting and cultural traditions too. Here’s what to know about Songso Gotaek: (This post contains affiliate links, which…
-
An Apple Picking Story in Cheongsong, Korea
While in Cheongsong for the Apple Festival of course apples needed to be picked. Just like the Nonsan Strawberry Festival, where you can head into nearby fields and pick until your heart’s content, the Cheongsong Apple Festival has a similar activity. The tour provided by the Korean Tourism Organization allowed us to head to an orchard that had been picked clean of apples save two rows just for us and we couldn’t have been happier to see those plump red beauties dangling from the limbs of the trees. Want to pick apples in Korea? Cheongsong is a fabulous place to do it. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I…
-
Cheongsong’s Unique White Porcelain Experience
Ask any Korean why you should head to Cheongsong, Korea and they’ll probably tell you about Mt. Juwang National Park, delicious apples which you can find at their yearly Cheongsong Apple Festival, or a prison. While there are a few things that Cheongsong is famous for, one lesser known one is the white porcelain, or Cheongsong baekja, that was developed there in the mid 16th century. Want to have a unique trip in Korea and try your hand at making your own baekja, you definitely need to visit the Cheongsong Baekja Center (청송백자전수장). Plan your trip to the Cheongsong Baekja Center: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
-
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…
-
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…
-
The POW Camp on Geoje Island
Goeje Island, off the southern coast of Korea, is a popular destination for visitors from Busan and all over Korea, really. There’s a lot to see on Geoje Island. Though Geoje Island offers spectacular views of the ocean, rocks jutting up in the sky and beaches, there is also another darker side to the island. That is the POW Camp from the Korean War era (거제도 포로수용소 유적공원). If you’re interested in some of the more historical parts of Korea and learning about how the Korean War affected the peninsula, this is a spot to check out. Here’s what to know: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive…
-
The Sea Diamond: Haegeumgang Off The Coast Of Geoje Island in Korea
Headed to Geoje Island in Korea and wondering what there is to do? You NEED to take the ferry off the coast to see Haegeumgang and that’s all I’ll say. Nah, that’s obviously not all I’ll say… Haegeumgang (해금강) is aptly named the Sea Diamond and it’s gorgeous. 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 island called Oedo Botania. What to know about Haegeumgang to plan a trip: (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you…
