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.)
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Haedong Yonggungsa Temple: Busan’s Famous Seaside Temple
Buddhist temples are not terribly difficult to stumble upon while in Korea. There are temples in the middle of Seoul daring those that enter to just try and find quiet solitude and there are temples dotting the mountains across the country so any hike becomes that much more interesting with the addition of a tour of one. Rarely, though, do you find a seaside temple in Korea. Haedong Yonggung Temple (해동용궁사), which means Korean Dragon Palace Temple, is probably the most popular and widely known seaside temple in South Korea and it truly does live up to the hype that brings so many visitors to its gates in Busan, Korea.…
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O’Sulloc Green Tea Fields: What To Do on Jeju Island
No trip to Jeju Island in South Korea would be complete without a stop at the O’Sulloc Green Tea Fields and Museum. It’s a must see spot and included on almost every Jeju itinerary that you’ll find online and popular for a good reason. The O’Sulloc Green Tea Fields and Museum (오설록티뮤지엄) is one of those places that is almost always busy with tourists to Jeju. But for delicious reasons. That doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty of space to roam about though. With high-quality tea coming straight from the fields of Jeju, it really is a beautiful sight and a great souvenir from Korea or gift. Plan a trip to…
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Gapa Island: Jeju’s Quiet Little Island for Biking, Barley, and Olle Trail 10-1
Gapa Island (가파도), the second southernmost point of Korea, sits just 5.5 kilometers off the coast of Jeju Island. It’s not the island off of Jeju that comes up in most planning conversations, most people head to Udo Island if they’re doing island-hopping. But Gapa is something different: flatter, quieter, and off the tourist trail unless you’re doing the Jeju Olle-gil. I first visited about 12 years ago and came back recently specifically to complete the Jeju Olle Trail 10-1 that runs around it. Gapa is said to look like a ray swimming in the waves, which is how it got its name. The highest point is only 20.5 meters…
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Sanbangsan: A Temple Hike and Grotto on Jeju Island
This mountain was the peak of Mt. Halla before it was broken off and thrown to this spot on the southwest coast of Jeju Island, at least that’s one of the legends surrounding Sanbangsan (산방산) and the grotto inside it. The folklore really makes this stop. If you’re building a Jeju Island itinerary, Sanbangsan is one of the most rewarding and manageable stops on the island. The mountain has grown more popular in recent years thanks to nearby fields of flowers in bloom in the right seasons, and the temple complex at its base is beautiful. Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit. Skip around, get the…
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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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Nonsan Strawberry Festival: Eating In Strawberry Fields in Korea
It’s strawberry season in Korea, as if you didn’t notice the bucketful 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…
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7 Places to Understand the Korean War (Not Just the DMZ)
Most people who spend any real time in Korea, visiting or living here, eventually run into references to war, usually the Korean War, sometimes WWII, sometimes one of the many conflicts with Japan. Signs at historic sites mention buildings burnt down during a Japanese invasion before being rebuilt. Political tension between North and South Korea is a constant, quiet reminder that the Korean War never officially ended. The short version: the Korean War ran from June 1950 to July 1953, when North Korea invaded the South. UN forces, led largely by the US, fought alongside South Korea; China backed the North. It ended not with a peace treaty but with…
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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…
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Taejongdae Resort Park: Cliffs, Dinosaur Tracks, and Busan’s Best Coastal Views
Taejongdae Resort Park (태종대), named after the 29th king of the Silla Dynasty, King Taejong, who enjoyed shooting arrows off the cliffs, is a top attraction in Busan, Korea and for good reason. Located at the southernmost tip of Yeongdo Island, it offers breathtaking views of the ocean, rugged cliffs, dinosaur tracks, and on clear days people can even spot Daema, or Tsushima, Island of Japan. It is one of 28 designated monuments in the city and is absolutely one of the best things to do in Busan. The varying shades of blue as they wave back and forth from the cliffside out to the horizon is dreamy and there…
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Jagalchi Fish Market: What To Eat, How To Order, and What To Know
Jagalchi Fish Market (부산자갈치시장) is the largest fish market in South Korea and one of the best things to do in Busan, and that’s true even if you never buy a single thing. Walking the stalls alone is worth it: live octopus pulling itself over the edge of tanks trying to escape back to the ocean… literally, tentacles as long as your arm, shellfish you don’t have names for in English, and fish that hang drying in the booths that line the market’s watery alleyways. Each booth is run by an older woman who may not seem particularly welcoming at first glance. That’s just the southern Busan demeanor. They’re used…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
