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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The Hidden Artistic Side Of Gongju, Korea: The Yugu Mural Village
Finding hidden artistic wonders is a talent of mine I’d say and boy do I love when I find a spot that’s worth the hunt. The Yugu Mural Village (유구벽화마을) in Gongju, Korea is one of those places that is off the beaten path in Korea but oh so fun to find. Not only are there artistic things to see, but it tells a story about the village and the past and it’s centered around a local market so there is some good food too. Looking for a weekend away from Seoul? Head to Gongju in Chungcheongnam-do for some beautiful things to see. Here’s all of the information you need…
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The Geumgang Nature Biennale: Finding Bears In Gongju, Korea
I recently took a spur of the moment trip down to Gongju, Korea as the clouds parted, the sun began to shine, and all we wanted to do was get out to see something. I had tagged a few things on my map to check out and one was a forest that seemed to have bears! Okay, no, there are not really bears in Korea, but there are some whimsical bear installations, among other things, along the Yeonmisan Mountain (연미산) trails in Gongju thanks to the Geumgang Nature Biennale (금강자연미술비엔날레). I love finding art parks and art installations in unique places and art installations in forests is really whimsical and…
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Muuido Island Is The Fun In The Sun Spot Near Seoul To Find
Muuido Island (무의도) in Incheon is one of the most popular beach getaways from Seoul and it has become a bit more popular since there was a road that was built from the mainland to the island. Since it doesn’t require a ferry trip anymore, it is just a bit busier than before but still oh so fun. There are two beaches on the island but the one you definitely can’t miss is Hanagae Beach (하나개해수욕장). There is lots of sand, lots of fun, and plenty of sun. If you’re hot this summer in Seoul, head to the beach. There are actually beaches near Seoul if you’re ready to get…
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Sansok Lighthouse Is The Cool Spot To Find Near Jeonju, Korea
Around Korea there are more and more culture and arts spaces that are being opened after older factories and industrial spaces that were once abandoned, are renovated. These spaces are always intriguing to me and I will always search them out because seeing how places and spaces that were used to treat waste maybe, or store oil, or house military personnel that have been converted are so cool. Most recently, we visited Sansok Lighthouse (산속등대), a cool culture and arts space just outside of Jeonju, Korea. Whereas Jeonju is very much a historical city where tourists head to find the Jeonju Hanok Village there, this is a very cool industrial…
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Modo, Sindo, & Sido Islands Off The Coast Of Incheon: Art and Adventure
Modo (모도), Sindo (신도), and Sido (시도) islands, always grouped because they sit right next to each other and are connected via bridges so when you take the ferry from Incheon to one, you’ll always visit all three, are also called the “Three Brother Islands”. They are so close and yet they seem so far from Seoul, Korea. What secrets do these islands hold? Let me share because this year is all about Incheon island hopping and these are the first three you should start with. It’s an easy trip from Seoul and you won’t feel like you’re that close at all. All you know can be found right here:…
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Huinnyeoul Culture Village: The Most Colorful Place To Visit In Busan
Like most people, I’ve been to the more well-known Gamcheon Culture Village, but did you know there is another colorful and more coastal culture village in Busan? Yes! The Huinnyeoul Culture Village (희여울문화마을) is a colorful seaside spot to see art, enjoy cafes and food, and have a good time with friends or family walking along the coast. Looking for something to do in Busan? Look no further. Here’s what you need to know about the Huinnyeoul Culture Village in Busan, 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…
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Spa Land Centum City In Busan Is The Best Korean Spa In Korea
Whether you live in Korea or are just coming in to visit for a short time, a visit to a local Korean sauna or Korean bath house is an absolute must. The jjimjilbang, or Korean spa, is a part of culture that I have grown to love. Did it take some time to get comfortable hanging out in the buff with strangers? It sure did. Is it necessary to be nude when you visit? At some point. But is it absolutely worth it to visit a Korean bath house and experience the exfoliating, the heat therapies, and more? Yes yes, 1000 times yes and the premier place to do it…
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Songdo, Busan: A Beach, The Busan Air Cruise Cable Car & A Suspension Bridge Too!
Songdo is an area in Busan that might be overlooked for hotspots like Gwanganli or Haeundae but honestly, it won my heart a couple weekends ago. Songdo is home to a lovely beach as well as bridges to walk across while looking at the Busan heonnyeo finding sea creatures, the Songdo Marine Cable Car, also known as the Busan Air Cruise, and the recently added suspension bridge and lookout too. Basically, if you’re looking for things to do in Busan or where to stay in Busan with things to do, this might just be the perfect spot for you. It’s one of those areas that you could easily get a…
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Donghae Mureung Health Forest: Heat Therapy & A Sauna In Gangwon-do
Looking for a relaxing escape from Seoul, Korea? Discover the serene Donghae Mureung Health Forest (동해무릉건강숲) in Gangwon-do. Nestled in picturesque mountains, this health facility offers a rejuvenating experience for all visitors that make a trip to the area. Mureung Health Forest promotes wellness for everyone, offering a range of affordable programs and activities like heat therapy, which comes highly recommended. And don’t miss the sauna’s Salt Cave and Oxygen Healing Room, complete with massage chairs and 24-hour oxygen generators. While you’re there, take a scenic 20-minute walk to Mureung Valley, where you can immerse yourself in the refreshing mountain waters or explore the nearby Samhwasa Temple. Whether you’re seeking…
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Chuam Beach: The Best Beach In Donghae On The East Coast Of Korea
Looking for a beach to visit on the east coast of Korea? Come summer in Korea all I do is seek the coast. There are some absolutely beautiful beaches in Korea and not all of them are as busy as say Haeundae in Busan. To be honest, I tend to enjoy the beaches on the east coast of Korea more than the ones on the southern coast. The southern coast has other draws though for sure but today, I want to talk about Chuam Beach (추암해수욕장) in Donghae, Korea. Recently, we were out that way to check out the Donghae Mureung Health Forest and the wellness facilities there and after…
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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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Daffodils In Korea: Yoogibanggaok In Chungcheongnam-do
Seosan, just a couple hours south of Seoul down in Chungcheongnam-do, is one of the best places to visit in Korea in the spring. There are numerous gorgeous flower spots in the area and one of them is the daffodil covered mountain in Yoogibanggaok (유기방가옥). The daffodils, in their sheer number in this one spot, are an absolute must see. In my many years of living in Korea, I haven’t seen this many daffodils anywhere else. There are of course other yellow flowers that bloom each spring like the Japanese dogwood, sansuyu, in Icheon and the rape seed flower fields that are practically everywhere including the hidden island of Ulleung-do,…
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Nammireuksa Temple: The Largest Seated Buddha In Asia Is In Jeollanam-do, Korea
I have definitely visited my fair share of Buddhist temples in Korea. I love visiting the temples honestly. They are calming, always quiet, and while many people see a few and think they’ve seen them all, I never think that and have definitely been able to find unique aspects of every one I’ve visited. One such trip to Jeollanam-do had us passing by Nammireuksa Temple (남미륵사) and while there really was nothing else in the area to see, I couldn’t resist a stop. This temple in Korea really does stand out from the rest in a few ways for me so I wanted to do a whole post so more…
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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…
