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the most easily overlooked country to visit in depth, with mountains, rivers, coasts and world heritage sites

2024-09-03

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when going to south korea, the first thing that comes to mind is seoul’s shopping, hipster culture and korean wave. if you’ve experienced the city’s prosperity and bustle, you might as well start from seoul and visit the surrounding small towns.

this place contains a lot of korean traditions and natural beauty.after playing it many times, i really feel that escaping from the city to a niche place is the way to play that suits the working people!

there are many unexplored treasures hidden in the eastern and southern parts of south korea.here, the mountains and rivers of gangwon-do and the ancient temples of gyeongsang-do, the countryside of andong and the coast of busan all have unique rural styles and natural scenery, which are especially suitable for going to the market.

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today we have specially compiled several natural and cultural tour routes in korea.whether you are looking for cultural experience or are keen on outdoor hiking, this place can bring you unexpected surprises and gains.

📍 gangwon province Kangwon-do

gangwon-do is a treasure land located in the eastern part of south korea. it is very popular in winter because of its excellent ski resorts that can be used as venues for the winter olympics. however, it is also famous for its mountain and sea scenery and long cultural history all year round! there is the leisurely capital chuncheon, the summer tourist destination gangneung, and sokcho with its charming beaches. it is a completely different holiday feeling from seoul.

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4-day nature and culture tour in gangwon-do

in just 4 days, you can experience a full range of travel from nature to culture in gangwon-do.start from goseong unification observatoryfrom here, you can have a bird's eye view of the entire korean peninsula and feel the historical traces of the division between north and south.

seoraksan national park is the most famous natural attraction in gangwon-do.with strange rocks, pines, waterfalls and forest streams, you can try the easier ulsan rock climbing route. the huge granite body composed of 6 peaks has very beautiful scenery!

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the towangseong falls, one of the ten major scenic spots on seoraksan mountain, is also worth a visit. the water cascades down from a high place.the lush greenery beside the waterfall is refreshing.

go to the jeongdong-shengu coastal fan road to experience the charm of the seaside!this 3-kilometer-long coastal hiking trail in jiangling is named after the fan-shaped plank road. on a sunny day, you can enjoy the sea view and listen to the sound of the waves while taking a walk.

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explore the cultural heritage of gangwon-do, where ancient temples such as hwaamsa and naksansa preserve the glorious history of korean buddhism since the 7th century. you can also visit woljeongsa temple, a buddhist holy place on mount odaesan. it was founded in the 12th year of the reign of queen seondeok of silla. if you like culture, you will definitely be impressed.

of course, food is a must in the itinerary!try the fresh seafood and local delicacies at sokcho market, visit gangneung’s sea view cafe,the whole holiday scene comes out. if you are a fan of korean dramas, you must check in at the filming location of "goblin" - jumunjin. standing on the stone embankment and looking at the boundless sea, the romance of korean dramas will instantly come to you!

📍 gyeongsang province Gyeongsangbuk-do

a little further southeast is gyeongsang province, which is headed by the three major cities of busan, ulsan and daegu, and is divided into north gyeongsang province and south gyeongsang province. it not only has charming natural scenery, but also places like gyeongju, yeongju, and andong also preserve a long history and cultural relics that can be visited. it is a place where korean locals like to come for vacation and rest.

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4-day eastern korea cultural tour in gyeongsang-do

gyeongju is the thousand-year-old capital of the silla dynasty.it is called a "museum without walls"this quiet and leisurely ancient world heritage city is perfect for spending one to two days strolling around and relaxing.

must-see when visiting gyeongjubulguksa templeandseokguram grotto, after allthe first batch of world heritage sites registered in korea, history and culture lovers must not miss it.

bulguksa temple

donggung palace and wolji were annex palaces of the silla royal palace. banquets were held here whenever there were happy events in the country or when entertaining important guests.be sure to go and see it in the evening when the lights are on; the reflection in the water is indeed as beautiful as its name suggests.

andong cityhahoe folk village, retaining the residential style of the joseon dynasty.it is a traditional korean village that is very representative of the korean yangban culture.the old houses and stone paths make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time, and are perfect for taking korean-style photos!

hahoe folk village [email protected]_

busan is a city that combines nature, city, history and food. you should not miss it. check out haedong yonggungsa temple on the seaside, stroll along the blue coastline of haeundae, take a ride on a retro seaside capsule train, and go to igidae park and oryukdo skywalk... the comfort between the city and nature is fully reflected here!

haedong yonggung temple

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8-day natural and cultural tour in eastern korea

if you have enough time,gyeongsang province and gangwon provinceyou can take an in-depth tour and see all the natural and cultural history at once!

the journey can start from gangwon-do, where korean locals like to go.seoraksan national park, take a mountain hike to ulsan rock on seorak mountain. every autumn around october, there will be large areas of miscanthus, which are especially beautiful for taking photos. don’t miss it if you like climbing mountains and checking in.

full of holiday feelinggangneung beachyou can take a walk along the beach. movie and tv fans should remember to visit the filming location of "goblin". the scenery of the sea and sky is particularly pleasant. it is beautiful to feel the eastern coastline along the coastal trail.

rich cultural heritage and human landscapes are interspersed throughout.visit world cultural heritage sites such as bulguksa temple and seokguram grotto in gyeongju,visit buseoksa temple and sosu confucian academy in yeongju to feel the pious religious and cultural atmosphere, and then go to andong hahoe village to experience the korean rural customs.

finally, enjoy shopping in busan at bexco, spa land centum city, etc., and enjoy the dazzling night view at bay 101 and yonghu starlight park.

from soothing texas hot springs to sampling delicious street food at local markets, andstay in a charming traditional hanok village, both city and nature,experience all the best of eastern korea in one go!

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hiking experience in seoraksan national park

seoraksan is a popular outing destination for local koreans.in spring, there are various spring flowers such as azalea, in summer there are clear and clean streams, in autumn you can enjoy the red maple leaves, and in winter there are snow-covered mountains. the scenery is pleasant all year round.

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whether you are ridingcable car tour, or choosehiking along the valley, and you can experience the unique beauty of the climbing routes that offer stunning views of the rocky cliffs.

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the route that is more popular among beginners is the route from sinheungsa temple to biseondae.the scenery is beautiful and the route is gentle. if you want to appreciate the beautiful mountains and waterfalls, you can choose the ulsan rock route or the towangseong waterfall hike, both of which are hiking routes that can be easily completed in half a day.

route for viewing maple leaves in autumn,you can choose the hiking route in the namseorak-hanling valley area.enjoy the charming autumn colors and tranquil beauty of the hanlin valley. you can also choose to go from the main valley mangyongdae to the five-color mineral springs to experience the magnificent mountain scenery and refreshing five-color mineral springs.

seoraksan is close to the sea, so eating seafood is also a good choice.enjoy a delicious lunch at the traditional sokcho fishery market and savor the fresh local seafood delicacies to satisfy your body, mind and taste buds.

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andong world cultural heritage traditional experience

andong is the hometown of traditional korean culture. the small town is rich in historical and cultural relics.you can go to hahoe village to experience the traditional korean houses and traditional lifestyle preserved here.you can also take a walk along the nakdong river and enjoy the leisurely scenery of the small town.

annualandong international masked dance festival, is the busiest time of the year in the city. people gather here to enjoy the mysterious masked dance. following the rhythm of the drums, they dance with power and beauty, which makes people feel the unique charm of korean folk art.

in addition to the natural scenery, andong also has delicious food.experience the local enthusiasm and vitality at the traditional markets.the hawkers' cries, the aroma of anton's stewed chicken, and the dazzling array of goods form a vivid picture of the market.

andong is also famous for its soju.friends who like wine culture can take an authentic half-day tour experience, visit the 700-year-old andong soju brewery, learn in depth about the production secrets of this traditional korean soju, and make andong soju and matching snacks by themselves.

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busan & daegu 4-day walking tour

to experience the best combination of city and nature, embark on a hiking tour in busan and daegu!

at taejongdae in busan, you can walk along the winding coastline through the lush pine forests. stand under the yeongdo lighthouse, overlook the blue sea, and feel the sea breeze.the entire hike takes about 1-2 hours, and you can take the small train in the park during the journey.easy access to the lookout and taizong temple.

busan's urban area also offers a variety of urban experiences.take the songdo cable car to overlook this coastal city.come for a visitgamcheon culture villageduring the tour, you can look for colorful murals in the alleys. at the end of the journey, you can visit jagalchi fish market to experience the most authentic seafood culture in busan!

daegu is a vibrant city where modernity and tradition blend perfectly.palgong mountain has a profound historical heritage. tonghwa temple lies here quietly, with towering ancient trees and a deep sense of zen. this temple, built in 493, has witnessed the long history of korean buddhism.

daegue-world theme parkit is a popular choice for family travel. you can enjoy a variety of entertainment experiences here. don’t forget to climb the 83 tower and overlook the dazzling night view of the city from a high altitude.

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traditional korean jeonju day tour

jeonju is the heart of north jeolla province in south korea.a charming place with a long history, rich culture and tempting food! you can also experience the unique style of this small city in just one day from seoul.

jeonju's hanok village is full of the characteristics of the joseon era.the quaint korean houses and the alleys paved with bluestone slabs, put on a gorgeous korean dress, stroll among these ancient buildings, take beautiful photos, and you will feel like you have turned into the heroine of a korean drama.

when talking about jeonju, how can we not mention bibimbap? the colorful vegetables, paired with hot rice and special spicy sauce, every bite is full of happiness.in jeonju, you can taste the most authentic bibimbap by walking into any small shop.

if you want to learn more, you can take a two-day or three-day tour to the more secluded muju and namwon, where you can enjoy taekwondo performances, traditional korean food and culture, and spend a comfortable and relaxing time in a traditional korean hanok!

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korean z generation hanok accommodation experience

if you want to experience jeonju more deeply, if you are still a k-pop fan,you can choose to stay in the historic soyang hanok for one night.follow the footsteps of the star group bts and experience a cultural and natural journey in jeonju and wanju.

soyang hanokit is an exquisite place to stay that combines a historical house with modern design. you can experience the elegance of the joseon dynasty and the comfort of modern times at the same time.

you can also visit the old house museum where bts once stayed.the beautiful oseongje reservoir, wibong mountain fortress, visit popular korean drama filming locations, wear hanbok, explore jeonju hanok village, taste traditional wine, and try jeonju royal cuisine.

experience the cultural trends of generation z from all aspects, including historical experiences, cultural tours, and food tastings!

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busan food and coffee culture tour

calling all food lovers!busan’s authentic food and coffee are the best start to understanding the authentic culture.

a wonderful day trip canexperience the traditional soju making process and taste authentic busan korean cuisine.sit down in a cozy cafe at haeundae beach, or head to gubong forest to feel the lush greenery and experience the rich flavor and simple charm of busan.

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7-day korea highlights tour

don't want to plan a travel route, but still want to visit the best attractions? we also have the best routes for lazy people.travel through korea's cultural and natural treasures in 7 days from seoul.enjoy authentic korean cuisine and comfortable high-end accommodation, perfect for traveling with family or friends.

the 7-day tour will visit seoraksan mountain in gangwon-do, andong in gyeongsangbuk-do, busan, jeonju and other major cities and towns.from the ancient and solemn royal tombs and castle ruins to the well-preserved traditional korean houses, it satisfies the desires of archaeology and checking in;

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you will also visit temples and tea plantations hidden among the green mountains and clear waters, as well as charming seaside landscapes and creative theme parks.

you can also choose a 4-day tour route to the west or east of korea according to your own schedule.

haedong yonggungsa temple on the northeast coast of busan