Sightseeing - Korea travel information

Mangyangjeong Beach (망양정해수욕장)

2024-12-10

Mangyangjeong Beach is a relatively shallow and narrow beach with a comparatively higher water temperature among beaches on the east coast of Korea. It has a lush pine forest, perfect for walking, and the surrounding areas tend to be very quiet. There are many tourist attractions around the beach, including Seongnyugul Cave, a Natural Monument; Buryeonggyegok Valley; and coastal roads, making it a popular sightseeing and vacation spot. Nearby sites also include Mangyangjeong Pavilion, one of the Eight Scenic Sites of Gwandong; Expo Park, Freshwater Fish Experience Center, and Sunrise Park, the venue for Uljin’s annual county-wide sunrise event for catching the sunrise over the East Sea.

Goseong Wanggok Village (고성왕곡마을)

2024-12-10

Goseong Wanggok Village is a traditional village located about 1.5 kilometers away from the East Sea. Its secluded location nestled among five hills has allowed the village to retain its appearance and tradition for a long time. Because of its geographic features, the village was also protected from disasters like wars and mountain wildfires, allowing the area to preserve its form. Wanggok Village’s origins are said to date back to the 14th century, when it was first settled as a clan village and survived for over nearly 600 years. The entire village has preserved its original appearance and is recognized for its historical and academic value. Here, visitors can observe traditional northern-style houses, clusters of thatched houses, and a gateless yard. Some traditional hanok buildings offer accommodations as well, accepting visitors to stay overnight through online reservations.

Hwajinpo Beach (화진포해수욕장)

2024-12-10

Opened in 1973, Hwajinpo Beach is a stretch of white sand made of monazite, a fine sand made of crushed shells and rocks over tens of thousands of years. Monazite sand makes a distinct sound when stepped on and repels ants. The beach is 1.7 kilometer long, about 70 meters wide, and 1.5 meters in average depth. The beach attracts many tourists with its fine white sand, clear waters, and shallow depths. Its view is characterized by scenic landscape of handsome rock formations and lush pine forests surrounding the massive Hwajinpo Lake. The area is home to the Villa of Kim Il-sung, the Villa of Syngman Rhee, the Villa of Lee Ki-poong, and Hwajinpo Maritime Museum. The scenic view of the bamboo forest on Geumgudo Island and the seagulls flying over the water will leave visitors in awe. 

Dokkaebi Road (Mysterious Road) (도깨비 도로(신비의 도로))

2024-12-10

Dokkaebi Road is an amusing road that is also called the Jeju Mysterious Road. It earned its name due to the sensation it gives to the drivers when driving down this steep road. When driving this road, the driver and their passengers will feel like as if the car is moving upward instead of moving down the slope. This is actually an optical illusion, in which the surroundings trick the eye and make the road look like it is tilted in the opposite direction. This phenomenon, however, made Dokkaebi Road a popular tourist site. Various safety facilities are being added to prevent accidents from occurring, and a tourist park is expected to be built along the road in the near future. Drivers are advised to be careful and always look both ways when driving down Dokkaebi Road.
<Credit: Visit Jeju>

Railway Forest & The Garden of Fire (철길숲 & 불의정원)

2024-12-10

A 4.3-kilometer stretch of railroad between Hyoja Station and the old Pohang Station that fell into disuse after nearly 100 years of operation due to the opening of the KTX Pohang Station in 2015. The railroad track runs through residential areas to create an urban forest, and water features like wall streams, musical fountains, and steel artworks began to attract tourists, creating a prime example of future-oriented urban regeneration and green ecological city plan. The Garden of Fire came about as a natural gas spring from 200-meter under sea level was ignited during the construction work for the Railway Forest. The flame was expected to be extinguished, but as the flame persisted, a garden was built around the flame to create a unique view.

Dotoreum Parasitic Cone (돛오름(돝오름))

2023-12-22

San 3, Songdang-ri, Gujwa-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do

This oreum, or parasitic cone, is located southwest of Bijarim Forest. Its name “Dot” comes from the Jeju dialect for pig, as the shape of the peak is said to resemble a pig. Dotoreum Parasitic Cone is home to a wide variety of trees and plants, but among them, it is most well-known for its bija trees. However, paths in this parasitic cone tend to be rather narrow and rugged, so one must prepare accordingly in order to climb the hill without much trouble. Visitors are advised to prepare comfortable shoes and water at the very least.

Bichwie Muldeulda Gallery Cafe (비취에물들다)

2024-01-11

20-16 Cheongjachon-gil, Daegu-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do

Gangjin is a historic place that produced celadon from the late Unified Silla period to the end of the Goryeo period. Bichwie Muldeulda Gallery Cafe is a celadon-themed gallery café run by Kim Bo-bae, who comes from a family of ceramic craftsmen and runs the ceramic craft store Gukbo, which is connected to the café. The Goryeo Celadon Museum is also nearby. This café makes coffee using a celadon coffee grinder and serves it in a celadon mug. Visitors can also enjoy a celadon hand painting experience and a potter's wheel experience here. Items made from the experience program will be be baked in a kiln and delivered through parcel service. The experience takes about 30 to 40 minutes.

Sewoon Plaza (세운상가)

2024-10-25

159 Cheonggyecheon-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Makercity Sewoon is Korea's first comprehensive electronics market, established in 1968 and has a 40-year history. As a mecca in the urban electronics industry area located in Jongno, the center of Seoul, you can purchase various electronic products here.
Since 2014, Seoul's urban regeneration project has been underway, and a pedestrian overpass, rooftop observatory, plaza, and Makers Cube, where you can experience the 4th industrial revolution, have been created to provide unique attractions.

Mokpo Skywalk (목포 스카이워크)

2024-12-04

59 Haeyangdaehak-ro, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-272-2171

Mokpo Skywalk offers an unobstructed view of Mokpo’s sea. Under the concept “observatory over the sea,” this platform over the sea offers a 360-degree view of Mokpo's sea. There are sections with glass flooring and sections with steel flooring, which adds to the thrill and allows one to enjoy the views from all sides. Mokpodaegyo Bridge stands on the eastern side of the skywalk for an even better view. The busiest time here is when the sun starts to set. The view of the sunset is especially beautiful thanks to the smaller islets scattered across the ocean. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby, so it's a great place eat out after watching the sunset.

Binaeseom Island (Binae Trail) (비내섬(비내길))

2023-12-22

44, Namhangangbyeon-gil, Angseong-myeon, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do

With dirt roads instead of wooden decks and rustic wooden overhangs instead of lavish displays, Binaeseom Island’s Binae Trail is made of farm roads and trails that villagers use to access orchards and rivers. It is a place with a view of Namhangang River and Binaeseom Island’s fall, and its nearly flat slope makes it accessible for all members of the family. Binae Trail is divided into two courses. Course 1 takes you past the Migratory Bird Observation Park to the riverside trail, the area's highlight, before passing the old quay and arriving at the Angseong Hot Springs Square in a 7km-long, 2 hr. journey. Course 2 takes you over the Saebajisan Mountain Observatory to Binaeseom Island before re-tracing Course 1 from the old quay. After going down the riverside trail and the Migratory Bird Observation Park, the course takes you back to Angseong Hot Springs Square in a 17km-long, 4 hr. journey.
In <Crash Landing on You>, Binaeseom Island served as the filming location for the scene where the two leads and the supporting actors from the North Korean side have a picnic before the two leads escape from North Korea.