Olivia Lee | 31 October 2022
5 places well worth visiting in Jeollanamdo, South Korea
Visitors to South Korea usually start their trip in Seoul – but for many that’s also where their exploration ends. Little do they know how much they’re missing...
Visitors to South Korea usually start their trip in Seoul – but for many that’s also where their exploration ends. Little do they know how much they’re missing...
South Korea is a country rich with culture, nature and history – especially in regions like Jeollanamdo, at the country’s southern tip. This province, known as ‘the land of life’ for its verdant agriculture, is home to rolling mountains, swathes of salt flats and a fascinating history spanning multiple Kingdoms.
Read on for five places well worth visiting in Jeollanamdo, on your trip to South Korea…
Daeheungsa temple stands on Mt. Daedunsan, a 600m-high peak overlooking the vast countryside. This UNESCO World Heritage site is thought to date back to the 4th century, although no exact record of its beginnings remains. In 1592, the temple gained notoriety as the place where a guerilla army of over 5,000 monks were trained to help defend Korea during the Japanese invasions of the Imjin War.
Today, you can stay at Daeheungsa as part of South Korea’s ‘temple stay’ experience – a cultural program designed to help visitors better understand Korean Buddhism. This fascinating experience allows you to spend a night (or more) among the Buddhist monks, where you can do as they do – including ceremonial services, zen meditation and tea ceremonies.
One of the most interesting practices you can try during your stay is that of Baru Gongyang – a formal monastic meal where everyone eats in communal silence from a baru (wooden bowl). The key to a baru meal is taking only what you need; not even a single grain of rice should be wasted.
Naganeupseong Folk Village stands in the shadows of the mountains, hemmed in by a walled fortress on all four sides. More like a sprawling town than a village, it’s made up of three separate neighbourhoods and has over 200 thatched homes – a fact that makes it distinguished from the other historic villages of Korea, where tile-roofed houses for the elite were the norm. The town is preserved in its original form, dating back to the Joseon-era – embodying the historic Confucian ideology in its design of being in harmony with nature.
The area is renowned for its traditional folk customs, which is why it has been nominated as a UNESCO Heritage site. Stroll among the houses and you’ll see all kinds of arts and culture from the region – including silk-farming, black smithery, paper-making and traditional music. Many places in the town also offer the chance to join workshops, where you can try everything from tofu making to fabric dying.
The majestic coastal wetlands of Suncheon Bay should be on every South Korea travel itinerary. The enormous nature reserve is home to the largest colony of reeds in the country, standing taller than a fully-grown man. When the reeds sway in their thousands, it’s like watching waves roll across the ocean.
The Wetland Reserve is a natural habitat for birds, with over 140 species – including migratory and endangered birds, like the Oriental White Stork and the Eurasian Oystercatcher. You can hike along the wooden pathways and stop at the observation decks to take in the swathes of undulating reeds.
The Bay is also home to Suncheon Bay National Garden, where you’ll find every kind of garden, from beautiful English roses to traditional Chinese zen gardens. At the centre is an enormous lake, where a vibrant green hill offers sweeping views of the surrounding wetlands and mountains.
The bamboo forest of Damyang was named one of the ‘top things to do in South Korea’ by the Korean Tourism Board – and for very good reason. This beautiful forest, the size of 40 football fields, is tranquillity in its most natural form: a place where sunlight floods through the canopy, casting a golden glow across the land. In winter, snow coats the forest floor, while spring brings a host of wildflowers.
The forest is woven with eight unique walking trails that meander past traditional villages, art installations and hammocks slung between the trees. Follow Lover’s Lane past a small waterfall where the reflections are said to make you more beautiful in your lover’s eyes; or wander along Old Memories Byway, designed for reminiscing with old friends. Along the way, you’ll find hanok-style cafés where you can stop for a meditative tea to contemplate the beauty of your surroundings.
Considered one of the most scenic places in South Korea, the Boseong tea plantations are a kaleidoscope of greenery – the neatly planted bushes creating swirling patterns across the hillsides.
Wild green tea has been cultivated in the area since the Silla Dynasty in 600 AD thanks to the cooler climate making it ideal for tea growing, with plenty of rainfall and rich soil. As well as green tea, you’ll find groves of juniper trees, enormous maples, chestnuts, ginkgos and bamboo.
Grab a map when you arrive and set off on food through the fields. It’s better to head straight to the top of the hill first – where you’ll be rewarded with great views from the observatory platforms – before you leisurely make your way back down. After a walk through the fields, head over to the Green Tea Museum nearby – and don’t leave without trying some green tea ice cream.
Start planning your dream visit to Jeollanamdo now by heading over to the official website.
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