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Top Places to Visit in Korea

Korea's must-see places, from Seoul palaces to Busan's hillside villages, with 5 useful Korean phrases for each, with audio and a quick quiz.

  • Juknokwon Bamboo Garden (죽녹원)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Damyang, Jeollanam-do

    Juknokwon Bamboo Garden

    죽녹원

    A bamboo forest of about 160,000 m² in Damyang, opened in May 2003. Stone steps and walking paths wind between tall bamboo, and the breeze through the leaves makes it a calm place to slow down. End your visit with a cup of bamboo leaf tea.

    Open every day: 09:00-19:00 March-October, 09:00-18:00 November-February (last admission an hour or 30 minutes before closing).

  • Odongdo Island (여수 오동도)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Yeosu, Jeollanam-do

    Odongdo Island

    여수 오동도

    A small island off the coast of Yeosu, known for its sea cliffs and camellias. A breakwater links it to the mainland, so you can walk in or ride the Dongbaek Train. The camellias start to bloom in January and are at their best in March. Walking trails lead to a lighthouse, a musical fountain and a barefoot walking path.

    The island is open 24 hours. The Dongbaek Train runs about 09:15-17:00 with a break from 12:00 to 13:00; call ahead to check.

  • Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation (보성 대한다원)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Boseong, Jeollanam-do

    Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation

    보성 대한다원

    A green tea plantation where rows of tea bushes cover the hillside like a deep green carpet. The entrance path is lined with tall cedar trees, and from the lookout at the top of the 350 m hill you can see the sea on a clear day.

    Open 09:00-18:00 (Mar-Oct) and 09:00-17:00 (Nov-Feb), all year round. Parking is available.

  • Damyang Metasequoia Road (담양 메타세쿼이아길)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Damyang, Jeollanam-do

    Damyang Metasequoia Road

    담양 메타세쿼이아길

    An 8.5 km avenue lined with towering metasequoia trees, planted in the early 1970s when National Road 24 was rebuilt. The saplings were only a few years old then; today the trees are so tall they shade the whole road. In 2002 it was chosen as one of the most beautiful roads in Korea.

    Open 09:00-19:00 (May-Aug) and 09:00-18:00 (Sep-Apr). Closed on Seollal and Chuseok days. Parking is available.

  • Suncheonman Bay Wetland (순천만습지)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Suncheon, Jeollanam-do

    Suncheonman Bay Wetland

    순천만습지

    A wide tidal bay where a 3 km waterway winds through mudflats and huge reed beds. The reeds are a wintering and breeding ground for many kinds of birds, and the mudflats are full of wildlife, so you often see flocks of birds rising over the reeds as you walk the paths.

    Open 08:00-17:00 (Nov-Feb), 08:00-18:00 (Mar-Apr, Sep-Oct), 08:00-19:00 (May-Aug); entry until 1 hour before closing. Closed on the last Monday of each month. Parking is available.

  • Hyangiram Hermitage (여수 향일암)
    Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사)
    Yeosu, Jeollanam-do

    Hyangiram Hermitage

    여수 향일암

    A small Buddhist hermitage on the cliffs of Dolsan Island, looking out over the South Sea. It is said to have been founded by the monk Wonhyo; in the Joseon dynasty it was named Hyangiram ("facing the sun") for its sunrise view. About a million people visit each year, many to pray. The main hall and bell tower were rebuilt in 2021 after a fire in 2009.

    Open 05:00-19:00, all year round. Parking is available.

Data: Korea Tourism Organization (한국관광공사), via TourAPI. Photos are shown as provided, uncropped. Facts are checked against VisitKorea and official festival sites, and the descriptions are our own. Dates can change, so check the official site before you travel.