Whether you’ve just arrived in Korea or have lived here for years, here are 21 must-see naturally beautiful places to visit in the Land of the Morning Calm.
1. Seongsan Sunrise Peak (성산일출봉) | Jeju-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeCW9IfhDHJ/?tagged=seongsanilchulbong
This beautiful volcanic crater was formed on Jeju Island 5,000 years ago from hydrovolcanic eruptions. Seongsan Sunrise Peak is a UNESCO world heritage site and is best known for its majestic sunrises and numerous rare plant species.
Location: Seongsan-ri, Seongsan-eup, Seogwipo, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (제주특별자치도서귀포시 성산읍 성산리 1번지)
2. Ggotji Beach (꽃지 해수욕장) | Chungcheongnam-do
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Located 4 km south west of Anmyeon-eup, this cream-colored beach is the ideal place to watch the sun set into the ocean. Home to two large rock formations, commonly known as Granny Rock and Grandpa Rock, Ggotji Beach is a gem.
Location: Seungeon 4 ri, Anmyeon-eup, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do (충남 태안군 안면읍 승언4리)
3. Kyeong-Wha Station, Jinhae (진해 경화역) | Gyeongsangnam-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhGLa1ohp1V/?tagged=%EC%A7%84%ED%95%B4%EA%B2%BD%ED%99%94%EC%97%AD
Every spring, cherry blossoms rain down in this picturesque cherry blossom tunnel. Don’t miss it this spring.
Location: Kyeongwha-dong, Jinhae-gu, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 창원시 진해구 경화동)
4. Upo Marsh (우포늪) | Gyeongsangnam-do
With an area of 2,314 km squared, Upo Marsh is the largest inland wetland in Korea. Formed over 140 million years ago, this marsh is home to over 1,500 plants and animals (some of which are endangered), and migratory birds.
Location: Daedae-ri, Yueo-myeon, Changnyeong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 창녕군 유어면 대대리)
5. Jeungdo Salt Farm (전남 신안 증도 염전) | Jeollanam-do
This treasure island is famous for its clear seawater and salt farms. Artifacts from the Song Dynasty have been found at the bottom of the sea here.
Location: Jeungdo-myeon, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 신안군 증도면)
6. Gongryong Ridge, Seorak Mountain (설악산 신선대 공룡능선) | Gangwon-do
Thought to be shaped like the spine of a dinosaur (and appropriately named “Dinosaur Ridge“), this ridge offers spectacular views of both inner and outer Seorak. The peak elevation of Gongryong Ridge stands at approximately 1,200 meters.
Location: Goseong-gun/Yangyang-gun/Inje-gun, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 속초시 고성군, 양양군, 인제군)
7. Uleung Island Seaside Road (울릉도 해안도로) | Gyeongsangbuk-do
Uleung Island, affectionately called “Mysterious Island” by some, is a popular weekend getaway for Seoul residents. Curious rock formations, shore cliffs and numerous waterfalls adorn the island’s Seaside Road.
Location: Uleung-eup, Uleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do (경북 울릉군 울릉읍)
8. Chunwang Peak, Jiri Mountain (지리산 천왕봉) | Gyeongsangnam-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhbd440jDNf/?tagged=%EC%B2%9C%EC%99%95%EB%B4%89
At 1,915 meters, Chunwang Peak on Jiri Mountain is Korea’s second highest peak. The national park on Jiri Mountain stretches over five cities and three provinces.
Location: Samjang-myeon/Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 산청군 시천면, 삼장면)
9. Yeojwa Stream (경상남도진해여좌천벚꽃길) | Gyeongsangnam-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhNg8-rBGKg/?tagged=yeojwacheon
Couples love to visit this site to cross the “Romance Bridge.” Visit at night time for fewer people, and to witness the colors of the flowers pop against the night sky.
Location: Yeojwa-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do (경상남도 창원시 진해구 여좌동)
10. Boseong Green Tea Field (보성 녹차밭) | Jeollanam-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhfy_C6lgg5/?taken-at=1287880
Approximately 40 percent of Korea’s tea is produced at Boseng Green Tear Field. Visit in May to experience the annual green tea festival, or in the winter to see the fields decorated with lights.
Location: Bongsan-ri, Boseong-eup, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 보성군 보성읍 봉산리)
11. Seryang-Je (세량제) | Jeollanam-do
Seryang-je, a reservoir built in 1969 in Hwasun, is famous for its ethereal mist and reflections of colorful blossoms and leaves. Though Seryang-je is man-made, it was too beautiful to not be included in this list.
Location: Seryang-ri, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 화순군 화순읍 세량리)
12. Halla Mountain (한라산) | Jeju-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhZlE-Phb-8/?tagged=hallasan
Visit Halla Mountain in the winter to see the snowflakes and icicles covering tree branches all across the mountain. Sledding, snow rafting, and ice sliding are also activities that visitors can enjoy during the winter months.
Location: Halla Mountain, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province (제주특별자치도 한라산)
13. Terraced Fields, Hamyang (함양 다락논) | Gyeongsangnam-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhdrOeuAjl4/?tagged=%ED%95%A8%EC%96%91
This small village at the foot of Jiri Mountain displays terraced rice paddies. In spring, the water in the paddies reflects the sky, while in autumn the paddies glow with golden grains.
Location: Macheon-myeon, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 함양군 마천면)
14. Yeong-san River (영산강) | Jeollanam-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/BheSlL_h1DQ/?tagged=%EC%98%81%EC%82%B0%EA%B0%95
Yeong-san River offers some of Korea’s most beautiful river views, and gives the Han a serious run for its money. For dedicated cyclists, there is a 132 km cycle path along the river that runs from Damyang to Mokpo.
Location: Yongso-ri, Yong-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do (전남 담양군 용면 용소리)
15. Poppy Garden, Simhak Mountain, Paju (파주 심학산 꽃밭) | Gyeonggi-do
Reminiscent of a Claude Monet painting, the poppy-dotted scenery at Simhak Mountain is sure to take your breath away. As one of the few places with poppies in Korea, Simhak Mountain hosts an annual Poppy Festival around June of each year.
Location: Simhak Mountain, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do (경기도 파주시 심학산)
16. Hwangmae Mountain (황매산 철쭉축제) | Gyeongsangnam-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/5etB4oFf5E/?tagged=simhak
At 1,108 meters, Hwangmae Mountain is the highest peak in the Sobaek mountain range and is covered by royal azalea blossoms every spring. The Royal Azalea Festival runs for two weeks around the tart of May.
Location: 1 Mountain, Beoppyeong-ri, Chahwang-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do (경남 산청군 차황면 법평리 산1번지)
17. Haeundae Beach (해운대 해수욕장) | Busan
https://www.instagram.com/p/BhBh-ROncJb/?tagged=haeundae
Hundreds of thousands frequent Haeundae beach every summer, but visitors also come in the winter to enjoy the Polar Bear Festival held every January.
Location: Woo 1-dong,Joong-dong, Haeundae-gu, Busan (부산 해운대구 우1동 , 중동)
18. Snow in Taebaek Mountain (태백산 설경) | Gangwon-do
Gangwon province is famous for having some of the best ski resorts in the country. The High1 Resort features the highest peak at 1,345 meters. Visitors can go sledding, snow rafting and more in this region.
Location: Mungok-dong, Taebaek-si, Gangwon-do (강원도 태백시 문곡동)
19. Suncheon Bay (순천만) | Jeollanam-do
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhf3WSBHMmE/?tagged=%EC%88%9C%EC%B2%9C%EB%A7%8C
One of the biggest coastal marshes in the world, Suncheon Bay is home to numerous plants and marine life as well as the biggest field of reeds (5.4 km squared) in Korea.
Location: 162-2 Daedae-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do (전라남도 순천시 대대동 162-2)
20. Ulsan Rock, Seorak Mountain (울산바위) | Gangwon-do
This rocky mountain has six peaks and five urn-shaped holes at its summit. Some call Seorak Mountain the “Crying Mountain,” as legends and ancient records claim the rocks on the mountain cry just before a big storm.
Location: Seorak National Park, Seorak-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do (강원 속초시 설악동 설악산국립공원)
21. Donglim Reservoir, Gochang (고창 동림저수지) | Jeollabuk-do
Every year, more than 200,000 spectacled teals (the color is named after this bird) fly above this beautiful reservoir. The kingdom of migratory birds is an amazing sight to see.
Location: Heungduk-myeon/Sungnae-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do (전북 고창군 흥덕면/성내면)