With the bursting popularity of Korean pop culture in recent years, South Korea has seen a huge influx of foreigners on their shores dying to know more about the country. It’s capital Seoul, together with Busan as well as Jeju-do are the tourist hotspots. But South Korea is more than these cities!

With 85 cities, this large peninsula has plenty to offer – from amazing food and breathtaking views to rich history and culture. So on your next trip to South Korea, consider taking some time to visit other parts of the country, and see what these underrated cities have to offer.

Seeing as how the Hallyu Wave is not dying down any time soon, here are just 5 cities other than Seoul to get you started on your journey to explore the beautiful country of South Korea.

BORYEONG

Located on the west coast of the Korean peninsula is the quiet town of Boryeong, home to the biggest summer festival in Korea. Just for two weeks in July every year, everyone from locals to foreigners flock to Daecheon Beach where the Boryeong Mud Festival is held to get down and dirty with mud.

First established in 1998, the purpose of the mud festival is to promote the region’s mineral-rich mud that is beneficial for the skin. At the festival, you can expect a lot of fun, from mud wrestling and mudslides to K-Pop performances and spectacular fireworks during the opening and closing ceremonies.

Daecheon Beach is also lined with seafood restaurants with grilled clams as a specialty, so be sure to grab a meal there!

DAMYANG

Those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life, Damyang is the perfect place for you. It is in this small town in the southern province of Jeollanam-do where you can find the largest bamboo forest in Korea. Although this expansive bamboo forest – known as Juknokwon – is not as famous as Kyoto’s Arashiyama, it is nonetheless breathtaking.

Walk through the tall bamboo groves and enjoy the fresh air of the countryside. Within the compound, you can find a hanok village, an observatory as well as a museum where you can get bamboo ice cream!

Another attraction of Damyang is Metasequoia Road – a boulevard lined with beautiful Metasequoia trees. Incredibly photogenic, the best time to view it is in summer or autumn.

Photo Credit: leslyc_official_xo

GANGNEUNG

Beyond the mountainous region of Gangwon-do lies Gangneung a popular seaside getaway for locals. The largest coastal city of South Korea, Gangneung is now more accessible with the KTX that was built for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

Visit the Jungang Market to get your fill of Korean street food from Jungang Market or Chodang Tofu Village which is lined with restaurants specializing in soondubu jjigae (soft tofu stew). Gangneung is also known for being the city of coffee, that’s why you’ll find over 40 coffee shops along Anmok Coffee Street.

Since you’re in a coastal city, you obviously have to see the sea! Stroll along Gyeongpo Beach, watch the sunrise at Jeongdongjin Beach or reenact the famous scene from Goblin at Jumunjin Beach. We can totally understand why locals love Gangneung so much, there’s just so much to do and see in here!

INCHEON

The first thing that comes to mind when you think of Incheon is probably Incheon International Airport – the gateway to South Korea. Most of the time, people tend to overlook this port city.

Chinatown is the main attraction of Incheon and where the famous Korean-Chinese dish of jjajangmyeon (black bean noodles) originated so you’ll definitely find many Chinese restaurants selling this here. There is even a museum for it! Behind Chinatown is Freedom Park which offers a panoramic view of the port and is incredibly beautiful during spring when the cherry blossoms have bloomed.

Also in the vicinity is Songwol-dong Fairy Tale Village which is dotted with brightly-coloured murals and sculptures of Disney characters and other childhood favourites. Easily reached by the subway from Seoul, there’s no reason for you to skip this port city the next time you’re in South Korea!

JEONJU

An enchanting city rich in culture and history situated in the southern part of the Korean peninsula, Jeonju is another popular weekend destination for locals. Jeonju is also known to be the gastronomical capital of South Korea, with it being recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy in 2012.

Right in the heart of the city is Jeonju Hanok Village, with over 700 hanok houses which have been converted into boutiques, cafés and restaurants. Consider renting a hanbok to explore the area and definitely have the traditional Jeonju bibimbap for a meal to complete your experience.

Just a short walk away is Jeonju’s very own Jaman Mural Village which is splashed with murals of familiar animations such as Spirited Away and My Neighbour Totoro.

Seoul is an urbanised, metropolitan city that attracts lots of tourists annually. With the impact of Hallyu or the Korean Wave, the awareness of Korean cultural products has increased immensely, and so has the amount of tourism.

However, with a large amount of interest garnered towards modernised Korean culture, the Korean traditions and heritage may have taken a backseat.

But let’s not forget the 5 grand palaces in Seoul, all of which create the most interesting contrast and backdrop against the skyscrapers of the urban city. You shouldn’t visit just because they look great for Instagram; they are so full of history and cultural heritage.

Don the traditional Korean dress—known as Hanbok—and you’ll gain free admission into the palaces. Admission is also free for all on Culture Day, which falls on the last Wednesday of every month. These Five Grand Palaces of Seoul are a must-see when you’re in the capital.

#1 GYEONGBOKGUNG PALACE

Just north of Gwanghwamun Square in the very heart of Seoul is Gyeongbukgung Palace, which translates poetically into English as “palace greatly blessed by Heaven”.

This palace is one of the most well-recognised sights in South Korea. Having stood the test of time, the construction for the palace was completed in 1395 during the Joseon Dynasty. The palace was first built when the capital of Korea was shifted from Kaesong, located in present day’s North Korea, to northern Seoul, originally known as Hanyang.

Gyeongbokgung was unfortunately destroyed twice, once during the Japanese invasion of Korea from 1592 to 1598, as well as during the Japanese occupation during the early 20th century.

The palace has mostly been restored to its original form and is referred to as the grandest of the five palaces, boasting enchanting gardens, vivid colours and traditional Korean architecture.

Today, tourists from all walks of life pay a visit to the palace dressed in the traditional Korean costume, known as a Hanbok, to learn about Korea history. Don’t forget to check out the traditional Korean court music performances while at Gyeonbokgung as well.

161, Sajik-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Mon, Wed to Sun: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Gyeongbokgung Station

Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organization – VisitKorea

#2 DEOKSUGUNG PALACE

Located next to Seoul’s present-day City Hall, Deoksugung Palace is nestled amongst the backdrop of urban buildings, making for the most magnificent pictures that contrast traditional Korean and contemporary Western architecture.

The Palace was previously both a temporary palace and a residence to the kings and their royal relatives. Subsequently, the different wings and halls in the palace have had a long architectural history that has also integrated Western styles into the grounds.

The Seokjoseon Hall, which completed its construction in 1910, is an exceptional Western-style building that was constructed towards the end of the Joseon Dynasty. The Imperial family previously occupied it as their private living quarters.

Deoksugung Palace is typically packed with visitors due to the beautiful fusion of architecture and rich history. Take a stroll through the palace if you happen to make a stop at City Hall.

99 Sejong-daero,
Jung-gu, Seoul
Tue to Sun: 9am – 9pm
(Closed Monday)
Nearest Station: City Hall Station

Photo Credit: The Soul of Seoul

#3 GYEONGHUIGUNG PALACE

Not too far from Deoksugung Palace is Gyeonghuigung Palace—the youngest of the Five Grand Palaces of Seoul. It was originally built as a secondary palace for the king during the 1600s after the first Japanese invasion destroyed the other palaces.

Unfortunately, during the 1800s, the palace was engulfed in a fire which severely damaged the building and it was completely destroyed in the 1900s by the Japanese occupation.

Today, Gyeonghuigung is a modern reconstruction which is also smaller in scale to the original. Although it is a modernised version of the palace, Gyeonghuigung is still worthy of a visit as the Seoul History Museum and Jongno Street are both nearby.

The elegance of the palace is also still present in the stonewall road that leads towards Deoksugung Palace.

45, Saemunan-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tue to Sun: 9am – 6pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Seodaemun Station

Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organization – VisitKorea

#4 CHANGDEOKGUNG PALACE

Recognised as a World Cultural Heritage site by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Committee, Changdeokgung Palace was the second palace built in 1405.

As the best-preserved palace of the Five Grand Palaces of Seoul, the palace grounds were a royal villa for the kings to rest and was made up of a public palace area, a garden and the royal family residence.

The palace has been well-loved by Koreans for ages due to its beauty, particularly during the fall when the autumn foliage engulfs the palace grounds and gives it a mystical and enchanting atmosphere.

The Changdeokgung Palace’s rear garden also houses an enormous tree that is over 3 centuries old! A must-visit for the natural beauty of the greenery and the charming palace grounds, this palace is not one you should miss out.

99, Yulgok-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tue to Sun: 9am – 5pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Anguk Station

Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organization – VisitKorea

#5 CHANGYEONGGUNG PALACE

Right by Changdeokgung Palace is Changyeonggung palace, which was constructed by King Seongjong, the Joseon Dynasty’s 9th king.

It was made to be residential living grounds for the king’s royal relatives and elders with the idea of it being highly accessible to travel between the two neighbour palaces.

Photo Credit: Korea Tourism Organization – VisitKorea

Within Changyeonggung Palace is Korea’s fifth Western-style greenhouse, built in 1909, which make for beautiful pictures as it is constructed with glass exterior for natural light and white frames.

The palace is a popular location for tourists and couples on dates due to the stunning scenery through autumn and spring with the two seasons’ bright, welcoming colours.

185, Changgyeonggung-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
Tue to Sun: 9am – 5.30pm
(Closed on Monday)
Nearest Station: Hyehwa Station