Hidden gems in South Korea

Hidden Gems of South Korea

Beyond the major landmarks of Seoul, South Korea offers diverse architectural and natural sites. This selection features Deoksugung Palace, noted for its blend of traditional Joseon and Western-style buildings, and the Starfield Library’s 13-meter-tall bookshelves. Discover the industrial-to-ecological transformation of Seonyudo Water Gardens and Haneul Park, or explore regional history at the Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Museum in Daegu and the traditional Joseon-era Gwanghalluwon Garden in Namwon. Coastal highlights include Jeju Island’s Woljeong-Ri Beach and niche cultural sites like the GoEun Museum of Photography.

Hidden Gems of South Korea — Map

Marcin Białek / GFDL

A

Deoksugung Palace

Deoksugung also known as Gyeongun-gung, Deoksugung Palace, or Deoksu Palace, is a walled compound of palaces in Seoul that was inhabited by…

Hyerimwon / CC BY-SA 4.0

B

Starfield Library

Located within the COEX Mall, this open-public space features 13-meter-tall bookshelves and a collection of over 50,000 books and magazines.

Miranda Bear / CC-BY-SA

C

Waujeongsa

This peaceful place is simply made for a full day trip. Although the most magnificent sight is the huge golden Buddha, there are other…

//www.flickr.com/traveloriented/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

D

Seonyudo Water Gardens

Seonyudo is an island in the Han River in Seoul, South Korea. There is a Seonyudo park all over the island.

U2em / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Haneul Park

Situated on the highest point of World Cup Park, this former landfill was transformed into an ecological meadow known for its vast fields of silver grass and panoramic views of the Han River.

F

Woljeong-Ri Beach

A white sand beach on Jeju Island characterized by its emerald waters and a coastline lined with local cafes and distinctive wooden chairs.

G

GoEun Museum of Photography

A perfect stop for any photography lover out there, this museum of photography offers small yet very inspiring exhibitions to enjoy for…

Qian Wei / CC-BY-SA

H

Zippo Museum

If you are a Zippo lover and fan, this is a place for you. Showcasing interesting art made from the famous lighters, the museum is not to be…

I

Yangnyeongsi Oriental Medicine Museum

Located in Daegu on the site of a historic 17th-century medicine market, this museum details the history of traditional Korean medicine through interactive exhibits and herbal displays.

J

Gwanghalluwon Garden

A traditional Joseon-era garden in Namwon featuring the Ojakgyo Bridge and Gwanghallu Pavilion. It is the legendary setting of the famous Korean love story, the Tale of Chunhyang.

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South Korea Essentials Editor's Choice Top Museums & Galleries South Korea's Historical Sites South Korea's Sacred Sites Beautiful Parks & Gardens Iconic Viewpoints & Peaks Top Water Attractions Best Markets and Malls Top Theme Parks & Aquariums