Best things to do in Suncheon

Suncheon-si Unmissables

Suncheon-si features the Suncheon Bay National Garden and the expansive Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, a Ramsar-protected habitat for migratory birds and rare hooded cranes. Historical landmarks include the Nagan Historical Village, which preserves Joseon-era thatched-roof houses, and the Songgwangsa Temple, a major Zen Buddhist site. The city also hosts a 16th-century Japanese castle and a film set recreating mid-20th century Korean streets, while Mt Yongsan Observatory provides views of the coastal S-curve waterway.

Suncheon-si Unmissables — Map

Jangg8962 / CC BY-SA 4.0

A

Suncheon Japanese Castle

Suncheon Castle, also known as Suncheon Waeseong, in Korean, Juntenjō in Japanese, is the only remaining Japanese castle in Jeollanam-do,…

B

Suncheon Bay WWT Wetland

Part of a Ramsar-protected site, these wetlands feature vast reed beds and salt marshes that provide a habitat for over 220 bird species, including the rare hooded crane.

Donghwan Seong / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Suncheon Bay National Garden

Suncheon Bay National Garden is located in Suncheon in South Jeolla Province, South Korea.

tecking / CC BY-SA 2.0

D

Nagan Historical Village

A Joseon-era fortress village featuring approximately 100 traditional thatched-roof houses enclosed by a 1,410-meter stone wall. It remains an active residential community and includes a former government office and guesthouse.

Sarah Murguia / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Suncheon Drama Set

An open-air film set featuring three neighborhoods modeled after 1950s Suncheon, 1960s Seoul shantytowns, and 1970s Seoul suburbs. It is a frequent filming location for Korean television dramas and movies.

F

Usjang

A traditional market famous for its Gukbap Alley and its five-day market held on dates ending in 2 and 7. It serves as a hub for local agricultural goods and regional street food.

G

Song-Kwang-Sa Temple Main Hall

The central hall of Songgwangsa, one of the three Jewel Temples of Korea. It represents the Sangha and features traditional Buddhist architecture with intricate dancheong decorative paintings.

H

Mt Yongsan Observatory

A viewpoint reached via a forest trail from Suncheon Bay. It provides a panoramic outlook over the circular reed fields and the S-shaped waterway, a signature landscape of the region.