South Korea is a treasure trove of experiences, with many attractions waiting to be explored. South Korea's hidden gems often go unnoticed amidst the grandeur of Seoul's major landmarks. For those seeking to uncover these lesser-known yet captivating spots, here's a curated list of the best-hidden gems in South Korea to include in your travel itinerary.
1. Heyri Art Valley: Located in Gyeonggi province, this is perfect for anyone who wants to dive deep into the art scene Korea has to offer. With a collection from 380 different artists, this is a unique place because it's the first private art village to be established in Korea.
2. Gangneung Coffee Street: With remarkable seaside views, this area became extremely popular for the massive amount of coffee vending machines that lined the beach back in the 1980s.This area is full of beautiful cafes, so it's definitely worth a spot on your travel list.
3. Dojjaebigol Sky Valley and Haerang Observatory: During the day, you'll get a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean, and at night, you'll be able to listen to the ocean waves. This tourist spot comes with a Sky Walk, Giant Slide, and Sky Cycle, but more than that, Haerang Observatory is a bridge on the sea that's shaped like a dokkaebi bat.
4. Daegwallyeong: This is where you want to be, especially in winter, as the beautiful snow rests on the mountainous terrain. Known for being the main venue for the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, this is a great place to ski and snowboard.
5. Hanbat Arboretum: Located in Daejeon, this wonderful area is actually the largest artificial arboretum in Korea. Here, you'll be able to see the Rose of Sharon Garden, the Wildflower Garden, the Shrubs Garden, and so much more.
6. Jangsaengpo Whale Culture Zone: A must-visit for fans of "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," the Jangsaengpo Whale Museum is all things whale. From life-sized whale skeletons to even a whale aquarium, this place also offers a whale-watching ferry.
7. Jeju Stone Park: If you plan to visit Jeju Island, make sure you drop by Jeju Stone Park. From this destination, visitors can see Obaek Jang goon stone statues and a traditional Jeju village with a horse mill and thatched homes.
There are so many little spots and places that tourists don't visit often, so if you get the chance, make sure to visit these places, and you won't regret it.
would highly recommend visiting gyeongju. it was the capital of the ancient silla kingdom so there's a lot of really interesting history there, both from silla and later periods. the gyeongju national museum, bulguksa temple, yangdong folk village, and donggung/wolji pond are all very cool. i've never made it to seokguram grotto but it's a popular place to visit in that area, too.