Written/Reported by Wei Rwei from MOOK Travel Life Network’s Scenic Spots Home
If you haven’t been to Korea yet, or have only explored areas around Seoul, take the chance to experience a different side of Korea during the upcoming “Yeosu World Expo,” which kicks off on May 12 in South Jeolla Province in the southern part of the country. Beyond the vast Expo grounds, there are five highly distinctive nearby attractions well worth a side trip.
The closest attraction to the Expo site is “Oegwipo Island,” which you can reach by walking along the connected breakwater—a roughly 30-minute walk that brings you to this island featuring rare tree species and stunning natural landscapes of rugged cliffs. The island is also famous for its camellias, and climbing up to the lighthouse offers a panoramic view of the entire Expo. A full loop around the island takes about 40 minutes.
Walking along the expansive reed field trails of “Suncheon Bay” allows you to observe many beautiful ecological sights. (Photo provided by Korea Tourism Organization)
Additionally, there are two national treasure-level historical sites: one located in downtown Yeosu, the largest existing single-story wooden structure in Korea—“Jinnamgwan Hall”—built during the Joseon Dynasty and designated as Korea’s National Treasure No. 304, with each wooden beam being three to four hundred years old; the other is “Naeil Minsok Village” in the Nae-ri area of Unam-myeon, Seocheon City’s Nagan-eup, which has well-preserved Joseon-era houses. Around 180 households still reside here, offering visitors a glimpse into the traditional Korean way of life.
In Seocheon City, there is also a stunning ecological zone and a crucial stopover for various precious migratory birds from around the world—“Suncheon Bay.” It has been rated by a professional Korean photography group as one of the top ten sunset spots. Nature lovers, bird watchers, and photography enthusiasts should not miss it.
There’s also the “Boseong Tea Fields” located in the mountainous southern region of Boseong-eup, a major green tea-producing area in Korea. Here, you can try “green tea pork,” which is raised on a diet of green tea, while strolling through tea-scented fields that look like lush green carpets.
“Naeil Minsok Village” is a well-preserved “living folk village.” (Photo provided by Korea Tourism Organization)
Taiwan currently has around 17 travel agencies offering package tours for the Yeosu Expo, including Hsin Lin, Shuang Xiang, Hana Tour, Phoenix, Jingcheng, Xing’an, Kangfu, Shan Fu, EasyTrip, Besta, Jiapin, Canxing, Southeast, Lion, Wu Fu, Metropolis, and Ximei. Some tours depart from Seoul, others from Busan, mostly arranged as 5-day trips, with prices ranging from NT$16,300 to NT$29,900. Starting April 30 this year, a new direct flight route between Taipei Songshan Airport and Seoul Gimpo Airport has been added. China Airlines, EVA Air, Korean low-cost carriers T’way Air and Eastar Jet have all launched promotional fares before the end of May. Those interested in attending the Yeosu Expo should plan ahead as soon as possible.
Read more: Yeosu Expo Series / Master 5 Major Innovations in 3 Minutes Online
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