The lesser-known places to visit in South Korea beyond the capital city of Seoul, according to seasons
South Korea is more than just Seoul—its hidden gems offer breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and cultural experiences. While the capital city dazzles with its bustling streets, stores that blast K-pop music, and towering skyscrapers that seem to touch the sky, the country boasts lesser-known corners that are begging to be explored.
Read more: A K-pop and K-drama fan’s ultimate guide to South Korea
South Korea’s mountainous terrain, coastal plains, and islands, coupled with a climate with four neatly divided seasons, allow travellers to pick and choose where and when to visit. From the volcanic wonders of Jeju Island to the magnificent, Unesco-recognised Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon, which tells tales of the Joseon Dynasty, these destinations reveal South Korea’s multifaceted character.
Spring: Changwon, Gyeongsang Province
Cherry blossoms are a symbol of beauty and purity in South Korea and they’ve been used in Korean pop culture, such as K-dramas, to represent moments of romance and love. Popular K-drama scenes where cherry blossoms rain down on the characters are such as the Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017) finale, episode 8 of While You were Sleeping (2017), episode 1 of It's Okay to Not Be Okay, episode 8 of Doom at Your Service (2021), episode 3 of Our Beloved Summer (2021), and episode 12 of Business Proposal (2022), to name a few.
See also: Sakura Power: The best destinations to visit for cherry blossoms outside of Japan
To experience the ethereal beauty of cherry blossoms, head over to Changwon for the Jinhae Cherry Blossom Festival Tour. A ravishing pink festival and one of the most picturesque festivals in South Korea, it’s held from late March to mid-April. Accessible via a day tour from Seoul, travellers will be able to take in the sights as they stroll through downtown Jinhae and Jungwon Rotary to visit iconic locations such as the 1.5km-long Yeojwacheon Stream and the Gyeonghwa Station to see the stunning cherry blossoms in full bloom, which only lasts a few days.
While taking in the mesmerising sights, treat yourself to an array of cherry blossom-themed snacks such as waffles, puddings, ice cream, tipples like mojitos, and more.