Seven Good Spots in Jeolla Province on your Next Trip to Korea

Have you ever missed Seoul? Are you excited to plan your next trip again once everything back to normal? Thinking of going back to Korea always makes our heart flutters and jump in full swing, isn’t it? And what more will you feel if you’ll travel far away from Seoul with a new itineraries and exciting destination that offers an unforgettable experience in one of the province of Korea? Let me take you to seven good spots and my special trip in the Province of Jeolla. 

From Incheon Airport to Jeolla Province will roughly take about 3.5 hours by bus depending on your chosen city. Bus from Incheon Airport to Gwangju Bus Terminal is recommendable, but you can also take KTX train from Seoul to Gwangju-Songjeong Station which is more faster and will just take about 2 hours and you can be able to spend a relaxing and memorable vacation in Jeolla Province.

1. Visit the May 18th National Park in Gwangju.

2020 marks the 40th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising or the Gwangju People’s Uprising, a massive protest and democratization movement that happened 40 years ago in Gwangju after assassination of President Park Chung-Hee.This has been listed as “Unesco Memory of the World” and the May 18th National Park is a special tribute to all the modern heroes who bravely fought for justice and freedom during uprising. There’s also a museum inside wherein you can watch a documentary video and if you are sensitive enough to watch the video, you can really got hooked into it and feel the bloody uprising that happened in 1980. One that also catch my attention where I really got goosebumps was the old Korean flag that has been used by the protesters with their real blood and stain that are still preserved inside the museum.
Bonus: The museum staff might give you a special documentary book in English like what I just received after watching the documentary video. 

2. Strolling and try not to get lost at Juknokwon Bamboo Forest

If you love nature trippings and strolling in a green, calm and fresh surroundings, the Juknokwon Bamboo Forest will be a good way to be included in your itinerary if you visit Jeolla Province. It takes less than an hour (or depends on your chosen path) to roam around the forest with a total distance of 2.4 kilometers which consist of eight paths to choose from. You can really feel the natural breeze as the forest boast a high level of oxygen which is perfect even Summer, with a cooler temperature from 4 to 7 degrees Celcius inside. 

3. Feel the majestic Metasequoia-lined Road in Damyang

If you want to experience a fancy road that has the same Metasequoia trees in Nami Island that is not crowded and where you’ll be able to take unlimited selca with just a few people or visit one of Top 10 BTS related tour destination in Korea, the Metasequoia- lined Road which is just near the Juknokwon Bamboo forest is a famous attraction in Damyang. This beautiful road has tall metasequoia trees which is perfect during Autumn or for all season and has been listed as Korea’s 100 Most Beautiful Road.

4. Experience camping and hiking at Seonun Mountain.

Hiking is the best way to spend Autumn in Korea and strolling while enjoying the cool breeze of Seonun mountain will make you forget the modern and busy city of Seoul. One unforgettable and not so ordinary itinerary is to spend your day or night camping in Seonun Mountain. It’s a totally a new experience for some tourist since you can feel that you are in a variety show like Running Man or 2 Days 1 Night wherein you can cook your favorite samgyupsal or roast potato in a portable stove, sleep in a capsule bed and play the Rock, Paper, Scissor Game with your friends.

Aside from Seonun Mountain, there are other mountains which are also worth to visit like the Mudeung Mountain and Naejang Mountain especially during the peak of Autumn Season where the full-bloomed red Maple trees will welcome and greet you.

5. Art Appreciation at the Penguin Village in Yangnim-dong

Penguin Village is a small village in Gwangju which consist of group of elders making a living. It was called Penguin Village because it’s how they described the elder’s way of walking in knee pain. Most of their old junks and abandoned houses has been redesigned which makes it more interesting to go inside the village. There are also plenty of art paintings, collections of poems and art designs in every corner which is a good attraction for students, children and tourist.

6. The Train Village in Gokseong

If you want to experience riding an old train in Korea, the Train Village in Gokseong County will be one of the few old trains that is still running up to date. It’s actually an old railway with an old Korail train and will take about 20 to 30 minutes ride back and forth, where you’ll just sit back and relax and experience the fresh air and peaceful province in Gokseong. After 10 or 15 minutes, the train will stop where you can be able to spend more time and enjoy the sceneries, drink coffee or buy some local snacks like rice pop cracker outside the train. Some tourist also spend their time on that specific area since there are plenty of activities to choose from like bungee jumping, riding a bike, cross the hanging bridge and may even spend a night at camping sites or local guesthouse nearby.

7. The 1913 Songjeong Station Market

Before catching your train or bus going back to Seoul, why not spend a quick time to buy a local souvenir and try to eat some street foods at Songjeong Station Market. This old market just across the train station, sells various traditional products since 1913 in connection of the Gwangju-Songjeong Station. I personally love this street market because of the modern design and signboards, attractive lights at night and their version of Bindae-tteok, or mung bean pancake which is very affordable and worth to try.

[My article “Seven Good Spots in Jeolla Province on your Next Trip to Korea” has been officially published and also available at Talk Talk Korea website dated May 12, 2020].

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