Located in the mid-western part of the Korean peninsula, Gyeonggi-do is home to a large number of tourist destinations that are all nearby Seoul, including Cultural Heritage Sites like Suwon Hwaseong Fortress, Korean Folk Village, and many more which will be introduced to you in this blog. We’ve put together a Gyeonggi-do Travel Itinerary including the best tourist sites to visit and have fun. Read on and take your pick to go on your best Gyeonggi-do travel yet.
Course A. South Gyeonggi-do
Course A will take you on an exciting tour around the southern parts of Gyeonggi-do, including places such as Gwangmyeong Cave, Hwaseong Fortress, Korean Folk Village, and Everland.
1) Gwangmyeong Cave
Once a shelter for residents in the area during the Korean War, and a mine during the Japanese occupation, the Gwangmyeong Cave complex opened in 2011 and is now open to all visitors. This site is a popular place to visit among tourists and locals alike, as it has hosted multiple events such as movie screenings, concerts, fashion shows, and exhibitions. There are plenty of eateries in Gwangmyeong Cave that people visit as well.
Cave attractions include the Wormhole Square (light theme experiences in the cave), Cave Underground World(an underground passage that miners once carried the mined ore), Cave Underground Lake, Golden Road, Modern History Museum and etc. In addition, there is a 194m-long Wine Cave where 170 types of wine from around South Korea are sold.
2) Suwon Hwaseong Fortress/Haenggung Palace
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress is all made of stone, and the fortress was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A variety of performances and events are held at the fortress every day and Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival takes place here in autumn.
You’ll also visit Hwaseong Haenggung Palace, which was a temporary shelter for kings and royal families during a war. This place became famous after being used as the setting of the Korean drama “Moonlight Drawn By Clouds.
3) Korean Folk Village
The Korean Folk Village is an outdoor theme park where you can experience what life was like for people during the Joseon Dynasty. explore every corner of the village, have a look around the old houses to get a glimpse of life back in the past. Head out to the streets of the village to witness amazing performances
- Book Suwon Hwaseong Fortress + Korean Folk Village + Uiwang Rail Bike Tour!
- South Gyeonggi Private Van Package: Folk Village or Dae Jang Geum Theme Park/Yeoju Premium Outlet or Hwaseong Fortress
4) Everland Theme Park
Everland is the biggest theme park in Korea offering over 40 rides to enjoy, including the all-time favorite ‘T-Express’ wooden roller coaster. The theme park itself is divided into 5 different themes for all to enjoy. There are also a variety of magnificent shows and parades you can watch and take lots of photos to remember this wonderful day!
- Get Everland 1 Day Pass at a Discounted Price!
Course B. North Gyeonggi-do
Hop on board Course B to the North of Gyeonggi-do, which takes you to exciting, quirky, and tranquil places like Heyri art Village, Onemount Snow Park, Aqua Planet Ilsan, Herb Island and Sanmeoru Winery.
1) One Mount Snow Park
One Mount Snow Park – One Mount Snow Park is the largest snow park in Korea. Not only summertime but all season you can enjoy winter activities because it keeps a wintry temperature throughout the year. You have to dress in warm clothes even if you go there during summer. It offers sled rides pulled by dogs or a mammoth sled, the main highlights of One Mount Snow Park.
2) Aqua Planet Ilsan
This is the best excursion for children. No aquarium offers a wide range of animal shows and activities to take part in like Aqua Planet Ilsan does. Aqua Planet Ilsan is a lot different from other aquariums. First, there is a gigantic water tank called The Deep Blue Ocean, with more than 10000 creatures and 30 different species living in the tank. The most popular creature visitors look for is the 3m long pitted stingray.
- Get Your Aqua Planet Ilsan Discount Tickets!
3) Heyri Art Village
Home to photographers, painters, all kinds of artists, musicians, architects, and writers, Heyri Art Village is unique, quirky, and artsy of course. Meaning there are also lots of galleries and museums exhibiting intriguing artwork and sculptures to check out. Not only that, there are plenty of beautiful cafes, and workshops that are worth the visit. Not one place will make you feel like you’ve wasted your time there.
4) Sanmeoru Winery
Experience little Spain in Sanmeoru Winery, where they produce wild grapes and wine in a wine distillery. You get a chance to bottle your very own bottle of grape wine. After touring the entire wine distillery where you can see barrels of wine aging to perfection, head over to their workshop and have a go at making various products with the grapes like soap bars, grape jam, and chocolate!
5) Herb Island
Herb Island is an enormous theme park made of 5 different themes: a Herb Museum, Santa Village, Mini Zoo, Venice Village, Flower & Waterfall Garden, Korea’s Old Streets, and Dinosaur Village. Each zone is beautiful on its own, and it is perfect for families and lovers to visit this place because there are lots of photo spots. The highlight of Herb Island is when the sun sets and it becomes dark. the entire park is lit up with bright lights and turns into a totally different world from what you will see when the sun is out. (Spot link)
Course C. East Gyeonggi-do
And our final guide, Course C! going over to the East of Gyeonggi-do, comprised of most of the sightseeing sites. Course C is the best option for you if you like to take your time admiring landscapes and enjoying a tranquil time strolling around in parks!
1) Garden of Morning Calm
For those who love nature and are also fond of botanical gardens, head for the Garden of Morning Calm, one of the best and most beautiful gardens in Korea. Inspired by Korea’s nickname, ‘The Land of the Morning Calm’, the garden focuses on the country’s natural beauty and showcases floral arrangements and landscaped gardens built in harmony with the surroundings. Offering a picturesque setting, the garden has been used as a filming location for many Korean TV series. Around the Garden of Morning Calm, there are many other famous attractions you may want to explore as well, such as Nami Island, Petite France, and Gangchon Rail Park.
- Nami Island + Gapyeong Rail Bike + Garden of Morning Calm Tour
- Seoraksan National Park + Nami Island (+ Garden of Morning Calm) Tour
- Gapyeong One Day Private Van Tour
2) Petite France Village
When you visit Petite France, you will come across a cluster of white, exotic buildings on a hillside. Just by looking at it, it feels like you’re not in Korea, but a village on the coast of Europe. This is Petite France, a French cultural village set in the Korean countryside! Petite France serves as both a French cultural village and a youth training facility. Consisting of 16 French-style buildings where visitors can lodge and experience French food, clothing, and household culture. The concept of Petite France is ‘The Little Prince.’ The village contains a memorial hall dedicated to Saint-Exupery, the author of the celebrated French novel, Le Petit Prince, and as such, it is called the Little Prince theme park.
- Nami Island + Petite France + Gapyeong Rail Bike + Garden of Morning Calm Tour
3) Dumulmeori Semiwon Garden
Semiwon is a botanical garden housing the world’s only museum dedicated to showcasing lotus flowers. The 180,000 square-meter park consists of six ponds where the water is filtered and purified before flowing back into the Hangang River.
The park is most beautiful in summer when the lotus flowers bloom, decorated with seasonal flowers throughout the year.
4) Dumeh Hyanggi Garden
Welcome to ‘Healing Land’, Dumeh Hyanggi, a unique garden filled with natural vegetation. Dumeh Hyanggi is not just a place with trees plants and bushes to admire. The concept of this green park is to be ’healed’ from all the stress and difficulties you face by coming here to relax and let go of all your worries. Experience your mind and body heal by coming to Dumeh Hyanggi and becoming one with the nature surrounding you.
5) Nolza Strawberry Farm
While you’re at Dumeh Hyanggi, you can also check out Nolza Farm. Have a go at strawberry picking as a part of a farm life experience program they run. A perfect destination to visit with your family and kids!
How did you like our Gyeonggi-do travel itinerary? Lots of places to go and things to do right?We also offer other places to travel in Gyeonggi-do so check those out at Trazy.com, Korea’s #1 Travel Shop!
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