u/Fresh-Tangelo6576

As the ancient capital of the Baekje Kingdom, Buyeo is a hidden gem that captures traditional Korean vibes like nowhere else. It's the perfect mix of rich historic heritage and peaceful, modern comforts. 

During my trip to Buyeo, I stayed at ‘Lotte Resort Buyeo’. The traditional Hanok-inspired architectural details paired with the stunning autumn foliage made the whole stay feel really special. Right next to the resort is ‘Lotte Outlets Buyeo’, which was super convenient for grabbing food and shopping. The outlet itself is designed after ancient Baekje fortresses, so even just taking a stroll around was really cool!

The absolute highlight of the trip was visiting the iconic ‘Seongheungsan Love Tree’ (a 400-year-old zelkova tree up at Seongheungsan Fortress). If you take two photos standing by its giant branches and flip one horizontally to join them, the branches form a perfect heart shape! I guess that’s why it’s named the “Love Tree”. I immediately saw why it’s such a famous K-drama filming spot and a go-to for sunset photos. The uphill walk to get there definitely burned some serious calories, but it was total post-meal cardio!

I highly recommend visiting Buyeo during the ‘Baekje Cultural Festival’. Held throughout Buyeo city center from October 3rd to 11th, it’s one of Korea’s oldest and largest cultural events. You can check out grand parades, historical reenactments, live traditional performances, and gorgeous night lights along the Geumgang River. I’ll drop the link to their official English site below!

✔️Baekje Cultural Festival
https://baekjeculturalfestival.kr/index\_en.php

📍Lotte Resort Buyeo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jgKLGcUDSM8Tqpr89

📍Lotte Outlets Buyeo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BGhWSBNvx7jS2xMq7

Did you know that Namwon is known as the “City of Love"? It is famous as the backdrop for Chunhyangjeon, one of Korea's most iconic classic novels, which is the love story of Chunhyang 춘향 and Mongryong 이몽룡. I initially visited to hike Jirisan, then I spent a day in Namwon. Here are four attractions I visited and highly recommend!

The first stop is Gwanghanruwon. It's the very spot where the Chunhyangjeon couple met for the first time. The beautiful garden, serene pond, and Ojakgyo Bridge are truly impressive (you can instantly see why they fell in love in a place like this! 💘) The night view was gorgeous, and since admission is free after 6:00 PM, I highly recommend visiting in the evening.

Heading slightly into the downtown area from Gwanghanruwon, you’ll find Myeongmun Bakery, a local favorite. Bakery pilgrimages have become a popular travel trend across Korea (like visiting Seongsimdang in Daejeon, Leeseongdang in Gunsan etc.), so I definitely wanted to check out Namwon’s famous bakery. Their signature items are the Whipped Cream Soboro and Honey Almond Bread. Fresh batches come out at set times, and you need to get a waiting ticket beforehand to buy them. The taste reminds me a bit of a giant Homerun Ball 홈런볼. Definitely try at least one!

Crossing the Chunhyanggyo Bridge leads you to Chunhyang Theme Park. Starting in 2025, admission is free of charge. You can try traditional Korean games and even ride a massive swing like the one Chunhyang might have ridden (though it takes serious muscle to swing!). It's a fun place to play around and take great photos.

Finally, there is the Kim Byungjong Art Museum. To be honest, I expected the least from this spot, but it ended up being my absolute favorite. The main building is currently closed for renovation through December 9th, though the adjacent education building remains open as usual. When I visited, there was an exhibition that complemented Namwon perfectly. The museum building itself is stunning, and the serene atmosphere made it the perfect place to wind down the trip.

Namwon is only about a 2 hour KTX ride from Seoul, making it an easy trip. Plus, most of the main spots are clustered around Gwanghanruwon, so it’s very convenient to explore on foot without a car. As autumn sets in, I highly recommend planning a visit!

📍Gwanghanruwon : https://maps.app.goo.gl/cYtPKmBpbeXuoBtF6?g\_st=ic
📍 Myeongmun Bakery : https://maps.app.goo.gl/SPwunJJVs23nF8AT7?g\_st=ic
📍 Chunhyang Theme Park : https://maps.app.goo.gl/cap2cUrnhEgYGhbi7?g\_st=ic
📍 Kim Byungjong Art Museum : https://maps.app.goo.gl/HCBoTyoVqHMuiU6w9?g\_st=ic

If you're planning a trip down south, I highly recommend spending a day in Jindo. Since it's quite far, I honestly hesitated at first, wondering if I could handle the long drive with my kid.. but once we arrived and saw the view, I wondered why I had even worried!

It feels a bit ironic to recommend an "exotic" spot on a sub dedicated to Korea.. but it was just too beautiful not to share. The moment you enter Sol Beach Jindo, it feels like you are in a Mediterranean resort. It was stunning during daytime check-in, but as the sun set and the lights gradually turned on, it gave off such a great exotic vibe. After dinner, I went for a stroll around the resort with my child and family. The grounds were so spacious and beautifully landscaped that staying right here without visiting other tourist spots felt like enough to make the Jindo trip completely satisfying.

Since it sits right on the cliffs, the ocean view is absolutely unbeatable. Make sure to visit the infinity pool at sunset, and check the tide schedule! When it drops, a natural land bridge opens up so you can walk over to a tiny island. My child woke up early in the morning, so I was forced to get up early as well.. and went for a walk. Although the timing of the tide didn't quite match up so we couldn't walk down to the path, strolling near the shore was still a deeply refreshing experience.

When you think of Jindo, isn't the ‘Jindo dog’ the very first thing that pops into your head? So after checking out, we visited the Jindo Dog Theme Park. It's just 15 minutes away from the resort with free admission, and if you love dogs, this place is heaven. Jindo Dogs are deeply loyal and intelligent, which is why they are designated as a Natural Monument in Korea. Watching the agility show and petting the happy Jindo pups was the perfect end to our trip! 🐕

Has anyone else made the trip down to Jindo? I'd love to hear your experiences, or drop a comment if you have any questions about visiting with kids!

📍Sol Beach Jindo
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uSvR45oHUGo3Q5DU6?g\_st=ic

📍Jindo Dog Theme Park
https://maps.app.goo.gl/sY8Qqo2FatBfpMLN8?g\_st=ic

🕖 5:30 AM - Sunrise Ocean Run
I kicked off the morning with a 5k running from Hotel Maremons along the coast to Daepo Port East Breakwater where the red lighthouse is located. The crisp sea breeze and the rising sun hitting the East Sea made it one of the most refreshing runs I have ever had!

🕚 11:00 AM - Coffee by the lake at Chilsung Boatyard
After a good sweat + a refreshing shower, I stopped by Cafe Chilsung Boatyard right by Cheongcho Lake. It is a historic boatyard converted into a modern cafe and cultural space. The coffee and pastries were delicious, and the adjacent building had books and lifestyle goods that were fun to look through.

🕐 1:00 PM - Slowing down at Bauzium Sculpture Museum
After lunch, I wanted an easy walk, so I drove just outside the city to Bauzium Sculpture Museum. The combination of raw stone walls, quiet reflecting pools, and modern sculptures against the mountains felt super peaceful..

🕕 6:00 PM - Sunset Yacht Experience
Feeling the evening breeze and watching the coastline drift by during golden hour was easily the highlight of the trip. There are quite a few time slots available throughout the day, but I highly recommend booking the latest one (maybe 6pm?) so you can catch the sunset!

From sunrise to sunset, it was truly a day well spent in Sokcho. Unforgettable! 👍

[Location Links]
📍the Red Lighthouse
https://maps.app.goo.gl/U5kwrPhw5CBo8TDS9?g_st=ic

📍Chilsung Boatyard
https://maps.app.goo.gl/d2xkZ3G3kfYBspAEA?g_st=ic

📍Bauzium Sculpture Museum
https://maps.app.goo.gl/U3E7Ae1kobCioujN7?g_st=ic

📍Sokcho Marina Yacht Club
https://maps.app.goo.gl/3mkVT3xvDxaCRmhT6?g_st=ic

I've been seeing a lot of posts about the Han River in Seoul on Reddit lately, so today I'd love to introduce peaceful and nature-friendly gem, ‘Geum River’ here in Sejong City! As Korea’s planned administrative capital, Sejong is a beautifully designed city where urban architecture seamlessly meets nature. Here are two must-visit spots around the Geum River:

Sejong Lake Park 세종호수공원 :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/29aoAToRWu5kSaY78?g_st=ic

One of Korea's largest artificial lakes with crystal clear water. You can even watch fish swimming beneath the surface. Also there’s a great artificial sandy beach area (that my son absolutely loves playing in👦🏻), alongside a large shaded benches for adults to relax. It really is an ideal spot for both kids and parents.

Ieung Bridge 이응다리 (금강보행교) :
https://maps.app.goo.gl/RFUo4az4q5Gatf4k7?g_st=ic

Unlike typical river bridges built for cars, this bridge is completely car-free, designed exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists in a massive circular double-decker shape inspired by the Hangul consonant ‘ㅇ’ 이응. The upper deck is a popular hotspot for runners with small play areas for kids, while the lower deck is dedicated entirely to bicycles for a scenic, worry-free ride.
From the bridge, you can sometimes spot flocks of migratory birds over the river and I even saw a water deer (고라니) in the reeds! The surrounding trails also turn into a stunning cherry blossom walkway in spring, and the evening sunsets and night lights are unbeatable.

If you ever plan to visit Sejong (which isn't too far from Seoul & is right next to Daejeon) I highly recommend taking some time to check out at least these two spots! ✔️

from the rooftop of Sewoon Sangga 📍📸

from the rooftop of Sewoon Sangga 📍📸

Thanks to my dad's generous treat for this Busan trip, I got to stay at the LCT Residences. Being all the way up on the 90th floor, I could take in a panoramic view of Haeundae at a glance. The dizzying height made it feel less like a hotel room and actually more like sitting inside an airplane..! Since it’s a residence, there were actual residents living on the other floors, and the room was fully equipped with everything from an ice-water purifier, a dishwasher to a whirlpool bathtub and even a wine fridge.

After checking out the place, I thought, "I wish this was my home," but honestly, after spending a night there, it felt a little too scary, so I'll pass haha. Still, getting to see that surreal view morning and night made me feel like I was floating on the ocean.. almost enough to get motion sickness.😅 It was definitely a unique experience!

While I was in Busan, I wanted to visit somewhere other than just the beach, so I chose ‘the Bosu-dong Bookstore Street’. Whenever I travel, I always visit local bookstores and libraries. I love reading, but I’m also a huge fan of the unique atmosphere that bookstores and libraries have. When traveling abroad, even if I can’t read the local language, it’s so much fun just browsing through printed materials and taking in their visual vibe. Bosu-dong Street had a nice selection of English books too, and getting to browse through secondhand books allowed me to really soak in a nostalgic, old-school Korean vibe. The alley isn't huge, but after grabbing a cup of coffee at a nearby cafe, and checking out the nearby Kkangtong Market and Gukje Market across the street, half a day flew right by.

I hope my travel log is helpful for anyone visiting Busan who’s looking for a unique experience! I'll pin the locations below.
Anyone else here who shares the same vibe? 📚📖

📍Bosu-dong Bookstore Street
(67-1, Daecheong-ro, Jung-gu, Busan)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kR9n3AgPGqKSuNVm6?g_st=ic

📍LCT Residence
https://maps.app.goo.gl/aATaBr4XsqgR6hxB6?g_st=ic

Thanks to the weather, I finally went for an evening stroll yesterday! ☁️✨
It seems to have gotten a bit cooler since Ipchu 입추 (the start of autumn) passed. Come to think of it, the Korean concept of solar terms is surprisingly accurate. Hope it stays this cool..!

Btw, here’s Sejong!

There is half&half menu in Korean-Chinese restaurant. I usually enjoy it for my solo lunch and here’s today’s pic. I had Tangsuyook & Jjambbong half half dish for today. What’s your favorite combo?

I visited the Daegwallyeong Sheep Farm in mid-July. It's basically the landmark of Pyeongchang, but surprisingly a lot of people I know haven't actually been there. I was honestly a bit hesitant to go there because I didn't want to walk around an open field in the middle of the summer heat.. But it was actually totally fine! The Gangwon area is a bit cooler than other regions anyway, and there was this huge umbrella that you could grab for free at the entrance, and this was a lifesaver. It blocks the sun perfectly and you could kind of use it as a walking stick for the hills.

The views were totally amazing, btw. The sheep roaming the grass looked exactly like the fluffy clouds above, almost like a mirror. And the blue sky and the green hills honestly felt like looking at a real-life Windows XP wallpaper(or maybe like Teletubbies’ hill). Best of all, you don't just look at the sheep from a distance, but you can get up close and feed them yourself, which was pretty fun.

Though I visited in summer, I’ve heard the hills look wonderful in any season (like a snowy landscape in winter), so I might try to go back later this year if I have a chance. If you have plans to visit Gangwondo, please go say hi to the sheep for me:)

✔️Quick tips:
Address: 14 Daegwallyeongmaru-gil, Pyeongchang-gun
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Fyobbn9GK4FFszZCA
Hours: Usually 9 to 5 (open a bit later in the summer) Hours and grazing times vary by season, so check ahead!

so neat and clean✨

If you are looking for a peaceful escape from busy daily life, Damyang is the perfect destination. As known as an official Slow City, this region invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with nature.

My first destination was ‘Juknokwon’, a bamboo forest where towering stalks rise far above human height. Walking through this dense green haven offers a unique kind of healing you cannot find at the beach or mountains. As you stroll along, the sunlight filters beautifully through the canopy, the rustling leaves create a living ASMR, and a subtle bamboo scent fills the air, refreshing your sight, sound, and smell all at once. Instead of rushing through a fast-paced tourist spot, I was able to truly slow down, relax on bamboo benches, and savor the tranquility.

After the walk, I headed nearby to ‘Dambit Arts Warehouse’, a creative art cafe with stunning indoor views of the bamboo grove. This unique cultural space transformed old, decommissioned 1970s rice storage warehouses into a modern art gallery and cafe. The most unique feature of this cafe was its custom-built pipe organ which is made of bamboo trees! If you visit at the right time, you can even enjoy a live performance for free. Since the ‘Gwanbangjerim forest path’ is right behind the cafe, it's also great to take a stroll along if you have some extra time.🌿

💡 Tips & info
🎋Juknokwon 죽녹원
* Opening Hours: 09:00 - 19:00
(Last entry at 18:00 / Recommend Morning hours)
* Admission Fee: Adults 3,000 KRW
* Back Gate Entry Tips:
While the main gate starts from a lower elevation requiring a continuous uphill climb, starting from the back gate parking area places you at a relatively higher elevation, significantly reducing physical strain and making the bamboo forest walk much easier.
* Map Links:
https://naver.me/FxFtNY1f &
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cjzgs6UmizaCLDw97

🎨Dambit Arts Warehouse 담빛예술창고
* Opening Hours: 10:30 - 18:00
(19:00 on weekends)
* Organ Performance Schedule:
Weekends 5:00 PM (lasting about 30 minutes)
* Map Links:
https://naver.me/5XJO65SA &
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5kRUWUwyaWrChWQm8

[OC] I hardly find any pics of Sejong City here. It really is a nice, neat place to stay. Is anybody else in Sejong?

Korea has so many amazing summer fruits, but my favorite is the peach (especially the soft ones!) Today, I actually got to see a giant peach at the Peach Festival in Jochiwon, Sejong City!

Did you know Jochiwon has a proud 118-year legacy of growing peaches? Because of the rich yellow soil, ideal acidity, and plenty of sunshine, the local climate is just perfect for peach cultivation. Their peaches are famously tender, incredibly aromatic, and super sweet.🍑

Anyways, the festival was amazing. One of the highlights was seeing the giant peach inflatable display, and they make for the ultimate quirky photo op under a bright blue summer sky. Not only could I buy freshly harvested boxes of peaches at a great bargain, but I also got to try a free refreshing bowl of traditional fruit punch made with chunks of fresh peach, which was an absolute lifesaver against the summer heat. They even had special air-conditioned shuttle buses running to help visitors beat the weather!

The festival grounds are pretty huge, so it got quite hot walking around under the sun, so I recommend you the evening. There are even more fun events like the 118-meter-long peach rice cake pulling event, LED wish lanterns, and the main highlight ‘Peach Beer Night’! You can enjoy local Jochiwon Padak (fried chicken with green onions) paired with cold beer, alongside live music and DJ performances.

If you love agricultural festivals, local culture, or just incredible fruit, this is a hidden gem well worth checking out.

Have any of you tried Korean peaches before? What’s your preferences-Firm peach(딱복) or soft peach(물복)?🍑

[ Festival Info ]
📅 Dates: July 24–26, 2026
📍 Location: Sejong Civic Stadium and Dodori Park, Jochiwon, Sejong City
- Naver Maps: https://naver.me/IFg0YwhW
- Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4hvTFxzqdhCrRj9w9

🔗 Official website: www.jcwpeach.kr

Why are these stickers on the back? Are there other countries that have these kinds of googly eyes on cars?

Have you ever tried Ppyeo-Haejangguk 뼈해장국? Translated into English, it’s ‘pork backbone hangover soup’, and it’s absolutely great whether you have a hangover or not. Anyways, this one I had for today’s breakfast(or an early lunch) was on a whole different level. The broth is so much richer and thicker (which might be a bit polarizing, but for me, it was a huge plus!)

You can feel the authentic vibes from the moment you see the place. The exterior, first, is built in a traditional Korean Hanok style with a beautiful tiled roof, and inside, they offer both floor-seating and regular table-seating options. I went in at about 10:30, and even with their 5AM opening, the place was already packed.

The atmosphere was wild. The owner was constantly announcing over the microphone, enthusiastically checking how many people are in each party, and the service was lightning fast. You barely sit down before your ttukbaegi arrives, still violently bubbling and smelling incredible. It was absolutely amazing.

The best part? They offer free makgeolli (Korean rice wine)! If you come in a large group, they even serve it in a kettle. I couldn't resist having a glass(actually a bowl) for myself, though my husband had to skip it since he was driving(too bad haha)! I also tried the Gamjatang served in a large pot on another visit, but personally, I highly recommend the individual ttukbaegi ppyeo-haejangguk.

If you’re looking for a legendary local breakfast spot that hits differently, this is it. It’s in Sejong City, and there are several branches around, but my recommendation is the main branch in Bugang-myeon. Check out the specific address below.

🍚jinseongminsogchon
Sejong-si, Bugang-myeon, Bugang-ri 1018-12

[Business Hours]
5:00 AM – 2:00 PM⭐️
(Note: They may close early if they run out of ingredients, which is highly likely!)

[Google maps]
https://maps.app.goo.gl/DbMD8GJpvTixJouY8?g_st=ic
[NAVER Maps]
https://naver.me/xuFAAnSF

Took a vid on my way home. Beautiful sunset. I love the color and vibe here. (Don’t miss the subway music too, in the video.)

I heard today is Chobok(the first of the three hottest days of summer), and that it’s tradition to eat samgyetang on this day. Is there a special reason for eating chicken? Either way, it’s already so hot..I’m honestly dreading the rest of the summer.