Suncheon is a city where it didn’t get much attention like Busan or Pyeongchang. But this was a city of surprise where it was beautiful with deep history and nature. If you are looking for a day trip, this can be a perfect place to learn the beauty of Korea.
Also, it can be a stop over on the way to Tongyeong or Busan (Click on the link for more details on each city). If you are also wanting to know more about transportation or if it’s worth visiting, you can always leave a comment below, and we will definitely help you sort your schedule.
You can take the KTX to Suncheon. It takes around 2.5 hours and I wrote an article how to take KTX here.
What to Do in Suncheon Korea
These can be done by yourself but it will be the hardest thing you can do as transportation and language barrier will be extreme. I recommend using a tour guide to give you some peace and love towards the city.
If you can read Korean, the government offers their own tour and you can find it here. There is also a trolley that goes around major attractions. It is 5000won and it starts from Suncheon station. You can check out the details on their website, but it’s all in Korean. If you have any questions in translating please leave us a comment, I will be more than happy to help.
If not you can go to KKday where they offer full tour from Seoul. But still let’s go on a see what you can do in Suncheon.
Suncheonman Bay Wetland Reserve is covered with reed that are taller than human. The reeds are endless and so picturesque it feels like you are not in Korea. It is the total opposite of Seoul.
You can really enjoy the nature with calmness and peace. I didn’t expect to be this huge and beautiful as sometimes the pictures can be misleading, but it definitely was one of the highlights during the visit in Korea.
When I visited it was closed due to bird flu going on in the park, so the picture below is from a newspaper josun.com.
source: josun.com
Suncheonman Bay National Garden
Next to the wetland reserve, you can also go to the national garden. There are fabulous cone-shaped hills, tile bridge, gardens and more. It is a great place to relax and soak in the nature. Especially after spending some time in a concrete jungle, Seoul.
Naganeupseong Folk Village (낙안 읍성)
Naganeupseong Folk Village is small town that has been preserved for almost 800 years. It is even before the traditional houses, Hanok, that we know. There are still around 100 families who live in this village.
This village survives mainly through tourism, and within the village there is a lot to do from cultural learning to playing traditional instrument. I loved walking around Suncheonman Bay, but I really enjoyed being immersive with Folk Village. You never get a chance to be a part of the old Korea that hasn’t turned into super touristy Hanok Village in Jeonju.
Suncheon Open Film Location (순천 드라마 촬영장)
If you are visiting Suncheon, you probably bought the all access ticket. The ticket lets you visit Suncheonman Bay westland reserve/national garden, naganeupseong folk village and the open film location. Even though I wasn’t keen on going to the film set, I decided to go as it was free. And I was so glad that I came. Actually it made me want to come back again with bunch of my friends.
The film location is a replica of the 60’s and 70’s Korea. It gives you a weird nostalgia, even though I wasn’t born in that period.
They lend you the clothe that were popular in the 60’s and you can dress up and take pictures. Almost everyone who were in a group did it. It looked so much fun and just made me miss my friends.
What to Eat in Suncheon
Soondae Gookbab
Soondae is like a sausage with glass noodles in it. It can be wrapped with intestine. As it sounds pretty gross, it is actually addicting. More like an acquired taste. You will see it on the street carts everywhere. But Suncheon is famous for the unique soondae where the skin is a bit thicker. And this soondae is mixed in a thick pork soup. It is really tasty, but might have been an acquired taste. So if you are not adventurous, don’t try it lol.
Because of the wetland, Suncheon is very well known for their clams. Especially Cockles. 70% of cockles are imported from this region, so if you are visiting Suncheon you should try their specialty. You can either have it with a full table set or have it more like an entree. It can be boiled, grilled, BBQed, mixed with sauce and more. But my favorite was the bibimbap. Instead of vegetable or meat bibimbap, they use the cockle to make it into bibimbap.
