Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (2024)

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (1)

    Ssanggye-sa

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    The visual imagery of this temple is a feast for the eyes and, like any exquisite dinner, should be savoured with deliberation. Stone walls supporting…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (2)

    Saryangdo

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Jagged ridges, 400m-high peaks, ropes, ladders and awe-inspiring views await travellers looking for a challenging hike. Most travellers disembark the…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (3)

    Beomeo-sa

    Busan

    This magnificent temple is Busan’s best sight. Despite its city location, Beomeo-sa is a world away from the urban jungle, with beautiful architecture set…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (4)

    Jagalchi Fish Market

    Busan

    Anyone with a love of seafood and a tolerance for powerful odours could easily spend an hour exploring the country’s largest fish market. Narrow lanes…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (5)

    Gamcheon Culture Village

    Busan

    This historically rich, mountainside slum became a tourist destination after an arty makeover in 2009, when students decided to brighten up the…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (6)

    Haeundae

    Busan

    Haeundae is the country’s most famous beach. During the peak August travel season, umbrellas mushroom across the 2km-long beach while frolickers fill the…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (7)

    Yeojwacheon Stream

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Come springtime, cherry blossoms can be found more and more throughout Korea, as more and more trees are being planted.

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (8)

    Hwaeom-sa

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Founded by priest Yeongi in AD 544 after his return from India, this ancient temple dedicated to the Birojana Buddha is enveloped by the beautiful natural…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (9)

    Songdo Marine Cable Car

    Busan

    Originally launched in 1964 as Korea's first cable car, the Songdo Beach attraction reopened in 2017, measuring a distance of 1.62km – four times what it…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (10)

    Seokbul-sa

    Busan

    Hard to find, difficult to reach and a wonder to behold, this hermitage has Buddhist images meticulously etched into stone. Visually powerful in scale and…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (11)

    Bori-am

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Between Namhae-gun and Sangju beach, Bori-am is a busy Buddhist hermitage on Geum-san (금산; Geum Mountain, 681m) famous for brilliant sunrises and…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (13)

    Hallyeosudo Cable Car

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Stretching out 1975m, this is Korea’s longest cable-car ride. Near the top of Mireuk-san (461m), the view of Hallyeo Maritime National Park is dramatic…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (14)

    Taejongdae Park

    Busan

    On the southern tip of Yeongdo (영도; Yeong Island), experience the city’s rugged coastline along a well-groomed walking path. For those less inclined to…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (15)

    Gwangan

    Busan

    Among the city's seven beaches, Gwangan is the best option for access and quality (the other beaches are Haeundae, Dadaepo, Songdo, Songjeong, Ilgwang and…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (16)

    Yeonhwado

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Peaceful and remote, Yeonhwado is a small island ideal for three-hour hikes. From the ferry (return ₩18,400, one hour, departs 6.30am, 9.30am,11am, 1pm…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (17)

    Bijindo

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Bijindo is actually two islands joined together by a sand bridge, which makes for some outstanding photography. It's a popular getaway destination for…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (18)

    Haegeumgang

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Haegeumgang, a collection of breathtaking rocky islets and a jagged coastline, forms part of the Hallyeo Maritime National Park – famous for life…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (19)

    Igidae

    Busan

    If the trails of Geumjeong Fortress seem more like work than pleasure, there are opportunities to explore Busan’s natural beauty at a more leisurely pace…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (20)

    Oedo Botania

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Geojedo's busiest tourist attraction is a tiny island-sized botanical garden 4km off the coast. It’s popular with Korean travellers, but unless you…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (21)

    Haedong Yonggungsa

    Busan

    One of the country's few temples situated on the coast, Haedong Yonggung offers spectacular views of the temple grounds and surrounding ocean. Located…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (22)

    Sangju

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    For most of the year this pretty beach with 2km of soft white sand and shallow water is a quiet destination. During summer it's packed with fun-seeking…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (23)

    Daewon-sa

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Tucked near the eastern border of Jirisan, this temple is an active nunnery where a famed female sanshin (mountain spirit) is thought to reside. A…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (24)

    Jinju Jungang Market

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Traditional market with a fantastic variety of street vendors and indoor shops.

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (25)

    Geumgang Park Cable Car

    Busan

    Add this cable car to your list of must-do activities. The panoramic view of development coursing through valleys of verdant mountains is breathtaking. On…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (26)

    Tongdo-sa

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Tongdo-sa is noted for a sari, a crystalline substance thought to develop inside the body of a pure monk. The sari is enshrined in a fenced area and…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (27)

    Busan Museum of Movies

    Busan

    The museum opened in July 2017 as the first film exhibition and experience in South Korea. Inside, visitors can pose with statues of their favourite…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (28)

    Jinju Fortress

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Local street signs call it a castle, but it’s actually a well-preserved fortress that was partially destroyed during the Japanese invasion of 1592. One of…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (29)

    Historic Park of Geoje POW Camp

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    In Geoje-si, this modest but worthwhile museum provides hard-to-find information about the POW camp experience during the Korean War. Just by the gate is…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (30)

    UN Cemetery

    Busan

    This is the only United Nations cemetery in the world and is the final resting place of 2300 men from 11 nations, including the UK, Turkey, Canada and…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (31)

    Tongdo-sa Museum

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    This museum inside the Tongdo-sa compound houses a collection of Buddhist paintings with limited viewing hours (9am to 11.30am and 1pm to 5pm) to minimise…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (32)

    Gangguan

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Gangguan is not the only harbour in the city, but it's the prettiest. It’s also a busy pier anchored by a promenade that serves multiple civic functions,…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (33)

    Somaemuldo

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Sharp cliffs and crashing waves on dramatic rock formations make this a worthwhile journey. At low tide, walk across the land bridge and climb to the…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (34)

    Busan Citizens Park

    Busan

    Built on a former US army base, this pleasant city park features nearly one million trees and shrubs of 97 different species. Its paths stretch past…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (35)

    Nammang-san

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Set aside an hour or more to enjoy the views atop this mountain beside Gangguan harbour. On the way up, you'll pass a modest sculpture park with 15 pieces…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (36)

    Turtle Ship Replicas

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    Towards the north end of the Gangguan promenade, there are four turtle ships. Definitely worth a look. While ducking your head inside the ship, try to…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (37)

    Mijo

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    This rustic fishing village is an ideal roadside diversion. Walk along the port, zigzag through narrow alleys and sample superb rural food. It's a short…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (38)

    Busan Tower

    Busan

    If the haze is not too thick, daytime views of container-ship traffic in the harbour from this 188m-high tower provide a sense of the port’s scale of…

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (39)

    Nurimaru APEC House

    Busan

    Located on Dongbaekseom Island, the grounds of this contemporary memorial and conference hall offers great sea views and are a nice place for a stroll.

  • Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (40)

    Naewon-sa

    Gyeongsangnam-do

    This temple is about 3km from Samjang-myeon, off route 59. Highlights include a three-tier Silla pagoda and a rare Cheonwang-bosalnim statue.

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Must-see attractions Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea - Lonely Planet (2024)

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