Suncheon Travel Guide: What to See in Korea’s Eco-City
There’s a saying in Korea that translates to “Let’s Suncheon”. The entire city, best known for its coastal wetland and filming sites, aspires to show other towns that communities can live perfectly in harmony with nature. Suncheon is a place where modernization is not a priority — it’s where preservation of ecological sites is given more importance. If you, too, want to see the remarkable beauty of Suncheon Bay, consider joining this easy day tour that will take you around the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The Rundown
Best tours. Our team recommends this Suncheon tour, which tourists love for the friendly guide and satisfying itinerary. There is also this private day tour with an English-speaking guide that will take you to the drama sets, national garden, and the wetland center.
Transportation. Most travelers take the KTX train to travel from Seoul to Suncheon. If you are thinking about doing the same, I suggest getting this transportation pass to enjoy unlimited train rides in Korea for up to 5 days. Alternatively, you can book this all-in-one multi-day tour from Seoul (includes transportation, meals, and accommodation) or this Suncheon tour from Busan if you are coming from the coastal city.
Accommodations. Want to stay a night or two in Suncheon City? Consider staying in this hotel with great reviews.
Promo code. Discover more activities, tours, and hotels in Suncheon Bay here — book with our Klook promo code TRAVLISTS to enjoy up to 5% discount.
Also read: 10 Things You’ll Find in Incheon International Airport
What’s special about Suncheon City?
When an entire city has been recognized and designated by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve, you know it is something truly special. By definition, a biosphere reserve is a terrestrial, marine, and coastal area that promotes biodiversity. It’s where people, animals, and nature co-exist in sustainable ways, preserving the beauty of communities and natural spaces through time.
Declared the sixth UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in South Korea is Suncheon, home to wonders like Mount Jogyesan, Mount Mohusan, and Suncheon Bay, a World Heritage Site. While these landmark attractions alone are able to draw local and international visitors to the city, there are more fascinating things about the town:
It is rich with resources like medicinal herbs, crustaceans, fish, shellfish, and other fruits.
Its tidal flats is the wintering stop for rare species like hooded cranes and hosts animals eagles and leopard cats.
Its residents thrive in farming and gathering products from the forest — contributing to the preservation of the city.
Suncheon has also become known for its filming sites for Love and Ambition (the country’s highest-rated drama in 1980) and the Apple TV+ series Pachinko starring Lee Min-ho and Kim Minha.
Tourist Attractions in Suncheon City
What are the things to see in Suncheon? Check out our list below to help you plan your itinerary:
1. Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve
Above is a photo of Suncheon’s Coastal Wetland, a semi-aquatic area where the ground is covered or saturated in water. It holds a spot in the five largest coastal wetlands in the world, making it a sight to behold. When you visit the area, you will see various mudflats, marshes, and charming migratory birds that call this place their home.
Address: 513-25 Suncheonman-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
2. Nagan Eupseong Folk Village
Visiting this Joseon-era fortress village is like traveling back in time. At Nagan Eupseong Folk Village, you can find houses that show the simplest form of living in South Korea. You will also find the tall walls that kept the mini-city from imperial forces. As you explore the village, get to discover generations-old traditions and architecture that will make you appreciate the country even better.
Address: 6-4 Pyeongchon-ri, Nagan-myeon, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
Admission fee: Around $3
3. Suncheon Bay National Garden
Connected to the wetland is Suncheon Bay National Garden, the first ever national garden of South Korea. Spanning 112 hectares, which is around the size of 130+ football fields, the National Garden is home to 800,000 trees and more than 3 million flowers of varying species. With so many things to see and capture here, this place has become one of the must-visit sites in Suncheon City.
Address: 47 Gukgajeongwon1ho-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
Hours: 9am-8pm daily
4. Suncheon Open Film Set
Aside from natural wonders and humble villages, travelers in Suncheon also pay a visit to the city’s iconic open film set. It features a typical Korean town during the 70’s or 80’s, giving another cultural glimpse to visitors. Among so many others, the country’s hit drama Love and Ambition and the Apple TV+ series Pachinko were shot here.
Address: 24 Biryegol-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
5. Songgwangsa Temple
This Buddhist temple on the western slopes of Jogyesan (Mt. Jogye) has been around since the Silla Dynasty (57 BCE to 935 CE). It is one of the three main or Buddhist temples in South Korea, housing a great number of national treasures and buildings.
Address: 100 Songgwangsaan-gil, Songgwang-myeon, Suncheon, Jeollanam-do
Best Suncheon Day Tours
Get to see all the top sites in Suncheon when you book the following tours. These options are popular for its affordable rates, great guides (if included), and easy pace.
1. Suncheon One-Day Tour (Departs from Suncheon or Busan)
We begin with the most booked day tour for Suncheon. By joining this 7-hour excursion, you’ll get to visit four main attractions between 11:30am-6:30pm. The guides of this tour are also recommended by many tourists, who described them as friendly and full of insights.
PRICE: Book here from $63.95
INCLUSIONS: Multilingual tour guide (English, Chinese, or Japanese), admission to all attractions, & roundtrip transportation
ITINERARY: Suncheon Drama Set, Nagan Eupsong Folk Village (Walled Town), Suncheon Bay International Wetland Center, & Suncheon Bay
HOURS: 11:30am-6:30pm (tours from Busan depart at 8am)
BEST REVIEW: “Great day spent [with this] Suncheon day tour. Our guide Steve was really informative… considerate and flexible. The day was full of great experiences. [We] highly [recommend] the tour.”
2. Private Suncheon Day Tour (Departs from Suncheon or Busan)
If you are looking to join a tour that will take you to the Suncheon Bay National Garden, this is the adventure to book. This is also the option to consider if you want a private tour for 1-7 people.
PRICE: Book here from $442 (price per vehicle for up to 7 pax)
PROMO CODE: Use coupon code TRAVLISTS to get 3-5% off
INCLUSIONS: Multilingual tour guide (English, Chinese, or Japanese), admission to all attractions, roundtrip transportation, parking, & toll fees
ITINERARY: Nagan Eupsong Folk Village, Suncheon Bay National Garden, & Suncheon Bay International Wetland Center
HOURS: 10:30am-6:30pm (tours from Busan depart at 8am)
BEST REVIEW: “Our guide, Steven, [was] very [knowledgable of the]… sites we visited. He also [suggested to visit] other places which [were] not in [the original itinerary]…”
3. Suncheon Day Tour with Songgwangsa Temple (Departs from Seoul, Dongdaegu, Busan, & Suncheon)
Our third Suncheon tour recommendation is packed with a great set of locations. Aside from the wetland, garden, and folk village, this tour also makes a stop at the Songgwangsa Temple. Furthermore, this option offers departure from Suncheon Station, Seoul Station, Dongdaegu Station, and more — perfect if you are coming from any of these key locations.
PRICE: Book here from $350
INCLUSIONS: Air-conditioned vehicle, admission to attractions (with access to Sky Cube at Suncheon Bay National Garden), & lunch (Korean table d'hote)
ITINERARY: Songgwangsa Temple, Nagan Eupseong Folk Village, Suncheon Bay National Garden, Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve
HOURS: From 6am for tours departing from Seoul, Busan, and Dongdaegu; from 8am for tours departing from Jinju; and from 10am for tours departing from Suncheon Station
BEST REVIEW: “From start to finish, the tour operator and guide were excellent. It was easy to communicate with them… they were extremely helpful in sharing information, and their sense of [humor] made the trip much more enjoyable. I hope that I get them again for my next tour. Everything about the trip was GREAT,” reads a review for this Suncheon Tour on Viator
Other tours to book
Aside from the three day tours listed above, you may also consider these great alternatives:
Hotels in Suncheon City
If you wish to spend a night or few in Suncheon, consider booking these tourist-friendly stays with great price and location:
1. S Hotel Suncheon
Situated just 2km from Suncheon Station, S Hotel is one of the best places to stay in Suncheon. Many foreigners who stayed here liked the spacious rooms and the property’s near proximity to convenience stores and cafes.
PRICE: Book here from $62.5 (vs. regular nightly rate of $62.8)
PROMO CODE: Use coupon code TRAVLISTS to get 3-5% discount
ADDRESS: 1687-3 Deogyeon-dong, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
BEST REVIEW: “Big, spacious room with friendly reception…”
2. Hotel RAUM
Another cozy stay in Suncheon City is RAUM, which is just a few kilometers away from the Suncheon Film Set and the National Park. Choose to book their spacious room with King and Double Bed configurations. (Hotel RAUM is also a popular hotel among locals.)
PRICE: Book here from $63.4
ADDRESS: 1-1, Hapungdong-gil, 540-150 Suncheon, South Korea
BEST REVIEW: “[5-10-minute] walk or a bus stop away from [Suncheon Station]. Checking in and out was easy. Love the spacious family suite…”
How to Get to Suncheon
If you are originating from Seoul, the best way to get to Suncheon is by taking the KTX train to Suncheon Station. The travel time is just around 2 hours and 55 minutes. You can either book standalone tickets here or get this Korail Pass to save money.
If you will come from Busan, you can also take the KTX train to Suncheon Station. The travel time is around 4 hours (transfers required).
