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City in South Jeolla, South Korea
Photo: tecking (a flickr user), CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Suncheon (순천,順天) is in South Jeolla province on the south coast of the Korean Peninsula. Suncheon is a middle-sized town of 280,000 people (2022) near the sea, and is an important center of industry and agriculture. It is about 1 hour from the major city of Gwangju.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
순천대학교박물관
The university museum exhibits archaeological finds and other cultural heritage from eastern South Jeolla Province.
매산길
There are some historical buildings built by Christian missionaries in early 20th century.
문화의거리, Cultural street
Small street that has traditional tea shops, cafes, restaurants and handicraft shops.
순천드라마촬영장
Many Korean films and dramas based on the age 60s to 80s were shot in here.
순천만국가정원
A large park with Korean and international themed gardens. Check the official website for seasonal opening hours.
낙안읍성
A Joseon dynasty era castle built in 1397 and one of the most well preserved in Korea. It takes an hour from downtown.
순천왜성, Suncheon Japanese Castle
Suncheon Japanese Castle was built during the second Japanese invasion of Korea in 1597.
송광사
Dating from 867, this is one of Korea's oldest temples. It takes an hour and 30 minutes from downtown.
선암사
A large temple complex dating from 861, with natural tea fields cultivated for many hundreds of years. It takes an hour from downtown. One out of seven Korean mountain monasteries to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018.
순천만습지, 순천만, Suncheon Bay Ecological Park
A coastal wetland with reed beds, tidal flats and migratory birds. Walking paths pass through the reeds; see the official website for current visitor information.
죽도봉공원
With 30 minutes walk there is a nice view of the old town of Suncheon. You can start from Origolmok (오리골목, Duck-dish street) in Jogok-dong or Railroad official residence village (철도관사마을) in Jogok-dong.
동천, East stream
Ride a bike or walk through Dongcheon.
순천대학로, Suncheon univ. street
Experience the night life of the small regional college students of Korea. Quite old-fashioned but has its own unique atmosphere.
Hanok library, Korean-style library, 한옥글방
Read a book in a small library in Korean style Building (Hanok, 한옥). But bring your own books unless you read Korean, as the library owns no foreign-language books.
벽동
Barley rice restaurant.
돼지국밥골목
Ut-jang (웃장) market has a pork stew street.
짱뚱어탕, Jjangdungeotang
A local spicy soup made with mudskippers from the tidal flats around Suncheon Bay.
오리골목, Origolmok
South-Jeolla province is famous for its duck dishes. It produces 50% of the duck meat in Korea. Many restaurants serve duck stew and/or duck barbecue.
갈대차, Galdaecha
Try a cup of tea made with the reeds of Suncheon Bay.
잎새주
The regional soju of South-Jeolla province can be drunk at almost every restaurant and bar in town.
순천씨내몰
Underground arcade shopping mall in old town. Mainly sells usual clothes, but you can also find some souvenirs here.
중앙동
Suncheon version of Myong-dong (명동). Glimpse the fashion styles of Suncheon. Street foods are also available here.
웃장, upper market
One of the two big old markets in Suncheon. Famous for pork stew.
아랫장, lower market
The biggest old market in Suncheon and one of the biggest in the whole country. You can find every kind of seafood, vegetables, fruits and various street foods.
By bus
There are a number of buses from the Express Bus Terminal (고속버스터미널) in Seoul. It takes 3 hours 50 minutes from Seoul.
By bus
Almost every city bus in Suncheon passes the Suncheon station and bus terminal. Some useful bus lines are shown below.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
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