Top 80 Things to do in Korea OUTSIDE of Seoul (2022)

Korea has lots to offer outside of Seoul. Over the last decade, I’ve published, updated, and expanded this list many times. For 2022, here what I think are the “Top 80 Things to do in Korea OUTSIDE of Seoul.” This year, I’ve have added a Kakao Map with instructions at the bottom of this post to help you find these places. Let the countdown begin!

Things to do in Korea Countdown: #80-61

Skip Ahead: Top 61-80, Top 41-60, Top 21-40, Top 1-20

80) Chuja-do Island / 추자도

Chuja Rope Factory
Chuja’s main industry is fishing. It is supported by mini-factories like this one that makes fishing rope. I am kind of a sucker for industrial places and workshops.

Chuja Island is a set of twin islands between Jeju and the mainland. This small island doesn’t get many visitors outside of two daily boats. The best way to explore it is to hike Olle Trail 18-1 which does an 8 loop around the island. Many claim it is the most challenging of the 26 Jeju Olle Trails, so try it if you’re up to the challenge. Around the island are interesting mosaics, beautiful natural scenery, and plenty of friendly locals.

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Korea’s Five Best Festivals, Period

If I am quite honest, most Korean festivals are two steps short of being great or even good for that matter. They are either too crowded (Seoul’s International Fireworks Festival), completely lost objectivity (Boseong Green Tea Festival), or a foreign drunk-fest (Boryeong Mud Festival). If you’re looking for something worthy of traveling half way across the world, the following festivals will not disappoint.

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The Lanterns in Bongeunsa Temple

One of my favorite things about living in Korea has been the plethora of festivals available on a weekly basis. In fact, many festivals land on the same weekend, like the amazing Andong Mask Festival and the unbearably overcrowded International Fireworks Festival.

The entrance is subtle, yet stunning.
The entrance is subtle, yet stunning.

From April 25th-May 11th, Korea celebrated Buddha’s 2556 th birthday with its annual lantern festivities. Many places around Seoul and the rest of the country were decorated with amazing lanterns for the event. Bongeunsa is one of Korea’s oldest, largest, and most important temples. They seem to go all out for the event. Read more

Korea’s Best: The Awesome Andong Mask Festival

Korean festivals and I have a long history that I must admit, hasn’t always been a happy one. While I love the idea of festivals and am glad that Korea has SOOO many of them, I approach them with caution. From time to time, I find myself in a place that is too crowded (Fireworks Festival), too overrated (Boryeong Mud Festival), and end up too disappointed (Yeosu Expo). I was pleasantly surprised that the Andong International Mask Festival not only lived up to my expectations, but surpassed them in every way!

Mask - Andong Mask Festival

For starters, this festival Read more

Buddha’s Birthday – Lotus Lantern Festival [videos] pt.2/2

Buddha’s birthday comes with a lot of celebrations, including the fantastic parade across Jongno during the Lotus Lantern Festival. If you missed the last post on the festival, check it out here. Thankfully, I was in a good spot to take some videos of the whole thing. Here are three of the best ones!

1) Fire-Breathing Dragons

If you liked the picture of the fire-breathing dragon Read more