KOREA 100 · 2025–2026
Seven Regional Itineraries Based on Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots
Explore seven regional itineraries for Busan, Gyeongju, Jeonju, eastern Jeju, Gangwon and Tongyeong, centered on attractions selected for Korea’s 2025–2026 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. This is a draft itinerary with suggested daily order, supporting stops and official transport references, not a checklist of all 100 spots.
Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots is a selection of representative attractions by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, not a ranking. These regional itineraries are centered on selected attractions; supporting stops outside the list are identified separately.
01 · Busan
Two Days in Busan: Old Downtown and the Eastern Coast
Spend the first day at Gamcheon Culture Village and Nampo-dong’s Jagalchi Market, then choose either Haeundae and Songjeong beaches or the Haedong Yonggungsa area in Gijang for day two. This plan avoids crossing between the western old downtown and eastern coast in a single day.
Day 1 · From Gamcheon Culture Village to Jagalchi Market
Gamcheon Culture Village → Korea 100 selection
A selected attraction. The village has steep uphill and downhill paths, so choose areas that interest you rather than trying to cover every alley, and be considerate of residents’ living spaces.
Jagalchi Market →
Supporting stop · This is not one of the selected attractions. Choose a place for lunch or shopping in the market and Nampo-dong area, and check each shop’s hours and closing days on site.
Why This Order
Start with the village scenery in Gamcheon, then head downhill to the market and downtown area in Nampo-dong.
Day 2 · From Haeundae to Songjeong or Gijang
Haeundae Beach → Korea 100 selection
Visit Haeundae Beach, one of the beaches included in the Haeundae–Songjeong selection for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Check beach-use conditions for the season and weather.
Songjeong Beach → Korea 100 selection
Songjeong Beach is part of the same official selection. Decide whether to visit both Haeundae and Songjeong or stay at one, depending on the weather and travel conditions.
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple → Korea 100 selection
Visit the temple included in the Haedong Yonggungsa–Osiria Tourist Complex selection for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Follow temple etiquette and check notices for your travel date.
Why This Order
The two beaches belong to the same selection grouping, while Yonggungsa is a separate site in Gijang. Choosing just one of Haeundae or Songjeong leaves more time to add the Yonggungsa area.
02 · Gyeongju
Two Days in Gyeongju: Downtown Heritage, Bulguksa and Seokguram
Start the first day at Daereungwon in central Gyeongju, then walk to Cheomseongdae, Woljeonggyo Bridge and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond. On the second day, travel to the Bulguksa and Seokguram area, away from the city center.
Day 1 · Walk Among Downtown Heritage Sites
Daereungwon → Korea 100 selection
Daereungwon, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Cheomseongdae, Hwangnidan-gil and Woljeonggyo Bridge are places included in one selected entry for Gyeongju.
Cheomseongdae → Korea 100 selection
From Daereungwon, walk toward the East Historic Area. Check access restrictions and visitor routes in the outdoor areas.
Woljeonggyo Bridge → Korea 100 selection
After visiting the Cheomseongdae area, continue toward Namcheon Stream to this downtown heritage site.
Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond → Korea 100 selection
Known for its evening scenery, but lighting and night access are not guaranteed. Check visitor notices on the day.
Hwangnidan-gil → Korea 100 selection
This street area is part of the same official selection. Choose a place open on your travel date for a meal or break.
Why This Order
Gyeongju Tourism’s downtown walking route groups Woljeonggyo Bridge, Cheomseongdae, Daereungwon, and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond in one area. If walking is difficult, shorten the route and use a city bus or taxi.
Day 2 · Bulguksa and Seokguram
Bulguksa Temple → Korea 100 selection
Bulguksa is part of the selected entry that groups it with Seokguram. It is in a different area from central Gyeongju, so it is scheduled for a separate day.
Seokguram Grotto → Korea 100 selection
Seokguram Grotto is part of the same official selection. Check official information about mountain access and on-site operations before you go.
Why This Order
Visit the downtown heritage sites and mountain temples on separate days to reduce travel and sightseeing demands.
03 · Jeonju
One-Day Jeonju Itinerary: Hanok Village, Gyeonggijeon, Jeondong Cathedral and Nambu Market
Center your visit on Jeonju Hanok Village, selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots, then see Jeondong Cathedral and Gyeonggijeon, pass Pungnammun Gate, and finish with a meal or shopping at Nambu Market. This walking itinerary covers nearby areas and is based on Jeonju’s official walking guidance.
Historic Hanok Village Walk and Nambu Market
Jeonju Hanok Village → Korea 100 selection
This is a selected attraction. Choose the alleys and areas within the village that suit your visit.
Jeondong Cathedral, Jeonju →
Supporting stop · This is not an attraction selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Visits may be restricted during Mass or events, so check notices for your travel date.
Gyeonggijeon Shrine →
Supporting stop · This is not an attraction selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Check Gyeonggijeon’s official information for paid admission and visitor areas.
Nambu Market →
Supporting stop · This is not an attraction selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Check notices for your travel date, as the regular market and Friday–Saturday night market have different operations.
Why This Order
Visit Jeonju’s itinerary groups Jeondong Cathedral, Gyeonggijeon and Hanok Village, and its official walking-tour map shows a walking route from the village to Nambu Market. If it gets crowded, end your itinerary at the market.
04 · Eastern Jeju
Two Days in Eastern Jeju: Bijarim, Seongsan and Udo
Visit Bijarim Forest and Seongsan Ilchulbong on the first day, then consider Udo on the second day if ferry service and weather allow. If you are not driving, check bus timetables and transfers first.
Day 1 · From Bijarim Forest to Seongsan
Bijarim Forest → Korea 100 selection
This forest trail is selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Check trail restrictions and admission notices for your travel date.
Seongsan Ilchulbong → Korea 100 selection
This is a selected attraction. Seasonal opening hours, fees and regular closing days may vary; recheck Visit Jeju’s official information.
Why This Order
Combine eastern Jeju’s forest and coastal scenery in one day, checking operations at each visitor area and available transport before adjusting the order of visits.
Day 2 · Optional Udo Visit
Udo → Korea 100 selection
This is a selected attraction. Check departures from Seongsan Port, ferry service, boarding procedures and weather-related restrictions before deciding to go.
Why This Order
Ferry schedules to Udo affect the whole travel day, so set aside a separate day. If ferry service does not fit your plans, choose another option in the Seongsan area using official local information.
05 · Gangneung and Donghae
Two Days in Gangneung’s Jeongdongjin and Donghae’s Mukho
Walk a coastal trail in Jeongdongjin, Gangneung, on the first day, then visit a scenic attraction in Mukho, Donghae, after an overnight stay. This east-coast itinerary avoids cramming sights in two different cities into one day.
Day 1 · Jeongdong-Simgok Badabuchae-gil Trail
Jeongdong-Simgok Badabuchae-gil Trail → Korea 100 selection
This coastal trail is selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Check official information for entrances, open sections and safety restrictions.
Why This Order
Focus on the coastal walk. Entrances may differ, so decide on your starting point and how you will return after finishing first.
Day 2 · Dwaejibigol, Donghae
Dwaejibigol Sky Valley and Haerang Observatory → Korea 100 selection
These attractions are included in a selection for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Check for closures and weather restrictions affecting the observation and experience facilities on your travel date.
Why This Order
After arriving in the Mukho Port area, check which facilities are open to visitors, then explore the scenic sections.
06 · Sokcho and Seoraksan
Two Days at Seoraksan National Park and Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market
On the first day, choose one trail in Seoraksan that suits your fitness and the season. On the second day, return to central Sokcho to visit Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market.
Day 1 · Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan National Park → Korea 100 selection
This national park is selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Facilities such as trails and the cable car operate separately, so check entrance and restriction notices.
Why This Order
The park covers a large area. Choose one route suited to your visit instead of trying to cover several entrances at once.
Day 2 · Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market
Sokcho Tourist & Fishery Market → Korea 100 selection
This market is selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Shop hours, closing days and crowd levels vary, so choose where to visit on site.
Why This Order
This relaxed itinerary avoids adding the market to a strenuous hiking day; instead, have a meal or shop downtown before heading home.
07 · Tongyeong
Tongyeong Evening Itinerary: Jungang Market, Gangguan and DPIRANG
Visit Tongyeong Jungang Traditional Market, featured in a Korea Tourism Organization travel article, and DPIRANG, selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots, with Gangguan harbor—a registered place—along the way. This old-downtown itinerary links a market, harbor and nighttime attraction.
Afternoon to Night · Old Downtown Tongyeong
Tongyeong Jungang Traditional Market
Supporting stop · This is not an attraction selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. A Korea Tourism Organization travel article describes it as a market near Dongpirang and Gangguan. Check shop operations for your travel date.
Gangguan Harbor →
Supporting stop · This is not an attraction selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Pause here to enjoy the harbor views between the market and the evening attraction.
DPIRANG, Tongyeong → Korea 100 selection
This nighttime theme park is selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots. Recheck official information for your travel date for seasonal hours, closing days, last admission and any on-site changes.
Why This Order
The Korea Tourism Organization’s August 2025 travel article suggests this order: DPIRANG → Jungang Traditional Market → Tongyeong Samdosugun Tongjeyeong. This itinerary is arranged differently: start at the market in the afternoon, take a break at Gangguan, then visit DPIRANG in the evening. Its visit order differs from the original article.
Regional Itinerary FAQs
Does this itinerary include only attractions selected for Korea’s 100 Must-Visit Tourist Spots?
The main attractions in each itinerary are linked to the official 2025–2026 selection entries. Supporting stops such as markets are identified as not selected when included.
Have travel times and opening hours for each itinerary been verified?
No. The order shown is a suggested itinerary for each region, not verified minute-by-minute travel times or on-site visit durations. Check official sources for operating days, fees, bookings and transport for your travel date.
Why not include every attraction in one itinerary?
Some selection entries group several places together, and travel between areas can take a long time. The itinerary is split across days and areas to avoid overloading a single day, and unverified places have not been added as connecting stops.