South Gyeongsang travel guide

Location of South Gyeonsang in South Korea (Photo: Dmthoth, CC BY-SA 3.0)

South Gyeongsang (Korean: 경상 남도 Gyeongsangnam-do, 慶尙南道) is a province of South Korea. The abbreviated name Gyeongnam (경남), formerly Kyungnam, is also used.

Cities

• Busan - South Korea's second largest city and a major port with famous fish markets and festivals
• Changwon - The capital city of Gyeongsangnam-do

Botanic Gardens in the sea on Geoje Island (Photo: Steve46814, CC BY-SA 3.0)

• Geoje - The second largest island in Korea. Known for its gorgeous coast line.
• Gimhae - Growing city just west of Busan and home to Busan's international airport.
• Jinju - A well-preserved town known for its ruined fortress.
• Miryang - Country town known for the Miryang "Arirang" and Yeongnamnu Pavilion. On the KTX line to Busan.
• Sacheon - Port city with an airport.
• Tongyeong - A beautiful port city near Geoje with many surrounding islands and good food.
• Ulsan - A purpose built corporate city on the coast east of Busan.
• Yangsan - City to the north of Busan

The main city of Busan (Photo: Michiel1972, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Other destinations

The scenery of Geoji Island (Photo: Steve46814, CC BY-SA 3.0)

• Changnyeong – Upo Wetlands and Hot Springs. Also known for onions.
• Haman – Seat of the Ara Gaya. Famous for its watermelons.
• Namhae – Large island in northwest Gyeongsangnam-do. Popular destination for fishing and natural beauty.
• Geochang – Large county bordering Gyeongnam-do in the northwest. Very mountainous region with high peaks.
• Hapcheon – The famous temple Haeinsa and Gayasan National Park are located in Hapcheon.
• Sancheong – Daewonsa and part of Jirisan National Park.
• Goseong – Hosted the Dinosaur Expo 2009. There are a number of fossil sites throughout the county.
• Hamyang – The entrance to Jirisan National Park is in Hamyang.
• Uiryeong – County between Haman and Jinju.
• Hadong – Beautiful rural county known for its wild tea culture. Part of Jirisan National Park is also in Hadong.
• Gayasan National Park – home to Haeinsa Temple, one of Korea's Three Jewel Temples and a World Heritage Site
• Jirisan National Park
• Somaemuldo – a remote island and tourist spot far to the south of Geoje
• Yokjido

Understand

On the opposite side of the mainland from Seoul, South Gyeongsang as an important part of the country having been the only area not occupied by the Communist forces during the Korean War and birthplace of many of the nation's presidents.

The main cities of Busan and Ulsan are administratively not part of South Gyeongsang, but are included here anyway from a logical perspective.

Talk

This region has a strong Korean dialect that is distinct from the standard Korean spoken in Seoul.

English is less widely spoken than Seoul, although people in the main towns will likely understand more than those from the countryside areas.

Japanese is more widely spoken here than elsewhere in Korea.

Get in

By train

This region is well connected to Seoul via the high speed KTX train. Major stations include Busan, Ulsan and Miryang.

By plane

Busan's airport in Gimhae (Photo: Brücke-Osteuropa, CC0)

• International flights to Busan's Gimhae International Airport (PUSIATA) airport are from China, Japan and other east Asian countries.
• Incheon International Airport (ICNIATA) is also very well connected to this province, with high speed KTX trains getting you to Busan and other major cities within 150 minutes.
• Sacheon airport (HINIATA) flights from Jeju and Seoul–Gimpo.

By boat

There are fast and slow ferries from Japan to the port of Busan.

Cruise ships do sometimes visit Busan as well.

Get around

By bus

Towns and cities in the region are very well connected via limousine bus.

By train

Train travel between towns is possible although this will often be a slower option than the bus. There are some high speed KTX train connections between the larger towns.

By car

Car rental is possible, although be careful of the heavy traffic in Busan and the erratic driving style associated with this area.

See

• View the wonderful coastal scenery on Geoje island
• Soak up the Korean countryside in Miryang

Jinju Fortress (Photo: by eimoberg, CC BY 2.0)

• Visit the historic fortress in Jinju
• Five components of the world heritage site Gaya Tumuli (grave mounds from the Gaya Confederacy ruling the area around the 1st-6st centuries CE) are in South Gyeongsang.

Do

South Korea's most famous beach - Haeundae (Photo: Jens-Olaf Walter, CC BY 2.0)

• Lie on Busan's Haeundae beach in the summer (seemingly sharing it with pretty much every other Korean)
• Sample some of Korea's best seafood in Busan's Jagalchi fish market
• Go hiking in one of the many national parks

Stay safe

There are not many safety issues specific to this region. Coastal cities have a minor risk of tsunamis, although for geographic reasons this much less of a concern than in nearby Japan.

Driving standards are generally regarded as less safe than Seoul.

Go next

• Seoul is only a couple of hours away by high speed train
• Japan is well connected to Busan via ferry.

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