Top 14 Chungcheongnamdo Attractions You Must Visit
In this article, we will share to you best things to do in Chungcheongnamdo region in south korea. If you plan to visit Korea in the future, make sure you read this article to the end and visit each one of them.
South Chungcheong Province (Korean: 충청남도, Chungcheongnam-do), also known as Chungnam, is a province of South Korea. South Chungcheong has a population of 2,059,871 , located in the Hoseo region in the southwest of the Korean Peninsula. South Chungcheong borders the provinces of Gyeonggi to the north, North Chungcheong, Sejong Special Autonomous City, and Daejeon Metropolitan City to the east, and North Jeolla to the south.
Chungcheongnamdo History
- During the era of Three Kingdoms, Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam) was a territory of the Baekje Dynasty. For 185 years from 475 A.D (when the capital was moved from Hanseong [now called Seoul] to Ungjin (now called Gongju) after Hanseong fell to Goguryeo) to 660(when the Kingdom of Baekje was conquered by the Silla-Dang forces), the glorious Baekje culture bloomed in Chungnam.
- In 1896 (the 33rd year of King Gojong) after the national reorganization of 13 provinces in accordance with Article 36 of the Imperial Command, it was finally called by its present name–Chungcheongnam-do.
Best Things to do in Chungcheongnamdo
- National Institute of Ecology (Seocheon)
- Daedunsan National Recreation Forest
- Seodong Park and Gungnamji Pond
- Chollipo Arboretum
- Buyeo Busosanseong Fortress
- Buyeo National Museum
- Cheonan Independence Hall of Korea
- Gongju National Museum
- Baekje Cultural Land
- Chusa House (Kim Jeong Hui) House
- Wolmyeong Park
- Cheonan Gakwonsa Temple
- Gapsa Temple
- Magoksa Temple
National Institute Of Ecology (Seocheon)
National Institute of Ecology is a research, exhibition, and educational center housing various animals and plants from world five climates and regions including the tropics, desert climate, the Mediterranean, temperate climate, and the polar region. Fauna and flora from the Korean Peninsula’s ecosystem can also be seen here. The Institute’s Ecorium showcases living ecosystem exhibitions, housing 1,900 plants and 280 animals in an area of 21,000㎡ to help people understand the relations between climate and ecology. The outdoor exhibition area is divided into 5 sections, from Korea’s representative wetland ecological system to various international plants, rare plants grown on the high mountain, Korean representative deer species’ habitat space, pond ecology and others. In addition, it offers vivid ecological education through the nearby ecological region and has varied exhibitions and researching facility as well as firsthand programs and events.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
General Hours 09:30-18:00
Summer Season (March-October) 09:30-18:30
Winter Season (November-February) 09:30-17:00 - Admission Fees
Individuals: Adults 5,000 won / Teenagers 3,000 won / Children 2,000 won
Groups: Adults 4,000 won / Teenagers 2,000 won / Children 1,000 won - Address: 1210, Geumgang-ro, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 서천군 마서면 금강로 1210 - Phone: +82-41-950-5300
- Homepage: www.nie.re.kr
How to get here:
By [Bus]
From Seoul Nambu Terminal, take a bus to Seocheon Intercity Bus Terminal.
From Seocheon Intercity Bus Terminal Bus Stop, take Bus No. 72 and get off at National Institute of Ecology Bus Stop.
Daedunsan National Recreation Forest
Daedunsan Mountain is defined by the grandiose rock peaks of Macheondae Summit, Chilseongbong, Janggunbong, and Ambong Peaks, as well as surrounding strange rocks and lush trees that fill the area including Samseonbawi Rock, Yongmungul Cave and Geumgangmun Gate. The area spanning from Macheondae Peak to Nakjodae Peak along the northern ridge offers a magnificent view, especially of the sunrise and sunset from Nakjodae.
Since its designation as a provincial park in 1977, Daedunsan Provincial Park has served as a scenic site equipped with recreational facilities including cable cars and Geumgang Gureumdari (hanging bridge). A 5-minute cable car ride followed by a walk up the steep stairs leads to Geumgang Gureumdari, stretching 50 meters from Imgeumbawi Rock to Ipseokdae Pedestal. The park is also home to historic temples including Taegosa Temple of Jinsan, Ansimsa Temple of Unju, and Sinsounsa Temple of Byeolgok.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
[Cable Car] Weekdays 09:00-17:00 / Weekends 09:00-17:20 - Address: Sanbuk-ri, Unju-myeon, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Beolgok-myeon, Nonsan-gun, Chuncheongnam-do
전북 완주군 운주면 산북리 , 충남 논산군 벌곡면, 금산군 진산면 - Phone: +82-63-263-9949
- Homepage: www.daedunsancablecar.com
- Hiking Course
▲ Ticket office → Dongsimbawi Rock (0.6㎞) → Geumgang Gureumdari Bridge (0.4㎞) → Macheondae Peak (0.7㎞)
▲ Yongmungol ticket office → Chilseongbong Observatory (0.9㎞) → Yongmungol Samgeori (0.6㎞) → Macheondae Peak (0.5㎞)
▲ Ansimsa Temple → Ssangbawi Rock (0.8㎞) → Jijangpokpo Falls (0.8㎞) → Macheondae Peak (1.8㎞)
How to get here:
By [Bus]
Take a bus from Central City Bus Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal to Jeonju Express Bus Terminal.
Walk to Jeonju Interctiy Bus Terminal and take a bus to Daedunsan
Seodong Park and Gungnamji Pond
Gungnamji Pond (Historic Site No.135), located in Seodong Park, is Korea’s first artificial pond and was created by King Mu (from the Baekje dynasty) who was in love with and eventually married Princess Seonhwa. ‘Gungnamji’ (literally means ‘a pond in the south of the royal palace’ in Korean) was named according to the Samguksagi record.
According to a record in the Samguksagi, the History of the Three Kingdoms, King Mu dug this lake south of his palace in the 35th year of his reign (634) and connected it by a 7800-meter long waterway to the water source. The king then had willow trees planted around the bank and had an artificial mound constructed in the middle of the lake.
Useful Informations
- Address: 52, Gungnam-ro, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 부여군 부여읍 궁남로 52 - Phone: +82-41-830-2953
- Homepage: tour.buyeo.go.kr
How to get here:
By [Bus]
From Seoul Nambu Terminal or Dong Seoul Bus Terminal, take a bus to Buyeo Express Bus Terminal.
From Buyeo Express Bus Terminal, take a taxi for approx. 3 min.
Chollipo Arboretum
Cheollipo Arboretum located in Taean Coast National Marine Park was built in 1966 by Carl Ferris Miller. The park currently contains more than 13,000 different plant species, including some rare and endangered species. The arboretum at 595,044m² plot of land has the most plant species in Korea.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
November-March 09:00-17:00 / April-October 09:00-18:00
* Last admission 1 hr before closing.
Extended operation: April 13 – May 24 (every Saturday) 09:00-19:00 (last admission 18:00) / July 28 – August 12 09:00-19:00 (last admission 17:00) - Admission Fees
– March-November: Adults 9,000 won / Teenagers 6,000 won / Children 5,000 won / Senior citizens 6,000 won
– December-February: Adults 6,000 won / Teenagers 5,000 won / Children 4,000 won / Senior citizens 5,000 won - Address: 187, Cheollipo 1-gil, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 태안군 소원면 천리포1길 187 - Phone: +82-41-672-9982
- Homepage: www.chollipo.org
How to get here:
By [Bus]
From Seoul Nambu Terminal, take a bus to Taean Bus Terminal.
From Taean Bus Terminal, take a taxi for approx. 20 min.
Buyeo Busosanseong Fortress
Busosanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 5) is a mud fortress located on top of Busosan Mountain (alt. 106m) in the northern part of Buyeo. The fortress is estimated by some to have been built around 538 AD to protect Sabi (now Buyeo), which was once the capital of the Baekje kingdom (18 BC-AD 66). Other historians, however, believe that the fortress was already in place by 500 AD and modified in 605 into the structure we see today. In either case, some parts of the fortress were reconstructed during the Unified Silla period (676-935) and modified again in the Goryeo (918-1392) and Joseon (1392-1910) eras.
Busosan Mountain is home to historic landmarks from the Baekje kingdom, including the archaeological site in Gwanbuk-ri, located just in front of Buseosanseong Fortress. Within the fortress, some of the most famous sites include Baekhwajeong Pavilion, Sajaru Pavilion, Banwollu Pavilion, Yeongillu Pavilion, Samchungsa Shrine (dedicated to three loyal subjects of the Baekje Kingdom), Gungnyeosa Shrine, Goransa Temple, Gunchangji (military warehouse site), and Suhyeoljugeoji (site of pit houses for the Baekje soldiers). The mountain is also home to Nakhwaam Rock where, according to legend, 3,000 women of the Baekje kingdom threw themselves into the river below after the collapse of the empire.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
March-October 09:00-18:00
November-February 09:00-17:00 - Admission Fees
Individuals – Adults 2,000 / Teenagers 1,100 won / Children 1,000 won
Groups – Adults 1,800 won / Teenagers 1,000 won / Children 900 won - Address: 15, Buso-ro, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 부여군 부여읍 부소로 15 - Phone: +82-41-830-2880
- Homepage: tour.buyeo.go.kr
How to get here:
By [Bus]
From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal.
From Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal, take a taxi for approx. 2 min.
Buyeo National Museum
First established in 1929, the Buyeo National Museum was reopened in August 1993 at the current location. The museum has 4 exhibition halls and an outdoor exhibit with a total of about 1,000 relics on display.
The Prehistoric Hall presents representative relics from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age found in Buyeo and the nearby Chungcheongnam-do area. In the History Hall, most of the exhibited relics are the remains of the Sabi Era of Baekje. The Sabi Era (538-660) was when the culture and art of the Baekje Kingdom was at its most prosperous. Buddhist statues that are well-known for ‘the smile of Baekje’ welcome you with happy faces in the Buddhist Art Hall. Numerous stone remains such as Buddha statues and stone pagodas can be found at the outdoor exhibition area.
National Treasures such as the Gilt-bronze Incense Burner of Baekje (National Treasure No. 287), and the Stone Basin of Buyeo (Treasure No. 194) are also on display. Visit Buyeo National Museum to see the treasures and riches from the Baekje times and to experience the dynasty’s love of form, detail and restrained opulence.
Useful Informations
- Operating HoursWeekdays 10:00-18:00
Weekends & Public holidays 10:00-19:00
* Saturdays (April-October) 10:00-21:00
* Culture Day (last Wednesday of every month) 10:00-21:00
Closed on Mondays (The following Tuesday if Monday is a national holiday), New Year’s Day, Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) - Address: 5, Geumseong-ro, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 부여군 부여읍 금성로 5 - Phone: +82-41-833-8563
- Homepage: buyeo.museum.go.kr
How to get here:
By [Bus]
From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal.
Take a taxi for approx. 5 min.
Cheonan Independence Hall of Korea
The Independence Hall of Korea collects, preserves, displays, and researches Korean historical documents and relics from the past to the present, focusing on the independence movements of the Japanese colonial period. The Independence Hall officially opened on the anniversary of Independence Day in 1987 thanks to donations from the public.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
March-October 09:30-18:00
November-February 09:30-17:00
* Last admission: 1 hour before closing
Closed on Mondays (Remains open if Monday is a public holiday) - Address: 95, Sambang-ro, Dongnam-gu, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 천안시 동남구 목천읍 삼방로 95 - Phone: +82-41-560-0114
- Homepage: www.i815.or.kr
How to get here:
By [Taxi]
Approx. 16 min from Cheonan Bus Terminal
Gongju National Museum
Gongju National Museum preserves and displays cultural treasures, as well as provides educational programs for locals. The museum collection includes over 10,000 relics, including 19 National Treasures and three Treasures, all excavated from the Chungcheongnam-do & Daejeon areas. The most important of these artifacts are displayed permanently, while the remaining items rotate with special exhibitions. In front of the main building is a garden visitors can enjoy after touring the museum.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
Weekdays 10:00-18:00
Weekends & public holidays 10:00-19:00
* Culture Day (last Wednesday of every month)
– April-October 10:00-21:00 – November-March 10:00-19:00
– Extended opening (Saturdays, April-October) 10:00-21:00
Closed on Mondays (The next weekday if Monday is a public holiday), New Year’s Day, the Day of Seollal (Lunar New Year’s Day) & Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving Day) - Address: 34, Gwangwangdanji-gil, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 공주시 관광단지길 34 (웅진동) - Phone: +82-41-850-6300
- Homepage: gongju.museum.go.kr
How to get here:
By [Taxi]
Approx. 10 min from Gongju Bus Terminal
Baekje Cultural Land
Baekje Cultural Land, built over a period of 17 years, is nestled in Gyuam-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, providing a home to Baekje’s cultural heritages. The complex made an appearance in one of the episodes of “Running Man.”
The site is spread out over 3,276,000 square meters, filled with the trace of Baekje culture. Sabigung Palace reproduces the scenery of a royal palace during the Three Kingdoms period, and Neungsa Temple, a royal temple representative of Baekje, has been recreated according to the real size at the historic site in Neungsan-ri, Buyeo-eup. The Five-story Stone Pagoda, prominently seen after passing through Daetongmun Gate and Wiryeseong Fortress during Hanseong Baekje Era, gives a different aspect of Sabigung Palace. The entire view of the complex can be seen at a glance from Jehyangnu Pavilion.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
March-October: 09:00-18:00
November-February: 09:00-17:00
* Last admission: 30 min before closing - Admission Fees
Baekje Cultural Land (Baekje History & Culture Museum included)
Adults: 6,000 won / Group: 4,500 won
Teenagers: 4,500 won / Group: 3,000 won
Children: 3,000 won / Group: 1,500 won
Baekje History & Culture Museum
Adults: 2,000 won / Group: 1,500 won
Teenagers: 1,500 won / Group: 1,200 won
Children: 1,000 won / Group: 800 won - Address: 455, Baekjemun-ro, Gyuam-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 부여군 규암면 백제문로 455 - Phone: +82-41-408-7290
- Homepage: www.bhm.or.kr
- Tour Course Information
▲ Course 1 (Duration: 1hr)
Baekje History & Culture Museum (3D viewing) → Jeongyangmun → Cheonjeongjeon → Neugsa → Living Culture Village → Jeongyangmun
▲ Course 2 (Duration: 2hrs)
Jeongyangmun → Cheonjeongjeon → Neungsa → Living Culture Village → Wiryeseong Fortress → Jeongyangmun → Baekje History & Culture Museum
▲ Course 3 (Duration: 3hrs)
Jeongyangmun → Cheonjeongjeon → Neungsa → Gobungongwon Park → Jehyangnu → Living Culture Village → Wiryeseong Fortress → Jeongyangmun → Baekje History & Culture Museum
How to get here:
By [Bus]
From Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, take an intercity bus to Buyeo (부여).
From Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal, turn left and go straight for 150m.
Take a bus bound for Buyeo-Sinseong (부여-신성), and get off at the Korea National University of Cultural Heritage (한국전통문화학교) Bus Stop.
Go straight for 100m, and turn left at the sign for the Baekjae Historical Museum (백제역사문화관).
Go straight for 100m to arrive at Baekje Cultural Land.
Chusa House (Kim Jeong Hui) House
House of Chusa, Chusa Gotaek in Korean, is the traditional Korean house of the renowned scholar and calligrapher Chusa, also known as Kim Jeong-hui. This old house is known to have been constructed by the great-grandfather of Chusa, Kim Han-Sin.
The Korean-style house compound (266.1 1m²) consists of Munganchae (a guesthouse), Soteuldaemun (a high gate), Sarangchae (ㄱ-shaped men’s quarters), Anchae (ㅁ-shaped women’s quarters) and a shrine where the remains of Chusa are enshrined. Theㄱ-shaped Sarangchae stretches for one Kan* to the south and 2 Kans to the east and is comprised of two rooms and a Daecheongmaru (living area). The Anchae consists of a six-Kan Daecheongmaru (living area) and two one-Kan rooms.
Located on the ground is a tomb where Chusa’s great-grandfather (Kim Han-Sin) and his wife (Hwasun Princess) are buried. Nearby you’ll see a gate that was constructed to commemorate Princess Hwasun’s faithfulness to her husband.
If you walk about 600 meters to the north of the old house, you can see a lacebark pine tree, which was designated Natural Monument No. 106. The lacebark pine tree, originally from northern China, is among the few of its kind in Korea. It is said that Chusa snuck the pine across the border from China (formerly, the Qing Dynasty) into the country when he was 25 years old and planted it at the tomb of his great-grandfather. Originally, the tree had three branches, but two were broken and the third branch was damaged. In 1980, the damaged branch was treated and since then, the tree has been kept under strong protection.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
March-October 09:00-18:00
November-February 09:00-17:00
* Last admission is 20 minutes before closing. - Address: 261, Chusagotaek-ro, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 예산군 신암면 추사고택로 261 - Phone: +82-41-339-8242
- Homepage: www.yesan.go.kr
How to get here:
By [Bus]
Take a bus from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal to Yesan and get off at Sillyewon Bus Stop.
Take a bus from Sillyewon Bus Stop to Chusa House Bus Stop.
Wolmyeong Park
Wolmyeong Park is a popular tourist destination in Gunsan and connects five mountains in the vicinity. The park has 12 kilometers of walking trails, as well as an observatory, sculpture park, and various monuments. From Susi Tower, which resembles a flame or wind-blown sail, people can see all of downtown Gunsan, the sea to the south of Gunsan, the mouth of the Geumgang River, and the large Janghang smelting factory.
The park has well-arranged gardens and 30-year old rattan and cherry trees. A cherry blossom photo contest is held every April, when the park is covered in cherry blossoms.
Useful Informations
- Address: 26-3, Wolmyeonggongwon 1-gil, Gunsan-si, Jeollabuk-do
전라북도 군산시 월명공원1길 26-3 (해망동) - Phone: +82-63-450-4000
- Homepage: tour.jb.go.kr
How to get here:
By [Train+Taxy]
From Seoul Station or Yongsan Station, take a train to Gunsan Station.
From Gunsan Station take a taxi for approx. 10 min.
Cheonan Gakwonsa Temple
Gakwonsa Temple is located halfway from the peak of Taejosan Mountain, a natural landmark of Cheonan. The temple was enshrined on May 9, 1977 to pray for the reunification of North and South Korea. The temple contains a bronze statue of Buddha, which is 15 meters in height, 30 meters in circumference, has 175-centimeter-long ears, 30-centimeter-long nails and weighs 60 tons.
It is the largest temple after Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju and it draws many Buddhist followers as a prayer site.
Useful Informations
- Address: 245, Gagwonsa-gil, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 천안시 동남구 각원사길 245 (안서동) - Phone: +82-41-561-3545
- Homepage: www.gakwonsa.or.kr
How to get here:
By [Taxi]
Approx. 20 min from Cheonan Bus Terminal and Cheonan Station.
Gapsa Temple
Gapsa Temple is located in the forested foothills of Gyeryongsan Mountain, 19 kilometers from Gongju and a three-hour walk from Donghaksa Temple. The temple is most beautiful during fall when surrounded by crimson foliage. Gapsa Temple was established by monk Adohwasang in 420, during the early Baekje Period. The temple’s beauty allowed it to escape destruction many times, but it was ultimately burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The current structures were built in 1604. Nearby attractions include Yongmunpokpo Falls, Sujeongbong Peak, and Cheonjinbotab Pagoda.
Useful Informations
- Admission Fees
Individuals – Adults 3,000 won / Teenagers 1,500 won / Children 1,000 won
Groups – Adults 2,500 won / Teenagers 1,000 won / Children 500 won - Hiking Course
* Gapsa Temple – Youngmunpokpo Falls – Geumjandigogae Pass – Nammaetap Pagoda – Dognhaksa Temple
* Gapsa Temple – Gwaneumbong Peak – Eunseonpokpo Falls – Donghaksa Temple - Address: 567-3, Gapsa-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 공주시 계룡면 갑사로 567-3 (계룡면) - Phone: +82-41-857-8981
- Homepage: www.gapsa.org
How to get here:
By [Taxi]
Approx. 20 min from Gongju Bus Terminal or Gongju Station.
Magoksa Temple
Magoksa Temple was founded by Monk Jajangyulsa in 640, a representative temple of Chungcheongnam-do. Magoksa Temple is surrounded by a mountain and a stream curving in a yin-yang shape. Perhaps because of such a shape, this temple was never damaged by any major wars during the Joseon period (1392-1910). It is most beautiful during the spring time, when the cherry blossoms, sansuyu, and magnolias fill the whole area.
Two eye-catching sights at Magoksa Temple are the Five-story Stone Pagoda and the Chinese juniper trees scholar Kim Gu (Korean politician and freedom activist) is said to have planted. The top of the Five-story Stone Pagoda is decorated with bronze. This style was influenced by the Lama Buddhist sect of Tibet, and there are said to be only three such structures left in the world.
Useful Informations
- Operating Hours
Sunrise-sunset - Admission Fees
Individuals – Adults 3,000 won / Teenagers 1,500 won / Children 1,000 won
Groups – Adults 2,500 won / Teenagers 1,000 won / Children 500 won - Hiking Course
Yeongunam Hermitage – Daewonam Hermitage – Toguram Hermitage – Baengnyeonam Hermitage – Buyongam Hermitage – Bukgaseobam Hermitage - Address: 966, Magoksa-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
충청남도 공주시 사곡면 마곡사로 966 (사곡면) - Phone: +82-41-841-6220
- Homepage: www.magoksa.or.kr
How to get here:
By [Bus]
From Seoul Express Bus terminal, take an intercity bus to Gongju Bus Terminal.
From Gongju Bus Terminal Bus Stop, take Bus No. 610, 611 and get off at Magoksa Temple Parking Lot Bus Stop.
Follow the Magokcheon Stream for 800 m to arrive at Magoksa Temple.
