Six underrated South Korean cities are worth leaving the Seoul to Busan route for: Tongyeong for naval history and seafood, Suncheon for a Ramsar wetland, Andong for living Confucian heritage, Gangneung for beaches and coffee, Gwangju for food and democracy history, and Sokcho for Seoraksan National Park. Each works as a one or two night stop.
Most first-time itineraries stay on the Seoul, Gyeongju and Busan line. These six sit just off it, with fewer crowds and lower prices, and we picked them because each has one clear reason to go and a workable way to get there. Prices are approximate as of 2026.
1. Tongyeong: Naval History and the Best Seafood on the South Coast
Tongyeong is a compact port city on the south coast facing around 170 islands in the Hallyeohaesang National Park. In 1604 the Joseon court set up its Three Provinces Naval Command here, and the commander’s hall, Sebyeonggwan, still stands as a National Treasure. The harbour, Jungang Market, the Dongpirang mural village and the hall are all within a 15 to 20 minute walk of each other.
How to get there: There is no railway station. Buses from Busan’s Seobu Terminal take about 1.5 to 2 hours and cost approximately KRW 10,000 to 14,000.
Best time: Spring for the music festival and sea air, winter for oysters and the quietest streets.
Local tip: Walk Dongpirang first while the alleys are quiet, then drop into Jungang Market for a late lunch. The Mireuksan ropeway costs roughly KRW 14,000 to 15,000 round trip and is best late in the day. Our Tongyeong guide and things to do in Tongyeong lay out the full route, and you can browse Tongyeong hotels if you want to stay a night.
2. Suncheon: A Ramsar Wetland and a Gold Reed Bay
Suncheon Bay is a wetland of reed beds and tidal flats registered under the Ramsar Convention in 2006, with wooden boardwalks that run through it. The city adds a large national garden left over from the 2013 garden expo, the thatched-house Naganeupseong Folk Village (approximately KRW 4,000 entry) and a recreated mid-century drama set. The three main sights are several kilometres apart, so give it a full day.
How to get there: KTX from Seoul’s Yongsan Station takes about 3 hours. From Busan, express buses from Seobu Terminal take about 2.5 hours.
Best time: Late October to November, when the reeds turn gold and migratory birds return.
Local tip: The boardwalk to the observatory takes close to two hours return, so reach the wetland by mid-afternoon at the latest in November, when the sun sets early. Read our Suncheon guide and Suncheon things to do for a route, or see Suncheon Bay tours if you would rather not manage the local buses.
3. Andong: Living Confucian Heritage
Andong kept its Confucian scholarship, clan lineages and village architecture long after the rest of the country modernised. Around it sit two UNESCO sites: Hahoe Folk Village, where about 170 households still live in houses built 200 to 300 years ago, and Byeongsan Seowon, a Confucian academy with a cliff and river view. Entry to Hahoe is approximately KRW 5,000, and Byeongsan Seowon is free.
How to get there: Trains and buses connect Andong with Seoul and other regional cities. Bus 46 runs between Andong Bus Terminal and Hahoe roughly every 30 to 60 minutes, and a taxi from the station takes 25 to 30 minutes at approximately KRW 12,000 to 15,000.
Best time: Late September to October for the International Mask Dance Festival and foliage, but book rooms several weeks ahead.
Local tip: Eat Andong jjimdak in the original alley near the old market, where a portion for two to three people costs approximately KRW 25,000 to 35,000. Our Hahoe Village guide and Andong city guide cover the sights, and our Andong hotels guide lists places to stay.
4. Gangneung: Beaches, Coffee and a KTX Escape from Seoul
Gangneung is an east coast city of around 210,000 people with a 6 km beach at Gyeongpo, a pine forest behind it and a quiet lake. The Anmok Beach coffee street has around 100 independent cafes along a 1 km road, and the city also holds Ojukheon House, the birthplace of the artist Shin Saimdang, and the aristocratic Seongyojang villa. The 2018 Winter Olympics brought a KTX line that now links it to Seoul in about 2 hours.
How to get there: KTX from Seoul Station, fares from around KRW 27,600 one way. Express buses from Seoul take 2.5 to 3 hours and cost approximately KRW 14,000 to 16,000.
Best time: Summer for the beach, and any weekday for the coffee street, which is busy at weekends all year.
Local tip: Book KTX in advance for Friday evenings and holiday weekends when trains sell out. For tofu, go to the Chodang neighbourhood, known for its sundubu restaurants. See our Gangneung guide, Gangneung things to do and where to stay in Gangneung.
5. Gwangju: Food Capital and Democracy History
Gwangju is where citizens rose against a military dictatorship in May 1980, and the story is told across the 5.18 Memorial Park, the Former Provincial Hall and the National Cemetery, all free to enter. It is also widely regarded as Korea’s best city for traditional food, and the Asia Culture Centre keeps a permanent contemporary art programme going even when there is no Biennale.
How to get there: About an hour by bus or train from Suncheon, and well linked to Seoul and Busan by KTX and express bus.
Best time: Spring and autumn. The Gwangju Biennale runs every two years and the 2026 edition is expected between September and December.
Local tip: Do the memorial sites in the morning, then spend the afternoon at the Yangdong traditional market and a Jeolla-style table. The 5.18 Memorial Park is closed on Mondays, so check the day before you plan the route. Our Gwangju guide and May 18th memorial guide go deeper, and you can find a hotel in Gwangju.
6. Sokcho: The Gateway to Seoraksan
Sokcho is a small fishing city of around 80,000 people at the northern end of the east coast, and it is the base for Seoraksan National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The park entry fee is approximately KRW 3,500, the Biryong Falls trail is a flat 3 km walk, and the Ulsanbawi Rock trail takes 2 to 3 hours return. In town, a hand-pulled raft ferry crosses to Abai Village for KRW 500 each way.
How to get there: Express buses from Seoul’s Express Bus Terminal take about 2.5 hours and cost approximately KRW 17,000 to 20,000. City bus 7 reaches the park entrance in about 20 minutes.
Best time: Mid-October for foliage, but expect queues at the cable car and arrive before 9:00.
Local tip: The Seorak cable car costs KRW 16,000 return and queues can pass an hour in peak foliage season. Our Sokcho guide, Seoraksan hiking guide and Sokcho hotels guide help with the detail.
Choosing Between Them
For history, pick Tongyeong or Andong. For scenery, choose Suncheon in autumn or Sokcho for the mountains. For a quick escape from Seoul, Gangneung is the easiest. For food, go to Gwangju. If you only have a week, our 1 week in South Korea itinerary shows where one of these stops can replace a busier city. To compare more day-trip ideas from the main hubs, see our day trips from Busan guide and day trips from Seoul guide. For official visitor information, see Visit Korea.