Destination: South Korea

LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL ITINERARY INFORMATION

Itinerary: The Green Trail

TWO WEEKS / 1200KM

Enjoy the green landscapes and healthy food of Korea’s least developed region with hundreds of unspoilt islands, countless seafood restaurants and artistic traditions.

The Jeolla provinces have always been the rice bowl of Korea and still retain a semblance of the traditional agrarian lifestyle. The region is famous for its fresh food, traditional crafts like paper making, pansori opera, dissident poets, Goryeo-dynasty ceramics and political protest. The south coast is Korea’s greenest coastline where hundreds of rural, relaxing islands and their pristine beaches invite island-hopping jaunts far from the madding crowds.

Jeonju city’s fascinating hanok village is crammed with traditional houses and buildings. You must eat Jeonju bibimbap (rice topped with egg, meat, vegetables and sauce) and try moju, a sweet gingery alcoholic drink. See the rock pinnacle garden and climb a horse’s ear at Maisan Provincial Park, then go hiking or skiing in beautiful Deogyusan National Park.

Bokbunja juice (an alcoholic drink made from berries), scenic splendours and an ancient Buddha carved on a cliff await you at Seonunsan Provincial Park. Take a ferry from Gunsan to a slice of island paradise called Seonyudo or to rarely visited Eocheongdo which attracts bird enthusiasts.

Further south in Gwangju visit the May 18th National Cemetery, a sombre reminder of the 1980 uprising against the military government of the time. Admire the ceramics in Gwangju National Museum, explore more art and craft in Art Street, eat in a duck restaurant and don’t miss the bamboo town of Damyang.

At Mokpo visit the museums before taking a boat to the remote havens of Heuksando and Hongdo. Mould your own ceramic pot in Gangjin Celadon Museum and taste food and drinks made from healthy green tea at the beautiful Boseong Daehan Dawon (Boseong Tea Plantation). From Yeosu, hike up to Hyang·iram, a Buddhist temple perched on a cliff with awesome coastal and island views.

Jinju fortress has a terrible story to tell. For a final eco experience don’t miss the beautiful hike on the unspoiled Yeonhwa island which is easily reached by ferry from Tong·yeong. Finally the Green Trail comes to an abrupt end in the bustling port of Busan, Korea’s second largest city.