Gyeongsang

The Yeongnam region in southeastern Korea, covering Busan, Daegu, Ulsan and North and South Gyeongsang, home to Gyeongju, the ancient Silla capital, the port city of Busan and an island-dotted southern coast.

This region is Korea's traditional “Yeongnam” and is defined by whole administrative units: North Gyeongsang Province, South Gyeongsang Province, and the three metropolitan cities of Busan, Daegu and Ulsan. To the west it is separated from Honam and Chungcheong by the Sobaek Mountains, and Ulleungdo island to the northeast also belongs to North Gyeongsang.

Highlights: in Busan, Haeundae and Gwangalli beaches, Gamcheon Culture Village, Jagalchi Fish Market and Haedong Yonggungsa Temple; in Gyeongju, the thousand-year-old Silla capital, Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto, the Daereungwon tomb complex, Cheomseongdae observatory, and Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond; Hahoe Village, Dosan Seowon and yangban culture in Andong; the Tripitaka Koreana at Haeinsa Temple in Hapcheon; Daegu's Seomun Market and Palgongsan; Tongyeong, Oedo Island off Geoje and Namhae Island along the island-dotted southern coast; and the Taehwagang Bamboo Grove in Ulsan.

Classic itinerary: 3 days in Busan plus 1–2 days in Gyeongju is the most common combination; add Andong and Daegu, or drive along the south coast via Tongyeong and Geoje to Namhae Island, for 6–8 days in total.

Getting around: the KTX takes about 2.5 hours from Seoul to Busan and about 2 hours to Dongdaegu; Busan Gimhae Airport and Daegu Airport have international flights, and Busan also has ferries to Fukuoka and Shimonoseki in Japan. Intercity buses in the region are extensive, and Gyeongju and Andong can be reached by bus or train from Busan and Daegu.

Good to know: ferries to Ulleungdo are heavily affected by wind and waves and are often suspended in winter; accommodation in Busan and Gyeongju is tight during cherry blossom season and on summer weekends, so book in advance.

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