Suncheon

Korea's ecological capital — Suncheon is built around one of the world's five great coastal wetlands, a UNESCO-designated reed marsh that shelters migratory birds, while the city itself offers a bamboo forest, a Joseon-era folk village, and a famous TV drama filming set.

Must-Visit Places

• Suncheon Bay Wetlands (순천만 습지) — A UNESCO-recognized tidal flat and reed marsh; at sunset, the serpentine waterways glow orange and flocks of migratory black-faced spoonbills gather
• Juknokwon Bamboo Forest (죽녹원) — A serene grove of towering bamboo stalks with walking trails; especially atmospheric in mist and rain
• Naganeupseong Folk Village (낙안읍성) — A fully preserved Joseon-era walled village with 300-year-old homes still inhabited by real residents
• Suncheon Drama Set Village (순천 드라마촬영장) — Open-air set recreating 1960–80s Korean neighborhoods used in dozens of hit TV dramas
• Songgwangsa Temple — One of Korea's three "jewel temples," a major center of Son (Zen) Buddhism deep in the mountains

Food & Dining

• Jeongsik (정식) — Suncheon's elaborate Korean table d'hôte; 20+ small dishes served in traditional lacquerware
• Gulbi (굴비) — Salted and dried yellow corvina; the classic accompaniment to rice in Jeolla cuisine
• Ddeokgalbi — Minced grilled beef patties, a Jeolla-do staple; tender and richly seasoned
• Suncheon Bay Clam Dishes — Freshwater clam soup (재첩국) and grilled clams harvested from the bay wetlands

Must-Buy Shopping

• Naganeupseong Traditional Makgeolli — Unfiltered rice wine brewed inside the folk village; buy it fresh at the village entrance
• Reed Craft Products (갈대 공예) — Handwoven reed baskets, mats, and decorative items made from Suncheon Bay reeds
• Suncheon Gulbi — Vacuum-packed salted corvina for home cooking
• Bamboo Products — Small bamboo utensils, steamers, and containers from craft shops near Juknokwon