Melo Villareal
What are the Top Tourist Attractions to Visit in Changwon, South Korea
In the southeast of South Korea lies the captivating city of Changwon. If you’ve been to SoKor’s other cities, you will easily notice how Changwon stands out. Its coastal location causes a pleasantly mild temperature during the winter and a delightfully warm spring, summer, and fall—something you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. Modeled after Australia’s capital city, Canberra, you can expect a line of soaring buildings and a lot of well-structured, modernized areas.
Best Things to Do in Changwon
Changwon is certainly a highly touristy city that showcases the calmness of nature and modern life simultaneously. If you’re not sure what awaits you in Changwon, we have a stellar list for you.
Buy snacks and treats at LOTTE Mart Changwon Central Store
The Lotte Mart brand is one of the most popular in South Korea. This makes them one of the go-to shopping places when in Changwon. If you’re planning on buying lots of sweet treats and other perishable goods, LOTTE Mart is the best pick!
When it comes to sweet treats, Pepero is more than just a favorite among South Koreans. If you’re in SoKor on November 11, you’re at the perfect time to witness Pepero Day. This is celebrated annually by exchanging Pepero snacks among friends and loved ones. This is a perfect day to ask your crush out on a date or to confess and express your feelings.
Apart from Pepero, Montschel and Market O brownies are also well-bought by locals. If you’re a lover of anything salty, you’ll love Sun Chip, Dodohan Nacho, and Ppsae. These go well with soju and beer too!
Lounge at chic coffee shops
South Koreans love their coffee! If you are fond of watching Korean dramas, you will see many scenes featuring different dainty cafes. If you’d love to bring some coffee from Korea back home, instant coffee is a great option. Kanu coffee is a popular brand for its premium taste, as endorsed by the Train to Busan star Gong Yoo.
Get on a shopping spree
South Koreans are famous worldwide for their sense of fashion. If you want to support their sense of style, there are many local boutiques to visit. You can try different trends, such as an all-white ensemble, classy couture, cargo pants, chunky sneakers, oversized tops, and statement pieces. Many of these trends will look good on anyone. If you roam the streets of Changwon while dressed up, you’re guaranteed to get idyllic photos!
Walk on a cherry-blossom-filled path
During April, pretty faint pink flowers bloom to grace the pathways of the Jinhae district. If you want the prettiest of views, you can walk on an arched bridge just above the Yeojwacheon Stream with cherry blossoms all around you. In 2002, the love story between the lead characters of the Korean drama series “Romance” started at this bridge.
Who knows? Your love story could very well start here, too! By nighttime, the Yeojwacheon Starlight Festival takes place, lighting up the sky with a fireworks display.
Have fun at the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival
This festival is the biggest spring celebration in South Korea, usually held between March and April. During this event, the successes of South Korea’s longest-ruling Confucian dynasty are commemorated. Today, the Jinhae Gunhangje Festival is celebrated with many enjoyable events, including an air show by the Republic of Korea Air Force.
During this acrobatic display, eight aircraft grace the sky with choreographed, synchronized maneuvers, showcasing talent and skilled navigation. There are many more events to enjoy, guaranteeing a fun-filled and culturally educational experience.
Keep warm at the Mageumsan Hot Spring
On a chilly day, a dip in this 55°C hot spring will give you comfort, relaxation, and bliss. It contains around twenty minerals and is alkaline-enriched, making it a healthful experience. Hot springs are known to ease muscle tension, enhance blood flow regulation, and improve mood. You can enjoy all of these benefits while having a great time in Changwon!
Experience street food in South Korea
SoKor’s Masan Burim Market in Changwon is flocked by tourists for a taste of local street food. If you love noodles, japchae, bibimnaengmyeon, and more, they offer these tasty dishes at an affordable price. The sweet-and-spicy Tteokbokki is the most famous Korean street food.
Along with this, you should get your hands on fish cake, tornado potato, stewed pork feet, kimchi-ppang, and kimbap, of course. If you’re a little more adventurous, you’ll find peculiar options here too. Blood sausage is a dish that comprises cow or pig intestines stuffed with pig’s blood. It comes with noodles too. Live octopus is another must-try Korean delicacy. These are served fresh, chewy, and crunchy, with sesame chili oil for an extra kick.
You will also love the sweet treats from this marketplace. Don’t leave without getting a mouthful of banana milk, donuts, and some sakura or black sesame soft serve. Have you seen an apple-sized watermelon? You can also bring home apple melons from this marketplace.
Visit an art village
Changdong Art Village is one of the most beautiful and vibrant neighborhoods you’ll see. It has three main alleys—Moonshin Art Alley, Masan Mountain Trail Art Alley, and Ecole de Chang-dong Alley. Each alley has fun programs awaiting you. If you’re wondering, the artistry in this village was encouraged by the government to showcase the city’s most glorious period. Make sure you spend enough time in all three villages because they exude inspiring creativity and fascinating art.
Spend time at the Goodday Museum
Address: 22, Bongamgongdan 2-gil, Masanhoewon-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
If you fancy a trip to a liquor and wine museum, the Goodday Museum is the largest in Korea. Here, you’ll learn about local and international wine culture and its history. They have around 3,000 alcoholic beverages on display. If you’re up for soju tasting, they also have a designated area set up for this.
Drink as a local would
Koreans love to dine while drinking. There are many complimentary seafood dishes and side dishes to choose from. If you want no less than the traditional and local drinking experience, Masan dong-dong Tongsul Alley is your best pick in Changwon.
They have around 14-barrel liquor houses, and all of them serve fresh, tasty side dishes. You have a variety of liquor choices in SoKor. Makgeolli is one of the most popular options, being a traditional rice wine. Soju is another famous pick. A quite controversial one is called ttongsul wine.
Traditionally, this wine was used to cure everything, from mild cuts to broken bones and more serious cases like epilepsy. What makes this even more controversial is the claim that it contains alcohol and the fermented feces of a human child. If you want to know the truth behind this, your curiosity is another reason to visit Masan Dong-dong Tongsul Alley and the Goodday Museum.
Stroll around a man-made lake
Yongji Lake is a famous feature of Changwon. Apart from being a man-made lake, this tourist attraction is famous for orchestrating water shows every night from March through November.
You can also expect a lot of captivating music every Spring and Fall. During this time, people make music while having a drink of wine. Feel free to sing along when you know the song; the crowd will appreciate it.
Walk in South Korea’s traditional wedding outfit
The last dynasty in South Korea ran for centuries, making it a great influence on South Korea’s customs and traditions. A glimpse of the lifestyle of the time can be experienced at the House of Changwon, which tourists can enjoy.
Apart from letting you experience a snippet of their tradition, you will also be allowed to wear traditional wedding outfits, which is a truly unique experience. Make sure you visit all 14 buildings that make up the House of Changwon for the ultimate experience.
Learn about Korea’s history
South Korea’s popularity around the globe is groundbreaking. Its drama series, including those set in ancient South Korea, are well-received by many nations. This shows how interesting their culture is and how idyllic their storytelling is.
Apart from watching a glimpse of their history, you can also visit the Naval Academy Museum in Changwon. Prepare to be mesmerized as you grow to admire this interesting country.
Enjoy a stunning view from the Anmingogae Hill
This 9-kilometer hill at Changwon is a must-visit for a couple of reasons. Firstly, going through the hill allows you to pass through a tunnel of Cherry Blossom trees.
Secondly, you can see a wide landscape of Changwon, including Jinhaeman Bay, Ungsan Mountain, and the peaks of Sirubong and Cheonjabong. You will surely enjoy the journey as much as the destination on a trip to this sought-after tourist attraction.
Take a trip to Jinhae Inland Water Eco Park
Address: 65, Yeomyeong-ro 71beon-gil, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
This environmentally friendly park is home to an abundance of flowers, at least 65 species of trees, and 40 species of creatures. If you have children with you, this experience offers learning and enjoyment. You can help kids feed goldfish by the dock or observe a ton of tadpoles from a distance. If you don’t have children with you, you can easily jog or hike on a designated tranquil path or spend some quiet time at a nearby cafe.
Changwon Travel and Tour Packages
To help you plan out your visit to Changwon, we listed places to visit and things to do for your itinerary. We also listed some of the best Changwon travel and tour packages, along with excellent flight deals and accommodation options.
TripAdvisor lists the best Changwon vacation packages. You may check out Airbnb listings in Changwon for cheap but high-quality accommodation.
Searching for the best Changwon hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of affordable Changwon hotels and resorts via Agoda, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
Want more updates about new tourist attractions in Changwon, South Korea? Follow #TeamOutofTown on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest for more travel ideas.
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