Korea is known to be full of photogenic places. They can be simple, natural, or specifically decorated for being photographed. In this article, we have selected 10 must-see instagrammable places in Korea. Read on if you want to find out where they are!
10 must-see Instagrammable places in Korea, from North to South
Koreans really like to use Instagram and take photos in unusual poses. In the wake of this fashion, a lot of photo zones (포토존) have popped up all over Korea. We recommend 10 Instagrammable places in Korea, starting from Seoul to all the way down to Jeju Island.
1. Lotte Tower at Seokchon
At the top of our list of Instagrammable places in Korea is the Lotte Tower, which is overlooking Seokchon Lake in Seoul. The tower is a tall blue skyscraper with a curvy shape that stands in contrast to the boxy forms of other buildings. The tower stands beside Seokchon Lake, a small body of water around which cherry blossom trees have been planted. We recommend visiting it particularly in spring during the cherry blossom blooming season, or in autumn when the leaves of the trees take on red and orange hues.
2. Jukseong Dream Seongdang
In the town of Jukseong just outside Busan, there is a small white church that stands out against the sea in a very impressive way. It is not a real church, but one built especially for the SBS drama Dream (2009) and it still attracts tourists today. The interior of the cathedral has become a gallery. Perhaps due to its location in a small fishing village, it retains a unique atmosphere and its seascape looks like a medieval painting.
3. Homigot Sunrise Square
In the area of Homigot village in Pohang, there is a statue of a hand emerging from the sea facing upward and appearing to sunrise. It is the right hand, as well as the most famous one for photography. On the mainland a short distance away, there is in fact a statue of the left hand, which is also facing upward.
4. Guryong-po
Going back to the K-drama theme, in Guryong-po of Pohang, there is a Japanese-style village that was set for the drama “When the Camelia blooms” (2019). The village is very atmospheric, with low houses that were built during the Japanese occupation period for visiting officials. One of the houses is a museum opened for visitors. In addition to the historical importance of the place, if you are a fan of the Korean drama, you can enjoy walking along the same streets where the drama characters were, and even have lunch in some of the restaurants. Going up the stairs in the center of the village will also take you to the huge statue of a dragon that stands out against the seascape.
5. Banwol Island (the Purple Island)
To the south, in Jeolla Province, lies an island which has been entirely repainted purple as part of a redevelopment project. The purple theme has made it a popular destination for tourists, making it one of the most Instagrammable places in Korea not to be missed.
6. Gyeong-po Beach, Gangneung
Another Instagrammable place in Korea is the Gyeong-po beach in Gangneung, which is on the peninsula’s east coast. Not only is the beach itself very beautifully covered with fine, light-colored sand bathed by a clear sea, but at various locations photo zones have been set up in the shape of a photo frame or special decorations, for one to stand next to to take pictures with the beautiful landscape as a backdrop.
7. Mount Seorak
Also on the east coast of Korea, we find Mount Seorak, a natural gem touted as a tourist destination especially in autumn, when the trees take on colorful hues. The higher you go, the more striking the view becomes. It is a great location for taking photos to be posted on Instagram with the hashtag #landscapephotography.
8. Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan
If you are looking for Instagrammable places in Korea, you cannot miss Gamcheon Culture Village. It is located on a rise in the city of Busan and is a very colorful area that offers spectacular views with numerous art installations. Walking down the street, you can easily come across colorful murals and installations representing the Little Prince, sea creatures or musical instruments.
9. Jeonju Hanok Village
Another of the must-see Instagrammable places in Korea is the hanok village in the city of Jeonju. This is the area with the most extensive traditional-style housing still in place and is great to visit if you want to take a dip into the past. We also recommend staying overnight in a hanok and walking around the streets wearing traditional hanbok.
10. Jeju Island
To conclude our list of Instagrammable places in Korea on a high note, we recommend visiting the entire Jeju Island. Here, no matter where you go, there are natural gems, quirky museums, sculptures and many more, such as the Daepo Jusangjeolli cliff where its sides have taken on cylindrical shapes as a result of lava flows, and the teddy bear museum in the Jungmun area.
We hope you enjoyed this article and that our recommendations will be useful to you during your trip to Korea. For more information, follow the Go! Go! Hanguk blog and feel free to contact us about living and studying in Korea.
