If you ride the Gyeongui-Jungang subway line just over an hour from the center of Seoul, you will reach Ungilsan station. This spontaneous little excursion from the hustle and bustle of downtown became one of my favorite memories in Korea. While the excitement of the major cities is what attracts many to South Korea, travelers shouldn’t overlook the beautiful Korean countryside. You can venture to the farther edges of the country for gorgeous locations such as the Boseong Tea Fields but I was delighted to also find such peaceful rural areas near Seoul.

Beautiful Korean Farmland

Nearly half of South Korea’s population lives in the capital of Seoul. With over 25 million residents, it is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the world. The surrounding province, Gyeonggi-do, has some great destinations for nearby day trips from Seoul, and it is here we find Ungilsan station.

Just a short walk from the station takes you along the charming trails that wind through picturesque farmland. The atmosphere is so quiet and peaceful. A lovely stream flows through the town and opens up to a large river.

Water Garden Park 물의정원

The large public space along this river is called Water Garden Park. This is one of many great places to see beautiful flowers in Korea. The big fields of orange flowers were in full bloom when I visited in late October. Autumn really is one of the best times to visit Korea.

It’s no secret that the locals and visitors alike love a photo-op. There are countless Instagrammable places in Korea that are proudly promoted as such. It’s not uncommon to see a famous vista with a long line of people waiting for their turn to take pictures. It’s always nice to find those less touristy places that are just as beautiful to photograph as the popular spots… but much less crowded!

Sujongsa Temple

With the pastoral scenery framed by majestic mountains, you can easily enjoy South Korea’s favorite free pastime of hiking. When packing for South Korea, one should consider that the country’s terrain is rather mountainous in general (including Seoul), so bring comfortable shoes! If you climb high up Ungilsan Mountain, you will find one of the main attractions of this area: Sujongsa Temple.

There are many stunning Buddhist temples in South Korea including many famous temples in Seoul. Many of them offer what is called a Temple Stay in which you learn about Buddhism and meditation while following the monks along in their daily duties.

There are a number of ancient trees in South Korea protected on the grounds of temples. Sujongsa is home to an impressive 500 year old gingko tree.

One of the best parts of visiting Sujongsa temple is certainly the incredible view. It is especially beautiful at sunset. Just don’t stay too late (as I did…) or you’ll be hiking back down the mountain in the dark!

Farm to Table Restaurants

Amazing food in Korea is easy to find and the countryside is no different. There are a number of great farm to table restaurants with deliciously fresh produce straight from their gardens.

Even in this small community, there are many places to choose from for traditional Korean cuisine. For those who like the more modern café culture in Korea, there’s Café River Illy which has a patio with a nice view.

I love to experience the simpler side of life in Korea: the natural beauty, the quaint, smaller communities, places that attract more locals than tourists. The beautiful contrast between the traditional and the modern is part of what makes Korea special. I can be dazzled by the neon lights of Myeongdong and Gangnam districts downtown, then just an hour subway ride away be surrounded by tranquil farms and flower fields. While visitors to this amazing country should certainly savor all the excitement of the city, I hope they’ll also enjoy the beauty of the rural areas near Seoul.

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