Situated on the western coast of South Korea in North Jeolla province, Gunsan is a busy, modern city filled with exciting and interesting attractions for people of all ages. There are many outdoor areas for active travellers looking to experience the incredible natural beauty of South Korea, while the unique heritage of the area is evident in Gunsan’s collection of temples and traditional houses. The city also has a large international seaport that brings in much development to the region and is known for its thriving industry.
Intrepid explorers will jump at the chance to explore the Gunsan Islands, a large collection of both inhabited and uninhabited islands known for their unspoilt natural beauty. Wolmyeong Park in the centre of the city is another fantastic place to experience the beauty of South Korea, especially during the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Those interested in the heritage of the city won’t want to miss visiting DonghaksaTemple, the only temple of its kind left in South Korea to be built in a traditional Japanese style, or see some of the Japanese houses in Sinheung-Dong.
Gunsan has its own airport, Gunsan Airport, although visitors to the city often fly into nearby airports such as Gwangju Airport or Muan International Airport and then arrive into Gunsan by bus or train. Gunsan Airport is a relatively small airport with only two airlines operating flights to and from Jeju International Airport. Within the city of Gunsan itself, there are frequent bus services that go all around the city as well as further afield. Taxis are also a common sight in Gunsan.
Gunsan was for a long time a quiet fishing village until it slowly grew to become an important port in the 19th century. The city is now a busy industrial centre with many leading car manufacturers housed in the city’s Industrial Zone. In addition to its air route to Jeju Island and train and bus services throughout South Korea, visitors to Gunsan can also hop on a ferry to Shidao, China.