Where to go in Gyeonggi (around Seoul)

Where to go in each part of Korea, neighbourhood by neighbourhood: what it is like, what it is known for and what to do.

• Suwon Hwaseong Fortress and Haenggung수원 화성과 화성행궁A walk along an 18th century stone wall with gates, watchtowers and a royal temporary palace inside.
• Yongin Korean Folk Village and Everland용인 한국민속촌과 에버랜드Two different day trips in one city, a rebuilt Joseon village and the biggest theme park near Seoul.
• Paju DMZ and Imjingak파주 임진각과 DMZA quiet park beside the river that marks the closest you can easily get to the border with North Korea.
• Paju Heyri Art Village and Provence Village파주 헤이리예술마을과 프로방스마을A planned village of small museums, galleries and cafes, with a pastel French style village close by.
• Gapyeong Nami Island and Petite France가평 남이섬과 쁘띠프랑스A small island of tree-lined paths reached by ferry, with a French style village a few kilometres away.
• Gapyeong Garden of Morning Calm가평 아침고요수목원A large garden on a wooded hillside, laid out in themed sections that change with the season.
• Gwangmyeong Cave광명동굴An old gold mine turned into a cool, lit underground walk, an easy escape from city heat or cold.
• Icheon Ceramics Village이천 도자예술마을A quiet country town where potters have worked for generations, with studios and shops along small roads.
• Yangpyeong Dumulmeori양평 두물머리A calm riverside spot where two rivers meet, best at sunrise with mist on the water and an old tree.
• Gwonseon-gu, Suwon수원시 권선구A quiet residential side of Suwon, where the sights are neighbourhood parks and lake paths, not monuments.
• Sujeong-gu, Seongnam성남시 수정구An older hillside part of Seongnam with temples, a lakeside park and a village known for chicken porridge.
• Jungwon-gu, Seongnam성남시 중원구A hillside district at the edge of the Namhansan area, with a mountain temple, a traditional-style park and a…
• Bundang-gu, Seongnam성남시 분당구A tidy new-town district with a mountain temple, big lakeside and forest parks, and the tech offices of…
• Uijeongbu의정부시A northern commuter city with army-base history, a pine forest and the stew that grew out of it.
• Manan-gu, Anyang안양시 만안구A stream valley of public art and an old factory turned architecture museum, on the slopes of Samseongsan.
• Dongan-gu, Anyang안양시 동안구A planned Pyeongchon new town with calm streets, a small cafe lane and restaurants that locals prefer.
• Wonmi-gu, Bucheon부천시 원미구A green pocket of the city with a glasshouse botanical garden, a hill park and an observatory.
• Sosa-gu, Bucheon부천시 소사구A residential district on the southern edge of Bucheon, with a mountain park and a large shopping mall.
• Ojeong-gu, Bucheon부천시 오정구A quiet western district with a prehistoric site, wetland parks and a small farm where children feed animals.
• Pyeongtaek평택시A southern Gyeonggi city of old family homes, a big lake and a riverside park, with few tourist crowds.
• Dongducheon동두천시A northern town at the foot of Soyosan, known for its autumn colours and a temple said to date to the seventh…
• Sangnok-gu, Ansan안산시 상록구A residential district whose draw is hill parks and neighbourhood paths, not big sights.
• Danwon-gu, Ansan안산시 단원구A coastal district that includes Daebudo island, with reed fields, a tree-lined road and open water views.
• Deogyang-gu, Goyang고양시 덕양구A district of Joseon royal tombs and a hilltop fortress above the Han River.
• Ilsandong-gu, Goyang고양시 일산동구A planned new-town district with Ilsan Lake Park, an antique street and quiet neighbourhood parks.
• Ilsanseo-gu, Goyang고양시 일산서구A newer family district with sports parks, farm visits and a large water park, and few traditional sights.
• Gwacheon과천시A small city between Seoul and the mountains, home to Seoul Grand Park, Seoul Land and a Gwanaksan trail.
• Guri구리시A riverside city on the Han with flower fields, a lake park and the royal tombs of Donggureung.
• Namyangju남양주시A large riverside city on the Han, with a water garden, hill hikes and country restaurants.
• Osan오산시A small city with a large arboretum, a Joseon hill fortress and Korean War history.
• Siheung시흥시A coastal industrial city with lotus ponds, a big reservoir lake and a forest on Soraesan.
• Gunpo군포시A quiet commuter city at the foot of Surisan, with an old kiln site, a mountain temple and a lake.
• Uiwang의왕시A small city of mountain temples, a lake and the national railway museum.
• Hanam하남시A Han River city with a water park and spa, a Catholic holy site and an ancient hilltop fortress.
• Cheoin-gu, Yongin용인시 처인구Yongin's large countryside district, home to Everland and a recently opened white birch forest.
• Suji-gu, Yongin용인시 수지구A residential district at the foot of Gwanggyosan, with mountain trails and a family eco park.
• Anseong안성시A farm town south of Seoul, known for grape farms, open pastures and traditional brassware.
• Gimpo김포시A city on the Han estuary, with waterside walks, royal tombs and a river fort on the Ganghwa strait.
• Hwaseong (city and Jebudo)화성시A large coastal city with the tidal island of Jebudo, a herb farm and a wetland park. Not the Hwaseong…
• Manse-gu, Hwaseong화성시 만세구A western coastal district of sunset lookouts, a fishing port and small islands.
• Hyohaeng-gu, Hwaseong화성시 효행구A calm area beside the royal tombs of Yungneung and Geolleung, with a small history park.
• Byeongjeom-gu, Hwaseong화성시 병점구A small town near the royal tombs, with a village tied to King Jeongjo's visits and a neighbourhood hill park.
• Dongtan-gu, Hwaseong화성시 동탄구A modern planned new town with wide plazas, indoor animal and kids' spots and quiet neighbourhood parks.
• Gwangju (Gyeonggi)광주시A forested city east of Seoul, home to the Namhansanseong fortress and a woodland garden.
• Yangju양주시A northern city of hillside lookouts, herb gardens and a mountaintop observatory.
• Pocheon포천시A northern highland county of rock gorges, a national arboretum and traditional rice-wine culture.
• Yeoju여주시A river town of Joseon royal history, with King Sejong's tomb, Empress Myeongseong's childhood home and…
• Yeoncheon연천군A border county on the Hantan River, with basalt cliffs, waterfalls and some of Korea's oldest known…
• Yangpyeong양평군A green riverside county with Yongmunsan mountain, a literature village and famous cold noodles.