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MyKoreanTrip

Jeolla

Suncheon순천

Korea's best-known wetland — vast reed fields and mudflats that are home to rare migratory birds, next to one of the country's largest gardens.

Population

About 280,000.

Fun fact

Suncheon Bay is one of only five major coastal wetlands in the world, and home to the rare hooded crane in winter.

Suncheon on the map

Suncheon is built around Suncheon Bay, one of the world's five major coastal wetlands, and the reason most people come here.

Highlights

  • Suncheon Bay Wetland Reserve, wide mudflats and Korea's largest reed field, home to over 140 bird species including the rare hooded crane in winter.
  • Suncheon Bay National Garden, a large botanical garden next to the wetland, split into themed sections including a traditional Korean garden.
  • Seonamsa Temple, on the slopes of Jogyesan, over a thousand years old and known for its stone bridges.
  • Naganeupseong Folk Village, a walled town with residents still living inside its Joseon-era walls.

Getting there

KTX from Seoul's Yongsan Station to Suncheon Station takes about 2 hours 45 minutes. From the station, bus #66 or a short taxi ride reaches the wetland reserve. Express buses from Seoul take longer, around 4–5 hours — the train is the better option here.

When to go

Autumn is considered the best season, when the reed fields turn a warm brown against the mudflats and the weather is cool and clear.

More: Official Suncheon tourism guide.