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Chungcheongnam-do hugs Korea’s west coast about two hours south of Seoul, and it quietly holds some of the country’s best cards: the ancient capital of the Baekje Kingdom, one of Korea’s longest suspension bridges, a hot-spring water park, and a coastline built for slow, salty afternoons.
We explored four of its regions: Buyeo, Yesan, Taean and Dangjin, as a westward loop that ends conveniently near Incheon Airport. Consider this the itinerary, the menu and the cheat sheet in one.
Where Is Chungcheongnam-do?
Chungcheongnam-do (충청남도), also called South Chungcheong or Chungnam, is a west-coast province in central South Korea, wrapped around Daejeon and facing the Yellow (West) Sea. Its headline act is Baekje heritage: Buyeo was the final capital of the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC–660 AD), one of Korea’s ancient Three Kingdoms, and the region’s royal sites are inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage property.
Add apple farms in Yesan, marine-healing spas and beaches in Taean, and traditional brewing culture in Dangjin, and you have a province that mixes history and wellness better than almost anywhere in Korea.
Why Visit Chungcheongnam-do?
Because this is where Korea’s ancient history and its wellness obsession actually live side by side. In one loop, you can walk through a reconstructed royal palace in Baekje hanbok, cross a 402-metre suspension bridge, get wrapped in warm peat at a marine spa, and taste rice liquor from a brewery run by one family for a century. The distances between them are short; the crowds, thankfully, almost non-existent.
For Singapore travellers, the routing is friendlier than it looks: Buyeo is about as far from Incheon as Nami Island is in the other direction!
Chungcheongnam-do at a Glance
| Stop | Region | Best for | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buyeo National Museum | Buyeo | Baekje artefacts, K-drama filming spot | 1–1.5 hours |
| Baekje Cultural Land | Buyeo | Korea’s largest history theme park, Baekje hanbok | 2–3 hours |
| Yedang Reservoir & Suspension Bridge | Yesan | Monorail, 402m bridge, musical fountain | 1.5–2 hours |
| Yesan Market | Yesan | Modern meets retro market vibes | 1.5–2 hours |
| Eunseong Farm | Yesan | Yesan’s iconic produce: Apples | 1.5 hours |
| Splas Resom | Yesan | Hot-spring water park, themed saunas | Half day / overnight |
| Anmyeondo (Expo grounds & glamping) | Taean | Therapeutic gardens, West Sea sunsets | Half day / overnight |
| For Four Café | Taean | Farm-to-table dining by a Culinary Class Wars chef | 1–1.5 hours |
| Taean Marine Healing Center | Taean | Seawater hydrotherapy, peat wraps, rooftop infinity pool | 3–4 hours |
| Shinpyeong Brewery | Dangjin | Century-old brewery, liquor tasting, nuruk workshop | 1.5 hours |
What to Do in Buyeo
Buyeo-gun was the final capital of the Baekje Kingdom, and its museums and reconstructed palaces are the closest thing Korea has to time travel.
Step Into the Baekje Kingdom at Buyeo National Museum (국립부여박물관)
Start with context. First established in 1929, Buyeo National Museum houses around 1,000 Baekje artefacts across four exhibition halls and an outdoor gallery, including the kind of intricate gilt-bronze work that made Baekje the aesthetic powerhouse of ancient Korea.
Drama fans, take note: a scene from Episode 12 of ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’ (2026) was filmed right in the exhibition hall, so you can recreate the shot between display cases.
Wear a Baekje Hanbok at Baekje Cultural Land (백제문화단지)
Then see the kingdom at full scale. Baekje Cultural Land is Korea’s largest history-themed park, with faithful reconstructions of Sabigung Palace, Neungsa Temple and Wiryeseong Fortress, plus a five-storey stone pagoda and sweeping views from Jehyangnu Pavilion. Rent a Baekje-style hanbok and wander the palace grounds in character.
This is also hallowed ground for ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ fans: a memorable Episode 11 scene with IU and Lee Joon-gi was filmed at Cheonjeongjeon Hall. A scene from episode 1 of ‘Perfect Crown‘ with IU was also filmed here.
Practical info: The park is huge. Budget at least two hours, more with the hanbok experience. Lotte Resort Buyeo is right next door, making it the natural overnight base.
What to Do in Yesan
Yesan-gun is known for its apples and is the hometown of Celebrity Chef Baek Jong-won, who personally took part in revamping the Yesan Market.
Cross the Yedangho Suspension Bridge at Yedang Reservoir (예당저수지)
Yesan’s pride is Yedang Reservoir, where a monorail (surprisingly exciting) carries you up the hillside before you walk the Yedangho Suspension Bridge, 402 metres long and one of Korea’s longest since opening in 2019. Below, the Slow Lake Road lives up to its name, with a sculpture park alongside and a large musical fountain that lights up in the evenings.
Graze Through Yesan Market (예산시장)
Yesan Market is one of the highlights you cannot miss when visiting Yesan. Some locals from other regions of Korea come just for the market. This is because it has been revamped into a modern-day-meets-retro market by Chef Baek Jong-won, who is known for his role as a judge on Culinary Class Wars. Expect lots of stalls selling trendy bites, while also offering a slice of the traditional Korean market.
Experience Yesan Apples at Eunseong Farm (은성농원)
At Eunseong Farm, we rolled up sleeves for an apple-pie-making session using Yesan’s signature crisp-sweet apples. While this activity is only available to larger groups, you can still taste the farm’s in-house apple wines.
If you’re around during harvest season, the Yesan Apple Festival adds apple picking, wine-making demos and peeling contests to the mix.
End the day at Splas Resom, a wellness resort whose hot-spring water par, indoor and outdoor pools fed by oncheon water, and themed saunas are precisely what your bridge-walking calves will be asking for.
What to Do in Taean
Taean-gun is the province’s coastal region: pine-forested islands, west-facing beaches and a healing marine-wellness complex.
Slow Down on Anmyeondo (안면도)
Taean county spills across a peninsula and islands on the West Sea, with Anmyeondo island at its heart. In 2026, it hosted the world’s first International Horticultural & Healing Expo (25 April–24 May), planting the island with therapeutic gardens, smart-agriculture showcases and family-friendly interactive zones.
Even outside expo season, Anmyeondo’s pine forests and west-facing beaches make it one of Korea’s best sunset coasts and glamping sites like Starlight Sea Glamping Pension (별빛바다글램핑펜션) let you fall asleep to the sound of it, barbecue and campfire included.
Lunch at For Four Café (포포농장)
Lunch here is a flex: For Four Café is co-owned by Chef Kim Sung-woon of ‘Culinary Class Wars’ Season 2, and the menu runs on the farm’s own produce. Think truffle mushroom cream risotto, seafood cream pasta and a stir-fried cabbage and arugula gimbap that outperforms its humble description. It’s the sort of place that would have an hour-long queue in Seoul; in Taean, you just walk in.
Reset at Taean Marine Healing Center (태안해양치유센터)
The single most memorable stop of our trip. Taean Marine Healing Center is a wellness complex built around marine resources. You have seawater hydrotherapy pools, peat far-infrared treatments, peat wraps and scrubs, and cypress healing sessions. To top everything off, there’s also a rooftop infinity pool that looks straight out over the West Sea. It’s similar to the Wando Marine Healing Center which we visited in Jeolla-do!
Practical info: Garments are provided; bring a spare set of undergarments and your own skincare. Book a session, cancel your evening plans, and stay the night at Island Resom, a coastal resort with panoramic ocean views a short drive away.
What to Do in Dangjin
Dangjin-si is the loop’s final stop before Incheon, compact, industrial on the surface, and hiding a century of brewing heritage.
Taste a Century of Brewing at Shinpyeong Brewery (신평양조장)
Before looping back to Incheon, stop in Dangjin at Shinpyeong Brewery, a century-old, three-generation family brewery producing premium rice-based liquors. The tasting walks you through Korea’s traditional brewing heritage, and the hands-on session is delightfully unexpected: making bath salts from nuruk, the traditional fermentation starter. Bottles here make superior gifts to anything at the airport duty-free.
What to Eat in Chungcheongnam-do
Chungnam eats in regional dialects: lotus and eel in Buyeo, tofu and apples in Yesan, crab and seafood on the Taean coast. The must-orders:
| Dish | What it is | Where we tried it |
|---|---|---|
| Yeonipbap (연잎밥) | Rice steamed in a lotus leaf, served with lotus-root sides, grilled mackerel and acorn jelly salad | Sabihyang (사비향), Buyeo |
| Jangeogui (장어구이) | Grilled eel with ssam, banchan and rich cheonggukjang stew | Naruteo Restaurant (나루터식당), Buyeo |
| Dubu jeongol (두부전골) | Tofu hotpot with sweet-and-sour tofu and pan-fried tofu on the side | Bonga Dubu Specialty Restaurant (본가두부전문점), Yesan |
| Kodarijorim (코다리조림) | Braised half-dried pollack, sweet-spicy and deeply savoury | Sagyejeol Bokkodari (사계절복코다리), Yesan |
| Gegukji (게국지) | Taean’s signature blue crab stew paired with ganjang gejang (soy-marinated crab) | Dawon Restaurant (다원식당), Taean |
| Haemul kalguksu (해물칼국수) | Seafood knife-cut noodles with haemul pajeon | Dangjin Haemuljang Roadrock (당진해물장 로드락), Dangjin |
How to Get to Chungcheongnam-do from Singapore
Fly direct from Changi to Incheon in roughly 6.5 hours, then drive southwest. Buyeo is about 2 to 2.5 hours from the airport. The loop below runs Buyeo → Yesan → Taean → Dangjin, which conveniently deposits you about 90 minutes from Incheon for the flight home. If not, just continue your exploration in Seoul.
| Option | Route | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rental car (recommended) | Incheon → Buyeo → Yesan → Taean → Dangjin → Incheon | 2–2.5 hours to Buyeo | The only practical way to do the full loop; use Naver Map or Kakao Map |
| Intercity bus | Seoul → Buyeo, Yesan or Taean | 2–3 hours | Works for a single-destination trip (e.g. Buyeo only) |
| KTX + transfer | Seoul → Gongju/Daejeon area, then bus or car | 1–1.5 hours + transfer | Less direct for this loop; buses are usually simpler |
When Is the Best Time to Visit Chungcheongnam-do?
Late spring (May) is the sweet spot: 24°C days, cool nights, and both inland and coastal stops in their spring best. Summer is peak season for Taean’s beaches and glamping. Autumn is perfect for the Yesan Apple Festival and crisp hiking weather.
| Event | When | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taean Tulip Festival | Spring | Taean-gun | One of the coast’s most colourful flower events |
| Yesan Apple Festival | Autumn (Usually around October) | Yesan-gun | Apple picking, pie making, apple-wine demos |
Where to Stay in Chungcheongnam-do
| Property | Region | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| Lotte Resort Buyeo (롯데리조트 부여) | Buyeo | Baekje-inspired architecture, water park and sauna. Next door to Baekje Cultural Land |
| Splas Resom (스플라스 리솜) | Yesan | Hot-spring water park with indoor/outdoor pools and themed saunas |
| Island Resom (아일랜드 리솜) | Taean | Coastal resort with panoramic West Sea views, outdoor pools and seaside walking paths |
Challenges and Limitations of Visiting Chungcheongnam-do
The loop needs a car. Buses reach each town individually, but stitching Buyeo, Yesan, Taean and Dangjin together on public transport costs you most of a day in connections.
Book the spa ahead. Taean Marine Healing Center runs structured sessions rather than walk-in soaking. Reserve in advance, and remember the spare undergarments.
West coast weather is moody. Anmyeondo’s famous sunsets are cloud-dependent, and summer monsoon weeks (July) can wash out beach plans. Keep the marine spa as your rainy-day card.
English is limited outside resorts. Papago and Naver Map cover the gap; most experience programmes are conducted in Korean with some English support.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chungcheongnam-do
What is Chungcheongnam-do known for?
Chungcheongnam-do is best known as the heartland of the ancient Baekje Kingdom with UNESCO-listed heritage in Buyeo and Korea’s largest history theme park, Baekje Cultural Land, plus the Yedangho Suspension Bridge in Yesan, hot springs, and the beaches and marine-healing spas of Taean on the West Sea.
How do I get from Seoul to Buyeo?
Buyeo is around 2 to 2.5 hours from Seoul or Incheon Airport by car, and intercity buses also serve Buyeo from Seoul. A rental car is recommended if you plan to continue to Yesan, Taean and Dangjin.
How long should I spend in Chungcheongnam-do?
Four to five days suit the full western loop: a day in Buyeo for Baekje heritage, a day in Yesan for the reservoir, market and hot springs, a full day (ideally two) in Taean for the coast and marine spa, and a morning in Dangjin before heading back to Incheon.
Which K-dramas were filmed in Buyeo?
A scene from Episode 11 of ‘Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo’ (2016), starring IU and Lee Joon-gi, was filmed at Cheonjeongjeon Hall in Baekje Cultural Land, a scene from Episode 1 of ‘Perfect Crown’ was also filmed in Baekje Cultural Land, and Episode 12 of ‘Can This Love Be Translated?’ (2026) was filmed inside Buyeo National Museum’s exhibition hall.
Is Taean worth visiting?
Yes. Taean offers West Sea beaches, pine-forested Anmyeondo island, glamping, farm-to-table dining and the Taean Marine Healing Center, a wellness complex with seawater hydrotherapy, peat treatments and a rooftop infinity pool overlooking the sea. Best if you visit during their Tulip Festival.
How long is the Yedangho Suspension Bridge?
The Yedangho Suspension Bridge in Yesan spans 402 metres across Yedang Reservoir, making it one of the longest suspension bridges in Korea since opening in 2019. A monorail, sculpture park and a large musical fountain sit alongside it.
When is the best time to visit Chungcheongnam-do?
Late spring (around May) has warm 24°C days ideal for both inland heritage sites and the coast. Summer suits Taean’s beaches, autumn brings the Yesan Apple Festival and foliage, and the hot springs and marine spa are good year-round.
Related Reading
- Ultimate Travel Guide to South Korea 2026: https://middleclass.sg/korea/
- Best Travel Apps To Download For Your Korea Trip: https://middleclass.sg/travel/apps-for-south-korea-travel/
- Chungcheongbuk-do Travel Guide: https://middleclass.sg/travel/chungcheongbuk-do-travel-guide/
This post was done in partnership with Korea Tourism Organization (Singapore).
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