Gimcheon City｜Korea's hidden gem travel destination
In South Korea, in addition to popular tourist destinations such as Seoul and Jeju Island, there is also a niche treasure city - Gimcheon City. It is located in North Gyeongsang Province. Its unique geographical location makes it a transportation hub in central South Korea and a gathering point for cultural integration. There are ancient historical sites, beautiful natural scenery and authentic food here. It is a great place for you to deeply experience the charm of Korea. 🌃
1. Best time to travel
Jinquan City has a temperate monsoon climate with four distinct seasons🌳
• Spring (March-May): The average temperature is between 5°C and 18°C. Cherry blossoms, rape blossoms and other flowers are in full bloom. The city is surrounded by a sea of flowers. It is a good time to enjoy the scenery and take photos.
• Summer (June-August): The average temperature is 20°C - 28°C. The weather is hot and humid, but you can participate in various summer festivals and go to the surrounding mountains and forests to escape the heat. ☁️
• Autumn (September - November): Average temperature 10°C - 22°C, maple leaves gradually turn red, and the forest is dyed with red. It is a great time to enjoy the red leaves and also a good time to taste autumn specialties. ☀️
• Winter (December-February): Average temperature -5°C -5°C, cold and dry, with occasional snow. Jinquan has a unique charm in the snowy scenery, and you can also go to the nearby ski resort to experience the fun of skiing🎿.
2. Must-visit attractions
• Gimcheon History and Folk Museum: This is a great place to learn about Gimcheon’s history and culture. The museum houses numerous artifacts dating from prehistoric times to the Joseon Dynasty. Through these exhibits and multimedia displays, one can travel through time and feel the changes in Gimcheon.
• Gimcheon Arirang Theme Park: Based on the theme of the famous Korean folk song “Arirang”, the park has a musical fountain, cultural exhibition hall, etc. Here, you can gain an in-depth understanding of the cultural connotations of "Arirang" and enjoy wonderful folk performances. The evening music fountain show is not to be missed.
• Songnisan National Park: Not far from Gimcheon City, it is one of the famous national parks in South Korea. With spectacular mountains, dense forests and clear streams, it is a paradise for hiking enthusiasts. Walking along the hiking trail, breathing the fresh air, and appreciating the beauty of nature, your body and mind can be greatly relaxed. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you can overlook the magnificent scenery around, which is refreshing⛲️.
• Wolchusan Mountain⛰️: It has a unique geological landscape with strange rocks and mysterious caves. During the climbing process, you can see rocks of various strange shapes, as if they were works of art carefully carved by nature. The view from the top of the mountain is very broad, and you can take in the beautiful scenery of Jinquan City, especially at sunset, when the city is particularly beautiful under the sunset glow.
3. Food Recommendations
• Jinquan BBQ🍖: Select the best pork or beef, specially marinated, and grilled over charcoal fire. The crust is baked until golden and crispy, and the inside is tender and juicy. It is paired with lettuce, kimchi, garlic slices, etc. Wrap it in lettuce and eat it in one bite. The rich taste spreads in your mouth, leaving you with an endless aftertaste.
• Hanjeongsik: An exquisite traditional Korean set meal consisting of a variety of side dishes, soup, rice and a main course. Each dish is beautifully prepared with rich and varied flavors, allowing you to taste a variety of Korean specialties at one time. Korean set meals are very particular and are adjusted according to seasonal ingredients in different seasons.
• Ginseng Chicken Soup🍗: The whole chicken is stuffed with glutinous rice, red dates, ginseng and other ingredients and stewed for a long time. The soup is delicious, the chicken is tender and nutritious. Especially in the cold winter, a bowl of steaming hot ginseng chicken soup can instantly dispel the cold and warm your heart.
• Cold noodles: One of the traditional Korean delicacies, thin and chewy noodles, paired with cold and sweet soup, cucumber, pear slices, beef and other ingredients, refreshing and delicious. In the hot summer, eating a bowl of cold noodles is so enjoyable, which can not only relieve the heat but also fill your stomach.
IV. Precautions
• Language: Korean is the main language. Although some tourist attractions and hotel staff can speak some simple English, downloading a translation software (such as Papago) will make communication more convenient. You can also learn some common Korean words and phrases in advance, such as greetings, words of thanks, and terms for ordering food.
• Transportation🚗: The main means of transportation in Jinquan City are buses and taxis. You can buy a T-money card at a convenience store before taking a bus, which is very convenient to use; taxis are divided into ordinary taxis and model taxis 🚕, and model taxis have better service but are slightly more expensive.