We are introducing you to a must-visit yet still not very well-known destination in Korea filled with some of the hottest K-drama filming locations, and that is not all. Welcome to Buyeo!
Located in the southwest of Korea, Buyeo is not far from Gongju, Sejong, and Daejeon.
It is the land of “Alchemy of Souls,” “Mr. Queen,” “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” “Hotel Del Luna,” and many more famous dramas. While travelers often know destinations like Jeonju, Gyeongju, Jeju, or Andong, a lot of international visitors still ignore Buyeo despite everything it has to offer.
If you are looking for a short adventure in Korea to discover a more local and rural side of the country outside the big cities of Seoul and Busan, Buyeo is honestly one of the best hidden destinations to consider. The city combines UNESCO heritage sites, beautiful nature, modern hanok stays, and countless K-drama filming locations all in one place.
If you are looking for a 2-day trip from Seoul with new landscapes and atmosphere, if you are searching for a destination rich in Korean heritage, and if you want somewhere easy in terms of transportation and English accessibility, Buyeo is the right place for you.
In this article, we will first explain why Buyeo is such a good destination for foreign travelers, introduce the main K-drama filming locations to visit, and finally share a recommended 2-day itinerary from Seoul.
Why Buyeo Is One of the Best Hidden Trips From Seoul
Everyone looks for different things while traveling, but these are some of the reasons why Buyeo stands out for foreign travelers exploring outside Seoul.
1. Good Accommodation Choices Including Stunning Modern Hanok Stays
Do not assume every smaller city in Korea has good tourist accommodations. In Buyeo, there are actually many good options, including beautiful modern hanok stays mixing traditional architecture with modern comfort. And, it is affordable!
2. Super Convenient for Travelers With Luggage
Right next to the bus terminal (literally next to it!), there is a place called Baekgang Culture Center (백강문화관) where travelers can store luggage in free lockers.
It is extremely convenient for people traveling by public transportation who want to explore immediately after arriving. There is also space to sit down, recharge phones, and buy local food and snacks.
3. English Is Available More Often Than Expected
Since Buyeo has many UNESCO heritage sites, English explanations are available in many places, including museums, buses, and tourist attractions. Compared to other countryside destinations in Korea, it honestly feels much easier for international travelers.
4. Most Tourist Attractions Are Very Close to Each Other
One of the best parts of visiting Buyeo is that many attractions are located close together. We mostly walked everywhere without wasting time or money on transportation. In some destinations, you spend half your trip running around from one place to another. In Buyeo, that is not the case.
It is also important to note that Kakao Taxi works well there, which is not always the case out of major cities.
5. Good Services and Facilities
The city feels pretty, organized, and well-maintained. Most importantly, it has the facilities travelers actually need: convenience stores, cafés, Olive Young, restaurants, and various accommodation choices.
The food diversity is also better than expected for a smaller city. Travelers who have already visited some coastal or countryside destinations in Korea probably know that restaurant variety is not always guaranteed.
6. Affordable for a 2-Day Trip
You are probably wondering about the budget. Accommodation prices were similar to other Korean cities, but the fact that many attractions are free or inexpensive and that most places are walkable made the overall trip very affordable.
7. A Charming Low-Rise City Atmosphere
One thing that makes Buyeo feel especially charming is the lack of tall buildings. Most buildings are limited to around 3 to 5 floors, especially near heritage zones. The reason is largely connected to UNESCO heritage preservation and Korean cultural heritage laws protecting the landscape of the former Baekje capital.
How To Get to Buyeo From Seoul
Going to Buyeo from Seoul is actually quite simple. The easiest option is taking an intercity bus to Buyeo Intercity Bus Terminal (부여시외버스터미널).
You have two main options:
- Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal (서울남부터미널)Approx. 2 hours — around 18,900 won
- Dong Seoul Bus Terminal (동서울터미널)Approx. 2 hours 50 minutes — around 24,900 won
Travel times and prices may vary depending on the day and schedule.
Best Time to Visit Buyeo
Buyeo can honestly be visited year-round, but autumn is especially beautiful thanks to the colorful foliage surrounding the historic sites and mountains. Fall is also the season of the famous Baekje Cultural Festival, one of the region’s biggest events celebrating the history and culture of the ancient Baekje Kingdom with performances, parades, traditional activities, and night illuminations. Locals also all recommended visiting in the fall season.
Summer is another popular period because of the lotus season at Gungnamji Pond, while spring offers pleasant temperatures for walking around the UNESCO heritage areas.
Best K-Drama Filming Locations in Buyeo
1. Baekje Cultural Land
You might not recognize this location immediately because the site is massive and only certain areas are famous filming spots. However, many iconic scenes from Korean dramas were filmed here.
If I tell you about the famous rain scene where IU kneels in front of Cheonjeongjeon Hall in “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo,” or the scene where Byeon Woo Seok carries IU out of the wedding ceremony after she is poisoned in “Perfect Crown”, then you probably already know the place. (and yes, IU was there for two famous dramas).
For more famous filming locations from "Perfect Crown", check out our guide too.
Other dramas filmed there include “The Last Empress,” “XO, Kitty,” “Six Flying Dragons,” “Faith,” and many more. Even more dramas will probably continue filming there in the future.
The site is a massive historical theme park recreating the architecture and atmosphere of the ancient Baekje Kingdom (18 BC–660 AD).
Entrance fee: 6,000 won for adults
Address:
백제문화단지
https://naver.me/x2jQnSH4
Tip: They occasionally offer night visits and illuminations.
2. Love Tree of Seongheungsan Mountain
If someone mentions “the ancient tree on top of a hill” seen in countless K-dramas, this is probably the place they mean.
This over-400-year-old saw-leaf zelkova tree is located inside Garimseong Fortress, originally built to protect the Baekje capital of Sabi (modern-day Buyeo) in 501.
The location became especially famous thanks to “Alchemy of Souls,” where the tree appears repeatedly throughout both seasons and carries important symbolic meaning in the story.
Other dramas filmed there include “Hotel Del Luna,” “I’m Not a Robot,” “River Where the Moon Rises,” “Six Flying Dragons,” “Faith,” “Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist,” “Mystic Pop-up Bar,” “My Sassy Girl,” “The King in Love,” “Kingmaker: The Change of Destiny,” and many more.
The tree itself is beautiful, but the surrounding fortress and mountain views are equally impressive.
Entrance fee: Free
Address:
성흥산사랑나무
How to Get There
From Buyeo Bus Terminal, you have two options:
- Taxi: around 25 minutes / approximately 25,000 won
- Bus + walk: approximately 23-minute bus ride followed by a 40-minute uphill walk
There are only a few buses available, so checking the timetable well in advance is important.
Once you reach the parking area, there is a small shop and a free public restroom. From there, you need to climb rocky stairs for about 10 minutes to reach the tree.
It is a popular spot, so there are usually people around even though the location feels remote.
3. Gungnamji Pond
Located inside Seodong Park, Gungnamji Pond is one of the most peaceful places in Buyeo.
For K-drama fans, it is especially famous because of “Mr. Queen.” The pond appears in the iconic opening sequence where the main character (Shin Hae Sun) falls into the water before traveling through time. And then, appears several times in the drama.
Other dramas filmed there include “Royal Secret Agent,” “The Last Empress,” “The Tale of Nokdu,” and “Lovers of the Red Sky.”
The area is very large and relaxing, with walking paths and plenty of benches.
Entrance fee: Free
Address:
궁남지
Tip: Summer lotus season is probably the best time to visit.
4. Buyeo National Museum
When Koreans talk about the country’s important historical museums, Buyeo National Museum is often mentioned.
The museum is especially famous for housing the Baekje Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner (백제 금동대향로), considered one of the greatest masterpieces of Baekje art. The artifact represents an entire cosmic worldview influenced by Buddhism.
The museum appeared in “Can This Love Be Translated?” starring Kim Seon Ho and Go Youn Jung. Some scenes were filmed at the museum entrance hall under the projection ceiling installation.
Entrance fee: Free
Address:
국립부여박물관
Tip: Do not miss the light show in the entrance hall.
Recommended 2-Day Buyeo Itinerary
Day 1
- Arrive around lunchtime at Buyeo Bus Terminal (or earlier)
- Lunch near the terminal
- Walk to:
- Busosanseong Fortress with Nakhwaam Rock and Goransa Temple
- Continue walking to:
- Jeongnimsa Temple Site
- Buyeo National Museum
- Gungnamji Pond
- Go to your accommodation
Most attractions on Day 1 are located close enough to explore on foot.
Day 2
- Taxi to:
- Garimseong Fortress with Love Tree of Seongheungsan Mountain
- On the way down on foot to the bus stop, stop by:
- Daejosa Temple
- Bus to the hanok-style Lotte Outlet area for lunch
- Visit:
- Baekje Cultural Land
- Taxi back to the bus terminal
The Love Tree is the only attraction in this itinerary located relatively far from the city center.
Can You Visit Buyeo in One Day?
For those of you wondering whether Buyeo can be visited in one day from Seoul, the answer is yes.
However, you will need to make choices depending on your budget and travel style. The Love Tree is far from the city center, so taking taxis instead of buses can help save a lot of time but will increase the overall cost of the trip.
Baekje Cultural Land is also extremely large, so make sure to leave enough time to properly explore it, especially since it is the main paid attraction in this itinerary.
Will you be visiting Buyeo soon? Let us know in the comments!
