Buyeo Solo Travel: A Peaceful Walking Itinerary
Looking for a peaceful escape in South Korea? Buyeo offers a quiet, crowd-free solo walking tour through ancient forests, historic temples, and scenic ruins.
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Looking for a peaceful escape in South Korea? Buyeo offers a quiet, crowd-free solo walking tour through ancient forests, historic temples, and scenic ruins.
Buyeo, my "n-th" hometown 🐶
Things that felt so familiar when I lived here
now feel brand new visiting Buyeo after all this time.
With its uniquely quiet and cozy atmosphere,
Buyeo is the perfect place for solo travel.
It’s even better because it’s never crowded.
It has that vibe of a hidden gem you want to keep all to yourself...
I hope it doesn't get too popular
and just stays as peaceful as it is now.
Here is a record of my day
wandering around downtown Buyeo after a long time..
I walked everywhere!
Busosanseong Fortress
Home to Nakhwaam Rock, where the legend of the 3,000 court ladies who leapt unfolds
It feels like a gentle hill, making it perfect for a light stroll.
The forest is so lush that it doesn't feel too hot even if you walk during the day (?)
With so few people, it’s a great place to quietly think to yourself (honestly, there aren't many people anywhere in Buyeo lol)
Each pavilion has its own fun theme.
A spot where cats gather, a spot with a great panoramic view of Buyeo,,
Goransa Temple is also very charming, so definitely check it out
You can also catch glimpses of active archaeological excavation sites here and there
Taking a slow walk around the whole area takes about 1.5 to 2 hours
but a quick tour can be done in just 30 to 40 minutes
Gwanbuk-ri Archaeological Site, just before climbing up to Busosanseong
The wide-open view here is absolutely wonderful too
The entrance of Busosanseong Fortress
If you come in autumn, it turns beautifully red, making it a great spot for autumn foliage.
Samchungsa Shrine
There used to be a ton of cats here.
So I came to see them, but they must have hidden from the heat—not a single one in sight T_T
There used to be lots of cats around here, too...
Just like this,
since it's a dense forest, it's not as hot as you'd think.
The lush greenery is so healing!
A fascinating archaeological excavation site
that you can spot right along the path.
Buyeo still has so many treasures left to uncover!
The view of Buyeo from the pavilion
So incredibly beautiful.
So tranquil.
The weather was absolutely gorgeous that day.
I wanted to go to Goransa Temple, but since I had lunch plans with my parents, I did a quick tour and headed toward the downtown market.
Yungane Kalguksu
Mmm, this is hands down one of my absolute favorite kalguksu (hand-cut noodle) spots.
Clam kalguksu, suyuk (boiled pork), and seafood scallion pancakes are the stars of the menu!
A true local favorite where literally every single dish is amazing.
Even the kimchi is to die for.
The seafood scallion pancake here is cooked so crispy that it's practically a fritter.
Anyway, it's just incredibly delicious.
Ah, handmade noodles that are so clean and unbelievably delicious!
They purge the sand perfectly, so the clams are completely grit-free.
They used to serve barley rice first, but now it’s just white rice T_T
But still, when you mix it with gochujang, young summer radish kimchi, and a generous drizzle of sesame oil, it is pure heaven!
The smell of sesame oil here is absolutely insane. I honestly wanted to just mix some rice with it and eat it straight!
Ultra-crispy Seafood Pajeon (Green Onion Pancake)
It's like... every single bite is as crispy as the golden edges...
It has a deep-fried, crunchy style to it.
If you live for that crunch, this will be your absolute favorite!
Haepil
A pottery studio meets indie bookstore tucked away in the town center.
When I stepped inside, I instantly felt like this space captures the peaceful essence of Buyeo so perfectly.
It's located right near the Jeonglimsa Temple Site, up on the second floor.
Even on the stairs up, a wonderful, soothing scent wafts through the air...
and soft, calming music plays in the background...
The moment I walked in,
I couldn't help but gasp, "Oh... this is so beautiful."
🥺✨
This quiet, serene vibe...
...is just so perfectly "Buyeo"!
And to top it off, you get a gorgeous view of the Jeonglimsa Temple Site right through the window.
They have books about Buyeo, and the whole atmosphere just makes you want to grab a book and read forever.
Oh wow, look at this!
You can actually buy and sell secondhand books here.
They even say you're completely welcome to just sit and relax without buying anything! How sweet is that? 😭
But honestly, how could I not support a place like this?
I almost wished they would sell coffee so I could pay them!
Instead, they have a complimentary coffee and tea station set up for visitors... 🥺
I seriously started wondering if they make any profit at all with this level of generosity!
And it's not just any cheap stuff—they had high-quality teas and Terarosa coffee (a famous Korean specialty brand) ready for you.
I ended up buying this book and paired it with a delicious cup of coffee.
I spent some quiet time just reading and soaking it all in.
It was pure bliss...
Truly one of the most peaceful spots in town.
The other half of the space is used as a pottery studio,
where you can see the owner working on beautiful pieces.
Fully recharged and healed, let's head across the street to Jeonglimsa Temple Site!
Five-Story Stone Pagoda at Jeonglimsa Temple Site
Right across the street from the bookstore!
Let's go explore Jeonglimsa Temple Site.
Whenever I visit Buyeo, visiting Jeonglimsa feels like a mandatory greeting you just have to make.
It looks somewhat modest from afar, but as you get closer, you realize it's actually quite grand.
It has such a charming, elegant shape!
A super pretty and intricate pagoda.
In real life, it's absolutely massive yet somehow so cute!
Gungnamji Pond
Gungnamji is a beautiful lotus garden.
But honestly, I come here just to watch the ducks, lol.
Watching the ducks and listening to music while sitting on a swing chair is pure healing.
It's the perfect place for a walk, whether in the morning or at night.
If you visit on a midsummer night, you can catch the sweet scent of lotuses in the air.
Local kids from Buyeo actually sit in that pavilion and eat Yupdduk (super spicy rice cakes) lol.
Seriously, the Buyeo Yupdduk branch is top-tier.
So lush and green, it's so refreshing.
In July and August, it gets completely filled with pink and white lotuses.
Poryongjeong Pavilion
I once happened to read a magazine on a plane,
and it featured a scene from Monet's Garden.
It instantly reminded me so much of Gungnamji.
Gungnamji is also an absolute hotspot for sunsets!
Savarin
The absolute best dessert spot in Buyeo.
Literally every single cake here is amazing.
It's right near Gungnamji, so it's the perfect stop after a nice walk.
My personal favorites are the matcha cake and the scones.
I swear, I've never had a matcha cake this delicious in my entire life.
The lemon meringue is also to die for... T_T
Honestly, everything here is just so good.
And of course, my ultimate favorite: the Matcha Classic.
You absolutely MUST try the Matcha Classic.
This is so wonderful...
The exact combination I've been craving.
The taste of the Matcha Classic
is subtly sweet, with the most amazing, velvety mousse cream.
I spotted a book titled Collections of the East,
so I spent some quiet time reading and relaxing.
Buyeo National Museum
While unwinding at the cafe, I was wondering what to do next.
I heard there was a special exhibition happening at the museum,
and curiosity got the best of me!
It's an easy 20-minute walk from the cafe.
The weather was absolutely perfect.
I went to check out the special exhibition focused on cobalt blue.
Wow, the exhibition space was beautifully designed,
making the whole experience so engaging and enjoyable!
Since I made it all the way to the museum,
there was one thing I absolutely couldn't miss: the Great Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner.
Honestly, coming to Buyeo just to see this masterpiece is 100% worth it.
It has this incredible, awe-inspiring presence.
When I first saw it in person, I was shocked by how grand it was—I literally gasped "Wow!"
+ Bonus: Starbucks Buyeo
This Starbucks in Buyeo opened fairly recently,
and they designed the interior with a beautiful, traditional Korean aesthetic.
My trip turned into a total historic site tour, haha!
But honestly, that’s what made it so wonderfully quiet and perfect for peaceful walks.
If you need to clear your mind and escape the hustle, Buyeo is the place to be.
There are so many other gorgeous spots nearby,
so I'll definitely share a Part 2 of this trip in the future!
It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to leisurely explore Nakhwaam, Goransa Temple, and the relic excavation site within Busosanseong Fortress. If you prefer a quick tour of just the main highlights, 30 to 40 minutes will be enough.
At Haepil, you can buy and sell used books and take a comfortable rest while enjoying the view of Jeongnimsaji through the window. Additionally, they offer complimentary tea and coffee made with Terarosa beans for visitors.
The haemul pajeon at Yungane Kalguksu is uniquely cooked by almost deep-frying it in oil. It is served in a crispy, fried style where every part of the pancake is as crunchy as the edges.
You can enjoy a beautiful landscape filled with pink and white lotus flowers at Gungnamji Pond throughout July and August. If you visit on a midsummer night, you can take a stroll while taking in the subtle scent of the lotus flowers.
At Savarin, the 'Matcha Classic' is highly recommended for its delicate sweetness and smooth mousse cream. In addition, you can enjoy a variety of other desserts, such as lemon meringue cake and scones.
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