Sunchang Fermented Theme Park: Family Fun in Jeollabuk-do 2026

Recently, on our way back from enjoying the vibrant fall foliage at Gangcheonsa Temple, we stumbled upon the Sunchang Fermented Theme Park. What a delightful surprise it turned out to be! I'm so excited to share this fantastic discovery with all of you.

We weren't specifically looking for it; we were just driving along when we saw a beautiful display of chrysanthemums and thought it would be a perfect spot for some family photos. Little did we know, we had just arrived at the Sunchang Fermented Theme Park!

Sunchang Fermented Theme Park

55 Jangnyu-ro, Sunchang-eup, Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do

Summer Season (March - October): 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Winter Season (November - February): 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Closed every Monday

063-652-6511

Sunchang Fermented Theme Park is a unique cultural complex that reimagines Korea’s traditional 'jang' (fermented paste) culture through engaging exhibitions, hands-on experiences, and fun play areas. It's also conveniently located near the Sunchang Traditional Gochujang Village, where you can sample the exquisite flavors of gochujang made by master artisans. ​

Exploring Sunchang Fermented Theme Park: A Quick Guide

The park features several impressively large buildings. While some areas are still under development, today I'll give you a sneak peek into Cheonnyeon Plaza, the Fountain area, and Pangi-gwan (Microorganism Museum). The real highlight for families with children, Kongi-gwan, deserves its own dedicated post, which I’ll share next! Overall, the park is divided into three main zones: Exhibition Facilities, Play Facilities, and the outdoor Healing Park. ​

Exhibition Facilities

The exhibition areas include the Fermentation Sauce Tunnel, Food Science Hall, Microorganism Museum, Perennial Plant Garden, Chili Plant Garden, and Yeast Hall. To see everything, you’d probably need to dedicate a full day! For those with young children, I highly recommend checking out Pangi-gwan, the Microorganism Museum. It felt like an educational children's play area, almost like a science-themed kids' cafe. ​

Play Facilities

We had such a fantastic time with the kids at Kongi-gwan! This area features the Champion Sports Park, a Play Library, and a Science Center. It's an absolute must-visit for families, and I can't recommend it enough. Stay tuned for my next post, where I'll dive deep into the exciting facilities inside Kongi-gwan! ​

Healing Park

Outdoors, you can relax and enjoy the spacious plaza, a refreshing fountain, a permanent cultural stage, and beautiful park grounds. ​

There are also various hands-on programs available. I highly recommend checking the official website and making reservations in advance to secure your spot. ​

Convenience Facilities

Sunchang Fermented Theme Park: Address, Contact, & Website

Operating Hours & Closed Days

The park is open seasonally, so plan your visit accordingly for 2026:

• Summer Season (March - October): 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• Winter Season (November - February): 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• Closed: Every Monday

Visitor Information

Admission Fees

As of August 2026, here are the admission fees:

• Adults: ~$2
• Teens & Soldiers: ~$1
• Children: ~$1
• Free Admission: Sunchang residents, seniors, preschoolers, individuals with disabilities, and national merit recipients.

Cheonnyeon Plaza & Fountain

This is essentially the main entrance area, featuring a wide-open plaza and a beautiful fountain. When we visited, it was adorned with numerous chrysanthemum flowers. ​

We saw signs for the Sunchang Jangryu Festival, and it seems these chrysanthemums were left over from the event. A quick check revealed that the festival typically takes place in mid-October. Since it's August 2026, these would have been from last fall's celebration. ​

There were plenty of wonderful photo zones scattered around. While the flowers weren't at their freshest, they still offered a lovely sight for anyone who might have missed the peak fall blooms.

Food Science Hall

Here, you can delve into the history of global cuisine, explore the scientific principles behind food, and witness the fascinating characteristics of fermented foods through captivating media art displays. ​

Pangi-gwan (Microorganism Museum)

Pangi-gwan offers a fantastic space for physical play, complete with trampolines, a ball pit, and more. It seemed like the perfect spot for preschoolers and younger children to burn off some energy and have a blast! ​

Just a heads-up: there are capacity limits for each session, so on weekends, it's a good idea to make reservations in advance. We just took a quick peek inside during our visit. ​

Perennial Plant Garden

Step into this beautiful glass greenhouse, filled with over 50 species of subtropical plants, including bougainvillea and even a baobab tree! Best of all, admission to the Perennial Plant Garden is completely free. ​

Official Website

Sunchang Fermented Theme Parksftp.or.kr

My Takeaway

Since the Sunchang Fermented Theme Park is relatively new, everything felt incredibly clean and well-maintained. The indoor spaces were comfortable and offered a wide array of exhibits and activities, making it a fantastic spot for families with kids. Outside, we found plenty of scenic photo zones and benches, perfect for taking a break.

I can easily imagine packing a picnic lunch and spending a beautiful spring or fall day here. It’s truly a wonderful destination for a family outing!

In my next post, I’ll be diving deeper into Kongi-gwan, featuring the Champion Sports Park, Play Library, and Science Center – all amazing spots for kids within the Sunchang Fermented Theme Park. Stay tuned!