Eat and Play Your Way Through Chungcheong, A South Korea That Feels (and Costs) Better Than Europe

Picture this: you're wrist-deep in an apple orchard at mid-morning, pressing grapes at a winery by afternoon, and waking up the next day to ziplines across mountain canopies before soaking it all off in a hillside hot spring. Not the French countryside. Not the Swiss Alps. This is Chungcheong, South Korea, and it does all of that for a fraction of the price.

Admittedly, this is not the image of Korea that comes to mind for most Singaporeans. Tucked in the heart of the Korean Peninsula, the Chungcheong region is split into Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk) in the east and Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam) to the west. Autumn is prime time: harvest festivals animate counties, the wineries are pouring their best, and trails look like a postcard come to life. Here is how to spend it well.

Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk)

Boeun: Ancient Temples Amidst The Mountains

Image credit: Dex Quek

Start in Boeun, where Buddhist heritage and adrenaline share the same postcode. Beopjusa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site built in 553 CE on Songnisan Mountain, impressed me with its towering architecture nestled between the mountains.

Image credit: Dex Quek

I joined a short guided tour of the temple grounds, followed by a meditative tea ceremony that acted as a grounding ritual after the long trip. Daeungbojeon Hall and its ancient relics have survived wars and centuries of history, imbuing the already impressive sculptures with a rich historical context.

Image credit: Dex Quek

Right after, I left fully recharged and ready to explore Songnisan Theme Park. We rode the scenic monorail up to Moktakbong Café, where you’ll get sweeping panoramic views of Mount Songni and Maltijae in the Baekdudaegan range, with adrenaline-filled high-element options of the zipline, skybike, and/or skytrail. Take one of the walking trails down for a prolonged immersion in the forest.

Okcheon: Traditional Village Life and Hands-On Harvests

Image credit: Dex Quek

A short drive south brings you to Okcheon, a quieter county that celebrates traditional Korean culture. The highlight was White Dandelion Village, a traditional hanok village offering a peaceful, healing retreat rooted in nature and Korean culture.

Image credit: Dex Quek

I spent a morning learning the art of natural fabric dyeing using Boeun's prized local jujubes, producing a beautiful silk scarf to take home. Dip selective parts into the dye for unique patterns. While our scarves dried, we enjoyed a home-style lunch featuring smoked pork belly and white dandelion-infused dishes, complete with fresh greens we harvested ourselves.

Image credit: Dex Quek

For an afternoon break, we dropped by Janggye Tourist Site, a scenic lakeside destination along Daecheong Lake known for its panoramic walking trails and viewpoints. For one more cultural stop, we also dropped by the Okcheon Traditional Culture Experience Center for their dojang (traditional Korean seal) making session paired with an afternoon snack. Besides dojang making, they offer cooking classes and Hanbok rentals as well.

Yeongdong: Wine and Traditional Music

Image credit: Dex Quek

As Korea's largest grape-producing region, Yeongdong is a proper wine country. Here, you can’t miss the Yeongdong Wine Tunnel within the Rainbow Healing Tourist Site. The tunnel was originally built during wartime for wine storage and has since become an interactive tourist attraction with 13 different zones to learn all about wine. I enjoyed the interactive photospots, and browsing locally-produced wines (with samples).

For a full wine-themed day, continue to Yeongdong Winery for a hands-on mulled wine-making session and wine sampling. Their snacks are delectable enough on their own for kiddos a few years short of their legal drinking age, and the afternoon sun casts a soft glow over the venue for a cottage-core atmosphere my Pinterest board is full of.

Image credit: Dex Quek

Just nearby, Yeongdong Gugak Experience Village offers live performances of Korea's traditional music, followed by a janggu (hourglass drum) making and playing session. Yes, kids can go as loud as they like. The village also hosts the annual Yeongdong Nangye Korean Traditional Music Festival in early October, so time your visit right to catch this cultural bonus.

Image credit: Dex Quek

Spend the night at Illite Golf & Resort for easy access to Rainbow Healing Center and the Wine Tunnel. The following morning, treat the family to a healing therapy session at Rainbow Healing Center itself. The ondol jjimjil (heated-floor sauna) and foot spa provide a welcome reset and relaxation. Plus, kids get their own dedicated space with facilities like a ball pit and colouring room, so everyone can find a space for themselves.

TripZilla Tip: The Yeongdong Nangye Traditional Music Festival is usually held together with the Korea Wine Festival, so plan your visit around it for a spectacular feast for the senses.

Chungcheongnam-do (Chungnam)

Yesan: Apple Picking and A Market Full of Character

Image credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Image credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Cross into Chungnam, and Yesan greets you with one of Korea's most charming agricultural experiences. In the fall, you can pick apples straight from the orchard at Eunseong Farm before heading indoors for a pie-making session using Yesan's famously crisp, sweet apples. Its workshops and brewery tours are also a great wet-weather option. During the Yesan Apple Festival each autumn, apple wine-making workshops and peeling contests spice up the ordinary farm.

Image credit: Dex Quek

Make time for Yesan Market for apple-themed snacks and a peek into local lives. On days ending in 0 or 5, the adjoining Yesan Fifth-day Market comes alive with fresh agricultural produce, livestock, and local snacks. For dinner, head to Bonga Dubu Specialty Restaurant, where dubu jeongol (tofu hotpot), dubu tangsuyuk (sweet and sour tofu), and pan-fried tofu surprised me with the versatility of tofu.

Image credit: Korea Tourism Organization

Wind down at SPLAS Resom, Yesan's headline wellness resort, which offers hot spring water parks, indoor and outdoor pools, themed sauna rooms, and full spa facilities. With convenience stores, a massive arcade and even a food court in the compound, families will find few reasons to leave the property in the evenings.

Buyeo: Ancient Kingdom, Living History

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Stop by Buyeo for an interactive cultural lesson on the forgotten Baekje era. Gather in the main hall of Buyeo National Museum to be captivated by the light show in the main hall every hour.

Pop by Sabihyang for lunch for a local take on lotus leaf wrapped rice: yeonipbab served with lotus root dishes, godeungeogui (grilled mackerel), dotorimuk (acorn jelly salad), and miyeokguk (seaweed soup). I enjoyed the homely meal and was fascinated by the many ways lotus root could be worked into the dishes without stealing the show.

Image credit: Dex Quek

Walk through palaces, fortresses, and traditional streets at Baekje Cultural Land and make a photostop at Cheonjeongjeon Hall, a well-known filming location often used in K-dramas (of which Perfect Crown is speculated to be amongst). Experience palace life through interactive exhibits that are perfect for little hands-on explorers.

Image credit: Dex Quek

For dinner, check out Naruteo Restaurant for jangeo-gui (grilled eel) and dubu jeongol (tofu hotpot) for eel with a meat-like texture you wouldn’t expect from seafood. Shopaholics will find a perfect overnight stop at Lotte Resort Buyeo, a heritage-inspired all-inclusive resort just a ten-minute walk away from Lotte Premium Outlets.

Taean and Dangjin: Coastal Blooms, Beaches, and a Brewery

Image credit: Sanga Park via Canva Pro (L), Dex Quek (TR), Korea Tourism Organization (BR)

For those planning a future spring trip, the annual Tulip Festival is your headline act, and it is well worth timing your visit around it. Every spring, the Taean Tulip Festival transforms the coastline into sweeping fields of colour set against the West Sea.

Image credit: Dex Quek

During my visit, I was lucky enough to experience the 2026 Taean International Horticultural Healing Expo at Anmyeondo from 25 April to 24 May. Billed as the world's first expo dedicated entirely to horticulture and healing, it was unlike anything I had encountered before. Wandering through the therapeutic gardens was completely restorative: the themed garden zones seamlessly integrated immersive and interactive elements. Smart agriculture showcases offered a peek into a sci-fi future, and the family-friendly zones were a thoughtful bonus for families and school groups. Though I was only there for the morning, I could see how a family might easily spend an entire day or two exploring the grounds. That said, there are currently no plans to hold the expo again, so this was very much a once-in-a-lifetime window.

Image credit: Dex Quek

Fans of Western-Korean fusion food (or anyone craving a break from Korean cuisine) are in luck at For Four Café, co-owned by Chef Kim Sung-woon from Culinary Class Wars Season 2. Watch their specials: truffle mushroom cream risotto, seafood cream pasta, and stir-fried cabbage and arugula gimbap be made in their open-air kitchen, with fresh farm-grown produce.

Image credit: Starlight Sea Glamping Pension Official Site

For accommodation, Starlight Sea Glamping Pension delivers comfort in a beachside setting, with evening campfires and unobstructed sea views come morning.

Image credit: Dex Quek

Prefer something more polished? Taean Marine Healing Center offers family overnight packages with full programme access, making it a more comfortable base for families seeking rest and activity under one roof. The center features beach access, and the rooftop infinity pool is great for chilling and contemplating life.

Image credit: Dex Quek

End the trip in Dangjin at Shinpyeong Brewery, a three-generation, century-old family brewery. I tried my hand at making bath bombs with makgeolli ingredients, which was great fun, and I easily understood the entire English tour. I enjoyed the glasshouse atmosphere of the workshop space and came to appreciate the owner’s dedication to preserving tradition through the presentations and exhibits.

For lunch, Dangjin Haemuljang Roadrock is the spot for a belly-warming meal with a sea view. Share haemul kalguksu (seafood knife-cut noodles) and haemul pajeon (seafood pancake) for a hearty meal, and close the day with a sunset walk along Nanji Island Beach.

Getting Here 

Chungcheong sits in the heart of the Korean Peninsula, around two to three hours from Incheon International Airport by road. From Incheon, a private coach to Boeun takes about three hours with a coffee stop. Cheongju International Airport (CJJ) offers a closer entry point into Chungbuk, just an hour away by car.

TripZilla Tip: Visit in autumn (around mid-October) for the liveliest atmosphere. The Boeun Jujube Festival, which brings cultural performances, fresh produce, and a festive village atmosphere that captures everything Chungcheong does best. Pair it with the Yesan Apple Festival or even the Yeongdong Grape Festival in September, and you’ll have a multi-weekend food circuit at prices that Europe simply can’t compete with.

Special thanks to the Korea Tourism Organization for the memorable trip to Chungcheong.