What does "choncance" mean?
Choncance is a 🇰🇷 South Korean travel trend blending chon (rural areas) and vacances (vacations), referring to short-term, relaxing escapes.
The map of 🇰🇷 South Korea shows the 8 cities we will visit during this choncance tour.
How to pronounce "choncance"?
Based on common phonetic patterns, choncance is generally pronounced:
chon - kahnss
- chon: Rhymes with "on" or "don" (with a hard 'ch' sound like in "church").
- kahnss: Sounds like "kahn" (rhymes with "dawn") + a soft "ss" sound at the end.
Popular among young Koreans and tourists, it emphasizes rural nostalgia, staying in traditional houses (hanok), nature, and quiet. This trend involves young people from Seoul traveling to remote villages to stay in traditional mud houses (Hanok) and eat local, unpolished food. This deep dive analyzes the 'Choncance' phenomenon as a sociological rejection of urban exhaustion and a desperate quest for "Authentic Living."
A hanok is a traditional Korean house designed with nature in mind, featuring wooden structures, tiled or thatched roofs, and a unique, eco-friendly design suitable for Korea’s four seasons. These homes typically feature ondol (underfloor heating) in winter and maru (raised wooden floors) in summer. Modern hanoks often blend traditional aesthetics with modern amenities, offering unique living or visiting experiences.
Key features of choncance include:
- Accommodations: Stays in refurbished countryside homes or traditional Hanok houses.
- Activities: Focus on slow-paced activities like gardening, fishing, bonfires, and enjoying mountain or garden views.
- Purpose: Healing from digital and city overload by seeking quiet and nature.
- Cultural Trend: Often highlighted in the media, where celebrities try to live in the countryside.
Choncance offers a way to experience an authentic, peaceful rural life, often in regions such as Hamyang, Chungju, or Gongju-si.
All those places are perfect for spending Choncance in South Korea.
For years, the standard tourist path in South Korea has been a triangle between Seoul, Busan, and Jeju. While these cities are iconic, a new wave of travelers is looking for something deeper—the "Real Korea."
8 Hidden Gems in South Korea: The Ultimate Off-the-Beaten-Path Tour Guide
For many, South Korea starts and ends with the bustling streets of Seoul or the beaches of Busan. But for those who venture into the provinces of Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gangwon-do, a different world awaits — one of mist-covered mountains, ancient academies, and the serene "East Sea."
Seoul City Skyline at the Han River with the tower in Seoul, South Korea.
We are proud to introduce eight destinations that redefine the Korean travel experience. Whether you are looking for the adrenaline of paragliding or the meditative silence of a 1,000-year-old temple, this route connects the best of the peninsula’s best-kept secrets.
Street Food Vendor at Bustling Korean Market.
The Inland Heritage & Nature Trail
1. Mungyeong (문경) – The Gateway of Legends
Historically, the most important mountain pass between the south and Seoul, Mungyeong, is a paradise for history buffs. The Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park features three magnificent stone gates and a clay path where you can trek barefoot to connect with the earth. Film enthusiasts will love the Open Film Set, a massive replica of Joseon-era Seoul where iconic K-dramas are filmed daily.
Mungyeong Saejae, a historic mountain pass in South Korea, features its third gateway, Joryeonggwan, covered in snow.
2. Yecheon (예천) – The River’s Embrace
Just a short drive east lies Yecheon, home to Hoeryongpo, a village so perfectly encircled by the Naeseongcheon River that it appears to be a floating island. The view from the observatory is a photographer’s dream. Don’t miss Geumdangsil Village, where stone-walled alleys and traditional houses offer a peaceful retreat from the modern world.
Hoeryongpo Village in Yecheon, South Korea, is a scenic area where the winding Naeseongcheon Stream almost surrounds a village.
3. Uiseong (의성) – The Land of Tumuli and Garlic
Heading south into the "Garlic Capital," you’ll find the landscape dotted with mysterious ancient burial mounds from the Jo-mun State. Uiseong is also home to Gounsa, a temple known for its stunning architecture and forest trails. It’s a place where the air is crisp, and the pace of life follows the seasons.
The Five-story Stone Pagoda in Tamni-ri, Uiseong, South Korea.
This structure is officially recognized as National Treasure of Korea No. 77. It is a stone pagoda constructed during the Unified Silla period, notable for its early form, which shows the architectural transition from wood to stone. The pagoda stands approximately 9.5 meters high and features a distinct base and detailed tiered roofs. It is located in Uiseong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do province.
4. Yeongju (영주) – The Spiritual Peak
Home to Buseoksa Temple, one of Korea’s most beautiful Buddhist sites, Yeongju offers a spiritual experience like no other. Standing on the temple grounds at sunset, looking out over the undulating waves of the Sobaeksan mountains, is a bucket-list moment. It is also the site of the first Confucian academy, Sosu Seowon, a testament to Korea's scholarly past.
The Sosu Seowon, Korea's first private Confucian academy. It was built around 500 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty. The academy was dedicated to educating students in Confucian philosophy and classics. It is located in Yeongju, South Korea.
Traveler’s Tip: Don’t Mix Up Your "Ju"s!
While browsing South Korea, you’ll notice many cities ending in "ju." Two of the most important—Gyeongju and Yeongju—are only one letter apart in English, but they offer two very different journeys.
Illuminated Gyeongju Donggung Palace at Night.
- Gyeongju (The Ancient Empire): Think of this as the "Rome of Korea." It was the capital of the Silla Dynasty for 1,000 years. If you want to see golden crowns, massive royal burial mounds (tumuli), and grand palace ponds, Gyeongju is your destination.
Night view of Woljeonggyo Bridge in Gyeongju City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Yeongju (The Mountain Sanctuary): This is the destination for those seeking the "Highlands" of Korea. It’s where the elite scholars of the Joseon Dynasty studied in mountain academies. If you want wooden temples nestled in the clouds and the quiet beauty of the Sobaeksan mountains, you head to Yeongju.
Korean Beef Bulgogi Bowl.
Bulgogi (불고기) is a Korean dish made with thinly sliced meat, typically marinated in soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and pear. Bulgogi is most commonly made with beef, but can also be made with chicken or pork.
The Highlands & The East Sea
The Korean Peninsula-shaped Cliffs are located in Hanbando-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do, South Korea.
This natural rock formation, also known as the Seonam Village cliffs, resembles the outline of the Korean peninsula. The site is part of the Hanbando Wetland Ramsar Site, recognized for its geological significance and ecological biodiversity. It was designated as Scenic Site No. 75 by the 🇰🇷 South Korean government in 2011. Visitors can view the peninsula's shape from an observation deck after a short hike from the parking area.
5. Yeongwol (영월) – Adrenaline and Exile
Yeongwol is a city of contrasts. It is the site of King Danjong’s tragic exile at Cheongnyeongpo, a beautiful yet isolated river-bound peninsula. Today, the city is a hub for adventure; it is one of the top spots in the country for paragliding and white-water rafting on the winding Donggang River.
Korean sweet rice cake.
Here are the most famous unspoken rules in Seoul, the ones locals follow and visitors quickly notice:
•Give & receive with two hands 🙇♂️
•Don’t pour your own drink 🍶 (refill others, they’ll refill yours)
•Turn your head away when drinking with elders 🍻🙈
•Elders eat first 👴👵
•Remove shoes indoors 👞➡️🧦
•No sitting in priority seats 🚉 (even if empty)
•Give up your seat to elders 🙇♀️
•Don’t write names in red ink ✍️❌
•Cover mouth when yawning or coughing 😷
•Don’t blow nose at the table 🤧🚫
Famous Korean Wild Ginseng Wine. Did you notice something other than just ginseng root inside the bottles? Something wired.
6. Bonghwa (봉화) – The Alpine Escape
Deep in the mountains, Bonghwa is the place to find the rare and prized pine mushroom. The place is the heart of the "Baekdudaegan" mountain range. For a truly unique experience, hop on the V-Train, which snakes through remote valleys and canyons that are otherwise unreachable, offering views of Korea’s "Alps."
Cheongnyangsa Temple is located in Bonghwa-gun, South Korea, within the scenic landscape of Cheongnyangsan Provincial Park. It is known for its peaceful atmosphere and stunning mountain views. The temple features a significant five-story stone pagoda, a common architectural element in Korean Buddhist temples. It offers visitors a chance to experience temple life and breathtaking natural surroundings in South Korea.
7. Donghae (동해) – Limestone Caves and Coastal Cliffs
Reaching the coast, Donghae offers the dramatic Chuam Candlestick Rock, a jagged sea stack that inspired poets for centuries. Inland, you can explore the Cheon-gok Cave, a rare limestone cave located right in the heart of the city, or hike the Mureung Valley to see waterfalls cascading over giant flat rocks.
Mureung Byeolyucheonji is a scenic eco-themed park located in Donghae, Gangwon-do, South Korea. It was developed from a former limestone quarry into a recreational area. The park features stunning emerald-colored lakes, specifically Cheongokho and Geumgokho. Visitors can enjoy various activities, including riding in lavender fields and thrilling attractions.
8. Sokcho (속초) – Mountains Meet the Sea
Finally, arrive at Sokcho, the gateway to the world-famous Seoraksan National Park. After conquering the peaks of Ulsanbawi, head to the Abai Village, a unique neighborhood established by refugees from the North, accessible by a charming hand-pulled ferry. End your journey with a feast of fresh seafood and "squid sundae" at the local market.
Squids are the most popular dish in Sokcho.
A Few Words about Korean Cuisine
Korean food is remarkable for its intense, bold flavors, deep-rooted fermentation traditions, and a unique emphasis on health and balance, characterized by the omnipresence of banchan (side dishes). It offers a complex, savory, and often spicy experience that balances nutrients through a mix of raw and cooked vegetables, fermented pastes, and proteins, aiming for a harmony of color and taste.
Tteok is a name for delicious Korean rice cakes. They are made with steamed flour of various grains, especially glutinous and non-glutinous rice. Korean rice cakes, known as Tteok (떡), are a staple, often sweet, traditional dessert made from steamed, pounded, or pan-fried glutinous rice flour. These chewy, often bite-sized treats are deeply rooted in Korean culture and are typically served during holidays, birthdays, and special occasions. These desserts are frequently found in specialized Korean rice cake shops (tteokjip) and are staples at Korean traditional festivals.
The embankment in Soncho with symbolic fish on pedestals.
Become a Pioneer on Our Platform
At PRIVATE GUIDE WORLD, we believe that local tour guides are the true gatekeepers of culture. We noticed that many of our registered tour guides aren't aware of one of our most powerful features: Destination Expansion.
Are you a tour guide? Take note of this opportunity:
- Only active cities appear in our search: Our platform shows only cities with at least one registered tour guide to ensure travelers always find a human expert when they search.
- You can add your city: If you are a tour guide and your hometown or a new destination you cover (like the eight cities above!) isn’t listed, you can request to add it directly in the EDIT PROFILE section of your dashboard.
Every registered tour guide can request to add the cities where they lead their tours and excursions.
- Be THE FIRST: Within 24 hours of your request, the new city will be live. By adding it, you become the first registered tour guide in that location, giving you a significant "First Mover Advantage" and maximum visibility to travelers looking for something new.
A list of local tour guides in South Korea on the PRIVATE GUIDE WORLD platform.
Whether you've been with us for years or just joined today, help us map the world’s hidden treasures. Open your profile and add your new destination today!
We want to express our special gratitude to registered local tour guide Greg Do in South Korea for his contribution in expanding the PRIVATE GUIDE WORLD platform into eight stunning new regions in South Korea, which also became the basis of this article. Greg became the first tour guide to present in those cities.
Profile of the registered local tour guide in South Korea, Greg Do.
Greg is a certified expert and a resident of the region who has spent decades mastering the English language (with 30 years as a teacher!) and exploring the mist-covered mountains and quiet coastlines of Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gangwon-do. Follow this link or click the image above to open Greg's profile and contact him directly with your questions and tour requests.
Our journey in choncance style has come to an end. It happens with any journey. Did you experience this state of relaxation, calm, and ease? Perhaps any journey brings such feelings. But during this tour, we got to know a new country, new people, and a new culture—this is always ennobling and brings peace.
Travel with inspiration!
Read our next article – Questionnaire for Creating Profile Description
Read our previous article – THE FIRST WAVE – Forever Promo
