An eco-city in South Korea's Jeollanam-do, Suncheon is renowned for its natural heritage.

A recent quick trip to Suncheon arranged by the Korea Tourism Organization Manila office and Jeollanam-do Tourism Organization made me realize that this quaint destination should be getting enough recognition like the major cities Seoul and Busan.

Venture out to the Korean countryside and visit these attractions.

Suncheonman National Garden

Suncheonman National Garden was built in 2013 to host the Suncheonman International Garden Expo. Subsequently, it became Korea's first National Garden, consolidating the city's status as a Mecca of the Korean garden industry.

Reproductions of unique gardens from around the world can be seen in this 962,000-sqm property. There are also eight sights that visitors can roam around in: Suncheon Lake Garden, Metasequoia Road, Dutch Garden, The Beast's Rose Garden, Dream Bridge, Suncheonman Wetland, Korean Traditional Garden, and the Avatar Garden.

Visitors can take the "Sky Cube" personal rapid train to tour the whole area.

Suncheonman National Garden is at 47 Gukgajeongwonlho-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do which is only 15 minutes from Suncheon Station. It is open from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Visit Garden.sc.go.kr.

Suncheon Bay Wetland

Suncheon Bay Wetland has a total area of 39, 700 sqm. In 2003, Ramsar Convention recognized it as a marine wetland protected area, the first of its kind in Korea. The entire 938.4 sqm city of Suncheon, including Suncheonman Bay Wetland, was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Many rare migratory birds spend the winter in the region, and several living organisms such as crabs and crane birds can be seen in the mudflat.

Suncheon Bay Wetland is at 513-25 Suncheonman-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do. It is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, while its observatory is until 10 p.m. Take bus no. 66 or 67. It will take 35 minutes from Suncheon station. Visit Suncheonbay.go.kr.

The Suncheon Drama Set

The Suncheon Drama Set is a well-known shooting location of some of Korea's famous dramas and movies.

The site boasts an optimal filming area of 40,463 sqm. It has a total of 185 buildings and is divided into three backgrounds: 1960s (Downtown Street in Suncheon), 1970s (Bongcheon-dong Daldongnae), and 1980s (Main Street on the outskirts of Seoul).

Some of the major productions shot in the Suncheon Drama Set were Love Ambition (2006), East of Eden (2008), Running Man (2012), Chronicle of a Blood Merchant (2014), Gangnam Blues (2014) and Pachinko (2022).

Suncheon Drama Set is at Jorye-dong, Yeosu and Suncheon, Jeollanam-do. It is open all year round from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Take bus no. 77 from Suncheon station. Visit scram.sc.go.kr.