Jeollanam-do
Jeollanam-do is South Korea's southwestern province, known for green tea terraces in Boseong, bamboo groves in Damyang and port towns along a long, indented coast.
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Jeollanam-do is South Korea's southwestern province, facing the Yellow Sea to the west and the South Sea to the south. The provincial government is in Muan. The coast is long and indented, with many bays and islands, and inland hills grow tea and bamboo. Gwangju is a separate metropolitan city, not part of the province, but many trips use it as a base.
Go for Boseong's terraced green tea fields, Damyang's bamboo groves and tree-lined roads, and the port cities of Mokpo and Yeosu, where seafood is a major part of the local food. Spring suits the tea fields and autumn brings color to Damyang's roads. Buses link most towns, though a car is easier along the coast. A loop of the coast and inland towns needs several days, and more if you take island ferries.
Jeollanam-do in five
- Get a K-ETA before you flyMany visa-free visitors need a K-ETA before boarding for Korea. Check your passport on the official K-ETA site before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Install Naver Map or KakaoMapGoogle Maps has limited transit directions in Korea. Naver Map and KakaoMap are better for bus routes, and Kakao T calls taxis. All three need mobile data or Wi-Fi.Phones and eSIM
- Carry a T-money card and some cashA T-money card pays for city buses and subways. Small rural markets and family-run restaurants may accept only cash, so keep notes in your wallet.
- Go to the Boseong tea fields in the morningThe terraced tea fields sit on hills above the town. Arriving early means quieter paths.Boseong
- Base yourself in Gwangju for busesGwangju is the usual base for trips in the province. Mokpo, Yeosu, Damyang and Boseong work well as day trips or short stops.Gwangju
Neighborhoods
Gwangju
- Price band: $$
Mokpo
- Price band: $$
Yeosu
- Price band: $$
Damyang
- Price band: $
Things to do in Jeollanam-do
See all attractions in Jeollanam-do
Need to know
- Currency
- Won (KRW)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; K-ETA needed by many visa-free visitors Read more
- Emergency
- 112 police, 119 fire and ambulance; 1330 travel helpline in English
- Tipping
- Not expected
- Time
- UTC+9, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, dry
- FebruaryCold, quiet
- MarchSpring starts
- AprilSpring, tea picking
- MayMild, green
- JuneRainy season
- JulyMonsoon, humid
- AugustHot, typhoons
- SeptemberMild, clearing
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberCool, quiet
- DecemberCold, short days
Right now in Jeollanam-do
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
6
- Feels like
- 5°
- Humidity
- 75%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Jeollanam-do
05:42 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today17°5°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed14°7°9%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Thu19°11°94%Thursday: Rain. High 19°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Fri14°5°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 14°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat9°3°0%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 9°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun7°3°4%Sunday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Mon12°3°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 12°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 2%.
Updated 01:51 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,333 KRW
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- DamyangCheck bus times on Naver Map or KakaoMapBamboo groves and a slow pace, an easy day from Gwangju.Read the guide
- MokpoCheck bus times on Naver Map or KakaoMapA harbor city with ferries to the islands.Read the guide
- BoseongCheck bus times on Naver Map or KakaoMapGreen tea terraces on the hills above the town.Read the guide
- YeosuCheck bus times on Naver Map or KakaoMapA coastal city with island ferries and harbor views.Read the guide
Before you go to Jeollanam-do
Rules for Jeollanam-do, checked
- Many visa-free visitors need a K-ETA before boarding. Check your passport on the official K-ETA site before you book flights.Source
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival. Check the current amount with the Korea Customs Service before you travel.Source
- Declare meat, dairy and fresh fruit or plant material on arrival. Customs checks them closely and rules change, so check before you pack.
- Take your shoes off at the entrance to some temples, guesthouse rooms and homes. Look for the shoe racks and follow what others do.
Plan around Jeollanam-do
Entry rules, cities and transport for a Korea trip
Read the guideGwangjuThe main hub for trains and buses and the base for most trips
Read the guideMokpoHarbor city with ferries to the islands
Read the guideYeosuCoastal city with harbor views and island ferries
Read the guideDamyangBamboo groves and a slow pace, an easy day from Gwangju
Read the guideBoseongTea terraces on the hills above the south coast
Read the guideJeollanam-do FAQ
Is Jeollanam-do worth visiting?
Yes if you want the south coast, tea hills and smaller towns. Gwangju works as the base, with Mokpo, Yeosu, Damyang and Boseong as day trips or short stops.
How do you get around Jeollanam-do?
Buses link most towns, and a car is easier for the coast and the tea fields. Use Naver Map or KakaoMap to check bus routes, and buy a T-money card for city buses.
Is Gwangju part of Jeollanam-do?
No. Gwangju is a separate metropolitan city, so it sits outside the province even though it is the usual base for trips here. Check the city and province labels when you book.
How many days do you need in Jeollanam-do?
Plan several days for Gwangju and two or three of the other towns. A single day from Gwangju fits Damyang or Mokpo, but not the whole coast.
When is the best time to visit Jeollanam-do?
April to May and September to October are mild. Summer brings the monsoon and humidity, and winter is cold and dry.
Do I need a car?
Not for Gwangju or Mokpo, which have city buses. A car helps for the Boseong tea fields and the coast road to Yeosu.