South Korea’s Hidden Secret: Muju-Gun

Tucked away in the middle of the Mountains in the Jeollabuk-Do province, lies South Korea’s very own Hidden secret, the breathtaking Muju-Gun.

Accessible for its skiing and hiking adventures in the winter months of December through to March. Muju mesmerises with its natural beauty, breathtaking mountain views and the icy Gucheondong Valley that gives the whole region a breathtaking icy look.

Let’s take a closer look at what you can do inside the hidden gem of South Korea and set yourselves up for an incredible adventure for your next trip to the East Asia Country.

 

Are you looking for accommodation in Muju Korea? Find hotel Rates at TripAdvisor!

 

 

Where is Muju-Gun

Muju is located in the central part of South Korea, in the eastern corner of the North Jeolla Province.

It’s a good three hours from the capital Seoul and at least six hours from Busan, South Korea’s second largest city in the Southeast part of the East Asia country.

 

 

How to Get there

The easiest way to get Muju is a bus from Seoul terminal to the Muju bus terminal, about three hours.

From there, you can either catch a bus shuttle to the main resort. Another option is to take a taxi to the more affordable accommodations a stone throw from the resorts and ski slopes.

When I left for Muju, we did it the hard way, and I strongly recommend you avoid this path especially if you don’t speak Korean, I would have never made it if not for my Korean wife.

We left from Busan and caught about three different buses through various towns, before finally getting a taxi for the remainder of the forty-five minute trip to our pension in Muju.

Do yourself a favour and leave for Muju from the capital Seoul.

 

 

Where to stay in Muju

Muju has many Guesthouses and Pensions that are at a very affordable price. We stayed at the Dasup Pension, and besides the booking issues, it was a lovely pension with large spacious rooms.

Across from the Pension was many restaurants serving only local cuisines at an excellent price. The Pension is also located at the foot of hiking track that heads towards the Gondola that overlooks the central Deogyusan Resort.

If you are looking for a bit more luxury, then Deogyusan Resort is the place to be for the whole family. The resorts have local and western food, many shops, Kids fun centre where can ride a sled down the slopes.

It also gives you a cappuccino fix at the Tom-N-Toms café. The resort is quite spectacular, and if you are willing to pay that little bit more, I strongly recommend it.

 

Find accommodation in Muju on TripAdvisor.

 

 

Things to do in Muju

• Skiing: Skiing and snowboarding, take a pick. It is the reasons thousands venture to the slopes in winter to get their adrenalin hit. Be warned though, on weekends you will be waiting a while to get up the lifts.

 

• Bandi Land and Observatory: An insect museum on the outskirts of Muju. Study the insects of the world and how they came to happen over hundreds of years of history. The picturesque museum is quite different, but a treat and educational for the whole family as you learn about insects and its fascinating history.

 

 

• Hiking: Having young kids in tow, we couldn’t hike up the mountains with the freedom we desired, like the professionals did with there hiking poles and boots.

  We did, however, venture out along the trails in Deogyusan National Park that eventually leads to the Gondola overlooking the resort.

  Our part of the hike was simply breathtaking, with the glacial valley below and the mountains saturated with the overnight snow.

  Having snowball fights in and around the bare trees is a must for the kids and adults. You are never too old to be a little young at heart.

 

 

• Deogyusan Resort: The best part of Muju with plenty of family-friendly activities on offer.

  You can entertain the kids in the resort at the Kids centre, with sleds down the slopes that was a huge hit. Travel up the Gondola and enjoy a coffee at the café when you get up top. Ski or snowboard down the ski slopes, remembering on the weekends it gets very crowded.

  The resort is also the best place to get your western food fix at Lotteria, a burger joint. Domino pizza is also available, as well as local Korean cuisine of course.

 

 

• Tae Kwon Do Park: Unfortunately this fantastic centre had not opened when I ventured to Muju in 2013.

  However, it is now open for the public, and I have heard it is quite stunning. Google it and check it out, because I know you need to add this incredible park to the list.

  The Tae Kwon Do Park is described as the spiritual home of Tae Kwon Do. I wish I could tell you more, but below is a picture of the billboard when I was in Muju.

 

 

The conclusion to the Muju Trip

You will be at peace with Muju and one with nature with a vast range of activities and precious visual scenery to gaze your eyes on, you will feel great satisfaction in visiting another breathtaking part of the world.

So if you ever in South Korea, do yourselves a favour and venture a little south to Muju, especially during the winter season. You won’t regret it, and a new secret will be discovered.