[WEEKEND GETAWAY] Escape to the countryside in Buan County

Urban life can be exciting and tiring at the same time. Metropolitan areas and crowded tourist spots with tall buildings may capture your attention at first, but once the excitement fades, you might want to go somewhere a little less crowded.

Creative shots taken at Chaeseokgang are famous on social media. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

Urban life can be exciting and tiring at the same time. Metropolitan areas and crowded tourist spots with tall buildings may capture your attention at first, but once the excitement fades, you might want to go somewhere a little less crowded.

Buan County in North Jeolla may be that perfect spot for a weekend getaway full of nature's surprises. From tidal flats and waterfalls to glorious salt flats, head on a journey to North Jeolla where diverse landscapes welcome you.

Here are four recommendations from the Korea JoongAng Daily to try when visiting Buan County.

Julpo Bay Tidal Flat Ecological Park

The sunset view of Julpo Bay Tidal Flat in Buan Country, North Jeolla is known to be exceptionally beautiful. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

Julpo Bay Tidal Flat Ecological Park is part of the Buan Julpo Bay Wetland Protected Area.

The wetland area is registered as a Ramsar Site that plays a crucial role in the passage of migratory birds along Korea's west coast. Home to more than 100 species, it is a habitat to many endangered flora and fauna.

One creature found there is the Milky Fiddler Crab, which is extremely sensitive and requires a great deal of patience to approach and observe. Once you stay still for a few minutes, the crabs start to appear cautiously above the muddy surface.

Sign up for a field trip program to the tidal flat for free and experience the nature surrounding the ecological park.

A child walks among the canola flowers at Julpo Bay Tidal Flat Ecological Park in Buan Country, North Jeolla. [BAEK JONG-HYUN]

If you are visiting during the spring, do not miss the beautiful canola flower field at the park. You can see seasonal flowers blooming on the other side of the tidal flat area, where families and group visitors take pictures to capture the colorful flowerbeds.

38, Saengtaegongwon-ro, Buan, North Jeolla Opening hours: March to October, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Nov. to Feb. 9:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. Ecology park 09:00 a.m. - Sunset Website: https://www.buan.go.kr/julpoman/index.buan

Jikso Falls

Jikso Falls in Buan County, North Jeolla. [LIM HYUN-DONG]

After a muddy experience at the previous destination, Jikso Falls offers a less sticky encounter with nature. One of eight scenic sites of Mount Byeonsan, the water cascades down a 30-meter [98-foot] cliff, filling the air with a refreshing sound. The area is less known among tourists so the trail remains quiet. In fact, the walking trail starts from Naesosa Temple, which is a fairly crowded tourist site, but soon quietens as the four-kilometer hiking course unravels.

The landscape at Jikso Falls amused many artists of the Joseon Dynasty, inspiring them to create numerous paintings and written pieces. Once the temperature shoots up and the heat starts to seriously creep in, run to Jikso Falls for a break from the humidity.

95-1 Junggye-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan, North Jeolla

Chaeseokgang

The cliff of Chaeseokgang stands over Gyeokpo Beach in Buan Country, North Jeolla. [KIM HONG-JUN]

Chaeseokgang, also called Chaeseokgang Cliff, is one of the major scenic sites of Buan, embracing Mount Byeonsan and the cliffs of Gyeokpo Port. It measures 1.5 kilometers long and 200 meters high. The cliff from afar resembles the sight of more than 10,000 books stacked upon each other. Different colors of sedimentary rocks add an exotic vibe to the view.

Volcanic activity and strong current have shaped the land over the years and the coastal erosion is very apparent. The unique geological feature allows visitors to take impressive photos by getting creative with the angle and the sunlight.

Chaeseokgang tends to be mentioned collectively with its neighboring coastal area, Jeokbyeokgang, referred to together as Chaeseokgang and Jeokbyeokgang Cliffed Coasts. Standing above one of the cliffs in this area, you can see one of the most beautiful sunsets in North Jeolla.

301-1, Gyeokpo-ri, Byeonsan-myeon, Buan, North Jeolla

Gomso Salt Flat

Salt farmers at Gomso Salt Flat in Buan Country, North Jeolla harvest salt. [LIM HYUN-DONG]

Gomso Sea Salt is one of the specialties of Buan. Produced by evaporation, the salt from this region is also called the "snowflake of the West Coast."

Gomso Salt Flat has recently become well-known among social media users after a number of posts went viral. The sunlight reflected on the glistening surface of the salt fields creates an amusing view, and the delicacy of the traditionally sun-dried salt is an additional attraction. Every spring, the pine trees give off pollen that lands on the fields and add minerals to the salt, not to mention richening its flavor.

Seulji Bakery, a cafe with a terrace overlooking the view of the salt field, is a famous spot that has been featured on television. In operation since 1999, the bakery is one of the few places that offers a modern urban vibe in the neighborhood. The cafe sells a variety of desserts that are inspired by Buan specialties.

Gomso Salt Flat18 Yeomjeon-gil, Gomso-ri, Jinseo-myeon, Buan, North JeollaSeulji Bakery@ seulji_bakery1999 1076 Cheongja-ro Jinseo-myeon, Buan, North JeollaOpening hours: March to September, 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m., December to February, 9:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.Phone number: 1899-9504 Learn more about Korean university life on K-campus.

BY BAEK JONG-HYUN, KIM DONG-EUN [kim.dongeun@joongang.co.kr]