NATURE
IN KOREA
Biryong Falls descends over pale granite into a clear pool framed by green trees in Seoraksan

SUMMER IN KOREA · FROM IPHA TO IPCHU

Cold water, hot days.

When Korea’s cities swelter, the mountains hide clear pools, roaring falls and shaded valleys, and the coast opens its beaches. Here is where to cool off, and the rules that keep you safe in the water.

Photo: Olga Lipunova

01 / THREE WORDS FOR SUMMER

Learn the words. Find the water.

A WORD TO KNOW

계곡 gyegok

Mountain valley stream

A stream running down a mountain valley, with pools to cool your feet. The guide’s cool valleys include Wonjeok at Naejangsan, Surak at Daedunsan and the Mulhan valley at Minjujisan.

A WORD TO KNOW

폭포 pokpo

Waterfall

Falls the guide picks out for summer: Daehye at Geumosan, Yongchu at Daeyasan and Mudeungsan, and Jikso at Byeonsan.

A WORD TO KNOW

해수욕장 haesuyokjang

Swimming beach

A beach that opens for swimming in season. The government register lists every one with its opening dates, below.

02 / NO CAR NEEDED

Shade, by subway.

Three Seoul mountains with trails from city transport, in the Forest Service guide’s own words.

Seoul · 835.6 m

Bukhansan

Clear rock pools and the Bibong ridge

Bukhansan (835.6 m), Seoul: granite domes around Baegundae in a national park inside the capital, reached by subway and bus.

Seoul · 740.2 m

Dobongsan

Shade along the long valleys

Dobongsan (740.2 m), Seoul: granite peaks and clear valleys in Bukhansan National Park, reached straight from the subway.

Seoul · 632.2 m

Gwanaksan

Shade in the nut pine forest bath

Gwanaksan (632.2 m): Seoul’s rocky weekend mountain, with the cliff hermitage Yeonjudae on top, reached from subway stations.

03 / WHERE THE GUIDE FINDS COOL WATER

32 mountains to cool off.

Each line is the Korea Forest Service’s summer note for one of its 100 famous mountains. Heights are summit altitudes, not climbs.

Seoul

Daegu

Gwangju

Gyeonggi

Gangwon

North Chungcheong

South Chungcheong

North Jeolla

South Jeolla

North Gyeongsang

South Gyeongsang

04 / NATIONAL PARK VALLEYS

Deep valleys, long falls.

05 / THE SEA

283 beaches, one short season.

Korea’s swimming beaches open for a few weeks each summer. These are the 2026 dates from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries register; check the new list before next summer.

Aerial view of Haeundae Beach in summer, rows of parasols on the sand and Haeundae's high-rises along the shore
Haeundae Beach, Busan, in July. Photo: ⓒ한국관광콘텐츠랩-라이브스튜디오
252beaches with 2026 opening dates
12 Junthe earliest opening date
15 Septhe latest closing date: Haeundae Beach
67with free life-jacket stations

Sources