Considered the birthplace of Korean pears, Naju is a small city surrounded by picturesque farmland in South Jeolla. Naju’s fertile soils are fed by the Yeongsan River and the city is home to fascinating cultural museums and one of South Korea’s leading film and television studios.

Things to do

Showcasing artefacts found throughout the Jeolla region, the Naju National Museum combines a peaceful rural setting with the latest technology in its interactive exhibits. Witness burial vases from the Baekje Kingdom and ancient royal burial mounds, with superimposed images displayed over artefacts to help you delve deeper into their history.

Want to walk through a Joseon-era castle? Visit the Naju Image Theme Park, a working television and film set where historic Korean dramas are filmed. Explore the recreated period rooms and try on traditional clothing, then soak up the spectacular views of Naju’s countryside from the castle walls.

If you’ve ever wondered how Korea’s traditional hanbok clothes are so richly coloured, visit the Natural Dyeing Museum on the banks of the Yeongsan River. Wander through the engaging exhibits to discover the history of clothes dyeing in Korea, then try your hand at dyeing clothing using traditional techniques.

Naju has long been renowned for its high-quality pears, and there’s no better place to learn about this fruit-growing industry than at the Naju Pear Museum. Discover the different varieties of pears grown in Naju and how they are stored, then buy some to take home in the adjacent shop.

Getting around

Naju is located around two hours’ train ride to the south of Seoul and three hours from Incheon International Airport. It's connected by inter-city buses to nearby Gwangju and Gwangju International Airport, while taxis also provide convenient transport.