Renowned for its magical sunsets, Taean is a picturesque town home to protected sand dunes, soaring cliffs and idyllic beaches in Taeanhaean National Park. It also boasts one of South Korea’s most beautiful botanic gardens and delicious seafood.

Things to do

Taean is a gateway to Taeanhaean National Park, which encompasses around 130 islands scattered along the Taean Peninsula. Explore one of its many untouched beaches and hike along the dramatic sea cliffs to spot minke whales and finless porpoises in the surrounding waters.

Spend a day soaking up the sun on beautiful Mallipo Beach, a wide stretch of sand backed by dense forest. Its shallow waters are ideal for swimming and there are plenty of local restaurants where you can sample freshly-caught grilled eel, king prawns and the local specialty, seasoned young skate.

Experience a taste of the Sahara on the South Korean coast in the small town of Sinduri, known for its magnificent sand dunes. After following the wooden boardwalk through the sand dunes, explore the Duung Wetland, as the freshwater sand marsh is designated a National Treasure of South Korea.

Want to see one of South Korea’s most beautiful botanical gardens? Head to the Chollipo Arboretum, a private botanical garden boasting more than 6,000 plant species from across the globe. It’s particularly renowned for its magnolia collection, as well as its camellias, hibiscus and maples.

Getting around

Taean is a two-hour bus ride from Seoul’s Central City Bus Terminal and just under four hours from Incheon International Airport. Buses travel throughout Taean and connect to the nearby towns.