In-depth travel notes from Miryang, South Korea: A seriously underrated hidden gem

📍 Location: Gyeongsangnam-do, Miryang, South Korea 📅 Date: Mar 8, 2025 🌿 City Express Before my trip, I searched the entire internet, but found surprisingly few travel guides about Miryang! However, it was precisely this "under-the-radar" status that brought me unexpected joy. Here, there's no hustle and bustle of crowded tourist spots, only the authentic charm of ancient Korean traditions and natural wonders. As the birthplace of the Arirang folk song, even the air here seems to carry a poetic melody 🎶 (Miryang Arirang is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, by the way). 📝 My 3-day, 2-night itinerary (with exclusive tips) Day 1: Travel through a millennium and become a Silla aristocrat for a day 🌄 Evening at Yeongnamnu Pavilion The No. 1 must-see attraction in Miryang! One of the three most famous pavilions in Korea, its wooden, cantilevered structure is incredibly charming. Sitting inside the pavilion in the evening, listening to the river breeze, it's like traveling back in time to a scene of ancient scholars composing poems and painting! ✨ Secret photo spot: Take a low-angle shot from the side of the stone bridge outside the pavilion, framing the eaves against the starry sky for a truly atmospheric picture! 🍵 Tea ceremony experience at Pyochungsa Temple The temple is nestled at the foot of Mt. Yeongchwisan, shrouded in mist like a fairyland in the early morning. I unexpectedly discovered that the temple offers a free tea ceremony experience! A monk will teach you how to brew traditional Korean barley tea using traditional teaware. It's so calming, you won't want to leave. Day 2: Double the impact of nature and culture 🌊 Miryang River hike + Ice Valley exploration The riverside trail is 5 km long, with stunning scenery and few people! I met a local grandpa who recommended a hidden route: take the small path next to the "Sillye Usayeon" stone monument, and you'll reach the hidden Ice Valley in 10 minutes. The stream is crystal clear, and it must be a perfect summer retreat! 🎭 Miryang Arirang Festival rehearsal If you go in May, you might be lucky enough to catch a rehearsal for the grand festival in May! Villagers dressed in traditional Korean hanbok sing and dance, and they even taught me how to play the janggu drum 🥁 (Tip: The official festival dates are in early May, so check the official website in advance!) Day 3: Unlock local experiences 📚 Miryang City Museum + English Library I didn't expect such a small city to have such a wonderful museum! The relics from the Silla period are exquisite, and best of all, it's free! The English library next door has a full-length window. Order a cup of coffee and browse the Korean-English bilingual folklore picture books – a haven for art lovers. 🍓 Farm picking + Korean home-style food I went strawberry picking with my host at their family farm! We made fresh "strawberry tteokbokki," a flavor explosion of sweet and spicy! All-you-can-eat for about 50 RMB per person. ⚠️ Things to avoid & useful tips 1. Transportation: A 1.5-hour bus ride from Busan/Daegu. I recommend buying a T-money card (same as the one used in Seoul, super convenient)! 2. Accommodation: Highly recommend the Arina Hotel! The rooftop terrace offers stunning views of the Yeongnamnu Pavilion at night, and it's a steal at just over 200 RMB per person! 3. Food: - Grilled meat wrapped in perilla leaves (a Miryang specialty!) - Freshly made hotteok at Nammun Market, crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with a gooey filling! - Avoid internet-famous restaurants! You can't go wrong with any restaurant popular with locals. 💬 Post-trip thoughts: In Miryang, time seems to slow down. People here will stop to admire a falling cherry blossom, draw a map for lost tourists, and share homemade rice wine with you at a corner cafe... If you're tired of cookie-cutter travel experiences, this is where you'll find the soul of Korea.