Everland

Top choice in Gyeonggi-do


Opened in 1976, Everland is Korea's largest theme park, with five zones of rides, fantasy buildings and impressive seasonal gardens. The lush hillside setting, 40km south of Seoul, is part of the appeal. Thrill-seekers will want to head straight to T Express, a gargantuan wooden roller coaster added in 2008 that boasts a 45m near-vertical drop. But its the littler kids who'll find the most fun here, with gentle rides, animal attractions, shows and two parades daily.

At night, the illuminated park takes on a magical atmosphere, and if you can last until 9.30pm you'll catch the fireworks. Appealingly retro in places, some of Everland's rides, like the big wheel, are actually decommissioned relics left just for show.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gyeonggi-do attractions

1. Caribbean Bay

0.41 MILES

An impressive indoor and outdoor water park with white-knuckle luges, flumes, tubes, a lazy river and a not-so-lazy wave pool. It's best avoided on summer…

2. Hoam Art Museum

0.65 MILES

Good luck trying to persuade the kids to exit Everland to go see an art museum, but if you manage it you'll be richly rewarded with the personal…

3. Samsung Transportation Museum

0.93 MILES

An impressive collection of classic automobiles and sports cars are buffed to a sheen at this kid-friendly museum. A free shuttle bus goes here from…

4. Korean Folk Village

5.04 MILES

This 245-acre themed experience is designed to transport you back to the Joseon dynasty as you wander through picturesque grounds filled with thatched and…

5. Nam June Paik Art Centre

5.33 MILES

This gallery features the pioneering new-media work of internationally acclaimed avant-garde artist Nam June Paik (1932–2006). It's not far from Korean…

6. Gyeonggi Provincial Museum

5.34 MILES

This well-curated museum features cultural relics from around the province. A stop here is worth tacking on if you're visiting the Nam June Paik Art…

7. Ji-dong Mural Village

10.01 MILES

There are more whimsical murals adorning the walls of houses here just outside the eastern wall of Suwon Hwaseong.

8. Suwon Hwaseong Museum

10.16 MILES

Head to this modern museum to find out how detailed court records from 1801 were vital to ensure authenticity in the 1970s reconstruction process of Suwon…