Gyeonggi-do

A guide to South Korea's most charming mural villages

The term 'street art' can often conjure up an image of hooded graffiti-artists stenciling edgy pieces down seedy city laneways in the dark of the night.

But in South Korea, there’s a different kind of street art scene going on – formerly underserved neighbourhoods are getting makeovers in the form of vibrant murals and art installations.

Trent Holden

Lonely Planet Writer

Make art not war in South Korea artists' village

Only 6km from the border with the world’s most secretive nation lies another secret destination – but one you are more likely to want to visit. The dedicated art village of Heyri in South Korea is about an hour’s drive north of Seoul and just throwing distance (though not recommended) from the mysterious totalitarian state of North Korea.

The dedicated art village of Heyri in South Korea is about an hour’s drive north of Seoul. Image by Lonely Planet / Kate Morgan