Daejeon's famous bakery, Seongsimdang, has been voted the top travel destination in South Korea by the public. The overall winner, based on combined votes across all travel themes, is Jeju's Seongsan Ilchulbong. This reflects a recent travel trend favoring places with diverse attractions that offer simple, everyday satisfaction over flashy sights.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization, announced the results of the 'Discovering Korea's Attractions 100X100 Project' on August 19.
The 100X100 Project departs from traditional methods of selecting attractions led by the public sector, instead allowing the public to vote on recommendations from 100 travel experts. From June 29 to July 17, a total of 40,145 people participated in the voting, casting 1,538,035 votes. As a result, 9,883 attractions (6,336 unique entries) were newly identified across 100 themes.
The most popular travel theme among voters was 'food tourism.' Four of the top ten themes were food-related, including 'affordable restaurants' (1st), 'hidden gems' (2nd), 'seasonal foods available now' (3rd), and 'bread pilgrimage across the country' (5th).
Historical and natural themes also performed well. 'Modern and Contemporary Historical Sites' ranked 4th, while 'Traditional Markets in Korea' came in 6th. Other popular themes included 'healing forests' (7th) and 'nature parks for learning and enjoyment' (8th). This trend highlights a preference for casual dining, meaningful spaces, and comfortable relaxation over extravagant tourism.
In the single theme category, Daejeon's Seongsimdang topped the 'bread pilgrimage across the country' theme. The success of a local bakery in a nationwide vote demonstrates that unique regional food spaces can serve as strong travel destinations. Another bakery, Iseongdang in Gunsan, also ranked 5th in the same category, supporting this trend.
There was also a notable rise in historical and cultural spaces. Historical sites in Seoul dominated the 'Modern and Contemporary Historical Sites' category, with the National Museum of Korea ranking 2nd, followed by Jongmyo Shrine (3rd), Seodaemun Prison History Hall (4th), and the National Palace Museum of Korea (tied for 5th). The trend of 'museum outings' among younger generations, seeking immersive experiences beyond simple viewing, is reflected in these rankings.
Overall, Jeju's Seongsan Ilchulbong claimed the top spot in the comprehensive ranking, receiving votes across 22 themes, including 'sunrise and sunset points' and 'climbing to the top of the stairs.' Following Seongsan Ilchulbong in the overall rankings were the National Museum of Korea (2nd), Gyeongbokgung Palace (3rd), Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (4th), and Seongsimdang (5th).
Regionally, Seoul (1,261 attractions), Gyeongbuk (1,088), and Gangwon (1,058) produced the most attractions. Notably, train stations such as Gyeongju Station, Jeongdongjin Station, and Busan Station were selected as the most voted attractions in their respective regions. These transit points are increasingly recognized as valuable destinations worth visiting.
The 9,883 attractions chosen by the public can be viewed on a dedicated website linked to 'Discovering Korea's Attractions' starting August 19. Visitors can receive recommendations for attractions that match their preferences through a travel type quiz or plan trips that connect nearby attractions.
Among the 40,145 participants, 4,563 will receive prizes through a lottery. The Ministry of Culture and the Korea Tourism Organization plan to continue various participatory events until the end of the year, including a photo festival for 'funny travel moments,' pet-friendly travel certifications, and seasonal theme attraction stamp rallies.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Choi Hwi-young, stated, 'When planning a trip, the first question is often, 'Where should I go?' The 100X100 project was initiated to create new landmarks that answer that question. We will ensure that the 9,883 attractions chosen by the public lead to actual visits, encouraging travelers to explore regions beyond the metropolitan area.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
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