landmark
Gamcheon Culture Village
A colorful hillside village in Busan filled with pastel houses, street art, murals, and quirky installations earning it the name Machu Picchu of Korea.
33 km · about 40 min drive
AsiaSouth KoreaGyeongsangnam-do
Changwon
Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea · Asia
About Changwon
Changwon sits on the route: 30 minutes from Naesŏ, 41km from Gwangalli Beach.
Changwon is in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, with about 1 million people. You drive on the right here. The nearest town is Naesŏ, about 15 km away.
Changwon (Korean: 창원; Korean pronunciation: [tɕʰaŋ.wʌn]) is the capital and largest city of South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea (with a population of 1,025,702 as of 2023), and the 11th largest city of the country. A port city, Changwon is bordered by Masan Bay to the south, and the cities of Busan and Gimhae toRead more
the east. The city of Miryang lies to the northeast, and Jinju to the west.
The region has been inhabited since the Bronze Age, and its urban areas have been renamed and re-organized many times throughout history. In 1974, with the creation of the Changwon National Industrial Complex, the three historically interdependent cities of Masan, Jinhae District, and Changwon began to undergo significant economic development, growing into an important industrial centre. On 1 July 2010, the cities of Changwon, Jinhae, and Masan merged to form the current city of Changwon.
As Korea's first planned city, modeled after Canberra, Australia, Changwon uses accessible urban planning including many parks and separate residential and industrial areas. The city has also branded itself an "environmental capital" with the municipal government actively participating in climate change conferences and committing to the development of sustainable policies like the globally recognized bike-sharing program, Nubija.
Where to Stay in Changwon
Compare prices across Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and more. Select your dates to see availability.
Filter presets
Pick your must-haves once: provider links open pre-filtered. Each filter lists which sites it applies to.
Compare before you book!
Prices can vary significantly between platforms. We recommend checking at least 2-3 sites to find the best deal for your stay in Changwon.
Explore the Area
Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Changwon.
Loading map...
Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Changwon?
Within an hour or so of Changwon: Gamcheon Culture Village (33 km), Jagalchi Fish Market (35 km), Gwangalli Beach (41 km), Gwangan Bridge (41 km).
Where is Changwon?
Changwon is in Gyeongsangnam-do, South Korea, about 15 km from Naesŏ.
Road trip
Drive to Changwon
Add it as a stop and the planner works out the driving, the nights and what's worth seeing on the way.
Start planningWhat's nearby?
Swipe through places to go
Places within a drive of Changwon. Keep the ones you like and add them to your trip.
Explore now
Quick Information
- Population
- 1,025,702
- Continent
- Asia
- Country
- South Korea
- Region
- Gyeongsangnam-do
- Timezone
- Asia/Seoul
- Coordinates
- 35.2281, 128.6811
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in South Korea
Tourist helpline (English): 1330.
Full driving guide for South KoreaTags
Worth the detour from Changwon
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
landmark
Jagalchi Fish Market
South Korea's largest seafood market in Busan where visitors can pick live seafood and have it prepared fresh on the spot.
35 km · about 40 min drive
beach
Gwangalli Beach
A popular Busan beach famous for its views of the illuminated Diamond Bridge and vibrant seaside cafe and bar scene.
41 km · about 45 min drive
bridge
Gwangan Bridge
7.4km suspension bridge across Busan's Suyeong Bay, double-decked and floodlit at night, linking Haeundae to Namcheon.
41 km · about 50 min drive
beach
Haeundae Beach
South Korea's most famous urban beach stretching 1.5 kilometers along Busan's coast, surrounded by skyscrapers and seafood restaurants.
44 km · about 50 min drive
landmark
Tongdosa
One of Korea's three jewel temples, founded in 646, whose main hall has no Buddha statue because relics of the Buddha are enshrined in the stupa behind it. A long pine-lined approach leads in from the road.
45 km · about 50 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Tongyeong
A picturesque harbor city on Korea's southern coast with cable car views, fresh seafood, and a charming old quarter of narrow alleys.
47 km · about 55 min drive
landmark
Haedong Yonggungsa Temple
A spectacular seaside Buddhist temple perched on dramatic cliffs above crashing waves on Busan's northeastern coast.
49 km · about 55 min drive
Driving roads near Changwon
- 41 kmGwangan Bridge7.4km suspension bridge across Busan's Suyeong Bay, double-decked and floodlit at night, linking Haeundae to Namcheon.
- 47 kmTongyeongA picturesque harbor city on Korea's southern coast with cable car views, fresh seafood, and a charming old quarter of narrow alleys.
- 63 kmGanjeolgotA headland on the Ulsan coast that sees the first sunrise on the Korean mainland, marked by a white lighthouse and an oversized postbox. Crowds gather here at New Year.
- 68 kmSomaemuldoA small island south of Tongyeong whose neighbour Deungdaeseom is reachable on foot across a gravel spit exposed only at low tide, leading to a white lighthouse on the cliffs.
Nearby Destinations
Other places to explore near Changwon.
Plan a trip around Changwon
Your trip starts here
Plan a road trip from Changwon.
Pick the days, drop in the stops, and share it with whoever's coming.