I visit South Korea almost every year. Seoul is great, but I recommend visiting these 4 lesser-known cities instead.

I moved to the US from South Korea when I was five, but I've traveled back almost every year since. The country is so more than just Seoul, its popular capital city . Some of my favorite lesser-known South Korean cities are Suwon, Incheon, and Gyeongju. I was born in South Korea and moved to the United States when I was 5 years old. I've traveled back almost every year since. Usually, when people ask me for South Korean travel recommendations, what they really want are ideas for things to do in Seoul . I can understand why tourists flock to the capital city of South Korea: Seoul is a hub for incredible culture, technology, entertainment, fashion, and cuisine. However, if you ask me, you would be missing out if you didn't pay a visit to some of the other, lesser-known cities that contribute to the heartbeat of South Korea. Here are five of my favorite cities to visit in South Korea that aren't Seoul. I always go the distance for Busan About four hours south of Seoul lies Busan. Growing up, my family visited this city over the summer to swim in the sea, soak up the sun, and eat incredibly fresh seafood . You don't have to treat Busan exclusively as a warm-weather getaway, though: My favorite season to visit Busan is actually in the fall, when the days are sunny and the nights are breezy with sea-salt air. My favorite destination in Busan is Gamcheon Culture Village, a steep slope dotted with hundreds of colorfully painted homes. During the Korean War, this area was created as a settlement for refugees. Gamcheon was later restored and enhanced with brightly colored exterior paint to attract tourism. Today, Gamcheon Village stands as a beloved landmark in Busan, where visitors can get lost in the twisted alleyways and enjoy stunning views overlooking the hilly scenery. I strongly recommend that anyone who visits Busan dedicate one morning to waking up early and watching the sunrise over Haeundae Beach. In my opinion, the view alone can wash away any negative feelings, even for a brief moment. When you're in Busan, don't forget to check out the Jagalchi Market for excellent fish and the Nampo-dong Food Alley for the best street food . Suwon is a chill day trip from Seoul If you want to stay in Seoul for most of your trip but crave an easy day trip with a laid-back vibe, Suwon is your answer. Whenever I take the hourlong bus trip, excitement brews in my stomach. The main attraction of this very chill city is the Hwaseong Fortress, a towering stone-and-brick fortress that passes through the center city of Suwon. It was built in the 18th century to protect the city and, in 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site . I love to walk the length of the fortress - because of the lack of high-rise buildings, this is an excellent way to take in the scenery of...

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