South Korea Guide
Gyeongsang
Jinju
A small city typical of Korea's southern coast, but slightly more redolent of those found across the border in laid-back Jeolla-do, JINJU is worth dropping into on account of its superb fortress alone – this was the scene of one of the most famous suicides in Korean history when a girl jumped to her death into the river below during the Japanese invasions of the 1590s, dragging an enemy general with her. Here you can walk for hours along pretty paths, gaze over the river from traditional pavilions and pop into the odd temple. The beauty of of Jinju is that all you need is within easy walking distance – the fortress is close to the intercity bus terminal, and surrounded by places to stay and eat. Unlike most towns in the region, the city is famed for its food, and a clutch of excellent eelrestaurants can be found outside the fortress entrance. Jinju even has its own take on bibimbap – a popular dish across the nation, but one prepared here with consummate attention – or track down one of the few restaurants still serving ostrich meat. The city also makes a good base for those keen to tackle the nearby national park of Jirisan, one of the most popular in the country.