Korean Independence Day Weekend: Exploring Miryang’s Hidden Gems
Welcome to Part 2 of my Korean Independence Day weekend adventure! After a day spent exploring Cheongdo, I continued my journey in Miryang, a charming town that strikes a nice balance between small-town warmth and city convenience. For context, Korean Independence Day falls on March 1st, which was a Friday this year—a perfect excuse to break from Busan and explore a few new places. Miryang turned out to be full of unexpected highlights, blending natural beauty, local flavor, and a touch of history. Here’s how it all went down.
Here you can find the Vlog of Cheongdo on YouTube
Here you can find the Vlog of Miryang on YouTube
Rose Park (장미공원)
Address: Gyeongsangnam-do Miryang-si Sammun-dong 631
Rose Park, a lovely spot along the Miryang River, may not be in full bloom during the winter, but don’t let that stop you from visiting! Even with bare branches, the views are serene, and there’s a calming, laid-back vibe that’s perfect for a scenic stroll or bike ride. If you prefer the roses in full bloom, plan your visit between May and July, with late May or early June offering the ideal balance of flowers and sunshine. We wandered along the riverside, soaking up the fresh air before moving on to the next spot once hunger set in.
Pyeonanhan Siktak (편안한 식탁)
Address: 151-3 Sammun-dong Miryang-si Gyeongsangnam-do
After some trial and error with holiday closures, we ended up at Pyeonanhan Siktak—a cozy little restaurant serving bibimbap, tonkatsu, and bulgogi. The menu was simple, but the portions were generous and the prices affordable, making it a perfect stop to fuel up. Nothing fancy here, but it was satisfying and budget-friendly, just right to keep us going through the rest of the day.
Kallaem Motel (Color M Motel)
Address: 717-7 Sammun-dong Miryang-si Gyeongsangnam-do
South Korean motels are often themed, and Kallaem Motel was no exception! The theme here was all about color, with each room decked out in a different shade or a bold pop of color. We took a little self-guided “tour” by checking out the open rooms to choose our favorite before settling in. Rooms were tidy and provided large bathtubs for soaking after a long day. Once we had our room, it was back on the road to explore more of Miryang.
Miryang City Museum (밀양시립박물관)
Address: 480 Gyo-dong Miryang-si Gyeongsangnam-do
Next stop: Miryang City Museum, a hub surrounded by a science museum, observatory, and the sprawling Miryang Arirang Grand Park, which includes a garden, pond, and even a Vietnam War monument. We got there later in the day, so missed out on the science museum and observatory. The museum itself is compact and easy to walk through in under 20 minutes, so unless you’re specifically interested in Miryang’s history, it’s probably more of a side attraction. The surrounding area, though, has plenty to keep kids entertained without having to shuttle them from place to place.
Miryang Yeongnamnu Pavilion (밀양 영남루)
Address: 40 Naeil-dong Miryang-si Gyeongsangnam-do
Atop a hill with panoramic views over the river and city skyline, the Yeongnamnu Pavilion is a real gem. We visited close to sunset, which added a romantic glow to the experience, even with winter’s chill in the air. It’s a peaceful spot for adults looking for a scenic escape, although there aren’t specific attractions for children. This was one of the few moments that made me wish we’d visited in summer, as I can only imagine how beautiful it must look when everything is lush and green.
Miryang Arirang Market (밀양 아리랑시장)
Address: 583-1 Naeil-dong Miryang-si Gyeongsangnam-do
I learned the hard way that holiday weekends aren’t the ideal time for market hopping. Many stalls were closed, so the Arirang Market was quieter than I imagine it would normally be. Nonetheless, it was worth a quick walk around to get a feel for the place before heading to our next appointment.
The Thai (Traditional Chinese Massage)
Address: 717-4 Sammun-dong Miryang-si Gyeongsangnam-do
Though this massage parlor’s Naver listing called it “The Thai,” the sign on the building told us it was a traditional Chinese massage place. The massage itself was nearly perfect, although the staff was a little too chatty for my taste. At one point, a colleague came in to suggest the masseuse lighten up, but I quickly let them know I was fine with the pressure—I like it a bit rough! This little revelation that I understood Korean (up until this point I had not spoken a single word of Korean), started a whole conversation, adding a social element I wasn’t expecting during what I thought would be a quiet, relaxing experience.
Cozy House (코지하우스)
Address: 727-1 Sammun-dong Miryang-si Gyeongsangnam-do
We ended the day on a delicious note with steak and pasta at Cozy House. It’s tough to find good American-style food in Korea, but this place hit the spot. After a full day of exploring, a hearty meal was exactly what we needed before winding down for the night.
Miryang has a bit more to see and do in comparison to Cheongdo, which meant we had to plan strategically to fit everything in. By clustering our stops—like keeping the museum, pavilion, and market together on one side of town—we managed to maximize our day while still staying relatively relaxed. From riverside parks to vibrant markets and a unique motel, Miryang offered a refreshing blend of adventure and culture for an unforgettable Korean Independence Day weekend.
Let me know if you've visited Miryang or have any hidden gems I should check out on my next trip!
This is part 2 of my Korean Independence Day Weekend Travels. Day one was in Cheongdo, South Korea. Just to recap, Independence Day is March 1st, and it happened to land on a Friday this year. I took the opportunity to venture outside of Busan to see some new sights. While Cheongdo was a small rural town, with the majority of the town being on one strip, Miryang is much larger but keeps a small-town feel.
Here you can find the Vlog of Cheongdo on YouTube
Here you can find the Vlog of Miryang on YouTube
