The city of Jinju in South Gyeongsang Province is known for its excellent collection of historical and cultural attractions, many of which revolve around its history as a leading centre of art and culture for over 1,000 years. Modern Jinju hosts an eclectic array of cultural events and festivals each year that make it popular for both South Korean’s and travellers, while its many unique heritage sites include ancient fortresses, shrines and museums.

Many of Jinju’s most important historical monuments are found at the site of the Jinju Fortress, a large complex which also houses the Jinju National Museum, dedicated mostly to the period of Japanese Invasions in the late 16th century. Be sure to visit the Chokseongnu Pavilion to the east of the fortress which overlooks the river for some spectacular views, especially at dusk and in the evening. Modern Jinju is also a thriving place for culture and the arts with its varied calendar of festivals and events. The Jinju Namgang Lantern Festival is perhaps the most well-known, where thousands of lanterns float along the Nam River. Also, the Gaecheon Arts Festival is held which celebrates the region’s flourishing culture of art.

The nearby Sacheon Airport is only 20 kilometres from Jinju and operates flights to and from Seoul Gimpo Airport. Travellers landing at Sacheon Airport can then get on a bus into the centre of Jinju which only takes around 25 minutes. For international flights, the nearest airport is Gimhae International Airport near Busan which is around a 90-minute journey away. The airport operates domestic flights including routes to Seoul and Jeju as well as international flights to destinations such as Bangkok, Beijing and Hong Kong.

Jinju was originally called Goryeong Gaya before being renamed in the year 940. The modern population of the city is around 350,000 people and is comprised of many from the younger generation due to its excellent educational institutes. Silk production has long been a prominent industry in Jinju for centuries, and today roughly 70% of the national production of silk comes from the area.