Byeokgolje Museum of Agricultural Culture (벽골제 농경문화 박물관)

15.9 Km 13440 2024-04-06

442, Byeokgolje-ro, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-4989

The largest irrigation facility in Korea, Byeokgolje Reservoir (Historic Site) is considered the birthplace of Korea’s rice-farming culture. All that remains of the reservoir today are a three-kilometer long embankment that spans from Sinyong-ri to Wolseung-ri in Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si and a monument that was erected in 1415. The Byeokgolje Museum of Agricultural Culture exhibits around 250 artifacts related to rice farming; located within the same complex is an experience center where visitors can discover many properties of irrigation facilities first-hand.

Byeokgolje Reservoir Site (김제 벽골제)

16.0 Km 12833 2024-04-07

442 Byeokgolje-ro, Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-4094

Byeokgolje Reservoir Site is home to the embankment and stele recording reconstruction for Korea’s first ever reservoir. Records show it was rebuilt in the 6th year of King Wonseong of Silla (790), the 21st year of King Hyeonjong and King Injong of Goryeo (1143), and then again in the 15th year of King Taejong of Joseon (1415). It was lost due to heavy rain in 1420 (the 2nd year of King Sejong's reign).
Currently, only about 3 kilometers of straight embankment remains on the site. In 1925, the Dongjin Land Improvement Association remodeled this embankment and used it as a channel for providing water for farming, thus losing a lot of its original appearance. A monument was erected on the north side of the embankment to commemorate the rebuilding of Byeokgolje Reservoir during the Joseon Dynasty. However, it is difficult to read the writing because it is worn out.
In 1975, two sites with water gates that controlled the water in the reservoir were excavated, and the results showed that the construction used large-scale, high-level engineering technology. Byeokgolje Reservoir is not only significant in that it was Korea's first reservoir but also proves that the country’s civil engineering technology was developed enough to build such a reservoir at the time, revealing a groundbreaking fact in the history of science and technology in Korea.
Nearby tourist attractions can be visited together: Byeokgolje Agricultural Museum, where you can get a glimpse of the old agricultural culture, Theme and Experience Space for Agriculture, and Byeokcheon Art Gallery, which displays the works of Na Sang-mok, an Oriental Painting artist in Korea.
* Pets are allowed; however, a leash is required.

Gimje Horizon Festival (김제지평선축제)

16.0 Km 41022 2024-04-07

442 Byeokgolje-ro, Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-3172

Gimje Horizon Festival takes place in the heart of the Honam rice bowl and is the only place in Korea to see the far-distant horizon. The festival aims to show the importance of Korea’s farming culture, which is an important foundation of the nation, with the theme of the sky and land meeting at the horizon. Many dynamic and active programs are available for festival-goers to participate in before the golden horizon.

Arirang Literature Museum (조정래 아리랑문학관)

16.2 Km 17652 2024-04-07

24, Yongseong 1-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-3934

Located in Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, Arirang Literature Museum (Jo Jung-rae Arirang Literature Museum) was opened in May, 2003. The museum displays materials related to Jo Jung-rae’s novel "Arirang," a work praised to have x_heightened Korea's literature standards in aspects of cultural, literary, and popular value. "Arirang" takes place during the time of Japanese colonization, vividly describing the pain and common racial values which people shared as a whole amidst the suffering and efforts that were made to bring Korea's independence a step closer.

National Institute of Ecology - Seocheon (국립생태원(서천))

16.7 Km 15479 2020-05-18

1210, Geumgang-ro, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-950-5300

National Institute of Ecology is a research, exhibition, and educational center housing various animals and plants from world five climates and regions including the tropics, desert climate, the Mediterranean, temperate climate, and the polar region. Fauna and flora from the Korean Peninsula's ecosystem can also be seen here. The Institute’s Ecorium showcases living ecosystem exhibitions, housing 1,900 plants and 280 animals in an area of 21,000㎡ to help people understand the relations between climate and ecology. The outdoor exhibition area is divided into 5 sections, from Korea’s representative wetland ecological system to various international plants, rare plants grown on the high mountain, Korean representative deer species' habitat space, pond ecology and others. In addition, it offers vivid ecological education through the nearby ecological region and has varied exhibitions and researching facility as well as firsthand programs and events.

Gimje Munsusa Temple (문수사(김제))

16.9 Km 9349 2024-04-07

158, Hwangsan 5-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-547-0972

Munsusa Temple, located in Hwangsan-dong, Gimje, is a branch temple of Geumsansa Temple. The temple is located in the heart of nature atop Bonghwangsan Mountain (alt. 100 meters), which is surrounded by the seemingly endless Mangyeong Plains. The temple was built by the great monk Hyedeok Seonsa in the 25th year of King Mu of Baekje after he was visited in his dreams by Munsu Bosal (a Buddhist Saint). The temple was named ‘Munsu’ after ‘Munsugol,’ the original name of the neighborhood in which the temple is located.

In front of the temple stands an ancient zelkova tree whose giant girth measures well over 5 meters. The tree, which is called gwimok (meaning holy, miraculous tree), was recently designated a specially protected tree and is now the focus of preservation efforts. Every January 14th (according to the lunar calendar), local lovernment of Gimje holds a sacred ritual for the tree while the temple holds a ritual to honor the mountain spirit.

Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival (익산천만송이국화축제)

17.1 Km 28195 2024-04-06

322 , Hana-ro, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
• 1330 Travel Hotline: +82-2-1330 (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) • For more info: +82-63-859-4977, 4334

The annual Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival is held every year from late October to early November. The festival features an outdoor chrysanthemum exhibit, city agricultural hall, cultural performances, music fountain and much more as well as food.

Dongboseong (동보성)

17.3 Km 4757 2024-04-07

437, Hana-ro, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do

Dongboseong is an authentic Chinese restaurant serving dishes prepared by a number of chefs from China. It has separate rooms and large banquet rooms for group dining.

Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs (익산 입점리 고분)

17.9 Km 7115 2024-04-07

80, Ipjeomgobun-gil, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-859-5875

The Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs are a group of ancient Baekje-era tumuli located 100 meters above sea level on the northeast brow of Chilmokjae Hill in Ipjeom-ri, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. The burial ground covers an area of more than 18,520 square meters and is officially listed as Historical Site No. 347. To date, a total of eight tumuli have been excavated, all of which are chamber tombs.

Surprisingly enough, the tombs were first discovered in 1986 by a high school student. While digging for arrowroot, a young man from a local high school found some pieces of gold that resembled a hat. He quickly notified the authorities and it was soon discovered that the pieces of gold were in fact valuable ancient artifacts. An emergency excavation was conducted and the eight tumuli were uncovered, but unfortunately all of the tumuli except Tomb No. 1 had been severely damaged. Tomb No. 1, which is still in relatively good condition, boasts an entrance measuring an impressive 16 meters in x_height and 2 meters in x_width.

Inside the tombs archaeologists found valuable relics from the Baekje dynasty including earthenware, jewelry (a gilt-bronze hat, gold earrings, glass beads, etc.), harnesses and ironware. Given the shapes and the types of the pieces found, historians estimate that the tumuli were built in the 5th century. Since the gilt-bronze hat is similar in shape to those found in Japan, experts believe that there was an active exchange between the Baekje people and the people of Japan.

Seocheon Dalgogae Mosi Village (서천 달고개모시마을)

19.2 Km 20691 2021-03-10

5, Hwahan-ro 504beon-gil, Seocheon-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-950-6380

In Seocheon Dalgogae Mosi Village, the long-standing tradition of Hansan mosi (ramie fabric) is passed down and preserved in the hands of the village women. Hansan mosi is also called fine ramie because of the time-consuming and labor-intensive process involved. The village offers a variety of mosi-themed experience programs for visitors with the help of experienced village artisans. Programs include ramie plant harvesting and ramie fabric weaving. Visitors can also try some highly nutritious ramie rice cakes and tea.

Byeokgolje Museum of Agricultural Culture (벽골제 농경문화 박물관) - Area information - Korea travel information