Sightseeing - Korea travel information

Gyeongju-si Special Tourist Zone (경주시 관광특구)

Gyeongju-si Special Tourist Zone (경주시 관광특구)

2025-03-25

614 Gyeonggam-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6084

Gyeongju was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla. The city is often referred to as a “museum without walls” because of the many cultural relics scattered throughout the city. Almost everything in this city, from the streets to the mountains, is rich in history. Gyeongju has roughly 300 sites that have been designated as a cultural heritage, with some of them being UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites.

The Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone includes the districts of Namsan, Wolseong, Daereungwon, Hwangryongsa, and Sanseong. This area has a total of 52 cultural assets registered on the World Heritage list. Many of the hills are actually royal tombs and fields of grass used to be sites of ancient temples.

The entire Namsan Mountain can almost be considered a cultural asset because of the many stone pagodas and Buddha statues that can be found here. The Bulguk district is home to many of Gyeongju’s most well-known attractions such as Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju Folk Village, Silla Arts and Science Museum, and Goereung.

In the Bomun district, there are plenty of recreation facilities surrounding Bomunho Lake. Other attractions in the area include Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, Gyeongju World, and Silla Millennium Park.

[Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone]
Areas included: Downtown area, Bomun Lake Resort, and Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
Area size: 32,650,000㎡
Tourist Attractions: Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Namsan Mountain, Bomunho Lake, Shilla Millennium Park, Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, etc.

Korean Traditional House Association (한국전통가옥협회)

Korean Traditional House Association (한국전통가옥협회)

2016-12-01

16-5, Goyangsicheong-ro, Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-907-2007

Korea Traditional House Association studies traditional houses which embrace the spirit of the ancestors and develop traditional cultural asset by creating miniatures of the houses. Through in-site survey and history of ancestors, the area is reproduced intact down to the structure, materials and architectural method used, creating a lively miniature village.

Chisanseowon Confucian Academy (치산서원)

Chisanseowon Confucian Academy (치산서원)

2020-02-05

7, Chisullyeong-gil, Dudong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
+82-52-204-0324

Relics of Park Jesang is also referred to as Chisanseowon Confucian Academy.

Park Jesang, a descendent of Park Hyeokgeose, was severly tortured and then burned to death after rescuing two hostages taken by Japan, who were the brothers of King Nulji.

The nearby temple and Mangbuseok have a folk tale regarding the story. His wife and two daughters died waiting for him and then his wife is said to have turned into Mangbuseok (faithful wife stone) in the eastern Chisullyeong Mountain in Manhwa-ri, Dudong-myeon. According to the legend, her spirit became a bird, and flew away to hide behind Euneulam (Bird Hidden Rock).

After Park Jesang's couragous act, King Nulji gave him a loyal officers position as well as the role of godmother to his wife for her model behavior of wifely duty. Chisanseowon Confucian Academy keeps their ancestral tablets to honor royalty.

Petroglyphs of Cheonjeon-ri, Ulju (울주 천전리 각석)

Petroglyphs of Cheonjeon-ri, Ulju (울주 천전리 각석)

2020-02-05

Cheonjeon-ri, Dudong-myeon, Ulju-gun, Ulsan
+82-52-277-0101

Petroglyphs refer to the paintings in which objects and symbols are carved, pecked, and colored on rocks, huge cliffs and cave walls.

Some of these rocky paintings are from as early as the late Paleolithic Era, but mostly they are seen from the New Stone Age, Neolithic Era and Bronze Age in which times these paintings were abundant.

The upper part of the rock shows various animals including deer pecked into the rock, and the lower part of the rock has writing and drawings of humans, and animals made by penciling.
As for the upper part, it is thought to have been made throughout the New Stone Age and Bronze Age to express their consciousness for abundance. In comparision, the painting of a cavalcade, a sailing boat, a dragon, a horse, and a deer and about 300 writings on the lower part of the rock were considered to be done by people during unified Silla, showing their belief of the area as a holy ground.

Village of the Nampyeong Mun Clan in Bon-ri (남평문씨본리세거지)

Village of the Nampyeong Mun Clan in Bon-ri (남평문씨본리세거지)

2021-03-16

16, Inheung 3-gil, Dalseong-gun, Daegu
+82-53-668-3162

The Village of the Nampyeong Mun Clan in Bon-ri was built on what used to be part of a temple, but was organized following a well-field system to make the area a residence for many generations. As of now, nine houses and two pavilions remain, as well as a low wall along the road.

The main building of the village is Subongjeongsa, located in the center of the area. It was used for meeting guests, as well as a gathering place for the family, and features beautiful gardens. Gwanggeodang Hall was an educational place for studies and refinement. Insumungo Storage Building preserves about 10,000 books and clan treasures. It started out as a small building but later was expanded, including an additional building constructed just to read books.

Namae Beach (Namae 1, 3-ri) (남애해변(남애1, 3리))

Namae Beach (Namae 1, 3-ri) (남애해변(남애1, 3리))

2021-07-16

Gwangjin-ri, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-670-2518

In addition to the beautiful Maeho Lagoon at its side, Namae-ri is home to three beaches. The northernmost Namae Beach is the largest among the three, with a sandy shore that is 2 kilometers long and 100 meters wide. The beach has great quality sand and shallow waters, with an average depth of only 1 to 2 meters. Also, a field of reeds is beautifully stretched out on both sides of the stream flowing from Maeho Lagoon. Near Maeho Lagoon is the breeding ground for egrets and grey herons in Pomae-ri, designated as Natural Monument No. 229.

The other two beaches in Namae-ri consist of Namae 1(il)-ri Beach, a charming small beach in the furthest south, and Namae 3(sam)-ri Beach, located near Naemae Port.

Namaehang Port (남애항)

Namaehang Port (남애항)

2025-01-14

138 , Maebawi-gil, Yangyang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-670-2398

The largest port in Yangyang area is also one of the Eight Sights of Yangyang, and along with Simgokhang Port of Gangneung and Chogokhang Port of Samcheok, said to be the three most beautiful ports in Gangwon-do. Indeed, its reputation can be seen in the picturesque view of the white and red lighthouse, breakwater, and the fishing boats docked at the port. Another point of interest at Namaehang Port is the Namaehang Skywalk Observatory. Located at the entrance to the breakwater, this observation point offers a breathtaking view of the Namaehang Port area and the East Sea. The island, where the skywalk is located, was called Yangyado Island during the Joseon period, and the site of this observation point used to have a beacon during the Joseon period. Namae Fishing Village Experience, a village that is fed by the Namaehang Port, offers fishing boat trips for visitors, along with hand fishing, rock crab catching, and stuffed squid making. Some of Namaehang Port’s major catches include squid, plaice, and flatfish. A line of restaurants specializing in raw fish slices allows visitors to enjoy the fresh catch right away.

Yeongdodaegyo Bridge (영도대교)

2023-04-22

46, Taejong-ro, Yeongdo-gu, Busan
+82-1670-8114

Yeongdodaegyo Bridge, connecting Nampo-dong and Yeongdo Island, was the first bridge to connect the mainland to one of the nearby islands in Busan. The bridge lifted to allow ships to pass between the south and north ports, and made a passage for ships anywhere from two to seven times in one day. When the bridge was first constructed, many people would gather to watch the strange spectacle of a bridge rising up to point to the sky. The bridge remains a famous landmark of Busan even to this day.

Twelve Tablet Pavilion of Hyeonpung Gwak Clan (현풍곽씨십이정려각)

2020-04-14

3, Jidong-gil, Dalseong-gun, Daegu
+82-53-668-3162

Designated as Daegu’s Cultural Property No. 29 on May 12, 1995, Twelve Tablet Pavilion of Hyeonpung Gwak Clan (Jongnyeo-gak of the Hyeonpung Lineage of the Kwak Clan) was built in the mid-Joseon period during King Yeongjo's rule. The pavilion houses 12 Jeongnyeo-gak tablets awarded to the members of the Gwak Clan from the time of King Seonjo in 1598 to the time of King Yeongjo.

It is an important and unique hertiage because the Gwak Clan attained their 12 Jeongnyeo-gak tablats all in one village, which is quite uncommon. During the Joseon dynasty, Jeongnyeo-gak tablets were awarded to honor loyal retainers, devoted sons, and exemplary husbands and wives.

Gooam Farmstay Village (구암팜스테이마을)

2024-03-15

8-1 Guam-gil, Dong-gu, Daegu
+82-53-984-5273

Known as "Gooam" due to its rock formations resembling turtle's shell, Gooam Farmstay Village offers various activities such as harvesting agricultural produce, traditional food making, traditional games, and craft experiences. Depending on the season, there are experiences like picking strawberries, digging potatoes, picking cherry tomatoes, gathering chestnuts, and harvesting persimmons. Visitors can also participate in making bean curd, rice cakes, kimchi, catching loaches, making kite, and experiencing hanji crafts.