Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

2020-03-26

447-1, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-362-1891

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was established as a result of Korea gaining religious freedom in the 23rd year of King Gojong’s reign (1886) and the subsequent increase of the Catholic population. In 1891, Myeongdong Cathedral's head priest Doucet laid down the foundation stone in Hap-dong. Coadjutor bishop Coste was in charge of design and construction and the building was eventually completed in 1892. The church was named after "Yakjeonhyeon," or a hill of medicinal herbs. This is because the place where the church is located was once a hilly area covered with medicinal herbs. Later on, Yakjeonhyeon was shortened to Yakhyeon and it became the name of the hilly area between Malli-dong and Seoul Station.

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was the first Western-style church ever built in Korea. It's Gothic architecture features a 12-meter-wide and 32-meter-long cruciform construction with low arched windows and a pointed-arch entrance gate.

Seoul Gwanmunsa Temple (관문사(서울))

2021-06-01

111, Baumoe-ro 7-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3460-5300

Located at the foot of Umyeonsan Mountain in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Gwanmunsa Temple had its ground-breaking ceremony in 1993 and construction was completed in October 1998.

The temple site has a total area of 22,148.76 ㎡ with seven ground levels and four basement levels. The temple was constructed with a mixture of modern and traditional Buddhist architectural designs. Inside the temple, cutting-edge facilities are used for various cultural events, conferences, and sacred ceremonies.

Neighbored by Cheonggyesan Mountain, Umyeonsan Mountain, and Yangjaecheon Stream, the temple is located near many natural spots visitors can enjoy. In particular, Umyeonsan Mountain (alt. 293 m), where Gwanmunsa Temple is located, gets its name for its shape resembling a cow lying down. Designated as a city park and managed by Seoul Metropolitan Government, Umyeonsan Mountain has several valleys with clear spring waters and a dense forest inhabited by diverse animals and plants.

Sejong-ro Park (세종로공원)

2022-08-31

jiha 189, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-9598

Sejong-ro Park is located next to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Inside the park, there are wooden benches and shaded areas where people can sit and relax. Also available are water fountains, a round outdoor stage, and various sculptures. The lunch crowd from the nearby office buildings often come to the park during weekdays. On the weekends, the park is also used as a venue for outdoor weddings.

Seoul's anthem and the poem "Bulnori" by Ju Yo-han are written on a memorial stone that can be found inside the park.

Dangjin Marine Tourism Organization (Sapgyo Hamsang Park) (당진해양관광공사 (함상공원))

2020-02-10

79, Sapgyocheon 3-gil, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-363-6960

Dangjin Marine Tourism Organization, also known as Sapgyo Hamsang Park, is a unique theme park where old battleships have been turned into experience and exhibition halls. The park is comprised of a themed exhibition hall focused on the navy and marines, the inside and outside of military ships, flights and other exciting facilities, including a 4D video room, game center, carnival plaza, and indoor entertainment facility to help children admire and become intimate with the Navy and Marines. Also, Hamsang Cafe provides another resting area to enjoy ones visit fully.

Seogwang Tea Garden (제주 서광다원)

2019-09-20

446, Sinhwayeoksa-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
+82-64-794-6600

Seogwang Tea Garden, located in Seogwipo-si, Jeju, is known as the most well managed and largest tea plantation in Korea. Here, the tea leaves receive just the right amount of sun for it to be made into the highest quality product. Occupying an area 528,928m², the green field is spread out across the slopes of Seogwangseo-ri, attracting many visitors to the site.

The fields didn't use to be this green though; the ground was rocky and the soil composition wasn't fertile enough for plants to survive. Seogwang Tea Garden's transformation from a barren land to a lush green plantation became a good example of successful agriculture in the mountain areas.

The garden was also where Kim Jeong-hui (pen name Chusa), one of the most celebrated practitioners of calligraphy in the Joseon dynasty, spent his life of exile growing tea plants.

Manggyeongam Hermitage (망경암)

2021-04-24

72, Taepyeong-ro 55beon-gil, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-753-3090

Manggyeongam’s name derives from the hermitage's view of Seoul, and is located in Bokjeong-dong of Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. Manggyeongam Hermitage is said to be the place where kings of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods prayed for peace for their subjects. In addition, Prince Pyeongwon, the 7th son of King Sejong, and Grand Prince Jean built an altar at Mangyeongam Hermitage and Chilseongdae Peak and pledged filial piety.

The hermitage is more widely known for its connection to the Chilseong faith, in which believers worship Chilseong (the Seven Stars). It is easily recognized by the written records inscribed into the rock wall. Located at the hermitage is the Rock-carved Seated Buddha, an original work of the hermitage that is also designated Gyeonggi-do’s Tangible Cultural Asset No. 102. The Buddha is embossed inside a deep hole in the rock. In the words inscribed near the statue, there is also a legend that says Lee Gu-seung carved Gwaneum Statue near Rock-carved Seated Buddha and built the hermitage in 1897.

Next to the hermitage is a pond called “Bokumul,” which means “blessed sugared water.” The neighborhood of Bojeong-dong takes its name from this pond. At the hermitage, Daeungjeon Hall (the main hall), Samseonggak Shrine (shrine for three spirits), and Mireukjeon Hall were all established fairly recently. The hermitage site also includes a huge Mireuk Daebul statue (Great State of Maitreya Buddha) and a five-story stone pagoda.

Eunhaeng Botanical Garden (은행식물원 (은행자연관찰원))

2020-08-19

72, Eunhaeng-ro, Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-729-4319

Eunhaeng Botanical Garden is operated by Seongnam-si. The garden was originally a discarded drainage area that was transformed into an ecological park with an arboretum. The garden is rich in greenery, with a diverse range of plants, wildflowers, and insects, making it an ideal place for students to see and learn about nature. The garden is also a beautiful recreation area for local residents.

* Facility area - 34,760㎡ (10,533 pyeong) / Visitor center area 202㎡ (61 pyeong)
* Plants: 89 species 2,317 plants, Shrub: 78 species 13,689 shrubs, Flowering plants: 209 species 94,329 plants
* Insects - Ladybug, butterfly with four feet, Monema flavescens, Riptortus clavatus, black-tipped leafhopper, Poecilocoris lewisi, etc.

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park (동대문역사문화공원)

2024-11-27

281 Eulji-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul

Dongdaemun History & Culture Park is a park established on the former site of the Dongdaemun Stadium. It serves as a thematic park showcasing the history and culture of Seoul, while also providing a space to experience modern design and culture. During the park's development in 2008, numerous artifacts from the Joseon dynasty, including The Two Floodgates, the Chiseong Castle, Military Training Agency, and over 1,000 relics from the Joseon era, were excavated. Alongside the park, there is the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) and the Relic area.

Gwangchi Recreational Forest (광치자연휴양림)

2021-03-25

265, Gwangchiryeong-ro 1794beon-gil, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-482-3115

Gwangchi Recreational Forest is located near Gwangchiryeong Pass (alt. 800 meters). The pass encompasses waterfalls and valleys in a dense forest. Gwangchi Tunnel connects the areas of Yanggu and Inje to the East Sea, making the forest a great addition to travel itineraries. The recreational area serves as a retreat for residents and helps to support the local economy through tourism.

Gachilbong Battlefield (가칠봉지구전투전적지)

2020-04-02

Haean-myeon, Yanggu-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-480-2675

The entire town of Haean-myeon is contained in Haean Basin. Also known as Punch Bowl, Haean Basin is surrounded by high peaks and one of these peaks is Gachilbong.

The nature of the terrain in the Gachilbong area made it difficult to conduct military operations during the Korean War. The North Korean military utilized these natural features to build a solid defense position and launch counterattacks, while the South Korean soldiers in the lowland were in a disadvantageous position. South Korean soldiers were under the command of 5th Division Commander Brigadier General Min Gi-sik and 24th Regiment Commander Colonel Yu Ui-jun. On the North Korean side, the 7th, 14th, and 32nd Regiments of the 27th Division and the 23rd Regiment of the 12th Division under the 2nd Corps fought back.

By sending a military deployment and conducting search operations, the South Korean military completed a reconnaissance of the area on August 30 and advanced to counterattack. On August 31, after defending their position for two days, the South Korean soldiers were able to break the North Korean resistance. Each unit secured a strongly fortified position to draw the North Korean soldiers out. Thereafter, South Korea launched an all-out attack and captured Hill 1241. However, North Korea attacked again and South Korea retreated. After several attacks and counterattacks, South Korea was able to take back Gachilbong and the surrounding areas. Although it resulted in heavy casualties on both sides, this battle ultimately gave South Korea possession of Haean Basin.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information