Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

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.

Muju Gucheong-dong Special Tourist Zone (무주구천동관광특구)

2024-04-07

Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-320-2114

At the heart of the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone is Muju Gucheondong Valley. The outer parts of Deogyusan National Park and the mountain’s natural recreation forest are also part of the special tourist zone.

The 30-kilometer-long Muju Gucheondong Valley is located to the north of Deogyusan National Park. The calm and soothing sound of the water flowing through a lush forest make this a great summer destination. The 33 scenic points of Gucheondong include Eunguam Rock, Haksodae Falls, Waryongdam Pond, Gucheon Waterfall and Yeonhwa Waterfall. In the summer, visitors can see the rare sight of fireflies in their natural habitat. The fall foliage in autumn and the winter snowscape are also quite exquisite.

Within the vicinity of Muju Gucheondong is Muju Resort. The resort complex is made up of a family hotel, resort condominium and various recreational facilities where visitors can enjoy skiing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Visitors can take the gondola from the resort all the way up to Deogyusan Mountain’s Seolcheonbong Peak (1,520 meters). From, there, they can easily reach the summit at Hyangjeokbong Peak (1,614 meters).

Taekwondowon, located near the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone, offers a hands-on Taekwondo experience program. Those who are interested in learning Taekwondo can take part in a 1-day program which includes a Taekwondo demonstration, a Taekwondo class (basic movements), and board breaking.

[Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone]
Areas Covered: Mupung-myeon (Samgoe-ri) and Seolcheon-myeon (Samgong-ri and Simgok-ri) in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Area size: 7,610,000 ㎡
Tourist Attractions: Deogyusan National Park, 33 Scenic Views of Muju, Gucheondong Valley, Muju Resort, forest park, Taekwondowon, Muju Hyanggyo (Confucian school), Baengnyeonsa Temple, Jeoksansanseong Fortress, etc.

Godaesan Mountain (고대산)

2021-07-20

Sinseo-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-839-2061

Godaesan Mountain (alt. 832 meters) is located next to Sintan-ri Station, which is the railroad disconnection point of the Gyeongwon Line. It is also on the way to Geumgangsan Mountain. Godaesan is ideal for mountain hiking because of its natural beauty and well-preserved ecosystem. Moreover, this is the only mountain in South Korea on which the North Korean territory can be seen.

There are several theories about the origin of the mountain's name. One is that the mountain had been referred to as "keungore" (big whale) in the past by local residents. Another is that the mountain looks like the banggorae (smoke duct) of a traditional Korean heating system when seen from the Sintan area; this is because the mountain's deep valleys resemble the furrows under that house that facilitate the passage of hot air to heat the room above. On a topographic map, the mountain was also marked as "Gotae" (like the constellations high above).

Godaesan also has a dense forest, making it a suitable source of timber and charcoal. Because of its abundant forest resources, a jumak (a tavern or inn that served food and liquor and provided lodging to travelers) village was formed here. The place was well-known for charcoal production prior to the Korean War.

On November 4, 1907, 150 soldiers from the Korean militia fought a fierce battle with the 8th Company of the Japanese Army's 20th Infantry Regiment in Yeoncheon. After the fight, the Korean militia were scattered throughout the jumak village. Later on, 60 of them engaged in a fierce battle again with the Japanese soldiers on Godaesan. This is a place imbued with the brave spirit of the Korean people.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information