Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Wibongsa Temple - Wanju (위봉사 (완주))

2024-04-07

53, Wibong-gil, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-243-7657

Wibongsa Temple is located past Mujigaemun Gate (Rainbow Gate) and Wibong Village and is a major temple in the Honam region that once oversaw 52 branch temples. Said to be built by Monk Seoam in 604 (the 5th year of King Mu of Baekje), the surviving buildings date back to the Joseon Era. Today, only Bogwangmyeongjeon Hall (Treasure No. 608), Yosa (Provincial Cultural Asset No. 698), and Samseonggak remain. The Baeguigwaneumbosal wall painting in particular is the pride of the temple.

Wibongpokpo Falls (위봉폭포)

2024-04-07

Daeheung-ri, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-290-3930

Located in the eastern section of Wibongsanseong Fortress, Wibongpokpo Falls is a two-tiered waterfall measuring 60 meters high. The strangely-shaped rocks and thick groves of trees that border the cascading falls make for such a magical scene that it comes as no surprise that the waterfall has long since been counted as one of the Eight Scenic Sights of Wansan. Attractions located nearby include a battlefield from the Imjin War (1592-1598), Songgwangsa Temple, Dongsang Reservoir, Daea Reservoir, and Hwasim Hot Springs.

Wanju Songgwangsa Temple (송광사(완주))

2024-04-07

255-16, Songgwangsuman-ro, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-243-8091

Songgwangsa Temple in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do has a unique history that spans a period of over a thousand years. For many years the temple lay incomplete until Monk Bojo Chejing began reconstruction in the 7th year of King Gyeongmun of Silla (AD 867). The temple was destroyed at one point in time, but Master Monk Jinul prayed that it be rebuilt. In accordance with his fervent hopes, in the 1600s the monk’s followers rebuilt a number of the temple’s halls and buildings, many of which can still be seen today. The temple is also remembered as the temple that King Injo helped rebuild with the hope that his two sons, who had been taken hostage by the Qing dynasty during the Byeongjahoran War (Chinese invasion of Korea in 1636), would be returned safely and that Buddha would heal the nation.

One of the Korea’s four major temples, Songgwangsa is home to Jijangbosal and Siwangsang statues (found in Jijangjeon Hall), a Seokgayeorae statue, and 500 Nahansang statues (found in Nahanjeon Hall). The temple is also home to eight Tangible Cultural Assets and four Treasured Cultural Assets: Daeungjeon Hall, the Samsebulsang statues, the bell-tower, and the Sacheonwangsang statue.

Beloved for its historical significance as well as its beauty, the temple draws throngs of worshipers throughout the year. In spring, many tourists flock to the area to explore the temple and walk through the nearby cherry blossom tunnels. A worthwhile attraction for visitors of all ages, the temple is particularly well-suited for those with mobility problems since it is located on ground level.

Gudam Village (구담마을)

2024-04-07

49, Cheondam 1-gil, Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-644-9051

Located at the beginning of the Seomjingang River, the steep banks in Gudam Village are covered in maehwa (plum blossoms) in white and red. While strolling along the 3-kilometer-long path of the riverside that connects Gudam Village to Cheondam Village, tourists will be impressed by the beautiful scene created by the plum and cherry blossoms. The village became more and more famous thanks to its cozy ambience created by the Seomjingang River, plum blossoms and Zelkova at the mouth of the village, attracting visitors to enjoy a walking trip. The village has also served as a filming location for movies, including the film "Spring in My Hometown (1998)."

Taekwondowon Observatory (태권도공원 전망대)

2024-04-07

1482, Museol-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-320-0114

Taekwondowon located in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, serves as a main center for the 60 million taekwondo practitioners in 182 countries worldwide. Covering an area of 2.31 million square meters, the park combines the traditional and modern style in their buildings.

Uniram Baniramgyegok Valley (운일암 반일암 계곡)

2025-01-10

1926, Dongsangjucheon-ro, Jucheon-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-430-8382

Uniram Baniramgyegok Valley (5 km long) falls between Myeongdeokbong Peak and Myeongdobong Peak in the northeastern region of Mount Unjangsan. The name Uniram refers to the steep walls of the valley where nothing but the sky, rocks, thick forests, and clouds can be seen. The valley is also befittingly named Baniram since it is so deep that it only receives direct sunlight for half the day. There are many strangely-shaped rocks like Jjokduri Rock, Cheollyeop Rock, and Daebul Rock scattered throughout the lush valley. At the peak of summer, the area is crowded with vacationers and is also popular for its autumn leaves.

Eunsusa Temple (은수사)

2024-04-07

406, Maisannam-ro, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-433-2502

The temple located upon Maisan Mountain was called Sangwonsa Temple during the early Joseon dynasty and was later known as Jeongmyeongam Hermitage. According to the Korean Language Society, the temple began to be called Eunsusa (meaning ‘Silver Water Temple’) after King Taejo (the founder of the Joseon dynasty) visited the temple and remarked that the water flowing nearby was as clean and smooth as pure silver.

The temple is home to the largest known Beopgo (Buddhist drum used for rituals), which was produced in 1982. A stone sculpture and a statue of Granny Samsin (a goddess that looks after babies’ births and keeps them healthy) also stand at the temple. However, the temple’s most treasured assets are its two Natural Monuments: Emerald Gaiety (a climbing vine, Natural Monument No. 380) and the Cheongsil Pear Tree (Natural Monument No. 386). Reverse icicles, though found all over the mountainsides, are most readily and abundantly found in the Eunsusa Temple area.

Jangansan County Park (장안산군립공원)

2024-04-07

Jangan-ri, Jangsu-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-350-2445

Situated in Jangsu-gun in Jeollabuk-do, Jangansan Mountain (alt. 1,237 m) was officially designated a county park in 1986. Deoksan Valley Stream, which originates in the southwestern part of Jangansan Mountain and flows into Yongnimcheon Stream, is famous for the Deoksanyongso Waterfall Basins and the 20 or so large rocks that dot its banks. The sprawling fields of reeds along the East Ridge are also a major draw, undulating like waves of gold in the crisp autumn wind. In particular, the east hiking path on Jangansan Mountain is lined with a wide field of silver grass making it popular among hikers.

Daea Arboretum (대아수목원)

2024-04-07

94-34, Daeasumok-ro, Dongsang-myeon, Wanju_Gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-280-4590

Daea Arboretum is located in Sancheon-ri, Wanju. Daea Arboretum has an extensive forest of 300,000 ornamental trees. The forest is equipped with spring water, an observatory, forest museum, and a forest classroom. The arboretum focuses on preserving the forest ecosystem, research and utilize domestic plants, and promote forest education to the public. Daea Arboretum has a total of 2,683 species of diverse plants.

Keumkuwon Sculpture Park (금구원야외조각미술관)

2024-04-07

31, Jogakgongwon-gil, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-584-6770

Keumkuwon Sculpture Park was founded in 1966 by Kim O-seong, and was the first park of its kind in Korea. The park was registered as Private Museum No. 277 by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2003. Many of the roughly 100 sculptures are realistic in style and are related to one another, creating a feeling of watching a play unfold before one's eyes. Main pieces include "Farmer’s Hands," "Thoughts about the Limited and the Unlimited," and "The Sky in the West." The sculptures are made of marble or granite and vary in size, with some measuring 450 centimeters.

Indigenous trees and bushes of the Byeonsanbando Peninsula can be found throughout the park, giving visitors a chance to enjoy both the sculptures and the backcountry charm. The park also features the Keumkuwon Astronomical Observatory, opened in 1991. Visitors can combine their trip to the park with a visit to nearby tourist sites like Gyeokpohang Harbor, Chaeseokgang Cliff, Suseongdang Shrine, and Jeokbyeokgang Cliff.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information