Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Maisan Hwaeomgul Cave (마이산 화엄굴)

2025-01-10

367, Maisannam-ro, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-430-8751

Maisan Mountain has two major peaks made of sedimentary rocks; these peaks are said to be ‘couple peaks’ and cannot be found anywhere else. Sut Maibong (alt. 667 meters) is said to be the male peak while the slightly larger Am Maibong (alt. 673 meters) is deemed the female peak. In the early Joseon period the mountain was named ‘Sokgeumsan,’ but began to be called ‘Maisan’ after the 12th year of King Taejong, who commented that the two peaks resembled horse ears (‘maisan’ meaning ‘horse ears’). All along Maisan Mountain, visitors will find small crater-like rock cavities that are formed by prolonged weathering. These unique geological features, called ‘tafoni,’ are of great academic value.

Inside Hwaeomgul Cave, visitors can observe medicinal water that flows up from underground all throughout the year. It is widely believed that once you drink the water, especially on the days of the Spring and Autumn Equinox, you will soon have a son and be blessed by the mountain spirit. Even today, many women who have difficulty conceiving visit the mountain to pray to the mountain spirits for their heart’s desire—the gift of a child. The region in which Maisan is located is the birthplace of many talented people and national heroes, which some say is proof of the blessings of the mountain and its extremely powerful spirit.

Gimje Seongmoam Hermitage (성모암(김제))

2024-04-07

54-9, Hwapo3-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-544-0416

Seongmoam Hermitage, a temple of the Jogye Order, is located on Yuangsan Mountain in Mangyeong-myeon, Gimje-si. The temple is the final resting place of the mother of Jinmuk Daesa, a great Buddhist monk from the Jeonbuk region. Jinmuk believed that a person’s love and respect for Buddha is not that much different from the love and respect one has for his or her parents. As an expression of this philosophy, Jinmuk had his mother’s remains enshrined at the temple after she died at Mujasoncheonnyeonhyanghwajiji.

A neat little line of stone lamps leads visitors up from the parking lot to the temple grounds, revealing the well-attended grave of Jinmuk Daesa’s mother to the left. The temple is very unique in that it is the only one to house a caretaker’s office (Gosiraejoen Hall) that is responsible for maintaining the grave site.

It is said that prayers made to Seongmo (the holy mother) while visiting the temple will come true. Throughout the year, throngs of people journey to the temple to pay their respects and earnestly ask the holy mother to grant them their deepest desires.

Manghaesa Temple (망해사)

2024-04-07

94, Simpo 10-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-540-3324

Manghaesa Temple is located at the edge of the Gimje Plains before the sea. The temple stands at the summit of Jinbongsan Mountain. The temple was named for the view of the ocean and the fields of rice. The temple was established by the great monk Buseol Geosa during the 2nd year of King Uija of Baekje (AD 642). Years later, Dobeopsa (a Chinese monk from the Tang dynasty) renovated the temple. The temple was altered again during the reign of King Injo of the Joseon dynasty when the great monk Jinmuk Daesa built Nakseojeon Hall in 1589. Bogwangjeon Hall and Chilseonggak Pavilion were built much later in 1933. Manghaesa Temple is unique in that it is the only temple where the distant horizon is visible over both land and sea. Nearby attractions include a walking path through a field of reeds by Mangyeonggang River and views of the sunset over the sea.

Gwisinsa Temple - Gimje (귀신사 - 김제)

2024-04-07

40, Cheongdo 6-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-548-0917

Gwisinsa, located in Cheongdo Village, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, is now a temple of the Jogye Order, but once belonged to the Haweom Order. The temple is widely believed to have been established by the great monk Uisang Daesa during the 16th year of King Munmu (676). However, some experts site the existence of the Namgeunseok stone animal sculpture as proof that the temple was originally the private temple of King Beop of the Baekje Kingdom.

Throughout history, the temple has had many names—Guksinsa, Gwisinsa, Gusunsa, and Gwisinsa (same English spelling, different meaning)—but not much is known about when the temple was called by which name. On the temple grounds are a 3-story stone pagoda and some stone sculptures including seoksu (animal statues) and budo (a stupa in honor of a great master). Inside the temple are Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No.826), Myeongbujeon Hall, and Gongyangjib Chamber (a chamber for Buddhist offerings).

Byeokgolje Reservoir Site (김제 벽골제)

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.

Honbul Literary House (혼불문학관)

2024-04-07

52, Nobongan-gil, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-620-6788

"Honbul" is an epic novel written about three generations of women from the Namwon Lee clan living under the rule of the Japanese in the 1930s. The word "honbul" literally means "a torch of the soul" and refers to the indomitable spirits of the women that persevered through hard times. The novel was written by the late Choi Myeong-hee over a period of 17 years and remains a much celebrated novel.

Sangsin Village and Nobong Village in Namwon-si are the hometowns of the author and served as the background of the novel "Honbul." Located inside the village is a traditional Korean house that is an example of yangban (noble class) architecture and the Honbul Literary House, where visitors have an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the novel "Honbul." At the entrance of Nobong Village stands a pair of jangseungs (Korean traditional totem poles), welcoming visitors inside.

Jeongeupsa Culture Park (정읍사문화공원)

2024-04-07

Sigi-dong, Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-539-6776

Jeongeupsa Culture Park (located in Sigi 3-dong in downtown Jeongeup-si) was built in honor of ‘Jeongeupsa’ a famous Baekje Gayo (a type of poem from the Baekje dynasty). Jeongeupsa is the only poem of the five Baekje Gayos (Jeongeupsa, Mudeungsangok, Bangdeungsangok, Seonunsangok, and Jirisangok) recorded in Hangeul that remains in existence today.

The park, built on the location where the epic poem took place, boasts a 2.5-meter high granite statue of the heroine of Jeongeupsa. Nearby the statue are a shrine and a 2-meter wide monument commemorating the poem. Located in the vicinity are the Jeongeupsa Art Center, the Korean Classical Music Center, the city library, and an outdoor stage.

Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs (익산 입점리 고분)

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.

Gimje Munsusa Temple (문수사(김제))

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 Sungnimsa Temple (숭림사(익산))

2024-04-07

495-57, Baekje-ro, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-53-862-6394

Sungnimsa Temple is one of the major temples in Iksan under Geumsansa Temple and was believed by some to have been built by monk Jinpyo Yulsa during the reign of King Gyeongdeok (742-764) during the Silla period. Others believe that the temple was established during the first year of King Chungmok of the Goryeo dynasty in 1345. Sungnimsa Temple was named in honor of great monk Bodhi-Dharma, who practiced seated Zen meditation for nine years at Sorimsa Temple located deep inside Sungsan Mountain in China. The temple was burnt down during the Imjin War (1592-1598), leaving only Bogwangjeon Hall. Bits and pieces of the temple were later restored in 1697, 1819, and 1892.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information