Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Bogildo Island Seyeonjeong Pavilion (보길도 세연정)

2021-12-23

57, Buhwang-gil, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-550-5761

Yun Seon-do (1587~1671), a non-military civil administrator and poet in the mid Joseon dynasty, could hardly contain his anger after hearing the news that the king had surrendered during the Byeongjahoran War (Chinese invasion of Korea in 1636). Following the events, he decided to live in seclusion by moving to Jeju Island. However, on the way to Jeju, he came across Bogildo Island and he was so inspired by its beauty that he ended up settling down on Bogildo instead.

For the following 13 years, he composed great poems such as "Eobusasisa (Fisherman's Song for Four Seasons)." Some of the mountain peaks and rocks named by him still remain on the island.

Seyeonjeong Pavilion was built by Yun Seondo and this is the birthplace of his literary works. On clear days, he would come to the pavilion with his family and let singers sing his verses.

Bogildo Island embraces both the Eastern outlook on nature and Neo-Confucianism ideology. While going around the island, visitors will get some semblance of how Yun Seondo harmonized man and nature through the combination of the island's natural and the man-made features.

Wando Arboretum (완도수목원)

2025-01-13

156, Chopyeong 1-gil, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-550-1544

Wando Arboretum features the largest and oldest broadleaf evergreen colony in the nation, along with over 3,800 other flora on a grand plot of land. The arboretum is comprised of an exhibition hall, greenhouses, walking paths, an observatory, campground, basketball court, and more.

Created in 1991, Wando Arboretum is the only warm temperate arboretum in Korea where only 15% of the landscape is considered a warm temperate region. The broadleaf evergreen tree forest has high medicinal value, and is home to many species of rare warm temperate plants such as goodyera, calanthe striata, and cephalanthera falcata. There are 30 special gardens based on different plant types. From the observatory, visitors can enjoy the view of Dadohaehaesang National Park and the southern sea. The observatory offers an opportunity to educate visitors on nature and the environment and allows them to take a rest during their visit.

Sunheunghyanggyo Confucian School (순흥향교)

2020-05-06

15-36, Cheonggu-gil, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-639-6581

Originally built in Geumseong to the north of Sunheungbu administrative district in Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Sunheunghyanggyo Confucian School moved to Wiya-dong to the east of the district in 1718 and moved once again in 1750 to its current location. Facing southward, this ancient Confucian school is located at the foot of a mountain with river flowing in the foreground. It can be reached by crossing the Jukgye Jaewolgyo Bridge from Geumseongdan Altar and taking the path on the left before turning left at Cheongdari Village Hall to walk a little further up the road. Currently housed within unheunghyanggyo are valuable materials related to Confucian schools.

Yeongju Birosa Temple (비로사 (영주))

2021-06-11

661-29, Samga-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-5033

Birosa Temple is located at the southern foot of Birobong, the highest peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. It was founded by revered Buddhist monk Uisang Daesa in the 20th year of King Munmu’s reign (AD 680) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s Buddha statues and the flagpole supports reveal the long history of this ancient temple.

To the left of the entrance to Birosa Temple stand a pair of flagpole supports. The 4.8-meter-high flagpole supports facing each other have a meticulous structure. Inside the temple precincts is Jingongdaesa Bobeoptapbi, a stele with a stone turtle base erected in honor of the great monk Jingong Daesa.

The temple enshrines the Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha statues, which were created during the Silla Kingdom in the late 9th century. Both of these Buddha statues realistically depict the human form, and show similar characteristics, which reveal that they were crafted by the same artisan. Preserving such valuable cultural heritages, Birosa Temple also has a serene view of Birobong Peak on Sobaeksan Mountain.

* Major cultural properties: Stone Seated Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha Statues (Treasure No. 996), Samgadong Stone Flagpole Supports (Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 7)

Jukgyegugok Valley (죽계구곡)

2017-12-22

Jukgye-ro 315beon-gil, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Jukgyegugok Valley is the valley stretching from Baejeom-ri to Choamsa Temple. Joseon-era Confucian scholar Toegye Yi Hwang (1501-1570) was inspired by the scenery of the valley and the enchanting sound of the flowing water, so he came up with names for each of the nine sections of the valley and collectively called them Jukgyegugok (nine bamboo valleys). The valley presents a splendid sight indeed with crystal clear waters, lush forest, and white rocks. In summer, vacationers from around the country flock to Jukgyegugok Valley to cool off from the sweltering heat by dipping their feet in the refreshing waters of the valley. Famous tourist attractions near the valley include Sosuseowon Confucian Academy, Buseoksa Temple, and Eupnaeri Mural Tomb.

* Choamsa Temple
On the path that ascends from Jukgyegugok Valley, there is a small temple located at the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain. The great monk Uisang Daesa of the Silla Kingdom reached this place during his search for an ideal site to build a Buddhist temple invoking national security. He set up a small thatched hut for a temporary stay until he found the most propitious spot, on which he built Buseoksa Temple. In the site where his thatched hut once stood, he built another temple and named it Choamsa Temple. The original structure was destroyed by fire during the Korean War (1950-1953). The temple has been restored to its present state by the Buddhist monk Lee Bo-won after years of arduous efforts.

Mubongsa Temple (무봉사)

2021-06-15

16-11, Yeongnamnu 1-gil, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-354-3296

Mubongsa, meaning “a sacred place where phoenix used to dance,” is a small Buddhist temple. It is conveniently located near one of the Miryang’s top attractions, Yeongnamnu Pavilion. Perched high on the cliffs above the upper reaches of the river is Aranggak Pavilion. A flight of stairs from this pavilion lead to the famous Yeongnamnu Pavilion and Mubongsa Temple. Enshrining a stone seated Buddha statue designated as Treasure No. 493, the temple has long been a popular site among poets and painters for its picturesque landscape.

Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School (강화향교)

2020-06-29

58, Hyanggyo-gil, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-4571

First established in Ganghwa-eup during the 5th year of King Injong in the Goryeo dynasty (1127), Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School was moved to Ganghwa-gun and then restored at the foot of Buksan Mountain (formally Songaksan Mountain) in 1624 by Sim Yeol during the 2nd year of King Injo.

Ganghwahyanggyo Confucian School is regarded as an important cultural and historical site in Ganghwa-eup.

Yeongil Bay Hot Springs (영일만온천)

2020-03-18

21, Unje-ro 386beon-gil, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-285-0101

The construction of this huge hot spring complex started in Yeongil Bay in 1988 after it was found that Yeongil Bay has the highest geothermal heat in Korea while drilling for oil in 1974.

The water’s main ingredients contain healthy minerals such as calcium, natrium, fluorine, magnesium, chlorine, sulfuric acid, fluorine, zinc, germanium and radium. Yeongil Bay Hot Springs maintains its water with alkali bicarbonate at a pH of 9.43. The temperature of the water is somewhat low though at 35℃.

The hot springs help to recover from fatigue, to help beauty care, anti-aging, neuralgia, heart disease, and liver functions. The water here also has a very unique texture.

Jirisan Spa Land (지리산온천랜드)

2020-07-13

261, Jirisanoncheon-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-780-7800

Jirisan Spa Land is home to a large open-air hot spring facility that uses 100 percent natural germanium mineral waters containing no chemical additives. The natural germanium mineral water in the spa prevents various kinds of geriatric illnesses, speeds up metabolism and improves your body’s immune system. The water also helps blood circulation and digestion, and stabilizes your body temperature.

A bath themed with the 12 Asian zodiac animals, a Japanese cypress bath, a utopia-themed bade pool and a waterfall bath are located in the open-air spa area. Apart from the huge spa area, Jirisan Spa Land also has a hotel equipped with 60 high-end modern bedrooms and subsidiary facilities. Each guest room uses natural germanium mineral water.

Wando Tower (완도타워)

2021-09-04

330, Jangbogo-daero, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-550-6964

Wando Tower is an impressive 76 meters in x_height, and stands at the top of Dongmangsan Mountain in Wando. The area includes a plaza, walking path, resting area, and offers a fantastic view of the sunrise, sunset, and city at night.

The tower also overlooks several islands including Cheongsando Island, Bogildo Island, Nohwado Island, Sinjido Island and Gogeumdo Island. On clear days with high visibility, some islands like Jeju Island and Geomundo Island are also within sight. Located next to the tower is bongsudae (a fire signal beacon) and a walking path through Dongmangsan Mountain.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information