Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Gyeongju Bae-dong Samneung Royal Tombs (경주 배동 삼릉)

2020-04-06

Bae-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

Samneung meaning "three royal tombs," has strong ties to history. The three royal tombs house three kings of the Silla Kingdom: King Adala (8th King of the dynasty), King Sindeok (53rd) and King Gyeongmyeong (54th).

King Adala, who cared deeply for his people, went to war after his citizens were abducted by the invaders of Baekje. But when Baekje asked for a peace treaty, King Adala released the prisoners he took during the engagement. During his rulling, a kingdom in Japan sent an envoy to ask for friendly relations with Silla. King Adala’s tomb is 58m in circumference at the base, 5.4m in x_height and 18m in diameter.

When King Hyogong died without any heirs, the people of the kingdom crowned his son-in-law as their next king – King Sindeok. During his reign, King Sindeok devoted himself to protecting his kingdom from invasions by Gyeonhwon and Gungye. The royal tomb is 61m in circumference at the base, 5.8m in x_height and 18m in diameter. It was robbed twice, inviting investigations in 1953 and 1963. The investigations revealed the tomb to be a chamber made of stone.

King Gyeongmyeong, the son of King Sindeok, together with Wanggeon, the founder of the Goryeo dynasty, successfully defeated Gyeonhwon’s attack against Daeyaseong Fortress. During his reign, he attempted to establish diplomatic relations with the Hudang dynasty of China, but was unsuccessful. The tomb is 50m in circumference at the base, 4.5m in x_height and 16m in diameter.

Gunsan Geumgang Estuary Bank (금강하구둑(군산))

2024-04-07

120, Cheolsae-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-454-3353

Geumgang Estuary Bank was completed in 1990 as part of an agricultural development project for 6 cities and counties in Chungcheongnam-do and Jeollabuk-do. The Korea Agricultural and Rural Infrastructure Corporation invested approximately 100 billion won for the project and the construction lasted for 8 years. The estuary bank can hold up to 130 million tons of water. The 1,840-meter long bank serves a bridge that connects Chungcheongnam-do to Jeollabuk-do.

Aside from being the source of water for agricultural and industrial use in Jeollabuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do, the bank also provides flood control for the area around Geumgang River. It helps keep Gunsanhang Port operational by preventing soil and sand from accumulating at the mouth of the river. It also prevents the backwash of seawater from causing damage to farmlands. Geumgang Estuary Bank has an important role as a tourist destination by connecting Gunsan and Janghang.

Sinjindo Island (신진도)

2019-12-20

Sinjindo-ri, Geunheung-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-673-0006

Sinjindo Island is located at the end of Jeongjuk Peninsula in Sinjindo-ri, Geunheung-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do. The island has an area of 1.06 ㎢, and is 40 km away from Taean-gun and 1km away from Geunheung-myeon. People settled on the island after Manhocheon fortified the shore during the period of King Seongjong.

Gurye Yeongoksa Temple (연곡사 (구례))

2021-02-09

774, Piagol-ro, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-782-7412

Yeongoksa Temple is located in Naedong-ri, Gurye-gun and was constructed in 543 by Yeongi, a high Buddhist monk, who also helped create Hwaeomsa Temple. The temple was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and the Korean War. In spite of the damage, the temple has continued to house two national treasures and four treasures. Starting from March 1, 1981 with the original Beopdang Hall, the temple began to be rebuilt due to the efforts of the leading monk at the time, Chang Sungbu.

Acording to legend, Yeongi discovered a pond in the current sanctuary area when reading about the land's topography. While he was looking at the middle of the pond, one swallow flew from a whirlpool. After that, the pond began to dry up and the place was then used for the temple. As such, the name Yeongok refers to the phenomenon of "Yeon," a swallow, and "Gok," a valley. There is a memorial plaque for Go Gwang-sun, a patriotic leader who fought against Japanese power during the Japanese colonization period while taking shelter at Yeongoksa Temple

Myeongpum Otgol 1616 Cooperative Society (명품옻골 1616 협동조합)

2024-02-29

195-5 Otgol-ro, Dong-gu, Daegu
+82-53-983-1040

Myeongpum Otgol 1616 Cooperative Society is a village enterprise operating in the oldest Otgol Village in Daegu. Utilizing traditional hanok houses dating back 200 years, they offer hanokstay experiences, guided village tours, and various traditional Korean experiences such as Tea Confectionery Experience, Hanbok Experience, Village School Experience, Rice Cake Pounding Experience, Tuho (Arrow-throwing), Jegichagi, Biseokchigi. Visitors can also enjoy traditional beverages at the hanok café.

Inheung Village (인흥마을)

2020-04-14

16, Inheung 3-gil, Dalseong-gun, Daegu
+82-53-668-3162

The descendants of Mun Ik-jeom, who are known to have brought the Nampyeong Mun clan to prosperity, reportedly came to Daegu about 500 years ago. It was during the time of Mun Gyeong-ho (1812-1874), the 18th descendant of Mun Ik-jeom, that the clan became established in Inheung. Mun executed his plan to create a village for the clan by putting down roots in the old site of Inheungsa Temple, a large-scale temple in the Goryeo era.

Yonghojae, which is a place for offering ancestral memorial services, is the first building established at the village constructed before or after 1920. The first residential building was built around the late 1800s in the form of thatched cottage. During the course of a hundred years, the village developed into what it is today. Featuring about 70 or so tile-roofed homes, Inheung Village is only about 200 years old but it is a great example of traditional residential homes of the em>yangban upper class in the Yeongnam region. The harmony between the way the village is organized and the surrounding landscape is unique and rare.

Seolbong Park (설봉공원)

2025-01-13

128, Gyeongchung-daero 2709beon-gil, Icheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-634-6770

Nestled at the foot of Seolbongsan Mountain in Icheon, Seolbong Park is the venue for the Gyeonggi International Ceramic Biennale, Icheon Ceramic Festival, and Icheon Rice Cultural Festival. Outside of festival periods, the park also serves as a rest area for locals, with a wide lake in the center, walking paths, and gardens. Cerapia, a ceramic themed park located within Seolbong Park, offers hands-on programs for visitors to experience ceremics.

Baeksasilgyegok Valley (백사실계곡)

2020-08-31

115, Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1114

Baeksasilgyegok Valley in Seoul is a well preserved cultural and natural site, being home to Baekseokdongcheon, Historic Site No. 462, as well as a habitat to diverse animals, including salamanders, frogs, minnows, and crayfish. The preservation value of this area is especially high as the valley is home to a large colony of salamanders, which are indicator species of the clean water and a protected wildlife species of Seoul.

The valley gets its name from the site of a villa of Yi Hangbok. The path along the area’s thick forest and natural valleys provides an excellent getaway. Since the area is a habitat to several protected species, visitors are asked to refrain from dipping their feet in the valley’s waters while exploring the scenery. The entrance to the valley is located past the Sanmotungi Café.

Seated Rock-carved Buddha at Golgulam Temple (경주 골굴암 마애여래좌상)

2022-12-28

101-5, Girim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-744-1689

The Seated Rock-carved Buddha at Golgulam Temple consists of a Maebul (a Buddha carved in a cliff) at the very top of 12 Buddha images carved in natural rock caves located in a steep cliff of Girimsa Valley. A painting of the caving titled "Golgulseokgul" by Gyeomjae Jeongseon, a famous painter of the era, revealed that there was once a wooden room located in front of the Maebul, but today only a hint of the room remains on the rock. The head of the Buddha (Yukgye) is perched solid and high on the body with a clear profile of the face – sharp eyes, small lips and a long and narrow nose. In contrast to the three-dimensional face, the body is broader and flatter. The neck and upper chest sections have eroded over time. The folds in the clothing are nearly parallel, and the arm area has a v-pattern wrinkle, giving it a more realistic and three-dimensional quality. Around the head of the Buddha is a lotus-shaped halo, while the body is surrounded by a rhythmic flame-like halo. The Maebul is believed to have been created during the late Unified Silla Kingdom, as it shows similar craftsmanship to Seated Stone Vairocana Buddha (National Treasure), which was created in the year 876 and is located in Chukseosa Temple.

Gyeongju Gyochon Traditional Village (경주 교촌마을)

2025-05-21

39-2 Gyochon-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

At Gyeongju Gyochon Village, visitors can see the House of the Gyeongju Choi Clan (Important Folklore Material No. 27) and try some Gyeongju Gyodong Beopju Liquor (Important Intangible Cultural Asset No. 86-3). The village centers around the Gyeongju Choi Clan, a family known to have maintained their wealth for over 12 generations, producing many important people. Visitors can learn about the lifestyle and spending habits that enabled the family to do this. The village is also home to the site of Yoseokgung, the house of Silla Princess Yoseok. Nearby attractions include Gyerim Forest, Naemulwangneung Royal Tomb, and Gyeongjuhyanggyo Local Confucian School.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information