Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Bungeoseom Island (붕어섬)

2022-12-26

2-54, Gangbyeon-ro, Hwacheon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-440-2557

Bungeoseom Island was created as a result of the construction of the Chuncheon Dam. The island was turned into a green recreational site with environmentally friendly facilities. Visitors can enjoy soccer, tennis, and walking trails, as well as an outdoor stage and drinking fountains. The island has also been used as a filming location for many dramas and movies. The stream around the island is filled with a variety of fish, making it a popular location for fishermen.

Okcheon Yongamsa Temple (용암사(옥천))

2022-12-27

400, Samcheong 2-gil, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-732-1400

Yongamsa Temple, located in the mid-slope of Jangyongsan Mountain, is a branch of Beopjusa Temple. It was built during the Silla period. Unlike the more common temple arrangements, the stone pagoda in Yongamsa is uniquely situated on a low peak in the north with a view on all sides. The East and West Three-story Stone Pagodas of Yongamsa Temple, a designated Treasure, can be found here, as well as Rock-caved Buddha, and Wooden Seated Amitabha Buddha in Daeseongjeon Hall.

Cheongju Heungdeoksa Temple Site (청주 흥덕사지)

2020-03-27

713, Jikji-daero, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-201-2022

A large number of relics were unearthed at this site due to a land development project in 1985. Work was halted and relics were excavated by the Cheongju University Museum. The time and size of Heungdeoksa Temple is unknown, but according to Jikji (Buljojikjisimcheyojeol, the world’s oldest existing book printed with movable metal type), the excavated books were printed using metal types at the temple in the third year of King Uwang’s reign (1377). The books were published 78 years earlier than Gutenberg’s invention.

In 1972, the Jikji was officially recognized as the world’s oldest book printed with movable metal type during the International Book Year. The Buljojikjisimcheyojeol is currently kept at the National Library of France.

Danyang Jeokseongbi Monument of Silla (단양 신라 적성비)

2021-05-14

Habang 3-gil, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-1146

The Danyang Jeokseongbi Monument of Silla was erected by King Jinheung, the 24th King of Silla Kingdom, as a public announcement board. It was found at Jeokseongsanseong Fortress in Danyang in 1978.

The stone stele is broken into three parts: the two lower pieces are inscribed with 280 letters, which spell out the names of people, locations and positions from the Silla Kingdom period, whereas, the top piece has 100 letters which are mostly destroyed. The discovery of the monument helped illuminate political development and statuses of the time.

Yoseonjeong Pavilion & Yoseonam Rock (요선정·요선암)

2022-12-28

13-39, Dowonunhak-ro, Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-370-2140

Yoseonjeong Pavilion is located in a valley with a clear stream water flowing below. Next to the pavilion is a large rock with the word Yoseonnam inscribed on it. During the Unified Silla period, there was a small hermitage where Yoseongjeong Pavilion stands today. The hermitage was frequented by monks Doyun and Jinghyo, who had founded Heungnyeongseonwon Temple on a foothill of Sajasan Mountain to teach the values and principles of Buddhism. Today, next to the pavilion is a small stone pagoda and a statue of seated Buddha.

Paju Historical Site Related to Yi I (파주이이유적)

2021-12-10

204, Jaunseowon-ro, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-958-1749

Paju Historical Site Related to Yi I is dedicated to a great scholar of the mid-Joseon dynasty. He was born to Lee Wonsu and Shin Saimdang in 1536. He passed Saengwonsi, a type of preliminary exam in 1564 (the 9th year of King Myeongjong), and another 9 exams so he was called Gudo Jangwongong. He served in key positions. He is thought to be one of the top two scholars along with Yi Hwang.
Jaunseowon Confucian Academy is home to the tablets of Yulgok Yi I and his family’s graveyard, located at the foot of Jaunsan Mountain. Jaunseowon Monument and Memorial Stone of Yi I Scholar are located here as well. Yulgok Memorial Hall displays his goods, and his biography. In February 2013, Jaunseowon Confucian Academy and the tombs of Yulgok Yi I and his mother Shin Saimdang were individually designated as Gyeonggi-do Cultural Assets, but the whole area as a whole is a designated National Historic Site under the name Historic Site related to Yi I.

Gimpo Hyanggyo Confucian School (김포향교)

2020-03-27

38, Bukbyeonjung-ro 25beon-gil, Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-984-8891

The Gimpo Hyanggyo Confucian School is where the tablets of the Five Sages (Confucius, Mencius, Xunzi, Weng zi, Zisi), the Wisemen of the Song dynasty, and the 18 wisemen of Korea are kept. The confucian temple had moved to Geolpo-dong in Gimpo before being relocated to its current site.

Beopgwangsa Temple - Pohang (법광사 (포항))

2020-03-25

290, Sangeup-gil, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-243-0178

Beopgwangsa Temple is located at the foot of Bihaksan Mountain in the city of Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. It was originally built during the reign of King Jinpyeong (579-631) of the Silla Kingdom by Great Monk Wonhyo upon the order of the king.

The temple used to be large measuring 525 kan (kan is a traditional measurement of distance between two columns, about 1.8 meters), but most of its buildings burned down in a fire in 1863. The current buildings were rebuilt in 1952. The site of the old temple is designated as Historical Site no. 493. Some of the remaining relics are a three-story pagoda, Bulsangyeonhwadaejwa (Buddha on a lotus stand), and a twin Ssanggwibu (turtle-shaped stone base of a monument).

Cheongnyongsa Temple Site (청룡사지)

2021-07-30

147, Cheongnyongsaji-gil, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-850-5980

In the late Goryeo era, King Taejo ordered to build a large temple at the foot of Cheonggyesan Mountain for Preceptor Bogak to retire to hermitage. Now, the temple site has become a ruin, with only the Stupa of State Preceptor Bogak, called Jeonghyewonyung, lion stone lantern, and stele for Jeonghyewonyung at the site. Cheongnyongsa Temple, recently built, is also situated in the vicinity of the area along with other Buddhist cultural assets.

Chungju Mireukdaewon Stone Temple Site (충주 미륵대원지)

2021-03-19

150, Mireungnisaji-gil, Chungju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-850-6724

Mireukdaewon Stone Temple Site, Historic Site No. 317, faces south in the basin of the Haneuljae Pass between Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do. It is said that Mauitaeja, the last prince of the Silla Kingdom, had a dream one night as he was traveling to Geumgangsan Mountain where the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva instructed him to erect a statue of Buddha. As a result, he built a temple to honor the goddess’ wish at the current site of Mireuk-ri. The temple name was discovered through excavation research in 1977 and 1978 by Cheongju University, while the temple grounds were more thoroughly investigated by a team of researchers from Ewha Woman's University in 1980.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information