Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Naebyeonsan Mountain (내변산)

2024-04-07

232, Naebyeonsan-ro, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-584-7808

The Byeonsanbando Peninsula has a shoreline that stretches 99 kilometers, protruding into the west sea in Jeollabuk-do, with the Saemangeum, the world’s longest man-made sea barrier, to the north and Gomsoman Bay at its south shore. The peninsula is part of Byeonsanbando National Park, which is widely known for its natural beauty. Its interior mountain range is known as Naebyeonsan Mountain (Inner Byeonsan Mountain.) while the outer region near the sea is known as Oebyeonsan Mountain (Outer Byeonsan Mountain).

The center of Mountain Naebyeonsan includes the highest peak of Byeonsanbando peninsula, Uisangbong Peak (509 meters) and Nakjodae (Sunset Viewpoint), Wolmyeongam Hermitage, Bongnaegugok Valley as well as Jiksopokpo Waterfall. The surrounding mountains and valleys of Byeonsan Mountain are not particularly high, standing at an altitude of around 400-500 meters, but the magnificent formation of mountains and valleys as well as the breathtaking view of the sunset from Nakjodae make it a must-see sight.

Geumsan Boseoksa Temple (보석사 (금산))

2021-11-29

30, Boseoksa 1-gil, Geumsan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-753-1523

Located on the southeastern slope of Jinaksan Mountain (732 meters), about six kilometers away from Geumsan-eup, Boseoksa Temple was founded by the great Buddhist monk Jogu Daesa in 866 (12th year of King Heongang) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s name Boseoksa (boseok meaning jewelry) comes from the statue of Buddha in the temple that was cast from gold found in the mountain facing the temple.

The temple is comprised of Daeungjeon Hall, Euiseongak Shrine and Sansingak Shrine. Close to the temple grounds are 12 stunning waterfalls. Visitors can also see a 1,100 year-old ginkgo tree or take a pleasant stroll along a 300-meter long fir tree road.

Ganghwa Seoksumun Gate (강화 석수문)

2020-02-06

Gukhwa-ri, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-4571

Seoksumun is a floodgate on the Dongnakcheon Stream, which flows through the town of Ganghwa-eup. The floodgate was built in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong’s reign during the Joseon Period) and it is connected to the inner walls of the Ganghwasanseong Fortress. It is an arched structure with a design of three rainbows coming together. Made of granite, the floodgate measures 18.2 meters in length and 2.7 meters in x_height, while the arches are 1.7 meters tall, and 3 meters wide.

Ganghwa Deokjinjin Fortress (강화 덕진진)

2020-03-16

34, Deokjin-ro, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-7074

Deokjinjin was the key strategic point of the outer castle wall used for defending the Ganghwa Straits during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392). It was originally a military camp commanded by an official with the rank of Cheomsa under the command of the Korean naval base. In 1677, an official with the rank of Manho was assigned to this camp along with 26 military officials, 100 soldiers, 2 battle ships, and other military equipment. In 1679, the Namjangpodae and Deokjinpodae batteries were stationed here.

Deokjinjin Camp was the scene of fierce battles that took place during Byeonginyangyo (the French invasion in 1866) and Shinmiyangyo (the American invasion in 1871). The battlements and gatehouse of Deokjinjin that had all been destroyed during Sinmiyangyo were restored in 1977. At the Namjangpodae Battery, cannons used by the Joseon military have been reproduced and installed for display.

Inwangsa Temple (인왕사 (서울))

2020-04-02

16-1, Tongil-ro 18ga-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-737-4434

Inwangsa Temple refers to the entire cluster of small Buddhist temples located on Inwangsan Mountain (alt. 338m) in the heart of Seoul. The eastern foot of the mountain has many scenic spots with its distinctively cozy and tasteful atmosphere, and the northern area called Mugye-dong also offers beautiful scenery. Inwangsa Temple was established in the early Joseon period (1392-1910) to guard the national palace Gyeongbokbung. The temple is comprised of 11 shrines from five different Buddhist orders. The unique design of each shrine adds pleasure to hikers on their way up to Seonbawi, an unusual rock formation that is a site of many folk beliefs and shamanist rites.

Seoul Daehan Hospital (서울 대한의원)

2021-12-23

101, Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1842

Daehanuiwon (Daehan Medical Center) is an antique two-story brick building within the grounds of Seoul National University Hospital. It was established under the direct administration of the Uijeongbu (State Council), combining the Gwangjewon (under the Home Ministry), Gyeongseong Medical School and the Korean Red Cross Hospital (under the Royal Household). Built in the Madubong Hill area, this location where Hamchunwon, the outer garden of Changgyeonggung Palace, once stood in 1484 (15th year of King Seongjong), was also once the site of Gyeongmogung Palace, where King Jeongjo enshrined the mortuary tablet of his birth father Crown Prince Sado Seja in 1776 (the year King Jeongjo ascended to the throne).

These places that held importance for the royal family were destroyed as the Japanese built Gyeongseong Empire University in its place. In 1907, with the announcement of the plan to establish Daehan Medical Center, construction began on the main building, seven wards and affiliated buildings. Construction was completed in November 1908.

The Daehan Medical Center opened in Gwangjewon, but upon Japanese colonization in 1910, its name was changed to the Japanese Viceroyalty Hospital. In 1926, it was included as a part of Gyeongseongjeguk University to become a university hospital. Since the liberation of Korea in 1945, it has been a hospital affiliated with Seoul National University.

Hwangudan Altar (환구단)

2020-05-07

112, Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5842

Hwangudan Altar, also called Hwandan Altar, refers to an altar complex for the rite of heaven. The rites were first performed in the Goryeo dynasty by King Seongjong in the first month of 983 (2nd year of his reign), but was repeatedly adopted and abolished, and eventually stopped at the start of the Joseon dynasty.

Then in 1456 (2nd year of King Sejo), the practice was temporarily standardized and the rites were performed at Hwangudan Altar again in 1457. However, rites were again abolished in 1464 (10th year of King Sejo). It wasn’t until 1897 (34th year of King Gojong) when the Joseon dynasty was renamed as the Korean Empire and King Gojong ascended to emperor, that the rite was revived.

Now, Hwangungu Shrine and three stone drums stand at the location of the former altar complex. The three stone drums symbolize the instruments used for the rites. The shrine was completed in 1899, two years after the altar was started in 1897. Today, the Hwangungu Shrine still stands within the hotel grounds of the Westin Chosun Hotel.

Gwanghuimun Gate (광희문)

2021-02-24

344, Toegye-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900

Gwanghuimun Gate is said to have been originally constructed in 1396, the 5th year of King Taejo, at the southeast of the capital city. It was often referred to as Sugumun Gate (water channel gate) and was actually used as a Sigumun, literally meaning “corpse gate,” as funeral processions passed through this gate when exiting to the east.

During the Imjin War (1592-1598), the fortress gate was destroyed to such a degree that it made finding the original location close to impossible. Nevertheless, reconstruction efforts were started in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong) and the gate was restored together with the gate's watchtower. Gwanghuimun Gate remained intact even when the fortress walls were demolished to build tram tracks during the Japanese occupation, but it was later damaged during the Korean War and left neglected. In 1975, restoration work was carried out to relocate Gwanghuimun Gate to a site 15 meters south of its original location since it stood in the middle of the road.

Jecheon Baengnyeonsa Temple (백련사(제천))

2021-10-25

414, Myeongam-ro 5-gil, Jecheon-si, Chungcheongbuk-do
+83-43-653-4996

Baengnyeonsa Temple is located at the foothills of Gamaksan Mountain in Jecheon, Chungcheongbuk-do. The temple is currently composed of the main hall Daeungjeon, Samseonggak Shrine, Muyeomdang Hall, Boeungmun Gate, and residential houses. Daeungjeon Hall enshrines a wooden statue of a sitting Buddha, is an artifact from the Joseon period (1392-1910).

The history of the temple dates back to 662 (the second year of King Munmu’s reign during the Silla Kingdom), when a small shrine called Baengnyeonam Hermitage was built by the great monk Uisang on the east side of Baengyeonji Site. The temple has been reconstructed and restored numerous times throughout the course of several wars. The temple once encompassed many branch temples and shrines such as Mireuksa, Sinheungsa, Cheonsuam, Eunjeokam, and Cheongnyeonam, but only their foundation sites remain today.

Incheon Grand Park (인천대공원)

2025-01-10

236 Munemi-ro, Namdong-gu, Incheon
+82-32-466-7282

Incheon Grand Park is an urban nature park located in Jangsu-dong, Namdong-gu, Incheon. The park is surrounded by Gwanmosan Mountain and Sangasan Mountain. Spanning across 727 acres of land, Incheon Grand Park is the only large-scale natural green park in Incheon. The park provides a pleasant atmosphere for citizens to escape from the city life and enjoy the natural surroundings. Over 4 million people visit the park every year to take in the clean air and relax in nature.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information