Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Tomb of Queen Seondeok (경주 선덕여왕릉)

2022-07-27

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

The Tomb of Queen Seondeok is a round tumulus with a circumference of 73 meters. Aside from the fact that it is circled by a protective two-layer rock, the tomb has no other unique features. As the oldest daughter of King Jinpyeong, Queen Seondeok became the first queen of the Silla Kingdom. During the 16th year of her reign, Bunhwangsa Temple and Cheomseongdae Observatory were built. She also ordered the construction of the famous nine-story wooden pagoda of Hwangyongsa Temple, a significant achievement of Buddhist architecture. While many of her efforts laid the foundation for the unification of Three Kingdoms of Korea, Queen Seondeok’s reign was plagued by rebellion and strife and she died in 647 during a rebellion, 23 years before unification was realized.

Gyeongju Tomb of King Muyeol, Stele of King Taejong Muyeol (경주 무열왕릉, 태종무열왕릉비)

2022-08-18

10-4, Neungnam-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8614

The Tomb of King Muyeol is the tomb of Kim Chun-chu, who acsended to the throne as King Muyeol (r. 654-661), the 29th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. The tomb is located at the southwestern foot of Seondosan Mountain in Gyeongju. As king, he sought to unify the three kingdoms by allying forces with China's Tang dynasty, but passed away before he could successfully accomplish his goal. His tomb is relatively large, reaching a x_height of 8.7 meters, and having a circumference of 114 meters. Originally made with large stones, the tomb has been covered in dirt and grass with the passing of time. To the east of the grave are the remains of his stele with an inscription that reads “Taejong Muyeol Daewangjibi (Tombstone of the Great King Muyeol)," indicating the owner of this grave.

Gyeongju Yangdong Village [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주 양동마을 [유네스코 세계유산])

2025-03-24

134 Yangdongmaeul-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-762-2630

Gyeongju Yangdong Village is Korea’s largest traditional village, showcasing the traditional culture of the Joseon dynasty and the beautiful natural surroundings. Thanks to its many cultural heritages, including treasures, national treasures, and folklore materials, the entire village has been designated as a cultural heritage site. Many people have visited this village to see its wealth of cultural heritages and scenic surroundings, including King Charles III, who visited this village in 1993.

Seolchangsan Mountain and its four spines of mountains can be seen beyond the village. Approximately 160 old houses and 500-year-old thatched-roof cottages are nestled within the valley. Fifty-four of these homes are over 200 years old and have been excellently preserved in their original state, offering the opportunity to view a variety of unique traditional Korean houses in person.

Gyeongsan Seonbonsa Temple (선본사(경산))

2021-12-02

699, Gatbawi-ro, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-53-851-1868

Seonbonsa Temple is a centrally administered temple of the Jogye Order. It was originally built in 491 by Geukdal, and later repaired in 1641. The temple is home to many important cultural treasures, including the Stone Seated Buddha at Gwanbong Peak (Treasure), Three-story Stone Pagoda (Gyeongsangbuk-do Cultural Heritage), and stone lanterns.

Palgongsan National Park (Gatbawi Section) (팔공산국립공원(갓바위지구))

2025-04-08

716-64 Gatbawi-ro 81-gil, Wachon-myeon, Gyeongsan-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Located east of Daegu downtown, Palgongsan Mountain (altitude 1,192.3 meters) was called both Jungaksan and Buaksan Mountain during the Silla period. The mountain has many ancient temples and historical sites such as the Gatbawi Stone Buddha, Wonhyosa Temple, Cheonseongsa Temple and Bulgulsa Temple.

Cheollipo Arboretum (천리포수목원)

2025-03-15

187, Cheollipo 1-gil, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-672-9982

Cheollipo Arboretum is located on the tip of the Taean peninsula, and was founded by Min Byung-gal (Carl Ferris Miller), the "blue-eyed Korean." Min purchased the land in 1962 and starting in 1970, many trees were planted in earnest. At that time, the park was only open to experts in related fields and members who helped fund the arboretum. In 2009, select sections of the arboretum were finally opened to the general public. The arboretum features more than 16,830 kinds of plants (as of October 2022), including holly, magnolia, camelia, and maple trees, as well as five varieties of Rose of Sharon, the national flower.

Cheollipo Beach (천리포해수욕장)

2021-10-01

265-3, Cheollipo 1-gil, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-670-2691

Cheollipo Beach is among the many beaches located within Taeanhaean National Park. It is located 2 kilometers north of Mallipo Beach, a well-known beach in Taean. Another 2 kilometers north is Baengnipo Beach. The beaches in the park are characterized by shallow waters that are 1~2 meters deep with a 1-kilometer beach shore. In particular, Cheollipo Beach is noted as an amazing sunset spot, making it a popular attraction regardless of swimming season.

Mallipo Beach (만리포해수욕장)

2024-03-15

138 Mallipo 2-gil, Sowon-myeon, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-670-2691

Mallipo Beach, located in Taean, is a C-shaped, flat sandy beach with shallow waters, making it ideal for swimming and various water sports during the summer. Adjacent to the beach, a pine forest provides a perfect spot for camping. Numerous nearby shops offer accommodations and fresh seafood. Additionally, the observatory offers spectacular views of the West Sea and its stunning sunsets.

Taeanhaean National Park (태안해안국립공원)

2022-09-06

9, Gwisil-gil, Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-672-9738

Taeanhaean National Park includes nearly 130 islands in the area around Taean-gun, designated as a Slow City. The park has a picturesque landscape with beautiful beaches, rock formations, mountain peaks and sea cliffs. The area (328.99 ㎢) was designated as a national park in October 1978, and at present, nearly 250 different species of plants grow within its boundaries.

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok (성덕대왕신종)

2020-04-04

186, Iljeong-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-740-7500

The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok, the largest Korean bell preserved, stands 3.75-meter tall, has a lip diameter of 2.27 meters, and is 11 to 25 entimeters wide. In 1997, Gyeongju National Museum weighed it at 18.9 tons. The bell was cast to pay tribute to the memory of King Seongdeok. It was completed in 771 and named ‘The Divine Bell of King Seongdeok.’ However, because the bell was installed at Bongdeoksa Temple, it has also been called the Bell of Bongdeoksa.

The bell is also known as the Emile Bell, a name derived from an ancient legend in which a child was sacrificed in order to give sound to the bell, whose echoes of ‘em-ee-leh’ resemble the traditional Korean word for "mommy."

The tubular sound pipe at the top of the bell that helps the sound reverberate is a unique feature that can be found only in Korean bells. The yongnyu, which serves as a loop to hang the bell, has been decorated to resemble a dragon’s head. A band of arabesque patterns can be found at the shoulder, and the striking point of the bell is in the shape of a lotus flower.

The magnificent design and inscription methods used in this bell exemplify the artisan's craftmanship of the Unified Silla period. The bell is also inscribed with over one thousand Chinese characters, and its beauty and integrity have been meticulously preserved despite the passage of over 1,300 years.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information