Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Songnisan National Park (Gyeongbuk Section) (속리산국립공원(경북))

2021-05-14

Hwabuk-myeon, Sangju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-43-542-5267

On Songnisan Mountain is a rock summit 1,054 meters above sea level called Munjangdae Peak. The peak is so broad that 50 adults can sit on it at the same time. Among the rocks there is Seokcheon Pond, which never dries up. The peak used to be called “Unjangdae” because the summit is always covered with clouds and mist. Legend says that King Sejo of Joseon dynasty supposedly recited a poem on the summit.

Munjangdae has a great view of Cheonhwangbong Peak, the highest peak of Songnisan Mountain. Visitors can also see Gwaneumbong, Chilseongbong, Sirubong, Tugubong, Munsubong, and Birobong peaks. In autumn, visitors can enjoy views of breathtaking fall foliage along the trail, which begins at Hwabuk-myeon, Sangju. There are also many cultural heritage sites including Janggakpokpo Falls, Seongbuksa Temple, Osongpokpo Falls and Gyeonhwonsanseong Fortress.

Seokcheongyegok Valley (석천계곡)

2022-09-19

Samgye-ri, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-679-6334

Waters from the Taebaek Mountains forged Seokcheongyegok Valley, located in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The valley is wide, shallow, and surrounded by thick pine forests. Broad, flat rocks are scattered throughout, and the valley is a great place for children to play. Next to the valley, visitors will also find Seokcheonjeong Pavilion, which was built in 1535. This pavilion, made of Bonghwa red pine trees called Chunyangmok, and mounted on stone, offers a great view of the nearby scenic mountain.

Cheongoksan National Recreational Forest (국립 청옥산자연휴양림)

2025-01-08

1552-163, Cheongok-ro, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-672-1051

Cheongoksan National Recreational Forest is located in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The forest is composed of 100-year-old white pine trees brimming with pine nuts, along with pines and larches. In the forest, you can see the trees standing tall amidst the majestic rock formations. If you walk along the mountain trail, you will come to a suspension bridge, and after crossing, you will enter a section of forest that has maintained an old, almost primeval, feeling.

In spring, beautiful wild flowers blossom throughout the forest, magnolias in particular, bloom within the valley. Cheongoksan National Recreational Forest features a variety of facilities such as a nearby water park, children’s playground, fitness center, campsite and an outdoor lecture field. The water in the water park is cold and very clean, using natural stream water. In nearby Baekcheongyegok Valley, you may also see Manchurian trout, which live in clean, fresh water streams. Hyeonbulsa Temple is also located in the valley.

Gunwi Buddha Triad Grotto (2nd Seokguram) (군위 아미타여래삼존 석굴)

2021-11-12

24, Namsan 4-gil, Gunwi-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-383-8032

At the Hantijae Peak of Palgongsan Mountain in Daegu, is the Gunwi Buddha Triad Grotto, referred to as "the 2nd Seokguram Grotto". This grotto, designated as a National Treasure, is a natural cave on a sheer cliff. There is the beautiful Amitabul Buddha, the Bodhisattva of Power and the Bodhisattva of Compassion. The cave is 4.25 meters wide and 4.3 meters long, and is located 20 meters above the ground. This grotto is the progenitor of the Gyeongju Seokgulam Grotto, preceding the construction of Seokguram grotto by 100 years. It has been designated as a world cultural heritage.

The square-shaped ceiling is highest in the middle of the chamber. The Amitabul Buddha sits in the center with the Bodhisattva of Power and the Bodhisattva of Compassion flanking its left and right sides. The main Buddha is very refined and graceful with short hair and a divine smile on its face, sitting with crossed legs in a full-lotus posture.

Gunwi-gun Palgongsan National Park (팔공산국립공원(군위군))

2025-04-08

Namsan-ri, Gunwi-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-880-8300

Palgongsan Mountain is located south of the Taebaek Mountain Range where the Nakdonggang and Geumhogang Rivers meet. The mountain stands high and stretches out like a folding screen. Near the top of the mountain, the granite protrudes in an odd shape creating a tall, grand geographical feature of the mountain. Furthermore, every valley is decorated with an exquisite rock face and lush forest adding to the mountain's reputation. Palgongsan Mountain was designated as a National Park in December 2023. The mountain has many ancient temples and historical sites such as the Gatbawi Stone Buddha, Wonhyosa Temple, Cheonseongsa Temple and Bulgulsa Temple.

Geumosan Provincial Park (금오산도립공원)

2021-08-10

San 33, Namtong-dong, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-480-4604

Geumosan Mountain (976 m) is part of the Sobaeksan Mountain Range, and was designated as a provincial park in 1970. Daehyepokpo (Myeonggeum) Falls can be accessed via cable car. Additional attractions within the park include Yaksaam Hermitage, Rock-carved Standing Bodhisattva, Haeunsa Temple, Doseongul Cave, and Chaemijeong Pavilion.

Gaesil Village (개실마을)

2021-04-09

29, Gaesil 1-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-956-4022

Gaesil Village has preserved the traditional living-style of the past with mud walls along the streets, community well, hanok and more. Convenient facilities such as a water and sewage system, senior citizen center, and the village hall as well as internet café and walking trail make living in the village more pleasant. The village fields grow all sorts of produce such as mushrooms, chives, cucumbers, and more. Visitors to the village can experience traditional culture as well as food and activities through one of the many cultural programs offered throughout the village.

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.

Jikjisa Temple (직지사)

2021-06-14

95, Jikjisa-gil, Gimcheon-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-429-1700

Jikjisa Temple, located at the foot of Hwangaksan Mountain in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was constructed in 418, during the second year of Silla Kingdom King Nulji's reign. This temple is in perfect harmony with the nearby valley and pine forest. The foliage in fall is particularly breathtaking. The temple grounds include Birojeon Hall (also known as Cheonbuljeon Hall), in which approximately 1,000 Buddha statues are enshrined, along with a thousand-year-old arrowroot. The templegrounds also include Iljumun Gate, Daeungjeon Hall, and a 1.63 meter-tall Seated Stone Buddhist Statue (Treasure No. 319) from the Unified Silla Period.

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