Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Hongdo Island (홍도)

2024-03-08

9-8, Hongdo 1-gil, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-240-4051

Hongdo Island is a picturesque island located about a 2-hour and 30-minute ferry ride from Mokpo Harbor. The island earned its name due to its striking red appearance during sunset. It boasts stunning rock formations, coastal cliffs, and clear blue seas, creating a beautiful natural landscape. Designated as a protected area with rare plants and animals, it is recognized as a natural monument. One of the best ways to experience Hongdo Island is by taking a sightseeing boat tour to explore its surrounding 33 rocky islets and cliffs.

Heuksando Island (흑산도)

2020-03-27

11, Jinmaeul-gil, Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-275-9300

Heuksando Island is located at the southern end of Korea about 92.7 km away from Mokpo. It is composed of 11 uninhabited islands and 89 inhabited islands. Because of its natural beauty, it has been designated as part of Dadohae National Marine Park along with the nearby islands.

Heuksando Island has a circular road that can take you all the way around the island along the seashore. Following this road, you can see almost all of the beautiful natural and cultural treasures of the island. The Choryeongmok Tree, once designated as Natural Monument, is said to have the ability to conjur up spirits when its branch is broken and placed on a Buddhist altar. Nearby are Sangroksurim and Seonghwangdang. Also on Heuksando Island are designated Cultural Treasures such as the Jiseokmyogun, Samcheungseokdeung, Samcheungseoktap, and Banwolseong. Heuksan Mountain on the island has eight especially beautiful sceneries, which are called Heuksan Mountain Eight Sceneries. Among them, Munamchangsong, Songjeonmangwol, and Myeongsasipri are especially famous. Munamchangsong refers to evergreen trees covering the sky of Munamsan Mountain, and Songjeonmangwol refers to watching the moon in front of an evergreen at harvest full moon. Myeongsasipri refers to a large white sandy beach spread out in front of Jinri Village. The Eight Sceneries of Heuksan Mountain are must-see places for those who visit the island of Heuksando.

Gapsa Temple (갑사)

2021-12-17

567-3, Gapsa-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-857-8981

Gapsa Temple is located in the forested foothills of Gyeryongsan Mountain, 19 kilometers from Gongju and a three-hour walk from Donghaksa Temple. The temple is most beautiful during fall when surrounded by crimson foliage. Gapsa Temple was established by monk Adohwasang in 420, during the early Baekje Period. The temple's beauty allowed it to escape destruction many times, but it was ultimately burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The current structures were built in 1604. Nearby attractions include Yongmunpokpo Falls, Sujeongbong Peak, and Cheonjinbotab Pagoda.

Gyeryongsan National Park (계룡산국립공원)

2021-09-06

327-6, Donghaksa 1-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-42-825-3002

Gyeryongsan National Park stretches across the cities of Daejeon, Gongju, and Nonsan in Chungcheongnam-do and was made a national park on December 31, 1968. The name of the mountain comes from the fact that the ridgeline looks like a dragon wearing a chicken's crest on its head. The topographical features are what make this mountain stand out and its mysterious folklore is what makes it so interesting. The park features many peaks, including the main peak Cheonhwangbong (alt. 845.1 m), as well as Sambulbong, Yeoncheonbong, and Gwaneumbong Peaks. This mountain is famous for its many interesting sites, with its fantastic rock structures and Yongmunpokpo Falls on the west, Eunseonpokpo Falls to the east, and Amyongchu and Sutyongchupokpo Falls in the south.

In spring, cherry blossoms bloom along the path to Donghaksa Temple, and during summer the lush green of the valley is very beautiful. During fall, the maple trees reveal their crimson colored leaves around Gapsa Temple and Yongmunpokpo Falls. The snowcapped peak of Sambulbong in winter is simply breathtaking. Gyeryongsan is full of rare animals and plants, beautiful waterfalls and a rich history with mysterious legends and cultural treasures. To the east is Donghaksa Temple; northwest, Gapsa Temple; southwest, Sinwonsa Temple; and southeast, Yonghwasa Temple.

Gongju Gongsanseong Fortress [UNESCO World Heritage] (공주 공산성 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

2024-03-15

280 Ungjin-ro, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-856-7700

Gongsanseong Fortress is a fortification situated at the heart of Gongju, which served as the capital of the ancient Baekje kingdom (18 BCE - 660 CE) from 475 to 538. Even after Baekje's fall, subsequent dynasties such as Silla (57 BCE - 935 CE), Goryeo (918-1392), and Joseon (1392-1897) continued to use Gongju as a regional administrative center. As a result, numerous historical sites have accumulated in the area over time. From the fortress, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Gongju’s city center and the Geumgang River.

Eight Scenic Views of Danyang (단양 팔경)

2020-08-19

Danseong-myeon, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-1146

The Eight Scenic Views of Danyang are known as the most beautiful places in Danyang, and include Dodamsambong Peaks and Seongmun Natural Arch by the Namhangang River, Gudambong Peak and Oksunbong Peak offering outstanding views of Chungjuho Lake, Sangseonam Rock, Jungseonam Rock, and Haseonam Rock in Seonamgyegok Valley, and Sainam Rock in Unseongugok Valley. Theses areas were visited many times by numerous scholars during the Joseon dynasty and contain many historically and culturally important relics.

Boeun Beopjusa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (보은 법주사 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

2021-10-23

405, Beopjusa-ro, Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-543-3615

Built in 553 during the 14th year of Silla King Jinheung's reign, Beopjusa Temple is located on Songnisan Mountain. However, many of the original buildings were destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598), with the current structures having been rebuilt in 1624. The temple features many beautiful and important Buddhist relics and artworks, centered around the main hall, Daeungbojeon Hall.

Onyang Hot Springs (온양온천지구)

2024-03-28

1459 Oncheon-daero, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-540-1234

Onyang Hot Springs is the oldest hot springs complex in Korea, a place where the kings of Joseon (1392-1897) recuperated and bathed, thanks to its proximity to Seoul. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was a popular honeymoon destination. The water here has a temperature of about 44-60℃ and contains substances that are beneficial for the human body. The area boasts a large number of hotels and water parks.

Gosudonggul Cave (단양 고수동굴)

2024-10-08

8 Gosudonggul-gil, Danyang-eup, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do
+82-43-422-3072

Gosudonggul Cave, a natural limestone marvel, is recognized as a Natural Monument of Korea. Spanning nearly 1,700 meters in length, this ancient cave has been shaped over 500 million years. Inside, visitors can marvel at an array of spectacular formations including stalactites, stalagmites, underground lakes, and cave pearls. The cave also houses unique rock formations such as Sajabawi Rock, Dodamsambongbawi Rock, a statue resembling the Virgin Mary, and the romantically named Thousand-year Love Rock. The cave is conveniently located just one kilometer from the Danyang Intercity Bus Terminal.

Magoksa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (마곡사 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

2024-03-15

966 Magoksa-ro, Sagok-myeon, Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-841-6220

Situated at the foot of Taehwasan Mountain in Gongju, Magoksa Temple was established in 640. It is reputed to protect its occupants from war, and indeed, the temple survived the Japanese invasion of Korea (also known as the Imjin War; 1592-1598) and the Korean War (1950-1953). It houses numerous cultural heritage items, and visitors can participate in the Templestay program to experience life in a Korean Buddhist temple.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information