Goryeong Daegaya Festival (고령대가야축제)

6.6Km 2025-07-11

1216 Daegaya-ro, Daegaya-eup, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-6427

The Goryeong Daegaya Festival is a historical celebration centered around the ancient city of Daegaya, which thrived from AD 42 to 562 as a powerful iron-age kingdom in regions including Goryeong. A must-visit is the Theme Pavilion, which highlights the World Heritage significance of the Ancient Tombs in Jisan-dong, Goryeong. The forest playground and night trekking around the ancient tombs are popular annual attractions. In addition, there are diverse performances and activities, including a 100 gayageum (twelve-stringed zither) performance featuring the representative instrument of Daegaya, experiential programs, and original musicals. The festival showcases the 520-year history and culture of Daegaya with various performances and experiences, notably the night trekking program, themed “Gobammasil,” exploring the tomb.

◎ Daegaya
Daegaya, an enigmatic ancient kingdom, flourished 1,500 years ago, nurturing its unique history and splendid cultural arts, supported by a strong iron culture, even amid the powerful states of Baekje and Silla.

◎ Gayageum
The gayageum, a traditional instrument originating from Gaya, primarily carries the thematic melody in Korean traditional music. Ureuk, a revered musician from Gaya, was named the most respected musician by popular Korean pianist Yunchan Lim during his victory interview at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Listening to Ureuk’s gayageum music and visiting the Goryeong Daegaya Festival can be a delightful experience.

Daegaya Museum (대가야 박물관)

6.6Km 2022-09-13

1203, Daegaya-ro, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-7103

Daegaya Museum exhibits the history, culture, and customs of the Daegaya Kingdom. The museum consists of the Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion, the Daegaya History Pavilion, and Ureuk Museum.

The Royal Tomb Pavilion is a 37 meter-wide dome that houses relics of the Jisan-dong Ancient Tombs, a Historic Site. It is essentially the restoration of the Jisandong Tumulus, the first large-scale sunjang (burial of the living with the dead).

The History Pavilion houses a collection of relics from the Daegaya Kingdom, while holding special exhibitions and educational activities periodically. The outdoor exhibition center displays items that showcase the ancient lifestyle.

Ureuk Museum is a dedicated to Ureuk, a Daegaya musician who invented the gayageum, a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument.

Goryeong Janggi-ri Rock Art (고령 장기리 암각화)

7.6Km 2022-12-29

15-5, Araealteo-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-955-2201

Yangjeondong Rock Art (discovered in 1971) is a rock painting 3 meters high and 5.5 meters wide that vividly depicts the life and religion of the Prehistoric Age. Rock art from the time period was created on rocks or other planes considered to be sacred and usually carried a message of fertility. The artwork of Yangjeondong shows layered circles (symbolizing the sun and the moon), crosses (depicting the “life zone” of the tribe), and 17 masks. The artwork is considered to have been used for ceremonial purposes or farming events.

Ureuk Museum (우륵박물관)

8.9Km 2021-01-07

98, Gayageum-gil, Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-950-7136

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to gayageum, a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument, and Ureuk, the inventor of the gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the gayageum.

Yeonhosa Temple (연호사)

13.2Km 2021-08-12

80, Jukjuk-gil, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-931-2508

Yeonhosa Temple is located in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. With its back to Hwangusan Mountain, the temple faces the Hwanggang River. Designated as one of the Eight Great Views of Hapcheon, the temple is surrounded by mountains with a cliff on its back. The view of the gently flowing river from Hambyeongnu Pavilion is relaxing, even on rainy days when raindrops fall into the river.

Hambyeongnu Pavilion (함벽루)

13.2Km 2024-02-02

80 Jukjuk-gil, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-930-3178

Included in Hapcheon's Eight Scenic Views, Hambyeongnu Pavilion was built in 1321, during the 8th year of Goryeo King Chungsuk by Hapcheon County Lord Kim. The location at the base of Daeyaseong Fortress, the pavilion offers views of Jeongyangho Lake on the Hwanggang River. The pavilion was visited by many poets, with writings from Toegye Yi Hwang, Nammyeong Josil, and Wooam Song Si-yeol hanging from tablets inside, and a rock engraved with "Hambyeongnu" in the handwriting of Song Si-yeol behind the pavilion.
Hambyeongnu is a 3-pillar wide by 2-pillar deep, 2-story pavilion, with an octagonal roof connected with a frame of five parts. The roof of the pavilion is famous in that when it rains, the water drips straight off the eaves and into the river below.

Dodongseowon Confucian Academy [UNESCO World Heritage] (도동서원 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

13.4Km 2023-01-05

726, Gujiseo-ro, Dalseong-gun, Daegu
+82-53-616-6407

Dodongseowon Confucian Academy was first established by Confucian scholars in 1568 at the eastern base of Biseulsan Mountain, but was burnt down during the Imjin War (1592-1598). In 1605, the school was reconstructed on its current site and was renamed Borodongseowon. In 1607, the name was changed to Dongdoseowon. "Dongdo" means that the teachings ("do") of Confucianism come from the East (dong in Korean). Dodongseowon is one of the 47 major Confucian academies that was not affected by Heungseon Daewongun's order to eliminate Confucian academies.

Tripitaka Koreana Cultural Festival (대장경기록문화축제)

13.7Km 2025-11-06

1160 Gayasan-ro, Gaya-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-930-4697

The Tripitaka Koreana Cultural Festival showcases the cultural values of Tripitaka Koreana combined with vibrant content featuring splendid autumn flowers. Visitors can enjoy fall flowers and take part in various hands-on activities.

Odosan Healing Forest (오도산 치유의 숲)

15.4Km 2025-10-23

398, Odosanhyuyang-ro, Bongsan-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-930-3742

Odosan Healing Forest is nestled at the foot of the tall Odosan Mountain (1,133 meters above sea level) in Hapcheon. The mountain spans the areas covering Gajo-myeon in Geochang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do and Myosan-myeon and Bongsan-myeon in Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. Odosan is at the end of the Gayasan Mountain Range along with Dumusan Mountain (1,039 meters above sea level), which is situated 2 kilometers to the northeast. North of Odosan Healing Forest, you will find Haeinsa Temple, home to the Tripitaka Koreana and one of the three major temples in Korea, as well as Gayasan Mountain, and Maehwasan Mountain. Hapcheonho Lake is south of the forest, so there are several tourist destinations in the area and the natural landscape is superb. The azaleas and royal azaleas are in full bloom in spring; cool valley waters can be enjoyed in summer; and the mountain's colorful fall foliage is as beautiful as that of Naejangsan Mountain, a renowned spot to enjoy autumn colors. You can enjoy mountain climbing along the valley surrounded by thick forests. It is said that Doseon, a well-known monk from the late Silla Dynasty, was fascinated by the energy and beauty of Odosan Mountain and practiced asceticism there.
Enjoying the Odosan Recreational Forest
Convenient facilities unfold along the valley within the Odosan Recreational Forest, such as the visitor information center, forest cabins, a communal kitchen, camp decks, campsites, etc. Notably, the hiking trail behind the forest cabins follows the clear stream that flows year-round, leading to Sukseongsan Peak, a small peak on the slope of Odosan Mountain. The trail overlooks Hapcheonho Lake and offers hikers a beautiful view. Odosan Recreational Forest consists of dense natural forests filled with pine and oak trees that are 20 to 50 years old. Also, a variety of vegetation, including the wild cherry, crimson glory vine (called meoru in Korea), and kiwiberry vine (called darae in Korea), as well as herbaceous plants can be found here. This makes it an ideal site for students, including teenagers, to learn about nature.

Nonggamatjip Mil (농가맛집 밀)

16.4Km 2024-02-23

1566 Deogun-ro, Suryun-myeon, Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
054-931-2660

Nonggamatjip Mil is located near Gayasan Wildflower Botanical Garden. This establishment serves dishes made from vegetables harvested from Gayasan Mountain, in-house produced honey, and agricultural products from Seongju. Their signature offering is the Mil hanjeongsik (Korean table d'hote), featuring borigulbi (barley-aged dried yellow croaker), grilled chicken, and japchae. Additionally, they offer handmade bowls, honey, and flower tea for sale.

Goryeong Daegaya Festival (고령대가야축제) - Area information - Korea travel information