Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Seosan Gaesimsa Temple (개심사(서산))

6083 2021-09-17

321-86, Gaesimsa-ro, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-688-2256

Situated in a dense forest in Sangwangsan Mountain and 6 kilometers away from Haemi-myeon, Gaesimsa Temple is one of the four major temples in Chungcheongnam-do. The path from the parking lot to the temple site is quite remote and curved, but beautiful especially in spring when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.

The temple was built in 1484 during the 15th year of King Seongjong and designated as a Treasure. The architecture of the temple stands out, as the buildings use bent tree trunks for pillars.

Seonamsa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (선암사 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

39631 2021-09-17

450, Seonamsa-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-754-6250

Seonamsa is a beautiful temple located at the east end of Jogyesan Mountain. The distance between the entrance and the temple site is approximately one kilometer. The temple site is nestled within a lush forest of diverse trees that are hundreds of years old. In front of the temple is an arched stone bridge named Seungseongyo Bridge, which is supported by natural bedrocks. In front of the main hall, Daeungjeon Hall, are two three-story stone pagodas that grab visitors' attention. Not only is Seonamsa Temple home to many of the country's pristine treasures and artifacts, it is also one of the few temples that preserve the traditional temple culture even as of today. Seonamsa Temple is beautiful throughout the year, but it is especially inviting in spring and fall when the flowers start to bloom and tree leaves change in color.

Hadong Ssanggyesa Temple (쌍계사(하동))

37052 2021-09-17

59, Ssanggyesa-gil, Hadong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-883-1901

Ssanggyesa Temple was founded on the southern foothills of Jirisan Mountain in 722 during the reign of Silla King Seongdeok. The temple is famous for the 6-kilometer stretch of cherry blossom trees that bloom each spring. The temple was originally called Okcheonsa Temple, but was changed to the current Ssanggyesa Temple in 887. The current temple buildings were all built in 1632, after having been burned down during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The temple grounds and nearby area feature many historic and beautiful attractions, including Burilpokpo Falls and a large tea plantation.

Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond (경주 동궁과 월지)

136124 2021-09-17

102, Wonhwa-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-750-8655

Gyeongju Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond was a secondary palace used by the crown prince of the Silla Kingdom. It also served as a banquet site for important national events and important visitors. The pond was created in 674, during the reign of King Munmu. The pond features three small islands, and a landscape of 12 small hills to the northeast. After the fall of Silla, the site was abandoned and forgotten. The pond was referred to as "Anapji" from the Goryeo and Joseon periods and onwards. In the 1980s, a pottery fragment with the letters “Wolji” (a pond that reflects the moon) carved onto it was found, revealing the true name of the pond. After the discovery, the site was renamed to the current Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond.

Seodaemun Independence Park (서대문독립공원)

17383 2021-09-17

251, Tongil-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3140-8305

Seodaemun Independence Park was built on the former Seoul Guchiso (Detention Camp). It was used to imprison thousands of Korean independence activists until the liberation from the Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945, as well as the political prisoners during the political turmoil in 1960. When the prison was moved to Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do in November 1987, the area was restored and turned into a memorial park in August 15, 1992 to honor the sacrifices of the martyrs. The park preserves seven prison buildings, an execution ground, underground women’s prison, and the March 1st Movement Monument that has been moved from Tapgol Park in Jongno.

One of the most significant monuments of the Seodaemun Independence Park is Dongnimmun Gate (Independence Gate), which has been designated Historic Site No. 32. Nearby is Dongnipgwan (Independence Hall), originally called Mohwagwan, which was used to greet Chinese envoys during the Joseon dynasty. Today, the hall enshrines 2,327 tablets inscribed with the names of Koreans who died for the cause of national independence. Standing right next to Dongnimmun Gate are the remnants of Yeongeunmun Gate, which has been designated Historic Site No. 33. Other sights inside the park include the Patriotic Martyr Monument, Declaration of Independence Monument, and Statue of Dr. Seo Jae-pil, who was an independence activist and publisher of Korea’s first independent newspaper. The main highlight of the park is the Seodaemun Prison History Hall, a former prison building that was renovated into a history museum.

Cheongnyangsan Provincial Park (청량산도립공원)

11215 2021-09-17

39, Gwangseok-gil, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-679-6651

Cheongnyangsan Mountain, with an altitude of 870 meters, is hidden away from civilization. Attractions in the mountain are 12 peaks including Geumtapbong Peak, eight caves, Gwangchangpokpo Falls, and Cheongnyangsa Temple, built by Buddhist monk Wonhyo during King Munmu’s third year of reign during the Silla Period (57 BC - AD 935).

Behind the Cheongnyangsan Provincial Park’s entrance boulder is a monument with a poem inscribed on it by the famous scholar Toegye Yi Hwang of the Joseon period called Cheongnyangsanga. Aside from Toegye Yi Hwang, Wonhyo and Uisang, caligraphy master Gimsaeng, scholar Choi Chi-won, and many others came to this mountain to cultivate their arts. Their presence still lingers in legends, being retold to this day.

Naganeupseong Walled Town (순천 낙안읍성)

44221 2021-09-16

30, Chungmin-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-749-8831

Naganeupseong Walled Town is located in Jeollanam-do, and contains a fortress town that is over 59,504 ㎡ in size. The fortress walls were built using square-shaped stones to reach 4 meters in x_height, 3 to 4 meters in x_width, and 1,410 meters in total length. The town consists of three neighborhoods along the east, south and west of the fortress walls. The village is overall well preserved, allowing visitors to observe houses and lifestyles that have all been passed down from the past. The town is highly valued as a historical and cultural resource for studying traditional folk customs.

Tapgol Park (탑골공원)

55527 2021-09-16

99, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-731-0534

Tapgol Park, a designated Historic Site, was the first modern park to be built in Seoul. The park is located at what was originally the site of Wongaksa Temple, built during the 13th year of Joseon King Sejo's reign. However, the temple was destroyed and the site did not become a park until 1897 due to a proposal made by Englishman John Mcleavy Brown, an advisor to King Gojong. The park is also important for being the starting point for the March 1 Independence Movement in Seoul. The original name of the park was Pagoda Park, but was changed to the current Tapgol Park on May 28, 1992. The park contains several monuments and heritages, including the Ten-story Stone Pagoda of Wongaksa Temple Site (National Treasure), Stele for the Construction of Daewongaksa Temple at Wongaksa Temple Site (Treasure), and Palgakjeong Pavilion, where the Independence Proclamation was first declared; the independence movement relief plate; and the statue of Son Byeong-hee.

Suncheon Songgwangsa Temple (송광사 (순천))

50901 2021-09-16

100, Songgwangsaan-gil, Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-755-0107

Songgwangsa Temple is located on the west side of Jogyesan Mountain, and is a famous sambosachal in Korea. Sambo means "three treasures" in Korean, and in Buddhism there is bulbo, beopbo, and seungbo. Songgwangsa Temple qualifies as a Seungbo Temple, which refers to the disciples and practitioners of Buddhism at the temple. The reason Songgwangsa Temple became a Seungbo Temple is because many high monks were produced from this temple. The temple has 27 cultural assets and approximately 80 buildings.

Jeongeup Naejangsa Temple (내장사(정읍))

32092 2021-09-17

1253, Naejangsan-ro, Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do
+82-63-538-8741

Naejangsa Temple is located in the midst of the beautiful Naejangsan National Park. The temple is said to have been built by the Buddhist monk Yeongeunjosa in the year 636 of the Baekje dynasty. Once a large temple with over fifty buildings, Naejangsa was completely destroyed throughout the course of Jeongyujaeran (second Japanese invasion in 1597) and the Korean War (1950-1953). The present temple is largely the result of reconstruction efforts completed in the 1970s. One of the most prized treasures at the temple is the Ijo-dongjong Bell, considered a major cultural asset.

Naejangsan Temple is a representative temple of Jeollabuk-do along with Geumsansa Temple on Moaksan Mountain. Surrounded on all sides by towering peaks, Naejangsa Temple boasts a picturesque landscape that is particularly striking in the fall when the mountains turn crimson with autumn leaves. Nearby attractions include Baegyangsa Temple, Bangjangsan Mountain, Jangseongho Lake, and Damyangho Lake.

Bongpyeong Beach (봉평해수욕장)

4160 2021-09-16

1166, Uljinbuk-ro, Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-789-6862

Bongpyeong Beach in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do is a 2 kilometer-long sand beach. The nearby Jukbyeon Breakwater is a famous fishing spot. Visitors can catch halibut, sea perch, rudder fish and more by casting or surf fishing.

Peace Park (평화공원)

10126 2021-09-16

10, Sinseon-ro 447beon-gil, Nam-gu, Busan
+82-51-607-4541

Peace Park is the representative citizen's rest area in Busan, filled with over 30,000 camellia and pine trees. A fountain in the middle of the park provides a fun water playground for children, and a popular date spot with beautiful lights at night.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information