Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Pocheon Herb Island (포천 허브아일랜드)

112324 2020-07-02

35, Cheongsin-ro 947beon-gil, Pocheon-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-535-6494

Located in Pocheon, Gyeonggi-do and established in 1998, Herb Island is a tourist attraction that focuses on growing Mediterranean herbs. Additional attractions include the crafting experience, herb museum, aroma therapy center, herb restaurants, herbs-related souvenir shop and more. Herb Island opens every day, showcasing Mediterranean herbs all year long and providing sensual experiences for relaxation of body and mind.

Haemieupseong Fortress (서산 해미읍성)

23254 2020-07-02

143, Nammun 2-ro, Seosan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-661-8005

Haemieupseong Fortress is a representative fortress from the Joseon period. ‘Eupseong’ means a flat fortress surrounding the city area, such as Gochangeupseong Fortress, and Nakaneupseong Fortress. Haemieupseong Fortress was established in 1491 during the 22nd year of King Seongjong. Its circumference is approximately 1.9km, the x_height is 5m, and total area is 196,381m², making it a huge fortress. Through restoration and purification projects, its old image has been restored as a historic park and it is famous as a site of Catholic martyrs' in the late Joseon era.

During the persecution of Catholics, many Catholics from Chungcheong-do were forced to come to Haemieupseong Fortress where the administration office was located. Upon arrival, they were tortured to death. In particular, approximately 1,000 people are recorded as having been executed during the persecution in 1866.

The plaza inside of the fortress has a prison site where Catholics were chained up under the Daewongun government, and a gigantic old tree which was the tree used for torturing. The stones which were used for thrashing are located outside of a fortress gate and have become a holy place.

* Hoya Tree (locust tree): 300 year-old tree located at the entrance of the prison. Catholics were hung from the tree branches by their hair for torturing. Traces of steel wires still remain.

Daecheongho Lake (대청호)

22846 2020-07-02

41, Cheongaedong-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon
+82-42-251-4748

Daecheongho Lake is a man-made lake, stretching from Daejeon to Cheongju-si, Okcheon-gun, and Boeun-gun. Construction began in 1975 and finished in 1980, and the lake supplies water for various use to people in Daejeon and Cheongju.

The reservoir water spans an area of over 72.8㎢ with a length of 80km, and the water kept in storage has a volume of 1.5 billion tons, making the reservoir the third largest lake in Korea. The area is famous for its beautiful driving course along a tree-lined road through the nearby mountain which has an altitude of 200 to 300m. Also, resident birds and migratory birds, such as white heron, can be seen during summer in the upper region of the lake.

Yudalsan Mountain (유달산)

29066 2020-07-02

San 27-3, Jukgyo-dong, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-270-8411

Yudalsan Mountain is located in Mokpo, Jeollanam-do. Despite its low x_height of only 228 meters, the mountain boasts a panoramic view of the entire city of Mokpo and the sea.

At the summit of the mountain, visitors can find Nojeokbong Peak where a statue of Admiral Yi Sun-sin stands; this is the landmark where Admiral Yi is said to have fooled and scared away invading troops by stacking straw thatches over the rocks, making their small army seem like a much larger one. There is also a pavilion; the April 19th Memorial Tower; a monument with lyrics to the song "Mokpo’s Tears;" a Buddhist temple; a sculpture park exhibiting some 100 pieces; an orchid park; and Dalseong Park with many things to see. These features make the mountain a must-see destination for those visiting the Mokpo region.

Seuldo Island (슬도)

10896 2020-07-02

Bangeo-dong, Dong-gu, Ulsan
+82-52-277-0101

Seuldo Island is located off the coast of Ulsan City in the southeastern part of the Korean Peninsula.

Its name, Seuldo ("seul" meaning the Korean stringed instrument geomungo), was given as the sound of wind and waves hitting the rock island is said to mimic the sound of geomungo. In fact, the sound of waves hitting the island is so good that it is called seuldomyeongpa or the resounding of waves.

The island is also known as Siruseom ("siru" meaning an earthenare steamer) for its resemblance to the upside down siru, and Gomboseom ("gombo" meaning pockmarks) for its stones with holes in them appear as gombos.

On the island, there is an unmanned lighthouse dating back to the late 1950s. The main economic activity on the island is fishery. In 2010, the TV drama "Fire of Desire" was filmed on the island.

Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center (낙동강하구에코센터)

17459 2020-07-02

1240, Nakdongnam-ro, Saha-gu, Busan
+82-51-209-2000

Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center located in Saha-gu, Busan is an excellent place to learn about and experience ecology through exhibitions, experiences and education programs. The center consists of three floors with the first floor housing the information office, maintenance office, educational room, and a volunteers’ room. The second floor features exhibition rooms, an experience zone, a small library, and an observatory. Audio-visual rooms are located on the third floor. The Nakdong Estuary Eco-Center also offers many excellent amenities: picnic grounds, a botanical garden, a hiking trail, an observatory, abundant resting spots, an outdoor learning center, and lush trees.

The center runs a variety of experience programs so that visitors may explore the estuary, observe plants and insects, walk around tidal flats and reed beds, and make wooden sculptures. In addition, visitors can observe birds and compare the eggs and beaks of various birds. The center is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and is closed on Mondays and New Year’s Day.

Hwaseong Fortress [UNESCO World Heritage] (수원 화성 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

331084 2020-07-02

320, Suseong-ro, Jangan-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-290-3600

Hwaseong Fortress is an impressive structure from the latter part of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) and the official fortress of Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. The fortress, constructed from 1794 to 1796, was built as a display of King Jeongjo’s filial piety towards his father and to build a new pioneer city with its own economic power.

The fortress wall stretches for a total of 5.52km and has a great variety of military facilities that are hard to find anywhere else. Four gates face each of the cardinal directions—Janganmun (north), Paldalmun (south), Changnyongmun (east), and Hwaseomun (west)—and the seven-arch style Sumun gates straddle the point where the nearby stream reaches the palace. Above the Sumun gates is a pavilion called Hwahongmun.

Hwaseong Fortress was constructed under the guidance of Yu Hyeong-Won (1622-1673) and Jeong Yak-Yong (1762-1836), and is believed to have been constructed very scientifically. The fortress wall was built using Seokjae and Jeondol (bricks) and the holes between the bricks are just big enough to fire guns, arrows, or long spears through in case of an attack.

During construction of the fortress Jeong Yak-Yong invented ‘Geojunggi,’ which uses a ‘hwalcha’ (lever) to lift up heavy stones, greatly reducing construction time.

The Suwon Hwaseong Fortress went through many turbulent times and damage, and in the battle of June 25th, many of the facilities became so damaged that they were deemed irreparable. Even though the fortress restoration initiative (1975-1979) restored many of the sites to their former glory, Paldalmun to Dongnamgakru (an area 491 meters in length) has still not been renovated.

The fortress was designated as Historic Site No. 3 in January 1963, and in December 1997, it was designated a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. A variety of performances and events are held at the fortress every day and Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival takes place here in autumn.

Isabu Lion Park & Picture Book Land (이사부사자공원&그림책 나라)

13733 2020-07-02

333, Surobuin-gil, Samcheok-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-570-4616

Isabu Lion Park & Picture Book Land is a family-friendly theme park that provides the beautiful ocean view of the East Sea up close. The park is open year round, serving as a perfect picnic park from spring to fall, while turning into a snowy fun park with a sledding hill in winter. The park also holds movie nights from time to time.

Gyeongju Bird Park (경주 버드파크)

10884 2020-07-02

74-14, Bomun-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-777-7200

Gyeongju Bird Park offers a unique experience for visitors, just like entering a big birdcage. Guests can touch birds in person and play with them, not just looking at birds inside a cage. The park is designed to give a happy experience for both birds and visitors.

Gyeongju Bird Park, Korean’s first experiential park featuring flowers and birds alike, is comprised of two floors; the entire first floor is an ecology experience hall that is 90% dedicated to bird and another 10% for other creatures such as reptiles, fish, and small animals. The second floor consists of exhibitions and an experiential hall with outdoor hands-on experience site. The bird park is registered as Gyeongsangbuk-do's top museum and specialized animal park, so it can import and exhibit international rare animal species.

Spa Land Centum City (스파랜드 센텀시티)

218758 2020-07-02

35, Centumnam-daero, Haeundae-gu, Busan
+82-1668-2850

Spa Land, equipped with all the benefits of a traditional Korean spa, is located in Shinsegae Centum City in Haeundae, Busan. Spa Land consists of 22 spas fed by two different kinds of all-natural spring water pumped up from 1000 meters underground, 13 distinctively themed jjimjil-bangs and saunas, and an open-air foot spa.

Sangsang-gil (Imaginary Road) (Buljonggeori-ro) (상상길(불종거리로))

8662 2020-07-02

Masanhappo-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-289-8815

Buljonggeori Road, where a huge bronze Buddhist temple bell sculpture is located, is lined with 23,000 blocks engraved with the names of foreigners. The colorful blocks on the ground consist not only of diverse names of international tourists, but also include the names of renowned Korean celebrities such as Jeon Ji-hyeon, f(x)’s Krystal Jung, 4Minute, Kara and other popular Korean stars.

Expo Park (대전엑스포과학공원)

52471 2020-07-02

480, Daedeok-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon
+82-42-250-1111

Expo Park was established following the closing of the Daejeon Expo in 1993. The park comprises various facilities like the Hanbit Tower, the representative tower of Daejeon World Expo; Daejeon Expo Memorial Hall, remodeled to commemorate the Daejeon World Expo; World Expo Memorial Museum, exhibiting the world expo’s souvenir and symbolic objects throughout 200 years of expo history; Daejeon Traffic Culture Institute where children can join the education and history related to transportation.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information