Sightseeing - Korea travel information

Pyochungsa Temple (Miryang) (표충사 (밀양))

10116     2020-01-23

1338, Pyochung-ro, Miryang-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-352-1150

Pyochungsa Temple is located at the base of Jaeyaksan Mountain, 20 kilometers east of Miryang. The temple was built in the fourth year of King Heungdeok’s reign of the Silla Kingdom (829). It was named as ‘Pyochungsa’ to praise Samyeongdang Yujeong (aka Monk Songun Daesa) who played an important role in the peace envoy during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Nearby attractions include Cheungcheung Falls, Geumgang Falls, and an icy stream, as well as Sajapyeong field at the ridge of the mountain.

Buryeonggyegok Valley (Gyeongbuk Donghaean Geopark) (불영계곡 (경북 동해안 국가지질공원))

5620     2020-01-23

2758, Buryeonggyegok-ro, Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-53-950-7993

Gangjin Baengnyeonsa Temple (백련사 (강진))

5546     2020-01-23

145, Baengnyeonsa-gil, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-432-0837

The original name of Baengnyeonsa Temple was Mandeoksa Temple, said to have been built by Preceptor Muyeom during the reign of Silla King Munseong. Later, Preceptor Wonmyo rebuilt it in the old site during the reign of King Huijong (7th year) during the Goryeo period. He gained fame as Baengnyeongyeolsa so the temple began to be called Baengnyeonsa Temple. Baengnyeongyeolsa has produced eight preceptors of Goryeo and flourished throughout 120 years. In addition, the area is famous as the location where Dasan Jeong Yak-yong had deep communications with Master Hyejang regardless of religions and ages when he was banished to Gangjin.

The temple’s most popular attraction is Forest of Common Camellias, designated as Natural Monument No. 151. The Camellia trees, skirting the road to the temple, make up a forest covering the area of 9,917 ㎡ over the ruined Haenghotoseong Earthen Fortification next to a memorial stone. In the forest, four stupas of Goryeo and Joseon Era are scattered like hide-and-seek. The forest features a tranquil ambience all year long even in daytime, thanks to the thick, green leaves. From November, the camellia flowers are in full bloom and the forest becomes red, beautiful enough to inspire visitors. After passing the forest on the way to Dasan Chodang, visitors can glimpse a colony of tea fields and wild tea produced by Baengnyeonsa Temple. The mountain where Baengnyeonsa Temple is situated has had wild tea fields grown from Goryeo Era so that it was called ‘Dasan.’ For this reason, Jeong Yak-yong’s pen name is ‘Dasan’ which holds the valuable meaning of his banishment here.

Jeokbyeokgang Cliffs (Jeonbuk National Geopark) (적벽강 (전북 서해안권 국가지질공원))

6407     2020-01-23

Gyeokpo-ri, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do
+82-63-580-4331

In the vicinity of the Jeokbyeokgang River, the plant distribution value is high. This area is also a direct boundary of sedimentary shale and volcanic rhyolite, where you can observe the peculiar rock formed by the interaction of two different types of rock. Pepperlite is a unique rock that forms when hot magma or lava comes in direct contact with cold unsolidified sediments.

Seongnyugul Cave (Gyeongbuk Donghaean Geopark) (성류굴 (경북 동해안 국가지질공원)

10562     2020-01-23

225, Seongnyugul-ro, Geunnam-myeon, Uljin-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-53-950-7996

Seongnyugul Cave, which is a natural monument No. 155, is a lime cave and its total length is about 870 m, of which 270 m is open.
The cave has stalactites, stalagmites, stalagmites, and cave pearls, which are commonly found in limestone caves.

Sandglass Park (모래시계공원)

6865     2020-01-22

990-1, Heonhwa-ro, Gangdong-myeon, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-640-4536

Sandglass Park is surrounded by the East Sea, mountains and Jeongdongjin 2-ri Village. Sandglass Park has pine trees, benches facing the sea, and access to Jeongdongjin Beach.

A sandglass doesn’t show the present time like a sundial and a water glass and it measures the time elapsed by sand volume descending through gravity. So, the sandglass was used for determining the velocity.

Jeongdongjin Sandglass Park was established in 1999 by Gangneung-si and Samsung Electronics Co. to commemorate the upcoming century. Part of this commemoration was the building of the giant sandglass at the park. The Sandglass has a diameter of 8.06m, its x_width is 3.2m, a weight of 40 tons and holds 8 tons of sand, making it one of the biggest sandglasses in the world. It takes a whole year for sand to trickle to the bottom and then the sandglass restarts again on New Year’s Day each year at midnight.

Yonghwasa Temple-Sangju (용화사 - 상주)

5549     2020-01-22

10-13, Jeungchon 2-gil, Sangju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-541-3551

Yonghwasa Temple is home to two official national treasures, Seokjoyeoraejwasang (Seated stone Buddha statue; National Treasure No.120) and Seokburipsang (Standing stone Buddha statue; National Treasure No.118). Pieces of broken stone pagodas, lanterns and fountains still remain at the site.

Bukchon Dol Hareubang Park (북촌 돌하르방공원)

33965     2020-01-17

70, Bukchonseo 1-gil, Jocheon-eup, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
+82-64-782-0570

As a main symbol of Jeju Island, Dol Hareubang, literally meaning "Old Grandfather" stone statues, can be found everywhere on the island. But a lack of historical documents has hampered the true understanding of the statue among people. Bukchon Dol Hareubang Park puts together a wide variety of the statutes and, in doing so, illuminates their aesthetic and scholarly importance to visitors as well as future generations. In this sense, the park is not only a tourist attraction, but also a learning center for children and adults alike. The park consists of 48 Dol Hareubang, a promenade, reinterpreted Dol Hareubang focusing on the theme of peace, a traditional local garden, and a learning center.

* What’s Dol Hareubang?
Symbolizing Jeju Island, Dol Hareubang was also called Useokmok, Museokmok, or Byeoksumeori in the past. Dol Hareubang became the official name in 1971 after being designated as a local folk heritage.

Although Dol Hareubang was originally seen only around the entrance of government seats such as (Jejumok, Jeonguihyeon, and Daejeongheyon), there are over 48 Dol Hareubang throughout the island (21 in Jeju City, 2 in National Folk Museum of Korea, 12 in Seongeup, and 13 in Daejeong).

The shamanistic statues are believed to be offering protection and warding off demons. According to Tamnaji (Record of Tamna) published by Damsugye (a group of scholars on Jeju Island in the past), Dol Hareubang is believed to have been initiated by Kim Mong-gyu, then Magistrate of Jeju in 1754 (30th year of King Yeongjo’s reign).

Carved from porous basalt, Dol Hareubang reveals simple expressions blending naturally with the island. It is the unique cultural heritage that can only been seen and appreciated on Jeju Island.

Yeojwacheon Stream (여좌천-벚꽃명소)

69825     2020-01-17

Yeojwa-dong, Jinhae-gu, Changwon-si, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-548-4507

The area around Yeojwacheon Stream is well known as one of Jinhae’s best spots for viewing cherry blossoms. It is also the location of the bridge where the two leading characters, Gwanu and Chaewon of "Romance (2002)," MBC’s TV series, first met as tourists who came to Jinhae to enjoy Jinhae Gunhangje Festival. After the episode was aired, the bridge instantly became popular and widely known as the Romance Bridge. Each April, the entire city of Jinhae is filled with cherry blossoms, but the Yeojwacheon Stream area has the most beautiful cherry blossoms which makes it a prime tourist attraction.

Ganghwa Seoksumun Gate (강화 석수문)

5141     2020-01-17

Gukhwa-ri, Ganghwa-eup, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-4571

Seoksumun is a floodgate on the Dongnakcheon Stream, which flows through the town of Ganghwa-eup. The floodgate was built in 1711 (37th year of King Sukjong’s reign during the Joseon Period) and it is connected to the inner walls of the Ganghwasanseong Fortress. It is an arched structure with a design of three rainbows coming together. Made of granite, the floodgate measures 18.2 meters in length and 2.7 meters in x_height, while the arches are 1.7 meters tall, and 3 meters wide.

Dolsan Park (돌산공원)

17060     2020-01-17

3600-1, Dolsan-ro, Yeosu-si, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-659-4628

Dolsan Park, located across from Dolsan Bridge, was created in 1987 on land spanning over 287,000 square meters. A teahouse inside the park was originally a TV drama shooting set. The teahouse offers a fine view of Dolsan Bridge, so visitors often stop by to drink tea while enjoying the view. The view point at the park also overlooks magnificent sunsets over Dolsan Bridge and exquisite night views of Dolsan Bridge, Marine Park, and Janggundo Island. The Memorial Time Capsule, containing various materials related to the merger of Yeosu city, was buried at the center of park in 1994 and will be opened in 2094.

The K Hotel Gyeongju Spa & Hot Springs (더케이경주호텔 스파온천)

627     2020-01-17

45, EXPO-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Spa World in The K Hotel Gyeongju opened in June 2001 aims to guarantee guest satisfaction with excellent amenities, such as their sauna facilities, hot springs, sports center, and swimming pool. The hot springs were developed by Spa World by using all-natural hot spring water from 630 meters underground. Spa World's hot spring water is famous for having a high concentration of alkaline (9.12 pH). Impurities in the water are filtered out, boosting the beneficial effects of hot spring water on the skin, muscle fatigue, and back pains.