Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Seungdong Church (승동교회)

14170 2020-04-01

7-1, Insadong-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-732-2340

Seungdong Presbyterian Church was designated Tangible Cultural Asset No. 130 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 6, 2001. Originally known as “Gondanggol Church,” the church was established by Samuel Foreman Moore (1860-1906) in 1893. In those days, the church was known as a “baekjeong church” since it primarily drew Korea’s social underdogs such baekjeong (the butchers), the untouchable class of Joseon society.

Following a number of relocations and name changes (called “Gondanggol,” “Jungang,” and finally “Seungdong”) the church was moved to its current location in Insadong. After Moore died in 1906, Charles Allen Clark became the pastor of the church and Mongyang Yuh Woon-hyung, a key figure in the political history of Joseon, became active in the church. The church was attended by many other activists as well. In fact, the large student demonstration that took place during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 was organized by a group of young church members. The church once again made its mark on history with the establishment of the Joseon Theological Seminary in 1939.

Seungdong Church (B1-2F) covers a total of 660 square meters. No record has been found on its architect or builder, but the building is said to have been one of the more magnificent buildings in the area before its beauty was obscured by newer structures.

Jirye Arts Village (지례예술촌)

28454 2020-04-01

427, Jiryeyesulchon-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-852-1913

Located in Andong, Jirye Arts Village first formed as a result of the construction of Imha Dam. When a small neighborhood in Jirye-ri, Imdong-myeon was at the risk of flood due to the dam, Kim Won-gil, the current village leader, relocated and rebuilt ten houses to its current location in 1986. This neighborhood, now known as Jirye Arts Village, was designated as an art village in 1990 and since then, many artists settled in the neighborhood and formed a community of culture and art. Today, Jirye Arts Village offers a variety of opportunities to experience Korean culture through hands-on arts and crafts as well as diverse cultural activities.

Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil (해풍부원군윤택영댁재실)

19863 2020-04-01

28, Toegye-ro 34-gil, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3396-5843

Haepungbuwongun Yun Taekyeong's Jaesil is a shrine house built by the father-in-law of King Sunjong of Joseon dynasty in 1906 when his daughter was proclaimed the crowned princess of Joseon and entered Changdeokgung Palace to later become Queen Sunjeong. Red pine trees salvaged from the demolition of Gyeongungung Palace were used to construct the house. It was originally located in Jegi-dong, Dongdaemun-gu, but was later restored and moved to its present location. The shrine of the house that was destroyed in 1960 was also restored.
Because the house is more of a shrine rather than residential living quarters, it has many unique features. For example, unlike other houses, it has the anchae (women’s quarters) located across from sarangbang (men’s quarters) with daecheong (living room) positioned between them.

Alpensia Ocean 700 (알펜시아 오션700)

45444 2020-04-01

325, Solbong-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-339-0100

Alpensia Resort is a beautiful and exciting resort that offers unique programs unavailable at other resorts. Among their facilities, Alpensia Ocean 700 suits as the perfect family water park, located on the refreshing highland of Daegwallyeong at an altitude of 700 meters. The water park aims to provide convenient and relaxing facilities in an indoor area where visitors can have fun at any time of the year.

Nakseonjae Hall (낙선재)

26722 2020-04-01

99, Yulgok-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1822

Located inside Changdeokgung Palace, Nakseonjae Hall is a one-story structure built in ikgong style (bird wing-shaped eaves placed on top of the pillars) with a hip tiled and gable roof. It has 6 kan in the front and 2 kan to the sides (kan: a traditional unit of measurement referring to the space between two columns; roughly 2-4 meters). It originally belonged to the nearby Changgyeonggung Palace, but came to be considered a part of Changdeokgung Palace in more recent years.

The hall was constructed in 1846 (12th year of King Heonjong’s reign) and it is collectively called Nakseonjae together with the adjacent Seokbokheon Hall and Sugangjae Hall.

Behind the building is a flower garden made by stacking large stones. The chimney, the flowers, and the oddly shaped stones harmoniously blend into one another to create an outstanding landscape gardening.

Alpensia Resort (알펜시아 리조트)

55839 2020-04-01

325, Solbong-ro, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-339-0000

Alpensia Resort, located approx. 184 kilometers from Seoul in Daegwallyeong, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do, is a tourism & leisure complex open year round. The resort allows visitors to enjoy the area’s pristine natural beauty throughout each of the four seasons. The name "Alpensia" is a combination of the words "Alpen," (German for the Alps), "Asia," and "Fantasia;" together they reflect the resort’s scenic view of the "fantastic Alps of Asia."

The complex boasts a variety of super deluxe luxury accommodations and top-notch leisure facilities such as a 45-hole golf course, convention center, water park and ski slopes. The resort successfully hosted the IBU Biathlon World Cup Pyeongchang in 2008 and boasts excellent ski jump and biathlon facilities, a monorail, cross-country ski slopes, and a large stadium. After a hard day out on the slopes or golf course, visitors can head to the sky lounge, ecology learning center, or Retail Village shopping mall. The resort is also adjacent to many other tourist attractions such as Odaesan Mountain, Samyang Sheep Ranch, Korea Botanic Garden, Lee Hyo-Seok Memorial Hall, and Herbnara Farm.

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion (황학정)

19058 2020-04-01

15-32, Sajik-ro 9-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-738-5785

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was built in 1898 by decree of King Gojong’s. It was originally set up close to the northern wall of Hoesangjeon in Gyeonghuigung Palace for archery practice. In 1922 when the Japanese colonial government sold buildings of Gyeonghuigung Palace to the public to build Gyeongseong Middle School in the location, the Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was bought and restored at the current location, which is an old site of Deunggwajeong Pavilion located to the North of Sajik Park.

It is relatively large for a pavilion, but the structure is plain and simple. There is a well behind the pavilion to the southwest. A rock behind the well has an engraved poem about eight beautiful scenes of Hwanghakjeong. Located to the right of the pavilion building (northeast of the building) is Hancheongak Pavilion, which has unique roof. To the west of the pavilion is Sauhoegwan Hall that was built with reinforced concrete.

Gangneung Gyeongpo Beach (강릉 경포수욕장)

99552 2020-04-01

514, Changhae-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-640-4901

Located 1 kilometer away from Gyeongpodae and 6 kilometers from downtown Gangneung, Gyeongpo Beach is a sand bank formed between Gyeongpo Lake and the ocean. This beautiful beach extends to a length of 1.8 kilometers and is covered with fine sand. It is a very well-known tourist attraction within Korea.

Gyeongpo Beach is famous for its picturesque sunrise and tranquil moonrise. There are other nearby attractions in the area, like the pine forest and wild roses, which grow in various areas around the beach. Many tourists enjoy riding bikes around Gyeongpo Lake, or hiking at Seoraksan and Odaesan Mountains.

Gyeongpoho Lake (경포호(철새도래지))

18515 2020-04-01

365, Gyeongpo-ro, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-640-5119

Gyeongpoho Lake, which means “clear as a mirror”, is located 6km northeast of Gangneung, and is also called Gunjaho Lake. Gyeongpoho Lake was formed when the mouth of a bay was closed by sand and pebbles brought in by the sea currents. It is famous as a destination site for migratory birds. It used to be a large lake with a circumference of 12km, but it diminished because of the accumulation of dirt and sand.

Gyeongpoho Lake is the setting of the tale of Hwarang and cultural relics from the prehistoric age, and on the Rock Island in the middle of the lake, there is a small pavilion which holds a hanging board called Joam, believed to be written by Song Si-Yeol. There is also a legend that rises from Gyeongpoho Lake: With the moon shining in the sky, it is reflected on the ocean, on the lake, in a glass of wine, and of course, two moons shining brightly in the eyes of someone falling in love.

Gyeongpoho Lake was famous as a fishing site as it is clean and clear but due to pollution it was designated as a nature protection site and fishing has been banned.

Seongyojang House (강릉 선교장)

33450 2020-04-01

63, Unjeong-gil, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do
+82-33-648-5303

Seongyojang is the former upper class residence of the Naebeon Lee (1703-1781) noble family of Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. It was designated Important Folklore Material No. 5 in 1967. The meaning of "Seon", in Seongyojang, is boat. Gyeongpo Lake was directly in front of Seongyojang at the time it was built, thus making is accessible by boat. Gyeongpo Lake at one time reached the enormous circumference of 12km. Its size has reduced by 4km over the years and its depth has decreased by 1-2 meters.

It is said that 10 generations of descendents of Naebeon Lee have continued to live at Seongyojang. The house is in fact one of the top 10 most well preserved original dwellings in Korea that was constructed over the past 300 years.

Yeolhwadang is considered the most important structure on the property, as the male owner of the property resided in this building. This structure was given the name "Yeolhwadang" in order to promote happiness and joy among the relatives living there.

Another important structure here is the picturesque Hwallaejeong. This structure was built in 1816 and is located just inside the main entrance. The lotus flower filled pond just in front of this building makes for a setting just as one might see in a traditional Korean painting.

Changuimun Gate - Jahamun Gate (창의문(자하문))

18396 2020-04-01

118, Changuimun-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2148-1822

Changuimun Gate was often called Jahamun Gate. It was one of four mini-gates in the north surrounding the walled city of Hanyang (Seoul) during the Joseon dynasty. After the closure of Sukjeongmun Gate, one of the four main gates, Changuimun Gate became a favorite north gate. Hence, people also called Changuimun the North Gate. It is the only gate among four mini gates that is still in its original state. Although it is small, almost 50m² in terms of size, it looks very firm and sturdy. While Dongsomun Gate, another of the four mini gates, is decorated with a phoenix, Changuimun Gate is adorned with a wooden chicken along its rafters. The reason behind the wooden chicken was that the chicken was believed to be the nemesis of the centipede. People believed that installing the wooden chicken was important to overcome the harmful spirit of the centipede.

Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village (이효석문화마을)

29887 2020-04-01

Wongil-ri, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-330-2771

Lee Hyo-seok Culture Village is the place where the author Lee Hyo-seok (pen name “Gasan”) was born and raised. The village is also the setting of the author’s novel "When the Buckwheat Blossoms,” one of the most celebrated Korean short stories to date.

In 1990, the village place was designated ‘first national cultural village’ by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The village is comprised of the author's birth house, a water mill, Gasan Park, Lee Hyo-seok Memorial Hall, and a buckwheat museum. During the peak of the blossoming season in early fall, the annual Lee Hyo-seok Cultural Festival takes place and visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of snow-white fields of buckwheat flowers.

Lee Hyo-seok Cultural Festival commemorates the modern Korean writer and features buckwheat-themed programs. Events include a Hyo-seok essay contest, traditional performances, a costume parade, a photo contest, and "When the Buckwheat Blossoms" plays and related performances. During the festival, visitors can enjoy makguksu (buckwheat noodles) and memil buchim (buckwheat pancakes) and tour the locations that appear in the famous short story.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information