Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Gyeongbokgung Palace (경복궁)

1418294 2018-12-06

161, Sajik-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3700-3900, +82-2-738-9171, +82-2-3210-1645, +82-2-3700-3904

Built in 1395, Gyeongbokgung Palace is also commonly referred to as the Northern Palace because its location is furthest north when compared to the neighboring palaces of Changdeokgung (Eastern Palace) and Gyeonghuigung (Western Palace) Palace. Gyeongbokgung Palace is arguably the most beautiful, and remains the largest of all five palaces.

The premises were once destroyed by fire during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasions, 1592-1598). However, all of the palace buildings were later restored under the leadership of Heungseondaewongun during the reign of King Gojong (1852-1919).

Remarkably, the most representative edifices of the Joseon Dynasty, Gyeonghoeru Pavilion and Hyangwonjeong Pond have remained relatively intact. Woldae and the sculptures of Geunjeongjeon (The Royal Audience Chamber) represent past sculptures of contemporary art.

The National Palace Museum of Korea is located south of Heungnyemun Gate, and the National Folk Museum is located on the eastern side within Hyangwonjeong.

Some Sevit (세빛섬)

93971 2018-12-06

683, Olympic-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-1566-3433

Some Sevit is a culture complex made up of three man-made floating islands located near the southern end of Banpo Bridge. The islands were created with the theme of "flowers of the Hangang River" and represent the view, life, and the earth, as well as a flower in various stages of life. The largest island, 'Some Gavit' symbolizes the view and takes the form of a flower in full bloom. It is a multi-functional cultural facility which can be used as a venue for performances, international conferences, exhibitions and more. The second island, 'Some Chavit' looks like a flower bud, an image of life. A range of cultural experiences and event zones including Beat Square, Youth Woods and restaurants using 3D to bring themes to life are located here. The third and smallest island, 'Some Solvit' takes the form of a seed planted in the earth. This island has water sports facilities and an outdoor garden from which you may enjoy the picturesque scenery of the Hangang River. Around the floating islands are LED lights that create a fantastic night view under the theme of "a gleaming light in the mist."

Montmartre Park (몽마르트 공원)

11686 2018-12-06

59, Banpo-daero 37-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2155-6877

Located within Banpo 4-dong area in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Montmartre Park was initially a wild forest with densely populated acacia trees. In 2000, as a part of the Banpo-dong reservoir development project implemented by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, this hilltop was turned into a park open to the public where visitors can rest and use for leisure purposes. This park was given the name "Montmartre Park" due to its close proximity to Seorae Village, a French town in Seoul.

* Total land area: 24,690m²
* Park area: 20,054m²

Konjiam Resort (곤지암리조트)

8944 2018-12-06

278, Docheogwit-ro, Docheok-myeon, Gwangju-si, Gyeonggi-do

Located in Nogobong Valley in Taehwasan Mountain in Gwangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do Province, Konjiam Resort is only an hour away by car from the Gangnam area in Seoul. The year-round resort boasts the largest ski slopes of Gyeonggi-do Province, a condominium with 476 rooms, the nation’s first residential spa, and a variety of other facilities.

Some of the most unique features of the resort are the ecological stream running through the resort and the cave wine cellar where about 90,000 bottles of wine are stored. Another visitor favorite is the Konjiam Arboretum, which has 3,700 species of plants and about 20 themed gardens.

Seolleung / Jeongneung (a.k.a. Seonjeongneung) [UNESCO World Heritage] (서울 선릉과 정릉 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

74052 2018-12-06

1, Seolleung-ro 100-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
+82-2-568-1291

* Night-time viewing is restricted to lighted areas
* Night-time viewing prohibited November-February for the safety of all visitors

Seonjeongneung is comprised of Seolleung Royal Tomb and Jeongneung Royal Tomb. Located in downtown Seoul, this place offers tranquil and pleasant promenades for couples and office workers. Seonjeongneung houses the burial mounds of King Seongjong (1469-1494), his wife Queen Jeonghyeon, and King Jungjong (1506-1544) of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).

Upon entering the grounds, you can see a red gate (the red colour denotes holiness) with a taegeuk (yin-yang) symbol. The stone paths leading to the sacrificial building are noteworthy because there are two stone paths—the elevated path is for the dead King and the lower one is for living people.

In the past, memorial rites were performed in the sacrificial building. Small sculptures on the eaves called Japsang were carved in the shape of animals, such as monkeys, and were believed to exorcise evil spirits. Next to the sacrificial building, there is a pavilion and a tombstone for the tomb of the king. Sculptures of sheep and tigers surround the tomb and are guardians of the deceased king. There is also a statue of a military officer bearing a sword. In front of the tomb is an outstanding sight called 'Mangjuseok,' which is a pair of stones designed to guide the spirit of the king to his tomb. Unlike the tombs of the kings, the queen’s tomb, Wanghureung, is simple. It doesn’t have any pavilions or sacrificial buildings, and is surrounded only by stone sculptures as guardians.

Seonjeongneung has a lush forest, and benches on the promenade provide an ideal place to relax. There are numerous small hills with clusters of trees that create a border between the mystery and serenity of the royal tombs and the hustle and bustle of downtown Seoul.

Seodongyo Theme Park (서동요 테마파크)

12220 2018-12-06

616, Chungsin-ro, Chunghwa-myeon, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-832-9913

Set 1,400 years ago, the drama, "Ballad of Seodong (2005)," showcases the love between the king of the Baekje Dynasty and the princess of the Silla Kingdom. It was filmed in Buyeo, Chungcheongnam-do at the Seodongyo Theme Park. The theme park offers a variety of highlights such as the royal residences of Baekje and Silla, the place where the nobles held their banquets, the commoners’ village, and the village of the nobles. Visitors can also engage in various experience programs including jegichagi (a game played by kicking around a shuttlecock), swings, character necklace making, trying on drama costumes, and more.

Damyang Changpyeong [Slow City] (담양군 창평면 [슬로시티])

10064 2018-12-06

56-24, Doldam-gil, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-2-383-3807

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village was the first Korean place designated as a slow city in 2007. Compared with the fast-changing city life, the village seeks a slow life by experiencing regional cultures and food while surrounded by nature. Visitors can also make Korean traditional sweets & cookies such as Hangwa and Ssalyeot here.

Baengnyeonsa Temple (Gangjin) (백련사-강진)

5345 2018-12-06

145, Baengnyeonsa-gil, Doam-myeon, 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 Silla period (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 3,000 pyeong (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.

Seoul Bangidong Ancient Tombs (서울 방이동 고분군)

6859 2018-12-05

219, Ogeum-ro, Songpa-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2147-2800

The ancient tombs in Bangi-dong were discovered during the land readjustment project of Jamsil-jigu District in 1975. A total of eight ancient tombs were excavated until 1976, and the site was restored into a park in 1983. The Bangi-dong area was originally a low line of hills with an altitude of 30-50m above sea level, but it has been made into flatland for urban development purposes. Tomb numbers 1 to 6 lie on the same hill, while tomb no. 7 and 8 are located on another hill a short distance away.

All eight tombs have circular burial mounds. The insides of the a tomb feature a square or rectangular-shaped burial chamber with earthen ground and stone walls, and a passage leading from the tomb entrance to the chamber. However, details of the burial chambers vary by tomb. Most of the tombs had been robbed before the investigation, but a few relics such as plates and pots have been excavated. At the time of excavation, the relics were presumed to have come from the Baekje Dynasty (18 BC-660 AD), but it is now estimated that they date back to the Unified Silla Period (676-935 AD).

Baekdamsa Temple (백담사)

24856 2018-12-05

746, Baekdam-ro, Buk-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-462-6969

Located within Seoraksan Mountain, Baekdamsa Temple was built by Ja Jang (590~658) during the reign of Queen Jin-Deok (647-654), 28th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. In the beginning, a temple called Hangyesa was built in Hangye-ri which was in the vicinity to Jangsudae Cliff. This temple was completely demolished by several fire accidents including one in the year 690, during the reign of King Sinmun. It changed its locations to several other sites and was renamed Youngchuisa, Simsa, Baekdamsa, and Simwonsa Temple.

A stone bridge called Susimgyo is built across Baekdam Gyegok Valley to the front of Baekdamsa Temple. Wooden Amityus Buddha Statue, designated as National Treasure No.1182, is preserved here at Baekdamsa Temple. This Buddhist statue was made in 1748 during the reign of Yeongjo (reign 1724~1776) and is known as the most outstanding statue in the early 18th century. Currently remaining structures include Geukrakbojeon, Sanryeonggak, Hwaeomsil, Beophwasil, Jeongmun, and Yosachae. In the courtyard, there is a three-story stone temple remaining to this date. As for temples, Bongjeongam, Oseam, and Wonmyeongam remain till today.

Baekdamsa Temple was made famous by Manhae Han Yong-Un, a strong activist for national independence and poet who wrote his literary piece called “Nimui Chimmuk (Silence of the Beloved)” when he was just 48. Today, Baekdamsa Temple has the Manhae Monument Hall, built to remember the spirit of Manhae Han Yong-Un.

King Sejong Statue (세종대왕 동상)

55565 2018-12-05

175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

The King Sejong Statue was erected at the center of Gwanghawmun Square on Hangeul Day (October 9) of 2009. Sitting with a gentle smile on his face and a book in his hand, the bronze statue of 9.5m in x_height celebrates the King and his great achievements.

In front of the statue lie a celestial globe, a rain gauge, and a sundial, all of which King Sejong invented himself during his reign. Behind the statue, there are six columns with golden carvings depicting the King's major accomplishments, as well as an underground passage to the 'Sejong's Story' exhibition hall. Surrounding the statue, on the edges of the Square, is the 'Waterway of History,' a stream flowing on tiles with inscriptions of Korean history.

King Sejong (1392-1910)
King Sejong is best remembered as the inventor of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet. During his reign, he consolidated the basis for ruling the Joseon Dynasty by incorporating Confucian philosophy of politics. Furthermore, he led the nation's great strides in agriculture, literature, science and technology.

Bultapsa Temple - Jeju (불탑사 (제주))

6140 2018-12-05

41, Wondang-ro 16-gil, Jeju-si, Jeju-do
+82-64-755-9283

Located in Samyang-dong, Jeju-si, Bultapsa Temple is a branch of Gwaneumsa Temple, the headquarters of the 23rd district of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The temple is nestled at the foot of Wondangbong Peak (alt. 170.4m). The Buddhist shrine, Wondangda, was one of three temples in Jeju during the Yuan Dynasty. Most of the temple was damaged due to the Jeju Uprising on April 3, 1948 and it was rebuilt in 1953. Later, the temple underwent renovations and extension works to get to the current conditions. Today, the temple has Daeungjeon Hall, Yosachae monk quarters, Jonggak Bell Tower, and Cheonwangmun Gate. The temple's five-story stone pagoda is Jeju's only stone pagoda from the Goryeo Dynasty. It was designated Treasure No. 1187 in November 1993.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information