Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Muju Gucheong-dong Special Tourist Zone (무주구천동관광특구)

19625 2024-04-07

Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-320-2114

At the heart of the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone is Muju Gucheondong Valley. The outer parts of Deogyusan National Park and the mountain’s natural recreation forest are also part of the special tourist zone.

The 30-kilometer-long Muju Gucheondong Valley is located to the north of Deogyusan National Park. The calm and soothing sound of the water flowing through a lush forest make this a great summer destination. The 33 scenic points of Gucheondong include Eunguam Rock, Haksodae Falls, Waryongdam Pond, Gucheon Waterfall and Yeonhwa Waterfall. In the summer, visitors can see the rare sight of fireflies in their natural habitat. The fall foliage in autumn and the winter snowscape are also quite exquisite.

Within the vicinity of Muju Gucheondong is Muju Resort. The resort complex is made up of a family hotel, resort condominium and various recreational facilities where visitors can enjoy skiing, hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. Visitors can take the gondola from the resort all the way up to Deogyusan Mountain’s Seolcheonbong Peak (1,520 meters). From, there, they can easily reach the summit at Hyangjeokbong Peak (1,614 meters).

Taekwondowon, located near the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone, offers a hands-on Taekwondo experience program. Those who are interested in learning Taekwondo can take part in a 1-day program which includes a Taekwondo demonstration, a Taekwondo class (basic movements), and board breaking.

[Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone]
Areas Covered: Mupung-myeon (Samgoe-ri) and Seolcheon-myeon (Samgong-ri and Simgok-ri) in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do
Area size: 7,610,000 ㎡
Tourist Attractions: Deogyusan National Park, 33 Scenic Views of Muju, Gucheondong Valley, Muju Resort, forest park, Taekwondowon, Muju Hyanggyo (Confucian school), Baengnyeonsa Temple, Jeoksansanseong Fortress, etc.

Eunsusa Temple (은수사)

8659 2024-04-07

406, Maisannam-ro, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-433-2502

The temple located upon Maisan Mountain was called Sangwonsa Temple during the early Joseon dynasty and was later known as Jeongmyeongam Hermitage. According to the Korean Language Society, the temple began to be called Eunsusa (meaning ‘Silver Water Temple’) after King Taejo (the founder of the Joseon dynasty) visited the temple and remarked that the water flowing nearby was as clean and smooth as pure silver.

The temple is home to the largest known Beopgo (Buddhist drum used for rituals), which was produced in 1982. A stone sculpture and a statue of Granny Samsin (a goddess that looks after babies’ births and keeps them healthy) also stand at the temple. However, the temple’s most treasured assets are its two Natural Monuments: Emerald Gaiety (a climbing vine, Natural Monument No. 380) and the Cheongsil Pear Tree (Natural Monument No. 386). Reverse icicles, though found all over the mountainsides, are most readily and abundantly found in the Eunsusa Temple area.

Uniram Baniramgyegok Valley (운일암 반일암 계곡)

39547 2024-04-07

1926, Dongsangjucheon-ro, Jucheon-myeon, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-430-8382

Uniram Baniramgyegok Valley (5 km long) falls between Myeongdeokbong Peak and Myeongdobong Peak in the northeastern region of Mount Unjangsan. The name Uniram refers to the steep walls of the valley where nothing but the sky, rocks, thick forests, and clouds can be seen. The valley is also befittingly named Baniram since it is so deep that it only receives direct sunlight for half the day. There are many strangely-shaped rocks like Jjokduri Rock, Cheollyeop Rock, and Daebul Rock scattered throughout the lush valley. At the peak of summer, the area is crowded with vacationers and is also popular for its autumn leaves.

Wido Beach (위도해수욕장)

4422 2024-04-07

Jin-ri, Buan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-580-3762

Opened in 1969, Wido Beach is known as an excellent swimming beach. The beach is sheltered by the surrounding mountains with fairly shallow and clear waters, making it very popular among families seeking a relaxing vacation. Moreover, the beach offers a spectacular view of Wangdeungdo Island from the shore.

Namwon Silsangsa Temple (실상사(남원))

8876 2024-04-07

94-129, Ipseok-gil, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-636-3031

Silsangsa Temple was constructed by Monk Jeunggak, as one of nine special temples in the year 828. The temple was established because of the theory of divination, based on topology. The belief held that Korea’s good spirit would be taken away to Japan, bringing bad luck if the temple was not constructed at this particular location. The temple was reconstructed in the 26th year of King Sukjong’s reign (1700) after it was completely destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, it was almost burnt down in the 19th year of King Gojong’s reign (1882).

It is presently preserved just as it was during the Unified Silla Kingdom, with its three-story pagoda and its 11 treasures with a total of 17 cultural assets. The entrance of the temple lies in the middle of a rice field and the temple has a pastoral view, surrounded by trees. From the entrance, visitors can cross the half-moon shaped stone bridge to find a remarkable totem pole.

Jeonju Donggosa Temple (동고사 (전주))

12148 2024-04-07

103-100, Naksujeong 2-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-288-1626

Donggosa Temple, located on Seungamsan Mountain in Jeonju, is a Buddhist temple of the Taego Order. The hike up to Donggosa Temple is a refreshing climb, and the temple provides a stunning panoramic view of downtown Jeonju. The temple buildings were constructed one after another along the mountain ridge, and stand in a row on either side of Daeungjeon Hall. The temple is modest and tastefully decorated with portraits of deceased great Buddhist monks and wooden Buddhist murals. The hiking trail to the right of Donggosa Temple leads to Chimyeongjasan Martyrs Ground, which is the graveyard of persecuted Catholics from the late Joseon dynasty.

Deogyusan National Park (Main, Jeoksang Section) (덕유산국립공원 (본소,적상분소))

26889 2024-04-07

159, Gucheondong 1-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-322-3174

The area of Deogyusan National Park stretches out from the southern ridges of Sobaeksan Mountain, covering regions within four different counties in Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeollabuk-do. The park is nestled in Deogyusan Mountain, Korea's 4th tallest mountain with the summit reaching an elevation of 1,614 meters. The mountain is blessed with a 36-kilometer valley dotted with several scenic points, ponds, and waterfalls.

The mountain contains prestigious cultural heritages, such as Jeoksangsanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 146) and the Hanging Painting of Anguksa Temple (Treasure No. 1267) to name a few. It is also home to diverse wildlife animals and plants. The mountain's beauty can be enjoyed all year round, with royal azaleas in spring, a colony of daylilies in summer, colorful autumn foliage in fall, and a white snowy mountain vista in winter.

Sin Jae-hyo's House (고창 신재효 고택)

16260 2024-04-07

100, Dongni-ro, Gochang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-560-2943

Sin Jae-hyo (1812-1884) was a legendary theorist, director, and sponsor of pansori (epic chant). Sin Jae-hyo's House in Gochang was built in 1850, and visitors can observe sarangchae (main room), an old well, and a paulownia tree preserved to this day. Sin was not a singer himself but a pansori enthusiast, and he used wealth to train potential singers and contribute to the growth of pansori. He also compiled and edited six pansori madangs (operas) titled Ttoggi Taryeong, Bak Taryeong, Simcheongga, Jeokbyeokga, Chunhyangga, and Garujigi Taryeong, of which only five are passed down. To honor his contributions and passion for pansori, Dongni Gugakdang was founded behind this house.

Seonggwansa Temple (성관사)

7760 2024-04-07

492-83, Jangmu-ro, Jangsu-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-353-0396

Seonggwansa Temple is located in Jangsu-gun in Jeollabuk-do. It is said that the temple was established during the Goryeo dynasty (918-1392). The temple was designated as a traditional temple in July 1999.

Wibongsanseong County Park (위봉산성군립공원)

11502 2024-04-07

Daeheung-ri, Wanju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-240-4224

Wibongsanseong County Park is located north of Jeonju, past Songgwangsa Temple through a tunnel of cherry trees. The park has some noteworthy sightseeing attractions such as Wibongpokpo Falls, Wibongsa Temple, and Dongsang Reservoir. Winbongsanseong County Park was founded at the site of Winbongsanseong Fortress, which was built under King Sukjong's rule in 1675 as a refuge site to safekeep the portrait of Joeson dynasty's founder King Taejo and the royal family's ancestral tablet in times of war or other national emergency. They are originally enshrined in Gyeonggijeon Shrine and Jogyeongmyo Shrine, and when Jeonju had fallen during the Donghak Peasant Revolution, the portrait and tablet were moved to a small palace inside the fortress. The original fortress walls were 16 kilometers in circumference with three gates in the north, east, and west, but only a half-moon shaped western gate remains standing today.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information