Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Nabawi Catholic Church (화산천주교회(나바위 성당))

9117 2024-04-07

146, Nabawi 1-gil, Iksan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-861-9210

Nabawi Catholic Church is located in Hwasan-ri, Mangseong-myeon in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do Province and is known as the oldest surviving catholic church in the Jeolla-do region. The church was built in 1906 to commemorate the return of priest Kim Dae-geon in 1845 (Joseon dynasty) after he was ordained in Shanghai, China. Inside the church stand two monuments: one built in 1954 to honor Joseph Vermorel (French missionary, 1860-1937) and one built in 1955 to honor priest and martyr Kim Dae-geon. Considered the most significant catholic relic of the Jeolla-do region, the church is sought out by large numbers of Catholic visitors each year.

Gwisinsa Temple - Gimje (귀신사 - 김제)

9495 2024-04-07

40, Cheongdo 6-gil, Gimje-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-548-0917

Gwisinsa, located in Cheongdo Village, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, is now a temple of the Jogye Order, but once belonged to the Haweom Order. The temple is widely believed to have been established by the great monk Uisang Daesa during the 16th year of King Munmu (676). However, some experts site the existence of the Namgeunseok stone animal sculpture as proof that the temple was originally the private temple of King Beop of the Baekje Kingdom.

Throughout history, the temple has had many names—Guksinsa, Gwisinsa, Gusunsa, and Gwisinsa (same English spelling, different meaning)—but not much is known about when the temple was called by which name. On the temple grounds are a 3-story stone pagoda and some stone sculptures including seoksu (animal statues) and budo (a stupa in honor of a great master). Inside the temple are Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No.826), Myeongbujeon Hall, and Gongyangjib Chamber (a chamber for Buddhist offerings).

Muju Baengnyeonsa Temple (백련사(무주))

6589 2024-04-07

580, Baengnyeonsa-gil, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-322-3395

Baengnyeonsa Temple is located in the upper part of Gucheondong Valley on Deogyusan Mountain. It is said that during the Silla Kingdom, a white lotus flower bloomed here, and that's why the temple is called Baengnyeonsa (lit. White Lotus Temple). The temple is the only remaining temple out of 14 that were built in the Gucheon-dong area of Muju. After walking over Baengnyeongyo Bridge at the entrance of the temple, you will come to a stone stairway. At the top is the main sanctuary. The majesty and beauty of the main sanctuary is well complemented by the mountains. The Mokjosamjonbul Stone Buddha within the main building is presumed to have been built in the latter half of the Joseon dynasty. Past Myeongbujeon is Baengnyeonsa’s Sajeokbi tombstone, and the workmanship of the carved calligraphy is very highly regarded.

Gangcheonsan County Park (강천산 군립공원)

30627 2024-04-07

97, Gangcheonsan-gil, Sunchang-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-650-1672

Gangcheonsan Mountain is surrounded by Gwangcheonsan Gwangjubong Peak (583.7 meters above sea level), Gwangdeoksan Seonnyeobong Peak (578 meters), and Sanseongsan Yeondaebong Peak (603 meters above sea level) in the area of 996beonji, Cheonggye-ri, Sunchang-gun, Jeollabuk-do. It is divided into small canyons and has an outstanding view with rocky mountains on all sides. The valley was called Gangcheon Valley because clean and clear water flows like a spring on the hard rocks, and all the mountains around it were called Gangcheonsan Mountain. It is said that in the past it was called Yongcheonsan Mountain, named after the shape of two dragons waving their tails toward the sky and ascending to heaven.

Following the Noryeong Mountain Range to Chuwolsan Mountain, it forms Gwangdeoksan Mountain and Yongcheonsan Mountain. On Sanseongsan Mountain (two dragons from the eastern sky to the western sky) that towers high in the sky, two dragons run east side by side. There are numerous peaks, some famous ones are, Yeondaebong, Undaebong, Suyeongbong, Cheonjabong, Gitdaebong, Gwangjubong, Gyeonjebong, and Songrakbong peaks. Between these two mountains is a very deep valley. Some of the famous valleys are, Yeondaegyegok Valley, Seonnyeogyegok Valley (Jeobujegol), Wondeunggyegok Valley (Yongdaeamgol), Buntonggol Pass, Jijigol Valley, Somokgol Valley, Samindaegyegok Valley (Hwangwoojegol), Giwoojegol Valley, Senyanggol Valley, Multonggol Valley, Chodanggol Valley, Ujakgol Valley, Dongmakgol Valley, Geumganggyegok Valley (Tapsanggol), Seungbanggol Valley, Byeondugol Valley, etc. The clear water flowing from every valley joins into one and the sound of the water crashing against the rocks and stones echoes throughout the valley and enters Gangcheonho Lake.

When spring comes, willows bloom, and when the forsythia and azaleas are in full bloom, wild cherry blossoms reach full bloom on every mountain peak. The clear and clean water flows continuously between the gravel along the valley. Visitors can cool off the heat in this river that does not collect moss either because it is too cold or clean. On Gangcheonsan Mountain, there are beautiful shrubs and maple trees, and the baby maples and baby squirrels announce the arrival of autumn among the seven different types of maple trees. The multiple trails on the mountain are not steep or too dangerous, making it popular regardless of age. It is also ideal for mountaineering and mountain-loving hikers. The scenery of the river with white snow and icicles attracts painters who want to capture the moment on a canvas. Gangcheonsan Mountain has four distinct seasons making it a popular destination all year round.

Gudam Village (구담마을)

13231 2024-04-07

49, Cheondam 1-gil, Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-644-9051

Located at the beginning of the Seomjingang River, the steep banks in Gudam Village are covered in maehwa (plum blossoms) in white and red. While strolling along the 3-kilometer-long path of the riverside that connects Gudam Village to Cheondam Village, tourists will be impressed by the beautiful scene created by the plum and cherry blossoms. The village became more and more famous thanks to its cozy ambience created by the Seomjingang River, plum blossoms and Zelkova at the mouth of the village, attracting visitors to enjoy a walking trip. The village has also served as a filming location for movies, including the film "Spring in My Hometown (1998)."

Dongnagwon House (동락원)

13096 2024-04-07

33-6, Eunhaeng-ro, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-285-3490

The Dongnagwon House in Jeonju Hanok Village provides a getaway to experience hanok stay and traditional Korean life. Affiliated with Jeonju Kijeon College, Dongnagwon is also a memorial hall dedicated to W. M. Junkin, who came to Korea as a missionary from the South Presbyterian Church of the United States in 1892. Dongnagwon is a reproduction of the old hanok houses in Jeonju from the time when W. M. Junkin was doing his missionary work in the area. It is comprised of three buildings: Anchae (main hall), Sarangchae (guest house), and Haengnangchae (servants’ quarters).

Visitors to Dongnagwon can learn and experience traditional Korean culture such as music, crafts, and dance while inhabiting traditional lodging. In addition to providing accommodation for individual guests, Dongnagwon is also used for group accommodations or activities such as seminars, conferences, and family events. For groups of 30 or more, it is possible to rent out the entire venue (in addition to all facilities, including Seungdokdang, Seunghwadang, Cheongyuje, and the front yard).

Deogyusan National Recreational Forest (국립 덕유산자연휴양림)

28279 2024-04-07

530-62, Gucheondong-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-322-1097

Deogyusan National Recreational Forest is located south of Muju near Gucheon-dong Valley and Deogyusan National Park. The lush forest of larch and pine nut trees creates a cool ambience for relaxation. The recreational forest features a biking trail, and is near Deogyusan Ski Resort and other leisure facilities.

Seongsusan Recreational Forest (성수산자연휴양림)

16160 2024-04-07

374, Seongsusan-gil, Imsil-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-640-2475

Located in Imsil, Jeollabuk-do, Seongsusan Recreational Forest (성수산자연휴양림) grows in a deep valley that contains historic sites from the founding days of Goryeo through to the Joseon dynasty. Because of its secluded location and clean air the forest has recently become a new popular destination for summer vacationers.

There is a children’s playground, and above it are condominium-type lodgings which can accommodate over 200 guests. There is a camping ground as well where all you hear are the sounds of flowing running water and chirping birds. It is an out-of-the-way little hideaway ideal for relaxation.

Old Walls of Jijeon Village in Muju (무주 지전마을 옛 담장)

21996 2024-04-07

13, Gilbonji-gil, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-1899-8687

The Old Walls of Jijeon Village in Muju were mostly all built to mark the dividing line between houses, rather than to keep people out. The walls started out using mud and natural stones, but later changed to more square-shaped stones held together with cement and topped with Korean roofing tiles. The wall blends in harmony with the traditional houses of the village and the slowly flowing Namdaecheon Stream.

Gunsan Geumgang Estuary Bank (금강하구둑(군산))

39486 2024-04-07

120, Cheolsae-ro, Gunsan-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-454-3353

Geumgang Estuary Bank was completed in 1990 as part of an agricultural development project for 6 cities and counties in Chungcheongnam-do and Jeollabuk-do. The Korea Agricultural and Rural Infrastructure Corporation invested approximately 100 billion won for the project and the construction lasted for 8 years. The estuary bank can hold up to 130 million tons of water. The 1,840-meter long bank serves a bridge that connects Chungcheongnam-do to Jeollabuk-do.

Aside from being the source of water for agricultural and industrial use in Jeollabuk-do and Chungcheongnam-do, the bank also provides flood control for the area around Geumgang River. It helps keep Gunsanhang Port operational by preventing soil and sand from accumulating at the mouth of the river. It also prevents the backwash of seawater from causing damage to farmlands. Geumgang Estuary Bank has an important role as a tourist destination by connecting Gunsan and Janghang.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information