Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Cheorwon Dopiansa Temple (도피안사(철원))

2022-11-14

23, Dopidong-gil, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-455-2471

Dopiansa Temple was built by the Buddhist Monk Doseon in 865, the 5th year of the reign of King Gyeongmun of the Unified Silla Period. Legend has it that Monk Doseon founded this temple because a 91 centimeter-tall iron seated Vairocana Buddha statue had disappeared while being carried to Anyangsa Temple in Cheorwon and was mysteriously found seated at the current site.

The temple was named Dopiansa to indicate that the iron-made Buddha statue had reached “pian,” meaning an eternal place to rest. In addition to the legendary iron seated Variocana Buddha statue (National Treasure) made by Monk Doseon, the temple houses a 4.1 meter-tall three-story stone pagoda (Treasure).

Cheorwon Peace Observatory (철원평화전망대)

2022-10-25

588-14, Junggang-ri, Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do
+82-33-450-5558

Cheorwon Peace Observatory offers a panoramic view of the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone separating North and South Korea) in the central forward area of Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do. From this observatory, one can see the Cheorwon plain, areas of the DMZ, and even North Korea. Photos of the 2nd Tunnel, military barracks, checkpoints, and the DMZ are exhibited here. Visitors can easily get to the observatory using the 50-person monorail, see the remains of the ancient Taebongguk (nation), and even see the faces of North Korean soldiers through binoculars.

International Seon Center (국제선센터)

2019-12-19

+82-2-2650-2200

The International Seon Center, operated by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, is a global templestay center where both local residents and foreign visitors alike can experience Korea’s Buddhist cultural practices. The temple offers opportunities to experience traditional Korean Buddhist culture through such programs as Ganwha Seon (meditation classes), Templestay, Seon Culture Class, and temple food lectures. The regular Sunday ceremony provides a dharma talk both in Korean and English.

Gangjin Dawon Tea Plantation (전남 강진다원)

2021-02-09

93-25, Baegun-ro, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-432-5500

Gangjin Dawon Tea Plantation is located at the southern foot of Wolchulsan Mountain in Jeollanam-do. The area’s big temperature difference between day and night and the frequent thick fog provide ideal conditions for tea cultivation. The tea cultivated at Gangjin Dawon has a strong scent and rarely tastes bitter. Gangjin Dawon is the home of the nation’s first green tea product “Baegunokpancha.” Since 1980, an extensive area of mountainous territory has been cultivated for green tea production to become the more than 80 acres of green tea fields that it is today. As Gangjin Dawon is relatively lesser known than the green tea fields in Boseong, visitors can enjoy a relaxing time surrounded by the vastness of the green tea fields. Nearby attractions include Baengnyeonsa Temple, the Birthplace of Yeongnang, Gangjin Goryeo Cheongja kiln site, and Dasan Chodang, the house where the famous scholar Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (1762-1836) lived during his exile.

Muwisa Temple (무위사)

2019-11-20

308, Muwisa-ro, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-432-4974

Muwisa Temple is located on Wolchulsan Mountain in Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do. The temple has at least 1,100 years of history as it was established sometime before the early 10th century under the name Muwigapsa Temple. The temple houses many significant Buddhist treasures.

Gangjinman Bay (강진만)

2020-03-27

Beoljeong-ri, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-430-3114

Gangjin has many scenic landscapes with Wolchulsan Mountain to the north and the sea of Gugangpo dotted with numerous islets and wetlands to the south. It is also home to beautiful mountains, rivers, and plains that add to its scenic beauty and natural features. The Baengnyeonsa Temple and Dasan Chodang to the west of Gangjinman Bay, and the reeds along the coastline are a beautiful sight to behold. Also, the National Highway No. 23 that runs along the eastern border of the Gangjinman Bay, past the town of Gangjin-eup to Maryang, is famous for its many spectacular sights. Above all, it is highly recommended to hike up the Cheonilgak Pavilion in front of the Dasan Chodong Dongam (east hermitage) for a panoramic view of Gugangpo’s coastal waters. The hiking trail that traverses Mandeoksan Mountain leads to Baengnyeonsa, which is a temple with breathtaking ocean view.

Birthplace of Yeongnang (강진영랑생가)

2019-08-10

15, Yeongnangsaengga-gil, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-430-3185

Kim Yun-sik was born on this site on January 16, 1903 as the first-born of two sons and three daughters. Under the pen name Yeongnang, he was active in literature until his death on September 29, 1950. Among the 80 poems he published, more than 60 were written in this place where he lived a life resisting Japanese imperialism and refusing to change his name to a Japanese name. After he moved to Seoul in 1948, his birthplace was resold several times, but the county of Gangjin-gun bought it in 1985 to restore it to its original state with a thatched-roof. The site features many of the poet’s writing materials and the site has a small well, camellia trees, jangdokdae (a platform where large clay pots used for storing food are kept), persimmon trees, and a peony garden.

Yeongjong Grand Bridge (영종대교)

2022-07-26

Jangdo Island (Gyeongseo-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon-si) ~ Yeongjongdo Island (Unbuk-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon-si)

Yeongjongdaegyo Bridge connects the mainland of Incheon with Yeongjongdo Island that is home to the Incheon International Airport. Until the construction of this bridge, the only way to get to and from Yeongjongdo Island had been by boat. The 4.4 kilometer-long Yeongjong Bridge is the world’s first 3-dimensional self-anchored suspension bridge. The bridge carries both highways and rail lines on its decks, and 10,000-ton ships can pass under the bridge. The bridge was designed to withstand strong winds and earthquake.

It is the first bridge in Korea to have been completed through private capital inducement project. In addition to its function as a bridge, it is also an architectural beauty as the shape of the cable and the girder was designed to symbolize the eaves of the traditional Korean tile-roofed house. In 2002, Yeongjongdaegyo Bridge won the Tanaka Award by the Japan Society of Civil Engineers for the first time in Korea.

Herb Village (허브빌리지)

2018-08-01

37 ,Buksam-ro 20 beon-gil, Wangjing-myeon, Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-833-5100

The Herb Village in Yeoncheon, Gyeonggi-do Province gives a splendid view of Imjingang River. This beautiful oasis is perfect for a relaxing day out of Seoul with the whole family. Colorful flowers, wooden benches, original statues, and a beautiful landscape decorate the whole space of the garden. One can just take a leisurely walk down the hill towards the river while stopping to smell the herbs every once in a while.

If you need some refreshments, there are a couple of restaurants in the garden. If you want to stay overnight, there is beautiful guesthouse that offers comfortable accommodation. The village also has an herb jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) that creates a romantic ambience after sunset with candle lights, and foot baths that use different herbs can be found outside. The village is just a short drive from Seoul and one can enjoy a scenic view of the surroundings along the way.

Templestay Information Center (템플스테이 홍보관)

2022-10-17

56, Ujeongguk-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2031-2000

Templestay Information Center offers various information and services regarding templestays and temple meals for domestic and international visitors. The center also operates traditional cultural experiences, such as tea time with a Buddhist monk, traditional culture activities and more.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information