Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gameunsaji (Gameunsa Temple Site) was built by King Munmu (AD 661-681), the king of Silla who unified Baekjae and Goguryeo late in the 7th century. Except for the 13.4 high two pagodas, all the buildings were burned to the ground. King Munmu built this temple to drive away the Japanese pirates from the country with the power of Buddha. Unfortunately, he passed away before the completion of the the temple, and asked to burry him at the East Sea, which is 500m far from the temple. Being a sacred dragon of the East Sea, he wanted to protect the county after his death. Therefore he was burried at sea near the temple. His son King Sinmun (AD 681-692) completed the temple and named it Gameunsa Temple, which implies appreciating paternal love.The Three-story Stone Pagodas The east and the west pagodas of Gameunsaji (Gameunsa Temple Site) are structurally identical and are designated as National Treasuer No. 112. These stone pagodas were made during the early years of the Unified Silla Kingdom. The two 13.4 high pagodas are the highest three-story stone pagodas of the Silla Era and are known for its symmetry.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to the Gayageum (a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument) and Ureuk, the inventor of the Gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the Gayageum.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

On the bus from Gyeongju to Bonggil-ri, the sight of the vast blue sea spread before your eyes will leave you breathless. As you gaze at the glittering blue sea, a small but particularly beautiful islet catches your eye. This little rocky islet is the Underwater Tomb of King Munmu (661-681 A.D.), who unified the three kingdoms and became the 30th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. The king gave specific instructions to be buried in the East Sea after his death so that he would become a dragon and protect Silla from Japanese intruders. The rocky island, about 200m in circumference, is divided by a cross-shaped waterway, forming a pool at the center, at the bottom of which is a granite 3.6 meters long, 2.9 meters wide and 0.9 meters thick. Legend has it that the remains of King Munmu’s cremated body are buried under this rock. Historians still debate whether the ashes of the King Munmu were scattered or stored in an urn and placed under the granite. The beauty of the landscape of the underwater tomb reaches its peak in autumn.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Ogyeonjeongsa House (옥연정사), located at the foot of Buyongdae Cliff in Andong’s Hahoe Village, was built by Ryu Seong-yong, a minister during the Joseon period. The construction started in 1576 (the 9th year of King Seonjo’s reign) and was completed in 1586 (the 19th year of King Seonjo’s reign). After the end of the Imjinwaeran (the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), war memoirs called ‘Jingbirok’ were written here. To get to Ogyeonjeongsa House, you will need to cross the river by ferry. Even though the house is not extravagant, you can enjoy the humble beauty of a traditional Korean house, complementing the natural beauty of the surrounding cliffs, river, and forest. * Sesimjae School (세심재) This private school has a Gamrokheon wooden floor in the middle with adjacent rooms on both sides. * Wolnakjae House (원락재) Wolnakjae means ‘waiting for a friend.’ In this house, the minister Ryu Seong-yong wrote his war memoirs called Jingbirok. * Hands-on Center Sesimjae (two rooms (4 persons or less per room), Gamrokheon wooden floor) Wolnakjae (one room for 8 or less persons, Aeoheon wooden floor)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

There are no sand beaches on Ulleungdo Island. Because the coastline is made up of steep rock walls, all beaches are formed by small pebbles. But the water is very clean and the scenery, strikingly beautiful. In particular, Jugam Mongdol Beach is considered extremely beautiful because of such attractions as Samseonam Rocks (Three Fairy Rocks) and Gwaneumdo Island are nearby. Toilets are available, but to preserve its pristine natural beauty, there are no other facilities for your convenience.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Sangju-si)

Sangju Museum was established to highlight the history of Sangju, and systematically preserve and manage the city's cultural heritage. It features several exhibitions inside the building, and Naksangdong Stone Tower, stone lanterns and other stone relics outside.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Located in the north of Dodonghang Port, Dodong Lighthouse is also called Haengnam Lighthouse. From here, you can get a great view of Jeodonghang Port and its surrounding sea. The coastline walk path, starting from the left of Dodonghang Port, leads to the lighthouse. Another way is through the Haengnam mountain path behind Ulleung-gun Office. The 1.4-kilometer walk path from Dodonghang Port to Dodong Lighthouse is fascinating and the round trip takes roughly an hour and a half. On clear days, you can see Dokdo to the east from atop the lighthouse. To the north, you can see the beautiful landscape of Jeodonghang, Chotdae Candlestick rock, and Seonginbong Peak (the symbol of Ulleungdo). The lighthouse has long served as a beacon for Ulleung sailors. In 2006, it was newly renovated to include a small park and exhibition gallery. Nearby, there is Dodong Yaksu Spring. The sparkling water is said to help digestion and treat skin problems.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

Philos Hotel is owned by a large hospitality company that operates five-star hotels, golf clubs, and restaurants in some of Korea’s busiest districts, many of which are concentrated in Seoul and the surrounding area. The company purchased Cygnus Hotel in 2008 and reopened the hotel under the name “Philos Hotel” after extensive remodeling. The revamped hotel now features a variety of facilities and guest amenities such as a large parking facility with 400 spaces, a convention hall with seating for up to 1,500, a Chinese restaurant, a seafood buffet restaurant, a wine bar, a fitness center, a sauna, and a spa therapy center. Catering to tourists and business travelers, the hotel offers 131 guestrooms, each of which has its own bedroom, bathroom, and living room and is equipped with modern heating and cooling systems, an LCD TV, a personal safe, and high-speed internet. Hotel suites even come outfitted with a whirlpool bathtub, perfect for easing guests of their travel fatigue. Water used at the hotel is pumped up out of natural bedrock 760m underground. The alkaline water is said to help naturally balance the pH of the human body, which is getting more and more acidic due to the new technologies, pollution, and fast-paced nature of modern society.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Ragung, meaning the Palace of Silla, is a premium hanok hotel which combines traditional housing styles with modern interiors. All independent suites are connected by a corridor. The resort has 16 suites in either the Numaru or Madang style. The Numaru style features a traditional living room that is connected to an Ondol room (room with a heated floor). You can enjoy traditional refreshments in the living room, and on the left side of the living room lies an outdoor spa where you can relax and enjoy the hot tub. The Madang style suites have a traditional courtyard and a large outdoor spa. All the suites are fitted with a bedroom, ondol room, living room, and outdoor spa facility that you can enjoy regardless of season.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Cheongnyangsan Mountain Provincial Park was regarded during older times as a place where many famous high priests and scholars resided. At Cheongnyangsan Mountain, the Giam cliff forms 12 peaks and the Nakdonggang River flows through it. On this mountain stands the Cheongnyangsa Temple, which was built by Buddhist monk, Won-hyo (617 ~ 686.3.30) during King Munmu’s (reign 661~681) third year of reign during the Silla Period (BC57~AD935). There are also various temples, Gwanchang Falls, and many other attractions nearby. Behind the Provincial Park’s boulder is a monument with a poem inscribed on it by the famous scholar Toegye I Hwang (1501~1570) of the Joseon Period called Cheongnyangsanga. When Toegye was planning to build Dosanseodang, a school for the teachings of Confucianism, he had a tough time deciding on whether to build it there at Cheongnyangsan Mountain, or the alternate spot, where it was eventually built, on a decision made at the last minute. Aside from Toegye I Hwang, Won-Hyo and Ui-Sang (625 ~ 702), the Buddhist monks, Gim-Saeng (711 ~ 791), a master of calligraphy, Chi-won Choi (857 ~ ?), a scholar, and many others came to this mountain to cultivate their arts. Their presence still lingers in legends, being retold to this day. Osandang is believed to have been built by the disciples of Toegye at the spot where Toegye conferred with literary men, and is one of many relics found here, among them the Cheongnyangsan Mountain Castle, which is believed to have been built by King Gongmin (reign 1351~1374) of Goryeo Period, to escape the rebellions of the peasantry.