There are 3 legendary boundary gates at Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park, on rough mountaintops, which are reputed to be too tall for even birds to fly over.Mungyeongsaejae, which overlays Mt. Joryeongsan, has always been the highest and most dangerous mountain pass. It was cleared during the time of Kim Taejong (reign 1400~1418) of Joseon Period, and was used until a new road was built through the Ihwaryeong Gyegok Valley.The boundary gates and castle walls were raised here after the Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592 and 1598). The second boundary gate, Jogokgwan, was raised in 1594, and in 1708 Juheulgwan and Joryeonggwan were raised and were used as fortresses for national defense. They were damaged after that point, but in 1966 the No. 1, 2, and 3 boundary gates and castle walls were designated collectively as historical relic No. 147 and were later restored in 1976.Take the big road beside boundary gate No. 1 of southeastern Korea, Juheulgwan, for about 1.5km and you’ll arrive at Joryeongwon. There are only stonewalls left from the many inn-like dwellings, which were built to accommodate government officials on official tour. Past the tavern, which was restored in 1983, you’ll reach the Jogokgwan. The area around Jogokgwan is famous for its birch trees, and the Mungyeongsaejae Revolt Monument can be seen on the left side of the road.It’s 3.4km from Jogokgwan to Joryeonggwan, through a walkway with its harmonious scenery of rocks and cool streams. Instead of taking the big road, you can take the road with the sounds of stream water, to a waterfall. 30 minutes farther and you’ll arrive at Hyeguksa Temple.Hyeguksa Temple is at the edge of Juheulsan, and is the place where King Gongmin (reign 1351~1374) stayed while avoiding the peasant uprising. Past Hyeguksa Temple and the Royal Palace about 1km, you’ll reach the sacred peak of Mt, Juheulsan. The view of the winding mountain ranges from the mountaintop is spectacular. From the mountain top, past the valley, is Jogokgwan.The 3rd boundary gate is at Juheulsan (1,106m), and it takes about 4~5 hours to get to Jogokgwan from Juheulgwan. The area was designated as a Provincial Park in 1981.KBS drama studio is located in Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park, specializing in historical dramas, and it is the largest scale studio in the world. There are three palaces and many houses from the Goryeo Period, spread over 60,000 m2.

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.

Standing on a rock next to a stream, Poseokjeongji (Poseokjeong Pavilion - surface area 7,432㎡) was designated as private monument No.1 on January 21, 1963. The location is originally where the royal villa of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.~A.D. 935) had been, but the building no longer exists, and only a stone waterway shaped as a shell is left in its place.Poseokjeongji (Poseokjeong Pavilion) was named so as the shape of the rock grooves, winding and shaped like an abalone. Poseokjeong is built with 63 kinds of rock materials. It is 35cm wide, 26cm deep on average, and the total length is about 10 meters. It is said that the Namsan Valley water was brought here, and was spewed out through a stone turtle, but the stone turtle does not remain today.This is where the Silla Kings had come with their officials and nobles. It is said that they would float their wine glasses on the water where the water would flow along the stone groove, and they would recite poems before their glasses floated up to them.Next to Poseokjeongji (Poseokjeong Pavilion), Poseok valley was also much loved by the Silla people for its clean water and beautiful features. That is precisely why the palace villa of Silla was built here. Nowadays there are zelkovas, pine and bamboo woods preserving the cozy and relaxing atmosphere.

Buseoksa Temple is considered a 'masculine' temple. It differentiates itself from other temples by its huge size and the scenery is refreshing and beautiful. Buseoksa Temple was built in 676, when King Munmu (661~681) ruled the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. ~ A.D. 935), by the founder Uisang (625~702) after he received orders from the King. Later in the 7th year (1016) of the Goryeo Dynasty (918~1392) was in the reign of King Hyeonjong (reign 1010 to 1031) Great Buddhist Monk Wonyung (964~1053) renovated Muryangsujeon (National Treasure No.18). It was renovated several times afterwards.The legend of lady Seonmyo and Uisang is famous. The two met when Priest Uisang went to Dang (Dynasty of China) to study. When Uisang told Seonmyo he would go back to his country, Seonmyo jumped into the sea and drowned. After death, she became a dragon. Seonmyo followed Uisang to Silla to protect and be with him. When Uisang ran against a crowd that had gathered to stop him from building Buseoksa Temple, Seonmyo brought up stones in the air three times. The stone that floated stands on the left side of Muryangsujeon. Because a wide, flat stone had floated above the ground, the temple was named Buseoksa Temple.At the entrance of Buseoksa you will see 108 steps between Cheonwangmun gate and Anyangmun gate. The number of steps represents redemption from agony and evil passions through 108 cycles. You will find Buseoksa Temple's Three Story Tower when you pass the Iljumun and Cheonwangmun gates. Above the tower you will see Beomjongru. When you pass Beomjongru, you can see a pavilion called Anyang, which means 'entrance to Heaven'. Go past Anyang Pavillion and you will reach the main building of Buseoksa Temple, Muryangsujeon, which boasts beautiful curved lines of the building structure.Muryangsujeon is a wooden building made in the Goryeo Dynasty. Inside you will find National Treasure No.45, Sojo Yeorae Seated Figure. There are more National Treasures and relics inside such as the Josadang (National Treasure No.19), Josadang Wall Painting (National Treasure No.46) and the Stone Lantern (National Treasure No.17) in front of Muryangsujeon.

On the other side of the subsidiary dam of Andong Dam, thatched houses will be sparsely seen on the hilltop. The area is the folk scene site where an outdoor museum is built. At the entrance of the outdoor museum two jangseungs (Korean traditional totem poles) are set, followed by a monument inscribed with the poem of famous Andong poet and democracy activist, Lee Yuk-sa. On the monument, his noted works “Gwangya” (Wild Plain) is carved. Near the Dam, are the Andong Folk Village, Andong Museum, Lee Yuk-sa Monument, a filming site of “Taejo Wanggeon,” and Andongho Lake.

Jirye Arts Village is a great place to have a unique experience. Every month there are events such as making rice cake or kimchi and you can stay in traditional Korean houses. Jirye Arts Village is a village with Jisan Seodang (Cultural Asset No. 49), Jichonjongtaek (Cultural Asset No. 44), and Jichonjecheong (Cultural Asset No. 46), which were moved from the Imha Dam area because of the possibility of being flooded. Jisan Seodang was established in 1800, the 24th year under the reign of King Jeongjo (reign 1752~1800) in remembrance of the achievements of Kim Bang-Geol, as a place for the future generations to study in. Jichonjongtaek is the head house of Kim Bang-Geol’s Family. Established in 1712 at his own request, Jichonjecheong was a shrine where sacrificial rites were held, which has been used as an auditorium. Beyond the tile-roofed houses, low mountains surround Jirye Arts Village, and there is a lake down from the village. If you pass the tall gate there is a large square and straight ahead is the main building, the schoolhouse on the right and a shrine on the left hill. Although the village is 350 years old, there are houses with rooms that are heated with wood. Because the village has preserved the old customs with small details, it is a great place to experience and understand Korean traditional culture. Jirye Arts Village is a cultural inquiry spot for foreigners, a creative space for the artists to work, and is also used as a conference space. It is also used as a traditional life study site and as Confucianism institute.

Dokdo Museum was built in 1995 in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Independence of Korea. It exhibits the collection of Lee Jong-hak, the first director of the museum, as well as donations by groups associated with Dokdo.The exhibit provides a historical overview of Dokdo, from the Three Kingdoms Era to the present. It also focuses on disproving Japan’s claim to Dokdo and its use of the name “Sea of Japan” to describe Korea’s East Sea. Gallery 1 features materials and maps showing Dokdo as being part of Korean territory before the Sino-Japanese War; Gallery 2 displays Japanese maps showing Dokdo as being a Korean territory, and Gallery 3 displays materials on activities of Ulleungdo Island residents to defend Dokdo during the Korean War. In the outdoor Dokdo Museum, which is currently under construction, natural stones and plants indigenous of Ulleungdo Island can be enjoyed. 

Located 87.4km away from Ulleungdo Island, and formed entirely from volcanic rock, Dokdo is an isolated island off the east coast of Korea bearing a latitude of 37°14' north and a longitude of 131°52' east. Collectively, both Ulleungdo Island and Dokdo once belonged to a country named Usanguk. According to geographical records, Usanguk became part of the Silla Kingdom (57B.C. ~ 935 A.D.) in June of the 13th year that King Jijeung ruled Silla. Isabu (a general and politician of Silla) gained significant strength during this period to overtake Usanguk.In the Seongjong Memoir of the Joseon Dynasty, there are passages by Kim Jaju describing Dokdo, which was referred to as Sambongdo at the time. Dokdo was initially called 'Sambongdo', 'Gajido' or 'Usando', but the name was later changed to Dokdo in 1881. The name 'Dokdo' was first used in 1906 by the Headman of Ulleung County Sim Heungtaek. In 1914, Dokdo officially became an administrative district of the Gyeongsangbuk-do.After The Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Japanese fishermen often came near Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Sukjong Sillok, the Annals of King Suk Jong (1674-1720), records that An Yong-bok went to Japan twice in order to protest against Japanese nationals trespassing into Korean territory. He asked the Japanese authorities to recognize Korea's sovereignty over these islands and to forbid Japanese nationals to sail to Dokdo.Dokdo is comprised of two main islands: Dongdo, or East Island which sits 98m above sea level, and Seodo, or West Island, which sits 168m above sea level, together with 36 smaller rock formations. Seperating Dongdo and Seodo is the Hyeongjegul Cave, together with Cheonsanggul Cave on Dongdo. Over time, other caves and topographic features of the island formed due to weathering and erosion.Japan acknowledged the value of Dokdo after the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. Japan unilaterally transferred Dokdo to Shimane Prefecture, Japan and renamed it "Dakesima". Several authorities in Japan have continuously declared their dominion, over the island, which led to diplomatic conflicts between Korea and Japan. Such conflicts have yet to be resolved.Presently there are security guards on Dokdo that protect several houses that were built onto the rocks as well as a small harbor. For more information on traveling Dokdo, click here!

Andong Soju Museum was established in 1995 to promote and hand down the history and cultural characteristics of Andong Soju. The museum mainly displays the origin of Andong soju, the making process, Korean folk alcoholic drinks, the lineage of alcohol, and bottles and cups throughout history. The museum also offers a hands-on program and sampling area. The Traditional Food Museum is connected to Andong Soju Museum, so visitors can learn about traditional food and Andong’s folk dish, as well as traditional patterns of rites of passage.

The Mungyeongsaejae KBS Drama Studio was built by the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) in 2000 in Yongsagol to film a historical drama about the Goryeo Period. The spacious studio (65,755m2) consisted of two large palaces, 42 tile-roofed houses, 40 thatched houses, and 13 additional buildings. It is the world’s largest historical drama film set.The studio was built in Mungyeongsaejae because its mountains (Joryeongsan and Juheulsan) resemble Songaksan in Gaeseong (the capital of the Goryeo Period) and the area is filled with numerous traditional roads. Major dramas and films shot at the studio include Taejo Wang Geon, the Dawn of the Empire, the Age of Warriors, Dae Jo Yeong, Scandal, and Romantic Assassin.In 2008 the studio was expanded and now covers 70,000m2 and has over 130 buildings representing structures from the Joseon Period, including palaces, houses lived in by the nobles, tile-roofed houses, and thatched houses.