The Royal Tomb of Queen Heo in Gusan-dong, Gimhae is the final resting place of Queen Heo, the wife of King Kim Suro, the founder of Garak. The tomb dates all the way back to the Gaya Era and has been officially designated National Historic Site No. 74. Unlike many other ancient tombs located on Korea’s flatlands, the large earthen mound sits high upon a hill. Reinforced in the front with stone and surrounded by a low stone fence, the tomb is marked with a headstone and stone tablets erected in 1647 (25th year of King Injo’s reign). Some of the stone used at the tomb is said to have come all the way from India. Together with the Tomb of King Suro, the tomb area was expanded in the 28th year of King Sejong’s reign (1446) to include several auxiliary buildings: Sungboje, Oesammun, Naesammun, and Hongsalmun. Records indicate that the tombs were robbed over a century later during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasion, 1592-1598).

Gyerim Forest is located between the Cheomseongdae Observatory and Wolseong Fortress. The forest is thickly populated by ancient zelkova and willow trees rooted on gently sloping hills and along the small stream in the northwest part of the woods. According to legend, the forest is closely associated with myths surrounding the birth of Alji, the founder of the Gyeongju Kim clan. As such, it is designated national Historic Site No. 19.Legend has it that King Talhae heard a rooster crying from deep inside the Sirim Woods. Chancellor Hogong was sent to investigate. Upon arriving, he found a rooster crying underneath a tree on which hung a golden box. Hogong immediately reported his find to the king, who instructed him to bring the golden box into the palace. The king opened the box and found a small child inside, Kim Alji. The forest, which had previously been called ‘Sirim’ or ‘Gurim’, became known as ‘Gyerim’, ('gye’ meaning rooster). The name Gyerim was also used to refer to the Silla kingdom.Alji was adopted as the king’s son, but because the crown was passed on to King Pasa of the Park family, he never ascended the throne. The Kim clan later became the royal bloodline with the coronation of King Naemul some years later.The memorial stone recording the birth of Kim Alji was erected in the third year of King Sunjo's rule in the Joseon Dynasty. Located close to the royal fortress of Silla, the forest is still deeply revered as the mystical birthplace of the first ancestor of the royal Kim clan of Silla. Yellow canola blossoms along the path connecting Daereungwon with Gyerim and Banwolseong only add to the magical ambiance of the forest. 

At Wonju Hanji Theme Park, you can learn everything about hanji (traditional Korean paper) including its origin and history, through exhibitions, education and activity programs. The 1st floor of the theme park is the Hanji History Exhibition Hall, where you can get a glimpse of the past of hanji, such as how it was invented and spread, the history, origin and manufacturing process of hanji, and related artifacts. Visitors can imagine what the life of Korean ancestors was like and understand hanji better. Visitors can also appreciate the artistic value of quality works like the Jiseung Fan by Na Seo-hwan, the Manchu by Sobin, and the Jumchi Armor by the Hanji Development Institute, which are exhibited in the Hanji History Exhibition Hall. In particular, the Jumchi Armor was made with the jumchi technique, where hanji is layered on top of each other using water as an adhesive, resulting in thick paper with a grainy surface unlike ordinary hanji. Jumchi hanji is light but has a strong enough surface to be arrow-proof, and therefore it was often used for armory or winter outfits. The Hanji Media Hall presents hanji related movies, documentaries, etc., as well as the stories of hanji and the history of Wonju hanji. Planned exhibitions regarding hanji and other types of paper made home and aboard are held on the 2nd floor. Try hanji-related activity programs after looking around the exhibition halls. The theme park mainly offers two programs: a hanji-making program where visitors can actually make hanji; and a hanji-craft program to make several hanji-related items.

Haeinsa Temple was built in 802 AD and is regarded as one of Korea’s three major Buddhist temples along with Tongdosa and Songwangsa. Of the numerous temple halls, most were built in the modern era, with only Janggyeongpanjeon Hall from the early Joseon Dynasty remaining in its original state. However, the temple holds great significance not only for its structure, but also for the treasure it holds inside.Janggyeongpanjeon is a wooden building housing the 13th-century Goryeo Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana), a priceless world treasure. The Tripitaka Koreana is a large set (thousands and thousands) of wood blocks that were specially treated to prevent aging and inscribed with the Buddhist canon. It is the oldest and most complete version of the Buddhist canon and is one of the most cherished Buddhist doctrinal collections in the world.Janggyeongpanjeon is comprised of two buildings Sudarajeon to the south and Beopbojeon to the north. Unadorned by decorations or paintings, the buildings carry out the sole function of storing the Tripitaka Koreana wooden tablets. The building has been praised by scientists for its effective air circulation, resistance to moisture, and temperature control – all of which have enabled the Tripitaka Koreana to survive throughout the years. Although the exact date of Janggyeongpanjeon’s construction is still unknown, the hall was built under the order of King Sejo in 1488. It has never suffered the effects of fire or war.In recognition of its architectural beauty and its extraordinary scientific preservation of the world’s only Tripitaka, Janggyeongpanjeon of Haeinsa Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995.

Yongheunggung Palace is where King Cheoljong (a Joseon Dynasty ruler who reigned from 1849 to 1863) used to live before his ascension to throne. The chief of Ganghwa County, Jeong Gi-se, enlarged the original residence and named it Yongheunggung (meaning palace of the rising dragon) in the 4th year of King Cheoljong’s reign. Its architectural features include a paljak (Korean traditional half-hipped roof) and supporting columns rendered in Jusimpo style, the column brackets placed only on top of the columns. The palace was built in the tradition of dwelling houses such as the Yeongyeongdang and Nakseonjae houses in Changdeokgung Palace, so the palace buildings give off a simple and plain atmosphere. Within the precincts of the palace are a memorial stone and a monument house indicating that the palace used to be the old home of King Cheoljong.

Chungjuho is a multi-purpose lake made by a river dam. This large lake is very clean and well-preserved. At the Chungju Dam Ferry Dock, ferries depart to follow the waterways of Chungjuho Lake. The ferry travels to Oksunbong, Gudambong, and Manhakcheonbong Peaks, Choga Rock, Whale Rock, Hyeonhakbong, Onodong, Sinseonbong, Gangseondae, Beodeulbong, Oseongam, Seolmabong, Jebibong, and Dumusan to reach its final destination at Sindanyang Dock. When the ferry draws near Cheongpung Ferry Dock, you can see the second highest water fountain in Asia.The nearby Chungjuho Lake Resort is considered the best lakeside resort in the nation, containing various sports, recreational, and entertainment facilities. With all the popular lake sports facilities, the resort welcomes many tourists.Nearby Chungjuho Lake are Mt. Woraksan National Park, Cheongpung Culture Center, Eight Sceneries of Danyang, Gosugul Cave, Suanbo Hot Springs, and other well-known tourist sites that draw many tourists.

During the Gihae Persecution of 1839, three French Catholic priests were sentenced to death for spreading Catholicism in Korea. Saint Laurent Joseph Marius Imbert (Bishop), Saint Pierre Philibert Maubant (Priest), and Saint Jacques Honore Chastan (Priest) were beheaded on September 21, 1839 at Saenamteo (currently Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs) and their bodies were buried at Samseongsan Mountain and later transferred to the grotto of Myeondong Cathedral.

Gonpo Cruise Boat takes you around the picturesque area of Taejongdae and Achi Island. Achi Island is well known for its abundance of Camellia trees and is sometimes referred to as Camellia Island. The Korea National Maritime University was established here in 1974. This 40-minute cruise guarantees magnificent views for all.

Mankind tends to only remember the heroes of civilization. Jeju 4.3 Peace Park was created to remember those who fell during the massacres as they protected their homeland. The park is the symbol of reconciliation and peace, and seeks to open a new chapter of life.The development project of Jeju 4.3 Peace Park was a result of the reparations for the victims of the Jeju 4.3 incident. The 4.3 Special law was promulgated in the year 2000, and the following steps were proceeded: property acquisition for the park, master plan of the park establishment, design competitions for the park, construction, exhibits and installations. It finally opened to the public on March 28, 2008.

Cherry blossoms cover Simni (10ri*) Cherry Blossom Road from Hwagae Market to Ssanggyesa Temple. Along with Gurye's sansuyu flowers, Hwagae's cherry blossoms symbolize the onset of spring at Jirisan Mountain. Every year in March and April, the cherry blossom road draws in many visitors.*ri is a traditional Korean measurement unit; 10ri is approximately 4km.