Travel/Culture List

Beomnyunsa Temple, located at the foot of the Munsusan Mountain in Yongin, Gyeoggi-do, consists of the Hall of Sakyamoni, the Hall of Paradise, the Hall of Kwan-yin, the Hall of Josa, Samsunggak Shrine, Beomjonggak Shrine, Yosachae, and a place of mediation for Buddhist nuns.The sizable 130-pyeong Hall of Sakyamoni was built in an open form of the Chinese character "亞" ("ah") in a Southern Buddhist style. The hall, made of indigenous red pine tree from Baekdusan Mountain, contains a 53-tonne stone Sakyamoni Statue (three times bigger in size than the Buddhist statue in Seokguram Grotto) and a 33-tonne stone Munsu Bohyeon Buddhist Saint Statue. On the left wall are 104 Sinjungnim (guardians of Buddhist law) as well as a Dongjin Boan Buddhist Saint Statue. There are also 1250 Buddhist saint statues, symbolizing the devotion of Buddhist followers.The temple also holds a three-story stone pagoda from the late Unified Silla Era, and is registered as Cultural Asset No. 145.As of March 2009, the temple also began offering a temple stay program.

Mallipo Beach (만리포해수욕장) is located at the tip of National Road #32, which traverses Taean-gun. As one of the Eight Scenic Views of Taean, it has a beautiful landscape. This beach is part of Taean Coast National Marine Park (태안해안국립공원).Thanks to its shallow waters, wide sandy beaches and modern facilities, Mallipo Beach is a great tourist destination. Swimming, fishing, camping out in a pine grove and various marine sports can all be enjoyed here.A variety of fresh seafood such as gaenggaemi muchim, grilled eel and grilled king prawn is available on Mallipo Beach. Visitors can also tour the other Eight Scenic Views of Taean including Halmi-Harabi Rock, Anmyeon Pine Forest (안면송림), Sindu Dune (신두사구), Anheungseong Fortress and Gauido Island.

Located at the foot of Umyeonsan Mountain in Umyeon-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul, Gwanmunsa Temple had its ground-breaking ceremony in 1993 and construction was completed in October, 1998. The temple site has a total area 6,700 pyeong (22,148.76㎡) with 7 ground levels and 4 basement levels. The temple was constructed with a mixture of modern and traditional Buddhism architecture forms. Inside the temple, cutting-edge facilities are used for various cultural events, conferences, and sacred ceremonies. Located near Cheonggyesan Mountain, Umyeonsan Mountain, and Yangjaecheon Stream, the temple is near many natural spots visitors can enjoy. In particular, Umyeonsan Mountain (alt. 293m) where Gwanmunsa Temple is located gets its name as the mountain is shaped like a sprawling cow (the Chinese character 'U' (우) means cow). The temple site was chosen as it is considered an auspicious area. Designated as a City Park and managed by Seoul-si, Umyeonsan Mountain has several valleys with clear small fountains and a dense forest with a variety of animals and plants.

The Woraksan Mountains are filled with valleys and beautiful waterfalls. Though the path to the peak of the Woraksan Mountain may be steep and rugged, once you’re up there, you are surrounded by Korean White Pine Trees and looking down on a stunning view of the lakes below. In wintertime the snow covered scenery of this National Park is breathtaking, and has been compared to Korea’s famous Geumgangsan Mountains. The park contains an abundance of wildlife and plants, many of which are extremely rare, so some hiking courses are regulated to prevent forest fires and ensure their protection. Within the park there are several traditional temples to visit and many attractions are located nearby, including the Suanbo hot springs.

The Gimhae Hanok Experience Hall was built by Gimhae City as part of a project to restore and preserve the structures and culture of Gaya, an ancient kingdom that flourished in the Gimhae area more than a thousand years ago. Operation of the Gimhae Hanok Experience Hall has been entrusted to the Gimhae Culture Foundation.The original plan was to reproduce an enormous eight-building traditional house complete with 99 rooms, which was a symbol of wealth and authority for the nobility of the Joseon Dynasty. However, due to extenuating circumstances, one building could not be built. As a result, the facility is comprised of seven completed buildings housing 85 rooms, including the sarangchae (men’s quarters), anchae (women’s quarters), byeolchae (out-building), araechae (outer-wing building), bakkatchae (outbuilding), haengnangchae (servants’ quarters), and sadang (shrine).The Gimhae Hanok Experience Hall is the pride of Gimhae. On the outside it is a historical recreation of Joseon noble’s house, but on the inside is equipped with modern convenience facilities. Packed with traditional Korean culture and hands-on activities, the hall provides visitors a true immersion into Korea’s proud past.

Jangneung is the tomb of Danjong, the 6th king of the Joseon Dynasty (r. 1441-1457). After having the throne taken away by Suyang Daegun, his uncle, Danjong was condemned to exile in Yeongwol County, where he was later murdered and his remains were abandoned in the Dongang River. When no one else was brave enough to find his body, Eom Heung-do, the governor of Yeongwol Lake, found his body and buried him in the tomb that later became Jangneung, one of the royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. Danjong had been stripped of his title at the time he was exiled. His title was later restored in the year 1698, during the reign of King Sukjong, receiving the posthumous name of Danjong, and thereafter was referred to as King Danjong.Jangneung houses such buildings as Jeongjagak, Baesikdansa, Jaesil, Yeongcheon, and Hongsammun, and a history hall with relics of Danjong. The area is surrounded by magnificent pine trees. Since 1967, a religious service called Danjongje is held every year on April 5th, according to the lunar calendar, in commemoration of Danjong.[Buildings in Jangneung]* Jeongjagak Stone – This is where a special offering is presented during the Danjongje service.* Danjongbigak Stone – The building houses the tombstone with the inscription "Joseonguk Danjong Daewang Jangneung."* Baesikdansa Temple – Built in 1791, the building enshrines the tablets of the subjects and eunuchs of Danjong who dedicated their lives to the king. Every year, a religious service is held on their behalf following the service for Danjong.* Yeongcheon Stream – Water was pumped from this well on Danjongje day. Normally, the well only produces a small amount of water, but it is said that water pours out in large amounts during the time of Danjongje.* Danjong History Hall – Miniature models depict the life of Danjong, from the time he became a king to the time of his death. 

Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction was started by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765-780).Seokguram is known to have been built with Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Kingdom, 918-1392), Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.Inside the round-shaped main hall are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with a lotus flower design. The rounded ceiling looks like a half-moon or a bow and has a lotus flower decorated cover on it. As the sunrise from this spot is quite beautiful, many people climb the mountain at daybreak.

Jangboksan Park stands as the unofficial gateway to Jinhae at the end of Jangbok-ro Road between Masan and Jinhae. Built in 1979 in the wake of a mountain landslide, the park offers a wide-open view of Jinhae and its quiet waters. In the spring, more than ten thousand cherry trees interspersed throughout the pines come into full bloom, permeating the air with their sweet fragrance.Nearby attractions include Daegwangsa and Jinheungsa temples, the Citizens’ Hall, the Gyeongnam Literary Hall, and Jinhae Park Land, located halfway up Jangboksan Mountain. To visit these attractions and explore the beauty of the forest, simply follow the long walking trail from Jinhae Girls’ High School to the park (1.5km) and continue along the path from the Jangboksan Rest Area to Gumajin Tunnel (1km).

If the Korean peninsula is seen as a tiger shape, Homigot in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do forms the tail. As the venue for Homigot Sunrise Festival, the Sunrise Square in Homigot features various facilities including monuments, a flame holder, and a performance stage. The brilliant yellow and golden garden at the entrance blooms in April and May. Hand-shaped bronze sculptures have been installed at the waterfront and the beachfront. The palms of the hands face each other, symbolizing harmony and coexistence. The flame originating from the sunlight at Byeonsan Peninsula was used in various international sporting events. Homigot Lighthouse and Lighthouse Museum are located near Homigot Sunrise Square.

Yakcheonsa Temple, located in Daepo-dong, Seogwipo-si in Jeju Island, has a temple stay program offering an opportunity to look back on your life and experience traditional Buddhist culture. Upon joining the program, you may learn temple etiquette, take Yebul (Buddhist service), Chamseon (Zen meditation), Haengseong (walking meditation) and may also experience the life of a Buddhist practitioner.