Travel/Culture List

The Sanbada ATV Experience Center offers an exciting off-road acitivity with its ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) rides. The activity lets visitors experience the thrill of riding ATVs while enjoying the beautiful scenery in Jeju such as Sanbangsan Mountains and Yongmeori Beach.

Situated in the northeast of Hanyang (the former name of Seoul), Hyehwamun Gate was one of four small gates in the city’s fortress walls. When the gate was first built in 1396 (the 5th year of King Taejo's reign) during the establishment of the city, it was initially called Honghwamun. Unfortunately, the name happened to be the same as the east gate of Changgyeonggung Palace built in 1483 (during the 4th year of King Seongjong’s reign) so it was subsequently changed to Hyehwamun Gate in 1511 (during the sixth year of King Jungjong’s reign) to avoid confusion. The gate is also known as Dongsomun Gate (East Small Gate). Hyehwamun Gate was an important gate for people moving toward the north of the country, since the gate to the north, Sukjeongmun Gate, was often closed. Hyehwamun Gate was destroyed when a street car line was built between Hyehwa-dong and Donam-dong during the Japanese Colonial Period, but was restored in 1992 and placed on a hill next to the road. Visitors can find the gate via Sajik Tunnel, Inwangsan Mountain, Bukaksan Mountain, Changdeokgung Palace, and Sungkyunkwan University; it intersects with the road going toward Uijeongbu. Inside Hyehwa-dong is the bustling Hyehwa-dong University Street; visitors can see Bukaksan and Bukak Pavilion to the west of Hyehwamun Gate.

SkinAnniversary Beauty Town is a beauty complex offering visitors a chance to experience the diverse facets of the Korean beauty culture. It is the world’s biggest beauty town, boasting an impressive area of 15km2 and a capacity of 2,000 guests. Guests can partake in a variety of beauty care activities at affordable prices including Korean skincare treatments and Hally-style makeup. There is also a trick art gallery/photo zone and a buffet-style restaurant full of dishes that are good for the skin.

Situated in Nanji Hangang Park, the MTB Course Site is perfect for MTB lovers as well as beginners who wish to enter the world of extreme biking with safety. Spanning over a 4m-x_width and 450m-length, the MTB Course Site is the nation's first MTB course site, established on a flatland, reproducing perfectly realistic mountain ridges and slopes.

Sobaeksan Mountain (소백산) is renowned for its natural splendor and mystery, standing tall in the middle of the Korean peninsula, and offering several magnificent peaks, such as Hyeongjebong, Sinseonbong, Gukmangbong, Birobong, and Yeonhwabong. Its captivating seasonal beauty (royal azalea in spring, wildflowers in summer, autumn foliage in fall, and snowscape in winter) attracts visitors year round. The open grass field on Birobong Peak (비로봉; 1,439 m in elevation) is reminiscent of a scene from the Swiss Alps. The Sobaeksan Optical Astromony Observatory (SOAO) located upon Yeonhwabong Peak (1,349 m in elevation) is the historic cradle of Korean astronomy. The Sobaeksan Royal Azalea Festival is held near Danyang-gun in early June every year.

Known as a popular fishing spot and recreation site, Andongho Lake is an man-made lake created by obstructing the upper stream of the Nakdonggang River, as part of the government’s Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. Andong Dam is the second largest dam in Korea, following Soyanggang Dam. The x_height of the dam is 83 meters and the length is 612 meters. The landscape surrounding Andongho Lake is nothing short of magnificent. There is a dock for the boats on the lake, which is also popular as a fishing destination. Bass caught here are especially strong and tasty. An international bass fishing tournament is held here every year. There are also tourist attractions nearby, such as the Dosanseowon Confucian Academy and Andong Hahoe Folk Village. Andongho Lake is known for its incomparable scenery, and is considered one of the most famous tourist sites in the Hoban Region. The nearest tourist sites include Dosanseowon Confucian Academy, Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage). There are plenty of other sites to visit as well, such as Andong Folk Village and its museum, where the historical Korean drama "Taejo Wang Geon" was filmed. Unfortunately, during the construction of Andong Dam, part of the village was submerged due to displaced water. The folk cultural properties there were safely moved to a nearby area by the auxiliary dam of Andong and turned into an open-air museum of folk culture.

Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was built in 1898 by decree of King Gojong’s. It was originally set up close to the northern wall of Hoesangjeon in Gyeonghuigung Palace for archery practice. In 1922 when the Japanese colonial government sold buildings of Gyeonghuigung Palace to the public to build Gyeongseong Middle School in the location, the Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was bought and restored at the current location, which is an old site of Deunggwajeong Pavilion located to the North of Sajik Park. It is relatively large for a pavilion, but the structure is plain and simple. There is a well behind the pavilion to the southwest. A rock behind the well has an engraved poem about eight beautiful scenes of Hwanghakjeong. Located to the right of the pavilion building (northeast of the building) is Hancheongak Pavilion, which has unique roof. To the west of the pavilion is Sauhoegwan Hall that was built with reinforced concrete.

Mokpo Natural History Museum is located inside of Gatbawi Neighborhood Park which is one of the major tourism attractions of the southwest coast region in Yonghae-dong, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do. The museum consists of a natural history building, local history building and has a total of three floors, two of which are above ground.

Along with Geumsansa in Gimje-si, Seonunsa is one of the two major temples of Jeollabuk-do region. Every year, many tourists come to visit the temple to enjoy the valued cultural heritage and the beautiful natural surroundings of the temple. Seonunsa has a temple stay program where you may appreciate the Buddhist culture as well as the quality time of your own. The temple stay consists of such sub-sessions as having a conversation with a monk over a cup of tea, Barugongyang (formal monastic meal), striking a bell, 108 prostrations, Chamseon (Zen meditation), hiking to Dosolam and other programs to experience Buddhist culture while enjoying the camellia flower habitat and other genuine natural beauty of the surroundings.

Yeonghwiwon and Sunginwon are burial mounds once designated for princes and consorts. The social hierarchy was very strict during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and it influenced the patterns of the royal tombs. The tombs for kings and queens called ‘neung’ are larger and more luxurious than tombs for princes and consorts called ‘won.’Yeonghwiwon houses the tomb of Queen Consort Sunheon (1854-1911), King Gojong’s concubine and Sunginwon is for King Yeongchin’s son, Ijin (1921-1923). The composition of the two tombs is similar, but Yeonghwiwon is larger than Sunginwon. The first sight when entering the burial grounds is the red gate (the red color denoting holiness). Beyond the red gate is a sacrificial building where the memorial rites were performed. Behind the sacrificial building is the royal tomb. On the eaves of the sacrificial building are stone sculptures called japsang, which are carved into the shapes of animals such as monkeys and are believed to exorcise evil spirits. There is a pavilion next to the sacrificial building where the tombstone is located. The tombstone indicates who lies in the mound. The stone figures guarding the king’s tomb are memorable. A sacrificial building called "jasil" is now used as maintenance office and is worth visiting. The eaves, latticework and wooden floor are so well preserved that visitors can truly get an authentic feeling when walking through the premises.Yeonghwiwon & Sunginwon boast splendid views in the fall when the leaves change colour. The promenades and the stonewalls of the entrance are beautiful. Its tranquil and pleasant atmosphere attracts many families and the couples.