Travel/Culture List

Opened in 1997, the Mireuksaji Relics Exhibition Museum was established in order to celebrate the culture of the Baekje Dynasty (18 BC-660 AD). The museum has roughly 19,200 relics (about 400 of which are on permanent display) that were unearthed from the site of Mireuksa Temple (Historic Site No. 150), the largest temple of the Baekje Dynasty.The museum is shaped like the stone pagoda of Mireuksa Temple and was built on low ground so as not to block the view of the temple site. Main exhibition areas include the Central Hall, Overview Hall, Relics Hall, and the Buddhist Fine Arts Hall. Some of the most treasured pieces on display at the museum are the Mireuksaji Stone Pagoda (National Treasure No. 11) and Mireuksaji Dangganjiju (flag poles; Treasure No. 236). The museum also offers various cultural events and programs, including on-site education, historical and cultural lectures, and summer culture school. Cultural movies are screened throughout the year.

This granite pagoda from the late Baekje period in Buyeo-eup, Buyeo-gun, Chungcheongnam-do has been designated as National Treasures No. 9. It is generally known as the ‘Baekje 5-story Pagoda.’In the past, it would have been called ‘Pyeongjetap.’ As one of two extant Baekje pagodas, this stone pagoda itself is a precious artifact and very important in establishing the lineage of Korean stone pagoda patterns. With refined and creative features, this pagoda exemplifies the beauty and elegance that were imitated in pagodas built in later periods.

Exhibitions at the National Maritime Museum encompass all aspects of marine and ocean life. These include the culture, history, famous figures in the industry, maritime vessels, ocean creatures, ocean life experience, maritime industry, marine territory and development and ocean science. It is by far, one of the top maritime museums in Korea. The museum holds over 14,000 pieces of historic items and relics that have witnessed the history and are relevant to the future of the ocean life. These are on display in the eight different permanet  exhibition halls, the special exhibition hall and the children's exhibition hall. The museum also has a library, an aquarium, a grand auditorium, an outdoor performance stage, and a 4D theatre offering a multi-cultural experience to the visitors.

King Naemul was the 17th monarch of the Silla Kingdom (in power from 356 to 402) and became the second king of the Kim family name. King Naemul was known as the first king to initiate the king title of ‘Maripgan’ and was known for spreading cultural advancements from China to the Korean people. When the allied forces of Baekje and Japan attacked, he asked Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo for help and led the people to victory, contributing to the increased strength of the Silla Kingdom. After his rule, the throne was exclusively ceded to members of the Kim family clan. The royal tomb of King Naemul is a large mound (2.2m in diameter and 5.3m in x_height) that sits on the northern hill of the Confucian school of Gyeongju. The edge of a natural stone is exposed around the bottom of the mound, pointing to the fact that the inner chamber tomb was made of stone. In the historical document Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), no records are found about the tomb, but the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) describes the king’s tomb as being located in the southwest of Cheomseongdae, which is consistent with the tomb’s location.

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.

Gunsan Japanese-style House of Sinheung-dong was designated as Registered Cultural Heritage No. 183 in 2005. The area of Sinheung-dong, where the Hirotsu House is located, was a residential area for the wealthy class during the Japanese occupation period and the Hirotsu House was constructed by Hirotsu, a man who ran a linen shop. A lot of Korean movies and dramas such as ‘The General’s Son’, ‘Fighter in the Wind’, and ‘Tazza’ were filmed in this house. The house is a typical Japanese two-story timber house, keeping the original forms of its roof, outer walls, inside area and the Japanese-style garden which has significant meaning in regards to the architecture history.

Mungyeong is known for its exquisite ceramics. While each piece has its own individual shape and design, as a whole, ceramics of Mungyeong are highly regarded because of their historical and cultural value. Mungyeong is home to a number of master craftsmen as well as Sagijang (referring to craftsmen making chinaware), who have been officially designated Intangible Cultural Property by the Korean government. As a renowned kiln site producing Buncheongsagi (grayish-blue celadon) since the early Joseon Period, Mungyeong still offers outstanding ceramics that reflect the essence of traditional craftsmanship. 

The hot springs have been called Bugok (the hanja characters 釜谷 refer to “cauldron” and “valley” respectively) because the land resembles the shape of a cauldron. When the spring was first discovered, people with skin ailments came in crowds because of the water’s healing properties. The sulfur and minerals in the water are effective for respiratory and skin ailments. Today, the hot springs attract 10,000~20,000 visitors a day, adding up to about 4 million people a year. Discovered in 1973, the hot springs have a 6,000-ton daily water supply flowing from underground at a temperature as high as 78℃. Bugok was officially designated a national tourist resort in 1977. Twenty years later, it was promoted to a Special Tourist Zone. Composed of 24 hot springs, the complex has hotels, condominiums, a golf course, and a fountain that shoots up hot water. The resort Bugok Hawaii has a variety of amenities including outdoor and indoor swimming pools, a theater, and saunas, making it a popular destination for newlyweds and families. The Bugok Hot Springs Festival, also called Onjeongje, is held from October to December every year to promote the area. The festival offers various activities such as a boiled egg eating contest (eggs boiled using water from the hot spring), foot baths, Pungmulnori (Korean folk music tradition) and other performances. Nearby attractions include Hwawangsan Mountain and the Upo Wetlands. [Bugok Hot Springs Special Tourist Zone] Areas covered: Geomun, Sachang and Bugok-ri, Bugok-myeon, Changnyeong-gun,Gyeongsangnam-do Area size: 4,819,000㎡

Opened in 1995, Chungnyeongsan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest is located at Oebang-ri, Sudong-myeon, Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, around 1 hour from Seoul. The recreation forest has various trekking courses leading to Chungnyeongsan Mountain and Seorisan Mountain and facilities like the forest park, training facility, water play site, nature observation sites, camping sites, and more.

Yongwangsan Mountain, also known as Eomjisan, is geologically located at entrance of a land referred to as “Cheonhojibeol,” located across an artificial waterfall. The mountain’s name “Yongwangsan” (meaning Dragon King Mountain) derived from an old tale of a king who dreamt of becoming killed. He then shot an arrow to an old man with spiritual powers living in a village at the foot of Eomjisan Mountain. The king stated “I knew that the old man would someday turn into a dragon and threaten my throne. Therefore I killed the dragon.” The words dragon (“yong”) and king (“wang”) were combined to form its current name, Yongwangsan Mountain.