Travel/Culture List

Yungneung (융릉) is the joint tomb of King Jangjo (1735-1762) and Queen Heongyeong (1735-1815). King Jangjo was the father of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty.King Jangjo was the second son of King Yeongjo, the 21st ruler of the Joseon Dynasty. He was installed as a Crown Prince in 1736. As the Crown Prince, he administered the state affairs on behalf of his father and showed great capability in various fields. However, he died in 1762 after being locked in a wooden rice chest on the orders of his father, King Yeongjo.The tomb of this ill-fated Crown Prince was originally located in Baebongsan Mountain located in Yangju-gun, Gyeonggi-do. His son, King Jeongjo moved the tomb to Hwasan Mountain in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi-do and changed the title of the tomb to Hyeollyungwon (현륭원). Later, he posthumously gave his father the title King Jangjo and moved the tomb to its current place, and the title of the tomb was changed again to Yungneung.Queen Heongyeong was designated as a Crown princess in 1744. In 1795 when she turned 60 and long after her husband died, she wrote Hanjungnok (한중록), the memoirs, which is mainly about the terrible fate of her husband.The Memoirs have great historical significance, and these along with the Tales of Queen Inhyeon (Inhyeon Wanghujeon, 인현왕후전), are highly valued as pieces of royal literature.Yungneung is currently located in Annyeong-dong in Hwaseong. A stone called “Byeongpungseok” surrounds the tomb. On the stone, peony and lotus flowers are engraved. Like other royal tombs, there are two separate spaces – one raised and one lower space. In the raised space, there is the mound, “Honyuseok”, which is a rectangular shaped stone sitting in front of the mound, and 'Mangjuseok,' which is a pair of stones that sit on both sides of the mound. In the lower spaces, there are several stone statues. They include “Muninseok”, a statue of a civil officer, “Muinseok”, a statue of a military officer, and “Seokma”, a statue of a horse.Geolleung (건릉) is the joint tomb of King Jeongjo (1752-1800), the 22nd ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Hyoui (1753-1821).King Jeongjo’s last wish was to be buried near his father’s tomb in Yungneung. King Jeongjo was the second son of King Jangjo and Queen Heongyeong, but in 1759, when he was 8 years old, he was designated as an heir to the throne. During his 24 year-reign, King Jeongjo influenced state affairs by implementing the “Tangpyeongchaek” (탕평책, a policy to balance the power of political factions), and he also had great accomplishments in the area of academic research by creating the “Gyujanggak” (규장각, a national royal library).Queen Hyoui was a daughter of Kim Si Muk and was installed as a partner of the heir to the throne at the age of 10. In 1776, when King Jeongjo ascended the throne, she also became Queen. She is known to have led a frugal life. In 1821, she died without an heir at the age of 69 in Jagyeongjeon, Changgyeonggung Palace.Geolleung looks very similar to Yungneung, but unlike Yungneung, it does not have a “Byeongpungseok”, which is a wide and rectangular stone that surrounds the mound and protects it. Instead, it is surrounded by “Nanganseok”, stone handrails. On every handrail, lotus flowers are engraved. King Jeongjo’s tomb is simpler and less decorated than his father’s, which reflects King Jeongjo’s respect and love for his father. Both Geolleung and Yungneung are designated as Historic Site No. 206.

Located in the east valley of Gyeryongsan Mountain in Hakbong-ri, Banpo-myeon, Gongju, Donghaksa Temple is the first and the oldest existing academic institute for female monks. Home to about 150 monks who study and practice Buddhism, the temple is the most visited spot on all of Gyerongsan Mountain due to its history and convenient location and visitor facilities.The elegant structure of the temple is x_heighted by the majestic view of Munpilbong Peak to its front. In the spring, many visitors come to the temple to see the cherry blossom tunnel, a 3km pathway from Bakjeongja three-way intersection to the Donghaksa Temple. Every year since 1993 the temple has also been the venue of the Donghaksa Spring Flower Festival.

Nakseongdae Park was built as a tribute to General Kang Gam-chan (948-1031) of the Goryeo Dynasty. In 1973, the city of Seoul reorganized the birthplace of General Kang, resulting in changes to the park. Located inside the park are Anguksa Shrine, the general’s birthplace, and a three-story stone pagoda, which was made during the Goryeo Dynasty. The 4.48 meter-high pagoda is made of granite, and is called “Kang Gam-chan Tap (pagoda)” or “Kang Gam-chan Nakseongdae Tap”.*AnguksaAnguksa is a shrine built in 1974 emulating the wooden architecture style of the Goryeo era. The shrine has high ceilings and houses the portrait of General Kang Gam-chan. The shrine is located on the road leading to the back gate of Seoul National University and has become a popular place in the area.*Nakseongdae YujiNakseongdae Yuji is the birthplace of General Kang Gam-chan and the original location of the three-story pagoda. During the maintenance of Nakseongdae area in 1973, the pagoda was moved into the vicinity of Anguksa Shrine, and a two-meter tall monument was erected in its original location to mark the historical significance of the site.

A new leap in aerospace and aircraft history has been made on Jeju Island with the grand opening of the Jeju Aerospace Museum on April 24, 2014. The Jeju Aerospace Museum (JAM) is an aviation and space-themed state-of-the-art museum that provides both education and entertainment through its exhibitions and experience programs. Inside, visitors can find items that are representative of the world's history in aerospace technology and space science. One can also trace the footsteps of the Korean Air Force from the retired planes displayed in the hall. Astronomy-related stories from the ancient times to the early days of space exploration are also showcased. Through the exhibition, visitors can travel back 13.7 billion years to learn more about the creation of the universe and discover interesting facts about our solar system, the galaxy and massive black holes. The museum also presents diverse hands-on activities such as touching actual meteorites, sitting in the cockpit of real aircrafts, and future space exploration through a cutting-edge multimedia experience. As Asia’s largest aerospace museum, JAM aims to promote the country's efforts for innovation in the technology of flight. It is an ideal place for visitors of all ages to comprehend the evolution and impact of aviation, space exploration, and new breakthroughs in astronomy.

The 5·18 Memorial Park was established to remember the May 18 Democratization Movement. Covering an area of 204,985㎡, the park houses various historical and cultural facilities, including the 5·18 Library, 5·18 Cultural Center, Education Center, Daedong Plaza, Owoldae Tower, and other memorial sculpture and monuments. The park is also home to Mugaksa Temple and walking paths.

Yeongildae Beach is the largest beach on the Korea east coast, at over 400,000 m². Along with Songdo Beach, it is known as one of the most popular beaches in Pohang. It is a great place for families and friends during summer vacations. It is conveniently located with plenty of lodgings and amenities such as restaurants offering fresh seafood including sashimi.  

Ppuri (Family Root) Park, located between Bomunsan Mt. and Banghwasan Mt. in Chimsan-dong, Jung-gu, Daejeon-si, is a park created under the theme of filial piety, one of the overriding values of Korean society. Opened on November 1, 1997, the park occupies a plot of land measuring 109,091 m² and is filled with unique sculptures and art pieces that remind visitors of their family ties. The sculptures at the park hold a special meaning for Koreans, as each of the 136 sculptures represents each of the different last names of Korea. On the front of each sculpture is the history of the family (name) and on the back is a description of the sculpture itself and other relevant information.Other main points of interest at Ppuri Park include the Deep-rooted Spring (symbolizing the 12 jisin/12 gods of the earth), waterfront stage, grass square, traffic safety education center, recreational forest, and natural observatory. Another must-visit attraction is the Samnam Memorial Tower, which represents the harmony and cooperation between the Honam (western region) and Yeongnam (eastern region) of Korea.

Located in Hapcheon, Gyeongnam Province, the 1,108-meter-high Hwangmaesan Mountain (황매산) encompasses the three peaks of Habong, Jungbong and Sangbong. Since the reflection of the mountain is also mirrored on the water of Hapcheon Lake, the mountain is also called ‘Sujungmae’ (literally meaning ‘ume (Japanese apricot) blossom under water’). In spring, azalea and rhododendron blossoms take over the entire mountain; in summer, you can enjoy the refreshing valley area; in the fall, the sound of birds singing is everywhere; and in winter, harsh winds swirl around the snow-capped Dongnipbong Peak.By starting the course from Sanjae and continuing past Mujigaeteo, Sungyeol Rock of Hwangmae Fortress and Guksadang hikers can take in the view of the alpine rhododendron-covered mountainside. 

Located in Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do Province, Jaraseom Island is an island formed on the Bukhangang River as a result of the construction of the Cheongpyeong Dam in 1943. The name ‘Jaraseom’ comes from the fact that it faces a hill that resembles a Jara (Korean word for soft-shelled turtle). Jaraseom consists of four islands called Dongdo, Seodo, Jungdo, and Namdo, and has various leisure and park facilities. Visitors can find a car camping site and the filming location of the popular TV drama series 'Iris' on Seodo (west island), and an eco-cultural park with a grass plaza of over 100 meters in diameter on Jungdo (central island). There is also an ecosystem theme park called Ehwawon Garden at the westernmost tip of the Jaraseom Campground. A popular camping spot, Jaraseom Island is also widely known as the venue of the annual Jaraseom International Jazz Festival.

Jeonju Hyanggyo is a Confucian school that was established during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and is designated historical treasure No. 379. This was a national education center during the Joseon period. The school was originally located at the Gyeonggijeon Shrine site, but was relocated in 1603. The mortuary tablets of seven Chinese Confucian scholars and 18 Korean scholars are enshrined in the main building of Daeseong-jeon.