Travel/Culture List

Daegaya Museum is an exhibition of history and culture of the Daegaya (The Great Gaya; 42-562 AD) Kingdom. The Museum consists of the Daegaya History Pavilion and the Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion. The History Pavilion houses a collection of relics from the Daegaya Kingdom era, while holding special exhibitions and education activities periodically. The outdoor exhibition center displays items that represent ancient lifestyle such as dugouts, attic storage, iron furnace, as well as religious relics. The Royal Tomb Pavilion is a 37m-wide dome that houses relics of the Jisandong Ancient Tombs. It is essentially the restoration of the Jisandong Tumulus No. 44, the first large-scale sunjang (burial of the living with the dead).

The Borinara Hagwon Farm is a large-scale barley farm that measures an extensive 561,983m² (1,843,780 ft). It is the nation’s largest barley field, which requires a full week to harvest the crop. The field is now hosting a green barley festival to celebrate the burgeoning beauty of the season. The festival is the perfect spring getaway where you may enjoy walking through the rolling green hills of the country’s most extensive barley field. A diverse range of family friendly, hands-on events are available to visitors who wish to truly capture the country experience. Once the barley harvest is completed, the buckwheat harvest begins. From late summer to early autumn, the field is filled with snow-white buckwheat flowers that create a seemingly endless, breathtaking view. The buckwheat flower festival takes place around September. Between the barely harvest and the buckwheat seeding, sunflowers color the field a bright sunshine yellow. Any time from spring through autumn, you may enjoy the ever-changing beauty of nature.

Odong Neighborhood Park is located in an area across Beon-dong and Mia-dong in Gangbuk-gu and Wolgok-dong in Seongbuk-gu. The park is large in size and has a dense forests with various facilities like a resting area, a community sports center, a lawn, a tennis court, an acupressure trail with red clay, a walking path, and much more. Residents visit the place as a resting area and recreation area due to various facilities. * Area: 684,366.4㎡ (about 207,021 pyeong) * Main species - Pine trees, azaleas, oak trees - Flowering plant: Iyreflower, bird’s eye, iris, a lily of the valley, etc.

Jinnamgwan Hall (National Treasure No. 304) was the naval base of Jeolla-do Province during the Joseon Dynasty. Admiral Yi Sun-shin used this site as his headquarters, and at that time there was a watchtower called Jinhaeru. The original building burned down during the Jeongyujaeran (the second Japanese invasion in 1597), and Admiral Yi Si-eon constructed a large guesthouse (official residence) with 75 rooms on the burnt down site of Jinhaeru in 1599, a year after the conclusion of the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion, 1592-1598). At the hall entrance is a small museum outlining the history of Jinnamgwan and the Imjinwaeran War, and the famous Yeosu Stone Statue (Tangible Cultural Asset of Jeollanam-do No. 33) is located within the precincts of the hall. Nearby attractions include Jasan Park, Odongdo Island, Dolsan Bridge, Chungminsa Shrine, and Manseongni Beach.

The Gimhae Astronomical Observatory was opened on February 1, 2002 as part of the Millennium Commemorative Project started in December, 1998. It was built to satisfy the general public’s curiosity about the universe and celestial bodies, inspire young people, and give everyone a unique, memorable experience. The observatory is shaped like an egg, in memory of the legend of King Kim Suro, the founder of the Garak Kingdom, according to which the king was born from an egg. It is said that the queen of King Suro, Heo Hwang-ok, was a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta. Since sophisticated navigation equipment had yet to be invented, it can be assumed that she found her way to the Garak Kingdom by following the stars. It is also said that a prince of the Garak Kingdom built an observatory on the highest point of a mud fortress in Jinrye in order to make astronomical observations. The place is still referred to as Bibidan, which means a place to watch the stars. These historical facts indicate the stars were very important to the Gaya, an ancient kingdom established mainly in the Gimhae area. The peak of Bunseongsan Mountain, where the observatory is located, offers sweeping views of the entire area of Gimhae-si. The night view of Gimhae-si, when the stars are out, is breathtaking.

Icheon Hot Springs is conveniently located close to Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Its water is colorless, odorless, and tasteless and contains minerals like magnesium, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, calcium carbonate. Particularly, it has high amounts of sodium that is beneficial to various skin disease, neuralgia, and eye disease. The temperature of the water is around 30℃, which is somewhat low, so make sure to occasionally warm up when using the water. For facilities that use these hot springs, try Spa Plus (Hotel Miranda) and Icheon Termeden.

Naksansa Temple (낙산사) is located 4 km north of Naksan Beach, and boasts a 1,300-year history. It is a temple built by Ui-Sang, the ambassador of the 30th King of Silla Period (57 BC- AD 935), and inside there is the Seven Floor Stone Tower, Dongjong, Hongyaemun, together with several other cultural assets. It was named Naksansa Temple by Ui-Sang, at the spot where he learned the prayer Gwansae-eumbosal from Bosal, after he returned from studying abroad in the Chinese Dang Kingdom. It was rebuilt several times afterwards, and the current building was erected in 1953.You can get to Naksansa Temple by passing through Iljumun and Hongyaemun. When you enter the temple from Hongyaemun, you can see black bamboo trees and tiled earthen walls on either side of the sanctuary. North of Naksan Beach, beside the copper bell is a back door, with a path that leads to Uisangdae Pavillion and Hongryeonam. Uisangdae is a pavilion built on top of a cliff by the sea, and was built where Ui-sang used to sit and meditate. Hongryeonam is known as a small Buddhist temple, built above a stone cave by Ui-sang. Under the sanctuary floor there is a 10 cm hole through which you can peak through to view the sea. Past Uisangdae Pavillion, up the path on the hill at Sinseonbong, there is a stone statue of Buddha called Haesugwaneumsang. It is the largest of its kind in the Orient, and can be seen from as far as Mulchi Harbor.* Naksansa Temple was destroyed in a forest fire fanned by dry, strong winds on Tuesday (April 5).For detailed information about a Naksansa Temple Stay, please contact: Templestay Division, The Jogye Order of Korean BuddhismE-mail: [email protected]: 82) 2-732-9925~6 

The Korea National Arboretum (KNA) is situated in Gwangneung forest and contains the Forest Museum where all the information on forestry is exhibited. The construction of the arboretum and museum took place on October 25, 1985 and opened on April 5, 1987. In order to preserve the forests, weekends and holiday entrance were restricted, reservations were required 5 days in advance, and no more than 5,000 visitors were accepted per day. As diverse plants are gaining recognition worldwide, the research department formed the Office of Forestry on May 24, 1999.Korea National Arboretum covers an area of 1,157㏊ and contains 15 specialized forests, including Conifer Garden, the Garden of Ornamental Trees, and the Aroma and Touch Garden. The Forest Museum is the largest in Asia, covering 4628 sq.m² with a traditional Korean design, and the interior and exterior are both constructed of wood and stone. The arboretum facilities consist of 5 exhibition halls (Living Forest, Forest and Man, Forestry of the World, Forestry of Korea, Nature of Korea), a Herbarium, a Special Exhibition Room, and an Audio Visual Hall.

Seorak Plaza Country club, as one of the resort facilities of the Hanhwa Resort is one of the best golf clubs in Korea, and it prides over its spectacular scenery. Also, situated in the vicinity of one of Korea’s most famed tourist sites, Mt. Seoraksan, it enables customers to look over Mt. Seoraksan’s unexplored landscapes and to look over the Eastern Sea during the games. The whole 18 hole course has an interesting design, and it can seem easy and difficult at the same time.With the warm climate of an island, it is the most adequate golf club to enjoy golfing throughout the year. It includes Korea’s one and only sauna that provides 100% pure natural mineral water, and also has a unique food court selling local specialities.