Travel/Culture List

Odusanseong Fortress (오두산성) is built around the strategic summit of the mountain. Its walls stretch across roughly 620 meters and were built during the Baekje Dynasty. The fortress is built on the intersection of the Imjingang River (임진강) and the Hangang River (한강) on the summit of Odusan Mountain (오두산, 119 meters). The mountain’s slope is steep and stones used in the construction of the fortress walls are scattered here and there at the summit. These scattered stones are evidence that the fortress underwent repairs several times during the Samguk (Three Kingdoms) era and the Joseon Dynasty, as these stones were evidently quarried and used to mend the fortress walls. Excavations have discovered a great deal of earthenware, white porcelain, tile, and iron arrowheads. Topographically, the fortress sits on a prime strategic junction and the Unification Observatory has been situated there as well. The fortress stands as an important object of study concerning fortifications and structures from the Baekje Dynasty. It has been recorded on the stele of King Gwanggaeto, samguksagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), in the baekjebongi (Baekje Annals) and on daedongyeojido (Map of Korea) that the fortress was the Gwanmi Fortress of Baekje, attracting many scholars and researchers interested in this period. 

Situated on the southwest corner of Jirisan Mountain, Hwaeomsa Temple is one of the 10 most famous temples in Korea. It was constructed in the fifth year of King Jinheung’s reign (544) during the Silla Era, but was burnt down during Japanese Invasion, Jeongyujaeran in 1592. Including the main building Daeungjeon, the temple was rebuilt during the Joseon Period.The path to the temple lies along the valley named Hwaeomsa Temple Valley. It also takes you to Nogodan Plateau of Jirisan Mountain. With Korean traditional straw-roofed houses and a water mill, you can find a cozy place named Siuidongsan, which means the Hill of Poetry, to take a rest at your right on the way to the temple.Beyond this area is the main gate of Hwaeomsa Temple, Iljumun Gate, and a long stonewall. Entering the main gate, you can find Geumgangmun Gate and the stairs going up to Bojeru. At the top of the stairs, there are the main building Daeungjeon and Gakhwangjeon Pavilion.There are also Seo-ocheung Pagoda (west-five-story pagoda) and Dongocheung Pagoda (east-five-story pagoda) at each side of the front yard. In front of Gakhwangjeon Pavilion is the largest light made of stone in Korea. In addition, there are many national treasures here including the Sasaja Samcheung (3-story) Stone Pagoda, which is situated at the hill called Hyodae. The main building Daeungjeon and Bojeru is magnificent and graceful. Keeping its original beauty, Hwa-eomsa Temple makes beautiful scenery with the nature around it.[National Cultural Heritages]- Stone Lantern at Gakhwangjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple- Four Lion Three-story Stone Pagoda of Hwaeomsa Temple- Gakhwangjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple- Hanging Painting of Hwaeomsa Temple (The Vulture Peak Assembly)- Five-story Stone Pagoda in the east and west of Hwaeomsa Temple- Daeungjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple- Lion Pagoda at Wontongjeon Hall of Hwaeomsa Temple- Stone Avatamsaka Sutra (The Flower Garland Sutra) of Hwaeomsa Temple- Higan Cherry of Hwaeomsa Temple- Bojeru Pavilion of Hwaeomsa Temple- Stone Lantern at Gucheungam hermitage of Hwaeomsa Temple

The Jangsaengpo Whale Cultural District located in Nam-gu, Ulsan-si, is the nation's only facility that has a whale watching infrastructure in place. The whale cultural district is famous for the whale-themed tour program featuring a whale watching cruise, a whale museum and the whale ecology familiarization tour. The whale watching cruise was first launched in July 2009. In April 2013, the ship was upgraded to a 550-ton cruise liner with 399 crew members, therefore offering an even more enjoyable whale watching tour. During the day, the cruise ship is mainly used for whale observation. After a minke whale sighting in May 2013, around 3000-4000 common dolphins were observed shortly after. At night, one can experience a glamorous night view of Ulsan Industrial Complex while enjoying diverse performances and buffet dining aboard the ship. The ship also accommodates various events and programs such as school trips, company workshops, seminars, parties, weddings, beer parties and anniversary events. A trip aboard the whale watching cruise with friends, family, or loved ones will surely make for one memorable experience.

Camellia Hill is a camellia arboretum that was created on a plot of land in Sangchang-ri, Andeok-myeon, Jeju-do that spans 172,000 square meters. The arboretum is home to 6,000 camellia trees of 500 different species including species that are known to produce the world’s largest and earliest blossoms. In addition to camellia trees, the arboretum also boasts palm trees, wildflowers, and other plants as well as a sprawling grass plaza and an ecological pond. Auxiliary facilities include a gallery exhibiting camellia-themed handicrafts and a multipurpose seminar room. Camellia Hill also offers a variety of lodging facilities ranging from thatched cottages and wooden cottages to steel houses and a condominium-type resort.

The Daeseong-dong Tombs Museum displays artifacts unearthed from the four excavations of the Daeseongdong Tumuli. Highlighting often overlooked relics of the Geumgwan Gaya, the museum has three ground floor exhibit halls and several underground auxiliary facilities. Main exhibits include a life-sized statue of a mounted solider and a statue of a warrior, both of which were recreated based on bones excavated from the tumuli of Yean-ri. The museum relies heavily on the use of videos and dioramas to help visitors explore all that the museum has to offer.

Gangjin Celadon Museum was established in 1997 to preserve and succeed Gangjin Celadon Kiln Site (National Historic Site No. 68) and Goryeo Celadon Cultural Heritage. Various exhibitions and educational programs are operated for Goryeo Celadon research at the museum. In addition, the museum opened an exhibition hall specially designed with a motive of color, pattern, and types of Goryeo Celadon and a Goryeo Celadon Digital Museum that aims to meet contemporary digital technology, allowing people to easily participate in the art of celadon with joy. This museum is considered to be an informative historic site to get knowledge of Goryeo Celadon through the past, present and future.

The Gimhae Bonghwangdong was designated a historic site, where it includes an important shell mound from the Gaya period, which is located in Hoehyeon-ri. In 1920, it was the first archeological site to be excavated in Korea. The site also contains the Bonghwangdae tomb (Former Data for Cultural Properties No. 87), which was the largest tomb of Geumgwan Gaya area. On top of the hill remain Yeoui Pavilion and Hwangse Rock, which are part of the legend about General Hwangse and Yeoui. This is also where the remains of raised houses and a residential site of the Gaya period were excavated.

Located on the southern part of Jirisan Mountain, Ssanggyesa Temple and Hwaeomsa Temple are among the most popular temples in the Jirisan area. Constructed by Sambeob who was a disciple of Euisang in the 23rd year of King Seongdeok’s reign during the Silla Era, it was called Okcheonsa Temple at first. Then, the Buddhist Monk, Jingam changed its name to Ssanggyesa Temple after having seeded around the temple with tea from China. The temple was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion, Imjinwaeran (1592-1598) and later rebuilt.The best time to visit this area is spring, as the 6km path from Hwagye market place to Ssanggyesa Temple is filled with blooming 600-year-old cherry blossom trees. With the myth that lovers who walk together along the cherry blossom tree path, it is also called Hollaegil (wedding path). A 40-50 minute walk along the tree-lined path leads to Ssanggyesa Temple.Across the bridge in front of the ticket office, there are two rocks engraved with the words “ssanggye” and “seokmun” each. It is said that the eminent scholar Choi Chiwon of the Silla Era had engraved the words with a cane. In the middle of the temple, one of the foremost Korean epigraphs “Jingamseonsa-daegongtabbi” is situated in front of the main building Daeunggeun. This was also written by Choi Chiwon. To the east you can find the Ssanggyesa Ma-aebul, a unique image of Buddha engraved in a hollowed out section of rock.In addition, Palyeongru is the cradle of Korean style Beompae (Buddhist music), which was initiated by the Priest Jimgam (774-850) who studied the Buddhist music in China. As Jingam composed the piece Eosan (fish mountain) by watching the fish of Seomjingang River with Paleumryul (eight tones and rhythms), this place is named Palyeongru.During the third year of King Heugdeok’s reign during the Silla Era, Kim Daeryeom visited China and brought seeds for tea trees. By royal order, he planted the seeds around Ssanggyesa Temple and this area became the first place to cultivate tea.

Gugok Falls (구곡폭포) is located near Bonghwasan Mountain in Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do. The falls twist and turn nine different times before dropping down from a huge stone wall, ending in a magnificent 50m cascade. The falls are surrounded by interesting rock formations, one of which includes the Haneulbyeokbawi Rock.Gugok Falls was designated as one of Chuncheon city’s official tourist attractions on February 13th, 1981. From the ticket office located at the entrance, it takes about 20 minutes to get to the falls on foot. In winter, the waterfalls are very popular among hikers because, when frozen, the x_height and the sheer size of the falls are perfect for ice climbing. If you hike through a nearby jae (a small mountain pass) named "Kkaldakgogae (깔닥고개)", you will come across a natural Munbae village where you can enjoy Sanchaebibimbap (mixed rice with seasoned wild vegetables) and traditional liquor.

Built on a 4,990-㎡ site in Acheon-dong Wuminae, Guri-si, Goguryeo Blacksmith Village has a Goguryeo steel mill, Malgal/Georan Tribe steel mill structures, the house of a Geomul Village chief, and a Mongolian village. It cost about 2.2 billion won to construct the set. Designed as an ecological space built mostly with stone and wood, it is the only Goguryeo blacksmith village in Korea and boasts Korea’s largest water mill and brick oven. It resembles an actual blacksmith’s shop, as water falls from a water mill with a seven-meter diameter, and the brick oven is two stories tall.Scenes of the daily life of Goguryeo citizens inTaewangsasingi (Legend) were filmed here, including scenes of the blacksmith village. Once the filming of Taewangsasingi (Legend) is completed, it will be transformed into Korea’s first Goguryeo Folk Village. An exhibition hall displaying ancient ironware culture will be built. The site will be open to the public after December, once filming is completed.