Travel/Culture List

Yongsan Observatory offers an unobstructed view of Suncheonman Bay's large S-shaped waterway. The observatory can be reached by following the trail through the field of reeds, crossing over Daedae Estuary on Mujingyo Bridge. With a birds-eye view, take in the vast fields of reeds and mudflats, dotted throughout with groups of birds wading through in search of food.

The Korea Military Academy is famous for strict discipline, patriotism, and officer pupils. In the past this was not an open place to the public, but since 1997 it has become a new tourist site. There is now a touring course which is the main attraction for visitors. The tour starts at the School Information Center to the museum, memorial hall and the exhibition, which takes approximately an hour and thirty minutes. The Army Museum holds various military treasures and remains, and at the memorial hall you can learn more about the history of the army. However the highlight of the tour is the parade of the pupils. You can watch the students march with their flourishing formal suits. You can also see this at the “Hwarang Ceremony”.  

It is said that the peak of Mt.Hallasan where Baekrokho Lake now exists was taken off and thrown away, which then became Mt. Sanbangsan. The myth describes how unlike other mountains on Jejudo Island, this mountain does not have a crater. The 5m-high rock cave at the cliff on the southwest side of the mountain was originally called Sanbanggul Cave, but it is called a temple now because it possesses a Buddhist statue.This is where monk Hye-Il (964~1053) had lived during the Goryeo Dynasty (918~1392)Inside the cave, you can see Marado Island and the Dragon Head Coast. You can also see small ponds being made by the water drops that fall from the ceiling all through the year. The plant zone on a cliff of Mt. Sanbangsan is also designated as a natural monument. It is the only place on Jejudo Island where island boxwoods grow. On the Dragon Head Coast is the Hamel Memorial Monument.

Running across from Dongmun Market in Jeju City, Sanjicheon Stream is home to a rich array of freshwater fish (e.g. sweetfish, gray mullets, Amur goby, and carps). In summer, it attracts hundreds of thousands of anglers as well as children. The port, downstream from Sanjicheon Stream, is renowned for picturesque views of fishing boats, egrets, and seagulls. A restored Chinese sailing vessel is exhibited at the end of the stream for visitors. Along the stream are walking paths, a park, and music fountains, in which Sanjicheon Art Festival and a slew of cultural events and performances are held every summer and winter, attracting many visitors.  

Achasan (alt. 287m) stretches from Seoul to Guri City and is an extremely popular hiking spot for residents of Seoul and Guri City and the surrounding area. Towards the top of the mountain (about 40 minutes into the climb) a panoramic view of the Han River and Seoul unfolds at the mountain base.During the Joseon Dynasty, what are now Bonghwa and Yongmabong Peak and the Manguri Cemetery were considered part of Achasan Mountain. Twenty bastions were discovered along Achasan Mountain that were originally estimated to date back to the Three Kingdoms Era. Further research indicated that some of the remains were actually part of a military fortress built during the Goguryeo Era. In light of these findings, it was officially designated a Historic Site No. 455 (2004).

The Great Master Wonhyo first built this temple in 683 where he practiced asceticism. After that, he called the mountain Bogwangsan (보광산) and the temple Bogwangsa (보광사). Later, King Taejo Lee Sung-gye began the Joseon Dynasty after he prayed for a hundred days at this temple. Thanks to this, King Hyeonjong in 660 deemed the temple as a main prayer space and changed the name of the mountain to Geumsan and the temple is named as Boriam. Nestled at the top of Geumsan Mountain, Boriam Temple is a picturesque temple embracing the beautiful mountain surroundings and the Namhae sea. Inside of the temple, Jwaseondaebawi Rock where the Great Master Wonhyo sat in meditation catches one’s eye, as well as Ssanghongmun (쌍홍문) which is a cave that is one of 38 scenic views in Geumsan Mountain. Boriam Temple along with Naksansa Hongryeonam Temple in Gangwon-do and Bomunsa Temple in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon are one of three noted praying temples in Korea. * Cultural Asset Boriam Three-story Stone Pagoda (Gyeongsangnam-do’s Tangible Cultural Asset No. 74): The stone pagoda is similar to stone pagodas of the Silla Period but it is considered to be built in the early Goryeo Period.

The word ‘Mirinae,’ from the Mirinae Holy Site (미리내 성지) in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, is a pure Korean word for the Milky Way. The site holds the graves of Saint Andreas Kim Daegeon, Korea’s first Catholic Saint; his mother Ursula; Bishop Ferréol, the third head of the Joseon parish who ordained Priest Kim; and Vincentius Lee Minsik who buried Saint Kim’s body. To be sure, this holy site is a serene and peaceful sanctum. The reason it came to be called ‘Mirinae’ is that Korean Catholics came to this place in secret to avoid persecution during the late Joseon Dynasty, and the lamplight coming from their homes in the village where they settled resembled the starlight of the Milky Way. Father Kim was executed at the age of 26 and was not permitted a funeral. But, 40 days after the execution, Vincentius Lee Minsik was able to steal away Kim’s body with great difficulty; he carried it on his back eventually burying it in Mirinae – dismissing all advisement and council that urged him against this. At the center of the site stands a grand memorial church and the Way of the Cross behind it has 15 bronze sculptures depicting the passion of Jesus being captured by Roman soldiers, crucified, suffering, passing away, and being interred. Kim Daegeon (1822~1846) Korea’s first Catholic priest and saint. He was chosen as a scholarship recipient by a French priest, and joined the priesthood at the young age of 24. Kim returned to Korea, but was captured, and executed, dying a martyr. He was blessed by the Roman Pope Pius XI on July 5, 1925, and became a Catholic saint at the canonization ceremony conducted by Pope John Paul II himself in South Korea on May 6, 1984.

Standing on a rock next to a stream, Poseokjeongji (Poseokjeong Pavilion - surface area 7,432㎡) was designated as private monument No.1 on January 21, 1963. The location is originally where the royal villa of the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.~A.D. 935) had been, but the building no longer exists, and only a stone waterway shaped as a shell is left in its place.Poseokjeongji (Poseokjeong Pavilion) was named so as the shape of the rock grooves, winding and shaped like an abalone. Poseokjeong is built with 63 kinds of rock materials. It is 35cm wide, 26cm deep on average, and the total length is about 10 meters. It is said that the Namsan Valley water was brought here, and was spewed out through a stone turtle, but the stone turtle does not remain today.This is where the Silla Kings had come with their officials and nobles. It is said that they would float their wine glasses on the water where the water would flow along the stone groove, and they would recite poems before their glasses floated up to them.Next to Poseokjeongji (Poseokjeong Pavilion), Poseok valley was also much loved by the Silla people for its clean water and beautiful features. That is precisely why the palace villa of Silla was built here. Nowadays there are zelkovas, pine and bamboo woods preserving the cozy and relaxing atmosphere.

Located in the Bundang area of Seongnam City in Gyeonggi-do province, the Bundang Olympic Sports Center spans eight floors and includes an indoor ice-skating rink, a food court, various convenience facilities, a multi-purpose indoor gym, health club, aerobics room, Taekwondo ring, a golf course and a swimming pool.The indoor ice skating rink on the first floor basement has state-of-the-art facilities and the highest ice quality, which visitors can enjoy all year round.

The bronze statue of the Soyanggang Maid, which was dedicated by the City of Chuncheon in 2005 to promote the beloved Korean song of "Soyanggang Cheonyeo" (Soyanggang Maid) and the Soyanggang River, is a large statue standing 7 meters tall. The modern statue strikes a balance with the Soyanggang River and its surrounding scenery. The statue is located at the intersection of Soyanghoban in the direction of Gongjicheon.