Travel/Culture List

Hundreds of Baekje tombs are scattered across Buyeo. Among them, Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, which are close to Buyeo, have been relatively well preserved and are fairly large in size.The Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs were the royal tombs of the Baekje Dynasty from 538 to 660 when the capital of Baekje was Sabi (now Buyeo). In the Baekje Gobun Miniature Museum at the entrance to Neungsan-ri Ancient Tombs, mockups and miniature tombs are on display with their cross sections exposed. Here, one can view all kinds of Baekje tombs including stone mounds of the Hanseong Era as well as those discovered in Buyeo.

Goseongissi Tapdongpa Jongtaek (Gosoeng Lee head family estate, 고성이씨 탑동파 종택) is the head house in the family line of Goseong Lee noble family. The eldest grandson of the family is still living today. Constructed in 1685, this house has all of the beautiful features that are representative of Joseon architecture. After this period, additions to structures were added periodically. The pavilion was constructed in 1775. This site was the original spot of the Silla Kingdom's Beopeungsa Temple. National Treasure No. 16, Sinse-dong Chilcheung Jeontap (seven-story pagoda), is located in front of the house.

Constructed over a 16-month period from 1931 to 1932, the undersea tunnel in Tongyeong is Asia’s first submarine tunnel. For its construction, the sea water was blocked at both ends, the tunnel was dug underground, and was paved with concrete. The Korean word “Yongmundalyang” engraved at the entrance of 483 meter long, 5 meter wide tunnel means “the entrance of an undersea tunnel that connects island to land.”  

At 450m long and 11.7m wide, Dolsandaegyo Bridge is the largest cable-stayed bridge in Korea. Since its construction in 1984, the bridge, which connects Yeosu and Dolsan-do Island, has brought commerce and tourism to the island. Today, the bridge itself has become a popular tourist destination, illuminated at night by exterior lighting from the marine park across from the island. On the Yeosu side of the bridge is an octagonal pavilion observatory overlooking the picturesque Yeosu Harbor, while on the other side is Dolsan-eup known as the raw fish town. Underneath the bridge on the Dolsan-eup side is a cruise ship dock, where visitors will find a replica of the noble Geobokseon (turtle-shaped ship), and may ride a cruise ship to Odongdo Island or Hyangilam Temple on the edge of Dolsan-do Island.

At the Gochang Dolmen Museum, visitors can view diverse relics and learn about the Bronze Age and the dolmen (tomb, gravesite, etc.) cultures of the world. In addition to a variety of exhibition halls, the museum also features interactive exhibit spaces that help visitors further explore the main themes of the museum. There is also a mock-up of an ancient dugout hut where visitors may take photos. Outside the museum is the Bronze Age theme park, which features a life-size pre-historic village replica, a dolmen experience zone, and an exhibition zone displaying a representative memorial service from the Bronze Age.

Deoksan Hot Spa is conveniently in Sadong-ri, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, only one and a half hours away from Seoul. The spa resort’s hot springs have been known for their efficacy ever since the Joseon Dynasty (1932-1910) and the 45℃ germanium water is widely known for its health benefits. The region has been home to major spa resorts since 1917.Nearby tourist attractions include Chunguisa Temple, which enshrines the spirit of Patriot Yun Bong-Gil, and Sudeoksa Temple, a training site for Buddhist nuns. Within the spa district are 9 major spa facilities, approximately 50 hotels, and numerous restaurants.

Nestled between Gyeongpodae Beach and Yeongok Beach, Sacheon Beach is a clean and quiet beach covering an area of 19,000㎡ and a length of 300m. The beach opened on July 1, 1975; because Gyeongpo Provincial Park is just nearby, many vacationers choose to come here during the holidays. Thick pine trees cover the area, and its clean white sand and shallow waters make this area an ideal place for rest and relaxation.

Mokpo Culture & Arts Center is in Yonghae-dong, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do. The center opened in July 1997 and has two buildings, an exhibition hall, which includes seven exhibition rooms and two special rooms, and performance hall, which has a 698 seat auditorium.

Beomeosa Temple, located in Geumjeongsan Mountain in Busan, is one of the three major temples in Korea, together with Haeinsa and Tongdosa. Up until today, the passion of practitioners of this temple continues, a passion that did not waver even during the war. The temple stay program has two types: the experience program and the relaxation program. Centering on chamseon (Zen meditation), the experience program includes yebul, 108 prostrations, and dado (tea ceremony). With the relaxation program, you may choose to take chamseon (Zen meditation) or have conversation with a monk over a cup of tea. The temple is close to downtown and you can use a city tour bus with departure/final stop in Busan Station to take a tour around the city.  

Dongchundang Park was once the residence of Song Jung-gil, a noted politician from ancient times. Built in 1653, the park’s Dongchundang Residential Compound (Treasure No. 209) has kept some of its original features including its three ponds, pavilions, old swings, and the nameplate written by Uam Song Si-yeol in 1678 in honor of Song Jung-gil.Today, the park is the main venue of the annual Dongchundang Cultural Festival along with other local festivals.