Travel/Culture List

The Cerapia (Icheon World Ceramic Center) is an exhibition center of contemporary ceramic works that is run by the World Ceramic Exposition Foundation. The Ceramic Center has three permanent exhibition halls which feature around 500 contemporary ceramic works by Korean and foreign artists; and one special exhibition hall which features works done for the World Ceramic Biennale International Ceramic Workshop event.Seolbong Park, where the Ceramic Center is located, is a comprehensive tourist location. It includes Mt. Seolbong, Seolbong Lake, and the Sports and Recreation Park. Nearby tourist attractions include the Haegang Ceramics Museum, Icheon Hot Springs, Icheon Ceramic Village, and Icheon City Museum.

The Yangpyeong Wild Flower Arboretum has several major facilities. The Nature Ecology Museum showcases a natural ecology model structure with educational videos. The Nature Learning Center has about 200 different types of endangered wild flower species, while the Herb Garden has 50 different types of herbs. Other attractions include the swampy ground, Tteodeureongseom Island, riverside driveway, tropical arboretum, research center. The Arborteum offers a number of hands-on experience programs as well.

Located on Naeseorak, Baekdamsa Temple was built by Ja Jang (590~658) during the reign of Queen Jin-Deok (647-654), 28th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. In the beginning, a temple called Hangyesa was built in Hangye-ri which was in the vicinity to Jangsudae. This temple was completely demolished by several fire accidents including one in the year 690, during the reign of King Sinmun. It changed its locations to several other sites and was renamed Youngchuisa, Simsa, Baekdamsa, and Simwonsa Temple.A stone bridge called Susimgyo is built across Baekdam Gyegok Valley to the front of Baekdamsa Temple. Wooden Amityus Buddha Statue, designated as National Treasure No.1182, is preserved here at Baekdamsa Temple. This Buddhist statue was made in 1748 during the reign of Yeongjo (reign 1724~1776) and is known as the most outstanding statue in the early 18th century. Currently remaining structures include Geukrakbojeon, Sanryeonggak, Hwaeomsil, Beophwasil, Jeongmun, and Yosachae. In the courtyard, there is a three-story stone temple remaining to this date. As for temples, Bongjeongam, Oseam, and Wonmyeongam remain till today.Baekdamsa Temple was made famous by Manhae Han Yong-Un, a strong activist for national independence and poet who wrote his literary piece called “Nimui Chimmuk (Silence of the Beloved)” when he was just 48. Today, Baekdamsa Temple has the Manhae Monument Hall, built to remember the spirit of Manhae Han Yong-Un.

Located on the coast of Yonghae-dong in Mokpo, Gatbawi is a natural sandstone and tafoni formation near the mouth of the Yeongsangang River, where freshwater runs into the sea. Gatbawi is named after its shape, which is said to look like a man wearing a traditional Korean hat called a “gat” (“bawi” meaning “rock”). The rock is actually made of two individual formations: one measuring 8m high and one 6m high. Valued not only for its aesthetics, Gatbawi Rock is of high geological value as a “natural sculpture” that was formed as a result of years of weathering. The rock formation was officially recognized as Natural Monument No. 500 on April 27, 2009.

Oegosan Onggi Village is the largest producer of traditional onggi (earthenware) in Korea. The village was established by artisans and potters from all over Korea to practice and preserve the tradition of onggi craft. The village itself is a massive collection of various earthenware products, creating unique folk village scenery. Also, a range of facilities are located inside the village for visitors to explore the culture of onggi. They include Onggi Cultural Center displaying the history and culture of onggi products, Village Information Center equipped with the village history hall, multimedia room and seminar room, and Onggi Academy used for conducting hands-on learning programs and cultivating professional artisans. Visitors can observe the crafting of onggi products, while making their own. Since 2000, the annual Oegosan Onggi Festival has been held every October to celebrate the tradition and practice of onggi crafts. Meanwhile, in 2011, the onggi pottery standing over two meters high in the village was recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Located in Ulleung-eup, Ulleung-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Dodonghang Port is the port for ferries leaving or arriving in Ulleung-do Island. Ferries arrive here from Pohang or Muhko terminals or leave for Dokdo Island. To the left of the port is the Manghyangbong Peak; to the right, there is Haengnam Lighthouse with its 2,500-year old juniper tree.   Ulleung-do Island is 161 kilometers and 217 kilometers away from Mukho Ferry Terminal and Pohang Ferry Terminal respectively. The journey takes around two to three hours, depending on weather conditions. To the southeast of Ulleung-do is Dokdo Island, which is approximately 87.4 kilometers away. It takes about three hours round-trip from Dodonghang Port. Ferries leaving for Dokdo Island depart once or twice daily and are usually subject to frequent schedule changes due to wind, waves, and other unforeseen weather conditions. Therefore, visitors must confirm the schedule prior to departure. As there are no foreign language services on board, international visitors are advised to have a local guide or someone who can speak Korean.  

Cheongna Hill is the place where Christian missionaries resided during the early 20 century, planting many ivies along the site. It is also called Dongsan Cheongna Hill for being on the eastern side of Daegu's center. There are many attractions in this beautiful garden including Chamness’ House, Switzer’s House, Blair’s House, 90 stairs, Daegu 3.1 Independence Movement Road, Daegu's first western apple tree, a memorial stone inscribed with the song "Thinking of My Friend” , and the cemetery of the missionaries and their family. Cheongna Hill is also the starting point of Daegu's Street Tour Course 2 as well as a popular drama film location.

Hongyureung (홍유릉) refers to the two royal tombs, Hongneung and Yureung, which are both located in the same area. Hongneung is the mausoleum of the 26th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Gojong (1852-1919, reign 1863-1907), and his wife Empress Myeongseong (1851-1895).Hongneung(홍릉) was first the tomb of Empress Myeongseong, and it was located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul. When Emperor Gojong died, he was buried together with the previously deceased empress and the tomb was moved to its current place.Emperor Gojong was the second son of the regent Heungseon Daewongun and ascended to the throne at the young age of twelve. In 1897, he declared Korea to be the “Daehan Empire” and established himself as the emperor. However, under unrelenting pressure from Japan, he signed the Eulsa Treaty, and as a result, the Daehan Empire was deprived of its diplomatic rights. In 1919, Emperor Gojong died in Deoksugung Palace at the age of 67.Empress Myeongseong became the empress in 1866. However, at that time, Korea was actually governed not by Emperor Gojong, but by his father, who was controlling things from behind the scenes. In 1873, when Emperor Gojong began to administer state affairs, Empress Myeongseong exercised considerable power and deeply participated in political affairs. Her diplomatic policy was in obvious favor of Russia. This angered Japan, and she was killed by Japanese assassins.Yureung (유릉) is both the last royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty and the tomb of the first Korean emperor. It is the tomb of Emperor Sunjong (1874-1926, reign 1907-1910), the 27th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, his first wife Empress Sunmyeonghyo, and his second wife, Empress Sunjeonghyo. Emperor Sunjong was the second son of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong. He was the last ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and he struggled to defend the dynasty during that era of turbulence.Empress Sunmyeonghyo died when she was still the crown princess. She was originally buried at the foot of Mt. Yongmasan. After Emperor Sunjong died, the tomb was moved to its current location, and the emperor was buried alongside Empress Sunmyeonghyo. Empress Sunjeonghyo became the second wife of Emperor Sunjong at the age of twelve. It is known that she concealed the Imperial Seal when Japan put pressure on the Joseon Dynasty to sign the Korea (Joseon) -Japan Consolidation Treaty in 1910. However, the treaty was concluded, and the Daehan Empire came to an end after being deprived of its sovereignty. Empress Sunjeonghyo is said to have maintained her dignity right up until the moment she died. She was the last empress of the Daehan Empire.Hongneung and Yureung look different from other royal tombs. When the name of the country changed from the Joseon Dynasty to the Daehan Empire, the rulers of Korea were called emperors. Therefore, the tombs of the two emperors were modeled after the tomb of the Ming Dynasty’s ruler, King Taizu (Zhu Yuanzhang). Surrounding Hongneung and Yureung are statues carved in the shape of animals such as giraffes, elephants, and lions, which can’t be seen at the other royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. The stonework of Hongneung tomb was made in a traditional way, while the stonework of Yureung tomb shows a more realistic and advanced technique. 

Dongtan Lake Park is a well-being space within the city with large grass field, picnic area, phytoncide forest and more along the lake. There are walking trails along the container bridge, various customized benches, and beautiful landscape to enjoy. Other facilities include sports facilities, water playground, and a large water fountain with a fountain show.

The Animation Museum is the only animation museum in Korea. The exhibition hall on the first floor shows the origin, development and types of animation, techniques and process of making amination, history of the development of animation-related equipment, and the history of Korean animation. On the second floor are Chuncheon Hall, US Hall, Japan Hall, Europe Hall, and Other Regions Hall (Asia and other regions), where visitors can get to know the history of animation throughout the world. In addition, various activity programs await visitors, like watching 3D animation films, experiencing audio effects/dubbing and shooting stop-motion animation.