Travel/Culture List

Samneung means "three royal tombs," and has strong ties to history. The three royal tombs house three kings of the Silla Kingdom: King Adala (8th King of the Dynasty), King Sindeok (53rd) and King Gyeongmyeong (54th). King Adala, who cared deeply for his people, mobilized his soldiers to rescue his subjects that were abducted by the invaders of Baekje. After a while, Baekje asked for peace treaty and King Adala released the prisoners he took during the engagement. A kingdom in Japan sent an envoy to ask for friendly relations with the Silla. King Adala’s tomb is 58m in circumference at the base, 5.4m in x_height and 18m in diameter. As King Hyogong died without any heirs, the people of the kingdom crowned his son-in-law as their next king – King Sindeok. During his reign, King Sindeok devoted himself to protecting his kingdom from invasions by Gyeonhwon and Gungye. The royal tomb is 61m in circumference at the base, 5.8m in x_height and 18m in diameter. It was robbed twice, inviting investigations in 1953 and 1963. The investigations revealed the tomb to be a chamber made of stone. King Gyeongmyeong, the son of King Sindeok, together with Wanggeon, the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty, successfully thwarted Gyeonhwon’s attack against Daeyaseong Fortress. During his reign, he attempted to establish diplomatic relations with the Hudang Dynasty of China, but was unsuccessful. The tomb is 50m in circumference at the base, 4.5m in x_height and 16m in diameter.

Endorsed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea.

Haegasa is a site named after the tale of 'Haega' in "The Heritage of the Three States." While the original Haegasa is assumed to be on Wausan Mountain at the northern end of Samcheok Beach, it has been restored on Jeusandong Beach against the backdrop of beautiful scenery. Located near Haegasa are Chuam Beach and Surobuin Park, which hosues the Dragon Ball, upon which people make their wishes.

The Daegwallyeong Museum is located in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do Province. It is housed in a building that resembles a dolmen, striking a balance with its surrounding landscape and earning it an Outstanding Architecture Award from the Construction Association of Korea and the Best Award from Gangwon-do Province.The museum has six exhibition halls, including those that are named after the guardian gods that represent the four directions. Cheongnyongbang (Room of the Green Dragon - East) is decorated in blue and displays celadon and traditional ceramics. Baekobang (Room of the White Tiger - West) is in white and exhibits Buddhist art and wooden dolls. Jujakbang (Room of the Red Vermillion - South) is in red and displays a bridal palanquin, folk paintings, and calligraphy. The black Hyeonmubang (Room of the Black Turtle - North) displays bronze relics. Also, there is the Togibang (Earthenware) showing Prehistoric era shacks and earthenware. Uribang exhibits wooden furniture and folk craftwork.The outdoor space offers an exhibit of stone pagodas and statues as well as a thatched cottage and an operating water mill. 

The ARC is a building that embodies an elegant and geometrical approach to the sky, the earth, culture and river culture. The ARC is an abbreviation of Architecture of River Culture and Artistry of River Culture. With water as it common theme, the multi-purpose space is organized in such a way that the structure itself is a work of art. The interior features a modern, yet simple design concept. The building has exhibition spaces and art galleries on the basement floor, a huge circle theater highlighting the theme of water on the first and second ground floors, and an observatory on the third floor with a view of the surrounding natural landscape.

Donggang Museum of Photography, Korea’s first-ever public photo museum, opened in July 2005. Housed in a building with one basement level and two ground levels, the museum has a permanent exhibition hall and two special exhibition halls. There is also an outdoor gallery and a lecture hall.Some of the museum exhibits include donations by photo artists who participated in the Donggang Photo Festival, an event held since 2002, together with donations by winners of the Donggang Photo Award. Visitors will also find photos highlighting the natural and cultural heritage of Yeongwol and about 800 photos taken by town residents. Another noteworthy addition is the exhibition of 130 classic cameras, a must for camera enthusiasts and aficionados.

The museum features various materials and items like artifacts and vehicles from the over 100 years of railroad history in Korea, which started with the first miracle on September 18, 1899. The first floor houses a history hall and an exhibit devoted to items from railroad vehicles. The second floor focuses on electronics, communications, facilities and architecture, and items related to the transportation industry. The first floor also has a Railroad Model Panorama Room, which features replicas of the various trains that have traversed the Korean countryside, right from the first steam engine until the KTX. There's also an outdoor exhibit area featuring a real steam engine train, a presidential train, as well as passenger and cargo trains. The presidential train was introduced in May of 2015 for guests to enjoy.

Neungkang Sotdae Art Museum in Neunggang-ri of Jechun-si City in Chungcheongbuk-do Province is a museum of 'sotdaes,' which are ancient prayer poles with a duck or bird-shaped figurine on top that were usually placed at the village entrance. Many of these artifacts can be found inside and outside of a modern structure at the museum site, which is located near the vast Chungju Lake. Other nearby tourist attractions include Neunggang Valley that is situated at the foot of Geumsusan Mountain and surrounded by lush pine forests, rocky cliffs, streams and waterfalls. There is also Jeongbangsa Temple, which is told to have been built by the renowned Buddhist priest, Uisang, during the Silla Kingdom.