Travel/Culture List

Haepungbuwongu Yun Taek-yeong Daek Jaesil is a house built by the father-in-law of King Sunjong of Joseon Dynasty. He built this house in 1906 when his daughter was proclaimed the crowned princess of Joseon and entered Changdeokgung Palace to later become Queen Sunjeong. Red pine trees salvaged from the demolition of Gyeongungung Palace were used to construct the house. It was originally located at 224 Jegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, but was later restored and moved to its present location. The shrine of the house that was destroyed in 1960 was also restored. Additionally, a stone stair of two steps on which flowers were planted was added in front of the shrine. Atop of the house is a tiled, triangle-shaped hip-and-gable roof. Sarangche (men’s quarter) has double-layered eaves, while other eaves are single-layered. Haengrangche (servant’s quarters) has a gabled roof supported with three beams. Because the house is more of a shrine rather than residential living quarters, it has many unique features. For example, unlike other houses, it has Anche (women’s quarters) located across from Sarangbang (men’s quarters) with Daecheong (living room) positioned between them.

The POSCO Museum, which opened in Goedong-dong, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do on July 3, 2003, shows the history, spirit, corporate culture and vision of POSCO. This 3-story, 3,636 m² building rests on a 9,917 m² site, and the exhibition area is 1,983 m². In other advanced countries, it is common for a company to open a museum, however, the POSCO museum came in the spotlight from the master planning phase since it was a rare case in Korea. The museum was established with the aim of creating a space where the past, present and future of POSCO coexist. POSCO became one of the most competitive companies in the world in just 30 years, when the concept of steel manufacturing had not existed in the country. POSCO was able to achieve success thanks to the POSCO employees who fought against all kinds of adversities. The POSCO museum showcases such great achievements, as well as the entire history of the company, giving dreams and hopes to the youth who visit the museum.

Hwangnyongsa Temple is attached to the Taegojong Order of Buddhism. No information is available on when the temple was built, but it is thought to have been built by the descendants of Hwang Hee (1363-1462), who returned to his hometown to avoid political strife in the mid Joseon era, wishing for national peace and the prosperity of the family clan. The temple had been taken care of by Hwang Hee’s descendants for generations, but at one time became ruined. The temple had been rebuilt in modern days. The current buildings were re-constructed by Monk Beobin in 1985. Inside, there are Buddhist buildings like Daeungjeon, Gwaneumjeon, Samseonggak, and Beomjongnu. New additions include the three-storied stone pagoda and the Three Buddha statues in front of Daeungjeon Hall. The oldest relic from the temple is the standing Gwanseeumbosal Buddha statue in front of the Three Buddha Statues. The statue is considered to be about a hundred years old.

Okpo Great Victory Commemorative Park was built in 1996 to commemorate the victory of national hero, Admiral Yi Sun-sin who fought against the Japanese in the invasion of Korea from 1592~1598.Admiral Yi Sun-sin torpedoed 26 out of 50 Japanese ships gaining victory in the Okpo naval battle.A memorial hall, shrine, tower and Okporu Pavilion are located at the commemorative park. The Turtle Ship, an ironclad warship shaped like a turtle, swords crafted in the Joseon tradition, and other remains are displayed at the memorial hall. Admiral Yi Sun-sin’s picture can be seen at the shrine.On top of the 30 meter high tower and Okporu Pavilion, visitors can enjoy ocean vistas as well as a view of Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering Co., Ltd.Entrance to the breakwater is not permitted for safety reasons.

Petroglyphs refer to the paintings in which objects and symbols are carved, pecked, and colored on rocks, huge cliffs and cave walls. Some of these rocky paintings are from as early as the late Paleolithic Era, but mostly they are seen from the New Stone Age, Neolithic Era and Bronze Age in which times these paintings were abundant. The upper part of the rock shows various animals including deer pecked into the rock, and the lower part of the rock has writing and drawings of humans, and animals made by penciling. As for the upper part, it is thought to have been made throughout the New Stone Age and Bronze Age to express their consciousness for abundance. In comparision, the painting of a cavalcade, a sailing boat, a dragon, a horse, and a deer and about 300 writings on the lower part of the rock were considered to be done by people during unified Silla, showing their belief of the area as a holy ground.  

The Mok-A Museum, designated as intangible cultural asset No. 108, was established by Park Chan-su with the purpose of handing down traditional Buddhist art and traditional woodcraft techniques. The four-story museum contains an outdoor sculpture park.The exhibition displays that remain include Buddhist statues, paintings and sculptures, as well as the works of director Park Chan-su, including many Buddhist woodcrafts. The outdoor sculpture park displays Buddhist statues such as Mireuksamjondaebul, Birojanabul, Baeuigwaneum, and a three-story pagoda.

The Gochang Pansori Museum was established in the old residence of ‘Dongni’ Sin Jae-Hyo (a musical theorist and arranger and a sponsor of Pansori) with the aim of honoring the great Pansori singers of the past (including Sin Jae-Hyo) and preserving and developing the indigenous tradition of Pansori. Of the original rooms of the residence only Sarangchae (an annex where men used to study or welcome guests) has been renovated and is open to the public. Right next to Sarangchae is the Dongni Gugakdang (Korean Traditional Music Hall).Over 1,000 pieces related to Pansori and great local singers are on display at the museum, included personal possessions once owned by Sin Jae-Hyo (penname ‘Dongni’). For those interested in learning more about the traditional art of Pansori music or experiencing high-quality Pansori, the Gochang Pansori Museum is a must-visit travel destination.

Clean and well-preserved, Resom Ocean Castle is an excellent membership resort located at the center of Taean Seashore National Park in the land of nature, Anmyeondo Island. This highly-modernized seashore resort offers recreational, cultural and business facilities as well as leisure sports.With excellent lodging facilities and installment of extensive communication networks, as well as a variety of recreational areas, Aqua World, the complex resort combines numerous convenience facilities.The unique water park, Aqua World has been very popular since its opening. High quality sulfur seawater is used which is pumped up from 420m below ground. Located within the resort which blends in with pine tree forests, blue sea and sandy beach, Aqua World contains the mud beauty spa center (3558 sq. ft.), sulfur sea water sauna, massage spa, Spa Therapy as well as an outdoor spa. 

Nokdongseowon Confucian Academy was built in 1789 in honor of General Kim Chung-seon (1571-1642), who contributed greatly to Korea's defense from the Japanese invasions during the Imjin War (1592-1598). The Academy was shut down in 1864, and reinstated in 1885. Then, in 1972, it was moved to its current location. Today, General Kim's tablet is enshrined in this hall, where a memorial service is held every March. Nearby attractions on the grounds of Nokdongseowon include Nokdongsa Temple, Sunguidang Shrine, Hyangyangmun Gate and Chungjeolgwan Hall, which houses rifles used during the Imjin War, articles left by General Kim, as well as literature on the cultural history of Korea and Japan.

Nanji Island Beach (난지섬해수욕장) in Dangjin-gun, Chungcheongnam-do has 700m-long, 50m-wide soft white sand beaches. The water is shallow, clean and warm (20-23 °C), and a pine grove nearly 3,306m² wide surrounds the beach. Nanji Island Beach offers various convenience facilities such as campsites, showers, drinking fountains and bathrooms. The rocky coast in the northwest is a great spot for catching popular fish, such as rock cod and spotty belly greenling. By taking a boat, visitors can enjoy scenic ocean views as they pass beautiful islands, such as Yeongheungdo, Palmido, Seonjaedo, Gukhwado, Yukdo and Pungdo.