Travel/Culture List

Yun Seondo, a non-military civil administrator and poet in the mid Joseon Dynasty (1587~1671), could hardly contain his anger after hearing the news that the king had surrendered to the invaders during the Byeongjahoran War (Chinese invasion of Korea in 1636). Following the events, he decided to live in seclusion by moving to Jeju Island. However, on the way to Jeju, he came across Bogildo Island and he was so inspired by its beauty that he ended up settling down on Bogildo instead. For 13 years since he was 51 years old during the 15th year of King Injo's reign 1631, he composed great poems such as 'Eobusasisa' (Fisherman's Song for Four Seasons) on Bogildo Island. Some of the mountain peaks and rocks named by him still remain on the island. Seyeonjeong Pavilion was built by Yun Seondo and this is the birthplace of his literary works. On clear days, he would come to the pavilion with his family and let singers sing his verses. Bogildo Island embraces both the Eastern outlook on nature and Neo-Confucianism ideology. While going around the island, visitors will get some semblance of how Yun Seondo harmonized man and nature through the combination of the island's natural and the man-made features.

Heuksando Island is located at the southern end of Korea about 92.7 km away from Mokpo. It is composed of 11 uninhabited islands and 89 inhabited islands. Because of its natural beauty, it has been designated as part of Dadohae National Marine Park along with the nearby islands.Heuksando Island has a circular road that can take you all the way around the island along the seashore. Following this road, you can see almost all of the beautiful natural and cultural treasures of the island. The Choryeongmok Tree, once designated as Natural Monument, is said to have the ability to conjur up spirits when its branch is broken and placed on a Buddhist altar. Nearby are Sangroksurim and Seonghwangdang. Also on Heuksando Island are designated Cultural Treasures such as the Jiseokmyogun, Samcheungseokdeung, Samcheungseoktap, and Banwolseong. Mt. Heuksan on the island has eight especially beautiful sceneries, which are called Mt. Heuksan Eight Sceneries. Among them, Munamchangsong, Songjeonmangwol, and Myeongsasipri are especially famous. Munamchangsong refers to evergreen trees covering the sky of Mt. Munamsan, and Songjeonmangwol refers to watching the moon in front of an evergreen at harvest full moon. Myeongsasipri refers to a large white sandy beach spread out in front of Jinri Village. The Eight Sceneries of Mt. Heuksan are must-see places for those who visit the island of Heuksando. 

The Ganghwagun Agricultural Center located in Ganghwa-gun, Incheon opened in 2003 as a cultural and training center. The center provides patrons with a relaxing environment to learn about farming culture in Korea and the public value that the agricultural industry has for Korea. In the center, you may enjoy such hands-on farming activities like harvesting potatoes or picking peppers. The center also holds a farmers’ market where you can buy locally produced goods directly from farmers.

Yanggu Porcelain Museum (Formerly Bangsan Porcelain Museum) presents porcelain from the Bangsan area with various video clips to help take a look at the history of porcelain in the Bangsan area. Visitors can also try their hand at making porcelain from scratch!

Jirye Arts Village is a great place to have a unique experience. Every month there are events such as making rice cake or kimchi and you can stay in traditional Korean houses. Jirye Arts Village is a village with Jisan Seodang (Cultural Asset No. 49), Jichonjongtaek (Cultural Asset No. 44), and Jichonjecheong (Cultural Asset No. 46), which were moved from the Imha Dam area because of the possibility of being flooded. Jisan Seodang was established in 1800, the 24th year under the reign of King Jeongjo (reign 1752~1800) in remembrance of the achievements of Kim Bang-Geol, as a place for the future generations to study in. Jichonjongtaek is the head house of Kim Bang-Geol’s Family. Established in 1712 at his own request, Jichonjecheong was a shrine where sacrificial rites were held, which has been used as an auditorium. Beyond the tile-roofed houses, low mountains surround Jirye Arts Village, and there is a lake down from the village. If you pass the tall gate there is a large square and straight ahead is the main building, the schoolhouse on the right and a shrine on the left hill. Although the village is 350 years old, there are houses with rooms that are heated with wood. Because the village has preserved the old customs with small details, it is a great place to experience and understand Korean traditional culture. Jirye Arts Village is a cultural inquiry spot for foreigners, a creative space for the artists to work, and is also used as a conference space. It is also used as a traditional life study site and as Confucianism institute.

A beautiful and mysterious valley located 12 km up the Donggang River, Eorayeon Valley is renowned for its clean waters and for the many fish that inhabit it. The valley has beautiful rock formations and a dense pine forest were designated as the No.14 National Scenic Spot in December 2004. It is one of Korea's most popular sites for rafting, followed by Naerincheon Creek and Cheolwon's Hangtan River. The trail to Eorayeon by way of Jatbong Peak is also quite popular (approx. 3 hours).

The Bulgapsa Temple (불갑사) of Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, was the very first Buddhist temple to be built in Korea. Monk Marananta, who was the first Indian monk to spread Buddhism in Korea, is said to have established the temple here around the year 384, during the reign of King Chimnyu.The main hall (daewungjeon) in Bulgapsa has been designated as national treasure No. 830. The motifs on the doors of the hall are famed for their beautiful designs. The temple also has other buildings of distinction such as the Manseru, Myeongbujeon and Ilgwangdang, a Neolitsea sericea tree designated as natural treasure No. 112. The temple is also famous for a magic lily which blooms in the late summer. The path into the Bulgapsa Temple is ideal for a restful walk and contemplation.

This temple is said to have been built by Great Monk Uisang in the 12th year of King Munmu’s reign (672 AD). It was rebuilt in the 13th year of King Hyeonjong’s reign (1672) after a fire destroyed the original temple complex during the Imjin War against Japanese invaders. During work to renovate Bogwangjeon Hall in 1976, a text that had been put up with the ridge beams was found. Bogwangjeon Hall is a small building and its ceiling is in the form of the sharp symbol (#). A Birojanabul Buddhist statue is enshrined in the hall.

The observatory not only has a 3m circular dome and sliding dome, but also a catadioptric telescope and other major equipment for space observation. Regular education program are help during school summer vacation to explain astromony concepts in relatively simple terms and to engage children with folk stories behind each constellation.Other programs like ‘A Trip to the Space with My Daddy”, and “Weekend Family FAM Tour” are also available. In a "A Trip to Space with My Daddy” (21:00 to 24:00 daily) participants can learn how to operate a telescope and observe celestial bodies in space. The “Weekend Family FAM Tour” program opens from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekends and presents short films on astronomy and gives visitors a look at telescopes and other astrological equipment. The program is popular among elementary and middle school students from Seoul and Ilsan area.

Hangyeryeong, Misiryeong and Jinburyeong are the three ridges that represent Mt. Seoraksan, and Hangyeryeong long with the Misiryeong. It was called Sodongraryeong as the connecting path between the east coast and the inland. In December 1971, a large paved road was made to connect Yangyang and Inje, which became the tourist road between inner Mt. Seoraksan and outer Mt. Seoraksan. If you go down Hangyeryeong path you will reach Osaek District. Everything in this district are said to be related to a factor of five as “O” in Osaek means “five” in Korean. They even say the carbonated water spring from the base rock here has 5 flavors. The 3-story pagoda (National Treasure No.497) that stands in Seongguksa Temple is called Osaek Stone pagoda because the rock is said to shine in 5 colors.The Osaek flower myth says that the village name 'Osaek' was given because there was a tree that bloomed flowers of 5 different colors.