Travel/Culture List

Sunheunghyanggyo Confucian School
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)
Originally built in Geumseong to the north of Sunheungbu administrative district in Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Sunheunghyanggyo Confucian School moved to Wiya-dong to the east of the district in 1718 and moved once again in 1750 to its current location. Facing southward, this ancient Confucian school is located at the foot of a mountain with river flowing in the foreground. It can be reached by crossing the Jukgye Jaewolgyo Bridge from Geumseongdan Altar and taking the path on the left before turning left at Cheongdari Village Hall to walk a little further up the road. Currently housed within Sunheunghyanggyo are valuable materials related to Confucian schools.

Jisimdo Island (지심도)
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)
Jisimdo Island is about 500m wide and 1.5km in length and sits 5km to the southeast of Geojedo Island’s Jangseungpo Port. The island is densely filled with tree. 37 species of trees including pine trees, and Geoje aerides can be seen but camellia trees account for 60 to 70 percent of the whole area of the island. The flower of cameillia trees blooms in the beginning of December and closes its flowers in April. The best time for seeing the flowers is around March even though people can admire the blooming flower for 5 months. The island’s edges are mostly comprised of steep cliffs, otherwise private land and mountain slopes are generally flat. To see the whole island, it may take 2 to 3 hours on foot along the flat trail in the village.

Soyangho Lake
 
Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)
Soyangho Lake (소양호), one of the biggest manmade lakes in Korea, along with Chungjuho Lake (충주호), was created in 1973 when the world’s fourth largest dam, Soyang Dam, standing 123 meters high, was constructed. The 60-kilometer watercourse connecting Chuncheon and Inje is a route along which you can enjoy the beautiful hills and streams of Naeseorak. In the Inje section, upstream of the lake, there are various species of fish such as carp, crusian, leather carp, mandarin fish and pond smelt, attracting many tourists and fisherman. Fishing spots are found in areas such as Gunchukgyo Bridge, Bupyeong, Gwandae-ri, and Sangsunaeri Fishing Pier. Also, from December and March when a portion of the lake near Gunchukgyo Bridge freezes, you can bore holes through the ice sheet and enjoy ice-fishing for pond smelt.  

Jasan Park (자산공원)
 
Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)
Yeosu City is nestled on the Yeosu Peninsula and the areas of Yeosu-si, Yeoncheon-si and Yeocheon-gun, which all have the same first character ‘려(麗) (ryeo)’ were combined as one into Yeosu-si as of April, 1998. Located at the entrance of the breakwater of Odongdo Island, the park embraces Namhae Sea (south sea). Thousands of evergreen trees and flowering plants spread out over the wide flats when approaching the peak by the steep staircase. The park has a 15m-high Yi Sun-sin statue, built in 1967 to honor his birth along with Jinnamje Festival, Jasangak, Chunghontop (memorial tower) and a fair view with a refreshing sea breeze. In addition, Ilchuljeong, Sunrise Arbor which was constructed in 1998, is beloved as a resting spot by many visitors.

Sculpture Park of Keumkuwon
 
Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)
The Sculpture Park of Keumkuwon (est. 1966) is Korea’s first sculpture park and was registered as Private Museum No. 277 with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2003. Many of the roughly 100 sculptures are realistic in style and are related to one another, making viewers feel as if a story is unfolding right before their eyes. Main pieces include ‘Farmer’s hands,’ ‘Thoughts about the Limited and the Unlimited,’ and ‘The Sky in the West.’ The sculptures are made of marble or granite and vary in size, with some measuring 450cm. Indigenous trees and bushes of the Byeonsan Bando Peninsula can be found throughout the park, giving visitors a chance to enjoy both the sculptures and the backcountry charm. The park also features the Keumkuwon Astronomical Observatory. Visitors can combine their trip to the park with a visit to nearby tourist sites like Gyeokpohang Harbor, Chaeseokgang Cliff, Suseongdang Shrine, and Jeokbyeokgang Cliff.

Gajisan Provincial Park
 
Ulsan(Ulju-gun)
The residual mountains of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range form ten tall peaks in the Yeongnam region. Dubbed the ‘Yeongnam Alps,’ these peaks include Chwiseosan (1,092 meters, also called Yeongchwisan), Sinbulsan (1,209 meters), Cheonhwangsan (1,189 meters), Unmunsan (1,188 meters), Goheonsan (1,033 meters), Munboksan (1,013 meters), and Gajisan mountains. This group of mountains is uniquely covered with reeds. Gajisan Mountain is the tallest of this group, rising above mountains almost 1,000 meters high. An attraction of hiking in Gajisan Mountain is that various large, oddly shaped rock peaks can be seen from the mountain trail. To the east of the mountain is Seongnamsa Temple built during the Silla Kingdom. Today, only Buddhist nuns remain, but there are relics like the budo stupa of National Master Doui (Treasure 369) and a three-story stone pagoda.

Mulhan Valley
 
Chungcheongbuk-do(Yeongdong-gun)
The waters that carved Mulhan Valley (물한계곡) in Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do originate in the upper reaches of the Hancheon Village stream. In summer, many tourists visit the valley while the nearby Mt. Minjujisan, Samdobong Peak and Mt. Gakhosan are popular among hikers year-round. The scrub, azaleas and royal azaleas along the ridges display their magnificent beauty throughout the year and beautiful waterfalls flow through the area, including Okso Falls, Uiyonggol Falls and Eumjuam Falls. The harmonious valley contains Janggun Rock, many thick forests and even swamplands, offering a wide array of spectacular and splendid sights.

Mubongsa Temple
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)
Mubongsa means “A sacred place where phoenix used to dance,” and is a small and Buddhist temple. It is conveniently and accessibly located near one of the city’s top attractions, Yeongnamnu Pavilion, which has a spectacular view of the Miryanggang River, the bamboo forest below, and the park and the downtown area on the other side of the river. Perched high on the cliffs above the upper reaches of the river is Aranggak Pavilion. Take the flight of stairs from this pavilion to reach the famous Yeongnamnu Pavilion and Mubongsa Temple. Enshrining the Seokjoyeoraejwasang (seated stone Buddha statue; Treasure No. 493), the temple has long been a popular site among poets and painters for its picturesque landscape. * Mubongsa Seokjoyeoraejwasang, a well-known relic of Mubongsa Temple Mubongsa Seokjoyeoraejwasang (seated stone Buddha statue of Mubongsa Temple) is a well-preserved statue of the Buddha from the late Unified Silla Era. The 97-cm-tall statue was designated as National Treasure No. 493 on June 24, 1969.

Bohae Plum Farm
 
Jeollanam-do(Haenam-gun)
Established in 1979 in Haenam, Jeollanam-do Province by the Bohae Brewery, Bohae Plum Farm (Bohae Maesil Nongwon) is the largest green plum farm in Korea. Every spring, as maehwa (apricot flower) blossoms begin to bloom on maesil (green plum) trees, the brewery opens the farm to the public, providing an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful blossoms, and also to purchase fresh plums. To this day, the brewery produces and sells various maesil products made with the plums harvested from the farm.

Byeokbong Korea Jewelry Museum (벽봉한국장신구박물관)
 
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si)
Byeokbong Korea Jewelry Museum is dedicated to displaying and promotiong the jewelry work by royalty during the Joseon dynasty. Visitors can learn about the various styles and the meanings behind the designs.