Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

The Andong Public Folk Museum is where you can experience Confucian culture and traditional games of Korea. Andong is famous for Confucian culture and the four traditional ceremonies (the ceremonies of coming of age, marriage, funeral and ancestral worship). Here you can view the lifestyles of the past and important cultural treasures. The indoor museum is segmented into three exhibit halls. At Exhibit Hall 1, the process of going from the birth of a baby to childhood is displayed. At Exhibit Hall 2, the process of becoming an adult to the rituals of death and funeral is displayed. At Exhibit Hall 3, the daily life and traditional games are displayed in small models. Including old farming tools and cloth making process, the folk relics of this museum add up to 3,700 artifacts. There is also a visual system for videos. After you look through the indoor exhibits, head outside to the outdoor exhibits. The outdoor exhibit is a park complex, made of folk houses and cultural assets moved to this site. You will see exhibits representing the Andong lifestyle such as a stone house, a straw roofed, mud-hut and a watermill.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Singyeongju Station is located in Gyeongju, a city that served as the capital of the ancient Silla Kingdom for a thousand years. Construction of Singyeongju Station began in August 2007 and was completed on October 28, 2010. The station was officially opened to the public on November 1, 2010 and has facilitated safe and convenient transport to Pohang, Yeongcheon, and other neighboring areas ever since.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

The Gyeongju Historic Area, registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage on November 2000, is an area that embodies the time-honored history and culture of Gyeongju, the ancient capital of the Silla Kingdom (新羅, 57-935)The Gyeongju Historic Area can be divided into 5 major sections.The first section is the Namsan Area, a treasure trove of Buddhist art masterpieces dating back to the Silla Kingdom. Gyeongju Namsan Mountain (often referred to as an ‘outdoor museum’) is home to many historical heritage sites from the Silla Kingdom. Major attractions include: Poseokjeong (Historic Site No.1), Tapgok Maaejosanggun (Treasure No. 201), Cheollyongsaji Three-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 1188), Chilbulam Maae Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 200), Bulgok Seated Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 198), and 37 other Buddhist relicsThe second section is the Wolseong Area, one of the former palace sites of the Silla Kingdom. The area consists of Gyerim (Historic Site No. 19); Imhaejeonji (Historic Site No. 18), a Silla Royal Palace site; and Cheomseongdae (National Treasure No. 31), the oldest observatory in the East. Daereungwon area, the third area, features a cluster of the royal graves of the Kings and Queens of Silla.Also in the same area are Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Nodong-ri (Historic Site No. 38), Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Noseo-ri (Historic Site No. 39) Gobungun (a cluster of old graves) in Hwangnam-ri (Historic Site No. 40), and Oreung (Historic Site No. 172), among others. Archaeologists have discovered a number of invaluable relics and historic items in this area such as Geumgwan (golden crown), Cheonmado (a painting of flying horses), and numerous pottery pieces. These finds are perhaps the greatest clues into the life of the people of the Silla Dynasty.Area number four, the Hwangnyongsa Area, is where the former site of the Hwangnyongsa Temple (Historic Site No. 246) and Bunhwangsa Stone Pagoda are located. Lastly, is the Sanseong Area, housing remnants of the major defense system for the capital city. The site consists of Myeonghwalsanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 47) which is estimated to be around 400 years old.The Gyeongju Historic Area has a total of 52 designated cultural assets that are registered as World Cultural Heritages. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Girimsa Temple is located in Mount Hamwolsan in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called ‘Imjeongsa’ at first, but was later changed to ‘Girimsa’ after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. The Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.On the way to Girimsa temple is the Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage (monastery) of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.* Major Cultural Properties Lacquered Seated Mercy Bodhisattva of Girimsa Temple (Treasure No. 415)Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No. 833)Sojo Birojana Samjonbul (Treasure No. 958)Sutras kept inside the Vairocana Buddha of Girimsa (Treasure No. 959) 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

The Baegamsan Mountains are also known as the ‘White Rock Mountains’, since their peaks are covered in white-coloured rocks. These mountains are also famous for receiving plenty of snow during the winter season. If you hike up to the mountain peak early in the morning, you may catch a glimpse of the gorgeous sunrise over the East Sea. The hiking trail starts from in front of the Baegam Hot Springs Hotel. Hikers follow the southern ridges and continue through the pine tree forests to reach the top of the mountain. From the top of the mountain, you can admire beautiful views of the East Sea and the tall mountains that stretch to the west and the north. Below the peaks are the Gomosanseong Fortress, Halmaesanseong Fortress, and Baegamsanseong Fortress. After admiring the beautiful wildlife from the peak of Baegamsan Mountain, enjoy the spas at the Baegamsan Hot Springs Resort, which is located just at the foot of the mountain.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Bongjeongsa Temple was built in the 12th year of King Munmu, who ruled the Silla Kingdom from 661 to 681. According to legend, the Great Buddist Monk Ui-Sang (625-702) was launched from Buseoksa Temple and landed on this spot. Documents from Geuknakjeon state that Neungin Daedeuk, a disciple of Monk Ui-Sang, established the temple, and it was rebuilt several times during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).Bongjeongsa Temple is the largest temple in Andong and possesses the oldest wooden building in Korea, called Geuknakjeon. Past the Ilju Gate and the forest path is the Bongjeongsa Temple. Bongjeongsa Temple has a unique and elegant atmosphere. The old trees and hermitages nearby are also worth a look. There are many towers inside, such as the Daeungjeon (National Treasure No. 55), Geuknakjeon (National Treasure No. 15), and many others. There are also important buildings, such as the three-storey Stone Pagoda, the representative pagoda of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Geuknakjeon from the Goryeo Dynasty and Daeungjeon from the Joseon Dynasty stand next to each other. It is interesting to compare these two types of architecture. Inside both buildings are trees with the complete collection of Buddhist Sutras, Laws, and Treatises.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Opened in 1972, the Gyeongju Express Bus Terminal is located in Noseo-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk province.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

Uljin-gun’s southern most port of Hupohang has beautiful seaside scenery throughout the four seasons. Almost all of the fish caught in the East Sea can be seen at Hupohang Port. On the hill behind the port is the Hupo Lighthouse, which lights the waters for boats coming in at night, and its observatory provides a great view over the East sea during the day. Also, children’s playground and rest area are situated on top of the hill next to the lighthouse. On the opposite side of the hill, visitors can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the 1,004-meter tall Baekamsan Mountain.At dawn, visitors can tour Hupohang Park and look at the many freshly caught fish. Visitors can also buy fresh fish at extremely low prices. Furthermore, the Hupohang Port is known for its numerous raw fish restaurants and the hot springs are located nearby as well.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

The Mungyeong Spa is an enormous hot springs complex that first opened in March 2001 and is able to accommodate up to 2,500 visitors at one time.The Mungyeong Spa offers two types of hot springs water. The yellow earth-colored hot springs water comes from 900 meters underground and is effective in treating skin irritations and heart disease. The other hot springs water comes from 750 meters below the ground and is beneficial to healing wounds and respiratory organs.Due to Mungyeong Spa’s two different hot springs waters, you can have several different healing experiences all in one place.