Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Divided into four areas (Mungyeong, Gaeun, Maseong and Nongam), the Mungyeong Special Tourist Zone is a charming place to relax and experience a variety of activities in nature. Here visitors can find attractions such as the Mungyeong Hot Springs, Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park and the KBS Film Set. The Mungyeong area is home to Mungyeongsaejae, a mountain pass connecting Mungyeong City and Goesan County. During the Joseon period, Mungyeong Saejae played an important role as the gateway in and out of Gyeongsang Province. Saejae, meaning “bird pass,” refers to “a pass so high and steep that even birds find the crossing difficult.” The Mungyeongsaejae-gil road inside Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park is well developed and suitable for hikers of all ages. Here, visitors can appreciate the lush forest and the fall foliage in autumn. There are three gates along the pass: Juheulgwan, Jogokgwan, and Joryeonggwan. Collectively, they are known as Mungyeong Gwanmun (Mungyeong Gateways). Near each gateway, there are areas where hikers can stop and take a rest. There are also hiking trails leading to nearby mountains such as Juheulsan Mountain and Tanhyangsan Mountain. The nearby Mungyeong Hot Spring is perfect for unwinding after a long hike. The SBS Film Set and the Mungyeong Coal Museum are located in the Gaeun area just south of Mungyeong. Daeyasan Mountain and Yongchu Valley are located nearby and the area has plenty of accommodation facilities for tourists and hikers. Mungyeong rail bike, which departs from Gaeun Station and Gurang-ri Station, is also popular. Popular summer destinations such as Ssanyong Valley and STX Resort are located in the Nongam area. Many companies visit this place for corporate training sessions and team building activities. [Mungyeong Special Tourist Zone] Areas Covered: Area around Mungyeong-eup, Gaeun-eup, Maseong-myeon and Nongam-myeon in Mungyeong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do Area size: 1,854,292㎡ Tourist Attractions: Mungyeong Hot Spring, Film Set, Mungyeong Ceramic Museum, Four Season Sledding Slope, museums, etc.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yecheon-gun)

A place where people can see traditional jumak (small taverns serving food and liquor), Samgangjumak serves food for people who travel through Samgang Port, offers rooms for peddlers to stay, and provides poets with a place to sit and get inspirations for their poems. Built around 1900, this tavern is small but the floor plan is so compact that its historical value in Korean architecture is high. It also reflects the local history and culture of the past. The tavern closed after the last jumo (female owner of a jumak) Yu Okyeon died in 2006. However, it has been restored and re-opened in 2007 with a new female owner welcoming guests. The total restoration cost amounted to 150 million won (approx. US $140,000). [Cultural Relics Information] - Designation: Gyeongsangbuk-do Folk Material No.134 - Registration date: November 20, 2005 - Managed by: Yecheon-gun - Total scale: 1 building (28.67㎡) - Classification: Buildings


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.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Opened in 1988, Gwanseong Solbat Beach (formerly Gwanseong Beach) is known for its extremely clean waters, and the connecting pine grove creates a gorgeous semi-circle shape. Nearby in Yangnam-myeon Sindae-ri is Kongorong Golf Course, as well as many other leisure activities in the area. Length: 1.3 km x_width: 30-70 m  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Daepunggam is located at the northern-west edge of Ulleung-do, thus there were hardly any artificial touches nor any changes made to the natural environment. Thanks to such preservation, groups of aromatic trees called 'sangnamu' in Korean, inhabit in this island that could help to keep it its original state. The trees are mostly used for incense burning and have strong fragrance, therefore they are usually planted in the gardens and park for residents dating some decades ago. The site was designated for Natural Monument in 1962 and currently sparsely available around this area, the lumbering activities are strictly watched to protect them. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

Oedo-Botania is a marine botanical garden located in Hallyeo Maritime National Park, which has a beautiful view of the crystal blue South Sea and surrounding landscape. It is 4 kilometers away from Geojedo Island. About 20 minutes by ship from Gujora Port, past Naedo Island lies the European-like Oedo Island. In 1969, Lee Chang-ho first came to this island to escape from the wind and waves as he was fishing. He and his wife created this breathtaking landscape with all the care for 30 years.In April, the island is covered with a plethora of flowers. The Venus Garden displays twelve sculptures and a western-style garden. At Paradise Lounge, one can enjoy the sunshine and the sea while drinking beverages. Camellias and various kinds of rare flowers from all over the world can be found in Oedo. When coming down the 'Stairway to Heaven,' visitors can view the beautiful garden and the ocean in the background. Magnificent terrace landscaping line both sides of the stairway. Oedo Paradise Island is without a doubt, a true paradise.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

Haeinsa Temple was founded during the third year of King Ae-Jang's reign (802), by two monks Suneung and Ijung. The name "Haein" originates from the expression Haeinsammae of Hwaeomgyeong (Buddhist scripture), which means truly enlightened world of Buddha and our naturally undefiled mind.Along with the Tripitaka Koreana (National Treasure No.32) and Janggyeongpanjeon (National Treasure No. 52), 15 more public treasures and some 200 private treasures are enshrined at Haeinsa Temple, which has been appointed as a universal cultural heritage since December, 1995 for its many cultural properties and historical remains. Iljumun, Daejeokgwangjeon and the Tripitaka Koreana are recognized as famous treasures. Iljumun Gate was the first gate that every sattva must pass to become a Buddha and considered as a representative work of ancient architecture. Daejeokgwangjeon, the grand sanctuary, and the three-story stone pagoda in the yard possess the majestic appearance of the one thousand-year-old temple. Since the 23rd year of Goryeo Dynasty (year 1236), it took 16 years to finish the Tripitaka Koreana, the most famous national treasure of Haeinsa Temple, which was made as a wish to overcome the national crisis caused by Mongolia Invasion. The printing blocks are 68cm wide, 24.5cm long, 3 cm thick with wood fixed at each end to maintain balance and lacquer was applied to prevent corrosion. Silver magnolias growing near the South Sea and Geojae area were cut down, soaked in sea water for several years and then dried to make these printing blocks. The blocks are a result of the king and his people's effort to repulse the Mongolian army with support from Buddha. The 81,340 blocks include 6,791 volumes.* More Attractions: Hapcheon 8 gyeong, Haeinsa Temple, Gayasan Mountain, Hongryudong Valley (Crimson Stream Village Valley), Namsanjeilbong Peak, Hambyeongnu Tower, Hwanggye Falls, Hwangmae Mountain Mosanjae, Lake Hapcheon, Baek-ri Cherry Blossom Road


Gyeongsangnam-do(Yangsan-si)

Located in southern part of Mt. Chiseosan, Tongdosa Temple is famous for not having any Buddhist statues in the temple. This is because the real shrines of the Buddha are preserved here. The name 'Tongdosa' was named after the belief that mankind can be saved through Buddhism. After Monk Ja-Jang brought the shrines of Buddha from Dang China, Tongdosa Temple was built during Queen Sun-Deok's reign (646). Tongdosa Temple is said to have survived numerous wars and invasions, its Beopdeung (temple candle) has never gone out, for 1,300 years. Inside, there are 35 buildings and Pagoda's, and 14 small temples in its vicinity. The main building is designated as National Treasure No.290. The temple is similar to a museum because of the numerous relics inside. There are 19 local treasures and 794 local cultural properties inside the temple. In place of the Buddha statue, the Geumgang Stairs behind of the main building preserves the shrines of the Buddha.Mt. Chiseosan, has a beautiful view from the temple. The several hundred year-old pine trees lined up from the entrance to Ilju Gate, the small drum (used when praying in front of a Buddha figure) and bell, the sunset, the pond and the rocks and waterfalls behind the temple are grouped and called the 'Eight Famous Sceneries of Tongdosa Temple.'


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

The Hapcheon Image Theme Park became a major tourist attraction after the release of Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War (2004), and has continued to increase in popularity following the filming of additional movies and dramas within the park. Well-known films and soap operas include Seoul 1945, Fighter in the Wind, Gyeongseong Scandals, Meeting Plaza, Dachimawa Lee, Modern Boy and East of Eden. The park is one of the largest film and television studio sets in Korea.The theme park is located in Gahori, Yongju-myeon (Hapcheon) and covers an area of over 231,406.00㎡. It is divided into two main sets separately owned by the major broadcasting companies KBS and MBC. The section owned by KBS houses reproductions of Seoul landmarks such as Seoul Station, Chosun Governor-General Office, and the Bando Hotel, as they appeared from the 1930s to the 1960s. MBC’s set focuses mainly on reproductions of streets from Sogong-dong, Seoul from the 1970s and 80s. A walk around this major filming location will transport visitors back into the Seoul of yore, a Seoul vastly different from the one people know and love today.After a set is used for a film or a soap opera, the City of Hapcheon remodels and displays it as a type of exhibit, chronicling the area’s anthropologic development. In the future, the city plans to expand exhibits to include a facility where visitors can view a collection of historic military pieces. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sancheong-gun)

Boasting breathtaking views, Jirisan National Park was the first park in Korea to officially be designated a national park in 1967. Its glorious mountain range extends across three provinces and five cities. The magnificent mountains and exceptional scenery make this one of the most famous mountains in Korea. Roughly 1,915 meters above sea level, Cheonwangbong Peak, considered to be the pillar of heaven, is the main peak. Jirisan also features Banyabong and Nogodan, and is home to over 10 famous temples. There are over twenty summits and valleys such as Baemsagol Valley, which are part of "Jirisan Ten Sceneries." As this is the location of the most well-preserved virgin forests in Korea , the majestic and mystical mountain is highly revered. There are many species of animal and plant life, and as the first place to cultivate tea in Korea, herbal medicine cultivation still flourishes here.Jirisan Mountain was also where the Buddhist culture prospered, and there are many cultural assets here, such as Baekjangam Three-Story Stone Pagoda (National Treasure No.10), the Silsangsa Three-Story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 37) and more. These regional cultural assets and the superb sceneries of nature give you a unique taste of local history and culture. The weather is temperamental and only 80~100 days out of the year are clear and sunny, but the mist and fog create rare, unparalleled scenes not found anywhere else.