Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

King Naemul was the 17th monarch of the Silla Kingdom (in power from 356 to 402) and became the second king of the Kim family name. King Naemul was known as the first king to initiate the king title of ‘Maripgan’ and was known for spreading cultural advancements from China to the Korean people. When the allied forces of Baekje and Japan attacked, he asked Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo for help and led the people to victory, contributing to the increased strength of the Silla Kingdom. After his rule, the throne was exclusively ceded to members of the Kim family clan. The royal tomb of King Naemul is a large mound (2.2m in diameter and 5.3m in x_height) that sits on the northern hill of the Confucian school of Gyeongju. The edge of a natural stone is exposed around the bottom of the mound, pointing to the fact that the inner chamber tomb was made of stone. In the historical document Samguk Sagi (History of the Three Kingdoms), no records are found about the tomb, but the Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of the Three Kingdoms) describes the king’s tomb as being located in the southwest of Cheomseongdae, which is consistent with the tomb’s location.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Known as a popular fishing spot and recreation site, Andongho Lake is an man-made lake created by obstructing the upper stream of the Nakdonggang River, as part of the government’s Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. Andong Dam is the second largest dam in Korea, following Soyanggang Dam. The x_height of the dam is 83 meters and the length is 612 meters. The landscape surrounding Andongho Lake is nothing short of magnificent. There is a dock for the boats on the lake, which is also popular as a fishing destination. Bass caught here are especially strong and tasty. An international bass fishing tournament is held here every year. There are also tourist attractions nearby, such as the Dosanseowon Confucian Academy and Andong Hahoe Folk Village. Andongho Lake is known for its incomparable scenery, and is considered one of the most famous tourist sites in the Hoban Region. The nearest tourist sites include Dosanseowon Confucian Academy, Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage). There are plenty of other sites to visit as well, such as Andong Folk Village and its museum, where the historical Korean drama "Taejo Wang Geon" was filmed. Unfortunately, during the construction of Andong Dam, part of the village was submerged due to displaced water. The folk cultural properties there were safely moved to a nearby area by the auxiliary dam of Andong and turned into an open-air museum of folk culture.


Seoul(Yangcheon-gu) , The Western Part of the Seoul

Yongwangsan Mountain, also known as Eomjisan, is geologically located at entrance of a land referred to as “Cheonhojibeol,” located across an artificial waterfall. The mountain’s name “Yongwangsan” (meaning Dragon King Mountain) derived from an old tale of a king who dreamt of becoming killed. He then shot an arrow to an old man with spiritual powers living in a village at the foot of Eomjisan Mountain. The king stated “I knew that the old man would someday turn into a dragon and threaten my throne. Therefore I killed the dragon.” The words dragon (“yong”) and king (“wang”) were combined to form its current name, Yongwangsan Mountain.


Seoul(Mapo-gu)

Originally a normal neighborhood just like any other, Yeonnam-dong recently saw an increase in the number of young artists and designers who call this place home. One by one, the streets began to fill up with unique shops, drawing in more and more visitors with each passing day.


Daejeon(Yuseong-gu)

Legend has it that the region of Hakhadong was where the gods lived when they periodically came down from the heavens. When the Jagwangsa Temple was built in the district, Song Siyeol saw it as a sign and created a village school near the temple to train his pupils. It was his hope that the sacred land would aide in the raising of gifted students who would grow to serve their community and country. When building the school, Song Siyeol also planted a juniper tree that, 300 years later, still proudly stands by Jagwangsa Temple.Upon entering the temple area, visitors will find to their left the Seongjeonnyeongdangji Memorial Stone, which serves to commemorate Song Siyeol and his school. Next to the memorial stone is a pond in which carp swim lazily around lotus flowers. To the left is a large bell which is rung every day, 28 times in the morning and 33 times in the evening. To the right is the main Dharma Hall.Not just a serene and beautiful building, the 3-story temple also houses artifacts such as the Beopgo, Mogeo, and Unpan, Buddhist instruments used during rituals to cleanse the mind of pain and doubt. Also inside the grand, 3-story temple are numerous signs and wall hangings engraved with Buddhist inscriptions.


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

Mokpo Natural History Museum is located inside of Gatbawi Neighborhood Park which is one of the major tourism attractions of the southwest coast region in Yonghae-dong, Mokpo-si, Jeollanam-do. The museum consists of a natural history building, local history building and has a total of three floors, two of which are above ground.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction was started by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765-780).Seokguram is known to have been built with Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Kingdom, 918-1392), Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.Inside the round-shaped main hall are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with a lotus flower design. The rounded ceiling looks like a half-moon or a bow and has a lotus flower decorated cover on it. As the sunrise from this spot is quite beautiful, many people climb the mountain at daybreak.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Jinju-si)

Standing grandly above the rocky cliffs of Namkang River is Chokseongnu Pavilion, arguably one of the most beautiful ‘nugaks’ (multi-storied building without walls) in the Yeongnam region. Chokseongnu (historically known as ‘Jangwollu’) has undergone 8 renovations since its establishment in the 28th year of King Gojong (1241, Goryeo Dynasty) and was once used as a stronghold for defending Jinju Palace in times of war. During times of peace, it was used for holding state examinations.Although the structure was burnt down during the Korean War, it was restored in 1960 through the efforts of the Jinju Historical Site Preservation Society. The design of the roof is similar to that of an octagon and the stone pillars were built with rocks collected from Mt. Chokseok, located in Changwon-si. The wood used for the structure was brought from Mt. Odae, situated in Gangwon-do. Noticeable features of Chokseongnu are the four engraved signboards and a board that holds the works of renowned poets and calligraphers.From the tall structure, visitors can catch a bird's-eye view of the rest of the Jinju Fortress and of the surrounding area.


Gangwon-do(Wonju-si)

At Wonju Hanji Theme Park, you can learn everything about hanji (traditional Korean paper) including its origin and history, through exhibitions, education and activity programs. The 1st floor of the theme park is the Hanji History Exhibition Hall, where you can get a glimpse of the past of hanji, such as how it was invented and spread, the history, origin and manufacturing process of hanji, and related artifacts. Visitors can imagine what the life of Korean ancestors was like and understand hanji better. Visitors can also appreciate the artistic value of quality works like the Jiseung Fan by Na Seo-hwan, the Manchu by Sobin, and the Jumchi Armor by the Hanji Development Institute, which are exhibited in the Hanji History Exhibition Hall. In particular, the Jumchi Armor was made with the jumchi technique, where hanji is layered on top of each other using water as an adhesive, resulting in thick paper with a grainy surface unlike ordinary hanji. Jumchi hanji is light but has a strong enough surface to be arrow-proof, and therefore it was often used for armory or winter outfits. The Hanji Media Hall presents hanji related movies, documentaries, etc., as well as the stories of hanji and the history of Wonju hanji. Planned exhibitions regarding hanji and other types of paper made home and aboard are held on the 2nd floor. Try hanji-related activity programs after looking around the exhibition halls. The theme park mainly offers two programs: a hanji-making program where visitors can actually make hanji; and a hanji-craft program to make several hanji-related items.


Seoul(Dongdaemun-gu) , Dongdaemun

Yeonghwiwon and Sunginwon are burial mounds once designated for princes and consorts. The social hierarchy was very strict during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and it influenced the patterns of the royal tombs. The tombs for kings and queens called ‘neung’ are larger and more luxurious than tombs for princes and consorts called ‘won.’Yeonghwiwon houses the tomb of Queen Consort Sunheon (1854-1911), King Gojong’s concubine and Sunginwon is for King Yeongchin’s son, Ijin (1921-1923). The composition of the two tombs is similar, but Yeonghwiwon is larger than Sunginwon. The first sight when entering the burial grounds is the red gate (the red color denoting holiness). Beyond the red gate is a sacrificial building where the memorial rites were performed. Behind the sacrificial building is the royal tomb. On the eaves of the sacrificial building are stone sculptures called japsang, which are carved into the shapes of animals such as monkeys and are believed to exorcise evil spirits. There is a pavilion next to the sacrificial building where the tombstone is located. The tombstone indicates who lies in the mound. The stone figures guarding the king’s tomb are memorable. A sacrificial building called "jasil" is now used as maintenance office and is worth visiting. The eaves, latticework and wooden floor are so well preserved that visitors can truly get an authentic feeling when walking through the premises.Yeonghwiwon & Sunginwon boast splendid views in the fall when the leaves change colour. The promenades and the stonewalls of the entrance are beautiful. Its tranquil and pleasant atmosphere attracts many families and the couples.