Gyeonggi-do(Guri-si) , Guri

Built on a 4,990-㎡ site in Acheon-dong Wuminae, Guri-si, Goguryeo Blacksmith Village has a Goguryeo steel mill, Malgal/Georan Tribe steel mill structures, the house of a Geomul Village chief, and a Mongolian village. It cost about 2.2 billion won to construct the set. Designed as an ecological space built mostly with stone and wood, it is the only Goguryeo blacksmith village in Korea and boasts Korea’s largest water mill and brick oven. It resembles an actual blacksmith’s shop, as water falls from a water mill with a seven-meter diameter, and the brick oven is two stories tall.Scenes of the daily life of Goguryeo citizens inTaewangsasingi (Legend) were filmed here, including scenes of the blacksmith village. Once the filming of Taewangsasingi (Legend) is completed, it will be transformed into Korea’s first Goguryeo Folk Village. An exhibition hall displaying ancient ironware culture will be built. The site will be open to the public after December, once filming is completed.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Naksansa Temple (낙산사) is located 4 km north of Naksan Beach, and boasts a 1,300-year history. It is a temple built by Ui-Sang, the ambassador of the 30th King of Silla Period (57 BC- AD 935), and inside there is the Seven Floor Stone Tower, Dongjong, Hongyaemun, together with several other cultural assets. It was named Naksansa Temple by Ui-Sang, at the spot where he learned the prayer Gwansae-eumbosal from Bosal, after he returned from studying abroad in the Chinese Dang Kingdom. It was rebuilt several times afterwards, and the current building was erected in 1953.You can get to Naksansa Temple by passing through Iljumun and Hongyaemun. When you enter the temple from Hongyaemun, you can see black bamboo trees and tiled earthen walls on either side of the sanctuary. North of Naksan Beach, beside the copper bell is a back door, with a path that leads to Uisangdae Pavillion and Hongryeonam. Uisangdae is a pavilion built on top of a cliff by the sea, and was built where Ui-sang used to sit and meditate. Hongryeonam is known as a small Buddhist temple, built above a stone cave by Ui-sang. Under the sanctuary floor there is a 10 cm hole through which you can peak through to view the sea. Past Uisangdae Pavillion, up the path on the hill at Sinseonbong, there is a stone statue of Buddha called Haesugwaneumsang. It is the largest of its kind in the Orient, and can be seen from as far as Mulchi Harbor.* Naksansa Temple was destroyed in a forest fire fanned by dry, strong winds on Tuesday (April 5).For detailed information about a Naksansa Temple Stay, please contact: Templestay Division, The Jogye Order of Korean BuddhismE-mail: ts2002@buddhism.or.krTel: 82) 2-732-9925~6 


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

Dosoram Hermitage, along with Seonunsa Temple, is thought to be built during the Beakje Era, 18 BC-AD 660. The temple is located inside of Seonunsa Temple on Dosolsan Mountain (Seonunsan Mountain) in Samin-ri, Asan-myeon, Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do. The area of the temple features a picturesque view formed by the rocky outcroppings that were created by volcanic activity. And, two yosa where the Buddhist monks lives are attached to the temple, as well as Nahanjeon Hall, Cultural Property No. 110, and Dosolcheon Naewongung, Cultural Property No. 125, which is at the top of the stone staircase. Of note is the seated Buddha relief carving at Dongburam Hermitage Site of Seonunsa Temple (National Treasure No. 1200), with a x_height and x_width of 13 m and 3 m, respectively. It is carved into the face of a cliff called Chilsongdae, which is located to the west of Dosoram Hermitage. There is also a gilt-bronze seated Ksitigarbha bodhisattva at Dosoram Hermitage of Seonunsa Temple, Gochang (Treasure No. 280), which is enshrined in Dosolcheon Naewongung. The statue of Buddha follows the style of the late Goryeo Dynasty (AD 918-1382), featuring the most elegant and refined pieces of work from that period. Seonunsan Mountain, where Dosoram Temple is situated, has excellent scenery full of rocky crags and cliffs, even though it is not regarded as a tall mountain. Many visitors visit the mountain for its beautiful scenery.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

Located near the entrance of the Moaksan Provincial Park, Geumsansa Temple (금산사) was established by King Beop, or Beopwang, of the Baekje period (599AD). The Buddhist temple features over ten designated cultural properties including Mireukjeon, a national treasure, as well as other attached buildings. The country’s only three-story building containing a Buddha statue, Mireukjeon was built with wood and has a single-open floor inside. In spring, cherry blossom trees come into full bloom from the mountain entrance all the way to Geumsansa; and in winter Buddhist adherents come to bow before the statue of Mireuk bodhisattva inside Mireukjeon or walk in circles around the pagoda. The statue is the largest indoor standing Buddha in the world reaching 11.82 meters of x_height. The two other Buddha statues standing on right and left of the Mireuk bodhisattva are 8.8 meters tall each.* Important Cultural PropertiesMireukjeon (National Treasure No. 62)Noju (Treasure No. 22)Seogyeondae (Treasure No. 23)Hyedeogwangsa Jineungtapbi (Treasure No. 24)Geumsansa Ocheungseoktap (Treasure No. 25)Geumsansa Bangdeunggyedan (Treasure No. 26)Geumsansa Yukgak Dacheungseoktap (Treasure No. 27)Geumsansa Dangganjiju (Treasure No. 28)Simwonam Bukgang Samcheungseoktap (Treasure No. 29)Geumsansa Daejangjeon (Treausre No. 827)Geumsansa Seokdeung (Treasure No. 828)


Gyeonggi-do(Anseong-si)

The word ‘Mirinae,’ from the Mirinae Holy Site (미리내 성지) in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, is a pure Korean word for the Milky Way. The site holds the graves of Saint Andreas Kim Daegeon, Korea’s first Catholic Saint; his mother Ursula; Bishop Ferréol, the third head of the Joseon parish who ordained Priest Kim; and Vincentius Lee Minsik who buried Saint Kim’s body. To be sure, this holy site is a serene and peaceful sanctum. The reason it came to be called ‘Mirinae’ is that Korean Catholics came to this place in secret to avoid persecution during the late Joseon Dynasty, and the lamplight coming from their homes in the village where they settled resembled the starlight of the Milky Way. Father Kim was executed at the age of 26 and was not permitted a funeral. But, 40 days after the execution, Vincentius Lee Minsik was able to steal away Kim’s body with great difficulty; he carried it on his back eventually burying it in Mirinae – dismissing all advisement and council that urged him against this. At the center of the site stands a grand memorial church and the Way of the Cross behind it has 15 bronze sculptures depicting the passion of Jesus being captured by Roman soldiers, crucified, suffering, passing away, and being interred. Kim Daegeon (1822~1846) Korea’s first Catholic priest and saint. He was chosen as a scholarship recipient by a French priest, and joined the priesthood at the young age of 24. Kim returned to Korea, but was captured, and executed, dying a martyr. He was blessed by the Roman Pope Pius XI on July 5, 1925, and became a Catholic saint at the canonization ceremony conducted by Pope John Paul II himself in South Korea on May 6, 1984.


Seoul(Nowon-gu) , The Eastern Part of the Seoul

The Korea Military Academy is famous for strict discipline, patriotism, and officer pupils. In the past this was not an open place to the public, but since 1997 it has become a new tourist site. There is now a touring course which is the main attraction for visitors. The tour starts at the School Information Center to the museum, memorial hall and the exhibition, which takes approximately an hour and thirty minutes. The Army Museum holds various military treasures and remains, and at the memorial hall you can learn more about the history of the army. However the highlight of the tour is the parade of the pupils. You can watch the students march with their flourishing formal suits. You can also see this at the “Hwarang Ceremony”.  


Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si) , Namyangju

The Star Hill Resort (formerly "Mt.Cheonmasan Ski Resort") is located deep in the beautiful and mysterious Cheonmasan Mountains. Amazingly it is only 32km away from Seoul, so access to this picturesque and well-equipped leisure resort is extremely easy. As well as great skiing, visitors can enjoy a ‘experience’ programs at the tourist attractions located near the Cheonmasan Mountains.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Gimhae-si)

The Gimhae Arts and Sports Center is a performance hall featuring  high-class arts and staged performances. Maru Hall (1,464 seats) is a multi-purpose theater that also contains a moving orchestra shell (sound reflection board) that looks like another concert hall inside the theater. Performances of various genres are staged at the theater. Nuri Hall (540 seats) is an experimental theater for various thematic performances. This modernized square black box theater can also host performances like theater performances, recitals, and madang plays. The center also features outdoor theater Aedureum Madang, Yunseul Art Gallery, Media Center, Sports Center, and Aram Learning Center, as well as a café and restaurants.


Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si)

The Haengjusanseong Fortress (행주산성, historic site no. 56) atop Deogyangsan Mountain was the site of a major Korean victory against the enemy during the Japanese invasion 400 years ago. Women also participated in the dramatic battle, carrying stones in their aprons (haengju in Korean). The original date and purpose of the fortress’ construction remains a mystery, but it is believed the construction dates back to the ancient Baekje period, as many relics from that era have been excavated by archeological surveys. Inside the fortress is Chungjangsa, a shrine paying tribute to General Gwon Yul who led the victorious effort. Transportation to the fortress has become much more convenient with the opening of the Jayuro road and the completion of the Haengju Bridge, making the fortress a popular destination on holidays.* Haengju Great Victory FestivalReligious ceremonies and many other cultural events are held on March 14 every year in memory of General Gwon who won the battle and saved the nation.


Incheon(Namdong-gu) , Incheon Center

The Sorae Ecology Park was once a facility used to produce salt until 1996. It wasn’t until 2009 that it became a park, restoring the mud flat, tidal channel, and making the closed salt field a ecological habitat for various marine life and migratory birds. The Sorae Ecology Park also provides a history to the facility and houses a Nature Learning Center, where visitors can experience sea salt production and learn more about the various wildlife and plants living in the marsh.