Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)


Chungcheongnam-do()

The origin of Biamsa Temple is unknown, but the temple's architectural features suggest that it was built during the mid Goryeo Dynasty period (918-1392). The Geungnakbojeon Hall and the three-storied pagoda inside the temple have been designated as Cultural Properties of Chungcheongnam-do Province. The flamboyang and delicately crafted datjip (canopy) inside the Geungnakbojeon Hall was restored in 1657 during the 8th year of King Hyojong's reign. In the yard in front of the Geungnakbojeon Hall stands the three meter-high Samcheungseoktap (three-storied stone pagoda). With the discovery of Samyeongunsang stone statues near the top of the pagoda, Biamsa Temple became more widely known to the public. Among the stone statues, Gyeyumyeongjeonssi-amitabul-samjonseoksang (three Buddha statues) has been named as National Treasure No. 106, and Gichukmyeong-amitayeorae-jebulbosalseoksang (statue of Amitabha bodhisattva) and Mireukbosal-bangaseoksang (statue of Maitreya bodhisattva) have been designated as National Treasures No. 367 and No. 368, respectively. The stone statues are preserved in National Museum of Korea. Meanwhile, the three-storied stone pagoda was designated as Tangible Cultural Property No. 119 of Chungcheongnam-do Province on July 19, 1985.


Gyeonggi-do(Yeoncheon-gun) , DMZ•Panmunjeom

The Yeolsoe Observation Deck, located in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do, is positioned so that North Korea can be viewed easily at a glance and will play an important roll in the progress of unification. To increase security education and to appease homesickness, the Yeolsoe Observation Deck was built on April 11, 1998 and is open to the public. After the army conducts a simple check, the barricade is cleared and the path to the observation platform opens. Although verdant green landscape of the North can be seen as soon as you reach the observation platform, photography is banned at this point. Within the Yeolsoe Observatory is an exhibit of North Korean daily products and military equipment that allows viewers to catch a glimpse into North Korean life and around the observatory are churches and other various religious facilities for visitors to pray for a peaceful reunification. Yeolsoe Observatory, located right on the Southern Limit Line, helps us feel the pain of separation and acts as a constant reminder to the current generations of the importance of unity and peace.The guardrail that runs along the barbed wire fence is laden with many ribbons that hold the hopes and desires of the tourists that visit the DMZ. “Peaceful Unity”, “Our wish is unification”, “We must become united” are just a few of the messages written on the countless number of ribbons that seem to relay the sentiments to the people across the DMZ.


Seoul(Jung-gu)

The Seoul Animation Center was established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in May 1999 with the aim of providing comprehensive support to Korea’s cartoon and animation industry. The center runs an information desk, offers educational programs, holds events to support new talents and productions, and hosts diverse events and exhibitions.


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Daehuengsa Temple is told to have been built during the time of King Seong of the Baekje period by Adohwasang, a Shilla Monk and the site was the restoration of Samjae bulipjicheo of Buddhist culture, which protects Samjae, the three disasters of one’s life.Pyochungsa and Iljiam Tea Garden display writings and traces of the prominent men of the time such as Chusa Kim Jeong-hui and Chouiseonsa Buddhist monk. Inside the temple, Daeungbojeon, Chimgyeru, Myeongbujeon, Eungjindang, Cheonbuljeon, Cheonbulsang, Pyochungsa, Daegwangmyeongjeon, Iljiam, Bungmireugam, and Seongbo Museum are situated. The Rock-carved Seated Buddha at North Mireugam Hermitage of Daeheungsa Temple, Haenam (National Treasure No. 308) and Bronze Bell with Inscription of Tapsansa Temple (Treasure No. 88) are preserved as well as various cultural assets and fables such as Budojeon, and Stupa Courtyard, the largest in Korea.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Sangwonsa Temple is located 8km north of Woljeongsa Temple. Stories are told that Sangwonsa Temple was built by Buddhist monk Ja Jang (590~658) in 643, in the 12th year of Silla Queen Seon-Deok, and others say that it was built by Bocheon and Hyo-myeong, the sons of King Sin-Mun (reign 681~692), the 31st king of the Silla Kingdom. It was rebuilt in 705 during the 4th year of King Seong-Deok's reign (702∼737). However, in 1946 it was burnt down in a fire, but later restored once again in 1947. Only a Bell Pavillon remained during this period until the building was rebuilt after Korea’s Independence Day. The oldest relic left today is Dongjong (National Treasure No.36), Munsu Child Figure, and the Jungchang, the promotion of virtue in rebuilding Sangwonsa Temple, written by the 7th king of the Joseon Dynasty King Sejo (reign 1455∼1468).At the entrance is a site called Gwandaegeori, named after the story about how King Se-Jo would hang his royal garments here when he took baths. Also, there is the Munsu Child Figure where the story of King Sejo and monk Munsu comes from. As National Treasure No. 221, the official name is Sangwonsa Munsu Wooden Seated Child Figure. At Sangwonsa Temple, there are other pieces other than the Munsu Child figure. The 91cm diameter Sangwonsa Dongjong was established in 725, in the 24th year of Silla King Seong-Deok. It is famous for its beautiful bell sound and the delicately carved Juakbicheon figure but nowadays it sits silent in order to preserve the bell.Sangwonsa Temple is located at Jungdaeam on the way to Jeokmyeolbogung in the Mt.Odaesan Birobong Peak direction. At the 2km southwest point is a hermitage where Utongsu Stream, the origin of the Hangang river, flows. Jeokmyeolbogung is a reliquary which possesses the bonesetting relics of Buddha, which was brought by monk Ja Jang from Tang (China).


Gangwon-do(Yeongwol-gun)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Four kilometers northeast of Huibang Station is Huibangsa Temple, which is located at the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain 850 m above sea level. The temple was built by the Great Monk Duwun in the 12th year (643) of Queen Seondeok’s reign during the Silla Kingdom. The temple used to preserve a wooden printing block for Weolinseokbo vol.1 & 2 (a biography of Buddha), but it was destroyed when the temple burned down during the Korean War. Recently, the wooden printing block has been recreated. Near the entrance of the temple is a natural forest that creates beautiful shadows when the sunlight hits the trees. Also near the temple, one can find Huibang Falls (28 m in x_height), which is the largest waterfall in the central inland region of Korea. * Huibang Falls Four kilometers northeast of Huibangsa Temple Station on the Jungang Subway Line is Huibang Falls, which is located at the foot of the Sobaeksan Mountain. The waterfall is on the way to Yeonhwabong Peak (1,383 m in x_height) of Sobaeksan Mountain, and it is the largest water fall in the central inland region of Korea. The valley where the water falls has trees and rocks, and right above the water fall is the recently rebuilt Huibangsa Temple. Other tourist attractions nearby include Buseoksa Temple, and Sosuseowon Confucian Academy located along the hiking course of Sobaeksan Mountain.


Jeollanam-do(Hwasun-gun)

The Hwasun Dolmen Site is located near the waterfalls of the mountain pass linking Dogok-myeon of Hyosan-ri and Chunnyang-myeon of Daesin-ri. According to experts, 135 of the 980 stones in Dogok-myeon Hyosan-ri are dolmen. There are also about 100 damaged stone tables that still maintain their original form. What makes the Hwasun dolmens special is that in such a small district there are as many as 596 dolmen, including Korea’s biggest stone table. Acknowledging the importance of the cultural assets, the Hwasun Dolmen Site was registered as World Heritage No. 997 in year 2000 along with Gochang and Ganghwa Dolmens.