Gyeongsangnam-do Travel Guide

Burim Market is a representative landmark of Changwon City. This market is mostly known to specialize in wedding products, traditional Korean garments (hanbok), and ceremony-related foods and items.

Located in Hapcheon, Gyeongnam Province, the 1,108-meter-high Hwangmaesan Mountain (황매산) encompasses the three peaks of Habong, Jungbong and Sangbong. Since the reflection of the mountain is also mirrored on the water of Hapcheon Lake, the mountain is also called ‘Sujungmae’ (literally meaning ‘ume (Japanese apricot) blossom under water’). In spring, azalea and rhododendron blossoms take over the entire mountain; in summer, you can enjoy the refreshing valley area; in the fall, the sound of birds singing is everywhere; and in winter, harsh winds swirl around the snow-capped Dongnipbong Peak.By starting the course from Sanjae and continuing past Mujigaeteo, Sungyeol Rock of Hwangmae Fortress and Guksadang hikers can take in the view of the alpine rhododendron-covered mountainside. 

Located on Mireuksan Mountain, one of Korea's top 100 mountains, Hallyeosudo Viewing Ropeway is the only dual-cable automatic circulating gondola system in Korea. At 1,975 meters long, it is the longest tourist ropeway in the nation. The ropeway is made up of 47 gondolas and one freight unit. Traveling at an average of 4m/sec, it takes approximately 9 minutes to reach the summit station from the ground station. From the top of Mireuksan Mountain, one can see the historical venue for the Great Battle of Hansan below and even see as far Hallyeohaesang National Park (from Hansando Island to Yeosu), Japan's Daemado Island, Jirisan National Park's Cheonwangbong Peak, and Dolsando Island.

King Suro founded the Garak Kingdom in A.D. 42 and married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta, in A.D. 48. He was the founder of the Gimhae Kim family. Heo Yeop, a Yeongnam governor, gave the tomb its current look in the 13th year of the reign of King Seonjo (1580). The tomb compound includes various buildings, including the Sungseonjeon (where the ancestral tablets of King Suro and his queen are kept), Anhyanggak, Jeonsacheong, and Jegigo, as well as stone structures, such as a sindobi (tombstone) and gongjeokbi (monument established to pay homage the deceased). The tombstone in front of the royal tomb was built in the 25th year of the reign of King Injo (1647) of the Joseon Dynasty. The name 'Sungseonjeon' was bestowed on the tomb by King Gojong in the 21st year of his reign (1884).

Jinjuseong Fortress, which is historically linked to the Japanese invasion in 1592, was originally named Geoyeolseong Fortress during the Three Kingdom Period, later renamed as Chokseokseong Fortress in the Goryeo Dynasty and finally settled as Jinjuseong Fortress in the Joseon Dynasty. The reinforced stonewall has a circumference of approximately 1,760m, 5m-8m in x_height and contains three wells and springs. According to Ha Ryun’s Seongmungi in Donggukyeojiseungnam Record, the castle had been frequently destroyed by the Japanese invasion and was later reinforced by Jinju’s minister, Kim Jung-gwang during the fifth year of Goryeo Woo King’s reign (1379). During this period, the circumference was 800 bo(pace), with Uijeongmun Gate to the east, Jijemun Gate to the north, and Yehwamun Gate to the south. Outside the castle, Cheongcheon River flows in the west and Namgang River in the south and a pond lies between the castle and the trench dug during the war times. As a fortress to safeguard from the Japanese attacks, it blocked the Japanese from advancing toward Honam during the 25th year of Joseon Seonjo King’s reign (1592). Within the temple lies Chokseoknu, Kim Shi-min Memorial, Uigisa Shrine, Seojangdae, Bukjangdae, Changyeolsa shrine, Jinju National Museum, Hoguksa Temple, and an outdoor stage. 

With almost 400 years of history, Tongyeong Jungang Market is a popular tourist spot in the city of Tongyeong, attracting tourists during weekends and even on weekdays. The market is located next to Dongpirang Village. In front of the market is Gangguan Port where a turtle ship (geobukseon) and fishing boats are docked. The spacious cultural venue called Munhwa Madang is quite reminiscent of Byeongseon Madang, a place for anchoring or mooring warships in the past. As the market is located close to the coastline, fresh fish and dried fish make up a huge part of the market's offerings. Here, visitors can also find mother-of-pearl inlaid wares, quilted products, and rice cakes.      

With 25 years of theme park know how, the Lotte Group has opened the largest water park in Korea. The Gimhae Lotte Water Park is “Polynesian” themed and its styled surroundings and water rides are sure to leave visitors with lasting memories. Equipped with an outdoor water pool, indoor wave pool, tornado slides and much more, the facility is the size of 17 soccer fields and aims to grow as a must-visit vacation spot in Busan.

Haeinsa Temple was built in 802 AD and is regarded as one of Korea’s three major Buddhist temples along with Tongdosa and Songwangsa. Of the numerous temple halls, most were built in the modern era, with only Janggyeongpanjeon Hall from the early Joseon Dynasty remaining in its original state. However, the temple holds great significance not only for its structure, but also for the treasure it holds inside.Janggyeongpanjeon is a wooden building housing the 13th-century Goryeo Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana), a priceless world treasure. The Tripitaka Koreana is a large set (thousands and thousands) of wood blocks that were specially treated to prevent aging and inscribed with the Buddhist canon. It is the oldest and most complete version of the Buddhist canon and is one of the most cherished Buddhist doctrinal collections in the world.Janggyeongpanjeon is comprised of two buildings Sudarajeon to the south and Beopbojeon to the north. Unadorned by decorations or paintings, the buildings carry out the sole function of storing the Tripitaka Koreana wooden tablets. The building has been praised by scientists for its effective air circulation, resistance to moisture, and temperature control – all of which have enabled the Tripitaka Koreana to survive throughout the years. Although the exact date of Janggyeongpanjeon’s construction is still unknown, the hall was built under the order of King Sejo in 1488. It has never suffered the effects of fire or war.In recognition of its architectural beauty and its extraordinary scientific preservation of the world’s only Tripitaka, Janggyeongpanjeon of Haeinsa Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995.

Since its construction in 1977, the Geoje Shipyard of Samsung Heavy Industries has developed into a world-class shipbuilder that produces a variety of vessels. Through the use of cutting-edge technologies and extensive shipbuilding expertise, Samsung Heavy Industries not only produces high-tech, high-quality vessels such as very large containerships, LNG ships, drill ships and high-speed passenger vessels, but also develops next-generation products like WIGs. The company spares no efforts to continually develop and produce high-quality, high-efficiency vessels. As for offshore plants, Samsung is set to expand its business areas based on its manufacturing capabilities in oil/gas refining and utilize its excavating facilities to cover new technologies such as offshore power generation plants and marine farms.