Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Since 1962, the Silla Cultural Festival has been a representative cultural celebration held in Gyeongju’s Bonghwangdae, Hwangseong Park, and the downtown area. It is a cultural festival that brings out the spirit of the ancient Silla kingdom, which has a remarkable history and culture. It also introduces Gyeongju’s vision of being a hub of culture and tourism that combines the old and the new. The festival allows residents and tourists to unite while building an ambience of positive interaction, as well as spreading an image of Gyeongju as a historical and cultural tourism city that embraces its thousand-year-old heritage.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Girimsa Temple is located in Mount Hamwolsan in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called ‘Imjeongsa’ at first, but was later changed to ‘Girimsa’ after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. The Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.On the way to Girimsa temple is the Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage (monastery) of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.* Major Cultural Properties Lacquered Seated Mercy Bodhisattva of Girimsa Temple (Treasure No. 415)Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No. 833)Sojo Birojana Samjonbul (Treasure No. 958)Sutras kept inside the Vairocana Buddha of Girimsa (Treasure No. 959) 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongdeok-gun)

Jukdosan, specializing in snow crab, is located in the middle of Daege (snow crab) Street in Gangguhang Port, Yeongdeok-gun. On the first floor, a large fish tank has plenty of snow crabs and fresh raw fish, and water flows like waterfalls over the glass windows of the second floor, giving visitors a cool and refreshing feeling. Braised snow crab and fresh fish are the main dishes. After enjoying the clean taste of crab, guests can experience another joy of eating fried rice with crab’s internal organs along with snow crab maeun-tang (spicy fish stew) served for free. Accommodation facilities are also prepared on the third floor. ​


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Seochulji Pond dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period. There are two, three-storied stone pagodas in the heart of Namsan Village and a small, elegant pond to the east. The pond is famous thanks to a Korean legend, written below: In the 10th year of King Soji (488) of Silla, a crow and a mouse approached the king as he was on his way to Namsan Mountain. The mouse told the King to “follow after the crow” for an easy journey. So, the King and his servant (who was traveling with him) followed the crow, but became distracted and lost their way. As they were wandering about a pond (now known as Seochulji), an old man appeared from the waters’ depths and presented an envelope to the King. Based on the message in the envelope, the King instructed his servant to fire an arrow at the Geomungo (Korean musical instrument) case nearby. The shot killed the queen and a monk who had been hiding there, both of whom had been hatching a plot against the King. The name of the pond, “Seochulji” (literally meaning “writing from the pond”) originates from this legend. It is said that a man named Imjeok built a building by the pond in the 5th year of King Hyeonjong (1664) to enjoy the scenery. The simple, yet elegant building still remains at the northwest of the pond.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Andong Folk Museum holds a Traditional Folk Game Event each year to greet Lunar New Year's Day for tourists and visitors returning to their hometown. During the event, visitors can revisit local history through watching traditional folk plays, and make New Year's resolutions. Traditional activities offered include yutnori, neolttwigi (seesaw jumping), jegichagi (Korean hacky sack), kite-flying, paengichigi (top-spinning) and tohu (arrow throwing), rolling a hoop, geunettwigi (traditional swing), and skipping rope.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Bongjeongsa Temple was built in the 12th year of King Munmu, who ruled the Silla Kingdom from 661 to 681. According to legend, the Great Buddist Monk Ui-Sang (625-702) was launched from Buseoksa Temple and landed on this spot. Documents from Geuknakjeon state that Neungin Daedeuk, a disciple of Monk Ui-Sang, established the temple, and it was rebuilt several times during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).Bongjeongsa Temple is the largest temple in Andong and possesses the oldest wooden building in Korea, called Geuknakjeon. Past the Ilju Gate and the forest path is the Bongjeongsa Temple. Bongjeongsa Temple has a unique and elegant atmosphere. The old trees and hermitages nearby are also worth a look. There are many towers inside, such as the Daeungjeon (National Treasure No. 55), Geuknakjeon (National Treasure No. 15), and many others. There are also important buildings, such as the three-storey Stone Pagoda, the representative pagoda of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Geuknakjeon from the Goryeo Dynasty and Daeungjeon from the Joseon Dynasty stand next to each other. It is interesting to compare these two types of architecture. Inside both buildings are trees with the complete collection of Buddhist Sutras, Laws, and Treatises.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Situated in Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park, Mungyeong Tourist Hotel is surrounded by the beauty of nature. Historically, Mungyeongsaejae was the main pathway between the Yeongnam area and Hanyang (the former name of Seoul). The hotel is equipped with excellent amenities and has been the hotel of choice for many famous actors shooting scenes for Korean dramas or films at the Mungyeong KBS Drama Studio.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Located in the middle of Andong Gyeongbuk, Pil Motel Sauna is convenient for transportation. Inside of cozy four-storied building, a lobby and front office are placed for guests’ room service. Guestrooms are divided into the bedrooms and Korean-styled Ondol room, and there are a diversity of beds; double bed, twin bed, etc. The room is relatively wide and clean, and is in good conditions. Guests can stay comfortably in the room. The room is well equipped with fixture and furniture. As auxiliary facility, the motel provides a public sauna and guests can freely use such sauna. Visitors can easily approach this motel by public transportation because it is within 8-minutes walk from Andong Inter-city Bus Terminal. The motel is 1 minute walk from Andong steamed chicken(Andong’s representative food) restaurant road, and is close to cultural remains such as Hahwoe Village, Bongjeong Temple Dosan Seowon.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongdo-gun)

* The festival is postponed until further notice. The Cheongdo Bullfighting Festival celebrates the long tradition of bullfighting in the Gyeongsangbuk-do Province. Drawing over half a million visitors annually since its inception in 1999, the festival is the largest bullfighting championship in the country. In addition to the bullfighting championship, the festival offers a number of exciting events including performances, hands-on experience programs, and exhibitions of the history of bullfighting, local agriculture, cows, etc.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gimcheon-si)

Jikjisa Temple (직지사), located at the foot of Mt. Hwangaksan in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was constructed in 418 (the 2nd year of King Nulji’s reign, Silla Kingdom). This temple is in perfect harmony with the nearby valley and pine forest. The foliage in fall is particularly breathtaking. It features Birojeon Hall (also known as ‘Cheonbuljeon Hall’), in which approximately 1,000 Buddha statues are enshrined, along with a thousand year old arrowroot. Iljumun Gate, Daeungjeon Hall (one of the most famous architectural structures of the Joseon Dynasty) and a 1.63m-tall Seated Stone Buddhist Statue (Treasures No. 319) from the Unified Silla Period, can also be found on the temple grounds.* Hwangaksan MountainMt. Hwangaksan (1,111m in elevation), located in the Sobaeksan Mountains, should be called ‘Hwanghaksan’ because of the many cranes that reside on this mountain. However, it is written as ‘Hwangaksan’ on the Jikjisa Temple tablet and in the Taengniji Records (택리지). This mountain is famous for its thick pine forests, pristine streams, beautiful fall foliage and splendid snowscapes.