Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Cheongnyangsan Mountain Provincial Park was regarded during older times as a place where many famous high priests and scholars resided. At Cheongnyangsan Mountain, the Giam cliff forms 12 peaks and the Nakdonggang River flows through it. On this mountain stands the Cheongnyangsa Temple, which was built by Buddhist monk, Won-hyo (617 ~ 686.3.30) during King Munmu’s (reign 661~681) third year of reign during the Silla Period (BC57~AD935). There are also various temples, Gwanchang Falls, and many other attractions nearby. Behind the Provincial Park’s boulder is a monument with a poem inscribed on it by the famous scholar Toegye I Hwang (1501~1570) of the Joseon Period called Cheongnyangsanga. When Toegye was planning to build Dosanseodang, a school for the teachings of Confucianism, he had a tough time deciding on whether to build it there at Cheongnyangsan Mountain, or the alternate spot, where it was eventually built, on a decision made at the last minute. Aside from Toegye I Hwang, Won-Hyo and Ui-Sang (625 ~ 702), the Buddhist monks, Gim-Saeng (711 ~ 791), a master of calligraphy, Chi-won Choi (857 ~ ?), a scholar, and many others came to this mountain to cultivate their arts. Their presence still lingers in legends, being retold to this day. Osandang is believed to have been built by the disciples of Toegye at the spot where Toegye conferred with literary men, and is one of many relics found here, among them the Cheongnyangsan Mountain Castle, which is believed to have been built by King Gongmin (reign 1351~1374) of Goryeo Period, to escape the rebellions of the peasantry.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

The Pohang International Fireworks Festival is held at Yeongildae Beach in Pohang, which is also known as the “City of Light and Fire.” The festival features a fireworks competition, a parade of lights, street performances, and a range of hands-on activities. It is usually held around the end of July.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Silla Sori Festival mainly focuses on the King Seongdeok Divine Bell (Emille Bell), established during the Unified Silla period, and takes place in Gyeongju, embracing its thousand-year-old heritage. The festival is managed by BBS (Buddhist Broadcasting System), and sponsored by Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Bulguksa Temple and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The festival venue is a grass field around Cheomseongdae Observatory, where the varied programs such as the tolling of the model Emille Bell, weighting about 6 tons, and Silla Culture experience, reappearance of Silla Gandeunghoe (lamp ceremony) and others are prepared. The festival has been held since 2012 to acknowledge the value of the ‘King Seongdeok Divine Bell’, featuring the most beautiful bell existing in the world, made in our own way, and honoring the spirit.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

On the bus from Gyeongju to Bonggil-ri, the sight of the vast blue sea spread before your eyes will leave you breathless. As you gaze at the glittering blue sea, a small but particularly beautiful islet catches your eye. This little rocky islet is the Underwater Tomb of King Munmu (661-681 A.D.), who unified the three kingdoms and became the 30th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. The king gave specific instructions to be buried in the East Sea after his death so that he would become a dragon and protect Silla from Japanese intruders. The rocky island, about 200m in circumference, is divided by a cross-shaped waterway, forming a pool at the center, at the bottom of which is a granite 3.6 meters long, 2.9 meters wide and 0.9 meters thick. Legend has it that the remains of King Munmu’s cremated body are buried under this rock. Historians still debate whether the ashes of the King Munmu were scattered or stored in an urn and placed under the granite. The beauty of the landscape of the underwater tomb reaches its peak in autumn.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

With a marine climate characterized by cool summers and warm winters, Ulleungdo Island has over 700 species of medicinal herbs. Cows at Ulleung Yakso Sutbul Garden graze on vegetables and herbs from Ulleungdo Island, giving their meat a herbal fragrance and rich taste that is also tender and soft. The restaurant offers bulgogi, roseu-gui, as well as various kinds of Ulleungdo Island’s traditional food, such as rice made with mussels.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Ogyeonjeongsa House (옥연정사), located at the foot of Buyongdae Cliff in Andong’s Hahoe Village, was built by Ryu Seong-yong, a minister during the Joseon period. The construction started in 1576 (the 9th year of King Seonjo’s reign) and was completed in 1586 (the 19th year of King Seonjo’s reign). After the end of the Imjinwaeran (the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), war memoirs called ‘Jingbirok’ were written here. To get to Ogyeonjeongsa House, you will need to cross the river by ferry. Even though the house is not extravagant, you can enjoy the humble beauty of a traditional Korean house, complementing the natural beauty of the surrounding cliffs, river, and forest. * Sesimjae School (세심재) This private school has a Gamrokheon wooden floor in the middle with adjacent rooms on both sides. * Wolnakjae House (원락재) Wolnakjae means ‘waiting for a friend.’ In this house, the minister Ryu Seong-yong wrote his war memoirs called Jingbirok. * Hands-on Center Sesimjae (two rooms (4 persons or less per room), Gamrokheon wooden floor) Wolnakjae (one room for 8 or less persons, Aeoheon wooden floor)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

The Ye-an branch of the Gwangsan Kim clan’s founder, Sir Hyo-ro Kim created this village Descendents of the family have resided in the village ever since. In 1974, when the Andong Dam was constructed, the village was moved from Ye-an Myeon, Andong to Waryong Myeon, Andong in its original form. Located between these two points are the designated national cultural heritage sites of Takcheongjeong Pavilion and Hujodang Annexed House. On display at the Sungwongak Pavilion Exhibition Hall are rare archives from the family’s history. Some of these documents on display include family records, estate documents and servant records. Among these writings, there are 7 varieties of ancient writings showing up in 429 pieces. There are also 13 varieties showing up in 61 records that are designated treasures. Takcheongjeong Pavilion The pavilion was constructed in 1541 by the Ye-an branch of the head of Gwangsan Kim clan. The pavilion is unique from others in that it is rather stately. It remains a highly treasured and important cultural landmark. During the Joseon Dynasty, noted calligrapher Ho Han named the pavilion 'Takcheongjeong.' Hujodang Annexed living quarters This house belongs to the head residence of the Ye-an branch of the Gwangsan Kim clan. The exact age of the house in unknown but it was built by Bupil Kim who lived from 1516~1577. This structure was built separately from the main house. The annexed living quarters were divided into interior and exterior areas. The exterior quarters were used for the male head of the household as a place for relaxation or social gatherings. The interior quarters were used as a place for elderly women or girls of marriage age to stay. Hujodang Annexed living quarters were exterior quarters.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Located at the foot of a mountain, Dodong Mineral Spring Park is 300 meters from Dodong Harbor. Located in the park are the Dokdo Museum, and the Museum of History, as well as a mineral spring. As the name implies (yaksu means “medicinal water”), the spring contains minerals known as effective treatments for anemia and digestive disorders. After tasting the healthy water, one can take a look around this picturesque garden park. There is also a cable car that runs from Dodong Mineral Spring Park to Manghyangbong Peak, and in good weather, one can see Dokdo from Manghyangbong Peak.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gameunsaji (Gameunsa Temple Site) was built by King Munmu (AD 661-681), the king of Silla who unified Baekjae and Goguryeo late in the 7th century. Except for the 13.4 high two pagodas, all the buildings were burned to the ground. King Munmu built this temple to drive away the Japanese pirates from the country with the power of Buddha. Unfortunately, he passed away before the completion of the the temple, and asked to burry him at the East Sea, which is 500m far from the temple. Being a sacred dragon of the East Sea, he wanted to protect the county after his death. Therefore he was burried at sea near the temple. His son King Sinmun (AD 681-692) completed the temple and named it Gameunsa Temple, which implies appreciating paternal love.The Three-story Stone Pagodas The east and the west pagodas of Gameunsaji (Gameunsa Temple Site) are structurally identical and are designated as National Treasuer No. 112. These stone pagodas were made during the early years of the Unified Silla Kingdom. The two 13.4 high pagodas are the highest three-story stone pagodas of the Silla Era and are known for its symmetry.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Andong School of Korean Etiquette, which is located in Andong, is a Mecca of Korean traditional Confucian culture and provides an opportunity to experience and be coached in Korea traditional etiquette. In addition to Korean traditional etiquette, Andong School of Korean Etiquette also teaches tea etiquette and Korean traditional melodies using traditional instruments such as Janggu (double-headed hour-glass shaped drum) and Gayageum (a 12-stringed Korean harp). Students can also experience the joy of learning how to play folk games such as Yut-nori, a stick-throwing board game, and kite-flying. The school offers a wide variety of hands-on programs: Korean traditional masked dance; traditional paper craft; traditional cooking; traditional weddings; and eco rafting on Nakdonggang River. There are other popular tourist attractions nearby such as Dosan Seowon Confucian School, Forest Science Museum and Yi Yuk-sa Literary Hall.