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.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju is home to many temples and shrines, and was considered sacred by many during the Silla Kingdom. This mountain boasts nearly 40 valleys winding down from Geumobong Peak (468 m in elevation), Gowibong Peak (494 m in elevation), and other surrounding peaks. Also, this 4 km-wide and 8km-long oval-shaped mountain runs almost perfectly north to south. Namsan Mountain is a veritable open-air museum, with 100 temples, 80 stone Buddha statues, and 60 stone pagodas scattered across the mountainside. Topographically, it features nearly 40 valleys and is divided into the Southwest Mountain, a sacred place during the Silla period, and the Southeast Mountain, where many Buddhas can be found around the valleys. Najeong Well, at the western foot of Namsan Mountain, is the mythic birthplace of King Park Hyeokgeose, founder of the Silla Kingdom. The local Yangsanjae Shrine was built in honor of its founder who lived in Seorabeol before the Silla Kingdom was established. Poseokjeong Pavilion is the place where the glorious era of the Silla Kingdom came to an end. In the Southeast Mountain region, one can encounter the Seated Buddha of Borisa Temple, a 9-meter Bulmusa Stone Buddha Statue, and a Seated Stone Buddha at Gamsil Shrine. Namsan Mountain also features 12 treasures, including Mireukgol Seated Stone Buddha, a three-storey stone pagoda in Yongsangsa Temple, the Maae Stone Buddha in Chilbulam Temple, and others. There are also twelve historic sites, such as the site of Poseokjeong Pavilion, Najeong Well, and Samneung Royal Tombs, as well as nine local tangible cultural properties (Maaegwaneumbosalsang Buddha in Samneunggol Valley, Ipgolseokbul Buddha, Yaksugol Maaeipsang Buddha, and others), and one important piece of folklore material. Namsan Mountain is also famous for its scenic landscapes in addition to its cultural heritage. Numerous valleys, unique rock formations, and beautiful trails are abundant throughout the area. Many tourists say, “You cannot say that you know Gyeongju without hiking up Namsan Mountain.” Namsan Mountaint is a place where the scenic nature and long history of the Silla Kingdom coexist, and also where the aesthetic consciousness and religious traditions of the Silla people evolved into the artform it is today.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

The Homigot Lighthouse was built using bricks in a modern architectural style. This octagonal, six-story building is 26.4 meters high. The entrance and windows feature gable decorations, which is a popular Greek Revival style. The ceiling is dome-shaped and the octagonal plane gets wider towards the bottom. The light of the lighthouse can reach as far as 35 kilometers away. Because the building was built using bricks only and no reinforcing rods, it is recognized for its use of outstanding architectural technique. The ceiling on each floor is sculpted in the shape of pear blossoms, a symbol of the Joseon royalty. This adds to the lighthouse’s considerable value as a cultural asset. Next to the lighthouse is the National Lighthouse Museum.


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(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(Goryeong-gun)

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to the Gayageum (a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument) and Ureuk, the inventor of the Gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the Gayageum.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Hallyu Dream Festival is a three-day celebration of everything Hallyu (Korean cultural wave). Starting with an evening tour of historic sites in Gyeongju, the capital city of the ancient Silla Kingdom, the festival will present various opportunities for global Hallyu fans to fully indulge in the new cultural wave that is rapidly spreading outside Korea.Line Up: SHINee, KARA, SISTAR, B1A4, VIXX, Apink, T-ARA, SECRET, GOT7, EXID, BTOB, Dal★shabet, 9muses, Red Velvet, Boys Republic, Lovelyz, LABOUM, CLC, OH MY GIRL, SONAMOO, MONSTA X, Seventeen, April, DIA, Verry Good, 24K, LU:KUS, myB, WANNA.B, HIGH4, TREN-D, A6P


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.