Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Hahoe Village is home to descendants of the Ryu clan of Pungsan and is well-known for its traditional houses. Birthplace of renowned scholars of the Joseon Period such as Gyeomam Ryu Un-ryong and Seoae Ryu Seong-ryong, the village became even more famous after Queen Elizabeth of England visited on April 21, 1999.Hahoe Village (translating to “Village Enveloped by Water”) gets its name from Nakdong River, which flows around the town’s perimeter. The village is located at the foothills of Hwasan Mountain, an offshoot of Taebaek Mountain that rises up to the east. The center of the village is populated by large tile-roofed houses belonging to the Ryu clan, adding their own unique charm to the surrounding thatched roofs.Hahoe Village boasts exquisite scenic sights: the elegant Nakdong River flowing around the village, the magnificent Buyongdae Cliff, endlessly unfolding sandy beaches, and lush, ancient pine trees. Visitors can take the boat to Buyongdae Cliff for a panoramic view of the village.In addition to breathtaking scenery, Hahoe Village offers delectable local delicacies. Try the Andong Soju (distilled alcoholic beverage), Heotjesabap (a type of Bibimbap eaten by the nobles), Andong Gangodeungeo (salted mackerel), and Andong Guksu (a kind of noodle dish).Nearby attractions include Bongjeongsa Temple (built during the Silla Period), Gosan Seowon (Confucian Academy), Gwiraejeong, Gyemyeongsan Mountain Recreational Forest, Hakgasan Mountain Recreational Forest, and Waryongsan Mountain.Hahoe Village, along with Yangdong Village in Gyeongju, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List under the category of “Historic Villages in Korea” on July 31, 2010.Andong Mask Dance Festival is held every autumn. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Hanwha Resort Hotels & Resorts is a leading hospitality & leisure company with the highest number of condominiums and golf courses across Korea. Hanwha Resort in Gyeongju Bomun Complex (world heritage site) has 393 guestrooms as well as a wide range of subsidiary facilities including banquet halls, seminar rooms, local specialty restaurants, bicycle rentals, a hot spring sauna and a bowling alley. Guests at Hanwha Resort Gyeongju can easily make their way to Gyeongju Springdome, the resort's water park that uses natural hot spring water pumped from 750m underground, or visit nearby local attractions such as Anapji Pond, Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto to see the well-preserved traces of the ancient Silla Kingdom.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Andong Soju Museum was established in 1995 to promote and hand down the history and cultural characteristics of Andong Soju. The museum mainly displays the origin of Andong soju, the making process, Korean folk alcoholic drinks, the lineage of alcohol, and bottles and cups throughout history. The museum also offers a hands-on program and sampling area. The Traditional Food Museum is connected to Andong Soju Museum, so visitors can learn about traditional food and Andong’s folk dish, as well as traditional patterns of rites of passage.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

The tomb of General Kim Yusin (595-673) is Historic Site No. 21. It is located in a scenic area thick with pine trees, on the eastern hill of Songhwasan Mountain.Known as the Hero of the Silla Kingdom, General Kim Yusin was the great grandson of King Guhae, the last king of the Geumgwan Gaya Dynasty, and the son of Seo Hyeon, a great general of the Silla Kingdom. Yusin joined the Hwarang (aristocratic youth military corps) at 15 and began dreaming of ways to unify the peninsula’s three kingdoms.Kim Yusin gained his political foothold by establishing a strong relationship with nobleman Kim Chunchu and made a name for himself through his valor on the battlefield.When Kim Chunchu eventually succeeded to the throne as the 29th king of the Silla Kingdom (changing his name to King Muyeol), Kim Yusin rose through the ranks and was eventually promoted to the extraordinarily high-ranking position of Sangdaedeung in the year 660 (7th year of King Muyeol’s reign). Kim Yusin then went on to defeat the Baekje Kingdom in cooperation with the Tang Dynasty, also later conquering the Goguryeo Kingdom in the year 668.The Tang Dynasty turned against Silla after the collapse of Goguryeo, but was defeated by Kim Yusin’s army in cooperation with the armies of Goguryeo and Baekje. With the fall of the Tang, Kim Yusin finally realized his dream of unifying the three kingdoms and was appointed the highest government post in Silla in honor of his heroic achievement.The tomb of General Kim Yusin is a large tomb measuring roughly 30m in diameter. The relief carvings of 12 Oriental zodiac gods (half man, half animal) stand guard around the tomb, brandishing weapons. The elaborately decorated tomb is second in grandeur only to those of royalty, further underscoring Yusin’s major contribution in unifying the three kingdoms.The path to this tomb is also a sight not to be missed. The street leading up to the tomb is called Heungmu-ro, and has been selected as one of the 100 Most Beautiful Streets in Korea. The street is full of cherry blossoms in spring and is famous for being a great place to take a walk or go for a drive.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Situated in front of Andong Station, Andong Hanu Galbi boasts a 40-year history serving top-grade galbi used for its steamed dishes and doenjang-jjigae made from soybean paste from the countryside. The menu consists of spicy braised beef ribs, beef ribs marinated in soy sauce, premium beef short ribs, and premium beef short ribs marinated with garlic. Given the restaurant's location, it makes for easy transportation, and its proximity near the Andong Dam and Dosan Seowon Confucian School, is continually attracting customers and tourists.    


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyeongju Mediflower Oriental Hospital is a place that combines personal health with travel and tourism. The hospital and its facilities are located in a traditional hanok-style building that covers an area of 3,404.97m (1,030 pyeong). Located in the historical city of Gyeongju, the hospital is in close proximity to a number of Korea’s well-known tourist destinations. The hospital plays a central role in the government’s “Health Tour to Korea” campaign, and is supported by a passionate staff. Visitors can receive treatments from a range of departments, which include oriental internal medicine, oriental obstetrics and gynecology, oriental pediatrics, acupuncture, and the conmaul clinic.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Mungyeongsaejae Open Set was created in 2000 for the filming of KBS drama "Taejo Wang Geon." The set became famous and was used for a variety of historical publications. In 2008, the Goryeo Dynasty set was dismantled and redesigned into a Joseon-era set. Visitors can get a glimpse of life in the past through the replica houses and various structures throughout the open set.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

There are 3 legendary boundary gates at Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park, on rough mountaintops, which are reputed to be too tall for even birds to fly over.Mungyeongsaejae, which overlays Mt. Joryeongsan, has always been the highest and most dangerous mountain pass. It was cleared during the time of Kim Taejong (reign 1400~1418) of Joseon Period, and was used until a new road was built through the Ihwaryeong Gyegok Valley.The boundary gates and castle walls were raised here after the Japanese Invasion of Korea (1592 and 1598). The second boundary gate, Jogokgwan, was raised in 1594, and in 1708 Juheulgwan and Joryeonggwan were raised and were used as fortresses for national defense. They were damaged after that point, but in 1966 the No. 1, 2, and 3 boundary gates and castle walls were designated collectively as historical relic No. 147 and were later restored in 1976.Take the big road beside boundary gate No. 1 of southeastern Korea, Juheulgwan, for about 1.5km and you’ll arrive at Joryeongwon. There are only stonewalls left from the many inn-like dwellings, which were built to accommodate government officials on official tour. Past the tavern, which was restored in 1983, you’ll reach the Jogokgwan. The area around Jogokgwan is famous for its birch trees, and the Mungyeongsaejae Revolt Monument can be seen on the left side of the road.It’s 3.4km from Jogokgwan to Joryeonggwan, through a walkway with its harmonious scenery of rocks and cool streams. Instead of taking the big road, you can take the road with the sounds of stream water, to a waterfall. 30 minutes farther and you’ll arrive at Hyeguksa Temple.Hyeguksa Temple is at the edge of Juheulsan, and is the place where King Gongmin (reign 1351~1374) stayed while avoiding the peasant uprising. Past Hyeguksa Temple and the Royal Palace about 1km, you’ll reach the sacred peak of Mt, Juheulsan. The view of the winding mountain ranges from the mountaintop is spectacular. From the mountain top, past the valley, is Jogokgwan.The 3rd boundary gate is at Juheulsan (1,106m), and it takes about 4~5 hours to get to Jogokgwan from Juheulgwan. The area was designated as a Provincial Park in 1981.KBS drama studio is located in Mungyeongsaejae Provincial Park, specializing in historical dramas, and it is the largest scale studio in the world. There are three palaces and many houses from the Goryeo Period, spread over 60,000 m2.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Opened in 2003, the Woryeonggyo Bridge (387m in length and 3.6m in x_width) is the longest pedestrian overpass made of wood in Korea. Woryeonggyo Bridge harbors a tragic yet beautiful legend about a wife who made a pair of Mituri (hemp shoes) out of her hair in heartfelt yearning and condolence for her late husband. In commemoration of her pure and noble love, the bridge was designed in the style of Mituri. At the center of the bridge is the Woryeongjeong Pavilion.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Housed in an old hanok (traditional Korean house) Sukyoung Sikdang (숙영식당) is a restaurant famous for its glutinous barley rice meal. Various kinds of grains are mixed with glutinous barley rice to make a sticky and savory rice dish complete with seven different kinds of wild greens. For an extra boost of flavor, try mixing in the various herbs provided with lots of dressing and sesame oil. Even though the meal comes with bean paste-jjigae, if you’re still hungry take a trip to the traditional bakery located nearby (‘Hwangnam Bread’) for an extra special treat.