Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Sobaeksan Oknyeobong Recreational Forest (소백산 옥녀봉 자연휴양림) at the foot of Oknyeobong Peak on Mt. Sobaeksan is a great place to relax and take a rest, and beautiful trails are also available. This natural recreation forest features bungalows, a community kitchen, shower rooms, outdoor classrooms, and a designated parking area for visitors. The forest enjoys the scenic backdrop of Mt. Sobaeksan. You can also visit nearby attractions such as Buseoksa Temple, Sosuseowon Confucian School (소수서원), and Huibang Valley. Located in the northernmost part of Gyeongsangbuk-do, Oknyeobong Recreational Forest has numerous activities and beautiful natural locales. You can take a rest amidst the refreshing air, and enjoy the clean mountain waters. Also, the area offers a great view of Gukmangbong, Birobong, and Dosolbong Peaks; this recreational forest is busiest during the Sobaeksan Royal Azalea Festival. Main tree species – Pine trees (An approximately 200-year-old pine tree at the entrance)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

It is a place where you can enjoy various Korean dishes. This Korean dishes restaurant is located in Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The representative menu is beefbulgogi.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Juheulsan was once considered to be a sacred place and was the site of annual, royal mountain rituals during the Joseon Dynasty. It is situated in Mungyeong (Gyeongsangbuk-do) and surrounded by six large villages (Sangcho-ri, Hacho-ri, Sang-ri, Jigok-ri, Palryeong-ri, and Pyeongcheon-ri). The mountain was believed to have produced talented scholars. Meaning “Chief, Majestic Mountain,” Juheulsan Mt. is still seen as the heart of Mungyeong and Mungyeongsaejae.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyeongju was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla. The city is often referred to as a “museum without walls” because of the many cultural relics scattered throughout the city. Almost everything in this city, from the streets to the mountains, is rich in history. Gyeongju has roughly 300 sites that have been designated as a cultural heritage, with some of them being UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites. The Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone includes the districts of Namsan, Wolseong, Daereungwon, Hwangryongsa and Sanseong. This area has a total of 52 cultural assets registered on the World Heritage list. Many of the hills are actually royal tombs and fields of grass used to be sites of ancient temples. The entire Namsan Mountain can almost be considered a cultural asset because of the many stone pagodas and Buddha statues that can be found here. The Bulguk district is home to many of Gyeongju’s most well-known attractions such as Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju Folk Village, Silla Arts and Science Museum, and Goereung. In the Bomun district, there are plenty of recreation facilities surrounding Bomunho Lake. Other attractions in the area include Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, Gyeongju World and Silla Millennium Park. [Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone] Areas included: Downtown area, Bomun Lake Resort and Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do Area size: 32,650,000㎡ Tourist Attractions: Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Namsan Mountain, Bomunho Lake, Shilla Millennium Park, Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, etc. Gyeongju Cultural Tourism Website: guide.gj.go.kr


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uiseong-gun)

Gounsa Temple lies on Deungunsan Mountain in Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and was built by Monk Uisang in 681 during the reign of King Sinmun of the Silla Kingdom. Although the pronunciation of the name was never changed, its meaning slightly changed from “High Cloud Temple” to “Solitary Cloud Temple” after Choi Chi-won, a renowned scholar in the late Silla Period, helped to build two pavilions (Gaunru and Uhwaru) and renamed it. It is Branch Temple No.16 of the Korean Buddhist order, Jogyejong, and manages temples in Uiseong, Andong, Yeongju, Bonghwa, and Yeongyang. Befitting its meaning, the temple is surrounded by outstanding scenery on Deungunsan Mountain, meaning “Riding on the Clouds.” Quite isolated from villages, the temple is a very quiet, serene place. Gounsa Temple is home to one of the most cherished pieces of architecture, Gaunru Pavilion (“Floating over the Clouds”). This elegant pavilion is propped up by wooden columns, which are, in turn, supported by foundation stones. It looks as if the pavilion placed its feet in the water while standing. Among the many buildings comprising the temple complex, Yeonsujeon Hall is a unique building that was built to store Eocheop (the genealogical record of royal families) in 1774 (20th year of King Yeongjo). As a royal building, it shows the Confucian architectural style, different from other Buddhist buildings within the temple.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

“Andonog Hahoe Yangjindang,” located in the Hahoe Folk Village, is Treasure No 306 and the residence of a family with the surname Pungsan Ryu. A tablet read Ipam Antique House, named after Ipam Ryu Jung Yeong (1515 - 1573), is hung on the entrance. Yangjindang is named after the nickname of Ryu Yeong (1687 - 1761), the sixth generation of Gyeongam Ryu Un Ryong, son of Ipam. The name means “nourishing well one's own nature.” The Hanok stands over the entrance, with a well-polished floor that is grand yet friendly. One of the characteristics of the house is that it includes Sarangcha or detached building, which reflects the architecture from the Goryeo period, and Anchae or main building in the architecture style from the Joseon period. It is expected that such co-existence was made possible because of the repairs done after Imjin War. How fortiunate that the antique house has been preserved until now! The well-tended garden shows the commitment of the descendants to maintaining the space. Rooms are rather simple compared to the grand exterior of the house. Traditional mother-of-pearl furniture, tableware in the cupboard, randomly ceramics placed draw attention. The house resembles a small folk museum. Why not enjoy some traditional folk games during your stay? There is a variety of play tools such as yut, tuho, jegi, tops, and kites. Experience programs such as gayangju brewing, rice cake and traditional dessert making, and flower tea are conducted by the first daughter-in-law of the house, depending on the season.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

Surrounded by high mountains and cliffs, Wangpicheon Valley and the neighboring area have been kept unscathed for a long time. The area is now designated as Ecosystem Conservation Zone by Environmental Office, to protect the rare wild life flora and fauna.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yecheon-gun)

Yecheon Hot Spring (예천온천) is one of the top three hot springs of Gyeongsangbuk-do along with Punggi Hot Spring (풍기온천) and Mungyeong Hot Spring (문경온천). From Yecheon, you can also visit nearby attractions in Yeongju and Bonghwa. Yecheon Hot Spring opened on March 24, 2000 and is proud of its clean and gentle waters, which make skin soft and smooth by removing built-up cells. The nutrients in the water also have anti-aging properties. The facility completed renovations on both the men's and women's saunas on September 28, 2012, adding outdoor hot tubs that are roughly 100㎡ in size to accommodate more people wishing to enjoy the Korean spa experience.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gunwi-gun)

Once you reach the Hantijae Peak of Mt. Palgongsan, the Gunwi Buddha Triad Grotto (known as ‘the 2nd Seokgulam Grotto’, 군위삼존석굴) stands to welcome you. This grotto, designated as National Treasure No. 109, is a natural cave on a sheer cliff. Here, you can see the beautiful Amitabul Buddha, the Bodhisattva of Power and the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This 4.25m-wide and 4.3m-long cave is located 20m above the ground. This grotto is the progenitor of the Gyeongju Seokgulam Grotto, preceding the construction of Seokgulam grotto by 100 years. It has been designated as a world cultural heritage. The square-shaped ceiling is highest in the middle of the chamber. The Amitabul Buddha sits in the center with the Bodhisattva of Power and the Bodhisattva of Compassion flanking its left and right sides. The main Buddha is very refined and graceful with short hair and a divine smile on its face, sitting with crossed legs in a full-lotus posture.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located next to the Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju, Green Mountain Youth Hostel is a big lodging house accommodating up to 200 people. It is a two-story modern building (B1 - 2nd floor) with traditional tiles on top. There are 48 rooms in total, a cafeteria, and a seminar room. Cheongunsil and Baekunsil have beds that can be used by one person or more, whereas Ondol Room can be booked by 2 - 15 persons. Every room has a bathroom attached to it, and rooms for 6 persons or more have two bathrooms. The accommodation is suitable not just for solo travelers but for families and groups as well. Meals, including breakfast, are served when booked in advance. Food is prepared with seasonal ingredients based on the number of booked guests. It is our pride that soy sauce, gochujang (pepper paste), and doenjang (soybean paste) used for the food is made by the owner.