Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

The Imcheonggak Pavilion was built as a home during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1919) because of one aristocratic family’s love for the scenic beauty of the surrounding area. The most famous structure on this property is the annexed pavilion. Imcheonggak is designated Treasure No.182. Thankfully this structure was untouched during the Japanese invasion taking place from 1592-1598. An autograph of the famous Confucius scholar, Lee Hwang (1501-1570), can be found hanging outside the pavilion.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Bonghwangdae is an ancient tomb of Silla located in the tomb cluster of Nodong-dong. The tomb is an impressive 82 meters in diameter and 22 meters in x_height, making it look more like a hill than a tomb due to its humongous size. Though said to be the tomb of a king, this has not been verified since the tomb has never been excavated. The name “Bonghwang” (meaning “phoenix”) comes from the legend of Wanggeon and the geomancer. Wanggeon was waiting for the fall of the Silla Kingdom and decided to seek the help of a geomancer. The geomancer said that the kingdom of Silla was shaped like a ship and that this “ship” must sink in order for the kingdom to fall. After promising Wanggeon that he could sink the ship of Silla, the geomancer sought an audience with the king of Silla. The geomancer told the king that the land of Silla resembled the shape of the Bonghwang (phoenix) and that the bird was about to fly away, which would bring about the ruin of the kingdom. The king, who had been worrying about domestic affairs, believed the geomancer and asked him for a solution. The geomancer told the king that if he made a hill that looked like an egg at the capital city, the “bird” wouldn’t fly away, but would stay to protect her egg and the kingdom. As a result, the king made of lot of ancient tombs, one of which was the sizable Bonghwangdae Tomb. Legend has it that Silla truly was shaped like a ship, not a phoenix, and all these tombs symbolized the “overloading” of the ship, leading to the eventual ruin of the kingdom. After the fall of Silla, Wanggeon rose to power and later became the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

The Andong Public Folk Museum is where you can experience Confucian culture and traditional games of Korea. Andong is famous for Confucian culture and the four traditional ceremonies (the ceremonies of coming of age, marriage, funeral and ancestral worship). Here you can view the lifestyles of the past and important cultural treasures. The indoor museum is segmented into three exhibit halls. At Exhibit Hall 1, the process of going from the birth of a baby to childhood is displayed. At Exhibit Hall 2, the process of becoming an adult to the rituals of death and funeral is displayed. At Exhibit Hall 3, the daily life and traditional games are displayed in small models. Including old farming tools and cloth making process, the folk relics of this museum add up to 3,700 artifacts. There is also a visual system for videos. After you look through the indoor exhibits, head outside to the outdoor exhibits. The outdoor exhibit is a park complex, made of folk houses and cultural assets moved to this site. You will see exhibits representing the Andong lifestyle such as a stone house, a straw roofed, mud-hut and a watermill.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Wooyang Art Museum, located in the Bomun Tourist Complex, is a private gallery of modern art established in 1991. The collections of major modern and contemporary artists are on display. The museum targets famous modern art collections and retrospective exhibitions of artists in the middle of their careers. Nearly 450 pieces of European and American sculptures, paintings, and photographs from the 1960s, along with leading collections of Korean modernist art from the 1970s, are displayed in Wooyang Art Museum. In particular, modern Eastern European art and decorative art collections, a rarity in Korea, are on display here. The place has also beeb showcasing modern and contemporary art from a historical perspective through a large-scale international exhibition, and plans to hold a special exhibition for renowned domestic and foreign artists in the middle of their careers who have suggested art trends ahead of their time. Furthermore, various lecture and exhibitions have been held to meet the diverse needs of local citizens, making Wooyang Art Museum a major cultural center in the community.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyeongju East Palace Garden re-creates Korea's first zoo and botanical garden in the image of a modern Donggung Palace and Woliji Pond. The garden is comprised of botanical garden, agricultural experience facility and Bird Park. In particular, the greenhouses in the botanical garden are built with the design of traditional building from the Silla period but are made entirely of glass, providing this garden with a unique atmosphere.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

This is the Royal Tomb of King Muyeol (무열왕릉) the 29th of the Silla Kingdom (654-661). He allied his forces with those of the Chinese Tang Dynasty and unified the Korean peninsula. This large tomb is 114 meters in circumference and 8.7 meters in x_height. Natural stones were piled on the bottom of the tomb, and they remain buried underground. The monument stone is gone, leaving only the turtle-shaped base stone and the dragon-carved head stone. Carved in relief is the inscription “Taejongmuyeolwangneungbi” (태종무열왕릉비), which indicates the owner of this monument.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located in the middle of the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, Commodore Hotel has been in service for over 20 years. Its unique interiors and exteriors, influenced by Buddhism, regularly attract film makers and photographers. The hotel is also popular because of its location in Gyeongju, the ancient city full of historical treasures as the capital of the Silla Kingdom. In addition, popular promenades or hiking trails are located around Bomun Lake, just a five minute walk from the hotel.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Silla Culture Experience Center was established to offer various cultural programs featuring Gyeongju in the basement level between Daereungwon Tomb Complex and Cheomseongdae Observatory. Cultural programs include making chocolates in the shape of Gyeongju's cultural assets, making a golden crown, kite-making, Korean music performance, and more.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

This was the location of the palace fortress during the Shilla Dynasty (57 BC ~ AD 935). The fortress takes after its name, which, literally translated, means 'a crescent moon shape on top of a hill'. The famous history books of Samgukyusa mention that Shilla’s 4th King Seoktalhae (AD 57~80) thought this area was an ideal spot for the fortress and bought the land from a nobleman. The 2nd King Namhae (AD 4~24) impressed by Seoktalhae’s actions, took him in as his son-in-law, later, becoming the 4th king. The area was then under Shilla’s rule for 900 years, the last king being the 56th, Gyeongsoon (AD 927~935).Although the magnificent grandeur of the palace is now just an empty lot, it has been told that this area was filled with imperial buildings during the Shilla Dynasty. Currently, the region of Wolseong has a freezer made out of rocks called Seokbinggo, an archery range, horse-riding field, and a traditional playground, which resembles the grounds of the Joseon Period (the dynasty that ruled the Korean peninsula from 1392-1910). 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Travelers to Ulleung-do Island make a point to visit Haengnam Coastal Walking Path as this is the trail that brings out the wonders of the island. Below the bridge that connects a cave and valley is a beautiful coastal area with a path leading to Haengnam Village. When the path meets the coast, it diverts the mountain side with a trekking course that allows one to discover the marine ecosystem and flora of Ulleung-do Island. At the end of the walking path is Haengnam Lighthouse. The nearby observatory offers wide open views of Jeodonghang Port, as well as Jeodong Village (known for its spectacular autumn colors); Chuam Cliff (known as a favorite sunrise spot); Gwaneum-do Island; Bukjeobawi Rock, and even Jukdo Island. The nearby attractions also include Dodong Mineral Spring Park, Dokdo Observatory, Ocean Cruise, Seonginbong Peak, Jukdo Namseo Sunset Observatory, and Dodonghang Port.