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(Gyeongju-si)

Bunhwangsa Temple was built during the year 634 and the third year of Queen Seondeok's rule, the 27th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. Prominent Buddhist priests Wonhyo and Jajang have resided at the temple.As the temple has a long history, it once held many historical relics but most of them have been lost due to the Mongolian invasion and the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592. The remaining relics are Mojeon Stone Tower, Hwajaengguksabibu (A memorial stone placed in memory of Wonhyo, a renown Buddhist priest from the Silla Kingdom), Samnyongbyeoneojeong (A well in which the three dragons that protected Silla were believed to reside), and Danggan Pillars.Mojeon Stone Tower, the 30th National Treasure reaching a x_height of 9.3 meters, was built using bricks carved from andesite rocks. While the tower is presumed to be originally a 7-9 story structure, only 3 stories remain today. Danggan Pillars, two stone pillars that stand 3.6 meters high, are located at the entrance of Punhwangsa Temple. Danggan refers to flagpoles made of either wood, metal or stone that were used to hang flags which signified Buddhist festivals so that even people far away would be aware of them. The pillars are supported by stone turtles, a unique feature as most pillars do not possess such characteristics. There are also statues of Buddha displayed in the yard of Gyeongju National Museum. These statues were found in a well situated 30 meters north of the rear wall of Bunhwangsa Temple.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

On the other side of the subsidiary dam of Andong Dam, thatched houses will be sparsely seen on the hilltop. The area is the folk scene site where an outdoor museum is built. At the entrance of the outdoor museum two jangseungs (Korean traditional totem poles) are set, followed by a monument inscribed with the poem of famous Andong poet and democracy activist, Lee Yuk-sa. On the monument, his noted works “Gwangya” (Wild Plain) is carved. Near the Dam, are the Andong Folk Village, Andong Museum, Lee Yuk-sa Monument, a filming site of “Taejo Wanggeon,” and Andongho Lake.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

On the tourist trail near the foot of Tohamsan Mountain between Bulguksa Temple and Bomun Lake Resort are as many as 45 traditional tile-roofed and thatched houses. The folk craft village, which stands on a lot measuring 66,116m² (20,000 pyeong), is home to craftsmen and artisans who have successfully preserved the spirit and craftsmanship of their ancestors. Visitors may receive a free tour of 18 different galleries and workshops including metal, ceramics, wood crafts, jewelry, stone crafts, embroidery and earthware crafts. Artwork and crafts created by local artists are for sale at reasonable prices.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Mungyeong is known for its exquisite ceramics. While each piece has its own individual shape and design, as a whole, ceramics of Mungyeong are highly regarded because of their historical and cultural value. Mungyeong is home to a number of master craftsmen as well as Sagijang (referring to craftsmen making chinaware), who have been officially designated Intangible Cultural Property by the Korean government. As a renowned kiln site producing Buncheongsagi (grayish-blue celadon) since the early Joseon Period, Mungyeong still offers outstanding ceramics that reflect the essence of traditional craftsmanship. 


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)

The Oreung Tombs (“oreung” meaning “five royal tombs”) have been officially designated Historic Site No. 172 and are the final resting places of four kings of the Park clan—King Park Hyeokgeose (founder of the Silla Kingdom), King Namhae, King Yuri, and King Jabi—and one queen (Queen Aryeong, wife of King Park Hyeokgeose). To the east of the royal tombs lies Sungdeokjeon Shrine, which holds the ancestral tablet of King Park Hyeokgeose. Behind the shrine is the Aryeongjeong Well, said to be the birthplace of Queen Aryeong.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Known as a popular fishing spot and recreation site, Andongho Lake is an man-made lake created by obstructing the upper stream of the Nakdonggang River, as part of the government’s Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. Andong Dam is the second largest dam in Korea, following Soyanggang Dam. The x_height of the dam is 83 meters and the length is 612 meters. The landscape surrounding Andongho Lake is nothing short of magnificent. There is a dock for the boats on the lake, which is also popular as a fishing destination. Bass caught here are especially strong and tasty. An international bass fishing tournament is held here every year. There are also tourist attractions nearby, such as the Dosanseowon Confucian Academy and Andong Hahoe Folk Village. Andongho Lake is known for its incomparable scenery, and is considered one of the most famous tourist sites in the Hoban Region. The nearest tourist sites include Dosanseowon Confucian Academy, Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage). There are plenty of other sites to visit as well, such as Andong Folk Village and its museum, where the historical Korean drama "Taejo Wang Geon" was filmed. Unfortunately, during the construction of Andong Dam, part of the village was submerged due to displaced water. The folk cultural properties there were safely moved to a nearby area by the auxiliary dam of Andong and turned into an open-air museum of folk culture.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Seokguram, located on Tohamsan Mountain, is the representative stone temple of Korea. The official name of Seokguram, National Treasure No. 24, is Seokguram Seokgul. Designated as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995, it is an artificial stone temple made of granite. The construction was started by Kim Dae-Seong (700-774) in 751 during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - AD 935) and it was finished twenty-four years later in 774, during the reign of King Hye-Gong (765-780).Seokguram is known to have been built with Bulguksa Temple. According to the history book Samgukyusa of the Goryeo Dynasty (the country that unified the Korean peninsula at the end of the Silla Kingdom, 918-1392), Kim Dae-Seong had Bulguksa Temple built for his parents in his current life, and Seokguram Grotto for the parents of his former life.Inside the round-shaped main hall are the Bonjon Statue, Bodhi-sattva and his disciples. The Bonjon figure wearing a generous smile is seated on the stage engraved with a lotus flower design. The rounded ceiling looks like a half-moon or a bow and has a lotus flower decorated cover on it. As the sunrise from this spot is quite beautiful, many people climb the mountain at daybreak.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

The mountain in the center of Ulleungdo Island is Seonginbong Peak. It is 983.6m high and other peaks of over 900m stretch out to its right and left. As the steep Seonginbong Mountain Range ends at the coastal precipice, the whole island seems like a single huge mountain. The foot of Seonginbong Peak is covered with thick primeval forests designated as Natural Monument No. 189, and the rare plants found only in Ulleungdo Island make this place of unique scenic beauty. The Nari Basin, the north of the mountain, is a caldera formed by volcanic activities and the only flat ground on Ulleungdo Island.