Located at the eastern foot of Jirisan Mountain, Daewonsa Temple (대원사) was first built in 548 during the Shilla Dynasty, but it remained closed for over a thousand years until it was renovated and made much bigger and named Daewon. Unfortunately, however, the entire premises were lost to a big fire during the night of 12 January 1914, and all the halls and pavilions, including Yosachae, totaling 184 rooms in 12 buildings, were rebuilt in 1917. They were damaged once again during the Korean War and were abandoned for some time, but when the war was over the temple was rejuvenated and made even bigger. Located nearby are Geoyeonjeong and Gunjajeong Halls that are believed to have been the studying venue of scholars from olden times.* Daewon Temple ValleyThe two-kilometer-long valley that stretches from the parking lot at the entrance to Daewon Temple to the temple itself is surrounded by high hills and curious-looking rocks. The clean water that oozes out through craters between the rocks generates unusual scenery. Associated with Yongso Pond is the legend that a dragon lived in it for a hundred years before it finally flew away. Somakgol Valley is known to be the place where the last king of Garak Kingdom came to feed his cows and horses.
Situated in the foothills of Juchulsan Mountain, Wibongsanseong Fortress was constructed over a period of 7 years starting in 1675. The fortress was built as a safe place to keep the portrait of King Taejo, which had been kept at Gyeonggijeon in Jeonju until the Donghak Peasant Revolution broke out and put the portrait in jeopardy. Originally, the Wibongsanseong Fortress measured 16 kilometers long, 4 to 5 meters high, and 3 meters wide with three gates and eight emergency gates. Today, only a section of the fortress wall and the west gate remain.
Wibongsa Temple is located past Mujigaemun Gate (Rainbow Gate) and Wibong Village and is a major temple in the Honam region that once oversaw 52 branch temples. Said to be built by Monk Seoam in 604 (the 5th year of King Mu of Baekje), the surviving buildings date back to the Joseon Era. Today, only Bogwangmyeongjeon Hall (Treasure No. 608), Yosa (Provincial Cultural Asset No. 698), and Samseonggak remain. The Baeguigwaneumbosal wall painting in particular is the pride of the temple.
The Hwaseong Fossilized Dinosaur Egg Site (화성 공룡알 화석지) was discovered on an island in the tidal plain south of Sihwaho Lake (시화호). The island was revealed when seawaters were blocked during a land reclamation project. As a sedimentary layer formed during the Cretaceous period of the Mesozoic Era (dated around 83 million to 85 million years ago) was eroded by weathering, around twenty 50-60 cm diameter nests and roughly 130 dinosaur eggs ranging in size from 11 to 14 cm, located at six to seven sites, were discovered. It is anticipated that more fossils will be discovered once a thorough investigation is carried out and more land is reclaimed.
Most dinosaur eggs are oval shaped and dark red. Considering the properties of the fossilized shells, the eggs that have been discovered so far are assumed to belong to four-legged herbivorous dinosaurs with a long neck and tail, and two-legged herbivorous dinosaurs, including the Hadrosaur. A wide range of plant fossils were also discovered alongside the fossilized eggs, leading to expectations that the formerly lush environment may yet be restored.
The discovery of the Fossilized Dinosaur Egg Site in Hwaseong has greatly expanded the scope of Korean paleontology; previous paleontological discoveries were exclusively limited to fossilized dinosaur footprints. This significant discovery has attracted many internationally renowned scholars who have visited the site in Hwaseong. The site is closed to individuals in order to preserve its integrity. But, you can visit the area by joining the fossil site exploration programme offered by a locally operating environmental group.
Hanpungnu Pavilion is the site where the noted poets of the past use to frequent to appreciate nature and the arts. The pavilion was burned down by Japanese soldiers in 1592 (25th year of King Seonjo’s reign) and rebuilt in 1599 (32nd year of King Seonjo’s reign). During the Japanese colonial period, the pavilion served as a base for propagating Buddhism. After the liberation of Korea, it was moved to Yangsan-myeon town in Yeongdong-gun and was renamed as Geumhoru. In 1971, the people of Muju moved the pavilion to its current location of Dangsan-ri in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do Province. Hanpungnu is one of the most famous pavilions in the southwestern region of Korea, along with Hanbyeokdang of Jeonju and Gwanghallu of Namwon. It is also known to have the most picturesque exterior among the three famed pavilion.
Hansando Island, located in the middle of Hallyeo Haesang National Park, is an important historical site. This is where General Lee Sun-Shin (1545 ~ 1598) won his great victory using the "Turtle Boat" (an ironclad warship shaped as a tortoise) by commanding the naval forces of Chungcheong, Jeolla and Gyeongsang Provinces at the beginning of Imjinwaeran, the Japanese invasion of Korea (1592-1598).In Hansando Island, a 960 square km large forest is blanketed with camellias and old red pines. In the woods, there is Jeseungdang, which was the strategic headquarters of General Lee Sun-Shin where he commanded the war for five years during the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1592. Jeseungdang has a five-page documentary called Chungmugong that recorded the activities of Lee Sun-Shin which depicts the events of that period. You can also see the barracks, The Suru Watch Tower, and Hansanjeong, where soldiers were trained in archery. The Suru Watch Tower overlooks a fine view of the sea, along with a view of Jeseungdang.The active cultivation of oysters, ascidians, brown seaweed and pearls is attracting more tourists to this area. The coast of Hansando has also become a famous fishing spot.
The perfect stress break for busy professionals in Seoul.
Take in a quick sail during a long lunch break, or do a sunset sail after work. Invite your client for a meeting on the yacht - they will be impressed! Then on weekends, just kick back and relax with your family and friends. If you do not have time during daylight hours, then do a night sail on the beautifully lit Han River (our boats are equipped to sail at night!)
Located in Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Songso House also known as "Sim Wealthy Family House" was built around the 1880s. The house has all the features of a typical aristocrat house during the Joseon dynasty, consisting of a large sarangbang (main building) and individual chambers with a square-shaped front yard at their center.
The complex has an annex building on the side, where it has been renovated and now used as a guesthouse for travelers. Visitors spending a night at this traditional building can enjoy the quiet and peaceful atmosphere, as well as try out playing various traditional games.
Yongso Valley is a 10km-long valley that starts from Gwangam-ni, Naechon-myeon, passes Duchon-myeon, Gaeseong-ni and then reaches Cheonhyeon-ni. The valley boasts picturesque scenery with crystal clear waters and uniquely shaped rocks. The outstanding scenic beauty of the valley is comparable to that of Naeseorak. In spring the valley is full of azaleas in full bloom, and autumn foliage and silver grass in fall. In summer, visitors can enjoy cool and breezy weather in the valley. The valley is a perfect destination for family getaways or one-day hiking.
The Yeolsoe Observation Deck, located in Yeoncheon-gun, Gyeonggi-do, is positioned so that North Korea can be viewed easily at a glance and will play an important roll in the progress of unification. To increase security education and to appease homesickness, the Yeolsoe Observation Deck was built on April 11, 1998 and is open to the public.
After the army conducts a simple check, the barricade is cleared and the path to the observation platform opens. Although verdant green landscape of the North can be seen as soon as you reach the observation platform, photography is banned at this point. Within the Yeolsoe Observatory is an exhibit of North Korean daily products and military equipment that allows viewers to catch a glimpse into North Korean life and around the observatory are churches and other various religious facilities for visitors to pray for a peaceful reunification.
Yeolsoe Observatory, located right on the Southern Limit Line, helps us feel the pain of separation and acts as a constant reminder to the current generations of the importance of unity and peace.The guardrail that runs along the barbed wire fence is laden with many ribbons that hold the hopes and desires of the tourists that visit the DMZ. “Peaceful Unity”, “Our wish is unification”, “We must become united” are just a few of the messages written on the countless number of ribbons that seem to relay the sentiments to the people across the DMZ.
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