Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyeongju Bird Park offers a unique experience for visitors, just like entering a big birdcage. Guests can touch birds in person and play with them, not just looking at birds inside a cage. The park is designed to give convenience for both birds and visitors. Gyeongju Bird Park, Korean’s first experiential park featuring flowers and birds alike, is comprised of two floors; the entire first floor is an ecology experience hall that houses 90% of bird and other creatures such as reptiles, fish, and small animals. The second floor consists of exhibitions and experiential hall with outdoor hands-on experience site. The bird park is registered as Gyeongsangbuk-do's top museum and specialized animal park, so it can import and exhibit international rare animal species.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Located in Namseori Beach in the west of Ulleungdo, Saja Bawi Rock is famous for its spectacular sunset views. There is also a legend of General Yi Sa-bu of the Silla Kingdom (57 BC ~AD 935). Upon the order of the king of Silla, Yi set out on a military campaign to conquer Usanguk, the former name of Ulleungdo. The rough land and strong waves of Usanguk made it difficult for Yi to anchor his vessel. Showing the King of Usanguk the wooden lion sitting at the head of his vessel, Yi threatened to kill everyone on the island. Fearful of the lion, the king took off his war helmet and surrendered. Legend says that the wooden lion became Saja (Lion) Bawi Rock.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Cheongoksan Mountain (1,276m) is located to the southeast of Manggyeongdae on Taebaeksan Mountain. The hiking course goes along the ridge of the mountain from Neutjae in Socheon-myeon and winds past Hongjesa Temple, which (according to rumors) is where the great Buddhist monk Samyeong underwent spiritual training. Nearby is Baekcheon Valley, which has been designated Natural Monument No. 74, since it is the southernmost natural habitat of the cherry salmon. Also located in the vicinity are Goseon Valley (home to a huge primeval forest) and Cheongoksan Recreational Forest, which includes various leisure facilities such as a water park, work-out center, campgrounds, lodges, and more.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongdeok-gun)

This village, located in Yeongdeok, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is called ‘Daege Wonjo Village’ (대게원조마을) because the legs of the snow crabs caught in the Donghae Sea (East Sea, 동해) are shaped like bamboo. Since people visited this village in wagons during the Goryeo period, it was called ‘Chayu Village.’ But recently, it has been renamed ‘Yeongdeok Daege Wonjo Village’ and a local monument has been established. The nearby Gyeongjeong Breakwater is famous among anglers.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uiseong-gun)

In Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, there is a mountain called Mt. Bingsan. The stream running down the mountain is called ‘Binggye,’ and the nearby village is called ‘Binggye-ri.’ In this mysterious and perplexing valley, you can find amazing ice formations in the heat of summer and a hot stream in the dead of winter. Tall sheer cliffs rise up across from the village, and many fascinating stones are found in a clear stream that runs under the cliff. The valley also contains a five-story granite pagoda (8.15m) from the early Goryeo period.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located at the foot of Namsan Mountain in Gyeongju, Seochulji Pond dates back to the Three Kingdoms Period. There are two, three-storied stone pagodas in the heart of Namsan Village and a small, elegant pond to the east. The pond is famous thanks to a Korean legend, written below: In the 10th year of King Soji (488) of Silla, a crow and a mouse approached the king as he was on his way to Namsan Mountain. The mouse told the King to “follow after the crow” for an easy journey. So, the King and his servant (who was traveling with him) followed the crow, but became distracted and lost their way. As they were wandering about a pond (now known as Seochulji), an old man appeared from the waters’ depths and presented an envelope to the King. Based on the message in the envelope, the King instructed his servant to fire an arrow at the Geomungo (Korean musical instrument) case nearby. The shot killed the queen and a monk who had been hiding there, both of whom had been hatching a plot against the King. The name of the pond, “Seochulji” (literally meaning “writing from the pond”) originates from this legend. It is said that a man named Imjeok built a building by the pond in the 5th year of King Hyeonjong (1664) to enjoy the scenery. The simple, yet elegant building still remains at the northwest of the pond.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Ureuk Museum is a museum dedicated to the Gayageum (a traditional Korean twelve-stringed instrument) and Ureuk, the inventor of the Gayageum and a great musician. The only museum of its kind, Ureuk Museum excavates, collects, preserves, and displays pieces that help visitors more deeply appreciate the beauty and history of the Gayageum.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Ogyeonjeongsa House (옥연정사), located at the foot of Buyongdae Cliff in Andong’s Hahoe Village, was built by Ryu Seong-yong, a minister during the Joseon period. The construction started in 1576 (the 9th year of King Seonjo’s reign) and was completed in 1586 (the 19th year of King Seonjo’s reign). After the end of the Imjinwaeran (the Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592), war memoirs called ‘Jingbirok’ were written here. To get to Ogyeonjeongsa House, you will need to cross the river by ferry. Even though the house is not extravagant, you can enjoy the humble beauty of a traditional Korean house, complementing the natural beauty of the surrounding cliffs, river, and forest. * Sesimjae School (세심재) This private school has a Gamrokheon wooden floor in the middle with adjacent rooms on both sides. * Wolnakjae House (원락재) Wolnakjae means ‘waiting for a friend.’ In this house, the minister Ryu Seong-yong wrote his war memoirs called Jingbirok. * Hands-on Center Sesimjae (two rooms (4 persons or less per room), Gamrokheon wooden floor) Wolnakjae (one room for 8 or less persons, Aeoheon wooden floor)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

Located in Hangu-dong in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang Ferry Terminal is where passengers take a ferry to Ulleung-do. Ferries leaving for islands are usually subject to frequent schedule changes due to wind, waves, and other weather conditions, so visitors must confirm the schedule in advance of departure. As there are no foreign language services on board, international visitors are advised to have a local guide or someone who can speak Korean. There are one or two daily departures for Ulleung-do. The distance is about 217 kilometers, roughly a two to three hour journey. When buying a ferry ticket, visitors must also pay for a terminal usage fee of 1,500 won and an automatic ticketing fee of 600 won (Prices are subject to change).


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Four kilometers northeast of Huibang Station is Huibangsa Temple, which is located at the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain 850 m above sea level. The temple was built by the Great Monk Duwun in the 12th year (643) of Queen Seondeok’s reign during the Silla Kingdom. The temple used to preserve a wooden printing block for Weolinseokbo vol.1 & 2 (a biography of Buddha), but it was destroyed when the temple burned down during the Korean War. Recently, the wooden printing block has been recreated. Near the entrance of the temple is a natural forest that creates beautiful shadows when the sunlight hits the trees. Also near the temple, one can find Huibang Falls (28 m in x_height), which is the largest waterfall in the central inland region of Korea. * Huibang Falls Four kilometers northeast of Huibangsa Temple Station on the Jungang Subway Line is Huibang Falls, which is located at the foot of the Sobaeksan Mountain. The waterfall is on the way to Yeonhwabong Peak (1,383 m in x_height) of Sobaeksan Mountain, and it is the largest water fall in the central inland region of Korea. The valley where the water falls has trees and rocks, and right above the water fall is the recently rebuilt Huibangsa Temple. Other tourist attractions nearby include Buseoksa Temple, and Sosuseowon Confucian Academy located along the hiking course of Sobaeksan Mountain.