Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongdeok-gun)

Samsa Marine Park is located south of Gangguhang Port, overlooking the expansive East Sea. Thanks to its picturesque beauty and variety of facilities, the park is a favorite weekend picnic spot for families. Major facilities include Theme Land, Happy Land, a performance hall, bungalows, restaurants, and stores. There is even an artificial waterfall and a 20 ton-rock carved with floral patterns that add an extra element of unique beauty. In the park you can see a great bell called Gyeongbuk Daejong, which was made to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the province. Another must-see sight for visitors to Gyeongsangbuk-do is Manghyangtap Pagoda, which was set up by those originally from North Korea. Every year on New Year’s Eve, a bell ringing ceremony takes place during the area’s sunrise festival as those separated from their families wish for reunification.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

The Gyeongsangbuk-do Arboretum was founded in September 17, 2001. The arboretum exhibits local plants from Ulleungdo, an island off Korea’s eastern coast that is home to a special ecosystem that includes rare trees and wildflowers. The arboretum has a total of 24 gardens, including the Alpine Botanical Garden, Ulleungdo Native Plant Garden and Needle-leaf Tree Garden.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Buyongdae is a cliff about 64 meters high situated where the Taebaek Mountain Range ends. From the summit, one can get a bird’s eye view of the Hahoe Village in Andong. The name was taken from an ancient history of China. Meaning lotus, the name Buyongdae is said to be given for Hahoe Village’s configuration like a lotus flower. Thus, one can get the best view of the village from the cliff. Located near Buyongdae are Ogyeonjeongsa House, Gyeomamjeongsa House, and Hwacheon Seowon Academy.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Yangdong Village as a whole was designated as the 189th Important Folk Relic on December 20, 1984. As a renowned upper class community in the past, the village has twelve Important Folk Relics and seven Cultural Assets of Gyeongsangbuk-do. Located in the village, Hyangdan was built in 1543 and designated as the 412th Treasure on November 14, 1964. It was originally a vast 99-kan* hanok, but it was reduced to a 51-kan, one-story tile-roofed hanok after the site was burned down. There is a 9-kan building facing the front that was once used as the servants' quarters. Beyond it lies the main building which is the same size. (*Kan: a traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Silla's Wonderful Entertainment Culture, Customs and Historical Sites Resurrected as a Performance "Song in Praise of Giparang" is a 10-line folk ballad written by the monk Chungdamsa to praise the Hwarang during King Gyeongdeok’s reign. It is a ballad that aims to portray the proud spirit and character of Hwarang Gi-pa. "Song in Praise of Giparang" recreates the activities and customs of the Silla Dynasty including the five traditional banquet acts "Silla Ogi," full moon pagoda circling "Daeboreum Tapdori" and a traditional Buddhist ritual of throwing flowers on the road for Buddha "Sanhwa Gongdeok" that are recorded in Choi Chi-won's Chinese-styled poetry, Hansi. In addition, Gi-pa and Bo-guk's great love story that continues from the world of the living to the afterlife is beautifully recreated with ancient ruins from the time of Silla such as Donggung Palace, the palace of the crown prince of Silla, Wolji Pond, Bulguksa Temple, and the nine-story pagoda of Hwangnyongsa Temple as backgrounds. -Courtesy of Jeongdong Theater


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongdeok-gun)

Located in the east sea, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Yeongdeok Crab Village is famous for its classical scholars, and its wonderful scenery, where the mountains meet the eastern sea. The traditional fishery village is the home of Yeongdeok snow crab that was well-known from Goryeo Dynasty (King Taejo) and also has a huge street for snow crabs, packed with around 100 shops selling crabs along the Gangguan Port. When the season for snow crabs arrives in November, lasting through May, the village is crowded with visitors from all over the world eager to try Yeongdeok snow crabs. In addition, the location of the village gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful sea roads in Korea. In the area are also a sea fishing site, beaches, and water resort venues that are suitable for both recreation and relaxation.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Seongju-gun)

Located in Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gayasan Wildflower Botanical Garden is Korea’s first wildflower garden. It is a home to nearly 630 different plant species, including wildflowers and trees that are worth preserving, and the wildflower garden serves as a valuable space for botanical research. Outdoor Garden The outdoor garden offers the magnificent scenic landscape of Mt. Gayasan, organized into the following five themes. 1) Shrubbery Nearly 30 different species of shrubs and wild flowers have been planted here. You can enjoy these beautiful plants from early spring to winter. 2) Chrysanthemum Garden Nearly 15 different species of chrysanthemums and wild flowers are in bloom until late fall. 3) Rhizocarp Garden Nearly 50 different species of wild flowers including Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis), German Iris (Iris nertschinskia), daylilies (Hemerocallis thunbergii) and hostas (Hosta longipes) bloom from spring to fall. 4) Gayasan Native Plant Garden Nearly 120 indigenous species of wild flowers have been planted here. 5) Wildflower Educational Garden Nearly 50 different species of short wildflowers are planted on the roof of the museum, where visitors can view and compare a variety of wildflowers. Greenhouse The greenhouse features warm-temperate trees and wildflowers. Enjoy the sweet fragrance of flowers regardless of the season. 1) Edible Plant Garden Nearly 20 different species of edible plants including tangerine trees and loquats are available. 2) Medicinal Herb Garden Nearly 25 different species of plants that provide medicinal herbs are available. 3) Fragrant Flower Garden Nearly 30 different species of sweet fragrant flowers such as laurel (daphne), Indian oleander (Nerium indicum) and the Gaya or Japanese nutmeg-yew (Torreya nucifera) are planted here. 4) Ornamental Plant Garden Nearly 30 different species of beautiful ornamental plants including coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata), pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), Japanese ardisia (Ardisia japonica), poison bulb (Crinum asiatica) and Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata) are found in this garden. 5) Aquatic Botanical Garden Nearly 20 different species of aquatic plants, consisting of shallow water plants, free-floating plants, and floating-leaved plants, including water lily, bishop’s weed (Houttuynia cordata) and water snowflake (Nymphoides indica) are found in this garden. 6) Fern Garden Ferns are spore-propagated plants that have no blooming flowers. Nearly 40 different species of fern plants including western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum) and groundpine (Lycopodium clavatum var. nipponicum) and warm-temperate native plants such as Leveille (Dendropanax morbifera) and Machilus chunbergii make up this garden.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Silla Sori Festival mainly focuses on the King Seongdeok Divine Bell (Emille Bell), established during the Unified Silla period, and takes place in Gyeongju, embracing its thousand-year-old heritage. The festival is managed by BBS (Buddhist Broadcasting System), and sponsored by Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Bulguksa Temple and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The festival venue is a grass field around Cheomseongdae Observatory, where the varied programs such as the tolling of the model Emille Bell, weighting about 6 tons, and Silla Culture experience, reappearance of Silla Gandeunghoe (lamp ceremony) and others are prepared. The festival has been held since 2012 to acknowledge the value of the ‘King Seongdeok Divine Bell’, featuring the most beautiful bell existing in the world, made in our own way, and honoring the spirit.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Situated on Sabulsan Mountain, the temple is a beautiful building, rich in history. The name of the mountain on which the temple was built was originally called Gongdeoksan, but was later known as Sabulsan. The name, Sabulsan, (meaning “Four Buddhas”) comes from the legend of the Silla Period in which a large stone shrouded with red silk and etched with four faces of Buddha mysteriously descended upon the mountain. Upon hearing the news of this miraculous event, the king at the time (King Jinpyeong) immediately visited the spot and had the temple built next to the sacred stone. The temple was partially destroyed by fire in the summer of 1922, but was restored in 1927 thanks to the efforts of Monks Uiun, Chwiwol, and Deoksan. In January 1958, the temple once again suffered fire damage, leaving only a few buildings (Geukrakjeon, Myeongbujeon, and Sansingak) untouched. Monks Daehyu, Seolwol, and Jeongam helped to restore the temple and the temple has remained well-preserved ever since.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongsong-gun)

Baengnyeonam is part of Daejeonsa Temple and is located opposite the temple. With crystal clear stream running in front and Janggunbong Peak at the back, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Baengnyeonam Hermitage. Although it unknown when this hermitage was built, it is said that it was named after the daughter of King Ju 'Baengnyeon'. During the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598), the great Buddhist monk Samyeong stayed here in the building named Songunjeongsa. But the building does not exist today and you can find only the site and the board where the name of the building is written. There remains some buildings called Sanwanggak and Yosa in the hermitage and also you can see the portrait of the great Buddhist monk Samyeong.