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.


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