Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Goryeong was the old capital of Daegaya (42-562 AD), a city-state of the Gaya confederacy that once spanned the region now occupied by Gyeongsangnam-do Province to the south of the Korean peninsula. The city of Goryeong played such a central role in the development of the confederacy that many artifacts and historic sites of the Daegaya period can still be found there today. Some of the most prominent landmarks are the 200 gobuns (ancient tombs) that lie along the southeastern slope of Jusan Mountain in Goryeong. In ancient times, the higher and larger a tomb, the higher the social status of the person buried inside. Given this tradition and historical evidence, the largest tomb in the south has been identified as Geumnim Wangneung (Royal Tomb of King Geumnim); the other large tombs are also presumed to be those of the kings of Daegaya. The large royal tombs (over 20m in diameter) dominate the mountain ridge (the highest point) while mid-sized and smaller tombs can be found on the mountain slopes and foothills. Historical research on Daegaya began with the excavation and partial identification of the ancient tombs of Goryeong by research teams from Kyungpook National University and Keimyung University in 1977. Excavators discovered a great number of relics—gilt-bronze crowns, swords, armor, and trinkets of gold, silver, and jade—that shed light on the flourishing culture of Gaya. To continue to encourage interest in the history and culture of Daegaya, officials of Goryeong-gun County established the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall at the foot of Jusan Mountain in Gobun-gun, Jisan-dong. The exhibition hall depicts the social structure of the era through ancient customs such as burying servants alive with their dead masters.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

The Yeonsan Spa Park is located near the Naeyeonsan National Park, which has received wide acclaim for its beautiful scenery. Wolpo Beach, Chilpo Beach, POSCO and the Naeyeonsan Arboretum are all within a short distance of the Yeonsan Spa Park. The hotel has a hot spring, open-air hot spring, Korean restaurant and a conference room.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

With a marine climate characterized by cool summers and warm winters, Ulleungdo Island has over 700 species of medicinal herbs. Cows at Ulleung Yakso Sutbul Garden graze on vegetables and herbs from Ulleungdo Island, giving their meat a herbal fragrance and rich taste that is also tender and soft. The restaurant offers bulgogi, roseu-gui, as well as various kinds of Ulleungdo Island’s traditional food, such as rice made with mussels.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Oksanseowon Confucian Academy (Treasure No. 525) was built to commemorate the scholarly achievements and virtues of Confucian scholar Yi Eon-jeok (1491-1553). Built in 1572 in the fifth year of King Seonjo’s reign, the school was named Oksanseowon in the seventh year of the king’s reign. It is included as one of the 47 Confucian Academies ruled out of the Confucian Academy abolition by Heungseon Daewongun. Even though the building structures don’t carry significant meaning in an architectural aspect, it was built with a distinguished space arrangement method. Dokrakdang, which was Yi Eon-jeok’s house as well as study room, are situated 700m far from the Confucian Academy.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gumi-si)

Nakdonggang River (506.17km in length with a total watershed of 23,384.21㎢) is South Korea’s longest river. The name Nakdonggang means “a river that runs through the East (dong) of Garak(nak)guk (or Gaya Kingdom).” The Nakdonggang River is located to the East of the Goryeong, Sangju (of Gyeongsangbuk-do) and Hapcheong (of Gyeongsangnam-do) areas, which were regions of the Gaya Kingdom. Nakdonggang River used to be a main route for inland transportation with marinas prospering on the riverfront. During the Korean War, the river was the final line of defense for the U.N. Troops. Eulsukdo, located at the end of the Gimhae Delta is a famous wintering site for migratory birds.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gumi-si)

The towering Mt. Geumosan (976m in elevation) close to Gumi Station was designated as a provincial park in 1970. This precipitous mountain features various modern facilities. Daehye (Myeonggeum) Falls can be accessed via cable car. You can also find a 2km-long fortress, Yaksaam Temple, a standing Buddha statue engraved on a rock wall, Haeunsa Temple, Doseongul Cave, Daehye Falsl, and Chaemijeong Pavilion on this mountain.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

Pohang Station traces its history back in 1918. Since its initation into KTX service in April 2, 2015, the station is ready to emerge as a hub of the southern line of the east coast. It is adjacent to the Jukdo Market, one of the biggest fish markets in the nation (5 min away by foot) and located near famous tourist attractions such as Sunrise Park, Bogyeongsa Temple, Northern Beach, and Oeosa Temple.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Housed in an old hanok (traditional Korean house) Sukyoung Sikdang (숙영식당) is a restaurant famous for its glutinous barley rice meal. Various kinds of grains are mixed with glutinous barley rice to make a sticky and savory rice dish complete with seven different kinds of wild greens. For an extra boost of flavor, try mixing in the various herbs provided with lots of dressing and sesame oil. Even though the meal comes with bean paste-jjigae, if you’re still hungry take a trip to the traditional bakery located nearby (‘Hwangnam Bread’) for an extra special treat.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongsan-si)

Nestled under Gwanbong Peak sits Seonbonsa Temple, under the administration of traditional Korean Buddhists. This temple is widely known as the ‘Palgongsan Gatbawi Stone Buddha.’ Despite nearby precipitous drops, the Gatbawi Stone Buddha is very popular. The Gatbawi Stone Buddha from the United Silla Kingdom is roughly 6 meters tall. The name ‘Gatbawi’ comes from the traditional cylindrical Korean hat that the Buddha wears upon his head.


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.