Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Daegaya (42-562) was a nation that inhabited the Gyeongsangnam-do province of Korea around the 4th Century. Daegaya was a sophisticated nation that even at this early age possessed extremely high standards of culture. They created the Gayageum (a twelve-stringed traditional Korean harp) and played a large role in establishing the culture of music. They had dealings with China and Japan and excavated relics indicate they had a significant influence on the wider world. This festival will immerse visitors in the ancient history of Korea’s ‘Daegaya’. The festival program includes an exhibition of ancient relics, and visitors can take part in making Mokseons (wooden ships) that the Daegaya nation used to trade with other societies. The festival grounds are connected with a nearby farming village so visitors can pick strawberries and experience the Korean farming lifestyle.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyeongju National Park is a bevy of cultural preserves dating back to the Silla Kingdom. Unlike the other parks located in the area, this park is segmented into individual districts. However, admission fee covers entry to the entire park because the districts are segmented for the government administration. Because Gyeongju itself is a historic city with many important historic sites and relics, Gyeongju is divided into 7 districts, and the park is divided accordingly. The Namsan area of Gyeongju is called the Namsan District. This is where many stone Buddhist statues, stone pagodas and about 100 temples sites are found. Here you can find Poseokjeong Pavillion, which was part of the living quarters the king had prepared outside of the palace for feasts. The Namsan District contains many relics spread about the area. You might feel like you took a ride on a time machine to a Buddhist temple of the past. Another district is the Tohamsan Mountain District. Here you will find the most famous tourist sites of Gyeongju, Bulguksa Temple. Bulguksa Temple was built in 535, during the reign of King Beopheung (514~540) of the Silla Kingdom and is located at the edge of Tohamsan Mountain. In front of Daeungjeon, there is Dabo Pagoda (10.4m high) to the east and the 3-story Seokga Pagoda (8.2m) to the west. These two pagodas are known as the most artistically constructed Korean stone pagodas, domestically and internationally. On the east side of Tohamsan Mountain is Seokguram, which is called the principal Korean Buddhist statuary. Within the Daebon District, a district of Gyeongju National Park, is King Munmu’s Sujungreung. Nearby the King Munmu’s Sujungreung Tomb there is the Gameunsaji 3-Story Stone Pagoda, which was built to honor King Munmu. In downtown Gyeongju there is a palace built on a half-moon shaped hill called Banwolseong and there is also the oldest stone relic in the east, called Cheomseongdae Observatory (9.2m high). Cheomseongdae Observatory was built and used as an astronomical observatory during the reign of Queen Seon-Deok (reigned 632~647). Between Cheomseongdae and Wolseong is the Gyerim Forest, where Kim Al-Ji (65~?), the progenitor of the Kim family, was born. The name Gyerim was also once used as the country name of Silla. Half a kilometer west of Cheomseongdae is Hwangnamdong where Jeonmachong is located. Anapji Pond, which was built to serve noble guests and where feasts were held, is also located in downtown Gyeongju. Gyeongju National Museum is located in Inwang-dong, Gyeongju, where the relics from 1,000 years of the Silla Kingdom are preserved.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

The Ye-an branch of the Gwangsan Kim clan’s founder, Sir Hyo-ro Kim created this village Descendents of the family have resided in the village ever since. In 1974, when the Andong Dam was constructed, the village was moved from Ye-an Myeon, Andong to Waryong Myeon, Andong in its original form. Located between these two points are the designated national cultural heritage sites of Takcheongjeong Pavilion and Hujodang Annexed House. On display at the Sungwongak Pavilion Exhibition Hall are rare archives from the family’s history. Some of these documents on display include family records, estate documents and servant records. Among these writings, there are 7 varieties of ancient writings showing up in 429 pieces. There are also 13 varieties showing up in 61 records that are designated treasures. Takcheongjeong Pavilion The pavilion was constructed in 1541 by the Ye-an branch of the head of Gwangsan Kim clan. The pavilion is unique from others in that it is rather stately. It remains a highly treasured and important cultural landmark. During the Joseon Dynasty, noted calligrapher Ho Han named the pavilion 'Takcheongjeong.' Hujodang Annexed living quarters This house belongs to the head residence of the Ye-an branch of the Gwangsan Kim clan. The exact age of the house in unknown but it was built by Bupil Kim who lived from 1516~1577. This structure was built separately from the main house. The annexed living quarters were divided into interior and exterior areas. The exterior quarters were used for the male head of the household as a place for relaxation or social gatherings. The interior quarters were used as a place for elderly women or girls of marriage age to stay. Hujodang Annexed living quarters were exterior quarters.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

In Dongbu-dong, there is a 8.35 m (27 4/10 feet) high brick pagoda from the Unified Silla Kingdom Period (AD 654-935). Each brick is 27.5 cm (10 4/5 inches) long, 6 cm (2 1/3 inches) thick and 12.5 cm wide (4 9/10 inches). In the past, it was 7 stories high. In 1598, during the Japanese Invasion of Korea, the top motif was destroyed and the structure was further damaged during the Korean War. The pagoda was repaired in 1962. Rumour has it that the pagoda was once located inside the old Beomnimsa Temple. The Dangganjiju, which is located 5 m west from the pagoda, supports this story. One can see the small place to keep sculptures of the god on each floor. By looking at these with the tiled roof, it is possible to see what style was fashionable. On the second story from the southern viewpoint, one can see the beautiful remnants of the In Wang-sang statue. It is conveniently located on the left side of an open space at the end of the parking lot at Andong Train Station. * Designated National Treasure 56 on January 21, 1963.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongsong-gun)

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.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

During ancient times, when King Jin-heung of the Silla Kingdom reigned, a mysterious occurrence gripped many with both a sense of fascination and fear. According to legendary myth, a sudden massive thunderstorm mysteriously brought nine dragons to heaven. That is where Guryongpo (meaning Nine Dragons) Beach got its name.What makes this destination so special is its climate and geographical location. Featuring a hilly terrain, warm winter and cool summer weather, and a long shoreline extending to about 15.8 km, Guryongpo Beach is an ideal getaway. The Guryeong-po seaport is well developed because of its inshore fishery, as it is the heart of the major fishing industry within the district. Here one can find cuttlefish, mackerel pikes, mother crabs, and other delicacies that are caught and shipped to the markets. With the fish boats and buoys gently swaying in the background, and seagulls gliding peacefully overhead, Guryeong-po beach is an ideal location to watch the beautiful sunrise during the winter months.The Guryeong-po beach, which is favored by many tourists not only for its beauty but also for being the perfect summer getaway, is only about 24 km away from the city of Pohang and 1.5 km from the Guryeong-po town. The half-moon shaped shoreline, with a length of about 400 m and a x_width of over 50 m, is favored most amongst campers who find the place a perfect summer getaway.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Designated National Treasure No.16, this is Korea’s oldest and largest stone pagoda.The pagoda measures 16.8 meters high with a x_width of 7.75 meters. The pagoda was originally built at Beopeungsa Temple during the eighth century of the United Silla Kingdom [654~935] and is the only remaining relic from the temple.The pagoda is presently located on the estate of the head house of the Goseong Lee family. The sangryunbu, the ornamental top portion of the pagoda, has been totally lost, but the lower tiered portions are intact with beautiful carvings of Buddhist tutelary deity. Traces of tiled roof were found on each story of the tower. Historical records show that the tower was rebuilt in 1487 and that around the same period, three parts of the temple remained. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Pung-gi ginseng is only grown in the Sobaeksan Mountains and is widely known for its superior quality. The reason Pung-gi ginseng is so highly valued is because of its high content of saponin, which is effective in regulating blood pressure and reenergizing the body. It is even believed to help reduce the risk of cancer. The Pung-gi Ginseng Festival coincides with the peak of the harvest season each year, which takes place around October. During the festival period, visitors can participate in various events, such as harvesting ginseng and sampling cuisine made from the expensive Pung-gi ginseng. There are also many other tourist attractions located in the Yeongju region, including Buseoksa Temple and Sobaeksan Pung-gi Hot Springs.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Mungyeong is known for its exquisite ceramics. While each piece has its own individual shape and design, as a whole, ceramics of Mungyeong are highly regarded because of their historical and cultural value. Mungyeong is home to a number of master craftsmen as well as Sagijang (referring to craftsmen making chinaware), who have been officially designated Intangible Cultural Property by the Korean government. As a renowned kiln site producing Buncheongsagi (grayish-blue celadon) since the early Joseon Period, Mungyeong still offers outstanding ceramics that reflect the essence of traditional craftsmanship. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)