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)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

The Dokdo Island Observatory Cable Car, from which one can get a bird's eye view of Ulleung-do Island, is a must-see tourist attraction. Located inside the Dodong Yaksu Park, the cable car takes visitors up to Manghyangbong Peak. When the sky is really clear (about 50 days a year), you can see as far as Dokdo Island that is located 92 kilometers away. This is also the first place to view the rising sun in Ulleung-do Island.The cable car usually begin operations early in the morning, just in time for visitors to bask in the views of the beautiful sunrise, and operates until 7 pm. or 8 pm.Tickets can be purchased on-site without any reservation.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)

If the Korean peninsula is seen as a tiger shape, Homigot in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do forms the tail. As the venue for Homigot Sunrise Festival, the Sunrise Square in Homigot features various facilities including monuments, a flame holder, and a performance stage. The brilliant yellow and golden garden at the entrance blooms in April and May. Hand-shaped bronze sculptures have been installed at the waterfront and the beachfront. The palms of the hands face each other, symbolizing harmony and coexistence. The flame originating from the sunlight at Byeonsan Peninsula was used in various international sporting events. Homigot Lighthouse and Lighthouse Museum are located near Homigot Sunrise Square.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

The tomb of the King Wonseong, 38th king of the Silla Kingdom (785-798) in Oedong-eup, Wolseong-gun, Gyeongju is Historic Site No. 26. The tomb is 21.9m in diameter and 7.7m high and is encircled by a stone fence decorated with twelve oriental zodiac images. The area is also home to a number of stone monuments that stand facing each other: Hwapyoseok (marking the border of the tomb), Muninseok (civil servant statue), Muinseok (military officer image statue) and Dolsaja (a stone lion that protects the tomb). Muinseok in particular is a favorite among visitors because of its exotic appearance. The statue is sometimes compared to a strong and charismatic person of Arabic or Persian descendant, much like the merchants who came to Silla in ancient times. Gwaereung is styled after tombs of the Tang dynasty, but still retains all the characteristics typical of Silla tombs; namely, the stones around the tomb, the 12 oriental zodiac figures, the protective walls, and the decorative stonework.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

The arts center opened its doors to the public on November 6th, 2010 after two years and four months of construction, which started on April 14th, 2008. Standing on a lot measuring 27,925㎡, the five-storey building has two basement floors (equivalent to a 13-story apartment in x_height), is 21,232㎡ in area, and is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities (such as a revolving stage). Major facilities include a grand performance hall, small performance hall, exhibition chamber, outdoor performance stage, conference room, seminar room, and toy library where a wide range of educational and participatory programs are held.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

The town of Goryeong is four hours outside of Seoul, and features many relic sites of Daegaya around the whole district of Goryeong-gun. Around the first century, Daegaya was formed in the Nakdonggang River’s downstream area in the lower Korean peninsula, flourished independently for 520 years (AD 42~562), and declined after the 6th century. After its decline, part of it was annexed by Silla (57 BC ~ AD 935), and the rest annexed by Baekjae (18 BC~AD 60), and became a forgotten tribal kingdom.On King Jinheung’s (reign 540~576) 23rd year of reign it became the district of Daegaya, and the name was changed to the district of Goryeong on King Gyeongdeok’s (reign 742~765) 16th year of reign.This is the place where you can view the country’s first Sunjangmyo (tomb where many dead people were buried together), called Jisandong Gobungun, Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, and Treasure No. 605, the pre-eminent relics site of the Prehistoric Period called Yangjeondong Amgakhwa, and other various cultural assets.There is a large, ancient tomb with a diameter of 20m, built on the ridgeline of the mountain, and as you go down the mountain, there are 159 other tombs of smaller scale. The largest tomb in the south side is called the Geumrim Royal Tomb, and the other large tombs near it are presumed to be tombs of royalty or aristocrats.At the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, site of the restored No. 44 tomb, you can see the ancient custom of burying the living with the dead (Royalty buried with their retainers). The dome-style exhibit hall displays Sunjangseokgwak, ironware, pottery and other various excavated relics.