Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Bonghwangdae is an ancient tomb of Silla located in the tomb cluster of Nodong-dong. The tomb is an impressive 82 meters in diameter and 22 meters in x_height, making it look more like a hill than a tomb due to its humongous size. Though said to be the tomb of a king, this has not been verified since the tomb has never been excavated. The name “Bonghwang” (meaning “phoenix”) comes from the legend of Wanggeon and the geomancer. Wanggeon was waiting for the fall of the Silla Kingdom and decided to seek the help of a geomancer. The geomancer said that the kingdom of Silla was shaped like a ship and that this “ship” must sink in order for the kingdom to fall. After promising Wanggeon that he could sink the ship of Silla, the geomancer sought an audience with the king of Silla. The geomancer told the king that the land of Silla resembled the shape of the Bonghwang (phoenix) and that the bird was about to fly away, which would bring about the ruin of the kingdom. The king, who had been worrying about domestic affairs, believed the geomancer and asked him for a solution. The geomancer told the king that if he made a hill that looked like an egg at the capital city, the “bird” wouldn’t fly away, but would stay to protect her egg and the kingdom. As a result, the king made of lot of ancient tombs, one of which was the sizable Bonghwangdae Tomb. Legend has it that Silla truly was shaped like a ship, not a phoenix, and all these tombs symbolized the “overloading” of the ship, leading to the eventual ruin of the kingdom. After the fall of Silla, Wanggeon rose to power and later became the founder of the Goryeo Dynasty.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

The mountain in the center of Ulleungdo Island is Seonginbong Peak. It is 983.6m high and other peaks of over 900m stretch out to its right and left. As the steep Seonginbong Mountain Range ends at the coastal precipice, the whole island seems like a single huge mountain. The foot of Seonginbong Peak is covered with thick primeval forests designated as Natural Monument No. 189, and the rare plants found only in Ulleungdo Island make this place of unique scenic beauty. The Nari Basin, the north of the mountain, is a caldera formed by volcanic activities and the only flat ground on Ulleungdo Island. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Maaekseobulsang (Rock-carved Standing Buddha in Icheon-dong, Andong) is a huge statue. This Buddhist image’s head stands 2.43 meters tall, while the entire statue stretches 12.38 meters high. These days, Jebiwan Temple has been built near the statue, so it has been dubbed “Jebiwan Seokbul.”The body of the large stone Buddha face has been carved into the rock. The statue is in the style of Koryeo (AD 918-1392) Dynasty, with distinctive contouring. This unique style is indicative of those prevalent during the 11th Century. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

There are no sand beaches on Ulleungdo Island. Because the coastline is made up of steep rock walls, all beaches are formed by small pebbles. But the water is very clean and the scenery, strikingly beautiful. In particular, Jugam Mongdol Beach is considered extremely beautiful because of such attractions as Samseonam Rocks (Three Fairy Rocks) and Gwaneumdo Island are nearby. Toilets are available, but to preserve its pristine natural beauty, there are no other facilities for your convenience.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Bonghwa-gun)

Located in Mt. Cheongnyangsan Provincial Park, Cheongnyangsa Temple was built by the great monk Wonhyo in 663, the 3rd year of King Munmu of the Silla Kingdom. According to the principles of feng shui, the area is an ideal place for a temple – with the 12 mountain peaks surrounding the temple like the petals of a lotus flower.The temple is home to two precious historical remains; one is the board of Yuribojeon that King Gongmin of Goryeo wrote upon and the other is Jibul. Yuribojeon is the building where Yaksa-yorae-bul (the Medicine Buddha Statute) is housed and Jibul is a Buddha statute made of paper that was painted with gold.At the back of the temple is Bosalbong Peak looking out towards Mt. Cheongnyangsan. A 30-minute walk along the hiking trail will lead you to Eungjinjeon, a hermitage with a beautiful view where the great monk Wonhyo once stayed. Behind Eungjinjeon stands Geumtapbong Peak and the sheer cliffs below. The peak was named Geumtapbong (meaning ‘golden pagoda’ in Korean) since it looks like a nine-story pagoda with pine trees growing around the base. In the autumn, the beautiful red, gold and orange hues of the maple trees are a true sight to behold.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Gyeongju Country Club is located within Bomun Tourism Area with spectacular scenery of the Bomun Lake. It is within 15 minutes from Gyeongju and is aiming to become the best golf course in Korea. The characteristic of Gyeongju Country Club is "Light Golf" which has enabled players to play golf at night and at daybreak under perfect light settings. It is located in Gyeongju, which is a tourism city, attracting the attention of tourists who love golf.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

A caldera basin (a large volcanic depression, caused by collapse or explosion), Nari is the largest flat area in Ulleungdo Island. Its land is well drained and composed of fertile volcanic ash soil. While most island residents are fishers, those living in the basin earn a high income by producing medicinal plants.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gimcheon-si)

Jikjisa Temple (직지사), located at the foot of Mt. Hwangaksan in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was constructed in 418 (the 2nd year of King Nulji’s reign, Silla Kingdom). This temple is in perfect harmony with the nearby valley and pine forest. The foliage in fall is particularly breathtaking. It features Birojeon Hall (also known as ‘Cheonbuljeon Hall’), in which approximately 1,000 Buddha statues are enshrined, along with a thousand year old arrowroot. Iljumun Gate, Daeungjeon Hall (one of the most famous architectural structures of the Joseon Dynasty) and a 1.63m-tall Seated Stone Buddhist Statue (Treasures No. 319) from the Unified Silla Period, can also be found on the temple grounds.* Hwangaksan MountainMt. Hwangaksan (1,111m in elevation), located in the Sobaeksan Mountains, should be called ‘Hwanghaksan’ because of the many cranes that reside on this mountain. However, it is written as ‘Hwangaksan’ on the Jikjisa Temple tablet and in the Taengniji Records (택리지). This mountain is famous for its thick pine forests, pristine streams, beautiful fall foliage and splendid snowscapes.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongdeok-gun)

The Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival is an annual event that celebrates local snow crabs, which were once served to the kings. Among festival highlights, the Snow Crab Public Auction as well as the snow crab market are the most popular. In addition, visitors can ride a snow crab fishing boat, participate in a snow crab cooking competition, and sample various snow crab dishes for free.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Andong-si)

Goseongissi Tapdongpa Jongtaek (Gosoeng Lee head family estate, 고성이씨 탑동파 종택) is the head house in the family line of Goseong Lee noble family. The eldest grandson of the family is still living today. Constructed in 1685, this house has all of the beautiful features that are representative of Joseon architecture. After this period, additions to structures were added periodically. The pavilion was constructed in 1775. This site was the original spot of the Silla Kingdom's Beopeungsa Temple. National Treasure No. 16, Sinse-dong Chilcheung Jeontap (seven-story pagoda), is located in front of the house.