Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Taekwondowon located in Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, serves as a Mecca for the 70 million taekwondo practitioners in 186 countries worldwide. Covering an area of 2.31 million square meters, the park includes training grounds, hands-on program facilities, accommodations, and more.The Taekwondowon Observatory (522 square meters) is a three-story building located on a hill near the Taekwondo Strong Kick Statue. Go to the top of the observatory for a dramatic bird’s-eye-view of the crystal clear Muju area.


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

The Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs are a group of ancient Baekje-era tumuli located 100m above sea level on the northeast brow of Chilmokjae Hill in Ipjeom-ri, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. The burial ground covers an area of more than 18,520 square meters and is officially listed as Historical Site No. 347. To date, a total of eight tumuli have been excavated, all of which are chamber tombs. Surprisingly enough, the tombs were first discovered in 1986 by a high school student. While digging for arrowroot, a young man from a local high school found some pieces of gold that resembled a hat. He quickly notified the authorities and it was soon discovered that the pieces of gold were in fact valuable ancient artifacts. An emergency excavation was conducted and the eight tumuli were uncovered, but unfortunately all of the tumuli except Tomb No. 1 had been severely damaged. Tomb No. 1, which is still in relatively good condition, boasts an entrance measuring an impressive 16m in x_height and 2m in x_width. Inside the tombs archaeologists found valuable relics from the Baekje Dynasty including earthenware, jewelry (a gilt-bronze hat, gold earrings, glass beads, etc.), harnesses and ironware. Given the shapes and the types of the pieces found, historians estimate that the tumuli were built in the 5th century. Since the gilt-bronze hat is similar in shape to those found in Japan, experts believe that there was an active exchange between the Baekje people and the people of Japan.


Jeollabuk-do(Sunchang-gun)

Hoemunsan Recreational Forest (회문산자연휴양림) is situated south of Hoemunsan Mountain (830m). Since the area boasts clean valleys and various tree forests it is a good place for people who want to enjoy their rest and take leisurely strolls. In addition, above the waterfall there is a vast cloud bridge where people can feel the thrilling forces of nature. Long time ago, Hoemunsan Mountain was used as a battleground during the Korean War (1950-1953) and still features several relics that date back to that time.   Within Hoemunsan Recreational Forest, there are promenades, sporting equipment, a headquarters’ base, and an observatory. Lodging facilities include Forest Cabin, a forest lodge, camping decks, and camping grounds. Reservations can be made through the homepage (Korean).


Jeollabuk-do(Imsil-gun)

The history of Imsil cheese began in 1958. At that time, Imsil had no local specialty or unique color of its own, which changed when Ji Jeong-hwan, a Belgian priest came to the region as a missionary. The governor of Imsil-gun asked the priest to work for the community, not just for Catholics in Imsil. After much thoughts, he decided to make cheese. In the beginning, he made cheese with goat milk. Imsil's reputation as a cheese village, which began with just two goats, is now blooming with the establishment of Imsil Cheese Theme Park. Imsil Cheese Theme Park consists of cheese experience centers, a promotion center, a milk processing factory, a local specialty shop, etc., where one can meet the past, present and future of Imsil cheese. The Cheese Science Lab is continuing research to make premium cheese.


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Iksan Godori Standing Stone Buddha is Treasure No. 46. The two Buddha statues (each measuring 424cm) stand face-to-face at a distance of 200 meters apart and tell the story of an eternal, but unrequited love. According to legend, the two Buddhas (one male, one female) are lovers that can only meet for one night in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. After the sunset on that special day the lovers are allowed to meet, but must return to their respective positions before the rooster crows at dawn. The two statues are very representative of the Goryeo Era, which produced many stone statues with minimal expression of the physical body. True to the era, each Buddha has almost no curves and is depicted with plain clothing and barely distinguishable arms. On their heads, the Buddhas wear a crown topped with another square hat. With their square faces, small eyes, pug noses, and small lips, the Buddas are reminiscent of guardian deities typically placed at the entrance of villages.


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

The Ssamgneung (Twin Tombs) in Iksan are stone chamber tombs that were unearthed during an academic excavation survey in 1917. At the time of the survey it was discovered the tombs had already been illegally excavated, most likely during the reign of King Chungsukwang of the Goryeo Dynasty. Though looters had stripped the tombs of any burial accessories, the wooden coffins were found to be relatively intact. The coffins were severely damaged in the aftermath of the Korean War, but were later restored by the Jeonju National Museum. When they were first found, the twin tombs measured 3.1 meters high and 0.5 kilometers wide, but some of the original wood was lost during the tombs’ tumultuous history and the restoration that followed. The larger of the restored tombs now measures 30 meters in diameter and 5 meters in x_height while the smaller tomb measures 24 meters in diameter and 3.5 meters in x_height. On January 21, 1963 the tombs were designated Historic Site No. 87. The Twin Tombs are roughly 200 meters apart, with the tomb in the east called Daewangmyo (big royal tomb) and the one in the west Sowangmyo (small royal tomb). The interiors of the tombs are done in the same style as the stone chamber tombs found in the tomb cluster of Neungsan-ri, Buyeo. Considering that the nearby Mireuksaji Temple Site was built during the reign of King Mu of Baekje Dynasty, it is highly likely that the Twin Tombs are those of King Mu and his wife, Queen Seonhwa.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

The World Taekwondo Culture Expo takes place in Taekwondo's foundational city: Muju in Jeollabuk-do. Every year, about 2,000 athletes from 31 different countries participate in various seminars and competitions at the six-day expo. International athletes will also have a chance to learn about the culture of Jeollabuk-do and Korea through touring the host cities. Registration is required for participation in the expo.


Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si)

Nabawi Catholic Church is located in Hwasan-ri, Mangseong-myeon in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do Province and is known as the oldest surviving catholic church in the Jeolla-do region. The church was built in 1906 to commemorate the return of priest Kim Dae-geon in 1845 (Joseon Dynasty) after he was ordained in Shanghai, China. Inside the church stand two monuments: one built in 1954 to honor Joseph Vermorel (French missionary, 1860-1937) and one built in 1955 to honor priest and martyr Kim Dae-geon. Considered the most significant catholic relic of the Jeolla-do region, the church is sought out by large numbers of Catholic visitors each year.


Jeollabuk-do(Wanju-gun)

Daea Arboretum is located on the foothills of Mount Unjangsan in the Sobaek Mountain Range and boasts a relatively moderate temperate due to its inland location on the southwestern part of the Korean Peninsula. Since the Daea Arboretum is part of one of the eight back regions of Korea with limited access by general tourists the plants in the area have been allowed to flourish with little human interference. The area is also home to about 96 species of animals including birds (the cuckoo, yellow-headed bunting, etc.), wild boar, elk, and raccoons. The arboretum is divided into several areas: a tropical arboretum, a ‘natural monument tree hill,’ an observation center for visitors to compare tree species, a rose garden, and a landscaped garden.


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

This festival is held every year in April amongst the beautiful green barley fields of the Gochang-gun region. The Gochang Green Barley Field Festival is the region’s most popular festival and was visited by over 550,000 tourists in 2008. The festival celebrates the region’s plentiful 'barley', and visitors can take part in activities such as making flutes out of barley and searching for hidden treasures in the barley fields. A visit to the festival is also a good opportunity to see Seonunsan Provincial Park and Gochangeupseong Fortress, as well as sampling the pungcheon jangeo (eel), which is a regional delicacy.