Known as a popular fishing spot and recreation site, Andongho Lake is an man-made lake created by obstructing the upper stream of the Nakdonggang River, as part of the government’s Four Major Rivers Restoration Project. Andong Dam is the second largest dam in Korea, following Soyanggang Dam. The x_height of the dam is 83 meters and the length is 612 meters.
The landscape surrounding Andongho Lake is nothing short of magnificent. There is a dock for the boats on the lake, which is also popular as a fishing destination. Bass caught here are especially strong and tasty. An international bass fishing tournament is held here every year. There are also tourist attractions nearby, such as the Dosanseowon Confucian Academy and Andong Hahoe Folk Village.
Andongho Lake is known for its incomparable scenery, and is considered one of the most famous tourist sites in the Hoban Region. The nearest tourist sites include Dosanseowon Confucian Academy, Seokbinggo (Stone Ice Storage). There are plenty of other sites to visit as well, such as Andong Folk Village and its museum, where the historical Korean drama "Taejo Wang Geon" was filmed. Unfortunately, during the construction of Andong Dam, part of the village was submerged due to displaced water. The folk cultural properties there were safely moved to a nearby area by the auxiliary dam of Andong and turned into an open-air museum of folk culture.
Located in the middle of the Bomun Tourist Complex in Gyeongju, Commodore Hotel has been in service for over 20 years. Its unique interiors and exteriors, influenced by Buddhism, regularly attract film makers and photographers. The hotel is also popular because of its location in Gyeongju, the ancient city full of historical treasures as the capital of the Silla Kingdom. In addition, popular promenades or hiking trails are located around Bomun Lake, just a five minute walk from the hotel.
Bagdad is an Indian restaurant located near Jeju City Hall in Ido 2-dong, Jeju-si. Its chef, who is from India, offers high-quality traditional Indian dishes that draw hungry diners from all across the island. Some of the most popular dishes are chicken makhani (made with fresh tomatoes, cream and cheese), tandoori chicken, and nan (traditional Indian bread). For a winning taste combination, try one of the curries with a side of nan.
Yeonghwiwon and Sunginwon are burial mounds once designated for princes and consorts. The social hierarchy was very strict during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), and it influenced the patterns of the royal tombs. The tombs for kings and queens called ‘neung’ are larger and more luxurious than tombs for princes and consorts called ‘won.’Yeonghwiwon houses the tomb of Queen Consort Sunheon (1854-1911), King Gojong’s concubine and Sunginwon is for King Yeongchin’s son, Ijin (1921-1923). The composition of the two tombs is similar, but Yeonghwiwon is larger than Sunginwon. The first sight when entering the burial grounds is the red gate (the red color denoting holiness). Beyond the red gate is a sacrificial building where the memorial rites were performed. Behind the sacrificial building is the royal tomb. On the eaves of the sacrificial building are stone sculptures called japsang, which are carved into the shapes of animals such as monkeys and are believed to exorcise evil spirits. There is a pavilion next to the sacrificial building where the tombstone is located. The tombstone indicates who lies in the mound. The stone figures guarding the king’s tomb are memorable. A sacrificial building called "jasil" is now used as maintenance office and is worth visiting. The eaves, latticework and wooden floor are so well preserved that visitors can truly get an authentic feeling when walking through the premises.Yeonghwiwon & Sunginwon boast splendid views in the fall when the leaves change colour. The promenades and the stonewalls of the entrance are beautiful. Its tranquil and pleasant atmosphere attracts many families and the couples.
Jangboksan Park stands as the unofficial gateway to Jinhae at the end of Jangbok-ro Road between Masan and Jinhae. Built in 1979 in the wake of a mountain landslide, the park offers a wide-open view of Jinhae and its quiet waters. In the spring, more than ten thousand cherry trees interspersed throughout the pines come into full bloom, permeating the air with their sweet fragrance.Nearby attractions include Daegwangsa and Jinheungsa temples, the Citizens’ Hall, the Gyeongnam Literary Hall, and Jinhae Park Land, located halfway up Jangboksan Mountain. To visit these attractions and explore the beauty of the forest, simply follow the long walking trail from Jinhae Girls’ High School to the park (1.5km) and continue along the path from the Jangboksan Rest Area to Gumajin Tunnel (1km).
The Sanbada ATV Experience Center offers an exciting off-road acitivity with its ATV (All-Terrain Vehicle) rides. The activity lets visitors experience the thrill of riding ATVs while enjoying the beautiful scenery in Jeju such as Sanbangsan Mountains and Yongmeori Beach.
Haeinsa Temple was built in 802 AD and is regarded as one of Korea’s three major Buddhist temples along with Tongdosa and Songwangsa. Of the numerous temple halls, most were built in the modern era, with only Janggyeongpanjeon Hall from the early Joseon Dynasty remaining in its original state. However, the temple holds great significance not only for its structure, but also for the treasure it holds inside.Janggyeongpanjeon is a wooden building housing the 13th-century Goryeo Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana), a priceless world treasure. The Tripitaka Koreana is a large set (thousands and thousands) of wood blocks that were specially treated to prevent aging and inscribed with the Buddhist canon. It is the oldest and most complete version of the Buddhist canon and is one of the most cherished Buddhist doctrinal collections in the world.Janggyeongpanjeon is comprised of two buildings Sudarajeon to the south and Beopbojeon to the north. Unadorned by decorations or paintings, the buildings carry out the sole function of storing the Tripitaka Koreana wooden tablets. The building has been praised by scientists for its effective air circulation, resistance to moisture, and temperature control – all of which have enabled the Tripitaka Koreana to survive throughout the years. Although the exact date of Janggyeongpanjeon’s construction is still unknown, the hall was built under the order of King Sejo in 1488. It has never suffered the effects of fire or war.In recognition of its architectural beauty and its extraordinary scientific preservation of the world’s only Tripitaka, Janggyeongpanjeon of Haeinsa Temple was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage in 1995.
Along with Geumsansa in Gimje-si, Seonunsa is one of the two major temples of Jeollabuk-do region. Every year, many tourists come to visit the temple to enjoy the valued cultural heritage and the beautiful natural surroundings of the temple.
Seonunsa has a temple stay program where you may appreciate the Buddhist culture as well as the quality time of your own. The temple stay consists of such sub-sessions as having a conversation with a monk over a cup of tea, Barugongyang (formal monastic meal), striking a bell, 108 prostrations, Chamseon (Zen meditation), hiking to Dosolam and other programs to experience Buddhist culture while enjoying the camellia flower habitat and other genuine natural beauty of the surroundings.
Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was built in 1898 by decree of King Gojong’s. It was originally set up close to the northern wall of Hoesangjeon in Gyeonghuigung Palace for archery practice. In 1922 when the Japanese colonial government sold buildings of Gyeonghuigung Palace to the public to build Gyeongseong Middle School in the location, the Hwanghakjeong Pavilion was bought and restored at the current location, which is an old site of Deunggwajeong Pavilion located to the North of Sajik Park.
It is relatively large for a pavilion, but the structure is plain and simple. There is a well behind the pavilion to the southwest. A rock behind the well has an engraved poem about eight beautiful scenes of Hwanghakjeong. Located to the right of the pavilion building (northeast of the building) is Hancheongak Pavilion, which has unique roof. To the west of the pavilion is Sauhoegwan Hall that was built with reinforced concrete.