Places to visit

Rich natural beauty combined with a unique historical and cultural heritage makes Korea a delightful place of discovery for international travelers.

Traveling in Korea is enjoyable all year-round. In spring (late March to May), the mountains and fields are abloom with cherry blossoms, forsythia, azaleas, magnolias and lilacs. In summer (June to early September), thick forests, bright green fields and the cobalt blue sea draw people outdoors for the summer holidays. In autumn (September to November), cool days and clear skies make the fall season the most pleasant time of the year. Blazing autumn foliage cover the mountains in brilliant shades of red and yellow. In winter (December to mid-March), snow and ski festivals make winter a delightful season in Korea

Among the cultural assets which have been designated by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage List are the Chongmyo Shrine, Changdokkung palace in Seoul, the Hwasong Fortress in Suwon, the Tripitaka Koreana woodblocks and Changgyong Panjon their depositories at Haeinsa temple, and Pulguksa temple and Sokkuram Grotto in Kyongju.

Kyongju

Legacy of Shilla Culture

Kyongju was the capital of the Shilla Kingdom for a thousand years.

After Shilla unified the peninsula in A.D. 676, the city developed into one of the world's major cultural centers.

The area is called a

"Museum Without Walls"

because of the wealth of historical buildings and treasures to be found there.

Kyongju, on the eastern coast where the morning sunlight first touches the Orient, was once the capital of the Shilla Kingdom (B.C. 57- A.D. 935) and subsequently the center of Korea when Shilla unified the peninsula in 676 .

The legends of the ancient Shilla Kingdom echo across the years, leaving a legacy of beauty and mystery in the valleys surrounding Kyongju, an ancient capital where kings and queens reigned for almost a millennium.

Kyongju is Korea's "culture city" and, for anyone truly interested in delving further into Korean antiquities, a visit to the many sites near this ancient capital is essential.

The Kyongju National Museum

The Kyongju National Museum , a place of compelling interest, preserves much of the Shilla heritage, including magnificent gold crown, pottery, Buddhist artifacts, and stone sculptures. The museum also houses the Divine Bell of King Songdok the Great, also referred to as the legendary Emille Bell, one of Asia's largest and most resonant bells-25 tons of bronze standing 11 feet high.

Pulguksa Temple

Pulguksa Temple , on the southern outskirts of Kyongju, is one of Korea's best known temples, a monument to both the skill of Shilla architects and the depth of Buddhist faith at the time. While most of the wooden buildings have been rebuilt over the centuries, all the stone bridges, stairways and pagodas are original. The temple, originally built in A.D. 535. was enlarged in A.D.751. Today the temple's form is as beautiful and charming as ever.

Sokkuram Grotto

Sokkuram Grotto is one of Asia's finest Buddhist shrines. Overlooking the East Sea far ahead beyond the mountain ridges, Sokkuram stands as a proud testimony to Korea's brilliant tradition of classical Buddhist sculpture. A small but noble pantheon of Buddhist divinities symbolizing Buddhist philosophy and aestheticism, this eighth-century cave temple is a structure of sublime beauty. It is a testament of the religious, scientific and artistic achievements of the Korean people which flowered during the golden age of Unified Shilla.

In 1995, Pulguksa temple and the Sokkuram Grotto were named to UNESCO's prestigious World Cultural Heritage List.

Mt. Namsan

The sacred Mt. Namsan (South Mountain) houses the largest cultural remains of Shilla in the more than 20 adjoining valleys.

Tumuli Park

Tumuli Park , a collection of royal Shilla tombs from the Pre-Unification Era, is in the middle of Kyongju. The park contains 20 of the more than 200 royal tombs to be found in Kyongju.

Chonmachong(Flying Horse Tomb)

The Chonmachong(Flying Horse Tomb) was excavated in 1974 and yielded more than 10,000 treasures. These treasures, including a golden crown , are in the Kyongju National Museum. The tomb itself is open for viewing, providing visitors with an opportunity to see how the huge tombs were constructed and how the various items were arranged in them. Visitors to this area should be sure to take the time for a peaceful stroll in this serene park.

Chomsongdae Observatory

Chomsongdae Observatory , the world's earliest known existing observatory, is a 7th century bottleshaped stone structure admired by archeologists worldwide. The square window facing south in the middle of the structure is believed to have served as on entrance, and was probably reached by a ladder.

Posokchong

Posokchong Water Course , where a Shilla king used to hold poetry-reciting and drinking parties. He would float the wine cups to his statesmen seated around the watercourse made in the shape of an abalone shell.

Anapchi Pond

Anapchi Pond , where the Shilla royal family relaxed and enjoyed themselves. The pond was temporarily drained in 1974 to reveal a veritable treasure trove of Shilla artifacts which are now on display in the Kyongju National Museum.

Pomun Lake Resort

Pomun Lake Resort, about a 15-minute drive from Kyongju, houses five super deluxe hotels, a convention center, a casino, extensive shopping and dining facilities, a golf course, tennis courts, pleasure boats, swimming pools.

Other attractions are scattered around the edges of Kyongju: tombs of kings and generals, many decorated with zodiac figures or interesting steles, former palaces, ponds and pleasure pavilions of the Shilla royalty, and Buddhist images.

Andong

Hahoe village

Andong is one of the last living vestiges of old Korea, a treasure-trove of Confucian tradition.

Hahoe is a small village near Andong, with a delightful blend of thatched-roof peasant houses and tiled-roof yangban villas. Hahoe has been designated by the government as a Historic Preservation Site. The village is known for a special form of mask dance drama, Hahoe T'alch'um, and is the site of a famous shamanistic ceremony.

Tosan-sowon( Confucian academy)

Tosan-sowon, a Confucian academy founded by the scholar Yi Hwang ( Toegye) in the 16th century, is also nearby.

Taegu

Tonghwasa Temple

The temple originally founded by Priest Kukdal, and named as Yukasa Temple. Later it was reconstructed by Great Buddhist Shimji. At that time flowers of paulownia trees (Oh-Tong) were in full blossom in winter, foretelling good omen and the temple was renamed as Tonghwasa Temple.

Mt. Apsan

Mt. Apsan has clean air and green forest, and it is well equipped with various resort facilities. This park is the most familiar natural resort area for the citizens.

Mt. Apsan is well known for its many valleys.

War Memorial Museum of the Nakdong River Battle and a millennium old temple Eunjuksa Temple are embraced in this valley.

Mt. Palgong

Citizens like visiting Mt. Palgong.

From the ancient times, Mt. Palgong has been regarded as a holy mountain. More than a millenium year old temples like Donghwasa temple and Pagyesa temple are embraced in the valleys, and Buddhist statues, pagodas, and relief Buddha images are studded all

over the mountain like stars in the sky.

Buinsa Temple

Buinsa Temple was founded in the period of Queen Seondeok's reign(632-647 A.D.) of Shilla Kingdom. The temple is known for the fact that it once enshrined the first Tripitaka Koreana. Pagyesa temple is well known for the beautiful valley surrounding it. Pagye means blocking the stream and then reserving water.

Gatbawi

Gatbawi, a stone Buddha sitting with a hat on his head, is sitting on the top of Gwanbong peak. It is told that Gatbawi helps realize at least one wish of prayers. A long trail of stone steps is laid from the parking place to the top for the convenience of visitors climbing the mountain.

Kyongsangkamyong,

Since the time when the governor's office of Kyongsangkamyong, the old local government office of Chosun dynasty moved to this area about 400 years ago, this area has been the center of Taegu and Youngnam region, the southeastern part of Korea.

Hyanggyo

In Kyodong, near to the governor's office, Hyanggyo, a Confucian academy was built for the education of Confucianism.

Taegu National Museum.

This museum exhibits about 1,300 items of historical relics collected in Yongnam Region. Buddha images, bells, other kinds of Buddhist art work, ceramics of Koryo and Chosun dynasties are exhibited in the Art Work Hall along with various other historical relics which have been excavated in Kyongsangdo(Yongnam) region.

Haeinsa Temple

Haeinsa was built by two priests, in the third year of King Aejang(800 - 809) of Shilla.

The temple was originally built to propagate the philosophy and thought contained in the Avatamsaka-sutra.

The temple preserves many national treasures and other important cultural properties including the woodblocks of Tripitaka Koreana , the Storage Buildings ,

CHANGGYONG PANGO

The Storage Buildings are the oldest ones in this temple which house the world cultural heritage of more than 80,000 printing woodblocks of the 13th century.

These printing Woodblocks were carved in 16 years from 1236 to 1251 during the reign of King Kojong of Koryo. The Tripitaka Koreana refers to the complete collection of Buddhist sutras, the laws and discourses the so-called "three baskets." This is not only the oldest collection of Buddhist canons but it is also renowned for its accuracy and refined calligraphic style.

Pusan

Pusan is Korea's principal port and second largest city.

U.N. Memorial Cemetery

The U.N. Memorial Cemetery is the resting place for many U.N. soldiers who were killed during the Korean War five decades ago.

Taejongdae Park

Taejongdae Park is on the tip of Yongdo island, located south of the downtown area. It is a very hilly area, heavily forested, with rugged cliffs dropping straight down into the sea 150 meters below.

Haeundae Beach Resort

Haeundae Beach Resort is the most famous beach resort area in Korea.

Tongdosa temple

Tongdosa temple is located between Kyongju and Pusan. Besides the many fine statues housed in the shrines, there is an excellent collection of artwork on display at the local museum.

Hallyosudo

Hallyosudo is dotted with 400 islands and islets in the South Sea of Korea. The irregular coastline has created unusual rock formations and caves, providing for spectacular cruises. The unpolluted water, steep cliffs and strange rock formations, plentiful fresh seafood and rich heritage of the area make a trip to the Hallyosudo Marine Park a delight for any visitor to Korea.