Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Taeansa Temple (태안사)

2022-08-31

622-215, Taean-ro, Jukgok-myeon, Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-363-6669

Located on the foot of Dongnisan Mountain, Taeansa Temple was built by three monks during the reign of the Silla King, Gyeongdeok (742). Afterwards, Monk Hyecheol constructed a large temple with 132 rooms during Goryeo Taejo’s reign, which was established as a central seminary of the Dongnisan Mountain area. In the precincts there are four treasures, including Hyecheolguksa Sari Pagoda, Gwangjaseonsa Pagoda and Neungpagak. The temple was badly damaged during the Korean War and had been refurbished since then. An invigorating valley and a shady nook can be reached just 1.8 kilometers from the entrance of the temple. It is a popular trail during the fall, with its bright maple leaves.

Namwon Silsangsa Temple (실상사(남원))

2024-04-07

94-129, Ipseok-gil, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-636-3031

Silsangsa Temple was constructed by Monk Jeunggak, as one of nine special temples in the year 828. The temple was established because of the theory of divination, based on topology. The belief held that Korea’s good spirit would be taken away to Japan, bringing bad luck if the temple was not constructed at this particular location. The temple was reconstructed in the 26th year of King Sukjong’s reign (1700) after it was completely destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598). However, it was almost burnt down in the 19th year of King Gojong’s reign (1882).

It is presently preserved just as it was during the Unified Silla Kingdom, with its three-story pagoda and its 11 treasures with a total of 17 cultural assets. The entrance of the temple lies in the middle of a rice field and the temple has a pastoral view, surrounded by trees. From the entrance, visitors can cross the half-moon shaped stone bridge to find a remarkable totem pole.

Baengnokdam Lake (한라산 백록담)

2022-07-13

Topyeong-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jejudo
+82-64-713-9950

Baengnokdam is a crater lake that sits on top of Hallasan Mountain at the center of Jeju Island. It spans 3 kilometers in circumference and 500 meters in diameter, and is surrounded by approximately 360 parasitic cones. At the peak, visitors can feel like floating on clouds.

Mihwangsa Temple (미황사)

2025-01-21

164 Mihwangsa-gil, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-533-3521

Constructed during the eighth year of King Gyeongdeok of the Silla dynasty (749), Mihwangsa Temple is located on the western side of Dalmasan Mountain (489 meters), titled the Geumgangsan Mountain of the Southern Sea. The temple is situated the furthest south of all temples in the Korean peninsula. Beautiful sunsets and the view of the graceful Dalmasan Mountain from the temple attract numerous visitors. The foot of the mountain found behind the temple blends well with the suitable-sized temple and the appearance of Daeungbojeon Hall gives out an aura of comfort and tranquility. The cornerstone of Daeungbojeon Hall is carved with sea creatures, such as turtles and crabs that cannot be observed elsewhere. Other attractions include 18th century murals on the walls of Daeungbojeon and Unginjeon Halls.

Cheonjiyeonpokpo Falls [UNESCO Global Geopark] (천지연폭포 (제주도 국가지질공원))

2022-12-29

Cheonji-dong, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
+82-64-710-3945

The water of Cheonjiyeonpokpo Falls appears to fall from the heavens, giving it its name, meaning "sky connected with land." The wooded area around the falls is home to the wild dampalsu trees, designated as Natural Monument, as well as a great variety of rare plants such as brambles, and songyeopnan as well as gusiljappam trees, sanyuja trees (Chinese lemon trees), and camellias. All together, this forest is designated as Natural Monument. The waterfall is 22 meters high, 12 meters wide and 20 meters in depth. The clear and deep water of Cheonjiyeonpokpo Falls is designated as Natural Monument No. 27 and is renowned as a habitat for Mutae eels (Natural Monument).

Bonggoksa Temple (봉곡사)

2021-05-15

138, Dosong-ro 632beon-gil, Asan-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-543-4004

Surrounded by lush wildlife Bonggoksa Temple is located alongside the northeast valley in Bongsusan Mountain in Namdan, Songak-myeon. Both Daeeungjeon and Hyanggakjeon sit facing east, and to the north, is the large Yosache (residence for Buddhist monks). Behind the residence, an area has been leveled down for a restroom and storehouse. And Samseongak (a building where three saints are worshipped) is situated on top of the mound to the south of the temple. Although Samseongak was constructed in recent years, both Daeungjeon and Yosache are identified in the restored record that was found by Buddhist monk, Seobong in 1891. The temple has gained renown for being the place where Saint Mangong attained his Buddhist awakening and recited Odoseong, the zen poetry in July, 1895.

Songho Beach (송호해수욕장)

2021-11-23

1827, Ttangkkeutaean-ro, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-532-1330

Songho Beach is the most representative beach in Haenam and was named so for its dense old pine trees, fine sand, and shallow water resembling a lake. The fine sand and shallow waters make it the perfect beach for families. Hundreds of pine trees create a scenic forest reaching almost 1 kilometer along the levee which provides a suitable camping site under in the forest. The Ttangkkeut Trail that starts from Songho Beach auto-campgrond connects to Galsan Village and Ttangkkeut Tower.

The windbreak pine forest in Songho-ri, Haenam is designated as Jeollanam-do Natural Monument, consisting of at least 600 pine trees aged 200 years that play a vital role in the coastal shelterbelt.

Daeheungsa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (대흥사[유네스코 세계문화유산])

2020-12-22

400, Daeheungsa-gil, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-534-5502

Daehuengsa Temple is told to have been built during the time of King Seong of the Baekje period by Adohwasang, a Silla Monk and the site was the restoration of Samjae bulipjicheo of Buddhist culture, which protects Samjae, the three disasters of one’s life.

Pyochungsa and Iljiam Tea Garden display writings and traces of the prominent men of the time such as Chusa Kim Jeong-hui and Chouiseonsa Buddhist monk. Inside the temple, Daeungbojeon, Chimgyeru, Myeongbujeon, Eungjindang, Cheonbuljeon, Cheonbulsang, Pyochungsa, Daegwangmyeongjeon, Iljiam, Bungmireugam, and Seongbo Museum are situated. The Rock-carved Seated Buddha at North Mireugam Hermitage of Daeheungsa Temple, Haenam (National Treasure No. 308) and Bronze Bell with Inscription of Tapsansa Temple (Treasure No. 88) are preserved as well as various cultural assets and fables such as Budojeon, and Stupa Courtyard, the largest in Korea.

Seoul Bongeunsa Temple (봉은사 (서울))

2024-10-24

531 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3218-4800

Once known as Gyeonseongsa Temple, Bongeunsa Temple is located north of COEX, and was constructed in the 10th year of Silla King Weongseong’s reign (794). In 1498, Queen Jeonghyeon refurbished Gyeonseongsa Temple and renamed it Bongeunsa Temple.

Originally located near the Royal Tomb of King Seongjong, the temple was transferred to its current location during Joseon King Myeongjong’s reign. The temple is home to 3,479 Buddhist scriptures of 13 types, including the works of Kim Jeong-hee. The Buddhist ceremony called Jeongdaebulsa is held on the ninth day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar, where monks march carrying the scriptures on their heads and recite the Beopseongge (Buddhist rites).

Sangjogam County Park (상족암군립공원)

2021-03-22

42-23, Deongmyeong 5-gil, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
+82-55-670-4461

The breathtaking view of the South Coast can be seen at a glance from Sangjogam County Park. The glittery surface and towering cliffs create a spectacular backdrop. Clear footprints of dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era remain extending over the coast around Sangjogam region, and thus the area was designated Goseong-gun Gosi No. 20. on November 10, 1983.
The beach in front of the Youth Center contains shingles worn down by the tide and a precipitous wall of stratified rocks can be seen beyond the wide bedrock of dinosaur footprints. The rocks are named after the table leg-shaped stone caves such as “Ssangjok” or “Ssangbal”. Many oddly shaped rocks inside the caves have their own folktales.
According to one tale, fairies from heaven came down to the Sangjokgul Cave to weave clothes out of brocade for the King of Heaven, and bathed in the Seonnyoetang Pond. The shape of a loom and a puddle still exist. Nearby the cave, Chotdaebawi Rock and Byeongpungbawi Rock create scenery beyond description and leisure cruise boats toss up gentle sea waves. Naturally, the park continuously attracts numerous tourists in all seasons.
Also, many are drawn to the mysterious dinosaur footprint fossils at Sangjogam. The site is recognized as one of three major dinosaurs sites in the world, along with those in Brazil and Canada. The footprints belong to dinosaurs familiarized by the popular movie, ‘Jurassic Park’, such as Brontosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Allosaurus and Naranosaurus. It has been designated Natural Monument No. 411, as dinosaur footprints are valuable resources in discovering the uncovered mysteries of life before the appearance of mankind.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information