Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival (경북영주 풍기인삼축제) - Area information - Korea travel information

Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival (경북영주 풍기인삼축제)

232.1M    2025-07-11

Seongnae-ri, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-639-6612

Ginseng is a well-known traditional Korean medicinal herb. High quality ginseng in Korea is mostly produced in Punggi, a region in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and the place where the Punggi Ginseng Festival takes place. The festival features health-related exhibits and offers opportunities to taste healthy ginseng dishes at the ginseng cooking exhibition. Visitors can also participate in Punggi ginseng-related interesting activities such as making Punggi ginseng wine and peeling ginseng in the traditional Korean way. The festival offers a variety of ginseng products, including fresh ginseng, original ginseng, red ginseng, and ginseng processed foods, which are all grown by local farmers in Yeongju and sold at reasonable prices. Additionally, the festival showcases local specialties and symbols such as ginseng and Yeongju apples through oil lantern displays along Namwoncheon Stream. With so many attractions, visitors are sure to have a great time at the festival.

Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort (소백산풍기온천리조트)

4.2Km    2023-10-26

1400 Jungnyeong-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-604-1700

Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort, which sits at the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain, has a wide variety of facilities and amenities, as well as a great view. The resort has an outdoor spa, a 25-square-meter outdoor swimming pool, Aqua Pool ride, a wading pool, a bade pool, and Yeonhwajeong, a great restaurant to enjoy delicious Korean food.
There is also a great spot to have an outdoor barbeque party with family and friends while enjoying the great taste of hanu (Korean beef). Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort aims to be the best spa resort for locals as well as tourists.

National Center for Forest Therapy (국립산림치유원)

4.3Km    2025-10-23

209 Therapy-ro, Bonghyeon-myeon, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

The National Center for Forest Therapy is a forest-themed well-being complex created to promote public health and quality of life by leveraging the abundant forest resources of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. Forests have transformed into a destination for healing one's mind and body, as well as a place for recreation. The National Center for Forest Therapy provides guidelines for proper exercise and daily habit improvements aimed at relieving stress and promoting mental and physical balance by utilizing the healing properties of the forest. Furthermore, visitors can experience the effects of forest therapy here. The center has healing forest trails, recreational facilities, accommodation facilities, and others.

Sobaeksan National Park (Gyeongsangbuk-do Region) (소백산국립공원(경북))

7.9Km    2023-02-17

Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-6196

Sobaeksan National Park was designated as the 18th national park in December 1987. The features of Sobaeksan National Park include wildflowers and royal azaleas in spring and snowy scenery in winter. The mountain borders three provinces and four cities. Attractions include various peaks, temples, and waterfalls. The mountain is especially popular in May when royal azaleas are in full bloom and a natural forest tunnel is formed. Birobong Peak of the mountain is covered with snow six months of the year and is called the Alps of Korea.

Huibangsa Temple (Yeongju) (희방사(영주))

8.0Km    2024-03-08

278 Jungnyeong-ro 1720beon-gil, Punggi-eup, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do

Huibangsa Temple is a temple located at an altitude of 850 meters in a valley south of Yeonhwabong Peak within Sobaeksan National Park. Founded in 643, it preserves the first Korean Buddhist scripture, the "Worinseokbo," and traditional Korean architectural styles. Surrounding areas are adorned with Sobaeksan Mountain's forests, offering opportunities for forest bathing and hiking. Flowing through the valley is a stream, adjacent to which stands the Huibangpokpo Falls, towering at 28 meters high.

Yeongju Birosa Temple (비로사 (영주))

8.1Km    2021-06-11

661-29, Samga-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-5033

Birosa Temple is located at the southern foot of Birobong, the highest peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. It was founded by revered Buddhist monk Uisang Daesa in the 20th year of King Munmu’s reign (AD 680) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s Buddha statues and the flagpole supports reveal the long history of this ancient temple.

To the left of the entrance to Birosa Temple stand a pair of flagpole supports. The 4.8-meter-high flagpole supports facing each other have a meticulous structure. Inside the temple precincts is Jingongdaesa Bobeoptapbi, a stele with a stone turtle base erected in honor of the great monk Jingong Daesa.

The temple enshrines the Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha statues, which were created during the Silla Kingdom in the late 9th century. Both of these Buddha statues realistically depict the human form, and show similar characteristics, which reveal that they were crafted by the same artisan. Preserving such valuable cultural heritages, Birosa Temple also has a serene view of Birobong Peak on Sobaeksan Mountain.

* Major cultural properties: Stone Seated Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha Statues (Treasure No. 996), Samgadong Stone Flagpole Supports (Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 7)

Sosu Museum (소수박물관)

8.5Km    2021-03-11

2780, Sobaek-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-639-7691

Sosu Museum aims to consolidate and organize the nation’s traditional Confucian legacy and to establish the root of the national spirit through Sosuseowon, the first Confucian academy ever created in Korea. This museum is the only Confucian museum where visitors can experience the very valuable legacy of the Confucian culture and the rise and fall of Confucianism during the Joseon dynasty. The museum opened on September 22, 2004 and since then, it has been a place where one can experience the dynamic historical adventure through valuable Confucian relics and remains. The museum also aims to revitalize the local culture of the Yeongju area by showcasing the region's well-preserved cultural assets and items.

Seonbichon Village (선비촌)

8.8Km    2022-08-22

2796, Sobaek-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-638-6444

Seonbichon Village in Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, the cradle of Korean Confucianism, is where the spirit and cultural heritage of Korea’s classical scholars are preserved. The village is the perfect place to learn about traditional Korea, and is famous for its classical scholars’ loyalty and filial piety.

Seonbichon village offers a variety of traditional activities for visitors, from pounding rice cake to hanging wish lanterns to attending a traditional wedding ceremony or playing folk games such as yutnori or jegichagi. Visitors can also enjoy traditional dining at Jeojatgeori Street and learn about history through the museum. Guests can also enjoy the unique experience of staying in a hanok house through the overnight program and participate in scholar programs.

Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (소백산천문대)

9.3Km    2024-02-28

639, Sobaeksan-gil, Danyang-eup, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do

Located within the Sobaeksan National Park, the Sobaeksan Optical Astronomy Observatory (SOAO) was the first astronomy observatory in Korea to install a modern telescope. SOAO is in a great location to observe the stars because it is located on the highest point of southern Korea and far away from the light pollution of cities. To enter the observatory as a private visitor, one must climb the mountain from Jungnyeong Pass or Huibangsa Temple. 

Olive Young - Yeongju Gaheung Branch [Tax Refund Shop] (올리브영 영주가흥점)

9.4Km    2025-10-28

241 Daehak-ro, Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do