Jusangjeolli Cliff of Gangdong Hwaam Village (강동 화암 주상절리)

12.4 Km 15182 2020-04-23

Hwaam-gil, Buk-gu, Ulsan
+82-52-229-6350

Jusangjeolli are columnar rock formations with cross sections in hexagonal or triangular shapes. The jusangjeolli at the shore of Hwaam Maeul Village were created by basalt lava that erupted in the Tertiary period of the Cenozoic Era about 20 million years ago. The columnar basalt formations were created as the lava cooled and shrank into cracks. The rocks look like wood stacked horizontally or vertically en masse. The length of the columns average around 20 meters and diagonally are about 50 centimeters at the longest cross-section. Of the columnar lava formations on the East Coast, the Jusangjeolli in Hwaam are the oldest, so it is academically invaluable. Shaped in various angles, the rocks also offer a great landscape for sightseeing.

Gangdong Pebble Beach (강동몽돌해변)

12.7 Km 10474 2021-07-14

1650, Donghaean-ro, Buk-gu, Ulsan
+82-52-241-7751

For those hoping for a view of the winter sea, or those longing for the engulfing embrace of the clear dark-blue waves crashing into huge rocks, Gangdong Pebble Beach is the place to be. The coastal road, with its beautiful scenery of the sea and mountains, is a popular driving route. With diverse attractions nearby, many vacationers are attracted to this beach in winter.

Girimsa Temple (기림사)

12.9 Km 15060 2022-12-29

437-17, Girim-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-744-2292

Girimsa Temple is located in Hamwolsan Mountain in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla Era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.

Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called Imjeongsa at first, but was later changed to Girimsa after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.

Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.

Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.
On the way to Girimsa temple is Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.

Gyeongju Seokguram Grotto [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주 석굴암 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

13.2 Km 137981 2023-08-24

873-243, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-9933

Seokguram Grotto was constructed by Kim Dae-Seong during the reign of King Gyeong-Deok (742-765) of the Silla Kingdom. Located 3 kilometers away by hiking trail and 9 kilometers by car from Bulguksa Temple, the grotto was designed very harmoniously with the seated Buddha facing the East Sea. It is a valuable cultural heritage that is preserved and registered as a UNESCO World Heritage on December 6, 1995.

Badabaragi (바다바라기)

13.6 Km 4536 2019-05-24

111, Jeongja 1-gil, Buk-gu, Ulsan
+82-52-282-8866

Badabaragi is a restaurant with an ocean view in the Buk-gu district of Ulsan, specializing in snow crabs and fresh raw fish. Featuring elegant exterior and interior designs, the restaurant also offers some light meal options in addition to sliced raw fish and snow crab dishes. Only the freshest fish caught and delivered each day are served. The restaurant also operates a snow crab market, thereby offers snow crab dishes at affordable prices. A variety of side dishes made with fresh seafood accompany the main dishes. Abalone or conch porridge is available for young children who cannot eat raw fish or snow crab. A popular menu item is jjambbong mulhoe (mixed sliced raw fish with water and spicy sauce).

Gang-dong Sea Water Spa (강동해수온천)

14.4 Km 24835 2024-02-20

1418 Donghaean-ro, Buk-gu, Ulsan

Gang-dong Sea Water Spa is a hotspring that utilizes seawater from the sea in front of Jeongja, boiling it at temperatures exceeding 100°C, resulting in high salinity and excellent sterilizing effects. The facility offers a range of baths, including Iodine Bath, Cold Seawater Bath, Hot Seawater Bath, and Trench Hot Bath. Renowned for the exceptional quality of its seawater, the hotspring attracts numerous visitors seeking its therapeutic benefits. The breathtaking view of the sea from the baths adds to the overall experience.

Gyeongju Bulguksa Temple [UNESCO World Heritage] (경주 불국사 [유네스코 세계문화유산])

14.5 Km 241163 2023-01-03

385, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-9913

Bulguksa Temple is a representative relic of Buddhist culture from the Silla kingdom. The temple was built during the 15th year of King Beopheung's reign (514-540) to wish for peace and prosperity for all. It was later rebuilt in 751 by Kim Dae-seong. Unfortunately, the temple caught fire during the Imjin War (1592-1598). After the war, the temple suffered serious damage and was often the target of theft.

Starting in 1920, the temple has undergone continual restoration work. The temple now holds seven national treasures and a number of additional important heritages and was designated a World Cultural Heritage Site along with the nearby Seokguram Grotto by UNESCO in December 1995.

Bulguksa Hanok Farm Stay [Korea Quality] / 불국사한옥팜스테이 [한국관광 품질인증]

14.5 Km 1 2022-04-06

5-52, Jinti-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-10-5489-1742

Bulguksa Hanok Farm Stay is an accommodation that offers many programs located right below Bulguksa Temple in Jinhyeon-dong, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. There is a total of four guest rooms. Every guest room has a bathroom and a kitchen inside. You can also cook in the rooms as they are equipped with cooking appliances such as a rice cooker, microwave, and electric stove. Ouga is a double-story unit, and the guest rooms on the first floor and the second floor are rented separately. On the first floor, there is an ondol room big enough for four people, and the ondol room on the second floor is big enough for three people and has a nice view. Both rooms have a terrace where guests can enjoy a barbecue grill. Bogyeonga also has two guest rooms that are rented separately. All of the rooms are ondol type rooms. In the Bogyeonga building, only room 1 has a double-story structure. Guests staying in the Bogyeonga building can have a barbecue grill in the terrace. A well-maintained garden is surrounding the hanok building, and there is also a 1,000-square-meter foot volleyball court in the lawn. A unique benefit of staying in Bulguksa Hanok Farm Stay is that you can participate in farming programs. You can pick apples from 400 apple trees on the farm. You can also participate in various programs themed on the food crops grown in the farm, including persimmon, quince, blueberry, lettuce, and tomato. Nearby tourist attractions include Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Bomun Tourist Complex, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, Cheomseongdae, and Woljeonggyo Bridge in Gyeongju. California Beach (water park) is also closeby.

Tomb of King Wonseong (경주 원성왕릉)

14.7 Km 12652 2020-04-04

139, Singyeipsil-gil, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-779-6100

The tomb of the King Wonseong, 38th king of the Silla Kingdom (785-798) in Oedong-eup, Wolseong-gun, Gyeongju is Historic Site No. 26. The tomb is 21.9m in diameter and 7.7m high and is encircled by a stone fence decorated with twelve oriental zodiac images. The area is also home to a number of stone monuments that stand facing each other: Hwapyoseok (marking the border of the tomb), Muninseok (civil servant statue), Muinseok (military officer image statue) and Dolsaja (a stone lion that protects the tomb). Muinseok in particular is a favorite among visitors because of its exotic appearance. The statue is sometimes compared to a strong and charismatic person of Arabic or Persian descendant, much like the merchants who came to Silla in ancient times.

Gwaereung is styled after tombs of the Tang dynasty, but still retains all the characteristics typical of Silla tombs; namely, the stones around the tomb, the 12 oriental zodiac figures, the protective walls, and the decorative stonework.

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju (코오롱호텔)

15.2 Km 16302 2021-04-15

289-17, Bulguk-ro, Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-746-9001

Kolon Hotel Gyeongju is located in front of Bulguksa Temple, one of the world’s top ten historic sites. The building features arch-shaped fortress wall with spacious areas, designed with both traditional and modern elements. As a recuperation hotel, it houses a spa using sodium bicarbonate water, and a 9-hole public golf course. It offers a cozy ambience and sincere service with varied facilities including pleasant guestrooms viewing the sunrise of Tohamsan Mountain, sports facilities for golf, swimming, jogging and spas. It is the only premium-class hotel in Gyeongju to have hot spring spa facilities. The lobby on the third floor is famous for the lounge where people can enjoy the panoramic scenery of Tohamsan Mountain while relaxing, as well as a coffee shop serving various drinks and a luncheon over live music.

Jusangjeolli Cliff of Gangdong Hwaam Village (강동 화암 주상절리) - Area information - Korea travel information