Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Chamseongdan Altar (강화 참성단)

2020-06-29

Heungwang-ri, Ganghwa-gun, Incheon
+82-32-930-4571

Located on the northside of Manisan Mountain peak, Chamseongdan Altar is where Dangun (founder of Korea) is said to have offered sacrifices to the heavens. The story of Dangun reads that he made sacrifices over 4,000 years ago, making this relic a historical treasure.
Chamseongdan was renovated in 1270 under Goryeo Wonjong’s and after being renovated several more times. To this day it has remained the same way and kept the same appearance. Chamseongdan is a natural stone 5 meters in x_height, circular in shape at the bottom and rectangular at the top. Because it is in the middle of Baekdusan Mountain and Hallasan Mountain, you can see the islands of the West sea and the inland scenery. It is symbolically a very important place. It is said that in the past, the kings of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla Kingdoms all offered sacrifices to the heavens here. This form of ceremonial sacrificing continued prevailed until the Joseon Period (1392~1910). Visitors can see from scattered relics how Korea’s ancestors revered and feared the heavens. Even now, on Gaecheonjeol Day, Koreans offer sacrifices to Dangun here, and for national athletic events, a sacred flame for the games is ignited here.
Manisan Mountain is 495m above sea level, which makes it the highest mountain in Ganghwa. The entire area was designated as a National Tour Site in 1977. Climb to the summit and you can see the entire Gyeonggi area. The path leading up to Chamseongdan especially has a wonderful view of the mountain and the sea, and is a favorite of the climbers.

Gucheondonggyegok Valley (구천동계곡)

2024-04-07

159, Gucheondong 1-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-322-3174

Gucheondonggyegok Valley is located within Deogyusan National Park approximately 25 kilometers from Rajetongmun Gate, the entrance of the valley. The valley is famous for its 33 scenic points including Sushimdae Cliff, Gucheonpokpo Falls and Yeonhwapokpo Falls. The valley is popular all year round with cool shade in summer, fall foliage in fall and a snowy landscape in winter.

Buan Naesosa Temple (내소사 (부안))

2024-10-22

191 Naesosa-ro, Jinseo-myeon, Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do (Naesosa Ticket Booth)
+82- 63-583-7281

Naesosa Temple was built by Buddhist Monk Hye-Gu in 633 during the Baekje dynasty and was rebuilt by Monk Cheong-Min in 1633 during the Joseon dynasty. The Daeungbojeon Hall was built at this time. In 1986, the temple area was designated as a culturally protected area.

On both sides of the main gate are large fir trees, which also line the path into the temple. Upon reaching the temple itself, the first thing that draws attention is the 1000-year-old Dangsan tree. Long ago, people used the base of the tree as a site of prayer.

Housed in Beomjonggak is a bronze bell that can be found in many Buddhist temples. This particular bell was made during the Goryeo era and is engraved with three images of Buddha, called Samjonsang. The center building of the temple, called Daeungbojeon Hall is also an artistic masterpiece, decorated with splendid colors and designs. The flower Salmun doors featuring lotus and chrysanthemum flowers add another element of traditional beauty to the building.

Unjusa Temple (운주사)

2022-07-25

91-44, Cheontae-ro, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-374-0660

Unjusa Tmeple was called Bibosa Temple during the late Silla Period. However, during excavation work that took place between 1984 and 1989, it was discovered to have been built long before that during the early Goryeo period. The temple fell into disrepair after the Imjin War (1592-1598), but was partly restored in the 1800s by Monk Seoldamjau. Unjusa Temple’s famous heritages include the Nine-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 796), Shrine of Stone Buddha (Treasure No. 797), and Cylindrical Multi-story Stone Pagoda (Treasure No. 798).

Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation (대한다원)

2022-11-08

763-65, Nokcha-ro, Boseong-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-852-4540

Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation produces high-quality green tea and is a popular tourist attraction year-round thanks to the vast rows of tea trees that line the hillside like a deep green carpet. Despite being located on a small peak at just 350 meters above sea level, the observation deck at the summit offers views of the sea on clear days. The entrance to the tea plantation is also lined with tall cedar trees, adding a unique aspect to this plantation. Daehan Dawon Tea Plantation has been featured as a filming site in dramas such as “Summer Scent (2002),” “Legend of the Blue Sea (2017),” and “The Rebel (2017).”

Deogyusan National Park (Main, Jeoksang Section) (덕유산국립공원 (본소,적상분소))

2024-04-07

159, Gucheondong 1-ro, Muju-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-322-3174

The area of Deogyusan National Park stretches out from the southern ridges of Sobaeksan Mountain, covering regions within four different counties in Gyeongsangnam-do and Jeollabuk-do. The park is nestled in Deogyusan Mountain, Korea's 4th tallest mountain with the summit reaching an elevation of 1,614 meters. The mountain is blessed with a 36-kilometer valley dotted with several scenic points, ponds, and waterfalls.

The mountain contains prestigious cultural heritages, such as Jeoksangsanseong Fortress (Historic Site No. 146) and the Hanging Painting of Anguksa Temple (Treasure No. 1267) to name a few. It is also home to diverse wildlife animals and plants. The mountain's beauty can be enjoyed all year round, with royal azaleas in spring, a colony of daylilies in summer, colorful autumn foliage in fall, and a white snowy mountain vista in winter.

Naejangsa Temple (내장사)

2024-04-07

1253 Naejangsan-ro, Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-538-8741

Naejangsa Temple, cradled within the stunning Naejangsan National Park, is believed to have been established in the year 636, within the Baekje Kingdom. Historically, the site once hosted about 50 large temple buildings. However, they were destroyed during foreign invasions of Korea and the Korean War. Most of the structures standing today were reconstructed later. The temple, along with Geumsansa Temple, stands as one of the emblematic temples of Jeonbuk State. Enveloped by the mountain peaks of Naejangsan, which encircle it like a screen, the temple offers breathtakingly beautiful scenery. This beauty is particularly outstanding during fall when the leaves put on a vivid display of autumn colors. Notable nearby attractions include Baegyangsa Temple, Bangjangsan Mountain, Jangseongho Lake, and Damyangho Lake. Among its significant cultural assets are the Naejangsa Joseon-dongjong bell, among others.

Naejangsan National Park (내장산국립공원)

2025-01-17

328 Naejanghoban-ro, Jeongeup-si, Jeonbuk-do

Naejangsan Mountain is a famous mountain in Jeonbuk-do, and the best mountain in Korea to view the fall foliage. Because of the bright autumn leaves that blanket Naejangsan Mountain in fall, the mountain is also referred to as Geumgang of Honam, referencing the beautiful Geumgangsan Mountain.

Inside the park, there are famous waterfalls, such as Dodeokpokpo Falls and Geumseonpokpo Falls, and temples such as Baegyangsa Temple and Naejangsa Temple. In addition, there are about 760 kinds of local plants, including those designated as Natural Monuments, and various wild animals living inside the park.

Naejangsan National Park is beautiful not only in fall, but also in spring when the azaleas and cherry blossoms bloom, in summer when the mountain turns green, and winter when the rock cliffs are covered with snow.

Dadohaehaesang National Park (Wando Section) (다도해해상국립공원(완도))

2024-04-04

Wando-eup, Wando-gun, Jeollanam-do
+82-61-550-0900

Dadohaehaesang National Park was established on December 23, 1981 as the 14th national park, and it is the nation's largest park, spread over 2,344 ㎢. Within this area are nearly 1,700 islands of varying sizes, including Hongdo, Heuksando, Geomundo, and Baekdo Islands. During the Silla period, the King of the Sea, Jang Bogo established the maritime world and during the Goryeo dynasty, the area was a trading path with the Yuan and Song dynasties. Also, it was the battlefield where Admiral Yi Sun-sin defeated the invading navy during the Imjin War (1592-1598). Likewise, historical sites remain in many places.

Maisan Provincial Park (마이산도립공원)

2024-04-07

126-3, Danyang-ri, Jinan-eup, Jinan-gun, Jeonbuk-do
+82-63-430-8751

Maisan Provincial Park is a rocky mountain composed of two great peaks, Ammaibong (687.4 meters) and Sumaibong (681.1 meters), and dozens of smaller peaks. These peaks have a variety of names depending on the season. In spring, the mountain provides sweeping panoramic views for its cherry blossoms, and cosmos and silver grass in fall. The Eunsusa Temple, Geumdangsa Temple, and Tapsa Temple with its 80 stone pagodas are all worth exploring, enhancing the experience of the area.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information