Mubongsa Temple (무봉사) – Tel +82-55-354-3296 Mubongsa, meaning “a sacred place where phoenix used to dance,” is a small Buddhist temple. It is conveniently located near one of the Miryang’s top attractions, Yeongnamnu Pavilion. Perched high on the cliffs above the upper reaches of the river is Aranggak Pavilion. A flight of stairs from this…
Jirisan History Museum (지리산역사관) – Homepage www.hadong.go.kr/tour – Tel +82-55-880-2954 Jirisan History Museum is located within Jirisan National Park at the start of the hiking course to Byeoksoryeong Pass. Rather a small museum, it provides detailed information about the history of North Korean partisans and the routes that they took throughout the mountain during the…
Hansando Island (한산도) – Homepage www.utour.go.kr – Tel +82-55-650-4681 Hansando Island is located in the middle of Hallyeohaesang National Park. Despite this, it is more well-known for its historical importance in connection with Admiral Yi Sun-sin. This is where he commanded the fleets for a majority of the Imjin War (1592-1598). It was also the…
Miryang Yeongnamnu Pavilion (밀양 영남루) – Homepage www.miryang.go.kr www.cha.go.kr – Tel +82-55-356-1355 Located within Adongsan Mountain next to the Namcheongang River in Miryang, Yeongnamnu Pavilion (National Treasure No. 147) is one of three great pavilions of Korea together with Choseongnu Pavilion of Jinju and Bubyeongnu Pavilion of Pyeongyang. A two-story-pavilion with a hip-and-gable roof was constructed at…
Jirisan National Park (Hadong Section) (지리산국립공원(하동)) – Homepage jiri.knps.or.kr – Tel +82-55-883-1750 Designated as the first national park in Korea on December 29, 1967, Jirisan National Park stretches out over 483.022 square kilometers, making it the largest national park among all 22 national parks. It covers Korea’s three southernmost provinces; Gyeongsangnam-do, Jeollanam-do, and Jeollabuk-do, one…
Deokpo Beach (덕포해수욕장) – Homepage tour.geoje.go.kr – Tel +82-55-639-4178 Deokpo Beach is a white sandy beach in the city of Geoje in Gyeongsangnam-do. The 450 meter-long and 40 meter-wide beach offers fine sand, clear waters, a gentle slope and old sea pine trees along the coast. Nearby attractions include the Okpo Great Victory Commemorative Park,…
Gimhae Gujibong Peak (김해 구지봉) – Homepage tour.gimhae.go.kr (Korean only)www.cha.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) – Tel +82-055-331-0086 Gujibong Peak in Gusan-dong, Gimhae in Gyeongsangnam-do is believed to be the birthplace of King Suro, the founder of the Gaya kingdom. The peak was originally named Gusubong (“gu” meaning “turtle,” “su” meaning “head”) after its resemblance to…
Hadong Pine Forest (하동송림) – Homepage www.hadong.go.kr www.cha.go.kr – Tel +82-55-880-2651 Hadong Pine Forest grows along the Seomjingang River near Seomjingang Iron Bridge. It was planted in 1745, during the 21st year of Joseon King Yeongjo’s reign, to block wind and sand. Now, it is one of the best pine groves in Korea. In a…
Namhae Pyeonbaek National Recreational Forest (국립 남해편백자연휴양림) – Homepage www.foresttrip.go.kr – Tel +82-55-867-7881 Namhae Pyeonbaek National Recreational Forest, opened in 1998, is located near the south sea with a forest full of cypress trees. With a total area of 2.27 million square meters, the recreational forest is an ideal place for relaxation with a view….
Chokseongnu Pavilion (촉석루) – Homepage www.jinju.go.kr – Tel +82-55-749-5171 Standing grandly above the rocky cliffs of Namgang River is Chokseongnu Pavilion, arguably one of the most beautiful nugak buildings (multi-storied structure without walls) in the Yeongnam region. Chokseongnu (historically known as ‘Jangwollu’) has undergone eight renovations since its establishment in the 28th year of King…