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…
Sancheong Daewonsa Temple (대원사(산청)) – Homepage www.daewonsa.net – Tel +82-55-972-8068 Located at the eastern foot of Jirisan Mountain, Daewonsa Temple was first built in 548 during the Silla dynasty, but it remained closed for over thousand years until it was renovated and made bigger with the name Daewon. Unfortunately, the entire premises were lost to…
Mireukdo Island Special Tourist Zone (미륵도 관광특구) – Homepage www.utour.go.kr – Tel +82-55-648-9133 Mireukdo Island is located in Tongyeong, a city that holds great historical significance for being the home of the Tongjeyeong naval station during the Joseon dynasty. The Tongyeong base served as the central command station for the three other naval bases in…
Jisimdo Island (지심도) – Homepage www.jisimdoro.com – Tel +82-55-681-6007 Located 1.5 kilometers away to the east side of Irun-myeon, Geoje, Jisimdo Island is a very small island covering an area of just 0.338 ㎢ with a 3.5-kilometer long coast line. From Jangseungpohang Port, it takes approximately 15 minutes by ferry and visitors can tour the…
Jehwangsan Park (제황산공원) – Homepage www.cwsisul.or.kr – Tel +82-55-712-0442 Jehwangsan Park, located on Jehwangsan Mountain at the heart of Jinhae, is home to the nine-story Jinhae Tower. The tower, which symbolizes a Korean naval warship, stands at the top of a 365-step staircase and commands a splendid view of both the city and the coastline….
Choi Champandaek (House of Choi Champan) (최참판댁) – Homepage www.hadong.go.kr – Tel +82-55-880-2651 The House of Choi Champan is known as the setting of the famous novel “Toji” (“The Land”) by noted novelist Park Kyongni. Located in a small folk literature village in Agyang-myeon, Pyeongsa-ri along the Seomjingang River at the foot of Jirisan Mountain,…
Tongyeong Sebyeonggwan Hall (통영 세병관) – Homepage www.utour.go.kr www.cha.go.kr – Tel +82-55-645-3805 Sebyeonggwan Hall, located in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do, was established in 1605 by the 6th generation commander-in-chief Lee Kyung-jun and is well known as one of the widest buildings of the Joseon period along with Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jinnamgwan Hall in Yeosu-si….