Namwon Silsangsa Temple (실상사(남원)) – Homepage www.silsangsa.or.kr www.templestay.com – Tel +82-63-636-3031 Silsangsa Temple was constructed by Monk Jeunggak, as one of nine special temples in the year 828. The temple was established because of the theory of divination, based on topology. The belief held that Korea’s good spirit would be taken away to Japan, bringing…

Wido Beach (위도해수욕장) – Homepage www.buan.go.kr – Tel +82-63-580-3762 Opened in 1969, Wido Beach is known as an excellent swimming beach. The beach is sheltered by the surrounding mountains with fairly shallow and clear waters, making it very popular among families seeking a relaxing vacation. Moreover, the beach offers a spectacular view of Wangdeungdo Island…

Eunsusa Temple (은수사) – Tel +82-63-433-2502 The temple located upon Maisan Mountain was called Sangwonsa Temple during the early Joseon dynasty and was later known as Jeongmyeongam Hermitage. According to the Korean Language Society, the temple began to be called Eunsusa (meaning ‘Silver Water Temple’) after King Taejo (the founder of the Joseon dynasty) visited…

Muju Gucheong-dong Special Tourist Zone (무주구천동관광특구) – Homepage tour.muju.go.kr – Tel +82-63-320-2114 At the heart of the Muju Gucheondong Special Tourist Zone is Muju Gucheondong Valley. The outer parts of Deogyusan National Park and the mountain’s natural recreation forest are also part of the special tourist zone. The 30-kilometer-long Muju Gucheondong Valley is located to…

Eunpa Lake Park (Eunpa Recreation Area) (은파호수공원(은파국민관광지)) – Homepage tour.gunsan.go.kr (Korean only) – Tel +82-63-454-4896 Located in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, Eunpa Lake Park was once a reservoir built before the Joseon dynasty that supplied water to nearby farms. The lake and its surrounding mountains were designated a national tourist site in 1985, but remain historically significant…

Gucheondonggyegok Valley (구천동계곡) – Homepage deogyu.knps.or.kr – Tel +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…

Baraebong Peak (바래봉) – Homepage jiri.knps.or.kr – Tel +82-63-630-8900 Baraebong Peak gets its name from its resemblance to an upside down barittae (a wooden rice bowl used by temple priests). The mountain is characterized by round slopes and fields of royal azalea flowers in spring. Trekking starts at Yongsan Village, 1.5 kilometers away from Unbong-eup….

House of Lee Young-choon (이영춘가옥) – Homepage tour.gunsan.go.kr (Korean only)www.cha.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) – Tel +82-63-454-3922 The House of Lee Young-choon was constructed by a Japanese landlord named Kumamoto during the Japanese colonial era. The house combined Western, Korean, and Japanese into one structure. After Korean liberation, Dr. Lee Young-choon, the first medical doctor,…

Gwanghallu Pavilion (광한루) – Homepage www.gwanghallu.or.kr – Tel +82-63-620-6172 Rebuilt in 1638 (the 16th year of King Injo), Gwanghallu Pavilion is one of the Joseon dynasty’s most exemplary structures. The pavilion was constructed in 1419 by Hwang Hui, a noted prime minister in the early Joseon dynasty, during his exile to Namwon. The name of…

Iksan Godori Standing Stone Buddha (익산 고도리 석조여래입상) – Homepage www.iksan.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) www.cha.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) – Tel +82-63-859-5792 Iksan Godori Standing Stone Buddha is Treasure No. 46. The two Buddha statues (each measuring 424 cm) stand face-to-face at a distance of 200 meters apart and tell the story of an…