Wibongsa Temple – Wanju (위봉사 (완주)) – Tel +82-63-243-7657 Wibongsa Temple is located past Mujigaemun Gate (Rainbow Gate) and Wibong Village and is a major temple in the Honam region that once oversaw 52 branch temples. Said to be built by Monk Seoam in 604 (the 5th year of King Mu of Baekje), the surviving…

Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs (익산 입점리 고분) – Homepage www.iksan.go.kr/tour (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) www.cha.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) – Tel +82-63-859-5875 The Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs are a group of ancient Baekje-era tumuli located 100 meters above sea level on the northeast brow of Chilmokjae Hill in Ipjeom-ri, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. The burial ground covers…

Jinpo Maritime Theme Park (진포해양테마공원) – Homepage www.gunsan.go.kr/tour (Korean only) – Tel +82-63-454-7873 The Jinpo Maritime Theme Park opened in 2008 to commemorate Jinpodaecheop, the sweeping victory of Jinpo in the naval combat against the Japanese forces led by General Choi Mu-seon in 1380. Constructed with a scenic backdrop of the local port and the vast…

Wanju Songgwangsa Temple (송광사(완주)) – Homepage songgwangsa.or.krwww.wanju.go.kr – Tel +82-63-243-8091 Songgwangsa Temple in Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do has a unique history that spans a period of over a thousand years. For many years the temple lay incomplete until Monk Bojo Chejing began reconstruction in the 7th year of King Gyeongmun of Silla (AD 867). The temple was…

Mireuksa Temple Site [UNESCO World Heritage] (익산 미륵사지 [유네스코 세계문화유산]) – Homepage www.iksan.go.kr/tour iksan.museum.go.kr – Tel +82-63-859-3873 Mireuksa was the largest Buddhist temple of the ancient Baekje Kingdom (18 BC-AD 660). According to Samgukyusa (historical records published in 1281), King Mu (30th king of Baekje, in power AD 600-641) and his wife Queen Seonhwa were…

Gunsan Dongguksa Temple (동국사(군산)) – Tel +82-63-462-5366 Dongguksa Temple was built by Japanese monk Seoneungbulgwan in 1909. The temple was run by Japanese monks for 36 years during the Japanese occupation, reverting to Korean jurisdiction when Korea was liberated in 1945. The historical temple is the only surviving Japanese-style temple in the nation. The temple…

Jeonju Traditional Hanji Center (전주전통한지원) – Homepage www.hanzi.co.kr (Korean only) – Tel +82-10-8959-7757 Jeonju has been a major producer of quality hanji paper for more than a thousand years. In keeping with this proud tradition, the Jeonju Traditional Hanji Center aims to preserve traditional paper-making techniques and become a mainstay in the hanji industry. More…

Naebyeonsan Mountain (내변산) – Homepage byeonsan.knps.or.kr – Tel +82-63-584-7808 The Byeonsanbando Peninsula has a shoreline that stretches 99 kilometers, protruding into the west sea in Jeollabuk-do, with the Saemangeum, the world’s longest man-made sea barrier, to the north and Gomsoman Bay at its south shore. The peninsula is part of Byeonsanbando National Park, which is…

Jeongeup Naejangsan Special Tourist Zone (정읍 내장산 관광특구) – Homepage culture.jeongeup.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) naejang.knps.or.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) – Tel +82-63-539-5193 Jeongeup Naejangsan Special Tourist Zone, which covers Naejangsan Mountain, Baegamsan Mountain and Ibamsan Mountain, is known for the most beautiful fall scenery in Korea. In the autumn, the zone is aflame with…

Wolmyeong Park (월명공원) – Homepage tour.jb.go.kr (Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese) – Tel +82-63-450-4000 Wolmyeong Park is a popular tourist destination in Gunsan and connects five mountains in the vicinity. The park has 12 kilometers of walking trails, as well as an observatory, sculpture park, and various monuments. From Susi Tower, which resembles a flame or…