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Hyangir
A Buddhist hermitage with a 1350-year heritage, Hyangir-am has an enviable location perched halfway up a mountain at the tip of Dolsando, an island connected to Yeosu by a bridge. Its stunning anytime of day, but is most enchanting at sunrise, when you can watch daybreak over the o
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National Folk Museum of Korea
Give yourself at least an hour to do justice to this excellent museum which has three main exhibition halls covering the history of the Korean people, the agricultural way of life and the life of yangban (aristocrats) during the Joseon era. Among the many interesting exhibits is an
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Jeondong Catholic Church
The red-brick church was built by French missionary Xavier Baudounet on the spot where Korean Catholics were executed in 1781 and 1801. Built between 1908 and 1914, the architecture is a fusion of Asian, Byzantine and Romanesque styles. Its closed to the public except during mass,
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Paju Book City
Contemporary architecture and original building concepts are also abundant in Paju Book City, 10km south of Heyri. Check out theAsia Publication Culture & Information Centre , partly clad in rusting steel that picks up the colours of the environment and juxtaposed with a beauti
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Seonnongdan
The altar is not worth visiting except for one day in April (which varies with the lunar calendar) : the re-enactment of the ceremony when Joseon kings came here to pray for a good harvest. A royal procession heads to the altar, where food offerings are laid out in special brass co
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Gongsan
This commanding hilltop fortress is a reminder of a time when Gongju (then called Ungjin) was Baekje’s capital. It was during the Joseon dynasty that the original mud structure was rebuilt into today’s stone fortress. You can walk along the perimeter, on the wall. Along the way you
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Gyeongpo
Immediately behind Gyeongpo Beach is Gyeongpo-ho, which attracts local residents looking for a little peace and quiet. There’s a 4km bicycle path along the lakeshore, passing traditional pavilions. The most prominent is Gyeongpodae, from which it is poetically said that you can see
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Yudalsan Park
Right on the coast, this park is filled with rocky cliffs and pavilions, with views across the island-scattered sea. Follow the main path for about 45 minutes to the peak Ildeung-bawi (일등바위; 228). To head down to Yudal Beach , double back to Soyojeong pavilion for the path to Arira
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Leeum Samsung Museum of Art
Koreas premier art gallery is divided into three main buildings, covering modern and traditional art. Contemporary-art lovers will want to focus on Museum 2 featuring a mix of early- and mid-century paintings, sculptures and installations by esteemed Korean and international artist
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Jebiwon
The body and robes of this Buddha are carved on a boulder over 12m high, on top of which are the head and hair – carved out of two separate pieces of rock. Its an impressive stark sight to behold emerging from the tall greenery. Catch bus 54 (₩1200, every 30 minutes) from opposite
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Gyeonghuigung
The Palace of Shining Celebration, completed in 1623, used to consist of a warren of courtyards, buildings, walls and gates spread over a large area. But it was destroyed during the Japanese annexation and a Japanese school was established here. Only the main audience hall, Sungjeo
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Gilsang
This delightful hillside temple is beautiful to visit at any time of year, but particularly so in May when the grounds are festooned with lanterns for Buddha’s birthday. There’s a small teahouse and the temple offers an overnight templestay program on the third weekend of the month
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Hwaseong Haenggung
Sitting at the base of Mt Paldal, King Jeongjo’s palace was built in the late 18th century as a place for him to stay on his visits. Its been meticulously reconstructed after being destroyed during the Japanese Occupation. From March to November, various traditional performances ar
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Unhyeongung
This palace has a modest, natural-wood design reflecting the austere tastes of Heungseon Daewongun (1820–98), King Gojong’s stern and conservative father. Rooms are furnished and mannequins display the dress styles of the time. It’s also possible to try on hanbok (₩1000), and vario
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Jeoldusan Martyrs Shrine
Jeoldusan means ‘Beheading Hill’ – this is where up to 2000 Korean Catholics were executed in 1866 following a royal decree, most thrown off the high cliff here into the Han River. Next to the chapel (where mass is held daily at 10am and 3pm) the museum includes some of the grizzly
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Cheongwadae
Security is so tight around the Blue House (so called because of its blue tiled roof) at the base of Bukaksan that even innocently walking past the presidential residence is likely to get you stopped and questioned by mirror-glassed special agents. However, it is possible to see in
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Seonyudo
A 43km ferry trip from Gunsan brings you to the relaxing island of Seonyudo, situated amid 60 mostly uninhabited small islands. Today there are more bicycle-hire stalls than fishing boats; you can hire bicycles (₩10,000 per day) to pedal around the laid-back fishing villages on Seo
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Maisan Provincial Park
Maisan means ‘Horse Ears Mountain’, which refers to two extraordinary rocky peaks as they appear from the distance. The east peak is Sutmai-san (Male Mai-san; 678m) while the west peak is Ammai-san (Female Mai-san; 685m). Both ears are made of conglomerate rock, which is rare in Ko
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Daedunsan Provincial Park
This small park has craggy peaks with spectacular views over the surrounding countryside. It also offers vertigo-inducing thrills: the climb to the summit of Daedun-san (878m) is a steep, stony track that includes a 50m-long cable bridge stretched precariously between two rock pinn
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Cheomseongdae
Southeast of Tumuli-gongwon in the attractive sprawl of Wolseong-gongwon is the Far East’s oldest astrological observatory, constructed between AD 632 and 646. Its apparently simple design conceals amazing sophistication: the 12 stones of its base symbolise the months of the year.
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