Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Hyosajeong Pavilion (효사정)

2025-01-13

55, Hyeonchung-ro, Dongjak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-820-9848

Hyosajeong Pavilion is where Nohan, the second vice premier of the Joseon dynasty during King Sejong and King Sejo’s reign, stayed. After he lost his mother, he built the pavilion to mourn at her grave while still being able to see his father’s grave in Gaeseong to the North. His brother-in-law, then Minister of the Interior, Gang Sa-deok named the pavilion “Hyosajeong,” which means pavilion of filial piety.

In order to find the original location of the pavilion, poems by Jeong Inji and Seo Geojeong and an old map of Korea were referenced, but the pavilion was not found because the surrounding landscape had changed too much. As a result, a location was selected and the pavilion was reconstructed at its current location. The house is 3 kan* in the front and 2 kan* on the side. The roof is a hip-and-gable roof. The pavilion has one room with under floor heating and a railing around the pavilion

(* kan: a traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)

Samseongsan Holy Ground (삼성산성지)

2021-08-17

454-16, Hoam-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul
+82-2-875-2271

During the Gihae Persecution of 1839, three French Catholic priests were sentenced to death for spreading Catholicism in Korea. Saint Laurent Joseph Marius Imbert (Bishop), Saint Pierre Philibert Maubant (Priest), and Saint Jacques Honore Chastan (Priest) were beheaded on September 21, 1839 at Saenamteo, currently known as the Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs, and their bodies were buried at Samseongsan Mountain and later transferred to the grotto of Myeondong Cathedral.

Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs (새남터기념성당)

2020-03-31

80-8, Ichon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
+82-2-716-1791

When taking the subway from Seoul Station to Yongsan Station, you will notice a tall and distinct hanok (traditional Korean architecture) building; this is Saenamteo Catholic Holy Place of the Martyrs. Construction of the building began in 1984, the year of the 200th anniversary of Catholicism in Korea, and was completed after three years.

Also called "Nodeul" and "Sanamgi," Saenamteo was used as a military training ground during the early Joseon period. It was also the place where convicted felons and the Sayuksin (the six martyred ministers) were executed.

Many Catholics were executed here during the Sinyu Persecution of 1801, the Gihae Persecution of 1839, the Byeongo Persecution of 1846, and the Byeongin Persecution of 1866. Among those executed were 11 priests including the first Korean priest Kim Taegon (Andrew), the first Chinese priest that came to Korea Ju Mun Mo (Jacobus), the first French priest that came to Korea Bishop Imbert and other Catholics including Hyeon Seok-mun. There is also an altar here where the remains of nine Catholic saints are enshrined.

Seoul Yakhyeon Catholic Church (서울 약현성당)

2020-03-26

447-1, Cheongpa-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-362-1891

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was established as a result of Korea gaining religious freedom in the 23rd year of King Gojong’s reign (1886) and the subsequent increase of the Catholic population. In 1891, Myeongdong Cathedral's head priest Doucet laid down the foundation stone in Hap-dong. Coadjutor bishop Coste was in charge of design and construction and the building was eventually completed in 1892. The church was named after "Yakjeonhyeon," or a hill of medicinal herbs. This is because the place where the church is located was once a hilly area covered with medicinal herbs. Later on, Yakjeonhyeon was shortened to Yakhyeon and it became the name of the hilly area between Malli-dong and Seoul Station.

Yakhyeon Catholic Church was the first Western-style church ever built in Korea. It's Gothic architecture features a 12-meter-wide and 32-meter-long cruciform construction with low arched windows and a pointed-arch entrance gate.

Seoul Gwanmunsa Temple (관문사(서울))

2021-06-01

111, Baumoe-ro 7-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul
+82-2-3460-5300

Located at the foot of Umyeonsan Mountain in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Gwanmunsa Temple had its ground-breaking ceremony in 1993 and construction was completed in October 1998.

The temple site has a total area of 22,148.76 ㎡ with seven ground levels and four basement levels. The temple was constructed with a mixture of modern and traditional Buddhist architectural designs. Inside the temple, cutting-edge facilities are used for various cultural events, conferences, and sacred ceremonies.

Neighbored by Cheonggyesan Mountain, Umyeonsan Mountain, and Yangjaecheon Stream, the temple is located near many natural spots visitors can enjoy. In particular, Umyeonsan Mountain (alt. 293 m), where Gwanmunsa Temple is located, gets its name for its shape resembling a cow lying down. Designated as a city park and managed by Seoul Metropolitan Government, Umyeonsan Mountain has several valleys with clear spring waters and a dense forest inhabited by diverse animals and plants.

Sejong-ro Park (세종로공원)

2022-08-31

jiha 189, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul
+82-2-722-9598

Sejong-ro Park is located next to Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul. Inside the park, there are wooden benches and shaded areas where people can sit and relax. Also available are water fountains, a round outdoor stage, and various sculptures. The lunch crowd from the nearby office buildings often come to the park during weekdays. On the weekends, the park is also used as a venue for outdoor weddings.

Seoul's anthem and the poem "Bulnori" by Ju Yo-han are written on a memorial stone that can be found inside the park.

Dangjin Marine Tourism Organization (Sapgyo Hamsang Park) (당진해양관광공사 (함상공원))

2020-02-10

79, Sapgyocheon 3-gil, Dangjin-si, Chungcheongnam-do
+82-41-363-6960

Dangjin Marine Tourism Organization, also known as Sapgyo Hamsang Park, is a unique theme park where old battleships have been turned into experience and exhibition halls. The park is comprised of a themed exhibition hall focused on the navy and marines, the inside and outside of military ships, flights and other exciting facilities, including a 4D video room, game center, carnival plaza, and indoor entertainment facility to help children admire and become intimate with the Navy and Marines. Also, Hamsang Cafe provides another resting area to enjoy ones visit fully.

Seogwang Tea Garden (제주 서광다원)

2019-09-20

446, Sinhwayeoksa-ro, Andeok-myeon, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do
+82-64-794-6600

Seogwang Tea Garden, located in Seogwipo-si, Jeju, is known as the most well managed and largest tea plantation in Korea. Here, the tea leaves receive just the right amount of sun for it to be made into the highest quality product. Occupying an area 528,928m², the green field is spread out across the slopes of Seogwangseo-ri, attracting many visitors to the site.

The fields didn't use to be this green though; the ground was rocky and the soil composition wasn't fertile enough for plants to survive. Seogwang Tea Garden's transformation from a barren land to a lush green plantation became a good example of successful agriculture in the mountain areas.

The garden was also where Kim Jeong-hui (pen name Chusa), one of the most celebrated practitioners of calligraphy in the Joseon dynasty, spent his life of exile growing tea plants.

Manggyeongam Hermitage (망경암)

2021-04-24

72, Taepyeong-ro 55beon-gil, Sujeong-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-753-3090

Manggyeongam’s name derives from the hermitage's view of Seoul, and is located in Bokjeong-dong of Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do. Manggyeongam Hermitage is said to be the place where kings of the late Goryeo and early Joseon periods prayed for peace for their subjects. In addition, Prince Pyeongwon, the 7th son of King Sejong, and Grand Prince Jean built an altar at Mangyeongam Hermitage and Chilseongdae Peak and pledged filial piety.

The hermitage is more widely known for its connection to the Chilseong faith, in which believers worship Chilseong (the Seven Stars). It is easily recognized by the written records inscribed into the rock wall. Located at the hermitage is the Rock-carved Seated Buddha, an original work of the hermitage that is also designated Gyeonggi-do’s Tangible Cultural Asset No. 102. The Buddha is embossed inside a deep hole in the rock. In the words inscribed near the statue, there is also a legend that says Lee Gu-seung carved Gwaneum Statue near Rock-carved Seated Buddha and built the hermitage in 1897.

Next to the hermitage is a pond called “Bokumul,” which means “blessed sugared water.” The neighborhood of Bojeong-dong takes its name from this pond. At the hermitage, Daeungjeon Hall (the main hall), Samseonggak Shrine (shrine for three spirits), and Mireukjeon Hall were all established fairly recently. The hermitage site also includes a huge Mireuk Daebul statue (Great State of Maitreya Buddha) and a five-story stone pagoda.

Eunhaeng Botanical Garden (은행식물원 (은행자연관찰원))

2020-08-19

72, Eunhaeng-ro, Jungwon-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do
+82-31-729-4319

Eunhaeng Botanical Garden is operated by Seongnam-si. The garden was originally a discarded drainage area that was transformed into an ecological park with an arboretum. The garden is rich in greenery, with a diverse range of plants, wildflowers, and insects, making it an ideal place for students to see and learn about nature. The garden is also a beautiful recreation area for local residents.

* Facility area - 34,760㎡ (10,533 pyeong) / Visitor center area 202㎡ (61 pyeong)
* Plants: 89 species 2,317 plants, Shrub: 78 species 13,689 shrubs, Flowering plants: 209 species 94,329 plants
* Insects - Ladybug, butterfly with four feet, Monema flavescens, Riptortus clavatus, black-tipped leafhopper, Poecilocoris lewisi, etc.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information