Gyeongsangbuk-do (경상북도)
What to see in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Top things to do in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Where to go in Gyeongsangbuk-do and the tips and tricks to make travel there amazing. (경북에서 볼거리. 경북에서 해야 할 일들. 경북 어디를 가야하는지, 그리고 그곳의 여행을 놀랍게 만드는 요령과 요령들.)
-
Where To Stay in Gyeongju: The Best Hotels and Hanoks For Every Budget
You might think Gyeongju is just another stop on the Korea itinerary, a quick day trip from Busan, a tick on the UNESCO checklist. But spend a night here, like I have numerous times over the past twenty years, and you understand why the city known as the “museum without walls” is special. The tomb mounds catch the last light. Wolji Pond goes golden at dusk. A thousand years of Silla history settle quietly around you, and suddenly a single day feels like nowhere near enough time. If you’re still planning, my full guide to Gyeongju and the things to see there is worth reading. Where you base yourself in…
-
Donghwasa Temple: A Beautiful Buddhist Temple in Daegu
When spring breezes sweep across South Korea, one of my favorite pastimes is visiting Buddhist temples. Decorated with colorful lotus lanterns for Buddha’s Birthday, the temples that are always a welcome respite are even more welcoming and beautiful at this time of the year. Donghwasa Temple in Daegu, one of the top scenic sites of the city, is especially beautiful in the spring. With sprawling grounds, lots of history, and stories to tell, if you’re headed to Daegu soon, be sure to visit Donghwasa. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking at no cost to you. Thank…
-
A Guide To Daegu, Korea: What To See & Do
Did you know that Daegu is the hottest city in Korea? By hottest, I don’t mean the most popular place but rather that the weather is super hot. For this reason, it’s probably not the best idea to go in the summer, but there are still a lot of cool places to check out. Daegu isn’t a major tourist spot, but there are tourist attractions that are nice to see and probably won’t be too busy. Check out this Daegu travel guide so you can plan a trip to this Korean city with 1000 year old Buddhist sites and traditional markets and some really cool cafes and restaurants to see…
-
Flower of the Sun: An Historical Korean Musical
Have you seen a musical in Korea? There are plenty to choose from. It’s a popular pastime in Korea to attend a musical and though they may not be in English, many of them involve dance, movements, and songs that will tell the story even if you don’t speak Korean. From musicals about history to acrobatics, there is something fun to see on stages across the country. If you’re interested in tales of Korean history, then one Korean musical you shouldn’t miss is Flower of the Sun (태양의꽃). This gorgeous Korean musical takes place during the Silla dynasty and is playing at the Gyeongju Expo Park in Gyeongju, Korea until…
-
A Guide To the Gyeongju Expo Park
Are you looking for things to do in Gyeongju? Gyeongju is a really beautiful place to discover more about the history of Korea. It was the capital of the ancient Silla dynasty, so there are a lot of historical sites to see. If you’re planning a trip to Gyeongju, check out this guide to Gyeongju for a full picture of all there is to do. In this post, we’ll be focusing on the Gyeongju Expo Park (경주엑스포공원) where there are musicals about Korean history and there are exhibits in the park tower. There’s also a night walk with a story about Silla. You could spend the whole day here. Keep…
-
Gyeongju Korea Travel Guide: Best Things To Do, Temples, Tombs & Tips
If you haven’t heard of Gyeongju, Korea yet, then you need to! Though Andong, Korea is often referred to as the most traditional city in Korea, Gyeongju is the most historical you can visit. Gyeongju (경주) was the capital of the Silla Kingdom for nearly 1,000 years and is referred to as “the museum without walls”. Everywhere you turn you can find a site with historical relevance to see. The city actually has more tombs, temples, pagodas, palace ruins, and other historical artifacts than any other place in Korea making it one of the most historically important destinations. Plan a visit to the royal tombs, ancient temples, and UNESCO World…
-
Off The Beaten Path In Korea: The Hamchang Art Road In Sangju
There are some great places to go in Korea to see artworks and some are so off the beaten path, you really need to be an art lover… or maybe a small town fan. Personally, I love visiting small towns in Korea and hitting townie festivals like the Icheon Sansuyu Festival or visiting the small Hanok Village in Seongju, Gyeongsanbuk-do. Small towns are charming and the people, too. Hamchang in Sangju lived up to my small town expectations with friendly people and the bonus was the scavenger hunt for art. If you want to get off the beaten path in Korea, take a day trip from Seoul or maybe stay…
-
Andong Korea Travel Guide: Hahoe Village, Mask Dance, Food, and Where to Stay
Queen Elizabeth II visited Korea and asked to be taken to the most Korean place in Korea and was taken to Andong, so the story goes. If she had asked for the most historical city, she might have been taken to Gyeongju instead. Andong, also called “the capital of Korean spirit”, in Gyeongsangbuk-do is famous for wooden masks, a spicy chicken dish called jimdak, the UNESCO-listed Andong Hahoe Village, and the Andong Mask Dance Festival. It took me more than a decade to finally visit, but don’t make the same mistake. This charming city has a lot to offer and plenty to see and oh the food, oh the good…
-
Ulleungdo Guide: Korea’s Remote Volcanic Island and How To Get There
Set 120 kilometers off the eastern coast of South Korea, Ulleungdo is about as far off the typical tourist path in Korea as it’s possible to get. Plenty of Koreans know the island and many have it on a list of places they want to visit someday, but the journey can be demanding and most foreign visitors never consider it at all. There are no airports. The only way on or off the island is by ferry, and the seas can be rough enough to cancel sailings for days at a time. What you find when you make the effort: karsts rising from emerald water, mountain peaks covered in dense…
-
The Rainbow Zip Wire: The Longest & Tallest In Korea
Gimcheon is a city in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea and is easily accessible via the KTX train line that connects the capital city of Seoul to the coastal city of Busan. In recent years, the city has been getting amped up and looking to get more tourists to the region and might just be the next hot spot for the thrill seekers and adventure hunters in Korea. If you’re looking for a weekend away in Korea, consider Gimcheon especially if you like zip wires, suspension bridges, and breathtaking views. This city in South Korea isn’t super popular but maybe it should be. Plan a trip to Gimcheon, Korea: (This post contains affiliate…
-
Three Things To See In Seongju, Korea
There are so many hidden gems in South Korea that never really make it onto the radar of foreign travelers. Seongju, Korea is one of those places. It’s a bit off the beaten path located down in Gyeongsangbuk-do and the things to see there are traditional and definitely interesting. I was invited by the tourism board there to see what there was to see and was asked to write a fictional piece of writing about the area for an anthology. Since The Soul of Seoul is usually a straightforward no fuss no muss sort of site, I thought I’d share the fictional piece with you but below that is all…
-
Mt. Munboksan & Epic Camping In Korea
Camping in Korea has gotten more and more popular over the past few years though it could seem like it’s more popular than it really is with the number of tents that can be seen in every park on every weekend. Don’t be confused. If you want to go camping in Korea, look into some of the great mountainous camp sites like the ones on Munboksan Mountain. We stayed at Munboksan Camping Grounds (문복산캠핑장) and it was great, family-friendly, and near some beautiful views. (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and purchase something, I will get a percentage of the transaction at no cost…
-
See The Beauty of Seoknamsa Temple in Ulsan
Seoknamsa Temple (석남사-울산) sits on the southern side of the Gaji mountain range in Ulsan, Korea and is one of the four major Buddhist temples of the Gajisan Provincial Park. A peaceful escape in Ulsan, this Buddhist temple is easily accessible and just gorgeous with quiet walking paths, forest air, and colorful architecture that will draw you in. Take a trip outside of Ulsan, Korea and see what you can see! (This page contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and purchase something, I will get a percentage of the transaction at no cost to you. Thanks for the support!) Basic Info Address: 557 Seongnam-ro, Sangbuk-myeon, Ulju-gun,…
-
A Hidden Lake That’s Not So Hidden Anymore: Jusanji Lake, Cheongsong
Popular scenes from the movie “Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and Spring” were shot at the Jusanji Lake (주산지) located in Juwangsan National Park and up until then, this lake was pretty much a secret to everyone except the locals in the Cheongsong area. It’s not a secret anymore though. A common stop on tours out to Cheongsong, Jusanji Lake is… not much to write home about but holds a special place in Korea’s heart. You’ll see why. (This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a certain percentage of a sale if you purchase after clicking. These funds go to maintain the site. Thank you for your support.) How…
-
Juwangsan National Park: The Smallest National Park In Korea
Juwangsan National Park (주왕산국립공원) in Gyeongsangbuk-do, Korea was designated as such in 1976 and holds the title of the smallest national park in South Korea. But, don’t let that sway you from heading there as it’s got everything you’d want in a national park from mountains, rivers and waterfalls to tales of assassinations. There are some really cool things to see in Korea and when looking for a spot that is a bit more off the beaten path, this would make a great one. It’s also a great place to head if you’ve got kids and want a family-friendly national park to visit. Here’s what to know about Juwangsan National…
-
An Old Traditional Nobleman’s Home in Cheongsong, Korea
You can find traditional Korean buildings all over Korea still and if you know what you’re looking for, you can find some really interesting stories and history in them too. Take Songso Gotaek ( 송소고택), or Songso’s Old House, built around 1880 by the nobelman Sim Ho-taek, the 7th generation descendant of Sim Cheo-dae a very wealthy man during the time of King Yeongjo in the Joseon Dynasty, for example. If you’re looking for something to see in Gyeongsangbuk-do and you’re in Cheongsong, don’t miss this historical house. Korean history is so interesting and cultural traditions too. Here’s what to know about Songso Gotaek: (This post contains affiliate links, which…
