Sightseeing - Korea travel and tourism information

Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy [UNESCO World Heritage] (병산서원 [유네스코 세계유산])

2024-05-29

386 Byeongsan-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
82-54-858-5929

Before it became a Confucian academy, Byeongsanseowon Confucian Academy was originally located in Pungsang-hyeon under the name Pungakseodang School, which was used as a educational institution since the Goryeo dynasty by a political party known as the Sarim Party. It was moved to its current location in Byeongsan by a well-respected Confucian scholar named Yu Seong-nyong, penname Seoae, in 1572, and renamed to Byeongsanseowon in 1614.

In 1863, Byeongsanseowon was recognized by the king to receive support as a private Confucian academy. The lecture hall and shrine were reconstructed in 1921 and 1937 respectively as part of preservation efforts made during the Japanese occupation. This academy is designated as a Historic Site, housing a collection of 1,000 documents and 3,000 books, including works by Yu Seong-nyong.

Dangganjiju (Flagpole Supports) in Unheung-dong and Five-Story Brick Pagoda in Dongbu-dong (안동 운흥동 당간지주와 오층전탑)

2020-04-02

231, Eunheung-dong, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-856-3013

In Dongbu-dong, there is a 8.35 meters (27 4/10 feet) high brick pagoda from the Unified Silla Kingdom Period (AD 654-935). Each brick is 27.5 cm (10 4/5 inches) long, 6 cm (2 1/3 inches) thick and 12.5 cm wide (4 9/10 inches). In the past, it was 7 stories high. In 1598, during the Japanese Invasion of Korea, the top motif was destroyed and the structure was further damaged during the Korean War. The pagoda was repaired in 1962. Rumour has it that the pagoda was once located inside the old Beomnimsa Temple. The Dangganjiju, which is located 5 meters west from the pagoda, supports this story. One can see the small place to keep sculptures of the god on each floor.
By looking at these with the tiled roof, it is possible to see what style was fashionable. On the second story from the southern viewpoint, one can see the beautiful remnants of the In Wang-sang statue. It is conveniently located on the left side of an open space at the end of the parking lot at Andong Train Station.

Rock-carved Standing Buddha in Icheon-dong, Andong (안동 이천동 마애여래입상)

2020-04-03

Icheon-dong, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-840-5225

Maaekseobulsang (Rock-carved Standing Buddha) in Icheon-dong, Andong is also referred to as Jebiwon Statue due to the small temple of the same name nearby. This statue is unique as the head and the body are not carved from the same rock. The head was carved from a different rock then placed over a large rock relief of the Buddha's body. This type of technique is frequently found in those built during the Goryeo dynasty. The distinct features and carving methods that can be observed from this particular statue are speculated to be from the 11th century. Although there is a small amount of damage on the back of the head, the statue is well-preserved overall.

Andong Gunja Village (Ocheon Historic Site) (안동 군자마을(오천유적지))

2025-10-23

29 Gunjari-gil, Waryong-myeon, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-852-5414

Andong Gunja Village is a cluster of around twenty hanok. During the Joseon dynasty, this area produced many scholars, hence earning the name Gunja Village, meaning a village where many learned scholars reside. Designated cultural heritage sites include Takcheongjeong Historic House, and Shrine of the Gwangsan Kim Clan. Visitors can experience hanok stay, immersing themselves in the ambiance of historic houses and traditional customs.

Andong Folk Village (안동민속촌)

2024-05-30

Seonggok-dong, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-852-6800

On the other side of the subsidiary dam of Andong Dam, thatched houses can be sparsely seen on a hilltop. The area is practically an outdoor museum, displaying traditional houses that were moved to safety prior to the construction of Andong Dam. Two jangseung (traditional Korean totem poles) are raised at the entrance of the outdoor museum, followed by a monument inscribed with the poem of famous Andong poet and democracy activist, Lee Yuk-sa. On the monument, his most noted work “Gwangya” (Wild Plain) is carved.

Nearby attractions include Andong Museum, Lee Yuk-sa Monument, a filming site of “Taejo Wang Geon (2000)," and Andongho Lake.

Head House of the Tapdong Branch of the Goseong Yi Clan (법흥동 고성이씨탑동파종택)

2022-12-21

103, Imcheonggak-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-840-5225

Head House of the Tapdong Branch of the Goseong Yi Clan, located in Andong, serves as a residential house of the Yi descendents even to this day. Constructed in 1685, this house has all of the beautiful features that represent Joseon-style architecture. After this period, additional structures were added periodically. Across from the house is the Seven-story Brick Pagoda at Beopheungsa Temple Site.

Imcheonggak House (안동 임청각)

2021-11-09

63, Imcheonggak-gil, Andong-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
+82-54-859-0025

Imcheonggak House is the largest remaining household from the Joseon dynasty, holding a history of over 500 years. The house was built for one aristocratic family’s love of the scenic beauty in the surrounding area. It was originally built with a total of 99 kan (traditional measurement of space between pillars) but only 70 remain. The most famous structure on this property is the annexed pavilion, Gunjajeong. An autograph of the famous Confucian scholar Lee Hwang can be found hanging outside the pavilion.

Sinsedong Chilcheung Jeontap - Sinsedong 7 stories Brick Pagoda (안동 법흥사지 칠층전탑)

2021-07-13

Beopheung-dong, Andong-si, Gyeonsangbuk-do
+82-54-840-5225

Designated National Treasure No.16, Sinsedong Chilcheung Jeontap is Korea's oldest and largest stone pagoda.
The pagoda measures 16.8 meters high with a x_width of 7.75 meters. The pagoda was originally built at Beopeungsa Temple during the eighth century of the Unified Silla Kingdom [654-935] and is the only remaining relic from the temple.
The pagoda is presently located on the estate of the head house of the Goseong Lee family. The sangryunbu, the ornamental top portion of the pagoda, has been totally lost, but the lower tiered portions are intact with beautiful carvings of Buddhist tutelary deity. Traces of tiled roof were found on each story of the tower. Historical records show that the tower was rebuilt in 1487 and that around the same period, three parts of the temple remained.

Seoul Plaza (서울광장)

2024-06-19

110 Sejong-daero, Jung-gu, Seoul
+82-2-2133-5640

Seoul Plaza in front of Seoul City Hall is a historic site where the March 1, 1919 (Samil) Independence Movement and the pro-democracy movement in June 1987 were held. It is also a well-known place where tens of thousands of Korean soccer fans gathered together to watch the 2002 World Cup Games. Being located within the center of the city and surrounded by many historic attractions, including Deoksugung Palace, Seoul Plaza has become a representative attraction of Seoul.

World Cup Park (월드컵공원)

2024-10-23

243-60 World Cup-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

Opened on May 1st, 2002, the Wolrd Cup Park was once a 15-year-old landfill that held over 92 million tons of garbage. The park is located near Seoul World Cup Stadium, and is made up of five smaller parks - Pyeonghwa (Peace) Park, Haneul (Sky) Park, Noeul (Sunset) Park, Nanjicheon Park, and Nanji Hangang Park.

* Pyeonghwa Park: Closest to Seoul World Cup Stadium, it holds a pond, garden, children’s playground, and forest. As a representative park of World Cup Park, the park was designed in hopes of peace and harmony between mankind and nature. It is often used as a picnic area and place for nature studies.

* Nanji Hangang Park: Nanji Hangang Park was developed on the banks of the Hangang River. In contrast to other Hangang River parks, Nanji Hangang Park is a water-friendly park that has a gradual slope towards the riverbank. The park consists of a camping ground, soccer field, basketball court, grass field, cruise ship port, and an area for nature studies.

* Haneul Park: Haneul Park consists of vast grassland located at the highest elevation of the five parks. The park's pasture is covered with eulalias and wild flowers in their most natural state. In addition, 30,000 butterflies of different species were introduced in 2000 to stabilize the ecosystem. Five wind-powered generators provide power to the park and the park’s maintenance office. Once a mountain of garbage, it is now a green hill with 22 lookout points offering breathtaking views of Seoul, including the N Seoul Tower, Bukhansan Mountain, and Hangang River. Tall trees are line the park to provide shades and serve as resting spots for visitors. As a popular spot to enjoy the sight of eulalias, the park usually remains open until late in the evening during the Eulalia Festival period.

* Noeul Park: In order to prevent the vast area of land of what was once a wasteland from becoming an unnecessary chunk of land, a nine-hole golf course was constructed in what is now known as Noeul Park. The golf course serves as an environment friendly entertainment park to visitors while stabilizing the geographical formation and has an urban park nearby that offers scenic views of the Hangang River and beautiful sunset. Located west of the golf park is Noeul Square, decorated with shrubs and flowers.

* Nanjicheon Park: Nanjicheon Park was developed from the Nanji Stream, which flowed under Haneul Park. It was once overflowing with sewage runoff from a nearby landfill, but it has since been beautifully restored into a park with clear water. The park is built to serve as a recreational spot for those with for youths, elders, and people with disabilities.

Sightseeing - Korea travel information