Autumn colors: Andon Mask Festival, Jinju Lantern Festival

Kudambong - 구담봉/龜潭峰 - literally, "Turtle rock in deep water". Shall we try to find the monstrous size of the Turtle in this wonderful mountain that has crawled into the South Hangang River?

Literally, "three rock-leaves in deep water" - a place sung in poems and paintings by famous Korean poets, thinkers and artists - Lee Hwan, Kim Chong-hee, Kim Hongdong, and Panun.

Here, for example, are the poems of the great Yi Hwan, depicted on the one thousandth bill:

山明楓葉水明沙

三島斜陽帶晩霞

爲泊仙橫翠壁

待看星月湧金波

Red maples - the mountains are light, sand is visible at the bottom

Three rocks that stand in the river, the light of the evening sun ...

The raft of the hermit over the emerald of waters froze motionless, waiting

The stars and the moon run towards me like a golden path

Yi Hwang (Thwege)

A legend about Jeon Dojon, one of the founders of the Joseon state who was born in Danyang, is associated with this place.

Seokmun - 석문/石門 literally means "stone gate". It is a large natural stone arch located on the banks of the South Hangang River.

Cheomseongdae is one of the oldest observatories in the world (7th century). The tower of the observatory is full of symbolism: the total number of hewn stones from which it is built; the number of rows of these stones before and above the small window, the shape of the stones... Reasonable Silakians paid attention to everything.

Cheomseongdae was built under the reigning Queen Seondok - one of three in the history of Silla. The queen ended up in a drama that, of course, was filmed in Gyeongju.

The Buddha statue in this small temple in an artificial grotto is considered the most elegant in All of Korea! The grotto is located on the slope of Mount Tkhohamsan, where the winding serpentine of the mountain road leads.

The walk to the temple through the mountain forest from the parking lot takes about 15-20 minutes; depending on the weather, either a mysterious foggy landscape awaits us (fogs are not uncommon on this mountain), or breathtaking bird's-eye views of the thousand-year-old Gyeongju.

In the grotto, which is formally the hermitage of the Bulguksa temple, located below the slope, the dominant position is occupied by the above-mentioned statue of Buddha, sitting in a lotus position on a pedestal in the shape of a lotus. Around it at different heights are bas-reliefs and statues of bodhisattvas, arhats, Indra and Brahma, the Four Heavenly Kings.

If the group agrees, we can go down the mountainside to the temple of Bulguksa.

The main Buddhist temple of United Silla, it is now a place of pilgrimage for many guests of Korea.

The temple was built in 774 under the leadership of the premier of the state of Silla, Kim Taesong. Legend has it that Bulguksa was dedicated to the parents of the current, so to speak, Kim Taesong. While Seokguram, the temple-hermitage under Bulguksa, was intended for Kim Taesung's parents from his previous incarnations.

In 1995, Bulguksa and Seokguram were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The main state Gyeongju temple from the Silla period, the "Temple of the Yellow Dragon", Hwanyeongsa, has not survived; however, we still have a unique opportunity to get acquainted with the pagoda of a hermitage temple of Hwanyeongsa. The hermitage temple is called Punghwansa.

The peculiarity of the pagoda of Punghwansa is that it is built of stones, hewn in such a way that they resemble bricks in shape. What can you not do if you are not familiar with the technology (brick production, in this case)!

The only mound which inner parts are open to the public (though filled with replicas, it shows the inner construction of a Shilla mound)

Though made anew, it is a nice and quite picturesque place, especially at night.

Oksunbong - 옥순봉/玉筍峰 - Literally, "Jade Bamboo Shoot Peak". Actually, Oksunbong is located in Jecheon, not Dangyang; at one time, Yi Hwang (see 1000 won bill) asked to be taken to the county Tanyan; but was refused...

A shrine that houses a portrait of the founder of the Joseon Dynasty, King Taejo (Lee Songye). An extensive complex of buildings, including the sanctuary itself, the state sago archive, a museum, the burial place of the placenta of King Yechzhon, and a complex of auxiliary buildings.

Why and who made portraits of kings, what is a historical archive, why bury the royal placenta - we will try to find answers to these questions in Gyeonggijeong.

Imokte is in a small area called Chaman Graffiti Village; the walls of the houses here are painted by professionals and amateurs: the world of Japanese manga and Korean manhwa; korean alphabet, fantastic, disney cartoon characters, traditional korean stories.

In the very historical center of Jeonju, you will find yourself in a fabulous atmosphere. Traditional Korean hanok houses with tiled roofs line the romantic narrow streets. Here, each house is a unique masterpiece of architecture, reflecting the richness and depth of Korean history.

Walking along these streets, you will notice how each house merges with the surrounding nature and creates a harmonious image. You will see small gardens with flowers, well-kept courtyards, as well as traditional decor elements that recreate the atmosphere of antiquity, and sometimes, on the contrary, remind us of modern design trends.

Recently, it has become fashionable for Koreans and guests of the Land of the Morning Calm to rent stylized costumes - traditional hanbok, or European costumes of the era of the first half of the 20th century, which is closer to us. In Jeonju, you will see many such couples or families looking exotic against the backdrop of historical buildings and traditional hanok houses...

Omokdae-Imokdae

Unfortunately, the Confucians were not very tolerant of Catholicism. We are reminded of this by the Jeonju Catholic Cathedral (built in 1908-1931), located on the site of the executions of Catholics.

Literally "Horse Ears". The two main peaks of the complex really do look like horse ears. The peaks represent the feminine (higher - 673 m) and masculine (lower - 667 m) principles - yin and yang.

The park is famous for its many man-made pagodas, collected in one place by a zealous monk. The pagodas are also "paired", also carrying the feminine and masculine principles.

The road to the park goes under the shade of majestic cherry trees - some of the latest to bloom in Korea!

A blend of nature and urban design, this stream winds through downtown Seoul — though entirely man-made today.
Once a natural river, it was buried after the Korean War and revived in 2005 as a tranquil walkway.
Fountains, illuminated bridges, and the Palgakdam weir make it one of the city’s most beloved evening spots.

A futuristic glass wave rises above the old City Hall, blending past and future in one bold design.
Powered by nature and home to the world’s largest indoor vertical garden, it’s one of Seoul’s greenest landmarks.
Open to visitors — step inside and see the living wall for yourself.

A youth district with a large number of various music clubs, cafes (including specific ones with cats, dogs, arctic foxes, meerkats and kangaroos running underfoot). The name of the district comes from Hongdae University located here.

Changdeokgung - "Palace of Flourishing Virtue", built between 1405 and 1412, was the home for the kings of Joseon throughout most of the kingdom's 500-year history (1392-1897). It was also the residence of the last ruler of the Korean Empire.

The palace was destroyed during the Imjin War (1592-1598) and was restored in 1609. From 1623 to 1868, it served as the official residence of Korean kings. Since 1997, the Palace of Flourishing Virtue has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On June 25, 2002, South Korea lost the battle to reach the finals against Germany. She lost at this stadium, built in Seoul on the eve of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

But can this loss be considered a defeat? Perhaps this was the greatest achievement of the Korean team. Crowds of fans dressed in all red filled the streets and squares not only of Seoul, but of the whole country ...

But we digress. The stadium is Asia's 2nd largest rectangular stadium and is built to resemble a traditional Korean kite in shape. And yes, it was he who became the unwitting culprit of the emergence of a unique urban space - the Park of Culture of the Oil Storage...

Temple of Bongeunsa is located in close proximity to the COEX Convention and Exhibition Center.

Originally named Gyeongseongsa, it was built by King Wonseong of the Silla Kingdom in the 10th year of his reign (794 AD).

In 1498, thanks to Queen Jeonghyeon, it was renovated and expanded to the east of King Seongjong's tomb, and at that time it was given its new name - Bongeunsa.

The iconic view of COEX is visible from the Maitreya Buddha statue on the temple grounds.

The museum, located in the Yongsan district of Seoul, was opened in 1994 on a site that the city inherited from military units.

First of all, the museum is dedicated, of course, to the Korean War (1950-1953). But not only: all the wars waged between themselves and with neighboring countries by the states that were on the Korean Peninsula from the Bronze Age to the present are displayed in the museum's exposition.

The open space, created on the site of a former oil storage facility, is an eco-park and cultural spaces created by rethinking and rebuilding former tanks for kerosene, diesel, etc. Tank No. 6 was not recreated, but created from scratch: the material (steel) left after the partial dismantling of Tanks No. 1 and No. 2 went to its walls.

If you are a fan of urbanism, modern art, modern ways of implementing open spaces, or just want to enjoy the harmony of industrial design and nature, you will definitely like Oil Tank Culture Park.

This breathtaking library in COEX Mall features towering bookshelves and a stunning architectural design. It's an ideal spot for book lovers and those looking for a unique photo backdrop. The natural lighting and open space make it perfect for both wide shots and close-ups.

This statue is a must-visit for fans of PSY's global hit "Gangnam Style." It's a playful spot to capture fun and memorable photos, especially if you strike the famous horse dance pose!

Welcome to K-Star Road, the amazing star road in the heart of Seoul!

K-Star Road, or "Road of the Stars", is a beautiful and popular place where Korean stars seem to have made their mark. As you begin your journey along this road, you will feel the excitement and hype as it passes through the heart of the Gangnam area, known for its trendy atmosphere and emphasis on (K)-pop culture.

Here you will find many GangnamDol figurines representing various Korean stars. Find your heroes - and take a photo with them as a keepsake.

Along K-Star Road you will find many boutiques of world brands. Perhaps those same stars sometimes look into these boutiques too?..

Hwaseong is more than just a fortress — it’s a royal dream set in stone. In the late 18th century, King Jeongjo envisioned building a new capital of the Joseon Dynasty here: modern, fortified, and meticulously planned.

The project was designed by the brilliant reformer Jeong Yakyong, one of the leading figures of the “Practical Learning” movement. For the first time in Korean history, both Korean and European engineering techniques were used in construction.

👉 By the way, why did the king never move to his new capital?

Thanks to detailed blueprints from 1800, the fortress has been faithfully restored — and today, it’s recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Founded in 676 by the famous monk Uisang, Buseoksa Temple is the "guardian" of one of Korea's oldest wooden structures, the state treasure Muryang Sujeong (Pavilion of Endless Bliss). The name of the temple is associated with the legend about the founder of the temple, Uisan, the “floating stone” pusok, and the girl Sunmyo who fell in love with Uisan. By the way, this stone has survived to this day - you can see for yourself.

The year the temple was founded - 676 - is also the year of the first formal unification of Korea by the Silla state. Of course, the temple has been rebuilt many times since its founding; the oldest building of Muryang Sujeong Temple was built during the Goryeo era; In the pavilion there is another state treasure - a statue of a seated Buddha 2.78 meters high, made using the technique of laying clay on a wooden frame.

The name of the oldest surviving Confucian Academy in Korea, Sosu Seowon, comes from the following saying, composed of Chinese characters (hanmun): 旣廢之學紹而修之 ("Re-learning a teaching that has already fallen into decline"). The head of Pungi County, Chu Sebong, created in 1542 the temple of the scientist Anhyang, the founder of neo-Confucianism in Kore (Anhyang was from Phungi); It was later transformed into the first official private educational institution designed to nurture the young generation of neo-Confucians. Yi Hwang was also the magistrate of Punggi County and it was he who approached King Myeongjong with a request to give the academy a royal name; the king responded favorably to the request, signing the plaque with his own hand and sending it along with a collection of books. Thus, Seosu Seowon became the first officially recognized private educational institution in Korea during the Joseon Dynasty.