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Yeongju, a perfect blend of nature and traditional culture

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• Major Tourist Sites
• Major Festivals & Local Specialties
• Travel Information

Major Tourist Sites

Sobaeksan National Park, beautiful during all four seasons

Sobaeksan Mountain is one of the most famous mountains in Korea known for its grand and breathtaking mountain landscape. The mountain is beautiful at anytime of the year – glowing in autumn, cool in winter, colorful in spring and refreshing in summer. Walking along the hiking path, one gets to pass by Huibang waterfalls with its roaring sounds, as well as historic temples like Huibangsa Temple and Choamsa Temple.

Yeongju Seonbichon Village, a one-night Hanok Stay

Yeongju Seonbichon Village is a traditional folk village where people can experience the life of classical scholars and the common people of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). Seonbichon, which literally means scholars’ village, has seven tile-roofed houses, five straw-roofed houses, traditional crafts workshops, convenience facilities, and souvenir shops, and many more on a 14-acre site. Stepping inside the village, visitors walk along a well-landscaped path, taking a look at old houses on the way. Visitors can also enjoy various traditional hands-on programs and try local food. The village also runs a program where in people can stay one night in a ‘hanok’ (traditional Korean house) and take part in a courtesy education program and a traditional crafts-making program. The fee is 77,000 won (including VAT) for a 4-person room and 49,500 won for a 2-person room. Online booking can be made but only foreigners are allowed to make reservations on-site (both cash and credit card payments accepted).

Sosuseowon Confucian Academy, Korea’s first Confucian Academy

Built during the reign of King Jungjong (1506-1544) of Joseon Dynasty, Sosuseowon Sosuseowon Confucian Academy is the first sa-ek seowon (*see below) in Korea. Past the main gate of the academy, one is greeted with a thick grove of pine trees and ginkgo trees, with valley water flowing on the side. The first seowon (*see below) of Korea, Sosuseowon Confucian Academy features a liberal arrangement of buildings and architecture, which is in harmony with the surrounding landscape. The Sosu Museum near the Sosuseowon Confucian Academy systematically preserves and has on exhibit the relics and remains of Yeongju, offering a glimpse into the various Confucian culture of Korea.

※ Seowon refers to private educational institutions built in the mid Joseon Dynasty (1506-1637) to foster scholars.
※ Sa-ek seowon refers to private academies that enjoyed tax exemption privileges and received donations of books, land, and slaves from the state.

Buseoksa Temple, notable for its beautiful fall foliage

Buseoksa Temple was built by the Great Monk Euisang in the 16th year (676) of King Munmu’s reign (626-686) upon the king’s order. The temple is home to Muryangsujeon, the oldest surviving wooden building in Korea, and Josadang Shrine, a shrine built to worship the Great Monk. Famous for its columns in baeheulim style (*see below), Muryangsujeon is justly called the essence of wooden architecture in Korea. The three-story stone pagoda next to Muryangsujeon offers a vantage point from which one can view all of the major buildings of the temple. In front of Muryangsujeon, the Anyangru Pavilion offers a great view of the sunset behind the Sobaeksan mountain range during late fall.

※ Baeheulim style : Shape of columns that is thick in the middle and thinner in the upper and lower parts.

Museom Village, with its unique single log bridge

In Sudo-ri, Munsu-myeon in Yeongju, there is a traditional village by the name Museom, which means island floating on water. This traditional village features old houses and pavilions that are preserved in their original form. When entering the village, one can use the Sudogyo Bridge, but taking the Oenamu Dari Bridge (single log bridge) above Naeseongcheon Stream is more fun and unique. In autumn, the village hosts the Single log bridge festival. The village is a cluster of old houses and straw-roofed houses designated as cultural assets. There are 38 traditional houses, and 16 typical noble class houses built in the late Joseon Dynasty (1637-1897) that are now more than a hundred years old.

Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort, for a healthy relaxation

Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort features open-air hot springs with a great view of Mount Sobaeksan, an outdoor swimming pool, an aqua play for children, and a food court with a seating capacity of 120. The hot spring’s natural spring water springs from 800m-deep underground and contains sulfur, fluorine and bicarbonate to help chronic arthritis, neuralgia, metal poisoning, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, chronic bronchitis and it is also good for the skin.