Destination: Tomb hunting in Gyeongju (Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea)

UPDATE 17 Feb 2010: Added some corrected facts about Seokbinggo (HT to Gomushin Girl). While in town to see Bulguksa and Seokguram Grotto, my girlfriend and I meandered through the downtown area of Gyeongju. The city is known as a ‘museum without walls’ for a reason....

Destination: Seokguram Grotto – an amazing, gorgeous Buddhist shrine (Gyeongju, South Korea)

Not far from Bulguksa temple rests Seokguram Grotto, the only structure surviving fully intact from the Silla era. Considering Korea’s history of invasions and destruction, it’s remarkable and miraculous at the same time. The bell tower – note the...

Destination: Bulguksa temple (Gyeongju, South Korea)

Author’s note: A version of this story has been published in 10 Magazine. One of the most revered temples in Gyeongju, Bulguksa (the “Temple of the Buddha Land”) sounds like something out of a movie. It offers seven of Korea’s National...

Destination: Hwaam Cave (Jeongseong, Gangwon-do, South Korea)

Author’s note: A version of this article appeared in February 2010’s Groove Magazine. To say Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) is out of the way is an understatement. While few natural subterranean structures are located near subway stations or major bus terminals, this...

Destination: Seoul International Photography Festival (2010) (South Korea)

‘Made in Seoul’, by Kim Hakree – a panoramic view of Seoul from Namsan Park, 2005-2009. Warning: this post contains some artistic and relatively tasteful nudity – please keep away from kids and overzealous IT staff. The Seoul International...

Destination: Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival 2010 – a fun, weird festival in Gangwon-do, South Korea

Considered to be one of Korea’s best winter festivals, the Hwacheon Sancheoneo Ice Festival (화천산천어축제) offers more than enough to see and do. Whether your interests are in fishing for the sancheoneo, a type of mountain trout, or enjoying the frozen-over river,...

Destination: Pagyesa — a more modern sort of Buddhist temple (Daegu, South Korea)

As part of Palgongsan Provincial Park, Pagyesa is one of many destinations spread out across the mountain. First built in 804 by a priest named Simji (not Simba, you Lion King obsessed reader), it was renovated in 1605 by priest Gyegwan and 1695 by priest Hyeoneung....

Destination: A day in Andong (Andong City Tour)

A day in most smaller Korean cities can be spent exploring by yourself or joining a group city tour. With only a day in Andong, and a desire to see as much as possible, I opted for the city tour. The tour leaves at 10am from the Andong bus terminal, which is just a...

Destination: Cheongok Cave – the gorgeous, lit-up cave in the middle of the city (Donghae, Gangwon-do, South Korea)

Cheongok Cave (천곡천연동굴) was discovered in 1991 in the center in downtown Donghae during a development project. Since then it’s been turned into a tourist destination as the only cave discovered in an otherwise downtown area. For the geologists out there,...

Destination: Jeju, part 3 (South Korea)

Picking up from part 1 and part 2 of the Jeju Christmas trip with Adventure Korea – now it’s time for part 3 (Dec 27 2009). Although it’s the final day of the trip, the third day around Jeju offered as much to see as the rest of the weekend....