5 Prominent Korean Heritage Sites You Must Visit
Heritage Sites or Historical places are very important as they provide lots of information of a particular country. Most importantly they provide you with knowledge on history and traditions of a place or a country in detail. South Korea has lot of history to tell and their heritage sites have been listed under UNESCO World Heritage Sites. So, here are 5 prominent Korean Heritage sites you must visit.
1. Suwon Hwaseong Fortress – Korean Heritage
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Suwon Hwaseong is the most prominent Korean Heritage site. It is a brick fortress of the Joseon Dynasty. It surrounds the centre of Suwon City of Gyeonggi-do Province. Another important fact is that the Fortress was built by King Jeongjo in the late 18th century. It was constructed for defensive purposes and also to form political bases. It is also a house of the remains of his father Crown Prince Jangheon. This historical place has a great influence on Korean architecture, urban planning and related arts. This Historical place offers amazing performances daily and also Suwon Hwaseong Cultural Festival every fall.
UNESCO designated the fortress as World Cultural Heritage Site for its historical value on December 12, 1997. That is why it has made into the list of 5 prominent Korean Heritage sites.
How can you travel to this place?
By Subway: Get off at Suwon station line 1. Then exit the station and cross the street and go towards the bus stop. Take either Bus 5 or 7 and get off at Jangan Park stop. It will take approx. 10-15 minutes to reach the stop. After you have reached you will see Hwaseong on your right.
Timings:
It is open for 24×7.
Ticket prices/fees
Ticket Prices for individuals:
Adults: 1,000 Won
Teenagers: 700 Won
Children: 500 Won
Ticket Prices for Groups:
Adults: 700 Won
Teenagers: 500 Won
Children: 300 Won
2. Bulguksa Temple – Korean Heritage
Image Source: worldhistory
Bulguksa Temple is another popular site that comes in the list of 5 prominent Korean Heritage sites. Buddhist temple that is located on the slopes of Mount Toham, Gyeongju. It is a head temple of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Bulguksa Temple was established under Silla Dynasty. It was first built during the reign of King Beop-heung in 528 BC for peace and prosperity.
Prime Minister Kim Dae-seong supervised the re-construction of the temple, built in memory of his parents. This temple is a master piece of the golden age of Buddhist art in the Silla Dynasty. It holds seven national treasures and that is why UNESCO designated this Korean Heritage site in the list of World Cultural Heritage Sites in December 1995.
How can you travel to this place?
By Bus: Take Bus 10 or 11 from Gyeongju Bus Station to the temple. It will take approx. 40 minutes to reach the destination and should cost 1,700 Won.
By Car: It will take approx. 20 minutes to reach the temple from downtown Gyeongju. The temple parking fee is 2,000 Won.
Timings:
Weekdays: 09:00 am to 17:00 pm
Weekends and public holidays: 08:00 am to 17:00 pm
Ticket prices/fees
Adults: 6,000 Won
Teenagers: 4,000 Won
Children: 3,000 Won
(Group) Teenagers: 3,500 Won
(Group) Children: 2,500 Won
3. Changdeokgung Palace – Korean Heritage
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Changdeokgung Palace is set within a large park in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The palace was constructed in the 15th century during Joseon era on the order of King Taejong at an auspicious site. A bureau of the palace was also constructed, consisting number of official and residential buildings set in garden. It had a great influence on Korean architectural and artistic design, garden and landscape planning as can be seen. It is one of the five grand palaces of Korea built by the Kings during Joseon period and also listed under top 5 prominent Korean Heritage sites.
Therefore, UNESCO added the palace in the list of World Heritage Sites in 1997, for being an outstanding example of Far Eastern palace architecture.
How can you travel to this place?
By Subway: Take the Anguk subway and then take the 3rd exit. Walk straight for a couple of blocks and then the palace will show on your left side. Walking time will take approx. 5 minutes to reach the palace.
By Bus: Take number 109, 151, 162, 171, 172, 272 blue buses or you can also take green bus 7025 to get to the palace.
Timings:
February to May: 09:00 am to 18:00 pm
June to August: 09:00 am to 18:30 pm
September to October: 09:00 am to 18:00 pm
November to January: 09:00 am to 17:30 pm
Ticket prices/fees
Adults (25-64): 3,000 Won
(Groups) Adults: 2,400 Won
Long term admission: 30,000 Won (expires after one month of purchase)
Secret Garden Tour:
Adults: 8,000 Won
Young adults and Senior citizens: 5,000 Won
Children and Teenagers: 2,500 Won
Groups (more than 10): 7,400 Won
Children under 6: Free admission
4. Haeinsa Temple – Korean Heritage
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Haeinsa Temple is the head temple of Jogyeo order of Korean Seon Buddhism in Gayasan National Park in South Gyeongsang Province. It is one of the three largest temples in South Korea. The temple was founded during the third year of King Ae-jang’s reign in 802 AD. It is home to the Tripitaka Koreana- complete collection of Buddhist texts, laws and treaties engraved on 81,350 woodblocks between 1237 and 1248.
In 1995, the temple was designated in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and also listed under top 5 prominent Korean Heritage sites.
How can you travel to this place?
By Bus: Take a bus from Daegu to Haeinsa Temple and it will take approx. 1 hour to reach.
Timings:
Summer Season: 08:30 am to 18:00 pm
Winter Season: 08:30 am to : 17:00 pm
Ticket prices/fees
Individuals:
Adults: 3,000 Won
Teenagers: 1,500 Won
Children: 700 Won
Groups (30 or more)
Adults: 2,500 Won
Teenagers: 1,000 Won
Children: 500 Won
5. Namhansanseong – Korean Heritage
Image Source: thesoulofseoul.
Namhansanseong Fortress is a historical mountain fortress located near Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do. It was first constructed in 672 CE as a military installation during the Shilla Dynasty’s war with Tang Dynasty. It was also an emergency capital for the Joseon dynasty between 1392-1910. The fortress is an outstanding example of fortified city. This place is meant for history and nature lovers. That is why it has to be in the list of 5 prominent Korean Heritage sites.
How can you travel to this place?
By Taxi: If you don’t want a long distance travel then taxi from Seoul to Namhansanseong Fortress is the quickest way. Will take approx. 16 minutes to reach.
Timings:
Mondays are closed.
April to October: 10:00 am to 18:00 pm
November to March: 10:00 am to 17:00 pm
Ticket prices/fees
Free entry for Namhansanseong Provincial Park
Namhansanseong Haenggung :
Individuals:
Adults: 2,000 Won
Children: 1,000 Won
Groups (30 or more)
Adults: 1,600 Won
Children: 800 Won
Senior Citizens: Free but ID required
Why you should visit these 5 prominent Korean heritage sites?
So, these are the lists of 5 prominent Korean Heritage sites you must visit. Heritage sites in Korea have so much history to tell about the country and their dynasties. One should visit these historical places with family and friends and especially people who are coming from abroad must visit these place to learn about their culture and heritage. But, do remember to take precautions while traveling as COVID has not ended yet, maintain safe distance, sanitize your hands and wear your mask.
To know more about travel in Korea, you can also check K-pop travel destinations in South Korea, click here 5-k-pop-travel-destinations-in-south-korea-fans-will-love.
