Take a beautiful study trip through the Republic of Korea, widely known as South Korea, which is located in East Asia on the southern part of the Korean peninsula! Explore the culture of this Asian country, which is mainly characterized by Buddhist and Confucian traditions, as well as its capital Seoul, which is also the cultural and economic center of the country, on a round trip. Admire Seoul’s numerous attractions such as the National Theater of Korea, Sejong Cultural Center, the Gyeongbokgung Throne Room, the Gyeongbokgung Pavilion, the Bongeungsa Temple, the fortress of the mountain south of the Han, the N Seoul Tower, the Namdaemun Gate or the Olympic Stadium. The important cities of South Korea are also worth visiting, such as the port city of Busan with the Busan Tower, the port area or the fish market; Incheon with the Incheon Munhak Stadium and the University of Incheon; Daegu with the cathedral, the Seomun gate; Daejeon with the Korea Aerospace Research Institute and Daejeon World Cup Stadium; Gwangju with the Memorial Park and The Street of Art or the city of Suwon with the Hwaseong Fortress, which is now a beautiful park. Get to know South Korea on a tour!
N Seoul Tower
In the center of South Korea’s capital Seoul is the approximately three square kilometer Namsan Park. This in turn is occupied by the largely forested mountain of the same name, 262 meters high, on which the N Seoul Tower, which is open to the public, rises near its summit. Since its complete overhaul and reopening, it has had the N in its name and is a cultural center with exhibitions, cafes and restaurants.
The way to the N Seoul Tower
Tourists who travel or study trips to Seoul should not fail to pay a visit to the 236 meter high television tower built in 1969. A lift, which can be used free of charge, leads from the place where the 3rd Namsan Tunnel is completed to the departure point of a cable car, which takes 3 minutes to reach the foot of the N Seoul Tower. But the yellow buses of the Seoul City Tour also go to this attraction. It takes about 45 minutes on foot.
The landmark of Seoul
The skyline of the city can already be admired from the cable car. Since the cable car runs until 11 p.m., the ride in the dark at night offers a particularly spectacular experience of the illuminated metropolis.
The tower, which is a landmark of Seoul and was built on a cuboid substructure, offers a visit to a teddy bear museum in a basement. Elevators take visitors to the five individual platforms, which are between 130 and 138 meters high below the 101-meter-high antenna.
Spectacular views
A wonderful round panorama results from the assumption of a good view from the upper viewing platform. Not only the unique view over the city, but also the surrounding mountains offer a magnificent panorama.
The platforms below have several restaurants, including a gourmet restaurant and a typical Korean restaurant. A panorama café and souvenir shops complete the equipment on the individual platforms.
A special attraction is the “heavenly toilet” located on the second level of the platforms, which combines the handling of human needs with the experience of an impressive view.
Buddhist mountain monasteries in Sansa
Korean temples on the UNESCO World Heritage List
In the Buddhist world of faith, monasteries are sacred places, centers of spirituality and everyday practice. Seven of these South Korean mountain monasteries were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in the summer of 2018. Without exception, they are located in the southern provinces of the peninsula. The temple complexes were built between the 7th and 9th centuries and are also storage places for documents and objects.
A complex with four buildings
The monasteries registered by UNESCO are Tongdosa, Buseoksa, Bongjeongsa, Beopjusa, Magoksa, Seonamsa and Daeheungsa. Most of them consist of an open courtyard flanked by four buildings (Buddha Hall, pavilion, lecture hall and dormitory). Tongdosa Monastery is located on Yeongchuksan Mountain in Gyeongsangnam-do Province and is the main temple of the 15th Diocese of the Jogye Order. The region is also known as Chukseosan (rocky mountain). This mountain is said to be like the one where the Buddha spoke the Dharma in India.
From the time of the Silla Empire
The temple complex of Magoksa is located east of the Yugucheon River. If you look at it from the Taehwasan, the highest elevation, you will not be able to overlook the similarity with the Yin and Yang signs. The monastery is said to have been founded in the time of the Silla Empire in AD 643, was destroyed during the Japanese invasion in the late 16th century and was later rebuilt. Magoksa is the main temple of the 6th Diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. The Daeheugnsa Temple got its name from a mountain of the same name. Legend has it that the monk Seosan left his robe and alms bowl here.
The oldest wooden building in Korea
Throughout history, wars and fires destroyed Seonamsa Monastery in a valley at the foot of Jogyesan Mountain in Honam, an idyllic region of Korea. It consists of twenty buildings and four attached temples. In the Bepjusa temple the legend lives of a monk who managed to grow auspicious plants. The Bongjeongsa Temple is one of the most famous places in Andong and the Buseoksa complex guards, among other things, the oldest wooden building in Korea.
