Cultural Tourist Sites Visited by British Queen Elizabeth II

The home of the renowned private Confucian academies of Joseon such as Dosan Seowon and Sosu Seowon, Andong has long been regarded as the center of Korean Confucian culture. Another tourist attraction of Andong is Hahoe Village, a place noted for the scenic beauty of its surroundings and the traditional customs and lifestyle its people have preserved. Other attractions include Bongjeongsa Temple at the southern foot of Mt. Cheondungsan, and Buseoksa Temple in Yeongju, one of the major institutions of Korean Buddhism since the Three Kingdoms period. Punggi is the home of insam (Korean ginseng), is also a unique tourist spot that one should not miss.

▶ Hahoe Village

A village formed by the Pungsan Ryu clan, Hahoe Village is still the home of the clan's descendents. The village has gained a worldwide reputation for the Confucian lifestyle of the villagers maintaining it for several hundred years as well as the beautifully preserved houses. It is also where one of Korea's major theater forms, Byeolsingut Mask Dance, was born. Some of the original masks have been designated as a national treasure. The village had an international media attention when it was visited by Queen Elizabeth II in April, 1999.
- Hahoe-ri, Pungcheon-myeon, Andong

▶ Bongjeongsa Temple

This temple was established by High Priest Uisang in the 12th year (672) of King Munmu's reign during the Silla Kingdom. As the oldest wooden structure in Korea, Geungnakjeon Hall, the temple's main service hall, well exemplifies the architectural style of the Silla Kingdom. Within the temple grounds are many cultural assets including Gogeumdang Hall and a three-storied stone pagodas.
- Taejang-ri, Seohu-myeon, Andong

▶ Dosan Seowon

Dosan Seowon, a private Confucian shrine-academy, was built in the 7th year (1,574) of King Seonjo's reign to honor the life and achievements of Yi Hwang (pen name "Toegye"), one of the greatest Confucian scholars ever born. When the construction of the seowon was completed, King Seonjo presented a hanging plaque inscribed with "Dosan Seowon" on it. The calligraphy was done by Han Seok-bong, one of the greatest calligraphers of Joseon. The seowon contains a shrine, a lecture hall, an exhibition hall, etc.
- Dogye-ri, Dosan-myeon, Andong

▶ Jirye Art Village

In the Jirye Art Village, artists pursue creative works and there is Traditional Experience Center open to the public. Originally, this was the home of scholar Kim Bang-geol, a civil minister of Jichon during the reign of King Sukjong of the Joseon Dynasty. The village was constructed because of the threat of flooding and set up as an artist colony.
- Jirye-ri, Imdong-myeon, Andong

▶ Punggi Insam Market

Punggi has been the home of Korea's insam (ginseng) cultivation since the 36th year of King Jungjong's reign of Joseon. Korean insam was once considered as a miracle herb in the eastern Asia. Still today, the beneficial effect of this miracle herb on human body and mind is proved and acknowledged worldwide. The insam market of Punggi, covering an area of 5,680 sq. yards, one of the largest of its kind in Korea where visitors can buy all kinds of insam products.
- Punggi Station, Yeongju

▶ Buseoksa Temple

Located on the scenic midslope of Mt. Bonghwangsan, Buseoksa Temple was established by High Priest Uisang, one of the greatest Silla monk-scholars. The temple is also where the Hwaeomjong Order of Korean Buddhism was first propagated. Molded out of clay during the Goryeo Dynasty, a seated Buddha statue is enshrined in Muryangsujeon (Hall of Eternal Life), one of the oldest surviving wooden structures in Korea. The temple has many valuable cultural assets including five National Treasures.
- Bukji-ri, Buseok-myeon, Yeongju