Yeongju
Yeongju (영주) is a small city to the north of Andong. It is surrounded by Sobaeksan National Park and other rural attractions. The city maintains a traditional atmosphere while being friendly in nature.
Understand
Yeongju takes great pride in its Confucian history and traditional Korean culture. As a result there are several sites and festivals commemorating this history. The town's demographic is very mixed, with a large older population it is easy to see the stark contrast between tradition and changing cultures.
Get in
By bus
From Dong Seoul buses leave every 45 minutes. The journey takes 2 hours 30 min. From Dong Daegu bus terminal buses leave regularly. The journey takes 1 hour and 30 min. From Andong intercity bus terminal buses leave very regularly. The journey takes 40 minutes.
By train
From Seoul there are several trains a day to 1 Yeongju Station.
Get around
From the local bus terminal buses are regular and inexpensive. Taxis are readily available and are inexpensive.
See
- 1 Buseok Temple (take Bus 55 or 23 from the local bus terminal, ~₩4,000 each way, 40 minutes). Renowned as one of the most beautiful temples in the area Buseoksa draws in the most visitors in the fall when leaves cover the area in color. The area has plenty of restaurants and is famous for apples. One of seven Korean mountain mountain monasteries to be inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2018. ₩2,500.
- 2 Sosu Seowan (take Bus 23 from the local bus terminal). Known to be the home of Joseon scholars and the first Confucian school. The entrance fee includes the ticket into Seonbichon Village (선비촌), a living museum depicting traditional, Seonbi life. It's one of nine components of the world heritage site "Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies". ₩2,500.
- 3 Dosan-seowon (SE of Yeongju). Another of the nine world heritage listed Seowon academies.
- 4 Seocheon Falls.
- 5 Seonbichon Village (선비촌), 2796, Sobaek-ro 경상북도 영주시 순흥면 소백로 2796, ☏ +82 54-638-5831. This is where the cultural heritage of Korea’s classical scholars is preserved. It offers a variety of traditional activities for visitors: making Injeolmi rice cake, hanging wish lanterns, attending a traditional wedding ceremony or playing folk games such as yutnori or jegichagi. Traditional dining is available at Jeojatgeori Street. You can stay overnight in a in a traditional hanok house.
- Yeongju Insam Museum.
- Soy World Science Museum.
Do
- 1 Sobaeksan National Park (take Bus 26 to the last stop; for a longer hike to the peak take bus No. 25 for 45 minutes). Hike the various trails in and around Sobaek Mountain. There are two main entrances accessible by public transport from Yeongju. The first is Sam-ga which is the shortest hike to the highest point. It takes around 3 hours from the trailhead.
- 2 Fantacion Water Park.
- National Center for Forest Therapy.
- Sobaeksan Punggi Spa Resort.
- Sosuseowon Confucian Academy.
Buy
Eat
- 1 Heungbuga, Heungbu, 92 Daehak-ro, ☏ +82 546382094. 11:00~20:00. There's a wait. Yukhoe bibimbap is delicious. The basic side dishes are full.
Drink
- 1 a garden in the chain, 458-2 Jeokdong-ri, Munsu-myeon. 10:30~20:30. a cafe with a tropical plant garden.
Sleep
- Yeongjuho Auto-camping Site.