SUMMURY

Experience the perfect blend of traditional Korean culture and breathtaking natural wonders on this carefully crafted one-day journey from Seoul. Walk through centuries-old hanok alleys, savor authentic Jeonju bibimbap, and witness the mystical stone pagodas nestled between twin peaks.

🏘️ JEONGJU HANOK VIllage

Nestled in the heart of Jeonju, the cultural capital of Korea's Jeollabuk-do province, Jeonju Hanok Village is one of the most well-preserved and celebrated traditional villages in the entire country. Unlike many historical sites that exist only as museums, Jeonju Hanok Village is a living, breathing community where tradition and modern life harmoniously coexist.

The village is home to over 700 traditional hanok houses — making it the largest cluster of traditional Korean architecture in the nation. Every year, more than 10 million visitors from around the world come to experience its timeless charm.

🎯 Top Attractions Within the Village

🏯 1. Gyeonggijeon Shrine

Built in 1410 during the reign of King Taejong

Houses the royal portrait of King Taejo, founder of the Joseon Dynasty

A sacred and historically significant site surrounded by ancient trees

Features a beautifully maintained royal garden and bamboo forest

• 📍 Must-visit — entrance fee applies

⛪ 2. Jeondong Catholic Cathedral

A stunning Romanesque-style cathedral built in 1914

One of the most beautiful Western-style buildings in Korea

Stands as a symbol of religious history and architectural contrast within the traditional village

The site where Korea's first Catholic martyrs were executed in the late 18th century

🏔️ Maisan & Tapsa Temple

Korea's Most Mystical Mountain Sanctuary

Rising dramatically from the flatlands of Jinan County, Jeollabuk-do, Maisan — literally meaning "Horse Ear Mountain" (말 귀 산) — is one of Korea's most extraordinary and instantly recognizable natural landmarks. Two massive rocky peaks thrust skyward side by side, resembling the pricked ears of a horse when viewed from a distance.

Designated as a Provincial Park and listed among Korea's 100 Most Beautiful Scenic Spots, Maisan is far more than just a geological wonder. It is a place where nature, spirituality, legend, and human devotion converge in one of the most awe-inspiring settings on the Korean peninsula.

⛩️ Tapsa Temple

Tucked into the valley between Maisan's twin peaks, Tapsa Temple is without question the most mysterious, moving, and unforgettable religious site in all of Korea. What makes it extraordinary is not its age or grandeur — but the astonishing collection of stone pagodas that fill every inch of the temple grounds.

👨‍🦳 The Man Behind the Miracle — Monk Lee Gap-ryong

The entire story of Tapsa Temple revolves around one remarkable man:

Lee Gap-ryong (1860–1957) was a devoted Buddhist monk and hermit who arrived at Maisan in 1885 at the age of 25. Guided by a divine calling he received in a dream, he began the solitary, painstaking work of stacking stones into pagodas — entirely by hand, without mortar, cement, or any binding material whatsoever.

He continued this extraordinary labor of devotion for nearly 30 years, working alone through scorching summers and freezing winters, until the temple grounds were filled with an astonishing 80+ stone pagodas of varying heights and forms.

"Each stone was placed as a prayer. Each pagoda was an offering to heaven."