Korea For Backpackers Ideas

By Benediktus Beben

Map of Korea

Korea is in fact, a fun place to go, a place with. Friendly people and mystical countryside, a modern and comfortable country which attracts many expats and temporary foreign residents.

cebu

Korea is a presidential republic in east asia, occupying the southern half of the korean peninsula. Also known as the “land of the morning calm”, it is neighbored by china to the west, japan to the east and borders north korea to the north.

South korea’s capital and largest city is seoul, the second largest metropolitan city in the world. The capital city of North Korea is Pyongyang.

Korea is one of the oldest continuing civilizations in the world, founded in 2333 bc by the legendary dangun according to samguk yusa. The korean peninsula was first inhabited as early as the lower paleolithic.

Korea dance

Following the unification of the three korean kingdoms under silla in ad 668, korea went through the goryeo and joseon dynasty as one nation until the end of the korean empire in 1910. South korea is a major economic power and one of the wealthiest countries in asia. It had one of the world’s fastest growing economies since the 1960s, now highly developed and the fourth largest in asia and 13th largest in the world.

A vast number of these temples were built in the mountains surrounding south korea:

Beopjusa temple

-The beopjusa temple complex, is the leading temple of the jogye order of korean buddhism. It is located inside songnisan national park and was constructed in 653, by silla monk uisin during the reign of king chinsung. In the past, the temple was home to over three-thousand monks. Inside the temple, visitors can see the hall of great light, ssangsajaseokdeung (two lion statues hold a lamp), and the seokryeonji lotus pong. Today, the temple is open from sunrise to sunset and welcomes thousands of visitors every year.

Hwaomsa temple

-Hwaomsa temple is the gateway to jiri-san national park in the south jeolla area. The temple was constructed in 544, by priest yeongi chosa. The name hwaomsa comes from two characters in the korean buddhism, it tells of the universal oneness of all beings. The grounds of the temple contain golden buddha statues, tapestries, and historical artifacts and the area has been named a historic site and scenic area, by the Korean government.

See my another summary about backpacking in Indonesia