South Korea - Central Area

Taejon

Taejon is one of the area's principal cities, about two hours south of Seoul. It is a major train junction for the Seoul-Pusan and Seoul-Kwangju-Mokp'o lines, and is rapidly becoming a major scientific center in Korea

Onyang

Onyang is about an hour's drive south of Seoul on the Seoul-Pusan Expressway. This hot spring area is a popular honeymoon retreat.

Hyonchungsa Shrine

The Hyonch'ungsa shrine in Onyang commemorates the historic feats of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, who defeated the Japanese Navy in the late 16th century.
In the vicinity of Ch'onan, stands the Independence Memorial Hall of Korea. This hall commemorates those people who struggle for freedom against foreigner invasions throughout Korea's long history. The hall collects, studies and exhibits historic artifact and materials related to Korea's resistance to aggression, the fight for independence, the search for a national identity, and the record of the nation's development and progress.

Mt.Gyeryongsan National Park

Just west of Taejon is Mt.Gyeryongsan National park. The hiking trails of this mount lead to Kapsa Temple, famous for changing colors of its maple trees in Autumn, and another temple called Tonghaksa.

Kongju

Northwest of Mt. Gyeryongsan is Kongju which was the capital of the ancient Paekche Kingdom before it moved south of Puyo. The kingdom fell when Shilla unified the Korean Peninsula in the 7th century. Many remains of Paekche's former glory are well preserved in these two old capitals.
Kongju main attraction is its National museum, which exhibits treasures from 6th century tomb of King Muryong. Although most Paekche tombs were pillaged over the centuries, King Muryong's tomb was left undisturbed until its excavation in 1971, which unearthed thousands of articles, such as golden crowns and bronze mirrors.

Puyo

Puyo, about 20 miles further southwest, was the last capital of Paekche. It also has a distinctive National museum, which incorporates the unique architecture of the Paekche Era. It is possible to hike to oldest Paekche fortress on the hill above Nak'wam Rock for a view down over the Paengmagang River and valley below. Nak'wam Rock is the site of a tragic legend. Some 3,000 women of the Paekche court leapt to their deaths here to avoid dishonorable death at hands of enemies at the fall of Paekche kingdom. The image of the women plummeting down in their colorful dresses gave the place name, "Rock of Falling Flowers".

Kwanch'oksa Temple has one of Korea's most interesting and highest Buddhist Statues, Unjinmiruk. This is a statue of Buddha of the future and is more than 1,000 years old. Its enormous earlobes, huge and unusual crown, all out of proportion, attract immediate attention

Mt. Songnisan National Park is to the northeast of Taejon and its Popchusa Temple, first established in 553 A.D, has several famous art works including a 108-foot-high bronze Buddha statue.