MANY STUDENTS often express wishes to visit a foreign country, to ski on the Alps, to walk the streets of Paris, and visit other famous landmarks. However, few ever say much about the beautiful places within the borders of Korea. According to G. K. Chesterton, "The whole object of travel is not to set foot in foreign lands; it is to at last to set foot on one's country as a foreign land." The Yonsei Annals asked Yonsians for these special places in Korea.
Rodrigo Sanchez (Korean Language Institute)
Last June, I went to Bulguksa, or the Temple of the Buddha Land, in Gyeongju. I was overcome by the beauty of the place. Because there are only archeological sites in Mexico, where I am from, Bulguksa presented a starkly different kind of historical monument from the ones that I was used to seeing. Instead of excavation sites filled with artifacts faded from age, Bulgaksa was exotically bright and vibrant.
Kim Eun-ha (Fresh., Open Major)
This summer, I went to Yeonggwang with my best friend. Yeonggwang is on the west coast of Jeollanam-do, but it is not a traditional beach one thinks of with white sand. Where we stayed at, a cliff was facing the beach, and on the edge, there was a road lined with cosmos (Mexican Aster) that were about as tall as I am. My friend and I stayed at an adorable pension, well-decorated with cute trinkets. It is a good place for couples to go to.
Oh Young-taek (Jr., Dept. of Business Admin.)
My favorite place in Korea is Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do. When I travel, I like to relax with my friends at places with good food, few people, and fresh air. Damyang-gun had all that. It is well known for having the most beautiful road in Korea, called the Metasequoia Road, which is a straight road banked by Red Dawn trees. At the end of the road, there is an amazing tteokgalbi restaurant which is famous for being broadcast on TV.
Chang Hong-gi (Sr., Dept. of Mech. Engin.)
In Hyewha-dong, there is a small area named Fresco Town located around Daehangno. It used to be a rundown place where poor people lived. To improve the environment, the government ran a project to decorate the walls and the steps with paintings. There are also statues in the town that are either very modern or witty. Besides, the streets are very narrow and the landscape is hilly: once you reach the top of the hill, there is an awesome view.
Kim Ye-won (Fresh., UIC)
I went to Dumul-meori in Yangsu-ri with my family once before. It is so named because it is where two rivers meet. (Du means two and mul means water.) There is a big tree that everyone likes to take photos under, and a ship with a traditionally styled sail sometimes sits on the river. The place is also very famous for its lotus flowers. There is a museum that has a great variety of lotus flowers and a well-made park.
Eom Ki-yoon (Soph., Dept. of Mech. Engin.)
In Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do, there are Korean peninsula-shaped cliffs. The cliff is shaped like the Korean peninsula that is surrounded by a river. One can see this shape clearly from a hill that stands opposite from the cliff. It is a good view to take photos of. The shape of the peninsula is most pronounced in the summer when all the trees that grow on the cliff are green: it actually looks like a map or a satellite picture of Korea.
Roh Shin-young
shiny922@yonsei.ac.kr