Hwaseong Fortress
Source: d'n'c, CC-BY-SA, via flickr
Changdeokgung Palace
Source: edans, CC-BY, via flickr
UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites in South Korea
With its handful of UNESCO
Cultural World Heritage Sites and avid appetite for technology and development,
South Korea offers its visitors a fine contrast of ancient and modern cultures arguably
found nowhere else in the world.
In this country, one can find at least nine cultural world heritage sites:
Fast-forward to the modern times and visitors can see South Korea as a country of people with can-do attitudes, undying persistence, and hard-wearing desires to carve its premium place in the global marketplace.
People have constructed modern buildings, transportation systems, technological wonders, and other modern fascinations that the mind could have never thought through.
This beautiful contrast between South Korea’s past and present is what makes visiting its UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites an experience that can forever be etched in the minds.
The cultural world heritage sites may explain South Korea’s historical and well-established motivations to achieve great things as a country.
In this country, one can find at least nine cultural world heritage sites:
- Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto
- Changdeokgung Palace Complex
- Dolmen Sites at Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa
- Gyeongju Historic Areas
- Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon
- Hahoe and Yangdong Historic Villages
- Hwaseong Fortress
- Jongmyo Shrine
- Joseon Dynasty Royal Tombs
Fast-forward to the modern times and visitors can see South Korea as a country of people with can-do attitudes, undying persistence, and hard-wearing desires to carve its premium place in the global marketplace.
People have constructed modern buildings, transportation systems, technological wonders, and other modern fascinations that the mind could have never thought through.
This beautiful contrast between South Korea’s past and present is what makes visiting its UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Sites an experience that can forever be etched in the minds.
The cultural world heritage sites may explain South Korea’s historical and well-established motivations to achieve great things as a country.
1. Changdeokgung Palace Complex - a South Korean Cultural World Heritage Site Favored by the Royalty
Perhaps
the most favored palace of the mighty princes of the Korean Joseon
Dynasty, the Changdeokgung Palace Complex in Seoul, South Korea was
inscribed the honor of being called a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage in
1997 for at three reasons:
Some of the most impressive structures found in this world heritage site include:
- Changdeokgung Palace Complex exhibits first-rate architecture, arts, and design in a cultural area of the world that is South Korea.
- Changdeokgung Palace Complex is a testimony to a cultural tradition or a civilization that flourished but has now disappeared.
- Changdeokgung Palace Complex represents an awe-inspiring type of a building or architectural structure that is important in human history.
Some of the most impressive structures found in this world heritage site include:
- Donhwamun Gate = main gate of the palace complex
- Geumcheongyo Bridge = oldest surviving bridge in the whole of Seoul
- Injeongjeon Hall = throne hall
- Seonjeongjeon Hall = King’s meeting hall
- Huijeongdang Hall = King’s bedchamber then workplace
- Daejojeon Hall = Queen’s official residence
- Juhamnu Pavilion = royal library
- Yeon-gyeongdang Residence = audience hall
2. Gyeongju Historic Areas - Cultural World Heritage Site in South Korea that is the World's Largest of its Kind
Touted
as the largest outdoor museum in the world, the Gyeongju Historic Areas
comprises the ancient ruins of outdoor sculptures, pagodas, reliefs,
temples, and palaces built during the Korean Silla Kingdom between 7th and 10th centuries.
The Gyeongju Historic Areas was declared a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site in 2000 for it exhibits human values through monumental arts, architecture or designs and because it is a testimony to a by-gone civilization.
This world heritage site has at least four historic sub-sites:
The Gyeongju Historic Areas was declared a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site in 2000 for it exhibits human values through monumental arts, architecture or designs and because it is a testimony to a by-gone civilization.
This world heritage site has at least four historic sub-sites:
- Mount Namsan= a mountain considered as a sacred site by the Buddhists of the Silla Kingdom
- Wolseong = houses architectural ruins of palaces, temples and pagodas
- Tumuli Park = a park where royal tombs shaped like mounds of earth are found
- Hwangnyongsa = houses the ruins of the Hwangnyongsa Temple and Bunhwangsa Temple
3. Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites - UNESCO World Heritage Site with the Most Number of Dolmens in the World
In Gochang, Hwasin, and Ganghwa, South Korea, one can find hundreds of dolmens or tombs made up of stone slabs from the 1st millennium B.C.
While dolmens are found elsewhere in the world, the staggering number of Neolithic and bronze-culture dolmens in the three sites in South Korea is considered to be the greatest ever discovered.
Indeed, it is said that about 40% of dolmens in the world are found in Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites.
These sites were collectively declared a World Heritages Site by UNESCO in 2000 for it is a unique testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization that has long disappeared.
While dolmens are found elsewhere in the world, the staggering number of Neolithic and bronze-culture dolmens in the three sites in South Korea is considered to be the greatest ever discovered.
Indeed, it is said that about 40% of dolmens in the world are found in Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites.
These sites were collectively declared a World Heritages Site by UNESCO in 2000 for it is a unique testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization that has long disappeared.
4. Haeinsa Temple’s Janggyeong Panjeon
The
UNESCO World Heritage Site of Haeinsa Temple’s Janggyeong Panjeon
houses the largest collection of ancient Buddhist text engraved on
roughly 81,350 woodblocks carved between 1237 and 1248.
These woodblocks are collectively known as the Tripitaka Koreana or Palman Daejanggyeong , which literally means eighty-thousand tripitaka.
The tripitaka are said to be the oldest dated copies of Buddhist discourse, laws, and scriptures in Hanja script.
Moreover, these tripitaka are said to have zero scribal errors in its over 52,380,000 characters, 1,490 titles, and 6,500 volumes, signaling its high-quality workmanship.
The tripitaka are uniform in width – 70 centimeters – and length – 24 centimeters – but varies in thickness – between 2.4 and 4 centimeters.
Although the tripitaka were made in the 13th century, the actual Janggyeong Panjeon was renovated in the 15th century by King Sejo to house the woodblocks.
Located in the Goya Mountains of the South Gyeongsang province in South Korea, the Haeinsa Temple was inscribed the honor of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for two reasons:
These Three Jewel Temples are composed of Tongdosa Temple, which represents Buddha; Haeinsa Temple, which represents Buddha’s teachings; and Songgwangsa Temple, which represents the community of Buddhist worshippers.
Each of the Three Jewel Temples maintains architectures that highlight the temple’s purpose.
In Tongdosa Temple, the main hall houses a stupa that is said to contain the vestiges of Buddha himself.
In Songgwangsa Temple, the main halls have prominent places for the prayerful Buddhist community.
In the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Haeinsa Temple, the Janggyeong Panjeon houses the Tripitaka Koreana.
These woodblocks are collectively known as the Tripitaka Koreana or Palman Daejanggyeong , which literally means eighty-thousand tripitaka.
The tripitaka are said to be the oldest dated copies of Buddhist discourse, laws, and scriptures in Hanja script.
Moreover, these tripitaka are said to have zero scribal errors in its over 52,380,000 characters, 1,490 titles, and 6,500 volumes, signaling its high-quality workmanship.
The tripitaka are uniform in width – 70 centimeters – and length – 24 centimeters – but varies in thickness – between 2.4 and 4 centimeters.
Although the tripitaka were made in the 13th century, the actual Janggyeong Panjeon was renovated in the 15th century by King Sejo to house the woodblocks.
Located in the Goya Mountains of the South Gyeongsang province in South Korea, the Haeinsa Temple was inscribed the honor of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for two reasons:
- The Haeinsa Temple’s Janggyeong Panjeon is an exceptional type of a building or architectural ensemble that has great importance in human history.
- The ancient Haeinsa Temple’s Janggyeong Panjeon is tangibly related to modern-day traditions and beliefs that are of universal value.
These Three Jewel Temples are composed of Tongdosa Temple, which represents Buddha; Haeinsa Temple, which represents Buddha’s teachings; and Songgwangsa Temple, which represents the community of Buddhist worshippers.
Each of the Three Jewel Temples maintains architectures that highlight the temple’s purpose.
In Tongdosa Temple, the main hall houses a stupa that is said to contain the vestiges of Buddha himself.
In Songgwangsa Temple, the main halls have prominent places for the prayerful Buddhist community.
In the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Haeinsa Temple, the Janggyeong Panjeon houses the Tripitaka Koreana.
5. Hwaseong Fortress
Between
1794 and 1796, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hwaseong Fortress was
built by King Jeongjo of the Joseon Dynasty when he moved to Suwon,
South Korea the remains of his father Prince Sado, who was tragically
murdered by his own father King Yeongjo.
King Jeongjo made sure that the tomb of his father was well-protected with massive fortresses, which extended about six kilometers, incorporated the military construction genius from the east and the west, and contained essential military fortifications.
The walls of this world heritage site measures between 13 and 20 feet in thickness and enclosed a land that originally measured 1.3 square kilometers.
The massive and extensive walls were punctured with only four equally massive gates called Janganmun in the north direction, Paldalmun in the southern direction, Hwaseomun in the western direction, and Changnyongmun in the eastern direction.
Other structures found in the heritage site are watch towers, archers’ platforms, bastions, beacons, pavilions, chimneys that can produce either fire or smoke signals, and lookout posts.
Some of the structures have ruined due to either war or time.
The UNESCO inscribed the title of World Heritage Site on the Hwaseong Fortress in 1997 for the ancient fortress represents an admirable ancient military architecture that brought together the breakthrough in military defense from the east and the west.
King Jeongjo made sure that the tomb of his father was well-protected with massive fortresses, which extended about six kilometers, incorporated the military construction genius from the east and the west, and contained essential military fortifications.
The walls of this world heritage site measures between 13 and 20 feet in thickness and enclosed a land that originally measured 1.3 square kilometers.
The massive and extensive walls were punctured with only four equally massive gates called Janganmun in the north direction, Paldalmun in the southern direction, Hwaseomun in the western direction, and Changnyongmun in the eastern direction.
Other structures found in the heritage site are watch towers, archers’ platforms, bastions, beacons, pavilions, chimneys that can produce either fire or smoke signals, and lookout posts.
Some of the structures have ruined due to either war or time.
The UNESCO inscribed the title of World Heritage Site on the Hwaseong Fortress in 1997 for the ancient fortress represents an admirable ancient military architecture that brought together the breakthrough in military defense from the east and the west.
6. Hahoe and Yangdong Historic Villages
Representative
of the aristocratic Confucian culture and historic clan villages, the
scenic Hahoe and Yangdong villages were inscribed the honor of UNESCO
World Heritage Site in 2010 for two reasons:
This location is said to be ideal for the residents’ spiritual growth and social development.
In the village, one can find study halls, pavilions, and thatched-roofed houses, which can help oneimagine the old village lives in South Korea.
- The Hahoe and Yangdong represent the Confucian ideals upheld by the rulers of the Joseon dynasty for over five hundred years. These ideals were reflected in the villages’ location, town planning, and building designs.
- The Hahoe and Yangdong also reflect the Joseon dynasty’s traditions, philosophies, cultural precepts, and social structures.
This location is said to be ideal for the residents’ spiritual growth and social development.
In the village, one can find study halls, pavilions, and thatched-roofed houses, which can help oneimagine the old village lives in South Korea.
7. Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple
The
spiritual monuments of Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple were
inscribed the honor of UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 for they are
masterpieces of Buddhist art in the Far East.
Overlooking the Sea of Japan at a height of 750 meters above sea level, the Seokguram Grotto is actually a secluded place inside the Bulguksa Temple.
It was constructed between 742 and 774 and has been the home to ancient sculptures of Buddha.
The Bulguksa Temple, on the other hand, has been considered as the masterpiece of Buddhist artistry of the Silla Dynasty and is considered as the premiere national treasure of Korea.
As a national treasure, this UNESCO World Heritage Site exhibits priceless Korean riches like pagodas, bridges, statues, and stone lanterns.
Overlooking the Sea of Japan at a height of 750 meters above sea level, the Seokguram Grotto is actually a secluded place inside the Bulguksa Temple.
It was constructed between 742 and 774 and has been the home to ancient sculptures of Buddha.
The Bulguksa Temple, on the other hand, has been considered as the masterpiece of Buddhist artistry of the Silla Dynasty and is considered as the premiere national treasure of Korea.
As a national treasure, this UNESCO World Heritage Site exhibits priceless Korean riches like pagodas, bridges, statues, and stone lanterns.
8. Jongmyo Shrine
The
oldest and arguably the most genuine surviving Confucian shrine
reserved for the Korean royalty of the olden times is the Jongmyo
Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site honored in 1995 for its outstanding
representation of a building or architectural ensemble that highlights
select significant stages of Korean history.
Built in the 14th century by the orders of King Taejo, this cultural world heritage site was dedicated to the rulers of the Korean Joseon Dynasty and in fact houses the tablets on which the teachings of the rulers as well as the members of their royal clan are contained.
Since the Joseon Dynasty had several kings and queens during its reign from 1392 to 1910, the Jongmyo Shrine had to be expanded to accommodate the royalty’s teachings on tablets.
King Sejong started the expansion program when he created the Yeongnyeongjeon or the Hall of Eternal Comfort and since then other constructions began until 19 rooms had been constructed.
Much of the original complex, however, was burned down by invading Japanese in May 1592 during the Seven-Year War.
This cultural world heritage site, however, was restored by the Koreans in 1608. More renovations were done in 1667, 1778 and 1836, bringing the total number of rooms to 35 at the Jongmyo Shrine.
To date, these rooms lodge 19 tablets from kings and 30 tablets from queens that survived the war.
The Jongmyo Shrine has unassuming features:
These rituals are regarded as an intangible heritage for their antiquity and significance to the Korean history.
Built in the 14th century by the orders of King Taejo, this cultural world heritage site was dedicated to the rulers of the Korean Joseon Dynasty and in fact houses the tablets on which the teachings of the rulers as well as the members of their royal clan are contained.
Since the Joseon Dynasty had several kings and queens during its reign from 1392 to 1910, the Jongmyo Shrine had to be expanded to accommodate the royalty’s teachings on tablets.
King Sejong started the expansion program when he created the Yeongnyeongjeon or the Hall of Eternal Comfort and since then other constructions began until 19 rooms had been constructed.
Much of the original complex, however, was burned down by invading Japanese in May 1592 during the Seven-Year War.
This cultural world heritage site, however, was restored by the Koreans in 1608. More renovations were done in 1667, 1778 and 1836, bringing the total number of rooms to 35 at the Jongmyo Shrine.
To date, these rooms lodge 19 tablets from kings and 30 tablets from queens that survived the war.
The Jongmyo Shrine has unassuming features:
- Changyeopmun or the main gate
- Mangmyoru or the waiting area of a king during traditional rituals
- Gongmingdang or the shrine dedicated to the Goryeo King
- Hyangdaecheong or the building where ritual paraphernalia are stored
- Jaesil or the waiting area for the participants of traditional rituals
These rituals are regarded as an intangible heritage for their antiquity and significance to the Korean history.
9. Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
The
final resting place of some of the distinguished rulers of Korea, the
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty was honored as a UNESCO Cultural World
Heritage Site in 2009 for three reasons:
The tombs are found in Donggureung, Gwangneung, Heolleung and Illeung, Hongneung andYureung, Jangneung (Gimpo, Paju, and Yeongwol), Jeongneung, Olleung, Paju Samneung, Sareung, Seolleung and Jeongneung, Seo-oreung, Seosamneung, Taereung andGangneung, Uireung, Yeongneung and Yeongneung, and Yungneung and Geolleung.
Some of their distinct features include:
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- The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty is a sacred place for traditional funeral rituals. It fuses Confucian culture, the natural beauty of a landscape, and the principles of pungsu, to create a memorable place of outstanding beauty and historical significance.
- The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty represents a development in the use of earth mounds as burial places in East Asia. It also reinforces the age-old practice of ancestral worship in Korea.
- The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty is directly associated with the Korean people’s annual practice of revering the dead. These prescribed rites of honoring the departed have continued up to the present time.
The tombs are found in Donggureung, Gwangneung, Heolleung and Illeung, Hongneung andYureung, Jangneung (Gimpo, Paju, and Yeongwol), Jeongneung, Olleung, Paju Samneung, Sareung, Seolleung and Jeongneung, Seo-oreung, Seosamneung, Taereung andGangneung, Uireung, Yeongneung and Yeongneung, and Yungneung and Geolleung.
Some of their distinct features include:
- Bigak or a stone monument that contains the names of the king or the queen as well as their earthly accomplishments as leaders of Korea
- Bongbun or the place where the remains of the king or queen lies
- Honnyuseok or the rectangular stone in front of the earth mound that is believed to entice the soul to get out of the mound
- Jeongjagak or the area reserved for the memorial services for the dead
- Muinseok or a statue of a soldier that is believed to guard the king
- Seokho or the tiger deity that is believed to guard the Bongbun or the place where the remains of the king or queen lie
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