Korea has many tangible and intangible cultural properties from its 5000 years of history. The properties include prehistoric dolmens, the world’s oldest book printed with movable metal type known as Jikji, and the documentary heritage of Korea’s democratization and economic development, including archives of Saemaul Undong (New Community Movement) and archives for the May 18th Democratic Uprising. By observing Korean cultural heritage, you can learn how Korea has evolved throughout its history. Compare Korean cultural heritage with your country’s cultural heritage. Then, you can gain a new perspective of Korea.
Korean cultural properties are not just of Korea. They are invaluable products resulting from constant interaction with other countries in Northeast Asia and different parts of the world. This is the very reason why we need to share our cultural heritage with people around the world, and to learn the cultural heritage of other countries. Our mutual interaction and cooperation will help enrich and develop the culture of the world. We have a firm belief that we can fulfill this role wisely and peacefully, as our ancestors did in the past. Please join us to create new cultures of the world.
VANK has been undertaking this role with a hundred thousand young people in over 190 countries. To learn about the cultural heritage of Korea and the world, visit our website at http://prkorea.com
Korean Heritage
1. Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty 조선왕릉
The royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) refer to 42 royal tombs, among which 40 tombs are in South Korea and 2 tombs are in North Korea. The sites for the tombs were carefully selected according to geomancy principles, known as Pungsu (Fengshui). Spatial arrangements strictly followed the Confucian tradition. As a result, the Joseon tombs are in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature and other structures.
2. Changdeokgung Palace Complex 창덕궁
Changdeokgung is a palace of the Joseon Dynasty that was constructed in 1405 and used by kings and the royal family for 258 years from 1610 to 1868. Its main architectural feature is that it emphasizes harmony with nature and minimizes changes to the natural landscape. Changdeokgung’s rear garden is famous for its rare trees, a pond, and a pavilion, all of which are well harmonized with the natural environment.
3. Jongmyo Shrine and Jongmyo Jerye 종묘와 종묘제례
Jongmyo is a shrine that houses the spirit tablets of the kings and queens of the Joseon Dynasty, and performs ancestral rites in accordance with the Confucian tradition. Its architectural design is very rare in the world. Jongmyo Jerye is an ancestral ritual that is performed with music and dance. The ritual has been persevered in its original format for hundreds of years, and is still regularly performed on the first Sunday of every May.
4. Yeongsanjae 영산재
Yeongsanjae is a Buddhist ritual performed on the 49th day after someone’s death to pray for their eternal rest. With the image of Buddha preaching to his followers in the background, Buddhist music and dance accompany the ritual. Yeongsanjae is important cultural heritage that shows the combination of Buddhist ritual and arts.
5. Hwaseong Fortress 화성
Hwaseong Fortress was built in Suwon city in 1796 under the reign of King Jeongjo (1752-1800) during the Joseon Dynasty. Its strong defensive features were the result of combining traditional Korean military architecture and various techniques learned from other countries. Some parts of the fortress were damaged, but it was later restored to its original form based on “Hwaseong Songyouk Eugye,” the architectural log of the fortress.
6. Gangneung Danoje Festival 강릉단오제
Dano is one of Korea’s oldest traditional holidays. It is celebrated on May 5th on the lunar calendar. For many years, Gangneung city has hosted a large-scale Danoje festival under the sponsor of the city government. The festival includes ancestral and shamanistic rituals to pray for a good harvest. Various folk games and events also take place, such as mask dramas, wrestling, and playing on swings.
7. Seosan Rock-carved Buddha Triad 서산 용현리 마애여래삼존상
Seosan Rock-carved Buddha Triad consists of three images of Buddha carved on a cliff in a valley of Gaya Mountain in Yonghyeon-ri, Seosan. It was created in the late Baekje period (18 B.C.-A.D.660). Due to the presence of a smile on the face of Buddha, it is widely known as the “smile of Baekje.” The smile looks different, depending on the angle of the light.
8. Namsadang Nori 남사당놀이
Namsadang Nori is a traditional folk play performed by a troupe of male performers, travelling from town to town. It consists of six stages, including Pungmul (folk music and dance), rope dancing, a mask play, and a marionette show. It often contains satirical narratives because it was meant to entertain the common people. Namsadang Nori is still performed by professional performers today.
9. Buseoksa Temple 부석사
Buseoksa is a temple built by Monk Uisang (625-702) upon receiving a royal order during the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.-A.D. 935). It contains many valuable cultural relics that are designated as national treasures. Among them, its main hall Muryangsujeon is one of the oldest wooden buildings in Korea. The view from this hall is known to be spectacular.
10. Dokdo 독도
Dokdo is in the eastern reaches of Korean territory. Though small, Dokdo is the most meaningful island in Korea.
11. Muryeong Royal Tomb 무령왕릉
The Muryeong Royal Tomb is the tomb where King Muryeong (462~523) of the Baekje Kingdom (18 B.C. – A.D. 660) and his queen are buried. It was found in 1971 in Gongju, one of the capitals of Baekje. Many remains from the Baekje Kingdom, including a gold crown, bracelets, and accessories, were excavated from the tomb.
12. Jikji and Cheongju Early Printing Museum 직지와 청주 고인쇄박물관
Jikji was printed in 1377 at Heungdeoksa temple in Cheongju city. It is the world’s oldest extant book printed with movable metal type. Cheongju Early Printing Museum was built at the old site of the temple. The museum exhibits the production process of Jikji, many old documents printed with wooden or metal type, and various relics discovered at the site.
13. Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong 한국의 역사마을: 하회와 양동
Hahoe and Yangdong are historic clan villages that were created during the Joseon Dynasty according to Confucian ideology. They have preserved their traditional features to this day. All buildings in the villages were built in harmony with the surrounding landscape. There are residences of noble families and commoners, pavilions, and study halls. Hahoe Village is home to the Pungsan Ryu families, and is well known for Hahoe Byeolsingut Exorcism and the Hahoe masks that are used in the exorcism.
14. Mireuksaji Seoktap Stone Pagoda 미륵사지석탑
Mireuksaji Seoktap Stone Pagoda is the oldest and largest pagoda in Korea. Mireuksa Temple was built under the royal order of King Mu (reign: 600-641), and became the biggest temple of the Baekje Kingdom. It is believed that the pagoda was originally taller, but only one side of its six remaining stories (14.24m) has survived. The pagoda is considered an important cultural asset that shows the architectural transition of pagodas from wood to stone.
15. Goryeo Daejanggyeong and Janggyeong Panjeon 고려대장경판과 장경판전
The Goryeo Daejanggyeong consists of Buddhist scriptures engraved on over 80,000 woodblocks. It was created in the 13th century in the hopes of fighting off the Mongolian army. It has been preserved at the Janggyeong Panjeon hall in Haeinsa Monastery. The Janggyeong Panjeon was designed to optimize humidity level and ventilation. Thanks to such scientific design, the Daejanggyeong is preserved in such exceptional condition that it can still be used to print.
16. Gyeongju Historic Areas 경주역사 유적지구
The Gyeongju Historic Areas encompass the entire Gyeongju city, which was the capital of the millennium kingdom of Silla. The areas contain many valuable relics and artifacts, including the ruins of Silla’s largest temple Hwangnyongsa, Buddhist monuments, royal tombs, ruined palace sites, and mountain fortresses.
17. Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple 석굴암과 불국사
The Seokguram Grotto is an artificial stone temple that was built in 774 during the Silla Kingdom. It is famous for its 39 Buddhist engravings. Among them, the main Buddha statue is regarded as a masterpiece that demonstrates Silla’s advanced level of architecture, mathematics, geometry, religion, and art. Built in the same time period, Bulguksa Temple is a good example of unique architectural design that reflects Buddhist beliefs.
18. Pansori Epic Chant 판소리
Pansori is a genre of Korean traditional folk music performed by a singer and a drummer. The singer tells a story through singing, speech and gestures, while following the drum beats. Pansori narratives reflect the lives and feelings of the common people. Typically, the audience actively responds to and participates in performances.
19. Cheoyongmu 처용무
Cheoyongmu is a court dance performed by five dancers in masks and different colored clothes. Each color represents the four directions (east, west, south, and north) and the center. According to a legendary folktale, a man named Cheoyong exorcized an evil spirit by dancing and singing after catching the spirit about to rape his wife.
20. Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites 고창·화순·강화 고인돌유적
Dolmens are a common form of tombs during the Bronze Age. They are found throughout Korea. Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa are the areas that have the highest density of dolmens. The types of dolmens in the areas are also quite varied. The Hwasun Dolmen Site in particular has stone quarries that show the process of creating dolmens.
21. Ganggangsullae 강강술래
Ganggangsullae is a folk dance performed by women. Women hold each other’s hands and make a circle. Then, they start dancing and singing, while rotating the circle and repeating the refrain of “Ganggangsullae.” It is believed to have originated from a military tactic of Admiral Yi Sun-sin (1545-1598). During the Japanese invasions, Yi ordered women to sing and dance in a circle, in order to make his forces look bigger than their actual size.
22. Chungnyeolsa Shrine in Tongyeong 통영 충렬사
Chungnyeolsa Shrine in Tongyeong was built to commemorate Admiral Yi Sun-sin, who protected the country during the Japanese invasions of Korea, known as the Imjin War (1592-1597). Despite an overwhelming disadvantage in numbers and weaponry, he managed to protect the nation by leading important naval battles for the seven years of the war. He left Nanjung Ilgi, a record of the progress of the Imjin War.
23. Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut 제주 칠머리당 영등굿
Jeju Chilmeoridang Yeongdeunggut is a ritual where Jeju residents pray to the Goddess “Yeongdeung” for a good catch and well being. Yeongdeung was believed to be the goddess of the winds, who comes to Jeju Island in the second lunar month. The Yeongdeunggut reflects how much the wind affects the daily lives of the Jeju people as islanders. Besides shamans, female divers and ship owners also participated in the ritual.
24. Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes 제주 화산섬과 용암동굴
The volcanic island of Jejudo is well known for its unique natural beauty. It contains the 182m-high Seongsan Ilchulbong peak with a great crater, large lava tubes, and Halla Mountain, home of many rare plants and animals. Jeju Volcanic Island is an important resource for the study of the formation of volcanos and ecosystems.