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TravelTips24 : Asia : East Asia : South Korea : North Gyeongsang

North Gyeongsang

North Gyeongsang [1](경상 북도 Gyeongsangbuk-do, 慶尙北道) is a province of South Korea where Buddhist traditions of the Silla kingdom and the centre of Confucian philosophies meet.

Cities

  • Ulleungdo - remote scenic island in the middle of the sea
  • Andong - home to the Hahoe Folk Village and Confucian teachings
  • Gyeongju - the former capital of the Silla kingdom
  • Daegu - the largest city in the province
  • Pohang - largest port city in the East coast where ferries leave for Ulleungdo and important industrial city
  • Gumi - largest inland industrial city considered the mecca of the Korean electronic industry

Other destinations

Culture and History

Dotted with historic temples and grandiose park reserves, this region is the cultural epi-centre of the country. Gyeongju listed as one of the world's 10 most important ancient cultural cities by UNESCO is where you'll find the venerated remnants of the longest running state in Korean history, the Silla kingdom. Andong, the gateway to Confucian teachings and Korean traditions. Still guided largely by Confucian rules, this area is considered one of the more conservative regions in South Korea.

Geographically it is bordered by Sobaek-san, a mountain range that includes Songni-san, in the north and in the west. And in the east before meeting the sea are the Taebaek Mountains that reaches from North Korea.

Talk

The Gyeongsang province including the south as well as the north have a distinctive accent that many Koreans consider harsher than let's say the Seoul accent. The accent has more tones to it and sounds more rhythmic. It may be compared to how Japanese sounds.

Travel to North Gyeongsang & Visa Requirements

There's an international airport in Daegu with limited connections to China and Japan. Other international flights come to Busan and Seoul, and the KTX high-speed train passes through North Gyeongsang on its way between those cities. There's also several normal-speed train lines in the province, and buses run just about everywhere.

Ferries run from Pohang to Ulleung-do.

Tours & Getting around North Gyeongsang

Buses and taxis

North Gyeongsang attractions and sightseeing

  • Bulguksa
  • Goryeong Daegaya Historic Site
  • Hahoe Village
  • Seokuram Grotto
  • Tumuli Park

North Gyeongsang city tours

  • Buseoksa
  • Cheomseongdae

North Gyeongsang Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Not normally distinguished for its food, the region's best known regional speciality is the Andong jjimdak — chunks of chicken with potatoes and transparent noodles in a sweet and spicy dark sauce. Andong, the city rich in Confucian traditions, is where you will find restaurants that serve the dish.

North Gyeongsang nightlife, bars, clubs & pubs

Also from Andong, the best known beverage would be the soju and the sikhye. You know what soju is (refer to South Korea page) but Andong's version of sikhye has a little twist. Normally a cloudy white colour, the drink is made with the omnipresent red pepper powder in Korean cuisine which makes the liquid pink and the taste a little spicy. Best drunk with peanuts or pine nuts.

Stay safe

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This page was last edited at 08:32, on 13 November 2008 by Paula. Based on work by Jani Patokallio, Daniel Cowan and Evan Prodromou, Wikitravel user(s) Episteme and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.

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