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Haeboongsa
Haeboongsa is a traditional temple founded in 636 on the slopes of Mount Myeongwol in Nam-gu, Pohang. In the Silla Dynasty, it was established by royal decree in 636. This temple was known as Myeongwolam, where they also raised warhorses. Unfortunately, it was destroyed in a fire towards the end of the Joseon Dynasty but was extensively reconstructed during the reign of King Myeongjong. In 1987, restoration work began, leading to the construction of Yongwang Hall, Daewoongjeon, and Yosa. In 2001, a stone pagoda was erected in front of Daewoongjeon. Daewoongjeon is a beautiful building with a five-bay front and three-bay sides, featuring a central statue of Sakyamuni Buddha,
• Address (location): 304-16 Myeongwol-gil, Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yeonsan Oncheon Park
Yeonsan Hot Springs is located in Songla-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang City, where the historic temple of Bogyeongsa sits on the East Coast. Connected with various surrounding tourist attractions, it is an all-season hot spring resort with facilities such as hotels, glamping, caravans, hot springs, outdoor swimming pools, and restaurants. The hot spring water is rich in lithium and beneficial minerals like sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and chlorine, known to be effective for skin conditions such as dermatitis and eczema, as well as hypertension, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and psoriasis.
• Address (location): 514 Bogyung-ro, Songla-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea.
Yeongil Bay Hot Springs
The place where Yeongil Hot Springs is located has been known by the names Onjeongjae, Wang-eo-gol, and Gama-gol since ancient times, with a legend that hot springs gush out. In 1974, it was confirmed that the geothermal energy in the Yeongil area was the best in the country during oil exploration, and in 1988, Yeongil Hot Springs Co., Ltd. began developing a large hot spring resort.
The main components of the hot spring water include calcium, sodium, iron, potassium, magnesium, chlorine, sulfuric acid, fluoride, zinc, bicarbonate, silicon oxide, radium, strontium, radon, germanium, and various other mineral elements, with a pH of 9.43, making it an alkaline bicarbonate-sodium hot spring. The water temperature is around 35 degrees Celsius, which is slightly lower, making it comfortable for bathing. The hot springs are known for their benefits in relieving fatigue, improving skin beauty, preventing aging, treating neuralgia, arthritis, heart disease, and liver function improvement. Yeongil Hot Springs is the youngest hot spring in Korea, and the water is very smooth and gentle to the skin. Facilities include a jewel sauna, clay sauna, hot spring baths, clay ondol rooms, and a snack bar.
• Address (location): 21, Unje-ro 386beon-gil, Daesong-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
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Homi Cape Hot Springs
The Hohwa-gol Hotspring, located next to the police station in Homigot, Pohang, is an indoor hotspring that directly sources its clean seawater from the famous sunrise spot of Homigot Peninsula on the East Sea. The seawater here is known for its excellent benefits for conditions such as arthritis, inflammatory rheumatism, skin disorders, and metabolism. With support from the government and Pohang city, the facilities have been newly renovated, now utilizing solar energy to heat the pristine seawater from the East Sea to 50℃ for visitors to enjoy.
• Address (location): 163 Homigot-gil, Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yeonohrangseonyeo Theme Park
The exhibition hall Gui Vigo at Yeonohrangseonyeo Theme Park in Pohang is a unique storytelling cultural space that focuses on the local heritage and aesthetic features of the place. It offers special exhibitions, cultural arts experience programs, and region-specific activities. The exhibition hall includes a video room, lounge space for educational and experiential programs, and uses various techniques such as animation, VR experiences, and media interactions to engage visitors in an immersive experience with Yeonohrangseonyeo.
• Address (location): 3012 Homy-ro, Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Yeongildae Lake Park
Yeongildae Lake Park is a space that creates a unique atmosphere in Pohang, a city known for its strong port image. Despite its name using ‘Yeongildae,’ like Yeongildae Beach, it exudes a completely different vibe. Various types of trees, buildings with red roofs, and a walking path where you can gaze at the blue sky and the lake provide comfort to the mind. Yeongildae Lake Park is especially famous for its cherry blossoms in full bloom during spring, making it a popular cherry blossom spot.
• Address (location): 11 Happy-gil 75beon-gil, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea (Daejam-dong)
Railway Forest & Garden of Fire
Between the old Namgu Hyoja Station and the former Pohang Station, a 4.3km section that was once a railway for about 100 years was transformed into a city forest in 2015 when the KTX Pohang Station was relocated. This urban oasis now offers a space for citizens to relax and enjoy in the heart of the city. The city forest features bike paths, a stream, artificial waterfalls, and sculptures. With 4,800 trees such as cherry blossoms, magnolias, ginkgo trees, and sequoias lining the bike and walking paths, the city forest acts as the lungs of the city, providing cooling relief in the summer heat, reducing noise, and offering fresh air to enhance the quality of life for residents.
The walking paths are adorned with a flowing stream, fountains, and artificial waterfalls, ensuring there’s never a dull moment for visitors. Where the four-lane road intersects, an underground passageway showcases the history and transformation from the 1960s to the present through photos under the theme “Naru Journey to Create Beautiful Memories.” Especially at night, the area not only attracts residents seeking relaxation or exercise but also couples out for a date, establishing its role as a healing space in the city and setting an example as a forward-thinking urban regeneration and green eco-city project. During the development of the Pohang Railway Forest, a natural gas flame emerged during the excavation at a depth of 200m underground, which has continued to burn to this day. To provide a unique spectacle, a Fire Park was created, offering enjoyment for citizens through events like egg grilling and nighttime activities in the Pohang Railway Forest.
• Address (location): Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Daejam-dong)
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Hwanho Park
Located on the back hill of the coastal village at the end of Yeongildae Beach in Pohang, Hwanho Park is the largest park in Pohang where citizens can enjoy culture, leisure, and relaxation. This spacious area harmoniously blends modern beauty with the natural surroundings of coastal cliffs and trees. Within the park, you can find the Pohang Municipal Art Museum, an outdoor performance stage, a children’s library, a small zoo, a children’s adventure playground, a traditional play park, a ground fountain, and an observatory.
Most notably, the thrilling Spacewalk, which feels like walking in space above Pohang Steelworks and the sea in front of Pohang, has emerged as a new landmark in Pohang. The Spacewalk, donated by Pohang Steelworks for social contribution, has a total length of 333m and is a sculptural structure consisting of 717 steps, with time restrictions depending on the weather. Throughout the year, the park offers high-quality exhibitions, performances, diverse cultural events, entertainment for families with young children, walking paths leading to a pine forest, and bicycle courses, providing Pohang citizens with a relaxing environment. It is an ideal spot to admire the sunrise seeping into the East Sea at dawn and a must-visit course for tourists in Pohang to experience the landmark Spacewalk.
• Address (location): 30 Hwanho Park-gil, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Pohang Ferry Terminal
The Pohang Passenger Terminal is where ferries depart for Ulleungdo. Starting from July 2023, the Eldorado Express ferry will operate, cutting the travel time to Ulleungdo from 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours down to just 2 hours and 50 minutes. The Eldorado Express boasts a top speed of 93km/h (50.2 knots), making it the fastest passenger ferry in the world. Specifically designed for the East Sea route, it can accommodate 970 passengers and carry 25 tons of cargo, with a total tonnage of 3,158 tons.
Located near Pohang’s bustling Yeongildae Beach, the passenger terminal offers a variety of food and sights to enjoy. There are many restaurants opening early in the morning nearby, making it easy to grab breakfast. (Note: The large-scale ferry, New Siddhartha Pearl, operating since September 2021, departs from Pohang Yeongilman Port, not the Pohang Passenger Terminal, so please take note.)
• Address (location): 44 Haean-ro, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do (Hanggu-dong)
Waterway of Dongbin Port
For decades, the blocked waterway of Dongbin Port in Pohang has been restored through the city’s ecological restoration project, reclaiming the old water route. A canal resembling a small stream now runs for 1.3km from the mouth of Hyeongsan River to Songdo Bridge. Pohang Canal, the first urban canal in Korea, has brought urban revitalization and environmental restoration to the city center. It has become a new tourist attraction with the delicious food and shopping at Jukdo Market, Dongbin Port, Yeongildae Observatory, Songdo Beach, and the stunning night view of POSCO.
Pohang Canal Center manages and promotes the canal, consisting of a canal promotion center, observatory, canal operation office, and café. The promotion center features a permanent exhibition showcasing Pohang’s past and present through historical photographs of the city’s development and the construction process of Pohang Canal. From the 4th-floor observatory, visitors can enjoy views of Hyeongsan River and POSCO. At night, seasonal lighting enhances the scenic view, making it a charming spot for night views. It is recommended to visit nearby attractions such as Yeongildae, Hwahong Park, and Pohang Grand Market after a cruise tour. Tickets are sold on the 1st floor of Pohang Canal Center, and passengers must have identification for boarding.
• Address (location): 1040 Hope Avenue, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea
Healing Road
Healing Road is a rural cultural complex located in Cheongha District, including Cheongha Cherry Hill, Drawing Cherry Workshop, and Nuna Surf, a local company in the process of incorporation. Selected as a new resident business in the tourism village in 2021, Healing Road aims to showcase cultural arts and marine leisure products based in the rural area, packaged for tourists. Nuna Surf is a surfing shop located at Wolpo Beach in Cheongha, Buk-gu, Pohang City. Offering surfing education and experience programs to surfers and tourists visiting Wolpo Beach, Nuna Surf has seen an increase in tourists since being featured in the drama Navillera. The signature drinks, Cherry Aid and Seafood Plate, have gained popularity among tourists. With expertise in food and beverage, along with consulting from Tourism Village, they are looking forward to menu development and growth. Utilizing their accumulated expertise, Healing Road aims to develop tourist package products to attract high-spending tourists through active promotion and marketing, thereby creating added value and contributing to the revitalization of the rural economy. Through the ‘New Healing Road Experience Package,’ they seek to attract tourists bidirectionally, creating a synergy effect as a community.
What is the Healing Road Experience Package? It is a product encompassing rural coastal areas, offering experiential packages and stamp tours for tourists visiting the area. By introducing participating companies in Healing Road and tourist attractions included in the H Tourist Belt (such as Gyeongsangbuk-do Arboretum, Igari Docks Observatory, Wolpo Beach), along with available tourist facilities in the vicinity, tourists are provided with a master plan of the tourist area.
• Address (location): 67, Hae-an-ro 2308beon-gil, Cheongha-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do
Damupo White Village
Damufo White Village, also known as Homyeok-ri in Gangsa 1-ri, is a charming fishing village where over 80% of the population is engaged in activities related to the sea. Recently, it has transformed into a hands-on experiential tourism village where visitors can experience various sea-related activities. One of the most popular experiences is the ‘Haenyeo Experience,’ where you can try out the life of a female diver on land.
• Address (location): 8, Ilchul-ro 574beon-gil, Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do