South Korea - Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites

"The prehistoric cemeteries at Gochang, Hwasun, and Ganghwa contain many hundreds of examples of dolmens - tombs from the 1st millennium BC constructed of large stone slabs. They form part of the Megalithic culture, found in many parts of the world, but nowhere in such a concentrated form.” 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1 - Hwasun Dolmen
Southern type dolmen clusters in Dasin-ri, Hwasun. Thanks to Claus of Germany.

Postcard 2 - Ganghwa Dolmen

Northern type dolmen in Ganghwa. Thanks to Claus of Germany.

Postcard 3 - Gochang Dolmen

Gochang Dolmen Sites. Historical relics used for rituals and funeral services 2,000-3,000 BC. Thanks to Irina for sending from South Korea. Kamsa hamnida.

Postcard 4

Multi-view of South Korea UNESCO World Heritage with Ganghwa Dolmen in the middle of postcard. Thanks to Hajeong of South Korea.

Postcard 4

Stamp postcard of Dolmen site in South Korea with Year of Rat stamp used. Thanks to Il Gu of South Korea. Received in January 2020.

South Korea - Gyeongju Historic Areas

"The Gyeongju Historic Areas contain a remarkable concentration of outstanding examples of Korean Buddhist art, in the form of sculptures, reliefs, pagodas, and the remains of temples and palaces from the flowering, in particular between the 7th and 10th centuries, of this form of unique artistic expression." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

I travelled through the Gyeonju area. There are many National Treasurers from the Shilla dynasty. Bought these wonderful postcards there. The historic areas consists of 4 groups: Mount Namsan; Wolseong; Tumuli Park and Hwangnyongsa.

Postcard 1
Royal tombs at Gyeongju. Thanks to Jessica for sending from South Korea.

Postcard 2A - Anapji Pond
Anapji pond in Gyeongju National Park at night. Thanks to Yuri of South Korea. Received in July 2018.

Postcard 2B- Anaji Pond 
Gyeongju Wolseong - artificial Anapji Pond and Imhaejong Palace.

Postcard 3

Gyeongju Mount Namsan - Posokchong Site - Autumn playground of Shilla Kings.




Postcard 4
Gyeonju Wolseong - Chomsongdae - the oldest observatory in the Orient.




Postcard 5
Gyeongju Tumuli Park - "The Flying Horse" painted in the excavated Tomb.




Postcard 6
Gyeongju Hwangnyongsa - Mochon Stone Pagoda of Bunghwangsa Temple.

South Korea - Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea

"The Sansa are Buddhist mountain monasteries located throughout the southern provinces of the Korean Peninsula. The spatial arrangement of the seven temples that comprise the site, established from the 7th to 9th centuries, present common characteristics that are specific to Korea – the “madang” (open courtyard) flanked by four buildings (Buddha Hall, pavilion, lecture hall and dormitory). They contain a large number of individually remarkable structures, objects, documents and shrines. These mountain monasteries are sacred places, which have survived as living centres of faith and daily religious practice to the present."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage


Beopju Temple of Boeun-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do is one of the seven traditional Buddhist Mountain Temples in South Korea. Thanks to CYL who bought this postcard in South Korea.

South Korea - Changdeokgung Palace Complex

"In the early 15th century, the Emperor T'aejong ordered the construction of a new palace at an auspicious site. A Bureau of Palace Construction was set up to create the complex, consisting of a number of official and residential buildings set in a garden that was cleverly adapted to the uneven topography of the 58-ha site. The result is an exceptional example of Far Eastern palace architecture and design, blending harmoniously with the surrounding landscape.” 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Changdeokgung Palace Huwan Garden. A nice surprise postcard sent from Seoul on December 22, 2010 and arrived in Penang on January 5, 2011. Thanks to Sumie of Japan who was visiting Seoul. Temperature on December 21 was 5 deg C.





Postcard 2
Injeong, Throne Hall in Changdeokgung Palace, Seoul. Thanks to Joy who has just visited this Palace.





Postcard 3
Aerial view of Chandeokgung Palace Complex of Seoul in South Korea. Thanks to Claus.

Postcard 4

Autumn view of Changdeokgung garden. Thanks to Hayeon of Seoul, South Korea.

South Korea - Baekje Historic Areas

"Located in the mountainous mid-western region of the Republic of Korea, this property comprises eight archaeological sites dating from 475 to 660 CE, including the Gongsanseong fortress and royal tombs at Songsan-ri related to the capital, Ungjin (present day Gongju), the Busosanseong Fortress and Gwanbuk-ri administrative buildings, and the Naseong city wall related to the capital, Sabi (now Buyeo), the royal palace at Wanggung-ri and the Mireuksa Temple in Iksan related to the secondary Sabi capital. Together, these sites represent the later period of the Baekje Kingdom – one of the three earliest kingdoms on the Korean peninsula (18 BCE to 660 CE) - during which time they were at the crossroads of considerable technological, religious (Buddhist), cultural and artistic exchanges between the ancient East Asian kingdoms in Korea, China and Japan."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Baekje 25th King Muryeong - stone inscription epitaph - national treasure no.6. Thanks to Marian of Italy who visited Gongju, South Korea and bought and mailed this postcard.

South Korea - Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong

"Founded in the 14th-15th centuries, Hahoe and Yangdong are seen as the two most representative historic clan villages in the Republic of Korea. Their layout and location - sheltered by forested mountains and facing out onto a river and open agricultural fields – reflect the distinctive aristocratic Confucian culture of the early part of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The villages were located to provide both physical and spiritual nourishment from their surrounding landscapes. They include residences of the head families, together with substantial timber framed houses of other clan members, also pavilions, study halls, Confucian academies for learning, and clusters of one story mud-walled, thatched-roofed houses, formerly for commoners. The landscapes of mountains, trees and water around the village, framed in views from pavilions and retreats, were celebrated for their beauty by 17th and 18th century poets." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1A - Hahoe
Hyangsa Rite in Byeongsan Seowon - a Confucian academy in traditional cultural villlage of Hahoe. Thanks to Ching-Ru of Taiwan who visiting this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Postcard 1B - Hahoe

Aerial view of historic village of Hahoe. Thanks to Robert of South Korea.

Posctard 2 - Yangdong

Black and white winter view of Yangdong village. Thanks to Marina of Italy who visited Yangdong, South Korea and mailed this postcard.

South Korea - Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa Temple

"Established in the 8th century on the slopes of Mount T'oham, the Seokguram Grotto contains a monumental statue of the Buddha looking at the sea in the bhumisparsha mudra position. With the surrounding portrayals of gods, Bodhisattvas and disciples, all realistically and delicately sculpted in high and low relief, it is considered a masterpiece of Buddhist art in the Far East. The Temple of Bulguksa (built in 774) and the Seokguram Grotto form a religious architectural complex of exceptional significance." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1A - Seokguram Grotto
Buddha in Seokguram Grotto. I bought this postcard when I visited this temple in South Korea.

Postcard 1B

A different view of Buddha in Seokguram Grotto. Thanks to CYL who bought this postcard in South Korea.

Postcard 2A - Bulguksa Temple

Aerial view of Bulguksa - constructed in the age of Unified Shilla Kingdom. Thanks to Irina for sending from South Korea.

Postcard 2B - Bulguksa Temple 

I visited this famous Bulguksa Temple Complex and bought this postcard.

Postcard 2C

Thanks to CYL who bought this postcard in South Korea.

Postcard 2D

Winter view of Bulguksa Temple. Another postcard that I bought in South Korea.

Postcard 2E

Bulguksa Temple. Thank you to Inhye of South Korea.

South Korea - Namhansanseong

"Namhansanseong was designed as an emergency capital for the Joson Dynasty (1392-1910) , in a mountainous site 25 kilometres south-east of Seoul. Built and defended by Buddhist monk-soldiers, it could accommodate 4,000 people and fulfilled important administrative and military functions. Its earliest remains date from the 7th century, but it was rebuilt several times, notably in the early 17th century in anticipation of an attack from the Sino-Manchu Qing dynasty. The city embodies a synthesis of the defensive military engineering concepts of the period, based on Chinese and Japanese influences, and changes in the art of fortification following the introduction from the West of weapons using gunpowder. A city that has always been inhabited, and which was the provincial capital over a long period, it contains evidence of a variety of military, civil and religious and has become a symbol of Korean sovereignty."

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Walls of Namhansanseong with a matching stamp on the postcard. Thanks to Sooeun of South Korea.

South Korea - Hwaseong Fortress

"When the Choson emperor Chongjo moved his father's tomb to Suwon at the end of the 18th century, he surrounded it with strong defensive works, laid out according to the precepts of an influential military architect of the period, who brought together the latest developments in the field from both East and West. The massive walls, extending for nearly 6 km, still survive; they are pierced by four gates and equipped with bastions, artillery towers and other features.” 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1
Hwaseong Fortress.

Postcard 2

Paldalmun, South Gate of Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon. Thanks to Joy of USA who was in South Korea.





Postcard 3
A tourism promotion card of Suwon Hwaseong Fortress by Korea Tourism Organization. Thanks to Johnson of UK.

Postcard 4

Night view of Hwaseong Fortress, Suwon. Thanks to CYL who bought this postcard in South Korea.

South Korea - Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes

"Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes together comprise three sites that make up 18,846 ha. It includes Geomunoreum, regarded as the finest lava tube system of caves anywhere, with its multicoloured carbonate roofs and floors, and dark-coloured lava walls; the fortress-like Seongsan Ilchulbong tuff cone, rising out of the ocean, a dramatic landscape; and Mount Halla, the highest in Korea, with its waterfalls, multi-shaped rock formations, and lake-filled crater. The site, of outstanding aesthetic beauty, also bears testimony to the history of the planet, its features and processes." 

Source: UNESCO World Heritage

Postcard 1A - Lava Tubes
Yongcheon Cave, UNESCO World Heritage of Jeju. Thanks to Nurul of Malaysia for sending from Seoul, South Korea.

Postcard 1B - Lava Tubes

Manjanggul Grotto - the largest lava tube caves of Geomomoreum system.

Postcard 2A - Hallasan

The Royal Azalea Blossom of Mt. Hallasan of Jeju Island of South Korea. Nice stamps. Thanks to Joy for sending from South Korea.






Postcard 2B - Hallasan
Mount Halla's Crater Lake. When I was in South Korea, I bought these postcards of Cheju. There are the three major sites of this UNESCO World Heritage.

Postcard 2C - Hallasan

Top of Halla-san. Thanks to CYL who bought this postcard in South Korea.

Postcard 3A - Seongsan

Seongsan tuff cone rising from the ocean floor.

Postcard 3B - Seongsan

A different view of Seongsan. Thanks to CYL who bought this postcard in South Korea.