UNESCO World Heritage Sites (cultural)
Click on individual site names to find out more about them.
Baekje Historic Areas
Baekje Historic Areas is made up of diverse sites in three different locations that were capitals during the Baekje Kingdom (18 BCE to 660 CE). Gongsanseong Fortress and the Songsan-ri royal tombs, which includes the tomb of King Muryeong (462–523), are in Gongju. Busosanseong Fortress, the Gwanbuk-ri archaeological site, Jeongnimsa Temple, the Neungsan-ri royal tombs (known locally as Buyeo Royal Tombs Park) and Naseong city wall are in Buyeo, whilst the archaeological site of Wanggung-ri and Mireuksa Temple can be found in Iksan. The sites were listed in 2015 as evidence of the development of building practices stemming from interactions between different kingdoms/countries, evidence of the spread of Buddhism and because they are unique remnants of Baekje culture, religion and art.
Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto
Bulguksa Temple and Seokguram Grotto are located on Mount Tohamsan in Gyeongju National Park and date to the Unified Silla period (676 to 935 CE). Bulguksa Temple is a large Buddhist complex that consists of various wooden buildings as well as the beautiful Dabotap and Seokgatap pagodas. Seokguram Grotto is located further up the mountain and is a small domed grotto area. There you can see a very large statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha as well as many other Buddhist sculptures. The two sites were built to represent the different realms, with Bulguksa Temple representing the earthly realm and Seokguram Grotto representing the heavenly realm. Both sites were listed in 1995 as outstanding examples of Buddhist architecture, whilst Seokguram Grotto was also listed as an East Asian work of art.
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
1997
Gaya Tumuli
2023
Gochang, Hwasun and Ganghwa Dolmen Sites
2000
Gyeongju Historic Areas
Gyeongju Historic Areas is a concentration of sites dating to the Silla period (1st century BC to 935 CE). that is divided into five different areas or 'belts'. The Hwangnyongsa Belt consists of Bunghwansa Temple and the Hwangnyongsa Temple remains. The Mount Namsan Belt has many sites, including temple ruins, pagodas and tombs. The Sanseong Fortress Belt has defensive remains, whilst the Tumuli Park Belt has numerous royal tombs, including that of King Michu in the Daereungwon Tomb Complex. Finally, the Wolseong Belt consists of Cheomseongdae Observatory, Donggung Palace and Wolji Pond, woodland, and palace ruins. Gyeongju Historic Areas was listed in 2000 due to its significance in the development of architecture and as a testament to the cultural achievements of the Silla period.
Haeinsa Temple Janggyeong Panjeon
1995
Historic Villages of Korea: Hahoe and Yangdong
2010
Hwaseong Fortress
Hwaseong Fortress is an 18th century Joseon Dynasty fortification built by King Jeongjo (1752-1800). It is located in the city of Suwon and stretches over a distance of around 6 kilometres. Many parts of the fortress can still be viewed today, including a very large section of the east wall complete with its pavilions and other architectural features. You can also see other parts of the fortress around the city, including the four main gates, Changnyongmun, Hwaseomun, Janganmun and Paldalmun. Hwaseong Fortress was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997 as it exemplifies the blending of eastern and western ideas and techniques, which went on to influence developments in architecture, planning and landscaping. It was also inscribed as an example of the rapid social and technical developments occurring at the time.
Jongmyo Shrine
Jongmyo Shrine is the oldest surviving Confucian royal shrine, dating to the late 14th century. As with many other sites, it was destroyed during the 16th century Japanese invasion but it has remained relatively unchanged since it was rebuilt in the 17th century. The shrine maintains its original layout and houses the spirit tablets of Joseon Dynasty kings and queens. The Jongmyo Jerye ancestral rites and its accompanying music, the Jongmyo Jeryeak, are also listed as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Jongmyo Shrine was listed in 1995 as an outstanding example of a Confucian royal ancestral shrine however, concerns over the UNESCO status of the site arose late in 2025 with the planned redevelopment of a nearby area, which many believe will impact on its universal value.
Namhansanseong
2014
Petroglyphs along the Bangucheon Stream
2025
Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty
The Royal Tombs of the Joseon Dynasty is a collection of 42 tombs that were built during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897) and the Korean Empire (1897-1910). Two of these tombs are in North Korea and it is the 40 tombs which are located in South Korea that are inscribed onto the UNESCO World Heritage list. The tombs are split into 18 different 'clusters' that can be found in Guri (1), Goyang (2), Gimpo (2), Hwaseong (1), Namyangju (3), Paju (2), Seoul (5), Yangju (1) and Yeoju (1). These royal tomb sites are made up of several components, not just a royal tomb, including a shrine, a tomb keeper's house, a shed to house a stele and a gate. The tombs were inscribed onto the list in 2009 due to them representing a specific funerary tradition, as being outstanding architectural landscapes and being associated with the living tradition of conducting ancestral rites.
Sansa, Buddhist Mountain Monasteries in Korea
2018
Seowon, Korean Neo-Confucian Academies
2018