Villages and Historic Areas
Hansan Island
Today, Hansan Island is part of the huge Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park. It lies in a beautiful location just off the coastal city of Tongyeong. As well the breathtaking scenery It is also a historically important location as it is from Hansan Island that Admiral Yi Sun-sin secured his Imjin War naval victories, including the famous Great Battle of Hansan, which took place between the Joseon navy and the Japanese navy on August 14-15, 1592. There are a few restored Joseon Dynasty buildings on the island, including Jeseungdang Shrine, where visitors can pay their respects to Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Hansan Island is a lovely place for a day out, especially in the warmer weather. You can get a boat from Tongyeong Marina to the island, which is a very relaxing experience, and then spend the day wandering around the island and visiting the different places associated with Admiral Yi Sun-sin and the Battle of Hansan, or just find somewhere to relax. For those interested in Admiral Yi Sun-sin, you can also find an exhibition devoted to him (and King Sejong) at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.
Uam Historic Park
Uam Historic Park in Daejeon was built to commemorate Uam Song Si-yeol (1607-1689), a Joseon scholar and government official. He had a number of buildings constructed for educational and research purposes and some of these buildings have been restored to form the focus of the park. You can see Korean Dancheong, a colourful method of painting used to decorate many wooden buildings, on some of the buildings whilst others are decorated more simply. Whatever the decoration, be it paint style, motifs, end tiles or wooden window panels, the buildings in Uam Historic Park are simply stunning examples of Joseon Dynasty architecture. There is also a small memorial hall dedicated to Uam Song Si-yeol that displays a number of his belongings and writings. The park is relatively small compared to some of the main cultural heritage sites, so you do not need a huge amount of time to walk around. It also does not get as busy as some other sites, so there are excellent photo opportunities. If you visit in the warmer weather, there are also seating areas to take a break and a grass area that is perfect for a picnic.
