Location: Iksan
Top Things to do in Iksan
Top Hotels in Iksan
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Top 10 Things to do in Iksan, South Korea
Iksan (Korean: 익산; Korean pronunciation: [ik.s͈an]) is a city and major railway junction in North Jeolla Province, (commonly transliterated as Jeollabuk-do or Chollabuk-do) South Korea.
Restaurants in Iksan
1. Mireuksaji Yumeul Jeonshigwan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By CanisHan - Guri, South Korea
C1 ( 2015.08.05 ) This exhibit hall was located beside Mirieuksaji remains. This museum was well exhibited about Baekje's relics and explained well. There was good place to know about ancient empire, Baekje, I think. Good museum
2. Gyeonggijeon Shrine
Overall Ratings
4 based on 136 reviews
Reviewed By zhenqi - Singapore, Singapore
With an entrance fees of 6,000 won for 2 person.
We spent a good 1.5 hours here looking at the different section.
How the kitchen of olden days look like, with a traditional pounder. And a place used to keep the records on daily life of the King.
Royal Portrait museum where we get to see impressive portrait of King Taejo. Painting of Five Peaks with Sun and Moon was beautiful to admire too. So much so that I bought the magnet version of it home.
Historical sites seekers would have to pop in here to see.
3. Eunpa Lake Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
Reviewed By D M - Tucson
There is a large, well lighted maintained dirt/asphalt path around the lake with music on portions of it. The scenery is incredible especially in the fall and spring. On Saturday nights in the warmer seasons there is usually a few live bands at the two small amphitheaters they have set up. The bridge in the evening is lit up in many colors and there are spectacular views of the surrounding city towers. It is a excellent place to walk or slowly ride a bike. There are city bikes for rent at several spots. There is also a paddle boat rental, you can cruise around in a duck shaped paddle boat. At sunset the bugs, especially mosquitoes can be overwhelming certain times of the year (I got over 80 bites on both legs once!), use anti mosquito spray or wear long pants. The locals will be covered head to toe at times. Once it is completely dark there are less bugs.
4. Iksan Jungang Cheyuk Park
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By Joseph H - Lima, Peru
Blossoms where very beautiful. The food was ok. But the park and activities I found interesting and fun. A walk through the park ground has many tombs and trails for visitors to hike on the terrain was not difficult and the trails well marked.
5. Jeondong Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
4 based on 279 reviews
Reviewed By Omneeuh
I stopped by after seeing a lot of people in front of it taking pictures in traditional clothing. The side door was opened, so I took a look inside. It was nice, but nothing spectacular. I sat in the pews for a few minutes and was surprised they had pillows for kneeling. It's a good place to have a few minutes of silence.
6. Dongguksa Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 58 reviews
Reviewed By kjmagnuson - Los Angeles, California
Gunsan is the location of some of the best-preserved Japanese colonial architecture in Korea. For much of Post-WWII Korea, Japanese buildings have been routinely demolished, often with fanfare. It is perhaps understandable considering the brutal Japanese rule Korea suffered under for 35 years. Suprisingly, Dongguksa has survived.
Yet, for visitors finding themselves in Gunsan there are several Japanese buildings worth visiting. Even during difficult times of hardship, life continues. Gunsan's colonial architecture is a perfect window into how Japan saw themselves (Liberator of Asia), and the reality (Colonial ruler). At Dongguksa we can explore a Japanese style temple that is still active. This is the only Japanese temple that remains in its original condition in Korea. The temple is only about 100 years old, the layout is elegant and fairly modest. The Korean Buddhists who run the temple today have chosen to preserve the Japanese style structure for its historical value.
Within Gunsan there is the Japanese Customs House, built in "western" fashion. A wealthy Japanese merchant built his sizable compound, which is a rare, perfectly preserved Japanese house. There is also a Japanese bank and lighthouse. From these structures we can see how Japan tried to assimilate Korea into Japan itself, moreover we also witness Japan attempting to modernize Gunsan as a port city. The juxtaposition of Japan, the perceived "beacon of modernity in Asia" and the "brutal colonizer" is nowhere so apparent as in Gunsan. For if we study the history, Gunsan port was built primarily to import Korean rice and other goods to Japan (virtually with no benefit to local Koreans). How did this modernize or help Korea at the time?
Dongguksa is worth a visit. It is something just not found in 21st century Korea. Japanese buildings that have actual historic value are few and far between in Korea, most have fallen to decay or the wrecking ball. Enjoy this authentic Japanese temple, and venture to see some of Gunsan's rich colonial history. The lesson is an important one.
7. Miruksa Temple Site
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By veggiejeonju - Jeonju, South Korea
Although at one time it must have been very impressive, it is currently being repaired and it's not possible to see the big stone pagodas which used to be 30 meters in height because they are behind some wooden structure. There was a small scale model of how the temple used to look and it was a bit difficult to get there by bus as it was about an hour bus ride and then a quick look around, and then waiting for a return bus. Unless you are very interested in this temple, I would recommend waiting until they finish their rebuilding before going.
8. Jeonju Hanok Village
Overall Ratings
4 based on 693 reviews
Reviewed By Sanghee Y
The town is surrounded by a river. You can see old fashioned houses built hundreds years ago. It’s amazing to see still a few residents are in the village.
Clean restrooms and free shuttles are user friendly. There is a small exhibition displaying many kinds of mask. They even offer lessons good for teens and children.
9. Wanggung-ri Relics Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By kjmagnuson - Los Angeles, California
There are two aspects of Wanggungni, the expansive archeological site, and the adjacent museum. Each compliment each other, because the ruined palace is basically only foundations and one impressive 5-story stone pagoda. The ancient pagoda is a national treasure. The museum helps to explain the ruins and the tremendous Baekje treasures being unearthed here.
The staff at the museum are excellent, while some do not speak English, they went out of their way to be helpful. The museum and ruined palace site are way off the tourist map, and it is not easy to travel here by public transportation.
Wanggungni is a vast complex of palace ruins that date from the early 7th century. Countless artifacts have been found here, and the excavations are ongoing. Please respect the site, and take some time within the museum to give the somewhat sparse ruins context.
10. Omokdae and Imokdae
Overall Ratings
4 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By jxxxli - Singapore, Singapore
Omokdae and Imokdae are located within a stone's throw away from the Hanok village. Just a short climb of stairs will get you to Omokdae first, which offers a stunning view of Jeonju's hanok village. We also stumbled by a 100-year old cafe at the foot of Omokdae! Very impressed with the history of the city here.
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