Top 10 Korean relics and where you can see - Korea Tourist Attraction

1. JikJiSimCheYoJeol (직지심체요절) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: National Library of France

JikJiSimCheYoJeol (in short JikJi) is the book printed by the oldest metal type in the world (confirmed by UNESCO). This book is about good phrases in many Buddhist scriptures. JikJiSimCheYoJeol was printed at Cheongju HeungDeokSa (청주 흥덕사) in 1377.

2. The Tripitaka Koreana (팔만대장경) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: Hapcheon Haeinsa Temple (합천 해인사)

The Tripitaka Koreana is made to defeat Mongol army (Jinghis Khan) with the power of Buddha during Mongol Empire. It is said that people bowed down every time they carved each words. The Tripitaka Koreana is the oldest complete collection of Buddhist Sutras in the world.

3. HunMinJeongEum Haerve (훈민정음 해례본) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: Kansong Art Museum (간송미술관)

As I said on other post, I personally think Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) is the greatest invention in Korean history. HunMinJeongEum Haerve is the book explaining why King Sejong made Hangeul (Korean Alphabet) and how to read and write Hangeul (Korean Alphabet).

4. YeonGa 7NyeonGa GeumDongYueLeYipSang (연가 7년명 금동여래입상)

Location: National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

YeonGa 7NyeonGa GeumDongYueLeYipSang is made in 539 at Goguryeo (B.C. 37 ~ A.D. 668). YeonGa 7NyeonGa GeumDongYueLeYipSang is the oldest glit bronze statue of the Buddha in Korea. This statue of the Buddha is influenced by Northern China and put a new spin on.

5. BanGaSaYuSang (반가사유상) & GeumDongBanGaSaYuSang (금동반가사유상)

Location: Both in National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

BanGaSaYuSang is the most typical statue of Buddha of East Asia in 6th, 7th century. As BanGaSaYuSang is very similar with wooden BanGaSaYuSang in Japan which is now thought that it is made in Korea, so BanGaSaYuSang shows Buddhism exchange between Korea and Japan during 6th, 7th century.

6. MuRyeongWangReung Gwan GgoMyeGae (무령왕릉 관 꾸미개)

Location: National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관)

MuRyeongWangReung is the most important royal tomb of BaekJae dynasty. There have been 4,600 relics found in MuRyeongWangReung and MuRyeongWangReung Gwan GgoMyeGae is one of the most typical relics among them. These MuRyeongWangReung Gwan GgoMyeGae is ancient coffin ornament.

7. BaekJaeGeumDongDaeHyangRo (백제금동대향로)

Location: Buyeo National Museum (국립부여박물관)

BaekJaeGeumDongDaeHyangRo is incense burner and the typical relic of BaekJae dynasty. This incense burner is image of a dragon snapping sacred lotus. BaekJaeGeumDongDaeHyangRo shows Buddhism and Taoism of BaekJae dynasty.

8. JoseonWangJoShilok (조선왕조실록) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: KyuJangGak Institute for Korean Studies in Seoul National University (규장각한국학연구소 in 서울대학교)

JoseonWangJoShilok is collection of books about what when why how did everything happened during Joseon dynasty (1392 A.D. ~ 1897 A.D.) for 25 kings. JoseonWangJoShilok has contents containing Politics, Diplomacy, Defense, System, Law, Economy, Industry, Transportation, Communication, Society, Culture, Astronomy, Geography, Music, Science, Medicine, Literature, Arts, Crafts, Theology, Ethics, Religion. This is why JoseonWangJoShilok is highly valuable historically.

9. DongEiBoGam (동의보감) [UNESCO World Heritage]

Location: National Library of Korea (국립중앙도서관)

DongEiBoGam is Korean traditional medical book written by Heo Jun in 1610. DongEiBoGam is the fundamental book of Korean medicine. Before DongEiBoGam was  written, all medical books were imported from China and was based on Chinese medicinal herbs. So people had hard time curing themselves. DongEiBoGam is based on Korean medicinal herbs and based on Korean treatment. DongEiBoGam was also one of the oldest medical books to emphasis on preventive medicine.

10. AngGuEilBu (앙부일구), HonChunEui (혼천의), ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo (천상분야열차지도)

Location: GwangHwaMun Square (AngGuIlBu, HonChunEui), Busan Metropolitan City Museum, National Palace Museum of Korea(ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo)

This is AngGuIlBu. It is basically sundial (solar clock). People read where is the shadow and read the time. Measuring time was very important for agricultural reason. AngGuIlBu was the most widely supplied clock during Joseon dynasty (1392 A.D. ~ 1897 A.D.).

This is HonChunEui. HonChunEui was used to measure movement and location of celestial bodies. HonChunEui was also used as astronomical clock. HonChunEui was also used for making calendar.

This is ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo. As you may have already predicted, ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo is drawing of the sky drawn in 1395. ChunSangBunYaYeolChaJiDo is one of the oldest astronomical chart.