UNESCO Site Visits
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It is common knowledge that Korea is a
country with a long and storied past.
Scattered amidst the sprawling cities and mist-covered mountains are countless
elements of historical and cultural significance. Several of these elements have been chosen by
the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
to join its prestigious list of World Heritage Sites or Intangible Cultural
Heritage. These sites or cultural
elements were chosen by UNESCO for their cultural, historical, and scientific
significance, and they are legally protected by international treaties.
Examining the lava flow lines in the Jeju
Lava Tubes
One of my long-standing goals for my time
here in Korea has been to visit all of these UNESCO sites. This is the list of properties on the World
Heritage Site List, and I have been fortunate enough to visit at least a key
portion of each one of them:
·
Baekjae Historic Area
·
Changdeokgung Palace Complex
·
Dolmen Sites
·
Gyeongju Historic Area
·
Haeinsa Temple
·
Andong Hahoe Historic Village
·
Hwaseong Fortress
·
Jongmyo Shrine
·
Namhansanseong
·
Royal Tombs of the Joseon
Dynasty
·
Seokguram Grotto and Bulguksa
Temple
·
Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava
Tubes
Visiting these incredibly important sites
has been a fantastic experience for me.
Not only have I learned a lot about the sites themselves; going to visit
them has been a great way to see what makes Korea what it is today.
Visiting Haeinsa Temple and holding a
woodblock of the Tripitaka Koreana
During my trips to these sites, I often
spent some time familiarizing myself with the surrounding area. I visited towns, took in the beauty of the
land, and met many great people along the way.
I will say that one of my favorite
experiences during my trips was diving with Jeju Haenyeo (women divers). The culture of the Jeju Haenyeo is recognized
by UNESCO as a part of its Intangible Culture Heritage list, for its importance
in contributing to humanity’s cultural diversity. My time with the Jeju Haenyeo was
unforgettable, and it provided me with memories that I will never forget.
Learning to dive with the Jeju Haenyeo
There is an abundance of history and
culture to be found at these UNESCO sites.
I encourage all of you to read more about them and, if possible, to visit
them and experience the history for yourself.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites
when you have time!
