Pohang has many places for the whole family to enjoy, including vivid historical sites, beautiful nature, museums, and sports venues. Befitting the reputation of the region as the foremost industrial city in Korea, built throughout the Japanese Forced Occupation and industrialization, there are plenty of sights to see that pierce the ages. At the Guryongpo Modern History Museum, you can feel how well wealthy Japanese colonialists lived off the stolen fishing resources of Korea, while the Pohang Ship Experience offers you the chance to look around the decommissioned ROKS Pohang, a naval patrol ship, as a window into Korea's modern history.

The National Lighthouse Museum and Homigot Sunrise Plaza tell the story of the city that grew with the sea. The sunrise at Homigot inscribes the words of dreams and hope in the hearts of children. If you want to put a smile on the faces of your children, visit the Pohang Character-themed Marine Park. Watch a quality game of soccer at Pohang Steel Yard, and cool down from the summer heat by going to a waterfall on Naeyeonsan Mountain.

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    Pohang Ship Experience

    Place to meet the spirit of the navy that protects the sea

    Pohang Ship Experience
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    The Pohang Ship Experience is home to the former ROKS Pohang, a 1178-ton patrol ship that is a sister ship to the ROKS Cheonan, which was sunk in a North Korean attack. Launched in December 1984 and retired on June 30, 2009, ROKS Pohang was a ship that supported anti-espionage operations and rear area security by conducting nearly 250 missions over its life. This venerable veteran, which also sunk a North Korean armed vessel that intruded beyond the Northern Limit Line, has now entered the second stage of its life as an educational exhibition.

    Considering that this ship belongs to the same class of ships as the ROKS Cheonan, a symbolic reminder of the tension between the two Koreas, the ROKS Pohang is a great place to take your children to teach them about the value of peace. The statue of the late Lieutenant Han Joo-ho, who fell in duty while searching for the sunken Cheonan, and the memorial room for the 46 fallen sailors remind us that Korea is still in a state of ceasefire. The onboard experience hall, where you can see the life of the soldiers on board, offers a meaningful glimpse into the life in navy.

    Location: 205, Unha-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Open: Daily from 9 am to 6 pm (February–October), Daily from 9 am to 5 pm (November–January)

    Phone: +82 (0)54-231-3882

    Map

    photo by 대한민국 국군 Republic of Korea Armed Forces (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

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    National Lighthouse Museum

    Place to learn about lighthouses in different ways

    National Lighthouse Museum
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    The National Lighthouse Museum preserves various artifacts and tells colorful stories about the lighthouses that guide ships on the sea. Modern lighthouses and other navigation signs were introduced to Korea during the late 1800s, and have contributed to the development of maritime traffic and industry ever since. If you look around the exhibition hall, which is divided into indoor and outdoor spaces, you can find more information on how people travel on the sea.

    At the Heritage Hall, you can see various documents and equipment related to lighthouses and route signs, and at the Experience Hall, you can experience various things related to the sea and sailing through analog and digital methods. The outdoor exhibition features life-size displays of air siren trumpets, air compressors, light buoys, and buoys. From the children's lighthouses to lighthouse camps and museum stamp tours, there's plenty of programs for the entire family that you can reserve.

    Location: 20, Haemaji-ro 150beon-gil, Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Open: Tuesday–Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)

    Phone: +82 (0)54-284-4857

    Map

    photo by Paul Bailey (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

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    Guryongpo Modern History Museum

    Place where traces of painful history remain

    Guryongpo Modern History Museum
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    Guryongpo Modern History Museum is housed in a two-story wooden house formerly owned by Zengichi Hashimoto, who came from Japan in the 1920s to Pohang. In 1923, Japan sanctioned the port of Guryongpo and took over the fishing rights of the East Sea, drawing Japanese colonists to the area. Hashimoto likewise accumulated wealth through exploitation of the fisheries with four fishing vessels. Look around the well-decorated houses and see the contrast with the stories of Koreans, whose exploitation financed the wealth in the house, to instill children with a proper sense of history.

    This wooden house has significant architectural value as well as historical significance. Built with building materials imported from Japan, the first floor of the house has an immaculately preserved master bedroom, traditional Japanese kitchen, and toilet. The window sills on the second floor, which were used in rooms housing the daughters and the reception room, embody the fashion used in wealthy houses at that time, and the Japanese-style ventilation windows, Ranma, demonstrate the emphasis that traditional Japanese houses place on ventilation. In addition, wooden gates and decorative pillars that have retained their original form even after more than 100 years have become valuable historic materials for today's research.

    Location: 153-1, Guryongpo-gil, Guryongpo-eup, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 5.30 pm

    Phone: +82 (0)54-276-9605

    Map

    photo by Altostratus (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

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    Homigot Sunrise Plaza

    Place where you can meet the rising sunrise between two hands

    Homigot Sunrise Plaza
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    Homigot Sunrise Plaza is a plaza located at the eastern end of the Korean Peninsula, which corresponds to the tail when the Korean peninsula is drawn in the shape of a tiger. Along with Cape Ganjeolgot in Ulsan, it is famous as the place that sees the earliest sunrise in Korea. Although it varies depending on the season, Pohang's Homigot has more days when the sunrise takes place first. Don't forget to take a photo of the Hand of Coexistence, which was sculpted in bronze in 1999 and has become a symbol of this place. Raise your arms and place the bronze hand above your hem for a humorous photo, or capture the red sun rising between your fingers.

    Homigot is also known as the setting for the legend of Yeonorang and Seonyeo. Find the sculptures of the two mythic figures, and tell children about how they went to Japan and became kings and queens in the story. If you came here with your family in time for sunrise, wish each other good health and happiness. The faces of your loved ones, illuminated in the golden light of the sunrise, will be a part of an unforgettable moment for the rest of your life.

    Location: 20, Haemaji-ro 150beon-gil, Homigot-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Phone: +82 (0)54-270-5855

    Map

    photo by Seongbin Im (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

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    Naeyeonsan Mountain

    Mountain with twelve waterfalls, each with its own charm

    Naeyeonsan Mountain
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    The 711.3-metre-high Naeyeonsan Mountain is known for its majestic presence, seemingly bigger than its actual height, and the 12 beautiful waterfalls. Just looking at the elevation, it is not a very tall mountain. Its location on the coast, however, makes it appear higher than other similar mountains. After passing Bogyeongsa Temple at the entrance of the hiking trail, walk about 1.5 km further to come face to face with Sangsaeng Falls, Bohyeon Falls, Sambo Falls, and Jamnyong Falls in quick succession. Jamnyong Falls is known among classical movie buffs as the place where the bathing scene of the movie “North Korean Partisan In South Korea” was filmed.

    For the best view, you have to climb up to Gwaneum Falls and Yeonsan Falls. Yeonsan Falls, also called the 7th Falls, has a strong current and a large drop, which create a majestic sound and appearance. The road from Bogyeongsa Temple to Yeonsan Falls takes around two hours, but the trail is well-maintained and the trail is not too steep, so it is perfect for the entire family, from children to the elderly, to enjoy nature and take care of their health.

    Location: Songna-myeon, Buk-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Phone: +82 (0)54-262-1117

    Map

    photo by Garry Burns (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

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    Pohang Steel Yard

    Ground where thrilling battles take place

    Pohang Steel Yard
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    Pohang Steel Yard is the home stadium of the Pohang Steelers, a prestigious club representing Asia's greatest soccer league, the K League. Opened in 1990 as the first stadium in Korea to be dedicated to soccer, this stadium with a capacity of 25,000 people, allows you to enjoy the thrilling games without any obstructions from any seat. In particular, the distance between the ground and the spectators is only 6m, so you can hear everything, even the rough breathing and shouts of the players.

    A sports game for the whole family with delicious food in an open space is a great way to make precious memories. After all, how many of us have been set on the path toward our lifelong passions by parents leading us to stadiums when we were young? After watching the game with your children, do not immediately go home. Instead, make you way to the area in front of the North Gate Plaza, where team buses are parked. You can get autographs from the players returning from the game and, if you're lucky, take a picture with them. Seeing a child happy after receiving an autograph from his or her favorite player is an image of happiness that cannot be exchanged for money.

    Location: 20, Donghaean-ro 6213beon-gil, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Phone: +82 (0)54-282-2002

    Map
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    Pohang Character-themed Marine Park

    World of robots and characters that children love

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    Pohang Character-themed Marine Park is a place that exhibits massive robot sculptures and character sculptures beloved by children. It's a perfect place to take photos and videos of the moments of genuine happiness shown by children. When a child, who is used to playing with small robot figures, discovers large sculptures of characters from franchises like Hello Carbot and Turning Mecard, he or she will be captivated by this fantastic world. Sophie Ruby, who captivates children in pink, and cutesy Gaspard and Lisa are also not to be missed. There's trick art on the floor, so it's also great for humorous pictures as well.

    The musical fountain, which seems to dance with the music, resembles a small park in its construction. Especially at night, when the fountain is illuminated by lights, it creates an even more spectacular view. When the sun goes down and the park is illuminated with light, majestic robots glean like they have just stepped out of the silver screen. There are many photo spots to be found, so bring a tripod and take some great photographs for your family album.

    Location: 174, Unha-ro, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea

    Open: Daily from 9 am to 10 pm

    Map