My Cultural Heritage Tour for Teenagers 1: Silla | Gyeongju
Foreword by Yoo Hong-jun
Let's embark on a field trip and immerse ourselves in the beauty of Gyeongju, the millennial capital.

Part 1: In Search of Queen Seondeok, the First Queen of Silla
Part 2: The Spirit of Unified Silla Rises: The Stone Pagodas of Gyeongju
Part 3: The Voice of Buddha Resonates Through the Race: Emile Jong
Part 4: Religion, Science, and Art Become One Seokguram Grotto
Part 5: Bulguksa Temple, the Land of Buddha Established on This Earth

Author's Note: To tomorrow's adventure!
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My Cultural Heritage Tour for Teenagers 2: Baekje | Gongju, Buyeo, and More
Foreword by Yoo Hong-jun
Where should I go to see Baekje on a field trip?

Part 1: Seosan, the City of Generous Smiles
Part 2: In Search of Baekje's Soul: Princess
Part 3: Buyeo, the place where the fragrance of Baekje is omnipresent
Part 4: The Beauty of the Collapsed Stone Pagoda: Mireuksa Temple Site in Iksan

Author's Note: To tomorrow's adventure!
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The travelogue syndrome that will continue among teenagers

Cultural heritage refers to products or forms that are valuable and worthy of being passed on to future generations for cultural development.
The reason our ancestors strove to preserve our cultural heritage even as we navigated the twists and turns of history, from the Japanese colonial period to the Korean War and division, is probably because they wanted to preserve our identity and continue our cultural pride.
Unfortunately, for today's teenagers, cultural heritage is more like a passage on a Korean history test than a great work of art or evidence of history.
Recently, with the popularity of the Korean History Proficiency Test, the enthusiasm for studying Korean history is hotter than ever, but it is true that many people are only focused on memorizing historical knowledge.


"My Cultural Heritage Tour for Teenagers" is a book that helps teenage readers discover the beauty and value of our cultural heritage for themselves.
Since the first book in 1999, the series has continued with the publication of "My Cultural Heritage Tour," and there has been a steady stream of requests for the publication of tour guides for children and teenagers. In response to these requests, this series was born as a self-guided book that retains the joy of reading.
『My Cultural Heritage Tour for Teenagers』 covers everything from how to appreciate relics and ruins to why our cultural heritage is aesthetically and scientifically outstanding, and the stories of the past and present surrounding our cultural heritage. Professor Yoo Hong-jun, who has been loved by a wide range of readers for the past 26 years, showcases his exceptional insight, rich historical background, and lifelong field trip experience.
Children and young adults who read this book will come to look at our cultural heritage with a new love, as the saying goes, “If you love, you will know, and if you know, you will see, and what you see then will not be the same as before.”


“The entire country is a museum.”
A field trip with Professor Yoo Hong-jun, a leading cultural heritage expert!

"My Cultural Heritage Tour for Teenagers" is a book that vividly captures the feeling of being on a field trip with Professor Yoo Hong-jun.
Author Kim Kyung-hoo, who is also a mid-career poet, has made the original work, a vast intellectual asset encompassing history, art, and culture, accessible to teenage readers, while fully utilizing Professor Yoo Hong-jun's characteristically easy-going wit.
The historical background of the cultural heritage is also written in a story format so that readers can understand it naturally.
Rich stories and affectionate descriptions of our country add vitality to the tour.
Moreover, the earnest desires of the historical figures who created relics and ruins, and the stories of those who dedicated their lives to understanding and preserving cultural heritage, make us realize that cultural heritage is not something that remains in the past, but rather a legacy that belongs to all of us, extending beyond the present and into the future.
Additionally, vivid field photos give the reader a sense of reality as if they were actually there, and renowned artist Lee Yun-hee personally visited Gyeongju and the southern provinces to intimately portray the atmosphere of the field trip, further adding to the enjoyment of reading the book.


The splendid history of Silla and Baekje, as seen through knowledge

History becomes most vivid and direct when learned together with cultural heritage.
Even historical events learned from textbooks feel as close as if they happened yesterday when encountered at a specific historical site.
Herein lies the power of inquiry.
『My Cultural Heritage Tour for Teenagers』 is a reorganized version of the adult version centered around the tour area, with a focus on the division of Korean history into eras.
Thus, the first survey site was chosen as Gyeongju, the thousand-year-old capital of Silla.
In Volume 1, Silla/Gyeongju, we visit the Samhwaryeong Baby Buddha, the Hwangryongsa Temple site, and Cheomseongdae, which were built during the reign of Queen Seondeok, and encounter the hopes and aspirations of the ancient Silla people.
And after appreciating the stone pagodas of Silla, each boasting its own unique character and beauty, we continue our journey to the Emilejong Bell, Seokguram Grotto, and Bulguksa Temple, which are must-sees in Gyeongju.
In the second field trip, we set out to find the breath of Baekje.
Because Baekje's capital changed several times, it was difficult to preserve relics and historical sites in one place.
That is why, in Volume 2, Baekje/Gongju, Buyeo, and Others, readers are expertly guided to Gongju and Buyeo, the ancient capitals of Baekje; Seosan, the city of the Seosan Rock Buddha with its generous smile; and Iksan, home to the Mireuksa Temple site, helping them feel the beauty of Baekje from the bottom of their hearts.
Through "My Cultural Heritage Tour for Teenagers," we hope that children and young adults, as well as their entire families, will embark on a field trip to our country's national museums.


1 Silla/Gyeongju

Volume 1, ‘Silla/Gyeongju’, was compiled based on ‘My Cultural Heritage Tour 1-3’ (revised edition, Changbi 2011).
Gyeongju is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Korea, but few people are fully aware of its charm.
In Volume 1, it is said that in order to faithfully look back on the history and cultural heritage of Gyeongju, which embraces the Silla Dynasty, one must first decide on a field trip topic, and readers are guided through a field trip to cultural properties from the time of Queen Seondeok, a field trip centered around the stone pagodas of Gyeongju, and a field trip to see the past and present of the Emille Bell, Bulguksa Temple, and Seokguram Grotto.
The story of today's visit, which describes the field trip site, faithfully embodies the charm of a cultural heritage tour, as it unfolds with fascinating stories of relics and historic sites, including the lovely Samhwaryeong Baby Buddha, the generous and warm Namsan Bulgok Gamsil Buddha, and the now-remaining Hwangnyongsa Temple and its nine-story wooden pagoda.
Ultimately, it is people who create and preserve cultural heritage.
When I hear the story of the day when the Emile Jong was moved, where all the people of Gyeongju gathered, I feel anew how precious a cultural heritage the Emile Jong is.
The stories of those who were fascinated by Seokguram Grotto and dedicated their lives to uncovering its secrets, and the story of how Dabotap Pagoda was so absurdly damaged during the Japanese colonial period, are gripping.
After reading the book, you will find yourself wanting to go to Gyeongju.


2 Baekje/Gongju, Buyeo, etc.

When people think of Goguryeo, they think of the mighty warriors running across the Manchurian plains, and when they think of Silla, they think of the splendid Buddhist culture of Gyeongju, but when they think of Baekje, they say that no specific image comes to mind.
After Silla unified the three kingdoms, Baekje culture was not well transmitted, and the capital changed several times, causing relics and ruins to be scattered.
Volume 2, ‘Baekje/Gongju·Buyeo and Others’, was compiled based on volumes 3 and 6 of ‘My Cultural Heritage Tour’ (both revised editions, Changbi 2011).
We will guide readers through the subtle beauty of Baekje as we walk through Gongju and Buyeo, the ancient capitals of Baekje; Seosan, the city that holds the smile of Baekje; and Iksan, home to the site of Mireuksa Temple.

Additionally, the stories of people we met at the field trip site provide vivid emotion and fun.
The heartbreaking story of a grandfather who devotedly cared for the Seosan Rock Buddha for over 30 years, the story of Professor Yoo Hong-jun's second hometown, Buyeo and its people, and the relationships he made while traveling across the country, including the dogs and deer that guarded Daejosa Temple, make the trip even more enriching and enjoyable.