Jinju Fortress

Gyeongsangnam-do


Local street signs call it a castle, but it’s actually a well-preserved fortress that was partially destroyed during the Japanese invasion of 1592. One of the major battles of that campaign, in which 70,000 Koreans lost their lives, was fought here. Inside the fortress traditional gates and shrines dot the grassy knolls of the heavily wooded park.

The small but interesting Jinju National Museum, inside the fortress, has a worthwhile Imjin War exhibition.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Gyeongsangnam-do attractions

1. Jinju National Museum

0.1 MILES

This small but worthwhile national museum inside Jinju Fortress houses a collection of artefacts dating back to the Imjin War (임진왜란; Imjin Wae-ran) – a…

2. North Gate

0.15 MILES

The northern entrance to Jinju Fortress.

3. East Gate

0.27 MILES

The Jinju fortress gate close to the eel restaurants.

4. Jinju Jungang Market

0.54 MILES

Traditional market with a fantastic variety of street vendors and indoor shops.

5. Jinyangho Lake Park

2.64 MILES

Lakeside city park with a handful of hotels and cafes, plus an amusement park.

6. Naewon-sa

16.98 MILES

This temple is about 3km from Samjang-myeon, off route 59. Highlights include a three-tier Silla pagoda and a rare Cheonwang-bosalnim statue.

7. Daewon-sa

20.59 MILES

Tucked near the eastern border of Jirisan, this temple is an active nunnery where a famed female sanshin (mountain spirit) is thought to reside. A…

8. Buril Pokpo

23.5 MILES

It's an easy day-trip from Jinju to this small water fall in Jirisan. The hike to get there is an easy 3 hours round trip from Ssanggye-sa.