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What Is Taekwondo? A Look into Korea’s Martial Art
Taekwondo is a modern martial art that began to take shape around Korea’s liberation in 1945 and was fully developed in the 1950s. It’s Korea’s national martial art (국기國技). Rather than just being a combat sport, it’s a philosophical training method that strengthens both body and mind. Created in Korea, Taekwondo has now grown into a global sport practiced by 80 million people across 200 countries worldwide.
The essence of Taekwondo lies in cultivating a mindset of respecting others, exercising self-control, and never giving up.
Taekwondo History – From Ancient Korea to Olympic Sport
The roots of Taekwondo can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period. You can even see movements similar to Taekwondo in the murals of Goguryeo’s Muyongchong tomb. Modern Taekwondo began during a crisis when traditional Korean martial arts faced extinction during Japanese colonial rule. After liberation, martial artists like Choi Hong-hee and Lee Won-kuk carried on the tradition of Korean martial arts and created new martial arts, which became today’s Taekwondo.
The World Taekwondo (WT) was established in 1973, and after being introduced as a demonstration sport at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Taekwondo became an official Olympic sport starting from the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Today, Taekwondo has established itself as an Olympic sport enjoyed by people all over the world.
What Is Taekwondowon? Discover Korea’s Taekwondo Sanctuary
Muju Taekwondowon is the world’s only full-scale Taekwondo experience park in Korea, offering programs for beginners to experts. That opened in 2014.
Built on a total area of 2,314,000㎡ with a total project cost of 247.5 billion won, construction began in March 2009 and was completed in August 2013. This is a special place where you can experience everything about Taekwondo.
It consists of three major themed spaces: the Experience Zone (the arena of challenge), the Training Zone (the arena of leap), and the Symbol Zone (the arena of arrival), providing visitors with a systematic Taekwondo experience.
Basic Information
- Address: 1482 Museol-ro, Seolcheon-myeon, Muju-gun, Jeollabuk-do
- Operating Hours: Weekdays 10:00-18:00 / Weekends and holidays 10:00-19:00 (Closed every Monday)
- Admission: Free
- Experience Fees: Experience Center Yap! 6,000~10,000 won / Monorail 2,000~4,000 won
- Reservations: Official website
Transportation
- From Incheon International Airport: Incheon International Airport → Daejeon Station (KTX) → Daejeon Terminal → Muju Public Bus Terminal → Bus to Seolcheon
- From Seoul Nambu Terminal: Seoul Nambu Terminal → Muju Public Bus Terminal (5 times daily) → Bus to Seolcheon
Symbol Zone – The Spiritual Center of Taekwondowon
The heart of Taekwondowon is the Symbol Zone. This is a space that symbolically embodies the philosophy and spiritual world of Taekwondo, where traditional Korean architectural beauty harmoniously blends with the spirit of Taekwondo.
Taekwon Hall The world’s largest and only Taekwondo stadium, a sacred space containing the fundamental spirit of Taekwondo.
Myeongin Hall (Hall of Masters) A training and community space for the highest-level masters, dedicated to honoring those who have made significant contributions to the development and globalization of Taekwondo.
Taekwon-ru & Baekun Pavilion A building that takes advantage of the mountainous terrain while maintaining symbolic significance, divided into lower and upper spaces. It’s a traditional hanok (Korean house) designed with a front of 5 bays and sides of 2 bays using round columns and a hip-and-gable roof. It also serves as a facility where you can enjoy panoramic views of Taekwondowon and Baekun Mountain.
Ilyeo Pavilion A spiritual training space where you become one with nature in the great outdoors. Built in traditional Korean architectural and landscaping style, this space symbolically represents the philosophy and spiritual world of Taekwondo through its facilities and programs.
Taekwondo Experience Facilities at Taekwondowon
T1 Stadium A large-scale stadium that can accommodate up to 4,500 people, serving as the main venue for international competitions such as the World Taekwondo Championships. There’s a dedicated performance hall in the basement where daily Taekwondo demonstrations take place.
Pyeongwon Hall A spacious and high training and education space for Taekwondo groups, athletes, and demonstration teams, with a large training hall covering 1,207㎡.
National Taekwondo Museum A museum where you can see the history and spirit of Taekwondo at a glance. It consists of three floors and displays the development process of Taekwondo and various artifacts.
Experience Center Yap! An interactive space where you can actually experience Taekwondo. Various programs are prepared, from basic movements to breaking experiences.
Playwon An outdoor complex experience facility that boasts even more beautiful scenery during the season when canola flowers bloom.
Accommodation and Convenience Facilities
Doyak Hall Accommodation facilities named after Taekwondo poomsae (forms), consisting of various buildings such as Goryeo Hall, Geumgang Hall, and Taebaek Hall. They’re equipped with clean facilities and amenities for comfortable rest.
Dining Facilities
- Ara, Maru, Garam: Dining halls for trainees
- Narae Hall: Banquet dining hall
- Surawon: VIP dining hall
- Cafeteria: Light beverages and snacks
Convenience Facilities Various facilities for visitor convenience are provided, including fitness centers, shower facilities, convenience stores, and shuttle buses.
Taekwondowon Experience Programs – Learn, Challenge, Heal
Taekwondowon’s experience programs are organized around four themes: Learning, Challenge, Growth, and Healing, providing programs tailored to visitors’ diverse needs.
Learning – 6 Programs
- Learning basic Taekwondo postures
- Learning self-defense techniques
- Paralympic Taekwondo experience
- AT (Alternative Technology) experience
- Mind control education
- Leadership practice lectures
Challenge – 9 Programs
- Traditional martial arts training
- Experience Center Yap! activities
- Electronic protective gear experience
- One-day national team member experience
- Taekwon Tearing
- Janggu (traditional drum) experience
- Calligraphy experience
- Taekwon drum experience
- Taekwon trampoline
Growth – 5 Programs
- Practical sparring practice
- Breaking technique mastery
- Intensive kicking training
- Poomsae (forms) completion
- Taekwon healing therapy
Healing – 6 Programs
- Walking around Taekwondowon trekking
- Community games
- Taekwon adventure
- Healing Taekwon gymnastics
- Recreation
- Change-ro trekking
Staying at Taekwondowon – Rooms, Dining & Amenities
You can stay at Doyak Hall within Taekwondowon.
It’s an interesting point that the accommodation building names are derived from Taekwondo poomsae names (Goryeo, Geumgang, Taebaek, etc.). Clean facilities and amenities like Wi-Fi and TV are well-equipped.
Taekwondo Day Trip & Package Itineraries
Day Trip Course
T1 Stadium tour → Taekwondo performance viewing → Experience Center Yap! → National Taekwondo Museum visit → Traditional garden/Ohaeng Waterfall walk → Symbol Zone → Monorail ride → Observatory
Package Course
Stay programs ranging from 1 night 2 days to 3 nights 4 days, where you can intensively enjoy Taekwondo training and experiences. There are experience-type, healing-type, and emotional-type programs, and dobok (Taekwondo uniform) rental and Jeonbuk Tour Pass are provided.
How to Visit Taekwondowon – Travel Tips & Info
Best Time to Visit
- Spring (April-May): During the season when canola flowers are in full bloom, you can take beautiful photos around Playwon.
- Fall (September-October): You can enjoy the spectacular scenery where Muju’s autumn foliage harmonizes with Taekwondowon’s traditional architecture.
Recommended Photo Spots
- Panoramic view of Taekwondowon from Taekwon-ru
- Playwon where canola flowers bloom
- Traditional hanok buildings Myeongin Hall and Ilyeo Pavilion
- Baekun Mountain panorama from the monorail observatory
Special Services
- Shuttle buses operate at Taekwondowon for convenient movement around the vast grounds.
- English guide services and multilingual information boards are available, so foreign tourists can use the facilities without inconvenience.
- You can purchase Taekwondo-related souvenirs and Taekwondowon goods at the museum shop.
Things to Do Near Taekwondowon
Firefly Land (Bandi Land): A theme park covering 37,000 pyeong (Korean unit of area) equipped with an insect museum, nature school, firefly ecological restoration site, and greenhouse. It also features a youth camping ground, natural recreation forest, log cabins, and observatory, making it a space where you can meet fireflies, enjoy rest in nature, and have vivid experiences. You can see 13,500 insects from around the world displayed as specimens, along with videos and botanical gardens.
Gucheon-dong 33 Scenic Views: Belonging to Deogyusan National Park, Gucheon-dong 33 Scenic Views is a beautiful 28km valley starting from the first scenic view, Najae Tongmun, where strange rocks and rare flora and fauna inhabit. Clear water forms pools, ponds, and waterfalls, creating the most beautiful Gucheon-dong 33 Scenic Views among Korea’s representative summer scenic spots.
Meoru Wine Cave: A space for aging, storing, and selling Muju meoru (wild grape) wine. A former work tunnel of Muju Pumped Storage Power Plant was renovated to include a wine house, the Secret Door of Meoru Wine (270m), and other convenience facilities. You need to walk about 270m into the cave, where you can see meoru wine displayed on both sides and enjoy free wine tasting. It’s produced only from meoru grown in Muju.
Pre-Visit Checklist
- Check Taekwondo demonstration performance times (there may only be afternoon performances on weekdays)
- Check the weather (monorail operations may be suspended depending on weather conditions)
- Comfortable sneakers recommended (you’ll need to walk around the vast grounds)
- Pre-book experience programs (there may be long waiting times during peak seasons)
Editor’s Note – My Thoughts on Taekwondo’s Heartland
Taekwondowon is a place that offers special experiences beyond just being a tourist destination. It provides opportunities to directly experience the spirit and philosophy of Taekwondo, Korea’s traditional martial art, while training both body and mind together.
Especially for foreign visitors, it will be a meaningful time to understand the depth of Korean culture. The thrill of watching spectacular breaking demonstrations, the sense of achievement from learning Taekwondo movements yourself, and the healing time of finding peace of mind in Muju’s pristine nature. Come create special memories that can only be experienced at Taekwondowon.
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