Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Designated as National Park in 1975, Deogyusan National Park (덕유산국립공원, 1,614m) covers four counties. The ridgeline from the Hyangjeokbong peak of Mt. Bukdeogyusan to Mt. Namdeogyusan is 17.5km, and the altitude is 1,200m high. There are five peaks over 1,330m above sea level and eight large valleys. Mt. Deogyusan is one of Korea's tourist highlights and boasts temples, relics as well as a ski resort. Of the many wonderful sites, Mujuguchon-dong, the 25km valley range from Najetong gate to Baekryeonsa Temple, is especially noted as one of the 10 best tourist areas of Korea. Every valley has scenic spots and Gucheon-dong is particularly famous. Baekryeonsa Temple is located at the end of Gucheon-dong Valley. It is famous for the Stone Samjon Buddha, cerated during the Goryeo Dynasty and many monks came from this temple before and after the Injinwaeran War (1592~1598). Also, Jeoksangsanseong Fortress, Anguksa Temple, Guebul and many other relics are scattered throughout the park. Mt. Deogyusan boasts an abundance of beauty throughout all four seasons, and the 600 species of animals and plants, including the unique landscape of the yew trees are especially eye-catching. 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changnyeong-gun)


Jeollanam-do(Gangjin-gun)

Gangjin has many scenic landscapes with Wolchulsan Mountain to the north and the sea of Gugangpo dotted with numerous islets and wetlands to the south. It is also home to beautiful mountains, rivers, and plains that add to its scenic beauty and natural features. The Baengnyeonsa Temple and Dasan Chodang to the west of Gangjinman Bay, and the reeds along the coastline are a beautiful sight to behold. Also, the National Highway No. 23 that runs along the eastern border of the Gangjinman Bay, past the town of Gangjin-eup to Maryang, is famous for its many spectacular sights. Above all, it is highly recommended to hike up the Cheonilgak Pavilion in front of the Dasan Chodong Dongam (east hermitage) for a panoramic view of Gugangpo’s coastal waters. The hiking trail that traverses Mandeoksan Mountain leads to Baengnyeonsa, which is a temple with breathtaking ocean view.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Gaesil Village (개실마을), located in Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, faces Jeopmubong Peak, which is shaped like a fluttering butterfly. Many legends about etiquette and filial piety have come from this village. One legend concerns a family in which the children had been devoted to their parents for over 5 generations. When the mother got sick, a pheasant flew into the kitchen. In winter, carp jumped out of a nearby pond. Based on this legend, this village has also been called, ‘Ingeobaemi Village’ (잉어배미 마을). Unlike other villages, the descendents in Gaesil Village have maintained their traditions, and the village’s traditions of etiquette and filial piety can be experienced during a farm stay in this village.


Jeollabuk-do(Jinan-gun)


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongsong-gun)

Situated in Juwangsan National Park (in Cheongsong, Gyeongsangbuk-do), Cheongsong Museum was opened in 1999 to promote the history and culture of the county and its nearby area. The three-story museum offers indoor & outdoor exhibition halls and archive rooms. The Indoor Exhibition Hall showcases educational material related to farming and customs of Cheongsong. Exhibitions - such as the Traditional Guest Room, Weaving Room, Items of Everyday Use, and Cheongsong Porcelain - offer glimpses of how people lived in the past. The Outdoor Exhibition Hall reproduces a traditional tavern, Mulle banga (waterwheel), Yeonja Banga (a millstone operated by a horse or ox), Josan (a monument to ward off misfortunes and protect prosperity), and Seondol (natural stones used for worship), with which visitors can experience farm life in the past. Traditional totem poles (called Jangseung or Sotdae) await visitors at the entrance of the museum. Exhibition hours are between 9 am and 6 pm (until 5 pm during winter). The museum is also surrounded by many tourist attractions: Wangbeodeul (grand willow trees designated as Natural Monument No.297) in Bugok-dong, Dalgi Falls, Cheongun Stream, and Songsaeng-ri Student Campgrounds to name a few.  


Jeollanam-do(Gokseong-gun)

Located on the foot of Mt. Dongrisan, Taeansa Temple was built by three monks during the reign of the Silla King, Gyeongdeok (742). Afterwards, monk Hyecheol constructed a large temple with 132 rooms during Koryeo Taejo’s reign, which was established as a central seminary of the Mt. Dongrisan area. In the precincts there are four treasures, including Hyecheolguksa Sari Pagoda (national treasure no. 273), Gwangjaseonsa Pagoda (national treasure 274) and Neungpagak (regional tangible asset no. 82) which are worth seeing. However, it was badly damaged during the Korean War and had been refurbished since then. An invigorating valley and a shady nook can be reached just 1.8km from the entrance of the temple. It is a popular trail during the fall, with its bright maple leaves.


Gangwon-do(Hongcheon-gun)

Gongjaksan Mountain (887m), home to Sutasa Temple, gives visitors a bird’s-eye view of Hongcheon, named for its resemblance to a peacock proudly displaying its tail feathers. From the bottom, Gongjaksan Mountain looks like a giant laying on his back, looking up to the sky. The mountain offers elegant azaleas in spring, beautiful fall foliage, majestic cliffs with unusual rocks, colonies of pine trees, and a serene snowscape in winter.Sutasa Valley, stretching over 12km between Sutasa Temple and Nocheon-ri, is full of large ponds and broad bedrocks and is flanked by rocky cliffs and pine groves.Located among the foothills, Sutasa Temple is an ancient temple built by Monk Wonhyo in 708 A.D. The temple boasts numerous cultural properties including the gabled roof of Daejeokgwangjeon, a bronze bell (circa 1364), a three-tiered pagoda, and Wolinseokbo (a biography of Buddha, National Treasure No.745). 


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Cheoyongam is a very small rocky island sitting in the middle of Gaeunpo Inlet in front of Saejuk Village in Hwangseong-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan. It is a historic islet related to the famous folktale of Cheoyong. The tale is about a dragon that emerged from the east sea along with his seven sons at the end of the Silla Kingdom (57BC - 935AD). One of the dragon’s sons named Cheoyong came to the capital and married a beautiful woman. One night, he found an evil spirit trying to attack his wife so he sang and danced, whereupon the spirit presented itself and kneeled in apology. Since then, people have used the image of Cheoyong to dispel evil spirits. The dance that Cheoyong is said to have performed has been titled Cheoyongmu and has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property. Cheoyongam is the sacred rock where the dragon in the tale is said to have appeared. There are many attractions nearby including Mokdo Island (Natural Monument No. 65), which offers magnificent lush greenery all year round.