Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uiseong-gun)

Gounsa Temple lies on Deungunsan Mountain in Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, and was built by Monk Uisang in 681 during the reign of King Sinmun of the Silla Kingdom. Although the pronunciation of the name was never changed, its meaning slightly changed from “High Cloud Temple” to “Solitary Cloud Temple” after Choi Chi-won, a renowned scholar in the late Silla Period, helped to build two pavilions (Gaunru and Uhwaru) and renamed it. It is Branch Temple No.16 of the Korean Buddhist order, Jogyejong, and manages temples in Uiseong, Andong, Yeongju, Bonghwa, and Yeongyang. Befitting its meaning, the temple is surrounded by outstanding scenery on Deungunsan Mountain, meaning “Riding on the Clouds.” Quite isolated from villages, the temple is a very quiet, serene place. Gounsa Temple is home to one of the most cherished pieces of architecture, Gaunru Pavilion (“Floating over the Clouds”). This elegant pavilion is propped up by wooden columns, which are, in turn, supported by foundation stones. It looks as if the pavilion placed its feet in the water while standing. Among the many buildings comprising the temple complex, Yeonsujeon Hall is a unique building that was built to store Eocheop (the genealogical record of royal families) in 1774 (20th year of King Yeongjo). As a royal building, it shows the Confucian architectural style, different from other Buddhist buildings within the temple.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

Opened on May 4, 2001, Midongsan Arboretum in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do is a provincial arboretum, built to develop and propagate forestry techniques and found ecological education environments. Covering an area of 3,114,049.60㎡ (942,000 pyeong), the arboretum houses almost 873 species of plants and 652,000 plants in 11 exhibition halls including an Oak tree hall, a Maple tree hall, and a genetics hall, which presents plant genetic resources like Jeongipumsong hugyemok (succession of pine tree). In addition to the 11 themed arboretum halls, Midongsan Arboretum also has a forestry educational hall, plant seed bank, research center for wild plants, nature experience camp, and more.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)

Bakdaljae Natural Forest is a dense forest where pine trees and bushes have harmoniously coexisted together with oddly formed rocks and strangely shaped stones for 150 years. At the top of Bakdaljae Pass, there’s a pavilion, a spring, a resting area, and a wood sculpture park. From the top of the mountain, one can admire a view of Sobaeksan Mountain, Wolaksan Mountain and Gamaksan Mountain.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

At an altitude of 1,577 m above sea level, Gyebangsan Mountain, which faces Odaesan Mountain on the eastern part of the Taebaeksan Mountain Range, is the fifth tallest mountain in South Korea, after Hallasan Mountain, Jirisan Mountain, Seoraksan Mountain, and Deogyusan Mountain. On the west side of Gyebangsan Mountain is Unduryeong (1,089 m), of which has vehicle accessible road. Asiatic black beers are said to habitate in the deep valleys on the north side, and there is Bangadari mineral water and other mineral water sources on the south side. With many varieties of herbs and wild flowers growing naturally in the area, it is also well known as a place to dig for wild ginseng. It's rare Japanese yew trees and royal azalea combined with it's similar terrain to Seoraksan Mountain's Daecheongbong Peak has caused the mountain to be a highly protected ecological environment.Gyebangsan Mountain is particularly popular for winter hikers, who can get beautiful views of the snowy landscapes of the mountain even until March. On top of that, since the difference in evelation from Unduryeong to the top of Gyebangsan is only 488 m, it welcomes even novice hikers as well. From the summit, one can see the backboone of Baekdudaegan Mountain, and with its panoramic views of Seoraksan Mountain to the north, Odaesan Mountain and Daegwallyeong to the east, and Taegisan and Hoegisan Mountains to the west, it is one of the best views in the area.


Jeollabuk-do(Jangsu-gun)

Geumgang River is one of Korea’s four major rivers (Hangang River, Geumgang River, Nakdonggang River, Yeongsangang River). It starts from Jangsu-eup, North Jeolla-do. It flows northward and then changes direction in the vicinity of Greater Daejon and flows southwest through South Chungcheong-do before emptying into the Yellow Sea near Gunsan City. The total area of the Geumgang River Basin is 9,885 square kilometers with a length of 401 kilometers, making it the third longest in South Korea (right behind Hangang River and Nakdonggang River). The upstream of the river flows through the rugged mountains of Deogyusan (1,594 meters; also the root of Geumgang River) and Baegunsan (1,279 meters) Mountains. The midstream and downstream areas feature basins and fertile alluvial plains, so they were one of the first settlements in Korea and the origin of the Baekje culture. The estuary in the downstream area is wide and deep due to the continuous sinking of the West shore, so it offers favorable conditions for a river port and an inland water conveyance system. Geumgang River has supplied water for the Honam (Jeolla-do) Field and served as Baekje Dynasty's main source of water, running through the capital city then. It was an important means of transportation that allowed Baekje's culture to flow into Japan.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

Surrounded by high mountains and cliffs, Wangpicheon Valley and the neighboring area have been kept unscathed for a long time. The area is now designated as Ecosystem Conservation Zone by Environmental Office, to protect the rare wild life flora and fauna.


Chungcheongnam-do(Cheongyang-gun)

Opened in 1996, Chilgapsan Recreational Forest (칠갑산자연휴양림) is surrounded by a beautiful natural forest. The facility consists of a camping site, outdoor stage, walking path, health training center, as well as a natural education center for children.


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

The Julpo Natural Ecological Park is a quiet park in the southernmost end of Buan. The park naturally turned into an ecological marshland after an embankment was built 15 years ago to protect the surrounding low-land areas from inundation. The embankment allowed reeds to overgrow and a freshwater wetland to be formed. The total surface area of the park is 163 acres, with a 40-kilometer long reed field, wild flower bed, and a ginkgo forest path. In the fall, the views of golden reeds and yellow ginkgo trees are splendid. The Julpoman Foreshore near the park was designated a Ramsar wetland in January 2010. The foreshore offers a habitat for 50 or so bird species, salt plants, and wetland animals. Also, there is a large colony of Suaeda japonica, which turns stunningly red in early autumn. This is also a filming site of the Korean drama ‘Lovers in Prague’.


Jeollabuk-do(Wanju-gun)

This fortress was completed in 1675, the first year of the reign of King Sukjong (1674-1720) of the Joseon Kingdom. It was intended that in time of war or other emergency, the portrait of King Taejo enshrined in Gyeonggijeon Hall and the spirit tablet of the Yi Clan founder, kept at Jogyeongmyo Shrine, both in Jeonju, would be brought to the fortress for safekeeping. In fact, they were brought to the safety of the fortress when Jeonju was occupied by the Donghak peasant army in 1894. The original wall was 4m to 5m high, 3m wide and 16km long and had three main gates (East, West, and North) and eight smaller ones. Of the three covered gates of the fortress, only the stone archway of the west gate remains together with part of the stone wall. Inside the fortress are Wibongsa Temple and Wibong Falls, one of the 8 Beauties of Jeonju.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

Bonghwang Natural Forest is located on Ulgungsan Mountain (398m) in Chungju. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, Bonghwang Natural Forest offers cool, yet cozy environment. The forest is comprised mainly of oaks, pines, larches, and chestnuts trees. Its gentle slopes offer an easy hike, suitable for family visitors with small children. A small stream winds through the valley at the forest entrance, and there is also an auto camping site. There are many attractions nearby including Wolaksan National Park, Chungjuho Lake, Suanbo Spa, Neungam Spa, and Tangeumdae Pavilion, which makes it a great place for family or group visitors.Facilities inside Bonghwang Natural Forest include a water pool for children and a survival game ground. Visitors can learn to distinguish quality chestnuts at the 5ha of chestnut tree forest near the lodging building for group visitors. The nearby Chungju Goguryeo Astronomical Phenomena Exploratorium provides a memorable opportunity to observe the stars on clear nights.