Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si)

Bigeum Valley is also known as “Mulgolan” (literally meaning inside water valley), as clean water flows abundantly in this area. The region is surrounded by the mountains of Seorisan, Chungnyeongsan, Jugeumsan, and Cheonmasan, and has several valleys. Bigeum Valley is located at the upper most region of Sudong National Tourist Park, and stretches for about 2 km. It is a popular vacation site, as thick forests provide cool shade and fresh, clean water runs through the scenic valley.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Chilgok-gun)

Gasansanseong Fortress (가산산성) in Chilgok-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do is located in the middle of Chilgok-gun, between Daegu Metropolitan City and Gumi. Mt. Gasan (901m in elevation) is 10km west of Mt. Palgongsan. Because it boasts seven peaks, the mountain was called, ‘Chilbongsan.’ After enduring large wars including the Imjinwaeran (Japanese invasion of Korea in 1592) and the Byeongjahoran (Chinese invasion of Korea in 1636), the Joseon rulers built a fortress over the course of 100 years in the mid Joseon period to aid in Korea’s defense. It is Korea’s only three-layered fortress, consisting of inner, outer and central walls. The flat Gasanbawi Rock (가산바위) at the mountain’s peak, which is large enough to accommodate 100 people at a time, offers a great view of Daegu Metropolitan City. * Structure – Stone fortress encircling a valley, strategic fortress * Size and date - Inner wall: 4.0km (17-18th (1640) and 26th (1648) year of King Injo’s reign) - Outer wall: 3.0km (26-27th (1701) year of King Sukjong’s reign) - Central wall: 0.6km (17th (1741) year of King Yeongjo’s reign)  


Chungcheongnam-do(Taean-gun)

Green Rich Farm (Formerly, Cheongsan Arboretum) is home to over 200 different kinds of wildflowers, trees, and water plants such as lotuses and water lilies. Bridges and trails in the garden make it a romantic place for couples as well as a good place for children to experience nature up close. Since its opening in 1990, the garden is only open July through August, when the Taean Lotus Festival takes place, welcoming visitors who come to see the lotus flowers. It takes about two hours to tour the garden. The best time to enjoy the lotus flowers in full bloom is between 11:00 and 15:00. After 15:00, the lotus flowers begin to close their petals. To minimize the environmental impact caused by large amounts of visitors, the number of visitors per day is limited to 2,000 people. Prior reservation is not required.


Jeollanam-do(Wando-gun)

Located about 12㎞ off the southwestern coast of Korea, Bogildo Island is accessible by ferry from both Wando-gun and Haenam-gun in Jeollanam-do Province. The island features fishing villages, hiking trails, beaches, evergreen forests as well as several historic buildings and gardens. Furthermore, nearby attractions include Nohwado Island, which is connected to Bogildo by bridge, and Suando Island. Surrounded by blue sea, Bogildo is considered the gem of all islands in this area. Island History The first people to set foot on Bogildo Island are Confucian scholars during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The relics of two such men, 17th century poet Yun Seon-do and politician Uam Song Si-yeol, still remain on the island. Yun had been on his way to Jeju Island when he stopped on Bogildo, and was so taken aback by its beauty that he ended up living on the island. He built and resided in the Buyongdong gardens, which have been well-preserved to this day. Uam Song had also been on his way to Jeju Island, when the boat stopped on Bogildo. Here, Uam Song carved a famous poem into a rock, which can still be seen today.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Miryang-si)

Located in Naeil-dong in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Aranggak Pavilion sits in a bamboo forest. It is said to have been built to appease the spirit of a young woman named Arang, who met an unfortunate death. According to legend, Arang was mistakenly killed by a low-ranking officer who had loved her and tried to hug her. After her death, she becomes a ghost and appears to every district magistrate (highest-ranking officer in a region) to appeal for the investigation of her unfair death, but each district magistrate dies of a heart attack. Then, a new district magistrate by the name Lee is dispatched to the area. Unlike his predecessors, Lee listens to the story of the ghost and finds the low-ranked officer who had killed her and punishes him. He found Arang’s body and holded a religious ceremony on her behalf. Aranggak was also built in her memory. Every year, an event called Arangje is held on April 16 by the lunar calendar in Aranggak Pavilion. Young maidens dressed in white hanbok perform a religious ceremony to soothe the sorrow of Arang. There is also a saying that the spirit of Arang will preserve the love of those couples who visit the pavilion together.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geoje-si)

Jisimdo Island is about 500m wide and 1.5km in length and sits 5km to the southeast of Geojedo Island’s Jangseungpo Port. The island is densely filled with tree. 37 species of trees including pine trees, and Geoje aerides can be seen but camellia trees account for 60 to 70 percent of the whole area of the island. The flower of cameillia trees blooms in the beginning of December and closes its flowers in April. The best time for seeing the flowers is around March even though people can admire the blooming flower for 5 months. The island’s edges are mostly comprised of steep cliffs, otherwise private land and mountain slopes are generally flat. To see the whole island, it may take 2 to 3 hours on foot along the flat trail in the village.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Pohang-si)


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Nadeul-gil means a leisurely outing (nadeuri) road. Comprised of 19 courses in total, the Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Trail offers a variety of historical assets and cultural sites to see. Each Nadeul-gil course connects Ganghwa Fortress outposts that are located every 1.3 km on high ground along the walking paths. The trails are on the island of Ganghwa which holds many Goryeo Dynasty remains that are important to Korean history. Fortresses that stood against Mongolian invasions are still standing and many of the Goryeo Kingdom’s palaces and royal tomb sites are also found in Ganghwa region. Exploring the major cultural heritage sites dispersed throughout the town can be just as fun as exploring Ganghwa’s natural beauty. The sunset on the Seohae (West coast), expansive open mud flats, views from Marisan and Goryeosan Mountains and the peaceful farming villages are just a handful of the sights along this walking trail. The establishment of Ganghwa Nadeul-gil’s begins with the ancient scholar Go Jae-hyeong (pen name Hwanam), who left his hometown Ganghwa on a spring day in 1906 when the peach trees were in full bloom. He walked through more than 100 villages around the whole island. Back home, he composed poems about his journey and published them under the title of “Simdo Gihaeng (Simdo Travels),” Simdo being another name for Ganghwa. During his travels, he sang songs of his home Ganghwa. Thanks to his work, people can now follow in the footsteps of Hwanam and his appreciation of the beautiful scenery and great people of Ganghwa Island.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Chilgok-gun)

Chilgok Dogae Hot Springs opened on June 1, 1998. Its Grand Hot Springs Bath is capable of accommodating almost 2,000 people at once. The Chilgok Dogae Hot Springs has several facilities such as accommodations, convenience stores, a Korean restaurant, and more. Chilgok Dogae Hot Springs uses alkali sulfur spa water that contains 12.3mg of sulfur, 0.01mg germanium, 30.6mg sodium, 3.11mg chlorine, and 3.09mg fluorine and the water is around 35℃. Prior to first use, the water does not undergo any filtering so that it maintains all its natural benefits. There are several tourism attractions near the hot springs like the Songjeong Natural Recreation Forest, Dabudong War Memorial Museum, and Waegwan War Memorial Museum.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Okcheon-gun)

Yongamsa Temple is a branch of the Beopjusa temple. It was built during the Silla period. Unlike the more common temple arrangements, the stone pagoda in Yongamsa is uniquely situated on a low peak in the north with a view on all sides. The twin three-story stone pagodas, which are designated Treasure no. 1338, can be found here, as well as the Baaebulsang Buddha statue, and the Mokjoamitayeoraejwasang seated Buddha in Daeseongjeon Hall.