Semiwon is a park located in Yongdam-ri, Yangseo-myeon, Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do that was founded on the principle of “natural purification.” The name “Semiwon” comes from an old proverb that says “one can cleanse his mind by looking at water and enlighten his spirit by looking at flowers.” To further emphasize the idea of literal and figurative cleansing, the park was designed with paths made out of washboards and is decorated with lotus-themed poetry and drawings.Semiwon is home to an army of water plants such as lotus flowers, water lilies, and irises, all of which are plants that are well-known for their natural purification properties. Not just a beautiful sight to behold, the plants also have an important function. The 180,000 square-meter park consists of six ponds through water is filtered and purified before flowing back into the Hangang River.Major facilities at Semiwon include the Environment Learning Center, Trial Cultivation Complex, and the World Water Lily Garden, which contains over 100 varieties of water lilies. Visitors to the park can also find water fountains, an observation deck, a traditional wind gauging device called Punggidae, and Monet’s Garden, which looks as if it came right out of the famous picture by French artist Claude Monet.

King Suro founded the Garak Kingdom in A.D. 42 and married Heo Hwang-ok, a princess from the Indian country of Ayuta, in A.D. 48. He was the founder of the Gimhae Kim family. Heo Yeop, a Yeongnam governor, gave the tomb its current look in the 13th year of the reign of King Seonjo (1580). The tomb compound includes various buildings, including the Sungseonjeon (where the ancestral tablets of King Suro and his queen are kept), Anhyanggak, Jeonsacheong, and Jegigo, as well as stone structures, such as a sindobi (tombstone) and gongjeokbi (monument established to pay homage the deceased). The tombstone in front of the royal tomb was built in the 25th year of the reign of King Injo (1647) of the Joseon Dynasty. The name 'Sungseonjeon' was bestowed on the tomb by King Gojong in the 21st year of his reign (1884).

The 5·18 Memorial Park was established to remember the May 18 Democratization Movement. Covering an area of 204,985㎡, the park houses various historical and cultural facilities, including the 5·18 Library, 5·18 Cultural Center, Education Center, Daedong Plaza, Owoldae Tower, and other memorial sculpture and monuments. The park is also home to Mugaksa Temple and walking paths.

Haslla Art World is an art space that harmonizes nature, people and art. The Sculpture Garden, approximately 27 acres in size, offers various themed gardens and structures. Contemporary Gallery has approximately 200 contemporary art works, while Pinocchio & Marionette Gallery has various art works from all over Europe. Haslla Art World has exhibitions and performances throughout the year, providing visitors with a special experience every time they visit.

Located on the southern part of Jirisan Mountain, Ssanggyesa Temple and Hwaeomsa Temple are among the most popular temples in the Jirisan area. Constructed by Sambeob who was a disciple of Euisang in the 23rd year of King Seongdeok’s reign during the Silla Era, it was called Okcheonsa Temple at first. Then, the Buddhist Monk, Jingam changed its name to Ssanggyesa Temple after having seeded around the temple with tea from China. The temple was burnt down during the Japanese Invasion, Imjinwaeran (1592-1598) and later rebuilt.The best time to visit this area is spring, as the 6km path from Hwagye market place to Ssanggyesa Temple is filled with blooming 600-year-old cherry blossom trees. With the myth that lovers who walk together along the cherry blossom tree path, it is also called Hollaegil (wedding path). A 40-50 minute walk along the tree-lined path leads to Ssanggyesa Temple.Across the bridge in front of the ticket office, there are two rocks engraved with the words “ssanggye” and “seokmun” each. It is said that the eminent scholar Choi Chiwon of the Silla Era had engraved the words with a cane. In the middle of the temple, one of the foremost Korean epigraphs “Jingamseonsa-daegongtabbi” is situated in front of the main building Daeunggeun. This was also written by Choi Chiwon. To the east you can find the Ssanggyesa Ma-aebul, a unique image of Buddha engraved in a hollowed out section of rock.In addition, Palyeongru is the cradle of Korean style Beompae (Buddhist music), which was initiated by the Priest Jimgam (774-850) who studied the Buddhist music in China. As Jingam composed the piece Eosan (fish mountain) by watching the fish of Seomjingang River with Paleumryul (eight tones and rhythms), this place is named Palyeongru.During the third year of King Heugdeok’s reign during the Silla Era, Kim Daeryeom visited China and brought seeds for tea trees. By royal order, he planted the seeds around Ssanggyesa Temple and this area became the first place to cultivate tea.

Established in 2013, the Chang Kee-ryo Memorial Hall is a place honored for lifelong practice of sharing with poor neighbors and is often referred to as the Schweitzer of Korea.

Honinji is home to a myth that agriculture and farming started on Jeju Island when the Samsinin (three founding demi-gods) who lived in Jeju married the Samgongju (three princesses) and started raising cattle and ponies and planted the seeds of five grains. There is a pond here called Honinji Pond (pond of marriage) where, according to the legend, the wedding ceremony was held and three caves which served as bridal rooms. Together with Samseonghyeol (three large holes on the ground where the three demigods emerged from), Honinji is a great place for tracing the origin of the founders of Jeju Island. In the summer, the area is in full bloom with red lotus flowers.  

Gunsan Japanese-style House of Sinheung-dong was designated as Registered Cultural Heritage No. 183 in 2005. The area of Sinheung-dong, where the Hirotsu House is located, was a residential area for the wealthy class during the Japanese occupation period and the Hirotsu House was constructed by Hirotsu, a man who ran a linen shop. A lot of Korean movies and dramas such as ‘The General’s Son’, ‘Fighter in the Wind’, and ‘Tazza’ were filmed in this house. The house is a typical Japanese two-story timber house, keeping the original forms of its roof, outer walls, inside area and the Japanese-style garden which has significant meaning in regards to the architecture history.

Daegwallyeong Recreational Forest, known as Korea’s famous pine tree forest, is full of pine trees that are about 17m in x_height and 36cm in circumference. It was designated as a suitable resting place to enjoy as it’s harmoniously situated in a valley surrounded by lush vegetation. There are comfortable lodging accommodations, and convenient facilities on the premises. Many family and couple visitors come here for the verdant scenery that includes a wild flower garden, yellow earth thatched cottage, a water mill, and a charcoal iron pot site. However, if plan to stay overnight at its lodging facilities it is good to bring food and washing utensils since there isn’t a convenient store nearby.As for lodging facilities, there are the Forest Cabins and forest Lodge. Rates at the Forest House range from 32,000 won to 110,000won depending on the size and the forest cultural recreation center ranges from 50,000won to 98,000won.