The Korea Military Academy is famous for strict discipline, patriotism, and officer pupils. In the past this was not an open place to the public, but since 1997 it has become a new tourist site. There is now a touring course which is the main attraction for visitors. The tour starts at the School Information Center to the museum, memorial hall and the exhibition, which takes approximately an hour and thirty minutes. The Army Museum holds various military treasures and remains, and at the memorial hall you can learn more about the history of the army. However the highlight of the tour is the parade of the pupils. You can watch the students march with their flourishing formal suits. You can also see this at the “Hwarang Ceremony”.  

The former Mooee Elementary School has been transformed into Mooee Arts Center exhibiting works of noted Korean artists. It is located in the town of Bongpyeong-myeon in Pyeongchang-gun County, which was the hometown of the famous Korean writer Lee Hyo-seok (1907-1942) and the background setting of his representative novel ‘When Buckwheat Blossoms Bloom.’ Mooee Arts Center opened on April 18, 2001 after 2 years of preparation by Korean artists of various genres including the Western-style painter Jeong Yeon-seo, calligrapher Lee Cheon-seop, sculptor Oh Sang-wook, and potter Kwon Soon-beom. The schoolyard has been turned into an outdoor sculpture park displaying large-scale sculptures. The arts center also offers hands-on experience programs and a chance to view the artists creating their pieces.

Located near the entrance of the Moaksan Provincial Park, Geumsansa Temple (금산사) was established by King Beop, or Beopwang, of the Baekje period (599AD). The Buddhist temple features over ten designated cultural properties including Mireukjeon, a national treasure, as well as other attached buildings. The country’s only three-story building containing a Buddha statue, Mireukjeon was built with wood and has a single-open floor inside. In spring, cherry blossom trees come into full bloom from the mountain entrance all the way to Geumsansa; and in winter Buddhist adherents come to bow before the statue of Mireuk bodhisattva inside Mireukjeon or walk in circles around the pagoda. The statue is the largest indoor standing Buddha in the world reaching 11.82 meters of x_height. The two other Buddha statues standing on right and left of the Mireuk bodhisattva are 8.8 meters tall each.* Important Cultural PropertiesMireukjeon (National Treasure No. 62)Noju (Treasure No. 22)Seogyeondae (Treasure No. 23)Hyedeogwangsa Jineungtapbi (Treasure No. 24)Geumsansa Ocheungseoktap (Treasure No. 25)Geumsansa Bangdeunggyedan (Treasure No. 26)Geumsansa Yukgak Dacheungseoktap (Treasure No. 27)Geumsansa Dangganjiju (Treasure No. 28)Simwonam Bukgang Samcheungseoktap (Treasure No. 29)Geumsansa Daejangjeon (Treausre No. 827)Geumsansa Seokdeung (Treasure No. 828)

Goseokjeong Pavilion is the most scenic spots among the eight scenic views of Cheorwon. The crystal clear waters of the Hantangang River wind around a peculiar shaped rock of about 10 meters tall that stands dominantly in the middle of the river. The two-story tower-style pavilion that has an area of about 33 square meters was built halfway up the Hantangang River and named Goseokjeong during the reign of King Jinpyeong (reign 579-632 AD) of Silla Kingdom. Today, Goseokjeong refers to the entire area around the Goseokjeong Pavilion and the valley surrounding Goseok Rock.Designated as Monument No. 8 of Gangwon-do, the pavilion is known to have been one of the most favored places by King Jinpyeong of Silla Kingdom, and King Chungsuk of Goryeo Dynasty. The area became all the more famous as the arena of Im Kkeok-jeong (?-1562), who was the legendary leader of a peasant rebellion in the early Joseon Dynasty. It is said that Im Kkeok-jeong resisted against the corrupt social class by helping the poor with the tribute goods that he had extorted around this area while the goods were being carried to the court from the Hamgyeong-do region.The pavilion was lost during the Korean War and restored in 1971 by community leaders in Cheorwon. Unfortunately, it was damaged once again by flood in 1996 and reconstructed the year after. There is a natural stone chamber inside the huge rock in the midstream of the river that Im Kkeok-jeong had used as a hiding place. On the opposite side, there are remains of a stone castle. Jiktang Waterfall is located about 2 kilometers up from this site, while Sundam Valley is situated about 2 kilometers in the downstream. Goseokjeong is an all-year-round tourist attraction with extensive grass square and recreational facilities. It is also the starting point for DMZ tours as the battlefield conservation office is located here and in winter, visitors can enjoy migratory bird tour.

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.

Achasan (alt. 287m) stretches from Seoul to Guri City and is an extremely popular hiking spot for residents of Seoul and Guri City and the surrounding area. Towards the top of the mountain (about 40 minutes into the climb) a panoramic view of the Han River and Seoul unfolds at the mountain base.During the Joseon Dynasty, what are now Bonghwa and Yongmabong Peak and the Manguri Cemetery were considered part of Achasan Mountain. Twenty bastions were discovered along Achasan Mountain that were originally estimated to date back to the Three Kingdoms Era. Further research indicated that some of the remains were actually part of a military fortress built during the Goguryeo Era. In light of these findings, it was officially designated a Historic Site No. 455 (2004).

Camellia Hill is a camellia arboretum that was created on a plot of land in Sangchang-ri, Andeok-myeon, Jeju-do that spans 172,000 square meters. The arboretum is home to 6,000 camellia trees of 500 different species including species that are known to produce the world’s largest and earliest blossoms. In addition to camellia trees, the arboretum also boasts palm trees, wildflowers, and other plants as well as a sprawling grass plaza and an ecological pond. Auxiliary facilities include a gallery exhibiting camellia-themed handicrafts and a multipurpose seminar room. Camellia Hill also offers a variety of lodging facilities ranging from thatched cottages and wooden cottages to steel houses and a condominium-type resort.

The Daeseong-dong Tombs Museum displays artifacts unearthed from the four excavations of the Daeseongdong Tumuli. Highlighting often overlooked relics of the Geumgwan Gaya, the museum has three ground floor exhibit halls and several underground auxiliary facilities. Main exhibits include a life-sized statue of a mounted solider and a statue of a warrior, both of which were recreated based on bones excavated from the tumuli of Yean-ri. The museum relies heavily on the use of videos and dioramas to help visitors explore all that the museum has to offer.

The Sudeoksa Temple, which has played an important role in the history of Korea’s Buddhism, is located in the Deoksungsan Mountains. The main building of the Sudeoksa Temple, the Daeunjeon, has been preserved in its original condition. This was first constructed in 1308 and has been designated a national treasure. Between 1528 and 1803 it was repaired four times, but fortunately kept its original beauty. As well as the Deungjeon, the Sudeoksa Temple houses many cultural treasures, such as the Sudeoksa 3-storey stone pagoda.