Located just outside of Seoul, Samaksan Mountain and Deungseon Fall is the perfect destination for weekend outings for those in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. The most popular hiking course on the mountain (appropriate even for beginners) starts from one waterfall (which is fairly small with a x_height of 10m) and passes two other waterfalls, and Seonnyeotang. The course runs all the way to the top of Samaksan (654m above sea level). The mountain has several steep valleys and unique rock formations covered with thick forests. Looking down from the top, a stunning panoramic view of Uiamho Lake and Bukhangang River (and its many small islands) unfolds below.

Maisan Mountain has two major peaks made of sedimentary rocks; these peaks are said to be ‘couple peaks’ and cannot be found anywhere else. Sut Maibong (alt. 667m) is said to be the male peak while the slightly larger Am Maibong (alt. 673m) is deemed the female peak. In the early Joseon Period the mountain was named ‘Sokgeumsan,’ but began to be called ‘Maisan’ after the 12th year of King Taejong, who commented that the two peaks resembled a horse’s ears (‘maisan’ meaning ‘horse ears’). All along Maisan Mountain, you will find small crater-like rock cavities that are formed by prolonged weathering. These unique geological features, called ‘tafoni,’ are of great academic value. Inside Hwaeomgul Cave, you’ll find medicinal water that flows up from underground all throughout the year. It is widely believed that once you drink the water, especially on the days of the Spring and Autumn Equinox, you will soon have a son and be blessed by the mountain spirit. Even today, many women who have difficulty conceiving visit the mountain to pray to the mountain spirits for their heart’s desire—the gift of a child. The region in which Maisan is located is the birthplace of many talented people and national heroes, which some say is proof of the blessings of the mountain and its extremely powerful spirit.

Since its opening in 1963, this beach, out of the other 3 beaches in Donghaean (East Coast) continues to have a great number of visitors every summer. Dense pine tree forests, 4 km of white sands, and shallow waters of 1.5m ~ 70m are characteristic of this beach.Also, Naksansa Temple, one of the eight beautiful sights of the Gwandong area (Gwandongpalgyeong), and the Uisangdae tourist attractions surround this beach, making it even more attractive to visitors. The beautiful four seasons of Seoraksan Mountain can be witnessed in just 10 min. by car, and one can taste delicious seafood at Jeonjinhang, only a 5 min. car ride away.

Daecheongdo Island is home to some of the best beaches in Korea. Also, there are some good hiking courses on the island that offer great views above the golden beaches and rocky shores. A smaller and less populated island compared to the neighboring Baengnyeongdo Island, Daecheongdo is a perfect pastoral getaway. Island History Daecheongdo Island was said to be first inhabited during the Neolithic Age (9500-4500 BC), but the earliest known history periods begin during the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392 AD), when the island was used as a place of exile. The first known case of an exile was recorded sometime during the reign of Chinese Emperor Togon-temur (1320-d.1370) from the Mongol Yuan Dynasty. It was said that he was exiled on Daecheongdo for meddling in a plot arranged by his stepmother. He supposedly arrived on the island with 100 relatives, and built a palace here. The next known record relates to the island's abundance in medicinal herbs including mulberry mistletoe (Loranthi Ramulus), which was used to cure the illness of Queen Munjeong (d.1565), the wife of King Jungjong (d.1544). There is no record of island inhabitation until 1793, when King Jeongjo, the 22nd king of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1897), authorized the inhabitation and cultivation of the island. During the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945), there were as many as 10,000 people living on the island due to its popularity as a major port. Today, there are about 1,500 people who sustain a living from tourism and fisheries.

Visitors who take the Naejangsan Mt. cable car will enjoy a stunning view of the entire park, then after a 300m walk from the cable car terminus they will reach Yeonjabong Peak’s observatory. The cable car starts from the Mt Naejangsan Visitor Information Center and is operated year round from 6am to 5pm. [Operating hours] Summer (Mar-Nov) 09:00-18:00 Winter (Dec-Feb) 09:00-17:00 ※ Interval: 20 min ※ Different time applies during the autumn foliage season. ※ The operating hours may change without notice, consults with the management office for more details.

Nestled at the foot of Wolchulsan Mountain's western side in Yeongam-gun, Jeollanam-do, Yeongam Gurim Hanok Village has a 2,200 year-long history, stretching from the Three Han States to Proto Three Kingdom Period. The village is abundant with various historical stories and features, offering plenty of cultural tourism resources. The village includes 12 pavilions including Hoesajeong Pavilion and Gukamsa Shrine, traditional houses, stone walls, and old oak trees. Especially, 96 Korean-house accommodations including Anyongdang, Wolindang, Gukamsa, and Anhyeongung are located for tourists to stay in a traditional Hanok as well as to offer various traditional programs like paper craft, traditional wedding ceremony, rice cake-pounding, straw craft, catching fish, water activities and others. Also, Wangin Cherry Blossom Festival and Chrysanthemum Festival are held here every year.

The Wanggung Five-story Stone Pagoda is located on a hill about 2 kilometers south of Wanggung-myeon in Iksan, which is believed to have been the capital of the nation during the Mahan Era. The pagoda stands tall at 8.5 meters and was officially designated National Treasure No. 289. Relics from the Goryeo Dynasty that were found inside the pagoda were designated National Treasure No. 123 and are currently housed in the National Museum of Korea. Of the excavated relics, the most famous; the Sarijangeomgu, a magnificent container of Buddha’s Sarira; the green glass Sarira bottle topped with a lotus-shaped stopper; and the Sungeumgeumganggyeongpan, which contains the 19 golden plates of the Diamond Sutra.

The Daecheongho Natural Ecology Center in Chu-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon highlights the natural ecosystem of the Daecheongho Lake, which was created by the damming of Geumgang River in 1980. Daecheongho Lake is the third largest lake in Korea and boasts a reservoir measuring a surface area of 72.8 square kilometers, a circumference of 80 kilometers, and a capacity of 1.5 billion tons of water.The Daecheongho Natural Ecology Center stands on a plot of land alongside Daecheongho Lake spanning 8,270 square meters; the building itself (B1-3F) measures 1,488.5 square meters. The first floor houses an event hall, a storage room, and a theater showing videos on the natural ecology of Daecheongho Lake. On the second floor, there is a folk history center and ecology center boasting specimens of fish, insects, and plants native to the lake. The third floor houses an environmental center where participants can learn about the importance of recycling and protecting the lake’s water quality. There is also an observatory from which to view Daecheongho Lake and an outdoor ecology pond, wildflower beds, a small zoo, a mushroom center, an insect center, and a forest classroom.

Located on Naeseorak, Baekdamsa Temple was built by Ja Jang (590~658) during the reign of Queen Jin-Deok (647-654), 28th ruler of the Silla Kingdom. In the beginning, a temple called Hangyesa was built in Hangye-ri which was in the vicinity to Jangsudae. This temple was completely demolished by several fire accidents including one in the year 690, during the reign of King Sinmun. It changed its locations to several other sites and was renamed Youngchuisa, Simsa, Baekdamsa, and Simwonsa Temple.A stone bridge called Susimgyo is built across Baekdam Gyegok Valley to the front of Baekdamsa Temple. Wooden Amityus Buddha Statue, designated as National Treasure No.1182, is preserved here at Baekdamsa Temple. This Buddhist statue was made in 1748 during the reign of Yeongjo (reign 1724~1776) and is known as the most outstanding statue in the early 18th century. Currently remaining structures include Geukrakbojeon, Sanryeonggak, Hwaeomsil, Beophwasil, Jeongmun, and Yosachae. In the courtyard, there is a three-story stone temple remaining to this date. As for temples, Bongjeongam, Oseam, and Wonmyeongam remain till today.Baekdamsa Temple was made famous by Manhae Han Yong-Un, a strong activist for national independence and poet who wrote his literary piece called “Nimui Chimmuk (Silence of the Beloved)” when he was just 48. Today, Baekdamsa Temple has the Manhae Monument Hall, built to remember the spirit of Manhae Han Yong-Un.

Nestled at the hillside of Chusan-dong where one can see the entire view of Changwon-si, Moonshin Art Museum houses Moon Shin’s art pieces and keeps his spirit intact. The artist resided in France for many years, returning to his hometown in 1980, and worked hard to establish the museum throughout 15 years. The museum finally opened in 1994 after his endless effort. Unfortunately, Moon Shin died one year after opening the museum, donating the museum to his loving hometown in his will. Following his will, the Moonshin Art Museum was donated to Changwon-si in 2003 and has since been operating as a city gallery. Changwon-si also established Moonshin Round Museum in October 2010, exhibiting 116 Moonshin plaster circle art pieces. Moonshin Art Museum is comprised of Exhibition Hall 1 & 2, outdoor exhibition hall and Moonshin Round Museum, showcasing a total of 3,900 pieces, including plaster round pieces, sculptures, drawing, tools, paintings, oil-paintings and keepsakes.