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)

Suwolbong peak is a small oreum located in Gosan-ri, the westernmost point of Jejudo Island. Suwolbong rises 77m above sea level and the ocean-facing natural formation is surrounded by steches of green fields. On a clear day, the sunset from Suwolbong is comparable in beauty to the one from Sarabong.On top of Suwolbong is a small pavilion called ‘Suwoljeong’. The pavilion offers views of Chagwido (an island known to be the most beautiful in Jeju), as well as Songaksan Mt. and Jukdo Island. Next to Suwolbong peak is a mountain weather station that observes and forecasts the weather for the western region.Below the peak is a small Buddhist temple and ‘Eongal’, a steep cliff which faces toward the sea. Visitors can enjoy mineral water that falls freely from the cliff.

Starting from Gonaepogu Port, Route 16 passes through Namduyeondae (beacon tower), Gueompogu Port, Susanbong Peak, Susan Reservoir Path, Hangmong Historical Site, Cheonghwa Village and finally ending at Gwangnyeong 1-ri Office. The trail is a 17.8-km walking course that includes uphill sections, passing through the woods, and going up some steps after Sineompogu Port. Therefore, it may not be suitable for baby carriages and wheelchairs.

Hwanseongul Cave is the biggest lime stone cave in Korea. Its length is 6.5 km and it features fantastic stalagmites, stalactites, and about 10 lakes and waterfalls. Some spots of interest include stalactites that look like the Great Wall of China and many other uniquely shaped figures.The mercury inside of the cave keeps it at a cool 12-24℃ in the summer and 8-9℃ in the winter. It takes about 30-40 minutes to the entrance and approximately one hour to look around the cave. Keep in mind that the steep slope at the entrance may be difficult for the elderly and young children.

Silleuksa is located along a riverside village overlooking blue water and a spacious sand beach on the edge of the river running south, running from Mt. Bongmi to the Yeo River. It is said that Silleuksa was built by Monk Wonhyo during the reign of King Jinpyeong in the Silla Period, but it is not for sure. Silleuksa Temple’s name was said to originate from a legend that an uncontrollably swift horse was reined up by the power of god. Inside the temple is Josadang, the temple’s oldest building; Dancheungjeon-tab, a tower made of mud bricks; Daejanggakgibi; Bumjonggak; and at the heart of the temple stands Geuknakjun Hall (Hall of Paradise). Gangwolhun, located along the riverbank’s cliff, is Silleuksa Temple’s, one of the most popular sights for couples, where tourists can view the Han River in the south and its surrounding scenery.

Built by an army unit in 1983, Goseong Unification Observatory is the nearest place for viewing Geumgangsan Mountain in North Korea, the shortest distance being 16km away and the farthest being around 25km away. From the observatory, you can see Haegeumgang, and the islands nearby, Manmulsang, and Hyeonjongam. On clear days, you can also glimpse various peaks of Geumgangsan Mountain such as Ilchulbong Peak (1,552m), Chaehabong Peak, Jipseonbong Peak, Yukseonbong Peak, Gwaneumbong Peak, and even the greatest peak, Birobong Peak. Goseong Unification Observatory is the closest observatory to the North, and many people who visit are those who had to leave their home and were separated from their families during the Korean War. You can see monuments built in the hope of reunification here.Tongil Security Park, which can be considered the entrance of Unification Observation, was built in 1987 to be used as a national security site. You must pass through a security training here to get to Goseong Unification Observatory.

The Iron Triangle Battlefield is the area that connects Gimhwa, Pyeonggang and Cheorwon. This area had the highest number of casualties during the Korean War with the Baekmagoji Battle and Oseongsan Battle. The Iron Triangle Battlefield was prohibited to the public after 1953 when the war ended in a ceasefire. Yet the reality of the war only began surfacing from November 1989.The Iron Triangle Battlefield was the headquarters and frontline of the North Korean Army. This area had the unique natural advantage of being a difficult target for Allied forces to attack, but remained an easy area for North Koreans to defend. At the old battlefields are the labor headquarters, the 2nd tunnel and the remains of a train with a sign that reads 'The iron horse wants to run'. The Labor Headquarters, a Russian-style 3-story building, was built by compulsory fund raising and labor mobilization. Many people who were here during the anticommunist movement were later tortured and killed. Behind the building remains of people, bullets and iron chains can still be found even to this day.This is also the area where the 2nd tunnel, 108km north from Seoul, was made by North Koreans who were planning to invade South Korea. It is also known as the gathering area of seasonal birds and is a popular bird-watching spot. 

Masan is made more beautiful by Gagopa Kkoburang-gil Mural Village, a local renovation effort made by Gyeongnam Bank. The village is one of the top exotic photo zones. Walking through the village from Chang-dong, past Burim Market, and on to Seongho-dong mountain neighborhood, the colorful murals will bright every step of the way.

Taeanhaean National Park (태안해안국립공원) consists of about 130 islands around Anmyeondo Island (안면도) and Taean Peninsula (태안반도). Taean Peninsula (태안반도) has a picturesque landscape with beautiful beaches, rock formations, mountain peaks and sea cliffs. The area (328.99㎢) was designated as a national park in October, 1978, and at present, nearly 250 different species of plants grow within its boundaries.* Cultural HeritageOkpa Lee Jong-il Birthplace (Chunghongak), Rock-carved Buddha Triad in Taean, Heungjusa Temple (Heungjusa Three-story stone pagoda), Baekhwasanseong Fortress, Anheungseong, Seated Stone Seokgayeorae Statue in Mongsan-ri, Five-story stone pagoda in Nammun-ri* Sightseeing and cultural festivalsSinduri Coastal Sand Dune (Natural Monument), Cheollipo Arboretum, Hwangdobunggi Pungeoje Festival, Jumbo Shrimp Festival, Cheonsuman Migratory Bird Habitat, Anmyeon-do International Flower Exhibition* Spring wild flower blooming season and locationGaenmetkkot / Blooming: Late April / Location: the area of costal dune