Gyebaek (? - 660) was a general in the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje. This historic site is not far from Hwangsanbeol, the last battlefield of General Gyebaek who fell defending Baekje at the end of its days. Allied troops from Silla and Tang attacked Tanhyeon and Baekgang, strategic sites held by Baekje, in 660 (the 20th year of King Uija’s reign). General Gyebaek and his 5,000 soldiers fought against General Kim Yu-sin and his 50,000 soldiers. General Gyebaek successfully defeated the allied troops four times, but was ultimately unable to overcome the insurmountable numbers brought to bear by his foe. The Baekje army was finally defeated, and the last general of Baekje, Gyebaek, died in the battle.

The Hajodae lookout sits along a cliff with an old pine tree and overlooks the East Sea. Legend has it the name Hajodae came from the first initials of Haryun and Jojun, two of the founding members of Joseon Dynasty who stayed nearby during one of their journeys. The place is also famous as a TV drama filming spot of Taejo Wanggeon. A walk along the cliff will lead to a white lighthouse near the overpass beside Hajodae. A number of tourists also visit Hajodae for the beautiful sunrisesand the beam of light from the lighthouse that appears when darkness falls.

Seungilgyo Bridge is unique in that it was jointly built by South and North Korea. The construction began when the land belonged to North Korea, but after the Armstice Agreement the land was given to the South, who then complete the bridge. The bridge was designated as a Registerd Cultural Property No. 26 on May 31, 2002.

Spanning only 1㎞ in length, Yonghwa Beach, located 24㎞ from downtown Samcheok-si City, offers a serene atmosphere. Its half-moon shaped coastline, together with the strangely shaped rocks on both sides, creates a beautiful scenery, while its shallow water and low waves offer a perfect swimming location for families with children. Moreover, there is a stream that runs parallel to the beach, and a dense pine forest behind it.

The Kwanak Arboretum of Seoul National University located in Anyang-si, is a central research institution that collects, grows, preserves, exhibits, and studies plants native to Korea and other plants native to the northern hemisphere. The institution focuses on educational exchanges and cooperatives with relevant institutions both home and abroad.

The Jungwon Tappyeongni 7-story stone tower (National Treasure No. 6) is often referred to simply as “Jungangtap” (“Central Tower”) because of its location at the center of Korea. Standing at a x_height of 14.5 meters, the tower is presumed to have been built during the Unified Silla Period. An outdoor sculpture park (the first of its kind in Chungcheongbuk-do Province) has been established in the grassy area around the tower and contains 26 sculptures created by Korean sculptors. The larger Jungangtapsajeok Park is accented by gazebos, small fountains, a hiking path, and is home to the Chungju Museum, an outdoor museum, a musical fountain, 10 sculptures and etc. The park’s convenient facilities have made it a popular leisure retreat for the citizens of Chungju as well as an educational site for children. Chungjujojeongji Dam, located north of Jungangtapsajeok Park, is another popular retreat for the locals.

Hwangnyongsa Temple is attached to the Taegojong Order of Buddhism. No information is available on when the temple was built, but it is thought to have been built by the descendants of Hwang Hee (1363-1462), who returned to his hometown to avoid political strife in the mid Joseon era, wishing for national peace and the prosperity of the family clan. The temple had been taken care of by Hwang Hee’s descendants for generations, but at one time became ruined. The temple had been rebuilt in modern days. The current buildings were re-constructed by Monk Beobin in 1985. Inside, there are Buddhist buildings like Daeungjeon, Gwaneumjeon, Samseonggak, and Beomjongnu. New additions include the three-storied stone pagoda and the Three Buddha statues in front of Daeungjeon Hall. The oldest relic from the temple is the standing Gwanseeumbosal Buddha statue in front of the Three Buddha Statues. The statue is considered to be about a hundred years old.

'Solmeo' gets its name from a small cluster of pine trees. The first Korean priest, Saint Kim Dae-gun Andrea was born here on August 21, 1821 and continued to live until he was seven to escape from persecution by following his grandfather to Handeok-dong, Yongin (Golmaemashil). Furthermore, it is where four generations of ancestors such as his great-grandfather Kim Jin-hu (martyred in 1814), great uncle Kim Han-hyun (1816), father Kim Jae-jun (1839), and priest Kim Dae-gun himself (martyred in 1846) lived.He was chosen as a theological student in Golmaemashil and studied in Macao. In 1846, he was ordained as priest by Bishop Ferréol in Shanghai, Kim Ga Hang Cathedral. After his return to Korea, he worked in Yongin until September 1846 when he was tried, executed and died a martyr when he was only 26. Pope Johannes Paulus II appointed him a saint during his visit to Korea in May 1984. In Solmoe, Priest Kim Dae-gun’s statue and a memorial stands underneath the pine trees and his remains are placed inside the nearby cathedral.

The Songchu Resort (송추유원지) is 3km south of Songchu station and is easy to access. Consisting of 4km-long valleys, it has a swimming pool, a fishing spot and other facilities. Seasonal fruits from local farms such as strawberries, pears, peaches and grapes sate the appetites of visitors. Designated as a national park, the area is characterized by its beautiful natural scenery, undulating valleys, and a three-tiered waterfall. ※ Camping and cooking is banned in the Bukhansan National Park area.

Serving as the boundary between Jeollanam-do and Gyeongsangnam-do, the Seomjingang River (섬진강) boasts the cleanest water among Korea’s five largest rivers. Every March the Baegunsan Mountain (백운산) at the downstream of Seomjingang River is covered with plum blossoms. Seomjin Village, in Gwangyang, Jeollanam-do – alias Maehwa (Plum Blossom) Village (매화마을) – has a vast wild field of more than 132,231m2 entirely covered with plum blossoms. 100,000 plum trees blossoming all together offer a magnificent view. North of the village is Hwagaejangteo marketplace (화개장터) and east of it is Pyeongsa-ri, the main setting for Park Gyeong-ri’s saga novel The Land. People gathering Jaecheop (clean water clams), below the farm in the mud flats of the Seomjingang River, offers a great view. The ‘Maehwa Festival’ or Plum Blossom Festival is held in Seomjin Village every March.