Located at the western end of Jejudo Island, Suwolbong, a small mountaintop, is famous for being a favorite sunset viewing place. The mountain has vertical cliffs spreading out like a scroll painting, created from the sea waves gradually cutting inland. The top the hexagonal pavilion Suwoljeong, from where you can look down on all sides. From this pavilion, you can see all of the West Sea.To the north, off the coast, is the Chagwido (sometimes called Jukdo) Island, where only the top peak area has grass growing, and the rest of the island is made up of dark hyeonmuam rocks and cliffs. Chagwido is famous as a fishing place, and in January, March, June, and December, people come here to fish. Around sunset, Chagwido’s seashore turns crimson red from the sun and is truly an awesome sight to behold.

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.

The 19km-long Bugak Skyway runs along the northeast ridge of Bugaksan Mountain. Opened in September 1968, the road quickly became known as one of Korea’s most scenic driving routes. The road offers lovely views of Bukhansan Mountain’s Bibong Peak and Munsubong Peak on one side and Namsan Mountain on the other side. Trees line the roadside and different flowers bloom per season. The skyway leads to an octagonal pavilion at the top called Palgakjeong, where visitors can get a panoramic view of the city, take photos, and have a meal or coffee while enjoying the scenery. There’s also a parking lot that can accommodate up to 130 cars. http://bukak-palgakjeong.tistory.com

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village was the first Korean place designated as a slow city in 2007. Compared with the fast-changing city life, the village seeks a slow life, experiencing regional cultures and food, surrounded by nature. Visitors can make Korean traditional sweets & cookies such as Hangwa and Ssalyeot here.

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.

Mt. Biseulsan stands at the edge of Cheongdo-gun and Dalseong-gun. It is not such a high mountain, but because of its scenic beauty and clean air, it’s an easy place to want to visit again. Mt. Biseulsan has long been known as a temple place, and according to the legends it’s to produce a thousand saints from its regions. Famous monk Il-Yeon (monk scholar of the Goryeo Period) apparently spent his 20s here, training for his career as a monk. At that time Il-Yeon spent his time in the Bodangam Building learning about various faiths and their scriptures, and it became a solid basis from which to write his famous Samgukyusa, a compilation of the history of the three kingdoms). The most beautiful aspect of Mt. Biseulsan is the Azaleas that blossom in the spring. Painted crimson red, the flowers harmonize perfectly with the complementary colors of the surrounding forest. All through the year, the pine forest fills the mountain, and the broad-leaf trees come alive in the fall in all their brilliant autumn colors in perfect harmony with the fantastic looking rocks of the mountain peaks. Large areas of the ridge tops become covered with purple eulalias, and it provides a majestic view for the fall mountain climbers.

Anseong Machum Museum is a theme museum showcasing the rich cultural assets of Anseong, which have evolved around a type of brassware called Yugi. Located at the entrance of Chung-ang University’s Anseong Campus, the museum has a brassware exhibition hall, theater, planned exhibition hall, agricultural history exhibition hall, local relics exhibition hall, seminar room, and research room. The brassware exhibition hall displays information on the history, production, and use of brassware. The agricultural history exhibition hall exhibits the history of agriculture and special products of Anseong, providing the chance to see how the agriculture of Anseong has evolved over time. The local relics exhibition hall displays the culture and history of Anseong. On display are photos of Anseong, demonstrations of a historical street market, Anseong Namsadang troupe items, and Buddhist cultural assets.

Located in Hangu-dong in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang Ferry Terminal is where passengers take a ferry to Ulleung-do. Ferries leaving for islands are usually subject to frequent schedule changes due to wind, waves, and other weather conditions, so visitors must confirm the schedule in advance of departure. As there are no foreign language services on board, international visitors are advised to have a local guide or someone who can speak Korean. There are one or two daily departures for Ulleung-do. The distance is about 217 kilometers, roughly a two to three hour journey. When buying a ferry ticket, visitors must also pay for a terminal usage fee of 1,500 won and an automatic ticketing fee of 600 won (Prices are subject to change).

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.