Yeongsangang River (136 kilometers) is one of the four major rivers in Korea. It is the shortest of the four rivers (Hangang River 482 kilometers, Nakdonggang River 522 kilometers, Geumgang River 396 kilometers). The river starts from Yongchubong Peak (560m) located in Yong-myeon in Damyang Country, South Jeolla Province. It runs through Damyang, Gwangju, Naju, and Yeongam and eventually flows into the Yellow Sea at Mokpo through the estuary bank. The river also faces some environmental challenges and extreme weather events have caused flooding that lead to ecosystem loss and habitat degradation. In December 1981, a dam was built and the damage was significantly reduced. The government has also introduced the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project in 2009 with the objective of restoring the rivers while achieving regional development. Under this project, a significant amount of budget was allocated for resolving problems plaguing the Yeongsangang River.

Designated as a biodiversity conservation area by the UNESCO, Jeungdo Island in Sinan-gun, Jeollanam-do has become popular. Taepyeong Yeomsaeng Botanical Garden is located next to one of the largest solar-evaporation salt fields, and spans over an area of 110,000㎡. Over 70 species of various salt plant colonies grow at the natural mud flat including glasswort, sea-blite, East Asian seepweed, and Herbaceous seepweed to create a splendid scene. Also, one can easily see Tti (a plant) which can not grow in polluted places. Walking along the 220m-long walking path, diverse mud flat creatures like mudskipper, chilge (crab), bangge (crab) and gastropods can be met with close sight.

Bongha Village is located 4.5km to the east of Jinyeong-eup, on the foot-slopes of Bonghwasan mountain. It is a typical farming village, and its major produce is Jinyeong sweet persimmons and rice. Its name comes from the mound above it on Bonghwasan mountain, where in the past beacons were lit as a method of communication. Bonghwasan mountain is home to Bonghwasa temple and two famous valleys: Doduk (thief) valley on the east side, named because of the many thieves that used to operate in the area, and Yasi (fox) valley on the west side, which looks like a fox lying on its front, looking back at its tail.Birthplace of the former President of Korea, Roh Moo-hyunThe birthplace of the former President of Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, is a brick house with a slate roof that consists of two small rooms and a kitchen. Although it is a shabby house, everything in it seems rare and precious to visitors. The earth, stones, and water, as well as household items, are popular with visitors. Some visitors even take stones and soil from the garden home with them in plastic bags, and some take water, believing that water from the ex-president’s birthplace is almost sacred.

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.

The Crinum Lily Habitat on Jeju-do's Tokkiseom Island (Rabbit Island) is located 50 meters off the coast of Hado-ri, Gujwa-eup in Jeju-si. Crinum lilies grow in an environment where the average temperature is around 15℃ with the lowest temperature no less than minus 3.5℃. The flower is white and blooms from July to September. They bloom at night and have a strong fragrance.

Gwangneung (광릉) is located in Namyangju in Gyeonggi-do. This is the royal tomb of King Sejo (1417-1468, reign: 1455-1468) and Queen Jeonghui (1418-1483).The King and Queen are enshrined separately. The tomb on the left is King Sejo’s and the one on the right is Queen Jeonhui’s. A pavilion stands between the two tombs.King Sejo was the second son of King Sejong and Queen Soheon. When his nephew came to the throne following the death of King Munjong, he led a revolt, “Gyeyujeongnan (계유정난) Revolts" and in 1453 became the 7th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty.Queen Jeongui was the daughter of Yun Beon and became the Queen when King Sejo took the throne. She was the first figure in the history of the Joseon Dynasty who administered state affairs on behalf of a young king.Gwangneung is surrounded by forests where an abundance of wild plants grow. These well-managed forests have been designated as a National Arboretum by the Korean Forest Service. Gwangneung is also famous for being the habitat of the Korean redheaded woodpecker (Natural Monument No.11). With many evergreen trees such as pine trees and fir trees growing here, these forests are a good place for a scenic drive. 

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

The Jaun Seowon Confucian Academy is home to the tablets of Yulgok Yi I, a great scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Yulgok was born in his mother’s childhood home in Gangneung in 1536, the 31st year of King Jungjong’s reign. The site is home to the Memorial Hall (free admission) where artifacts related to Yulgok and his mother Sinsaimdang are on exhibit. The tomb of Yulgok Yi I is located to the west of the Memorial Hall and sits above the tomb of Sinsaimdang with the tombs of other relatives. It is unique that the tomb of Yi I is above that of his mother. The site is home to the memorial hall building as well as the family tombs, tombstones, Sammun and Munseongmun gates, Yulgok Education and Training Center, a lawn plaza, pond, mineral spring, and a room where memorial services are held. In early October every year, the Yulgok Culture Festival, a major festival of Paju, is held beginning with the ritual service offered in memory of Yulgok.