The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 to preserve the world’s wetlands. The Ramsar Culture Center promotes this mission and exhibits its history and highlights. The center educates visitors on the importance of preserving Junam Wetland Park and the cultural value of wetlands.Here visitors can view around 120 wetland posters from 40 countries, 15 wetland CDs, and 100 books on wetlands. There are also 1,060 stamps from 30 Asian countries and 10 previous Ramsar host countries, and also that feature the migratory birds of Junam Wetlands Park.After exploring the center, you can take one of the free bicycles and go out to the wetlands to see the reservoir and migratory birds. 

Containing many Buddhist temples and ruins as well as spectacular scenery, the 703m high Mt. Duryunsan is located at the southern most point of the Korean peninsula. Formed by subtropical green broadleaves and temperate deciduous broadleaf trees, the mountain is valued highly for observing plant chorology. Moreover, the Aegean Sea in the western and southern sea can be seen at a glance at the summit of eight mountains, although wide fields of reeds cover many areas. During the fifth year of King Jinheung's reign (514), Buddhist priest, Ado, built Daedunsa Temple, which is a place of great historical value as it is also related to the Buddhist priest, Seosan. The temple is proudly among dense woodlands, consisting of maple trees and camellias. Breathtaking scenery of valleys and luxuriant trees can be seen on both sides of the 2km road leading to the temple.

Geomundo Lighthouse, completed on April 12, 1905, was the first lighthouse to be built on the southern coast of Korea. The white, 6.4 meter-high lighthouse shines a beam of light every 15 seconds that is visible for up to 42 kilometers away. In January 2006, a 33-meter high lighthouse top was added to replace obsolete facilities. The previous hundred-year-old lighthouse top was partially restored and is on display as a maritime relic. While at the lighthouse, don’t forget to visit the Gwanbaekejong Pavilion next to the lighthouse for an exquisite view of the southern sea.

Chunguisa Temple is home to the tablets of General Chung Ki-ryong (1562-1622), a military official from the mid-Joseon Dynasty era. In 1973, the temple was designated as the Regional Cultural Asset Monument No.13. It also houses a set of five relics, together designated as Treasure No.669, as well as several other cultural assets. Every October, the temple hosts a reenactment of the recovery of Sangjuseong Fortress from the Japanese invasion.

The 4 km valley between the entrance of Mt. Gayasan National Park entrance and Haeinsa Temple is called Hongryudong Valley. It was named so because the leaves turn so crimson that the water of the valley reflects the color and appears crimson as well. This is the place where Chi-Won Choe, after returning from Dang China to Silla (BC57-AD935) found Korea in disarray. It was too much to bear for him so he retired to live privately with poetry until his death. There are 19 famous places in Hongryudong Valley, including major cultural assets like Jongsangjeong Pavilion, Nakhwadam, and Bunokpok. The scenery of Nongsanjeong Pavilion, where Chi-Won Choe read poetry and played baduk, is especially beautiful. On the opposite side is a rock where you can see the handwring of Chi-Won Choe. The Yongmun Falls, located in the north end of the valley, has beautiful scenery with its harmonious blend of silk like falling water and Giamgoiseok (fantastic rocks and stones). The scenery of Hongryudong Valley changes every season, and it is the finest part of Mt. Gayasan. It is famous for the azaleas in full bloom during the spring, and for the thousand-year-old pine trees and broad-leaved trees growing thickly throughout the valley and the cool, clear water that runs through it during the summer. In the fall, the nearby pine tree forests and broad-leaved trees tinge in color and accentuate the crimson foliage of autumnal leaves, making the crimson reflection of the leaves in the valley water look like a rising flame, and showing why the valley was named Hongryudong Valley.  

Unjusa Temple is unlike other temples in that it has unusual Buddha statues and pagodas – it is often referred to as a mysterious temple. The founder of Unjusa Temple is not known but it is speculated that it was built during the Silla Period (BC 57~935).Unjusa does not have a Geumgangmun or Cheonwangmun, which are very often seen in Buddhist temples. The first thing you see when you enter Unjusa is the 9-story stone pagoda (National Treasure no. 796). The tower, again, does not have intricate designs, and is very simple. As you walk past the 9-story pagoda, you come to a forked road. Turning left, you will see Chilseong Rock. Because it resembles the 7 stars of the Big Dipper, some people argue that the rock is imitating the constellation. Follow the same road further and you will see two Buddha statues, called Wabul, where Buddha is resting on its side, lying down. These statues are, among the ones in Unjusa Temple, the most intricate in design and execution. Go up a bit further, and you will see the Siwibul Statue standing. Pass Siwibul Statue through the thick groves, and you will come to a series of 7-storey and 5-storey stone pagodas. What makes the stone pagodas of Unjusa Temple interesting to examine is that they each boats several unique designs and features.

The Baegamsan Mountains are also known as the ‘White Rock Mountains’, since their peaks are covered in white-coloured rocks. These mountains are also famous for receiving plenty of snow during the winter season. If you hike up to the mountain peak early in the morning, you may catch a glimpse of the gorgeous sunrise over the East Sea. The hiking trail starts from in front of the Baegam Hot Springs Hotel. Hikers follow the southern ridges and continue through the pine tree forests to reach the top of the mountain. From the top of the mountain, you can admire beautiful views of the East Sea and the tall mountains that stretch to the west and the north. Below the peaks are the Gomosanseong Fortress, Halmaesanseong Fortress, and Baegamsanseong Fortress. After admiring the beautiful wildlife from the peak of Baegamsan Mountain, enjoy the spas at the Baegamsan Hot Springs Resort, which is located just at the foot of the mountain.  

Auraji is the name of a lake located in Yeoryang-myeon in Jeongseon-gun. It is here that Jeongseon Arirang, the No. 1 Intangible Cultural Asset of Gangwon-do, originated. The area has long been famous for its beautiful, clean mountains and rivers. Its name is derived from the Korean word ‘eoureojida,’ meaning ‘to meet’ as the waters of Pyeongchang and Samcheok unite in this area. Part of the upper stream of Namhangang River, Auraji was a famous starting point of log rafts transporting timber to Hanyang, the original name of Seoul. In the old days, one could always hear the singing of boatmen who came from all over the nation. The lyrics of Jeongseon Arirang reveal the sadness and longing of a woman awaiting her husband who left for business to a far-away place or left to transport timber. Today, numerous tourists visit Auraji to enjoy its great scenic views or to see the symbol of a maid who, gazing into the river, seems to be waiting for her lover to return.

Surrounded by water on two sides, Waemok Village's terrain looks like a heron's neck, hence the name 'Waemok' (waegari means a gray heron and mok means neck). Because of its long and narrow geographical characteristics and the topographic division of the sea into the west and east regions, one can enjoy the beautiful sunrise, sunset and moonrise here.Around 100,000 people visit Waemok Village for the festival every year. While viewing the sunrise from the East Sea has a more dynamic atmosphere, the sunrise from Waemok Village has a more sentimental quality to it.

The largest irrigation facility in Korea, Byeokgolje Reservoir (Historic Site No. 111) is considered the birthplace of Korea’s rice-farming culture. All that remains of the reservoir today are a three-kilometer long embankment that spans from Sinyong-ri to Wolseung-ri in Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si and a monument that was erected in 1415. The Byeokgolje Museum of Agricultural Culture exhibits around 250 artifacts related to rice farming; located within the same complex is an experience center where visitors can discover the many properties of irrigation facilities first-hand.