Cheongwansa Temple is situated in the middle of Cheongwansan Mountain in Jangheung (Jeollanam-do). Although the exact origin of the temple is not known, it was believed to have been built by Monk Tongyeong during the Silla Kingdom (57 BC - 935 AD). It was once known as Hwaeomsa Temple and was home to over 1,000 monks in its 89 buildings. After a period of closure, the temple was rebuilt in 1963 and renamed Cheongwansa Temple. Beneath the temple’s humble exterior is an impressive collection of cultural properties including Cheongwansa Three-Story Pagoda (Treasure No.795), Cheongwansa Seokdeung (stone lantern), Five-Story Pagoda, and Jangheung Tapsansaji Seokdeung (stone lantern). In addition, Cheongwansan Mountain is known for beautiful camellias in spring and gorgeous silver grass in fall as well as an array of fascinating rock formations. Visitors can also enjoy the views of Dadohae (an archipelago) from the top of the mountain.  

In the secluded mountain village of Gangwon-do Pyeongchang lies the filming location of “Welcome to Dongmakgol,”. Numerous props used during the fiming of the movie can still be found, including a large tree, a small stream, a stone bridge, wooden swings, a drinking well, and washing area. The best part about this village is that visitors can tour the area free of charge. * Film Synopsis The film “Welcome to Dongmakgol” is set during the Korean War. It opens with Private Smith (Steve Taschler) crashing in on the scene, then Lee Su-hwa (Jeong Jae-yeong) of the North Korean People’s Army joining in with a couple of soldiers, and Pyo Hyeon-cheol (Sin Ha-gyun) following with another fellow soldier from the Korean Army after being separated from the main forces. A group of people that shouldn’t be together meet in the peaceful village of Dongmakgol, creating immense tension as the movie progresses. The entire movie is set deep in the mountains of Gangwon-do, in a village unaware of the current war, in Dongmakgol. Here, the forces of the South Korean Army, North Korean Army, and the U.S. Army clash in opposition, but meet an unusual character named Yeo-il (Kang Hye-jeong). Yeo-il, along with the citizens of Dongmakgol, are unaware of the dangers of a grenade, and don’t even know the meaning of “put your hands up”. As the story continues, the three forces eventually create a friendship as they work in the fields, catch a wild boar, and go sledding in the grassy fields. However, peace during wartime can only last so long...

Eunhaesa Temple, located on Palgongsan mountain in Youngcheon city, Gyeongsangbuk-do province, is one of two major temples on the mountain along with Donghwasa Temple. It was built by monk Hyecheol in the first year of King Heondeok’s reign during the Silla Kingdom (AD 809), but was moved to the current site in the Joseon Dynasty in 1546 (the first year of King Myeongjong). At the time, it was named Eunhaesa temple and King Injong of the Joseon Dynasty was commemorated with a lecture hall and monument built where his umbilical cord was buried. The temple houses the main shrine, Bohwaru pavilion, Seolseondan Hall, Shimgeondang Hall, eight small hermitages, as well as Baegeungam Temple, Jungangam Temple, and a professional Buddhist education institution: ‘Eunhaesa Buddhist University.’ Eunhaesa Temple is home to national treasure No. 14, Geojoamyongsanjeon hall, and treasure number 790, Baekheungamgeukrakjeon Hall. It also contains treasure No. 486, the Sunidan Buddha Platform; treasure No. 514, the Wunbuamcheongdongbosal Seated Buddha Statue; and treasure No. 1270, the Eunhaesa Temple Gwaebultaeng hanging Buddha picture. The area is also close to the Seongbu Museum, which exhibits cultural assets from Eunhaesa Temple and the neighboring areas, as well as popular tourist attractions such as Geukrakgul grotto of Jungangam temple (Hwaeomgul Grotto), Geondeul Rock, Manyeonsong Pine Tree, Ganggunsu Waters, and Anheung Falls of Gigiam Temple.  

Sibiseonnyeotang Valley (Valley of the Twelve Angels’ Bath) is located at the base Seoraksan Mountain. It is also referred to as Tangsugol or Tangsudong Valley. The valley got its name from a myth that angels once came down to bathe in its flowing rivers. However, there are only eight baths.Due to fluvial erosion, there is a steep hole in this valley, and many baths and waterfalls of various shapes are stretched over an 8 km distance. Pass Ungbong Waterfall and the first bath and Dok-tang appear. Then walk past Buk-tang, Rainbow-tang, Peach-tang, and the path will end with the last bath, Yong-tang.Of these baths, the 7th bath is called Peach-tang, named after the traditional shape of the bath. The deeply delved rock behind the back of the waterfall is more beautiful than the bath under the waterfall. Past the Peach-tang is another clean, steep bath. From there, a 5-minute walk to the right will lead you to another waterfall and a pool. The water from Daeseungryeong and Mt.Ansan is connected to Namgyo-ri, Buk-myeon. This is an 8-km valley, which takes approximately two hours from the baths to Namgyo-ri. There are iron bridges over the baths for visitors to cross.

The star observatory is situated near Hantigogae Pass on Chilgapsan Mountain. The observatory has a celestial projection room, video and lecture room, exhibition room, an observatory platform, main observation room, and a subsidiary observation room. The main observation room is equipped with six telescopes, including a 400mm reflecting telescope and one 304mm refracting telescope, the largest in the nation. At the celestial projection room, visitors can view a virtual night sky and stars on a dome screen 10 meters wide regardless of weather conditions. The room offers 5-D cubic movies related to space science on a full HD screen and 4-D chairs with environmental effects of water, wind, and lightning.

Bulyeongsa Temple (불영사), located at the western foot of Mt. Cheonchuksan in Uljin, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was built during the Silla period. ‘Bulyeongsa’ means ‘the reflection of Buddha’s shadow on the pond.’ A lovely path leads from the parking area to the temple, and a beautiful pond and green farm in the courtyard give the temple, inhabited by Buddhist nuns, a cozy and welcoming feeling. The 13km-long Bulyeongsa Valley is also found around Bulyeongsa Temple. With unique rock formations and thick forest, the valley creates an almost mystical atmosphere. Even though Bulyeongsa Valley is not as magnificent or splendid as Cheonbuldong Valley at Mt. Seoraksan or Mureung Valley and Bogyeongsa Valley at Mt. Odaesan, it offers a serene and beautiful view against the backdrop of Mt. Cheonchuksan.  

Located in Jungpyeong-dong at the family village of the Pyeongsan Shin clan, the Seobyeok House was originally created when Hanchang Shin, a scholar from late Joseon Dynasty, got married and moved out of his parents’ house. The house was expanded by Chigu Shin in 1739 (15th year of the reign of King Yeongjo). The house and is built in a rectangular shape with 6 rooms in the front, 4 rooms on the sides and a courtyard in the middle. This style was a popular housing structure among the upper-class in the late Joseon Dynasty. The house was designated Folk Cultural Asset No. 101 of Gyeongsangbuk-do on November 30th, 1993.

The Sangseung Observation Post (상승OP) operates as a forward OP monitoring North Korean activities (currently Biryong Camp is in charge of the operation). Soldiers manning the post are on alert 24 hours a day. Visitors can view North Korean guard posts using binoculars, while iron fences and the vast Yeoncheon plain are also visible. Viewing the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) that stretching across the plains offers a view of the habitat of a wide array of plants and animals that are rarely found elsewhere, such as eagles, goshawks, roe deer, and goats. Visitors can see the faces and movements of North Korean soldiers at their guard posts, and depending on the time, hear various North Korean propoganda broadcasts targeted towards South Korea. This is truly a front-line observation post on the DMZ. The No. 1 Tunnel (제1땅굴) is not open to the public since it is located in the Demilitarized Zone. However, a life-size model has been created and is on exhibit at the Sangseung OP, the closest observation post. The No. 1 Tunnel was discovered on November 15, 1974, by Sergeant Koo Hasa when his reconnaissance team sensed suspicious steam rising from the ground. After a few gunshots from a guard post in North Korea, Koo’s team started the investigation. It turned out that the tunnel was made by North Korean soldiers to infiltrate and aid in the invasion of the South.  

Yeongwol Station finished its construction in June, 1955 with its titled roof a nod to the region where King Danjong was from. The station was selected as one of the most beautiful stations in Korea due to its antique ambience.