Palgongsan Natural Park is locates close to Palgongsan Mountain, one of the larger mountains in the Taebaek mountain range. Palgongsan Mountain is located 20km northeast from downtown Daegu, where Nakdonggang River and Geumhogang River meet. The mountain has three peaks in a row: Birobong Peak in the center and Dongbong (aka ‘Mitabong,’ 1,155m) and Seobong (aka ‘Samseongbong,’ 1,150m) on each side. The park (30.593㎢ in size) is within the administrative district of Dong-gu, Daegu and has four towns along its border including Yeongcheon-si, Gyeongsan-si, and Chilgok-gun. A number of Buddhist temples including Donghwasa, the headquarters of the 9th Buddhist Parish, are located in the area. The park has numerous rocks and valleys and is carpeted with azaleas in the spring. In the autumn many visitors flock to the park to admire the falls leaves on the trees lining the 16.3km-long roadway that runs through the park. With vibrant green leaves in spring and a delicate snowscape in the winter, Palgongsan Mountain is an attractive destination for visitors throughout the year.

In Hwaamsa Temple in Yesan, you can find the urn carrying the remains of Chusa (Kim Jeong-Hui), renowned scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Chusa was born in Yesan and his birthplace (his parent’s house) and Chusa Gotaek (his house) are located nearby. Hwaamsa Temple was constructed by Chusa’s great-grandfather, Kim Han-Sin, who was related by marriage to royalty. If you visit the Hwaamsa Temple, you might not feel like you’re in a temple at first, since the Yosachae (monk’s living quarters) are located at the temple entrance. After you go past the monk’s living area, you’ll see the temple and the spot where Chusa’s remains are held. The temple is very tidy and silent, which might be because it is where the female monks train.

As neighboring Oseosan Mountain goes through seasonal changes, so do the colors Jeongamsa Temple. Oseosan Mountain brings flowing fields of silver grass every autumn. The fields stretch across the entire mountain and are the inspiration for the annual Silver Grass Festival in October. Situated halfway up the mountain, Jeongamsa Temple’s small size is common for rural villages, but its unique location draws many visitors year-round. * History There are few existing records that can point to the temple’s exact beginning. Some suggest that it was built around 527 A.D. during the 5th year of King Seongwang’s reign, but there is little evidence to support this theory. The only reference alluding to a specific time is Yeojidoseo (‘Detailed Survey of Korean Geography’ published during the late Chosun Dynasty). It states the Jeongamsa Temple location as on Oseosan Mountain, and Oseosan Mountain being surrounded by Hongsan Mountain and Baekwolsan Mountain and intersected by Hongju, Gyeolseong, and Boryeong. This indicates the temple was recognized in the mid-18th century and around the same time, Garamgo (a book about temples, published in the late 18th century) also states that Geongamsa Temple is located approximately 11km to the east of Gyeolseong-hyeon. It is still uncertain whether the temple referred to is Jeongamsa Temple on Oseosan Mountain. Nonetheless, some foundation stones measure 70-80cm on each side. These stones indicate the old Buddhist shrine of Jeongamsa Temple was laid out with five rooms at the front and three rooms on the side. Future archaeological studies will help identify the true history of Jeongamsa Temple.  

Unmunsan Recreational Forest (운문산자연휴양림) in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do is located at the foot of Mt. Unmunsan (1,188m, elevation) which is also called ‘Mt. Hogeosan.’ Because it is surrounded by taller mountains (more than 1,000 meters above sea level) such as Mt. Munboksan (1,014m) and Mt. Gajisan (1,240m), and it is a great place to spend time in summer. Yongmi Falls (20m) and Byeokgyesu Valley, in which the waters flow across the sandless rock bed, are famous locales in the forest. Located in a thick broadleaf forest, inhabited by many diverse species such as Korean mountain camellia, Unmunsan Recreational Forest offers lush greenery in summer, beautiful foliage in autumn, and cozy, splendid snowscapes along with the Yongmi Ice Wall in winter. In Unmunryeong, located 2.5km to the east, you can watch the spectacular sunrise above the Donghae Sea (East Sea, 동해).

Maryang Port, situated on the southwestern coast of Korea, is a well-known place to catch a view of the sunrise. The port has long been an important haven for fishing boats sailing in the west sea. The dried laver (seaweed) produced in this area is known to be among the best of its kind and was served to the kings during the Joseon Dynasty. It is now one of the main means of livelihood for the fishing village. Maryang Port is also famous for its Gizzard Shad Festival which takes place in autumn.

Chuncheon’s Jipdarigol Recreation Forest sits atop Chokdaebong peak, separating Gangwon chuncheon and Gyeonggi Gapyeong. Natural forest is formed along the valley, which attracts many visitors who want to spend their summer cooling off.Lodging facilities include the forest lodge, condo styled lodging, and small bungalow-style facilities. Subsidiary facilities include sporting equipment, a promenade, and camping site (high season: 3,000won). What is good about Jipdarigol Natural Recreation Forest is that it is located along a stream, which means its environment is clear and pure. Lodging facilities reservation can be made through the homepage.* Forest Cabin Lodging Fee (day of the check in 14:00 / check out the next day 12:00)Party of 5 – high season (7.1~8.31) 50,000won / weekend 40,000won / weekday 30,000wonParty of 7 – high season (7.1~8.31) 90,000won / weekend 70,000won / weekday 50,000wonParty of 10 – high season (7.1~8.31) 130,000won / weekend 110,000won / weekday 90,000won

Included in Hapcheon's 8 Best Landscapes, Hambyeongnu Pavilion was built in 1321 A.D., during the 8th year of Goryeo's King Chungsuk by Hapcheon county lord Kim Mo. It is located on the banks of Hwanggang River, below Yeonhosa Temple and Dayaseong Fortress. The pavilion was visited by many poets, with writings from Toegye Yi Hwang, Nammyeong Josil, and Wooam Song Si-yeol hanging from tablets inside, and a rock engraved with "Hambyeongnu" behind the pavilion. Hambyeongnu is a 3 pillar wide by 2 pillar deep, 2-story pavillion, with an octagonal roof connected with a frame of five parts. The roof of the pavilion is famous in that when it rains, the water drips straight off the eaves and into the river below.