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.

Wonju Station is located in the city of Wonju, the most inland section of Gangwon-do region. The station is located near downtown Wonju and is a hub of city transportation. Many passengers arriving in Wonju take public transit to visit Chiaksan Mountain, beautiful year-round. Wonju citizens can take the train to visit the capital, head to the northern section of Gyeongsangbuk-do, or enjoy a winter vacation on the snowy slopes of the Taebaek mountains. The station has been in operation since April 1940

If you travel along Geumsan Route 29 from Gimje you’ll soon come upon the city of Mangyeong. Continue along 12.3km west of the city and you’ll be rewarded by the sight of Manghaesa Temple sitting atop a cliff on the crest of Jinbongsan Hill. True to its name, which comes from the phrase ‘mang mang dae hae’ (roughly meaning ‘a boundless sea’), the temple commands a sweeping view of the ocean below.The temple was established by the great monk Buseol Geosa during the 2nd year of King Uija of Baekje (642 AD). Years later, Dobeopsa (a Chinese monk from the Tang dynasty) renovated the temple. The temple was altered again during the reign of King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty when the great monk Jinmuk Daesa built Nakseojeon Hall.

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.  

Samtan Art Mine, an art complex transformed from an abandoned mine! “Samtan” refers to Samcheok Tanjwa, which was a major coal mine in Korea, and today the name “Art Mine” derived from the term ”coal mine”. Opened in 1965, the coal mine once flourished as the mecca of the industrial age but later declined and was closed in October 2001. Today, both the dynamic and poignant history of the mine are still reflected in the art space. Samtan Art Mine exhibits over 100,000 art works collected from 150 countries from around the world. The art complex also runs artist sponsorship programs. The harmony between the art installations and the interior, which still maintains elements of the former coal mine, creates a unique atmosphere that cannot be found elsewhere. With lots to see and the availability of many special programs, Samtan Art Mine is an unique experience and great photo spot for tourists.

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).

This village, located in Yeongdeok, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is called ‘Daege Wonjo Village’ (대게원조마을) because the legs of the snow crabs caught in the Donghae Sea (East Sea, 동해) are shaped like bamboo. Since people visited this village in wagons during the Goryeo period, it was called ‘Chayu Village.’ But recently, it has been renamed ‘Yeongdeok Daege Wonjo Village’ and a local monument has been established. The nearby Gyeongjeong Breakwater is famous among anglers.

Haposeowon is where the tablets of Munseonggong An Hyang, a forerunner of Sung Confucianism from the late Goryeo era, are enshrined. It was first built in 1716 as Anjabyeolmyo Shrine by An Gyeong-sin, An Gyeong-in, An Gyeong-jeong, and An Gyeong-sang, who are the 15th descendants of An Hyang, and memorial services have been held there every year on March 3rd and September 9th on lunar calendar. In 1843, the shrine was renamed Haposeowon. The shrine was demolished upon the order of regent Daewongun during the reign of King Gojong. Later, An’s descendants rebuilt the shrine in Haposa Temple to perform memorial services for An Hyang. In 1931, additional buildings were constructed while descendant An Bae-ho held discussions with Confucian scholars about rebuilding the shrine. In 1949, the Confucian school was rebuilt with the consent of 218 Confucian schools nationwide. Today, the Yeongi Confucian Scholars Association organizes memorial services for An Hyang on September 12 on lunar calendar.

Gatbawi Culture Town is the prime tourist attraction in Mokpo, comprised of Gatbawi Rock, Mokpo Culture & Arts Center, Mokpo Natural History Museum, National Maritime Museum, Namnong Memorial Hall and other culture and art facilities. The park is particularly beautiful at night and is famous as poart of a driving course.