The primary source of Geumgang River is a spring called ‘Ddeunbong’ in Subun-ri, Jangsu-gun, Jeollabuk-do, which flows to the north. At Changnam, it changes direction and enters Bangu-ri, Buri-myeon, Geumsan-gun. From here, the river flows through steep mountains. At Sutong-ri, the precipitous cliffs of a mountain named ‘Jeokbyeok’ tower proudly above, and where the river runs under these steep cliffs it is called the ‘Jeokbyeokgang River’ (적벽강).‘Jeokbyeok’ literally means ‘red walls’ in Korean. The Geumgang River under Jeokbyeok is as calm as a peaceful lake with long sandy shores. This riverbank is alive with beautiful flowers in spring, green pine trees in summer, and in fall, the green gives way to an autumnal tint, until lovely snowscapes blanket the area in winter. A fisherman in his boat in the middle of the river makes the landscape more picturesque. In summer, the Jeokbyeokgang River’s banks can become quite crowded with visitors.

Simni (10-ri) Cherry Blossom Road in Hwagae is famous for its beautiful views in spring. It is believed that if a young couple walks down this road holding hands, they will be together for one hundred years. For this reason, the road is sometimes referred to as the “wedding road.”

Hyangcheonsa Temple is an old temple that was founded by Monk Euigak in the late Baekje period under King Uija's rule. The temple is easily accessble from downtown despite its location deep within a valley at the foot of Geumosan Mountain, serving as a landmark for visitors enjoying a light stroll or a hike up to the mountain. Serving as a home to several relics and a nine-story-pagoda, the temple site and buildings are well maintained and neatly cleaned on a daily basis. According to legends, Monk Euigak originally had planned on building a temple in Sinam-myeon in Yesan. He went to China and brought a Buddha statue, praying earnestly on his way back aboard a boat. Upon his arrival, he sighted a pair of golden crows flying above the boat and followed the birds before they disappeared. He found the birds at the temple's current location, drinking from a puddle of water that had an aromatic smell. From then on the mountain was called Geumosan, meaning "the mountain of golden crow," and the temple was named Hyangcheonsa, meaning "the temple of fragrant water."

Hyosajeong Pavilion is where Nohan, the second Vice Premier of the Joseon Dynasty during King Sejong and King Sejo’s reign, stayed. After he lost his mother, he built the pavilion to mourn at her grave while still being able to see his father’s grave in Gaeseong to the North. His brother-in-law, then Minister of the Interior, Gang Sa-deok named the pavilion “Hyosajeong,” which means pavilion of filial piety. In order to find the original location of the pavilion, poems by Jeong Inji and Seo Geojeong and an old map of Korea “Sin-jeung-dong-gunk-nyeo-ji-seung-nam” were referenced, but the pavillion was not found because the surrounding landscapes had changed much. As a result, a location was selected and the pavilion was reconstructed at its current location. The house is 3 kan* in the front and 2 kan* on the side. The roof is a hip-and-gable roof. The pavilion has one room with under floor heating and a railing around the pavilion (*Kan: a traditional measurement that corresponds to the space between two columns)