The origin of the city name, Joan, comes from the meaning "a place where birds dwell peacefully." Namyangju Joan was designated a "slow city" in 2010 and was the first "slow city" in the Seoul metropolitan area. The city has a well-paved bike road along the Namhangang Riverbank connecting Paldang to Yangpyeong through Daeseongri. The city also has the Slow City Trail, starting from Ungilsan Station and passing through Majin Fortress and Sujeongsa Temple before arriving at Songchon Independence Park.Each of the twelve villages in Namyangju is known for a different local treasure, ranging from lotus fields to cultural heritages. Joan-myeon in particular has received compliments for its local communities, eco-friendly and organic farming, natural environment, traditional culture, and well-managed fisheries.

The Geumgang Speed Muju Rafting resort is located on the upper Geumggang River and offers rafting, survival, hiking, and fishing programs. The area is over 3,000 pyeong in size and can accommodate lodging for up to 200 guests.

The Namhae German Exhibition Hall was opened on June 28, 2014 to display the history and artifacts of the Korean miners and nurses who were sent to Germany for work in the 1960s. At that time, Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world, with an unemployment rate of 30%. The exhibition hall shows the sad and lonely reality these workers lived through while working in a far place in order to send money home to their families.

Ganghwa Seonwonsa Temple Site was first discovered in 1976 during a surface examination around Ganghwado Island undertaken by the Ganghwado Island Academic Research Team of Dongguk University. The site was designated as Historic Site No. 259 in 1977. Seonwonsa Temple was built by General Choi Wu in 1245 (the 32nd year of King Gojong’s reign during the Goryeo dynasty), which was right after the transfer of the capital to Ganghwado during resistance against the Mongolian invasion. The temple was meant to be a spiritual mainstay in fighting against Mongolia. It used to be one of the two largest temples in Korea along with Songgwangsa Temple. However, the temple was completely destroyed during the early Joseon era, leaving only the site itself. The famous wood blocks of Palman Daejanggyeong (the Tripitaka Koreana), currently housed in Haeinsa Temple at Hapcheon, are said to have been originally stored in Seonwonsa Temple. It is believed that the carved wood blocks were taken from Seonwonsa to Heungcheonsa Temple during the Joseon era and again moved to Haeinsa Temple during the reign of Sejo. Located on a mountain slope, the presumed location of the building site extends 250 meters from south to north and 170 meters from east to west.

Haemi Martyrdom Holy Ground is the site where nearly 1,000 Catholics in Chungcheongnam-do were buried alive during the time between the Byeongin Persecution in 1866 (3rd year of King Gojong) and 1882 (19th year of King Gojong). At that time, Catholics were executed outside Haemieupseong Fortress' Seomun Gate (West Gate). As it was difficult to execute them one by one, the martyrs were buried alive in a big hole all at once. When confronted with their death, the martyrs prayed while singing 'Yesumaria' (Jesus Maria). Because is also sounds like "Yeosumeori" (여수머리), the place was called 'Yeosutgol' as well.The 16-meter-high memorial tower was set set up near Haemicheon Stream to pay tribute to the nameless martyrs wo were buried alive. Many Catholics visit this location every year to remember and honor the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for their belief.

Naewonsa Valley is just below Naewonsa Temple, which is located at the foot of Cheonseongsan Mountain. The valley is surrounded by Jeongsoksan Mountain to the northeast, Wonjeoksan Mountain to the south, and Cheonseongsan Mountain to the southeast. The water running through the numerous valleys between these mountains has formed streams like Yongyeoncheon and Sangricheon from Naewonsa Valley which are the source of Yangsancheon Stream. Naewonsa Valley was formerly Sogeumgang (little Geumgang), meaning that its beautiful scenery is comparable to that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain. It is also known as the “mystical valley” as crystal clear water flows all year round. The word “Sogeumgang” is distinctly engraved on one side of the cliff and large rocks stand in layers throughout the valley. Some of the rocks are called “byeongpung bawi,” literally meaning folding screen rocks, as they are stretched out much like folding screens. The valley and the surrounding mountains are a popular summer vacation spot and a well-known hiking destination during the spring, fall, and winter. Muk (acorn jelly) made with acorns gathered from this area not only tastes great, but is also very healthy. Nearby attractions include Tongdosa Temple, Hongnyong Falls, Tongdo Fantasia, Tongdo Finest Country Club, and Haewoon Youth Training Institute. *About Naewonsa Temple* Located at the foot of Cheonseongsan Mountain, Naewonsa Temple was is one of the 89 branch temples surrounding Daedunsa Temple, which was founded by the great monk Wonhyo (617-686) during the Silla Dynasty. Originally called Naewonsaji, the temple was burned down during the Korean War. It was rebuilt by a Buddhist nun named Suok in 1958 and it became known as the prayer center for the nation’s greatest Buddhist nuns. ※ Entrance into the upper region of Naewonsa Valley is restricted.

The ancient fossil site at Deokmyeong-ri, Goseong-gun, is one of the largest Cretaceous dinosaur fossils sites in the world. It is the home of a vast amount of footprints from a variety of ancient species, as well as the largest Mesozoic bird footprint found to date. The formations from many different prehistoric eras make it a precious site for academic research on the life patterns of dinosaurs, the ancient natural environment and formations, the distribution of sea and land, and the evolution of bird species. It is also a great tourist attraction that offers magnificent scenery, including a coastline dotted with beautiful Hallyeosudo islets, unique rock formations and cliffs, and sea caves.  

Dopiansa Temple was built by the Buddhist Monk Doseon in 865, the 5th year of the reign of King Gyeongmun of the Unified Silla Period. Legend has it that Monk Doseon founded this temple because a 91 centimeter-tall seated iron Vairocana Buddha statue had disappeared while being carried to Anyangsa Temple in Cheorwon and was mysteriously found seated at the current site. The temple was named Dopiansa to indicate that the iron-made Buddha statue had reached “pian,” meaning an eternal place to rest. In addition to the legendary iron Variocana Buddha statue (National Treasure No. 63) made by Monk Doseon, the temple houses a 4.1 meter-tall three-story granite pagoda (Treasure No. 223).

Built based upon the Cheontae Doctrine, Baengnyeonsa Temple (백련사) played an important role in promoting the restoration of Buddhism. Located east of Mandeoksan Mountain (만덕산), Baengnyeonsa Temple is famous for its camellia forest skirting the road to the temple. One of the two most beautiful camellia colonies in Korea, including camellias on Odong-do Island in Yeosu, this colony of camellias was designated as natural treasure No. 151. The camellias come into full bloom around the end of March. Gangjin Bay, seen from Baengnyeonsa Temple, and the road that leads from the temple to Dasan Chodang are also famed for their scenic beauty.

Located near Seogwipo-si on Jeju-do Island, Gogeunsan Mountain (altitude of 396m, relative x_height of 171m, a circumference 4,324m) is a parasitic cone volcano and an oreum with a nondeep circle crater on the top. Although it is not high in elevation, its expansive presence offers outstanding views overlooking nearby areas including Marado Island and Jigwido Island. The mountain is also an ideal location to see the nighttime sea and Seogwipo Chilsimni nightscape. It is a new area for daytime and nighttime walking and exercise.