Yeongneung / Nyeongneung Royal Tomb [UNESCO World Heritage]
 
Gyeonggi-do(Yeoju-si) ,
Yeongneung (영릉) is the joint tomb of the 4th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Sejong (1397-1450, reign 1418-1450) and his wife Queen Soheon (1395-1446). This was the first joint royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty.King Sejong was the third son of the 3rd ruler, King Taejong, and his wife Queen Wongyeong. He came to the throne at the age of 22. During his 32-year reign, he was very influential in the development of Korean culture. For example, King Sejong created the Korean alphabet, which he called Hunmin Jeongeum, and set up the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon, 집현전), an association of the kingdom’s brightest scholars. He also used Confucian principles to administer state affairs. Under the reign of King Sejong, therefore, many sectors including politics, economy, society and culture flourished. In fact, King Sejong the Great is regarded as making some of the most brilliant achievements in Korean history.Yeongneung is currently located in Neungseo-myeon in Yeoju-si in Gyeonggi-do, but the tomb was originally located in Seogang, Gwangju. When it was constructed following Queen Soheon’s death in 1446, it was decided it should be a double tomb, and the space on the right side was reserved for King Sejong. In 1450 when King Sejong died, he was buried together with the dead queen. Later, the tomb was moved to its current place, as it was thought that the original location was not an auspicious place according to geomantic traditions.Various items that were originally buried in the tomb were excavated in 1973 and now are exhibited in the King Sejong the Great Memorial Hall (세종대왕 기념관), which is located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul.Nyeongneung (녕릉/영릉) is the royal tomb of the 17th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, King Hyojong (1619-1659, reign 1649-1659), and of his wife Queen Inseon (1618-1674).The tomb was originally located to the west of Geonwolleung (건원릉, the tomb of King Taejo, the 1st ruler of the Joseon Dynasty), but in 1673 cracks appeared on the tomb’s “Byeongpungseok” (stone border), and it was moved to its current location, which is to the east of Yeongneung (영릉, the tomb of King Sejong).King Hyojong was the second son of King Injo, Joseon Dynasty’s 16th ruler, and Queen Illyeol. Upon ascending to the throne, he devised a plan to conquer the Northern region of Asia, including the Qing Dynasty (part of China). As part of the plan, he reformed the military system and strengthened the army and military enforcements. King Hyojong had spent time in northern China when he was taken hostage by the Manchus. During that time he became exposed to many different cultures and technological advancements. When a group of Dutch sailors were shipwrecked on the Korean shore, King Hyojong ordered them to build the Korean army’s first muskets.King Hyojong also implemented “Daedongbeop (대동법)”, a tax system under which people had to pay taxes with rice, and circulated “Sangpyeongtongbo (상평통보)”, the coinage of the Joseon Dynasty.

Inheung Village
 
Daegu(Dalseong-gun) ,
The descendants of Mun Ik-jeom, who are known to have brought the Nampyeong Mun clan to prosperity, reportedly came to Daegu about 500 years ago. It was during the time of Mun Gyeong-ho (1812-1874), the 18th descendant of Mun Ik-jeom, that the clan became established in Inheung. Mun executed his plan to create a village for the clan by putting down roots in the old site of Inheungsa Temple, a large-scale temple in the Goryeo era.Yonghojae, which is a place for offering ancestral memorial services, is the first building established at the village constructed before or after 1920. The first residential building was built around the late 1800s in the form of thatched cottage. During the course of a hundred years, the village developed into what it is today. Featuring about 70 or so tile-roofed homes, Inheung Village is only about 200 years old but it is a great example of traditional residential homes of the yangban upper class in the Yeongnam region. The harmony between the way the village is organized and the surrounding landscape is unique and rare.

Tongyeong Sebyeonggwan Hall
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si) ,
Sebyeonggwan Hall, located in Tongyeong, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, was established in 1605 by the 6 generation commander-in-chief Lee Kyung-jun and is well known as one of the widest buildings of the Joseon Dynasty Period along with Gyeonghoeru Pavilion in Gyeongbokgung Palace and Jinnamgwan Hall in Yoesu-si.Sebyoenggwan Hall is placed at the foot of Yeohwangsan Mountain and overlooks Tongyeong. Right next to the hall, are the remains of the naval base Tongjeyeong, which includes Unjudang (also named as Jeseungdang, a military education center for the Joseon Navy) among others.Sebyeonggwan Hall symbolizes the ending of the war, the washing away and cleaning up of the weapons of war.

Ulsan Museum
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun) ,
Ulsan Museum is an archive of the history, present, and future of Ulsan City. The museum facilities include a history hall giving a general outline of the city from the prehistoric to the modern times, an industry hall showing Ulsan as the industrial capital of Korea, and a children’s experience hall for educational purposes. This eco-friendly museum equipped with advanced exhibition and education facilities is a model cultural space to help establish the visitors understand Ulsan’s identity.

Cheorwon Korean Workers' Party Headquarters
 
Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun) ,
This three-story building located in Cheorwon-eup was constructed in 1946. Used as the headquarters of the Labor Party until the break of the Korean War on June 25, it is now a tourist attraction that still the hold on to the vestiges of the Korean War.Cheorwon Korean Workers' Party Headquarters is under the control of Cheorwon-gun Office as part of the Security Sightseeing Course. Every year hundreds of thousands of people visit this tourist destination.

Nammangsan Sculpture Park
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si) ,
In Mt. Nammangsan, there is a citizens’ park where you can view Tongyeong. At the top of the mountain stands a bronze statue of General Lee Sun-Shin built by the citizens in 1953, and Suhyangjeong Pavilion. Under the Suhyangjeong Pavilion, there is Citizens’ Cultural Center. Right under this center is Nammangsan Outdoor Sculptural Park.Nammangsan Sculpture Park was established to display the persistent works of 15 famous sculptors from 10 countries (Japan, China, France, Israel, Venezuela, etc.) who participated in the Tongyeong International Sculpture Symposium. It is also a popular spot for dates because this 30 square kilometer land has beautiful sculptures from which you can feel the individual taste of the artists.

Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si) ,
Located at the foot of Gyeongju Namsan Mountain, Gyeongsangbuk-do Forest Research Institute is a popular spot for field trips and relaxation due to the institute's rare and rural forestry along with well-preserved endangered plants and wild flowers.

Soswaewon Garden
 
Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun) ,
Soswaewon Garden is a private garden from the Joseon Period where the beauty of traditional Korea is preserved. It was built by Yang San-Bo (1503-1557) after he gave up his success when his mentor Jo Gwang-Jo (1482-1519) was killed during a political strife. Soswaewon Garden presents itself as a clean and transparent garden where the righteous enjoy the life of anbinnakdo (being comfortable amid poverty and taking pleasure in and honest life style) surrounded by a bamboo grove. Including peach trees, various kinds of trees and grass are planted on both sides of the stream while clear water flows down the foot of the garden walls. The log bridge above the valley adds to the charm of the scenery. The harmony between nature and the artificial waterfall is a sight to behold. Soswaewon Garden is 150m away from the main road. Passing through the thick bamboo forest, you will find the small valley and Soswaewon Garden on your left.

Flow House Seoul
 
Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si)
Flow House Seoul is the only flowboarding location in Korea, allowing the full experience of surfing indoors. Boards are available to use for free, and wetsuits are available for rental. Flowboarding is attractive to beginning surfers and pros alike. Beginners can learn surfing from instructors without needing to travel to the ocean through the use of man-made, controlled waves.

Songgwangsa Temple
 
Jeollabuk-do(Wanju-gun) ,
Songgwangsa Temple in Soyang-myeon (Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do Province) has a unique history that spans a period of over a thousand years. For many years the temple lay incomplete until Monk Bojo Chejing began reconstruction in the 7th year of King Gyeongmun of Silla (867 AD). The temple was destroyed at one point in time, but Master Monk Jinul prayed that it be rebuilt. In accordance with his fervent hopes, in the 1600s the monk’s followers rebuilt a number of the temple’s halls and buildings, many of which can still be seen today. The temple is also remembered as the temple that King Injo helped rebuild with the hope that his two sons, who had been taken hostage by the Qing Dynasty during the Byeongjahoran War (Chinese invasion of Korea in 1636), would be returned safely and that Buddha would heal the nation.One of the Korea’s four major temples, Songgwangsa is home to Jijangbosal and Siwangsang statues (found in Jijangjeon Hall), a Seokgayeorae statue, and 500 Nahansang statues (found in Nahanjeon Hall). The temple is also home to eight Tangible Cultural Assets and four Treasured Cultural Assets: Daeungjeon Hall, the Samsebulsang statues, the bell-tower, and the Sacheonwangsang statue.Beloved for its historical significance as well as its beauty, the temple draws throngs of worshipers throughout the year. In spring, many tourists flock to the area to explore the temple and walk through the nearby cherry blossom tunnels. A worthwhile attraction for visitors of all ages, the temple is particularly well-suited for those with mobility problems since it is located on ground level.