Samhwasa Temple is located near the entrance of the Mureung Valley of Mt. Dutasan in the City of Donghae, Gangwon Province. The one-thousand year old, small but historical temple falls under the supervision of Woljeongsa Temple. It was originally named “Geukryeondae” when built by monk Jijangyulsa in the eleventh year of Queen Seonseok of the Silla Kingdom (AD 642). In 864 it was renamed Samgongam by the chief monk, and during the reign of King Taejo of the Goryeo Dynasty, it assumed the current name, Samhwasa Temple. The temple houses the main shrine (also called Yaksajeon), Jeokkwangjeon, Beomjonggak pavilion, Geukrakjeon shrine, Birojeon shrine, Chilseongdan shrine, and Muhyanggak pavilion. The temple is also home to national treasures No. 1277 (three story stone pagoda) and No. 1292 (steel sitting Buddha statue). Samhwasa Temple operates a school teaching Buddhism and offers temple stay programs providing a beautiful, serene experience of temple life.  

Seongpanak is one of the parasitic volcanoes on Jeju-do island. Parasitic volcanoes are smaller volcanoes formed by lava bursting through the edge of the main volacano, and there are over 350 on Jeju-do Island. Seongpanak is 1,215m high and situated between Jocheon-eup, Bukjeju-gun and Namwon-eup, Namjeju-gun. The name came from the shape of the vertical cliff that spreads roughly 500 meters outward and resembles a fortress (seong) made of wooden boards (pan). With its thick verdant forest, Seongpanak has a unique atmosphere all year around. The road here is clear and wide, but a bit uncomfortable to walk because of many rocks. The azaleas create a pink blanket in the spring, and blends well with the clear waterfall in the area.  

Eco-theme Park, hillcrestkorea Hillcrestkoreais an eco-theme pack packed with special events and programs that change with the seasons to give visitors a fresh new experience each spring, summer, fall, and winter. This 3,000-pyeong, large-scale herb garden and mini theme park includes a large area of Metasequoias and the only green tea field in the Yongnam Area: the “Kim Taehee Green Tea Garden.” In addition to the herbs and flowers, this quaint nature theme park comes complete with bumper cars, a swinging ship, a family-oriented zoo, and a variety of cute stores. With sledding activities in the winter, flowering herbs in spring, and water activities in the summer, there is something for every season. Your ticket price even includes your choice of craft experience program (topiaries, herb candles, herb soap, and more) and there’s even a Waterball and “Eco-adventure” area for more active visitors. The “Eco-adventure” was completed in 2008 and consists of ropes, zip-lines, a climbing wall, and other outdoor recreational sports facilities. Scale: Total land size: about 350,000 pyeong (40,000 pyeong developed land + 310,000 pyeong natural green space).  

Uljin-gun’s southern most port of Hupohang has beautiful seaside scenery throughout the four seasons. Almost all of the fish caught in the East Sea can be seen at Hupohang Port. On the hill behind the port is the Hupo Lighthouse, which lights the waters for boats coming in at night, and its observatory provides a great view over the East sea during the day. Also, children’s playground and rest area are situated on top of the hill next to the lighthouse. On the opposite side of the hill, visitors can enjoy the spectacular scenery of the 1,004-meter tall Baekamsan Mountain.At dawn, visitors can tour Hupohang Park and look at the many freshly caught fish. Visitors can also buy fresh fish at extremely low prices. Furthermore, the Hupohang Port is known for its numerous raw fish restaurants and the hot springs are located nearby as well.

Daraengi Village in Namhae is famous for terraced rice paddies on a steep hill on the outskirts of Mt. Seolheul reaching almost 500 meters. The rice paddies with 108 steps (consisting of stones and soil) are very picturesque and great for taking photographs. Located in the south, the village is balmy in winter, and spring greens (such as mugwort and spinach) sprout before any other place in Korea. Environment-friendly agriculture flourishes because the sea breeze prevents insect pests.This land of friendly people and fertile soil is home to Daraengi Rice Paddy Festival every spring. The festival offers a slew of interesting programs allowing visitors to experience traditional farming and learn cultural and natural heritage in Daraengi Village: Harrowing a Field, Straw Rope Ssireum (Korean Wrestling), Rice Planting, Running on Rice Paddies, Carrying a Wooden Carrier, and colorful performance events.

Daegu-myeon of Gangjin-gun was the primary site of Goryeo Dynasty celadon production between the 9th and the 14th centuries. Covering approximately 150 acres of land in nine villages, the area has been designated as the National Historical Site No. 68 since 1963, and continues to protect its 180 fire kilns and maintain the sophisticated art of celadon production. Meanwhile, celadons produced in this area have also been designated as national treasure, and regarded highly worldwide for their artistic value, so much so that some are preserved in the Louvre Museum in France.

Taebaeksan Mountain (태백산) encompasses several peaks such as Yeongbong Peak, where in the past, people would conduct rites to venerate Heaven at Cheonjedan, Janggunbong Peak (1,567m) and Munsubong Peak (1,517m). The mountain is rather high but easy to hike since it is relatively smooth and has few cliffs. The higher plains are covered with alpine vegetation. The mountain becomes hot pink with mountain rhododendron and azalea in the spring; green with thick forest and pristine waters in the summer; rainbow colored with changing leaves in the fall; and white with snow in the winter.Taebaeksan Mountain is one of the three sacred mountains of Korea and the sunrise observed at Cheonjedan is simply breathtaking. There is a ritual site for Dangun in Danggol Valley, where people celebrate Gaecheonjeol (개천절) each year; and there are a number of Buddhist temples such as Manggyeong, Baekdan, Yuil and Cheongwon. Right below the mountaintop lies Yongjeong, the well that is said to boast the very best-quality water among the 100 good water sources in Korea. Near the park are located Geomryongso, the origin of the Han River, and Hwangji Pond, source of the Nakdonggang River. The Taebaek Coal Museum and Gumunso Natural Experience Field provide visitors with information on fossils, geology and the development of the coal industry.* Sunrise at Mt. TaebaeksanWeather permitting, you can watch the sun rising out of the East Sea from the top of Mt. Taebaeksan (Cheonjedan). It usually first appears breaking through the clouds or peeking between the mountaintops. In order to watch the first sunrise of the year at the top of Mt. Taebaeksan, you need to equip yourself with a wintertime hiking outfit and tools such as crampons and a headlamp. Since Mt. Taebaeksan is not far from downtown Taebaek, it is convenient for hikers to spend the night Taebaek and get to the mountain by land transportation.

The Hotel Miranda is known as the greatest landmark in the Icheon province, presenting over 8,000 pyeongs (approx. 26,400 ㎡) of hotel luxury consisting of a basement floor, 10-story building for its main complex, and a 3-story annex, along with an astonishing 10,000-pyeong (approx. 33,000 ㎡) SpaPlus spa complex. This enormous spa facility consists of an indoor swimming pool, a kiddie pool, event spas, a tube ride, and more for the entire family to enjoy. Other forms of family fun also include a variety of wave pools and Korea’s longest water slide to indulge visitors in thrills and chills.

The House of Choi Champan is known as the setting of the famous novel ‘Toji’ (‘The Land’) by noted author Park Gyeong-ri. Located in a small folk literature village in Agyang-myeon, Pyeongsa-ri along the Seomjingang River at the foot of Jirisan Mountain, Choe Champandaek consists of fourteen hanok (Korean traditional house) buildings.Also used as the main set of the drama version of ‘Toji’ (2004), Choi Champandaek gives visitors a look at the life of the Korean people in the late Joseon Era. The house has not only made its appearance in many films, but is also a valuable cultural asset of Hadong-gun Country.The Daecheong Maru (wooden-floored hall) connected to the Sarangchae (men’s quarters in a hanok) offers a wide view of the vast field of Pyeongsa-ri and an opportunity to meditate and reflect while appreciating the beautiful surroundings. Located in the vicinity are numerous tourist attractions including the Pyeongsari Literature Center, Hwagae Market, and Ssanggyesa Temple. In the fall of each year, Choi Champandaek hosts the Toji Literature Festival.

Magoksa Temple was founded by Monk Jajangyulsa in 640, a representative temple of the Chungcheongnam-do Province. Magoksa is surrounded by a mountain and rivers curving a yin-yang shape. Perhaps because of such a shape, this temple was never damaged by any major wars during the Joseon Period (1392-1910). As much as the temple's fame, the beauty of the surrounding mountains is renowned especially the area surrounded by Mt. Taehwasan, where Taegeukcheon River flows in the shape of the yin-yang. It is most beautiful during the spring time, when the cherry blossoms, sansuyu, and magnolias fill the whole area.One eye-catching sight at Magoksa Temple are the Ocheung Stone pagoda and the Chinese juniper trees scholar Kim-Gu (Korean politician and freedom activist) is said to have planted. The top of Ocheung Stone pagoda is decorated with bronze. This style was influenced by the Lama Buddhist sect of Tibet, and there are said to be only three of such structures left in the world. Inaddition Daegwongbojeon and Geuknakgyo are also worth a visit.