For those hoping for a view of the winter sea, or those longing for the engulfing embrace of the clear dark-blue waves crashing into huge rocks, this is the place to be. When one thinks about Shin-myung Jeong-ja Beach, most people are reminded of Sokcho, Gangneung, Donghae and Samcheok in Gangwon-do. Nevertheless, many tourists seek the east coast that spreads from Jujeon in Uljin to Gampo. The costal road, with its beautiful scenery of sea and mountains, is a popular driving route. With diverse attractions nearby, many vacationers are attracted to this beach during the winter.

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.

At the outskirts of Cheongwansan Mountain (723m, in Jangheung) is Cheongwansan Literature Park. The mountain itself is known for a unique array of odd-shaped rocks and ridges, attracting many visitors year-round. Jangheung is nicknamed ‘Literature Town’ for its history of producing outstanding writers. The park commemorates these writers and their development of the modern style of Korean poems, novels, and essays (including Song Gi-suk, Han Seung-won, and Lee Cheong-jun) with a total of 54 monuments; each displaying the best of each writer’s works. A separate monument (7 stories/15m) contains works and handwritten manuscripts by 35 writers and their chronologies in capsules. In addition, over 460 stone towers leading to Tapsansa Temple await visitors.  

Cheoyongam is a very small rocky island sitting in the middle of Gaeunpo Inlet in front of Saejuk Village in Hwangseong-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan. It is a historic islet related to the famous folktale of Cheoyong. The tale is about a dragon that emerged from the east sea along with his seven sons at the end of the Silla Kingdom (57BC - 935AD). One of the dragon’s sons named Cheoyong came to the capital and married a beautiful woman. One night, he found an evil spirit trying to attack his wife so he sang and danced, whereupon the spirit presented itself and kneeled in apology. Since then, people have used the image of Cheoyong to dispel evil spirits. The dance that Cheoyong is said to have performed has been titled Cheoyongmu and has been designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property. Cheoyongam is the sacred rock where the dragon in the tale is said to have appeared. There are many attractions nearby including Mokdo Island (Natural Monument No. 65), which offers magnificent lush greenery all year round.

Included in Hapcheon's 8 Best Landscapes, Hambyeongnu Pavilion was built in 1321 A.D., during the 8th year of Goryeo's King Chungsuk by Hapcheon county lord Kim Mo. It is located on the banks of Hwanggang River, below Yeonhosa Temple and Dayaseong Fortress. The pavilion was visited by many poets, with writings from Toegye Yi Hwang, Nammyeong Josil, and Wooam Song Si-yeol hanging from tablets inside, and a rock engraved with "Hambyeongnu" behind the pavilion. Hambyeongnu is a 3 pillar wide by 2 pillar deep, 2-story pavillion, with an octagonal roof connected with a frame of five parts. The roof of the pavilion is famous in that when it rains, the water drips straight off the eaves and into the river below.

Cheonsaseom Bunjae Park (1004 Island Park) is a place for people to relax and enjoy nature. This eco-friendly ecological park has a spacious sea garden covering an area of 50 million pyeong, a relaxation space surrounded by nature, and a learning space. The park hopes to attract more visitors as it continues to hold various exhibits about potted plants and sculptures.

Yeonhwasan Mountain (연화산, located in Goseong, Gyeongnam Province) is just 528-meters, encompasses the three peaks of Ongnyeobong, Seondobong and Mangseonbong, and is widely recognized as an important provincial park. Although Mt. Yeonhwasan is called a ‘mountain’, it is more of a hill surrounded by picturesque scenery. Its north side is dotted with Buddhist temples such as historical Okcheonsa, Baengnyeonam, Cheongyeonam and Yeondaeam temples. Of these, the best attraction on Mt. Yeonhwasan is definitely Okcheonsa Temple (옥천사). If you begin hiking from the foot of the mountain you will see the beautiful sea off Danghangpo Port. If you continue southward you will soon run into the Okcheon Temple hidden in the Yeonbong woods. Okcheon Spring, located right behind the main hall of the temple, provides medicinal water all year round. The continual flow remains the same temperature all year round and is said to be an effective treatment for stomachaches and skin conditions. The surrounding area is well known for its healthy food products such as pine mushrooms and wild berries. 

Geombongsan Mountain (681.6m) boasts a majestic mountain range that connects to the neighboring Sageumsan, Eungbongsan, and Yukbaeksan Mountains. The mountains pose an exciting challenge for mountain bike enthusiasts. The mountain ridge is covered with varied flower species including royal azaleas, iris, polygala, and violets. The summit of Geombongsan Mountain offers views of the boundless sea to the east, the sharply rising Eungbongsan Mountain (998.5m) to the south, and the slightly higher Sageumsan Mountain (1,092m) to the west. The mountain is only 5-10 minutes away by car from Imwon Beach, which makes a great summer vacation destination. Geombongsan Natural Recreation Forest is located at the foot of Geombongsan Mountain. Accommodations and convenience facilities are available along the valleys and forests for family visitors. Auto camping ground and general campground are located by the pine tree forest.

The Dinosaur Tracksite of Hwasun was discovered in 1999 during a land survery for the construction of Hwasun Hot Springs Area. Most dinosaur tracks found in Korea are located in coastal areas in cities like Haenam and Boseong, so the discovery in the inner region of Jeollanam-do was a first. Most prints here come from carnivorous dinaosaurs of the Cretaceous period. The site is famous for there being tracks from no fewer than five different dinosaurs, as well as for being one of the longest trails and most direct examples of the exact movements of the dinosaurs. The tracks of one dinosaur are the longest in the world, stretching for 40 meters. Based on the foot size of 20-22cm with a stride of approximately 90cm, it is estimated that the prints were formed by a 4-5 meter tall Koolasuchus. In addition to the canivorous dinosaurs, tracks were found of 12 herbivorous dinosaurs, as well as fossilized plants. These plants offer much assistance in the research of herbivorous dinosaur diets.