The towering Mt. Geumosan (976m in elevation) close to Gumi Station was designated as a provincial park in 1970. This precipitous mountain features various modern facilities. Daehye (Myeonggeum) Falls can be accessed via cable car. You can also find a 2km-long fortress, Yaksaam Temple, a standing Buddha statue engraved on a rock wall, Haeunsa Temple, Doseongul Cave, Daehye Falsl, and Chaemijeong Pavilion on this mountain.

Oksanseowon Confucian Academy (Treasure No. 525) was built to commemorate the scholarly achievements and virtues of Confucian scholar Yi Eon-jeok (1491-1553). Built in 1572 in the fifth year of King Seonjo’s reign, the school was named Oksanseowon in the seventh year of the king’s reign. It is included as one of the 47 Confucian Academies ruled out of the Confucian Academy abolition by Heungseon Daewongun. Even though the building structures don’t carry significant meaning in an architectural aspect, it was built with a distinguished space arrangement method. Dokrakdang, which was Yi Eon-jeok’s house as well as study room, are situated 700m far from the Confucian Academy.

Nakdonggang River (506.17km in length with a total watershed of 23,384.21㎢) is South Korea’s longest river. The name Nakdonggang means “a river that runs through the East (dong) of Garak(nak)guk (or Gaya Kingdom).” The Nakdonggang River is located to the East of the Goryeong, Sangju (of Gyeongsangbuk-do) and Hapcheong (of Gyeongsangnam-do) areas, which were regions of the Gaya Kingdom. Nakdonggang River used to be a main route for inland transportation with marinas prospering on the riverfront. During the Korean War, the river was the final line of defense for the U.N. Troops. Eulsukdo, located at the end of the Gimhae Delta is a famous wintering site for migratory birds.

Goryeong was the old capital of Daegaya (42-562 AD), a city-state of the Gaya confederacy that once spanned the region now occupied by Gyeongsangnam-do Province to the south of the Korean peninsula. The city of Goryeong played such a central role in the development of the confederacy that many artifacts and historic sites of the Daegaya period can still be found there today. Some of the most prominent landmarks are the 200 gobuns (ancient tombs) that lie along the southeastern slope of Jusan Mountain in Goryeong. In ancient times, the higher and larger a tomb, the higher the social status of the person buried inside. Given this tradition and historical evidence, the largest tomb in the south has been identified as Geumnim Wangneung (Royal Tomb of King Geumnim); the other large tombs are also presumed to be those of the kings of Daegaya. The large royal tombs (over 20m in diameter) dominate the mountain ridge (the highest point) while mid-sized and smaller tombs can be found on the mountain slopes and foothills. Historical research on Daegaya began with the excavation and partial identification of the ancient tombs of Goryeong by research teams from Kyungpook National University and Keimyung University in 1977. Excavators discovered a great number of relics—gilt-bronze crowns, swords, armor, and trinkets of gold, silver, and jade—that shed light on the flourishing culture of Gaya. To continue to encourage interest in the history and culture of Daegaya, officials of Goryeong-gun County established the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall at the foot of Jusan Mountain in Gobun-gun, Jisan-dong. The exhibition hall depicts the social structure of the era through ancient customs such as burying servants alive with their dead masters.

Daegaya Museum is an exhibition of history and culture of the Daegaya (The Great Gaya; 42-562 AD) Kingdom. The Museum consists of the Daegaya History Pavilion and the Daegaya Royal Tomb Pavilion. The History Pavilion houses a collection of relics from the Daegaya Kingdom era, while holding special exhibitions and education activities periodically. The outdoor exhibition center displays items that represent ancient lifestyle such as dugouts, attic storage, iron furnace, as well as religious relics. The Royal Tomb Pavilion is a 37m-wide dome that houses relics of the Jisandong Ancient Tombs. It is essentially the restoration of the Jisandong Tumulus No. 44, the first large-scale sunjang (burial of the living with the dead).

Gayasan Mountain (가야산) in Gyeongsangbuk-do was designated as a national park in 1972. Chilbulbong Peak towers at 1,433 meters. It borders Seongju-gun, Hapcheon-gun and Geochang-gun. In particular, Suryun-myeon, Seongju-gun is famous for its scenic nature. Furthermore, the beautiful Gayasan Drive, which extends from Suryun-myeon to Gayasan Mountain, highlights the splendor and grandeur of the precipitous crimson cliffs. The drive also offers the humble beauty of the rolling mountain, while the beautiful trails along the valley and nearby waterfall are fascinating as well. In Baegundong area, you will encounter Beopjusa Temple. This temple was built during the Silla period and is said to have been a huge temple consisting of approximately 100 chambers. Now, only a stupa, cornerstones, and flagpole supports remain. Yonggigol Valley offers a scenic mountain trail along which you can enjoy the stunning beauty of Gayasan Mountain.  

In search of a great place to build a Buddhist Temple invoking national security, Great Monk Uisang travelled around the country and reached this place. He built a small thatched hut here for a temporary stay and continued his search. Finally, he found a perfect place and built Buseoksa Temple. He also set up another temple in the site where his small thatched hut was and called it Choamsa Temple. Choamsa Temple is located below the valley in the south of Gungmangbong Peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. After the Korean War, the temple building had to be rebuilt, but it managed to preserve some of Provincial Tangible Cultural Asset including Samcheung Seoktap (a three-storied stone pagoda; Tangible Cultural Property 126), Dongbudo (East Stupa; Tangible Cultural Property 128) and Seobudo (West Stupa; Tangible Cultural Property 129). * Jukgyegugok Valley The valley stretching from Baejeom-ni to Choamsa Temple is called Jukgyegugok which Sobaeksan Mountain surrounds like a folding screen. Near the valley, one can find famous tourist attractions such as the Sosuseowon Confucian Academy and Buseoksa Temple. Toegye Yi Hwang came up with the name Jukgyegugok inspired by the fantastic scenery of the valley and the beautiful sound of the flowing water.

Situated on Sabulsan Mountain, the temple is a beautiful building, rich in history. The name of the mountain on which the temple was built was originally called Gongdeoksan, but was later known as Sabulsan. The name, Sabulsan, (meaning “Four Buddhas”) comes from the legend of the Silla Period in which a large stone shrouded with red silk and etched with four faces of Buddha mysteriously descended upon the mountain. Upon hearing the news of this miraculous event, the king at the time (King Jinpyeong) immediately visited the spot and had the temple built next to the sacred stone. The temple was partially destroyed by fire in the summer of 1922, but was restored in 1927 thanks to the efforts of Monks Uiun, Chwiwol, and Deoksan. In January 1958, the temple once again suffered fire damage, leaving only a few buildings (Geukrakjeon, Myeongbujeon, and Sansingak) untouched. Monks Daehyu, Seolwol, and Jeongam helped to restore the temple and the temple has remained well-preserved ever since.

Baengnyeonam is part of Daejeonsa Temple and is located opposite the temple. With crystal clear stream running in front and Janggunbong Peak at the back, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Baengnyeonam Hermitage. Although it unknown when this hermitage was built, it is said that it was named after the daughter of King Ju 'Baengnyeon'. During the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598), the great Buddhist monk Samyeong stayed here in the building named Songunjeongsa. But the building does not exist today and you can find only the site and the board where the name of the building is written. There remains some buildings called Sanwanggak and Yosa in the hermitage and also you can see the portrait of the great Buddhist monk Samyeong.

Located in the east sea, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Yeongdeok Crab Village is famous for its classical scholars, and its wonderful scenery, where the mountains meet the eastern sea. The traditional fishery village is the home of Yeongdeok snow crab that was well-known from Goryeo Dynasty (King Taejo) and also has a huge street for snow crabs, packed with around 100 shops selling crabs along the Gangguan Port. When the season for snow crabs arrives in November, lasting through May, the village is crowded with visitors from all over the world eager to try Yeongdeok snow crabs. In addition, the location of the village gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy one of the most beautiful sea roads in Korea. In the area are also a sea fishing site, beaches, and water resort venues that are suitable for both recreation and relaxation.