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.

The breathtaking view of the South Coast can be seen at a glance from Sangjogam County Park. The glittery surface and towering cliffs create a spectacular backdrop. Clear footprints of dinosaurs that lived during the Cretaceous Period of the Mesozoic Era remain extending over the coast around Sangjogam, and thus the area was designated Goseong-gun Gosi No. 20. on November 10, 1983. The beach in front of the youth center contains shingles worn down by the tide and a precipitous wall of stratified rocks can be seen beyond the wide bedrock of dinosaur footprints. The rocks are named after the table leg-shaped stone caves such as “Ssangjok” or “Ssangbal”. Many oddly shaped rocks inside the caves have their own folktales. According to one tale, fairies from heaven came down to the Sangjokgul Cave to weave clothes out of brocade for the King of Heaven, and bathed in the Seonnyoetang. The shape of a loom and a puddle still exist. Nearby the cave, Chotdaebawi and Byeongpungbawi rocks create scenery beyond description and leisure cruise boats toss up gentle sea waves. Naturally, the park continuously attracts numerous tourists in all seasons. Also, many are drawn to the mysterious dinosaur footprint fossils at Sangjogam. The site is recognized as one of three major dinosaurs sites in the world, along with those in Brazil and Canada. The footprints belong to dinosaurs familiarized by the popular movie, ‘Jurassic Park’, such as Brontosaurus, Brachiosaurus, Allosaurus and Naranosaurus. It has been designated natural monument No. 411, as dinosaur footprints are valuable resources in discovering the uncovered mysteries of life before the appearance of mankind.

Changwon Cyclodrome is Korea’s first cyclodrome to open in all weather conditions. There are generally three types of cycle races: Belodrome races; road races; and MTB. Ever since the Sydney Olympics, bicycle racing was designated as a formal event of the Olympics, included in the track event. It is a scientific leisure sport applying the contestant’s physical and mental conditions. There are seven contestants, racing each other for a total of six rounds.

The Korean Naval Academy Museum was opened on January 17, 1976, on the 30th anniversary of the Korean Naval Academy. When it first opened, the museum consisted of only a small exhibition room, but later saw the addition of a life-sized, ironclad Geobukseon (turtle ship) on January 31, 1980. On February 23, 1981, an independent museum building was opened at the site and on April 28, 1990, the museum was expanded to its current size.The museum (2,622 square meters in total area) is housed in two separate buildings (a two-storey building and a three-storey building) and boasts three exhibition halls (Yi Chungmugong Hall, Navy Hall, and Naval Academy Hall). The Yi Chungmugong Hall has on display 212 materials relating to the life of the famous Korean navel leader General Yi. At the Navy Hall, the history of Korea’s Navy is on display. The history of the naval academy itself is celebrated at the Navy Academy Hall through the presentation of 315 artifacts. In the outdoor exhibition area, visitors are met by a life-sized turtle ship, cannons, and old anchors from the Joseon Era, as well as an S2 anti-submarine plane and an amphibious armored car used during the Korean War.

The Junam Ecological Center consists of an exhibition gallery, main hall, and local produce store. When you arrive, you will be guided into the Main Hall galleries where you will view framed samples and stuffed animals to learn about the birds, plants, and insects that are living in Junam. In the theater, you will watch a video showing the intricate relationships between humans and the birds of Junam. Meanwhile, monitors hanging on the outer walls of the galleries show the birds’ flying technique and their ecology. After exploring the center, take a free bicycle ride to the wetlands to see the reservoir and migratory birds.