Jeju Olle Trail - Route 16
 
Jeju-do(Jeju-si)
Starting from Gonaepogu Port, Route 16 passes through Namduyeondae (beacon tower), Gueompogu Port, Susanbong Peak, Susan Reservoir Path, Hangmong Historical Site, Cheonghwa Village and finally ending at Gwangnyeong 1-ri Office. The trail is a 17.8-km walking course that includes uphill sections, passing through the woods, and going up some steps after Sineompogu Port. Therefore, it may not be suitable for baby carriages and wheelchairs.

Suwolbong Peak
 
Jeju-do(Jeju-si)
Suwolbong peak is a small oreum located in Gosan-ri, the westernmost point of Jejudo Island. Suwolbong rises 77m above sea level and the ocean-facing natural formation is surrounded by steches of green fields. On a clear day, the sunset from Suwolbong is comparable in beauty to the one from Sarabong.On top of Suwolbong is a small pavilion called ‘Suwoljeong’. The pavilion offers views of Chagwido (an island known to be the most beautiful in Jeju), as well as Songaksan Mt. and Jukdo Island. Next to Suwolbong peak is a mountain weather station that observes and forecasts the weather for the western region.Below the peak is a small Buddhist temple and ‘Eongal’, a steep cliff which faces toward the sea. Visitors can enjoy mineral water that falls freely from the cliff.

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.

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.

Cheondong Cave
 
Chungcheongbuk-do(Danyang-gun) ,
Situated on the outskirts of a mountain behind Cheondong-ri (Danyang), Cheondong Cave is a limestone cave of 470m in length. Created 450 million years ago, the cave is known to have beautiful limestone rocks often called “flower trays.” The cave is decorated with a breathtaking array of stalactites, stalagmites, columns and soda straws as if they were part of a lush forest. Abundant animal deposits render the cave a huge specimen gallery.Although it is a relatively small, separate cave, Cheondong boasts plethora of splendid natural features. Along with Gosu Cave (designated as Natural Monument No. 256) in Gosu-ri, Danyang, Cheondong Cave is considered one of the most beautiful limestone caves in Korea. 

Beartree Park
 
Chungcheongnam-do() ,
Beartree Park is a beautiful natural space in Chungcheongnam that is built to honor the Manchurian Black Bear and the delicate balance between man and nature. Indoor and outdoor botanical gardens, junipers, wild flowers, irises, and bonsais are tended with the utmost of care and visitors are given strict instructions on how to enjoy the space to the fullest without harming the plants or upsetting the animals. In addition to the stunning grounds that unfold new beauties each season, visitors to Beartree Park will be able to see a variety of animals up-close. At the Koi pond, visitors can buy food to feed the fish; at the bear enclosure, visitors can walk above the bears and drop down food. There’s even an experience program where children (and animal lovers) can take a walk with baby bears or feed deer by hand!  

Cheongok Cave
 
Gangwon-do(Donghae-si) ,
Cheongok Cave (천곡천연동굴) is a limestone cave that extends horizontally for 1,400 meters. Estimated to have been created 400 to 500 million years ago, it is the only natural cave located in a downtown area. The cave features ceiling craters, one of which is the longest in Korea, along with stalactite curtains, travertine terraces, stalactite cascades, and many other fantastic rock formations. It provides a grand spectacle for tourists and great speleological samples for researchers. As the inside of the cave is lined with over 20 types of secondary formations, such as stalactites, stalagmites, and limestone pillars, it is an invaluable resource for earth science education. 

Wentteok Village
 
Gyeonggi-do(Yongin-si)
Wentteok Village gets its name from the word “Wentteok” (meaning “unexpected windfall”) and is a slow food village located in Jungneung-ri, Wonsam-myeon, Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do. At the village, you can make traditional rice cake from fresh seasonal ingredients or make a tteok (rice cake) cake and have your own small party.The village is a great venue to learn more about tteok (rice cakes) and to enjoy other hands-on activities such as eco-friendly farming activities and other traditional activities.

Hwangji Pond
 
Gangwon-do(Taebaek-si) ,
Hwangji Pond is a source of the Nakdonggang River (525km), the longest river in Korea. The pond is an important joint of underground water flow through the valleys of Taebaeksan, Hambaeksan, Baekbyeongsan and Maebongsan, the mountains surrounding the city of Taebaek. There are three sections of the pond: Sangji (high pond), 100m in diameter, Jungji (middle pond), 50m in diameter and Haji (low pond), 30m in diameter. Although it is small in size, the pond supplies 5,000 tons of water a day that flows to the open Yeongnampyeongya Plain. Being located at the center of Taebaek-si, Hwangji Pond is a popular destination for the citizens of Taebaek for cultural and recreational purposes. The night view of the pond is also beautiful, which makes it a perfect place for a couple’s night out. The water is very clean and lenoks can be found here, which only live in high quality water.

Changwon Garosu-gil
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si) ,
Like Seoul, the city of Changwon also has a romantic promenade called "Garosu-gil," lined with metasequoia trees on each side. The street is filled with a lovely ambience, dotted by small and cozy coffee shops, galleries, and art shops, making it the perfect place for a leisurely walk or a tea-time.