Gwanbangjerim Forest
 
Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun) ,
Located in Damyang, Jellanam-do, Gwanbangjerim (Natural Monument No. 366) is a forest that was made along the banks of Damyangcheon Stream. The two-kilometer-long forest stretches from Dongjeong Village in Namsan-ri to Hwanggeum-ri, Subuk-myeon and Gangui-ri, Daejeon-myeon. Gwanbangjerim is a special manmade forest that was planted to prevent flooding along Damyangcheon Stream. It is comprised of large trees such as muku trees, zelkova trees, nettle trees, and cherry trees that are about 200 to 300 years old. The forest’s beauty is so well known that it was even selected as “Korea’s Most Beautiful Forest” by the Korean Forest Services. Visitors enjoy this gorgeous natural getaway all year round, with many stopping by the forest Sculpture Park for pictures. Nearby attractions include the Jungnogwon Bamboo Garden and the Metasequoia-lined road.  

Chungnyeolsa Temple
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si) ,
Chungnyeolsa Temple was built by 7th Admiralty Commander Lee Un-nyong in 1606 upon the order of King Seonjo during his 39th year of rule in 1606. The temple, which was meant to commemorate Admiral Lee Sun-sin's loyalty and brilliant exploits, houses the memorial tablet of Admiral Lee. The temple has five gates: Naesammun, Jungmun, Oesammun, Jeongmun, and Hongsalmun. There are other significant structures inside the temple as well. Dongjae and Seojae, the place where food for ancestral rituals were prepared can be found inside Jungmun Gate. Located inside Oesammun Gate are Sungmudang (administrative office) and Gyeongchungjae (lecture hall). On both sides of the gate are six pavilions housing memorial tablets, including the tablet of Admiral Lee. Outside the gate are Ganghallu Pavilion and the exhibition hall. The sign with the words "忠烈祠" hanging on Jeongchim and Oesammun was written by Munjeonggong Song Sun-gil and bestowed by King Hyunjong. Total area: 9,067.8m², Building area: 727m² Exhibition hall: 115.7m²

Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa
 
Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si) ,
The Cheongnamdae (청남대) is a presidential vacation villa located near Daecheong Dam (대청댐) in Cheongwon-gu, Chungcheongbuk-do. The former president Chun Doo-hwan was greatly impressed by the scenic surroundings while attending the ceremony for the completion of Daecheong Dam in 1980. The construction of Cheongnamdae started in June, 1983 and was completed in six months (December). Cheongnamdae, built on a 560,000 pyeong-wide area, means ‘Cheongwadae in a warm southern land’ in Korean. South Korean presidents would stay in this remote vacation villa 4-5 times (or sometimes 7-8 times) a year during summer vacation or national holidays. In total, Korean presidents have stayed here nearly 400 days over 88 visits in two decades.There were four presidential villas including the one in Gimhae in the past. During Kim Young-sam’s administration, however, all but Cheongnamdae were closed. Cheongnamdae, which had been closed to the public for twenty years, was finally opened to the public on April 18, 2003 by former president Roh Moo-hyun. Visitors can view a music fountain inside the ecological wetland garden (990㎡), hike a 3.3km mountain trail and visit the Hoban Promenade (8km), or simply take a pleasant walk along a beautiful trail, and enjoy the scenic landscape of Daecheongho Lake.* Geographical Location Cheongnamdae is located in Munui-myeon, Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Encircled by mountain peaks including Oksaebong Peak, Wolchulbong Peak, Mt. Jakdusan and Sowibong Peak, it is completely hidden. The beautiful Daecheongho Lake surrounds the presidential vacation villa as well and many feng-shui masters have declared this spot to be the finest in Korea. * Size1) Site area: 330 land parcel area, 558,000 pyeong (1,844,628.1 ㎡)2) Buildings: 46 houses / 3,377 pyeong (11,163.64 ㎡)

Yanguidae Wetland Protected Area
 
Gangwon-do(Hwacheon-gun) ,
Yanguidae Wetland Protected Area located between Peace’s Dam and Ojak-gyo is home to a variety of critical species deemed to have a significant value that is worthy to protect. Left untouched for 50 years due to the conflicts between North and South Korea, the area has a well preserved ecosystems. Efforts to conserve this ecosystem and guarding otter nests are needed.

Jikjisa Temple
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gimcheon-si) ,
Jikjisa Temple (직지사), located at the foot of Mt. Hwangaksan in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was constructed in 418 (the 2nd year of King Nulji’s reign, Silla Kingdom). This temple is in perfect harmony with the nearby valley and pine forest. The foliage in fall is particularly breathtaking. It features Birojeon Hall (also known as ‘Cheonbuljeon Hall’), in which approximately 1,000 Buddha statues are enshrined, along with a thousand year old arrowroot. Iljumun Gate, Daeungjeon Hall (one of the most famous architectural structures of the Joseon Dynasty) and a 1.63m-tall Seated Stone Buddhist Statue (Treasures No. 319) from the Unified Silla Period, can also be found on the temple grounds.* Hwangaksan MountainMt. Hwangaksan (1,111m in elevation), located in the Sobaeksan Mountains, should be called ‘Hwanghaksan’ because of the many cranes that reside on this mountain. However, it is written as ‘Hwangaksan’ on the Jikjisa Temple tablet and in the Taengniji Records (택리지). This mountain is famous for its thick pine forests, pristine streams, beautiful fall foliage and splendid snowscapes.

Jeonggangwon - Korea Traditional Food Culture Experience Center
 
Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun) ,
The Traditional Korean Food Culture Experience Center was established in order to preserve, research, distribute and promote the values and merits of traditional Korean food culture in the world. There are various hands-on facilities for traditional food culture such as an exhibition hall, cooking room, and a fermentation room, covering an area of 10,000 pyeong (33057.85㎡) in Baegokpo-ri, Yongpyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun, Gangwon-do. Particularly, it is the a great place for anyone who wants to learn more and take part in various aspects of traditional Korean food culture.

Bucheon Botanical Garden
 
Gyeonggi-do(Bucheon-si)
Housed in a 27,124 m2 building with two ground floors and two underground floors, the Bucheon Botanical Garden houses many rare plants for visitors to see. The building was built in the shape of a peach flower, the symbol of Bucheon City, and has five thematic gardens: the general plant garden, aquatic plant garden, tropical plant garden, succulent plant garden, and indigenous plant garden. At the central garden, 9,975 trees representing some 310 species are planted. With a forest nearby, the botanical garden offers a great nature learning experience for visitors. Together with the Natural Ecology Museum and Children Zoo nearby, it is also a great cultural and recreational destination.

Haegasa Site
 
Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si) ,
Haegasa is a site named after the tale of 'Haega' in "The Heritage of the Three States." While the original Haegasa is assumed to be on Wausan Mountain at the northern end of Samcheok Beach, it has been restored on Jeusandong Beach against the backdrop of beautiful scenery. Located near Haegasa are Chuam Beach and Surobuin Park, which hosues the Dragon Ball, upon which people make their wishes.

Mulhyanggi Arboretum
 
Gyeonggi-do(Osan-si)
The Mulhyanggi Arboretum (물향기 수목원), situated in Osan City, Gyeonggi Province, is a peaceful area where you can come to relax, but is surprisingly located amidst high-rise apartment buildings in the city center. There are many things to see at the beautifully named 330,580m2 arboretum (mulhyanggi meaning water fragrance). There are 16 themed centers, various auxiliary facilities, and 1,601 different species of plants. The Mulhyanggi Arboretum, is a great place for a leisurely walk, and takes around two hours to see in its entirety. It is not so sublime as the Gwangneung Arboretum, but is charming, and offers many things to see as it features variously themed centers. Children will have an exciting time at the Topiary Center, which can be seen from the parking lot, and the Maze Center. Other themed centers include the Pine Tree Center, the Maple Tree Center, the Fruit Tree Center, the Tendril Plant Center, the Center of Native Plants of Central Korea, the Dwarf Tree Center, the Local Crafts Tree Center, the Wet Land Ecology Center, the Center for Plants that Live in Humid Areas, the Warm Temperature Zone and Pteridophyte Center, the Functional Plant Center, the Althea Center, and the Insect Ecology Center. There is also an observatory made from a tree. As indicated in its name, the waters of this arboretum are clear and clean. Tadpoles swim in the wetland and Korean squirrels scurry up and down the trees. The arboretum, only an hour away from Seoul, affords city dwellers a place to relax in peace where they can experience different forms of natural beauty according to the season.※ There are no shops, restaurants, or trash bins. Visitors to the site are recommended to take waste back homes and to be considerate of the environment. You can bring a lunch box and enjoy your meal at the ‘Rest Area inside the Forest’, which is a designated site for eating.

Golgulsa Temple
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si) ,
Located at the foot of Mt. Hamwol, Gulgulsa is the only temple cave in Korea. The temple was built out of solid rock during the 6th century by Saint Gwang Yoo and some accompanying monks, and was designed according to the architectural structure of India.On the top of the temple stands a sculpture of the Maya Tathagata Buddha and surrounding the sculpture are twelve rock caves used as a prayer sanctuary. Seven of the twelve rock cave sanctuaries are still standing today. Golgulsa’s main attractions are the sculpture of the Maya Tathagata Buddha and the Gwaneum Cave.The Buddha sculpture displays the characteristics of the Shilla Buddha, and is 4 meters high. The Buddha has his hair in a topknot, has a calm smile, narrow eyes, small lips, and a long narrow nose. To protect the sculpture of any damage from the wind or rain, a glass ceiling has been installed in the Gwaneum Cave, which is the largest sanctuary of the seven still existing caves.The main Buddha of this cave is the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and the cave walls are dedicated to the 108 meditations of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The Gwaneum Cave has a wall with tiles in front of it, which makes it look like an ordinary sanctuary. But once inside, the entire interior from ceiling to walls is carved all from stone. Golgulsa is unlike any other temple. The road to the temple offers an exciting thrill similar to that of rock climbing. Safety ropes and railings surround Golgulsa. A risky climb up a long set of stairs finally leads up to the caves, including Gwaneum Cave, Jijang Cave, and Yaksa Cave.The Maya Tathagata Buddha can only be seen after climbing the rock walls and holding on tightly to the safety ropes, but only past the cave-like rock that juts out.