The Baegamsan Mountains are also known as the ‘White Rock Mountains’, since their peaks are covered in white-coloured rocks. These mountains are also famous for receiving plenty of snow during the winter season. If you hike up to the mountain peak early in the morning, you may catch a glimpse of the gorgeous sunrise over the East Sea. The hiking trail starts from in front of the Baegam Hot Springs Hotel. Hikers follow the southern ridges and continue through the pine tree forests to reach the top of the mountain. From the top of the mountain, you can admire beautiful views of the East Sea and the tall mountains that stretch to the west and the north. Below the peaks are the Gomosanseong Fortress, Halmaesanseong Fortress, and Baegamsanseong Fortress. After admiring the beautiful wildlife from the peak of Baegamsan Mountain, enjoy the spas at the Baegamsan Hot Springs Resort, which is located just at the foot of the mountain.  

Nongae was born in Juchon Village, Daegok-ri, Janggye-myeon in the 7th year of King Seonjo (September 3, 1575). A clever and beautiful lady, Nongae voluntarily registered as a gisaeng (female entertainer) at the age of 19 when the nation was infiltrated by Japanese invaders during the Imjin War. While entertaining one evening, she led Japanese general Keyamura Rokusuke to the edge of a cliff and flung her arms around him, casting both herself and the general into the Jinju Namgang River to their deaths. To commemorate her faithfulness and allegiance her country, a project to restore her place of birth was completed in September 2000, drawing many visitors. Nearby Nongae’s birthplace are many tourist attractions, including the Deogyusan Mountain and Odongje (both of which have a compelling view) and a hiking trail that connects Jangansan Mountain County Park, Jiji Valley, and Donghwa Dam.

The Bulgapsa Temple (불갑사) of Yeonggwang, Jeollanam-do, was the very first Buddhist temple to be built in Korea. Monk Marananta, who was the first Indian monk to spread Buddhism in Korea, is said to have established the temple here around the year 384, during the reign of King Chimnyu.The main hall (daewungjeon) in Bulgapsa has been designated as national treasure No. 830. The motifs on the doors of the hall are famed for their beautiful designs. The temple also has other buildings of distinction such as the Manseru, Myeongbujeon and Ilgwangdang, a Neolitsea sericea tree designated as natural treasure No. 112. The temple is also famous for a magic lily which blooms in the late summer. The path into the Bulgapsa Temple is ideal for a restful walk and contemplation.

Auraji is the name of a lake located in Yeoryang-myeon in Jeongseon-gun. It is here that Jeongseon Arirang, the No. 1 Intangible Cultural Asset of Gangwon-do, originated. The area has long been famous for its beautiful, clean mountains and rivers. Its name is derived from the Korean word ‘eoureojida,’ meaning ‘to meet’ as the waters of Pyeongchang and Samcheok unite in this area. Part of the upper stream of Namhangang River, Auraji was a famous starting point of log rafts transporting timber to Hanyang, the original name of Seoul. In the old days, one could always hear the singing of boatmen who came from all over the nation. The lyrics of Jeongseon Arirang reveal the sadness and longing of a woman awaiting her husband who left for business to a far-away place or left to transport timber. Today, numerous tourists visit Auraji to enjoy its great scenic views or to see the symbol of a maid who, gazing into the river, seems to be waiting for her lover to return.

Chungnam Boryeong’s Oseosan Recreational Forest is located south of Oseosan Mountain. The area boasts magnificent scenery. The recreation forest area features a Water Park, a barefoot walk, a nature observation road, a promenade. Lodging facilities include Forest Cabin, Forest Lodge, and row houses.

Unmunsa Temple (운문사) in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do belongs to Cheongdo-gun in terms of administrative district. However, it is actually better connected to Daegu. Unmunsa Temple was built in 560 during the Silla period. This ancient temple features seven treasured artifacts including an old pine tree (natural monument) and stone lantern. There are four small temples (Sariam, Naewonam, Bukdaeam and Cheongsinam) around the temple. Meanwhile, the surrounding forest of pine and fir trees only enhances the temple’s beauty. Unmunsa is the largest Buddhist nunnery in Korea, maintaining a capacity of roughly 260 nuns who practice Buddhism for four year periods. But, thanks to its magnificence and lush forest, Mt. Unmunsan, located on the southernmost part of Taebaek Mountains, has become a favorite spot for many tourists.

Oseam (오세암), is an annex of the larger Baekdamsa Temple (백담사), it is a small Buddhist temple built in 644 under the reign of Queen Seondeok of the Shilla Dynasty. It is the home of the famous legend that provided inspiration for the production of Oseam the movie, and the animated film. It is a popular meditation venue for Buddhist monks and famous poets, including Siseup Kim and Yongun Han, who are said to have stayed here. It lies against the backdrop of Gwaneumbong Peak and is surrounded by the many scenic tourist attractions of Mt Seorak.

Located in Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gayasan Wildflower Botanical Garden is Korea’s first wildflower garden. It is a home to nearly 630 different plant species, including wildflowers and trees that are worth preserving, and the wildflower garden serves as a valuable space for botanical research. Outdoor Garden The outdoor garden offers the magnificent scenic landscape of Mt. Gayasan, organized into the following five themes. 1) Shrubbery Nearly 30 different species of shrubs and wild flowers have been planted here. You can enjoy these beautiful plants from early spring to winter. 2) Chrysanthemum Garden Nearly 15 different species of chrysanthemums and wild flowers are in bloom until late fall. 3) Rhizocarp Garden Nearly 50 different species of wild flowers including Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis), German Iris (Iris nertschinskia), daylilies (Hemerocallis thunbergii) and hostas (Hosta longipes) bloom from spring to fall. 4) Gayasan Native Plant Garden Nearly 120 indigenous species of wild flowers have been planted here. 5) Wildflower Educational Garden Nearly 50 different species of short wildflowers are planted on the roof of the museum, where visitors can view and compare a variety of wildflowers. Greenhouse The greenhouse features warm-temperate trees and wildflowers. Enjoy the sweet fragrance of flowers regardless of the season. 1) Edible Plant Garden Nearly 20 different species of edible plants including tangerine trees and loquats are available. 2) Medicinal Herb Garden Nearly 25 different species of plants that provide medicinal herbs are available. 3) Fragrant Flower Garden Nearly 30 different species of sweet fragrant flowers such as laurel (daphne), Indian oleander (Nerium indicum) and the Gaya or Japanese nutmeg-yew (Torreya nucifera) are planted here. 4) Ornamental Plant Garden Nearly 30 different species of beautiful ornamental plants including coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata), pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), Japanese ardisia (Ardisia japonica), poison bulb (Crinum asiatica) and Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata) are found in this garden. 5) Aquatic Botanical Garden Nearly 20 different species of aquatic plants, consisting of shallow water plants, free-floating plants, and floating-leaved plants, including water lily, bishop’s weed (Houttuynia cordata) and water snowflake (Nymphoides indica) are found in this garden. 6) Fern Garden Ferns are spore-propagated plants that have no blooming flowers. Nearly 40 different species of fern plants including western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum) and groundpine (Lycopodium clavatum var. nipponicum) and warm-temperate native plants such as Leveille (Dendropanax morbifera) and Machilus chunbergii make up this garden.

Myeonangjeong Pavilion (Jeollanam-do Provincial Monument No.6) is located on the slopes of Mt. Jebongsan in Jewol-ri, Bongsan-myeon, Damyang-gun County. The pavilion was constructed in 1533 by Song Sun (1493~1583), who built it as a place for writing poems. After its construction, the pavilion served as a meeting place for scholars and intellectuals and was even frequented by Lee Hwang (1501~1570), a representative Confucian scholar who is pictured on the 1,000-won bill. The roof of Myeonangjeong Pavilion was originally made of reeds, straw, grass and other materials, which could not withstand the elements. After several repairs, the building was developed into the wooden structure that it is today. From the back of pavilion, you can see the mountain ranges and open wide fields; renowned scholars’ poems are engraved on the wooden panels that decorate the pavilion walls.