A branch of Magoksa Temple, which is the 6th local temple of the Jogyejong Order, Yeongpyeongsa Temple has six traditional buildings and three small hermitages. Janggunsan Mountain, where the temple is located, is small but full of energy. According to Feng Shui, the mountain is a perfect location for a temple because it is shaped like a dragon curled along the Geumgang River. Yeongpyeongsa is a tranquil place that captures the purity of the temple’s Buddhist practice, with fresh air and clean water that offer a habitat for fireflies, crawfish, and black snails. On the way in, visitors are greeted by a multitude of wildflowers vying for their attention: the columbines and the prairie crocuses in spring, the white lotuses in summer, and the Siberian chrysanthemums in autumn. * Major event – Mount Janggunsan Siberian Chrysanthemum Festival

Seungdong Presbyterian Church was designated Tangible Cultural Asset No. 130 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 6, 2001. Originally known as “Gondanggol Church,” the church was established by Samuel Foreman Moore (1860-1906) in 1893. In those days, the church was known as a “baekjeong church” since it primarily drew Korea’s social underdogs such baekjeong (the butchers), the untouchable class of Joseon society. Following a number of relocations and name changes (called “Gondanggol,” “Jungang,” and finally “Seungdong”) the church was moved to its current location in Insadong. After Moore died in 1906, Charles Allen Clark became the pastor of the church and Mongyang Yuh Woon-hyung, a key figure in the political history of Joseon, became active in the church. The church was attended by many other activists as well. In fact, the large student demonstration that took place during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 was organized by a group of young church members. The church once again made its mark on history with the establishment of the Joseon Theological Seminary in 1939. Seungdong Church (B1-2F) covers a total of 660 square meters. No record has been found on its architect or builder, but the building is said to have been one of the more magnificent buildings in the area before its beauty was obscured by newer structures.

Each Sinnobong Peak and Gungmangbong Peak is located at Eastside and Westside of Gungmangbong Recreational Forest. Within the recreation forest there are around 170 kinds of plants including nut pine trees, pine trees, and others. Visitors can enjoy with cool valley in summer and the beautiful snowy landscape of the mountains in winter.

Deokhangsan Mountain (1,071m) is located between Singi-myeon and Hanjang-myeon in Samcheok-si. Hwanseongul Cave, Daeigul Gave and the neighboring area of Deokhangsan Mountain have been designated as Natural Monument No. 178 (Samcheok Daei-ri Cave area). In addition, the surrounding area of the cave is designated as a country park as well as National Important Folk Data No. 221,222 and 223.

Gangjin has many scenic landscapes with Wolchulsan Mountain to the north and the sea of Gugangpo dotted with numerous islets and wetlands to the south. It is also home to beautiful mountains, rivers, and plains that add to its scenic beauty and natural features. The Baengnyeonsa Temple and Dasan Chodang to the west of Gangjinman Bay, and the reeds along the coastline are a beautiful sight to behold. Also, the National Highway No. 23 that runs along the eastern border of the Gangjinman Bay, past the town of Gangjin-eup to Maryang, is famous for its many spectacular sights. Above all, it is highly recommended to hike up the Cheonilgak Pavilion in front of the Dasan Chodong Dongam (east hermitage) for a panoramic view of Gugangpo’s coastal waters. The hiking trail that traverses Mandeoksan Mountain leads to Baengnyeonsa, which is a temple with breathtaking ocean view.

The Iksan Ipjeomni Ancient Tombs are a group of ancient Baekje-era tumuli located 100m above sea level on the northeast brow of Chilmokjae Hill in Ipjeom-ri, Iksan-si, Jeollabuk-do. The burial ground covers an area of more than 18,520 square meters and is officially listed as Historical Site No. 347. To date, a total of eight tumuli have been excavated, all of which are chamber tombs. Surprisingly enough, the tombs were first discovered in 1986 by a high school student. While digging for arrowroot, a young man from a local high school found some pieces of gold that resembled a hat. He quickly notified the authorities and it was soon discovered that the pieces of gold were in fact valuable ancient artifacts. An emergency excavation was conducted and the eight tumuli were uncovered, but unfortunately all of the tumuli except Tomb No. 1 had been severely damaged. Tomb No. 1, which is still in relatively good condition, boasts an entrance measuring an impressive 16m in x_height and 2m in x_width. Inside the tombs archaeologists found valuable relics from the Baekje Dynasty including earthenware, jewelry (a gilt-bronze hat, gold earrings, glass beads, etc.), harnesses and ironware. Given the shapes and the types of the pieces found, historians estimate that the tumuli were built in the 5th century. Since the gilt-bronze hat is similar in shape to those found in Japan, experts believe that there was an active exchange between the Baekje people and the people of Japan.

Baeksasil Valley in Seoul is a historic site (Baekseokdongcheon, Famous Site No. 36) that rests amid untouched natural surroundings. The valley is a habitat to a diverse amount of animals, including salamanders, frogs, minnows, and crayfish. There are also wild boar sitings from time to time so be careful. The preservation value of this area is especially high as the valley is home to a large colony of salamanders, which are indicator species of the clean water and a protected wildlife species of Seoul. Baeksasil Valley is a tucked away treasure in the bustling city. The path along the area’s thick forest and natural valleys provides an excellent getaway. Since the area is a habitat to several protected species, visitors are asked to refrain from dipping their feet in the valley’s waters while exploring the scenery. The entrance to the valley is located past the Sanmotungi Café.

Imjingang River starts from Pyeonggang-gun and Icheon-gun in North Korea and flows south crossing the demarcation line between the two Koreas. Imjingang River then passes Yeoncheon-gun and Paju-si before finally reaching the Yellow Sea. Although the history has separated the two nations geographically, people from both nations equally enjoy fishing near Imjingyo Bridge and Gunnamgyo Bridge. Around the time of Kogu (곡우; One of the 24 seasonal divisions of the lunar calendar that occurs around April 20 every year.), people near these bridges to take part in catching nuchi-gari (누치가리). Plug casting is a commonly used method here as the water moves quickly.

On the foot of Mt. Cheomchalsan (485m), bordering Ssangyesa Temple to the North, sits Ullimsanbang. The building was once a home to the famous artist, Heo Yu during his last years, after his master Kim Jeong-hee (1789~1856), a noted scholar, passed away. Ullimsanbang is named after the romantic scenery of the mountain peaks nearby the Mt. Cheomchalsan appearing hazily amidst the foggy mist. According to Heo Yu’s writings, ‘Mongyeonrok’ once had various flowers and trees blossomed, but it had long been abandoned beyond recognition before undergoing restoration by his grandson, Heo Geon (1907~1987) in 1982. Surrounding the Mt. Cheomchalsan, Ullimsanbang has a C-shaped tile-roofed house containing a workroom among numerous bedrooms. It houses a wooden cottage at the rear and the So-Chi (Heo Geon’s pen name) Memorial to the right. Many of Heo family’s artworks are displayed here. At the middle of the courtyard, a crape myrtle stands gracefully on a small six-meter island floating on a pond of lilies. *Ullimsanbang was one of the filming locations for the movie, Scandal(2003). The scene where the three main actors were on a boat ride was shot here.