[Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Course 6] The Birthplace of Hwanam ([강화 나들길 제6코스] 화남생가 가는 길)
 
Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) ,
Nadeul-gil means a leisurely outing (nadeuri) road. Comprised of 19 courses in total, the Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Trail offers a variety of historical assets and cultural sites to see. Each Nadeul-gil course connects Ganghwa Fortress outposts that are located every 1.3 km on high ground along the walking paths. The trails are on the island of Ganghwa which holds many Goryeo Dynasty remains that are important to Korean history. Fortresses that stood against Mongolian invasions are still standing and many of the Goryeo Kingdom’s palaces and royal tomb sites are also found in Ganghwa region. Exploring the major cultural heritage sites dispersed throughout the town can be just as fun as exploring Ganghwa’s natural beauty. The sunset on the Seohae (West coast), expansive open mud flats, views from Marisan and Goryeosan Mountains and the peaceful farming villages are just a handful of the sights along this walking trail. The establishment of Ganghwa Nadeul-gil’s begins with the ancient scholar Go Jae-hyeong (pen name Hwanam), who left his hometown Ganghwa on a spring day in 1906 when the peach trees were in full bloom. He walked through more than 100 villages around the whole island. Back home, he composed poems about his journey and published them under the title of “Simdo Gihaeng (Simdo Travels),” Simdo being another name for Ganghwa. During his travels, he sang songs of his home Ganghwa. Thanks to his work, people can now follow in the footsteps of Hwanam and his appreciation of the beautiful scenery and great people of Ganghwa Island.

Palgongsan Provincial Park
 
Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gunwi-gun) ,
Palgongsan Mountain (1,192m in elevation), in the outlying reaches of the Taebaek Range, stands sentinel over the spot where the Nakdonggang and Geumhogang Rivers converge. In the past, Palgongsan Mountain was regarded as a sacred mountain because it resembles the shape of the Three Buddhas. This mountain has magnificent granite formations at higher elevations, and the beautiful valleys, seamlessly interwoven with rock formations and thick forests, make for a spectacular view. Palgongsan Mountain borders Gyeongsan, Yeongcheon, Gunwi-gun and Chilgok-gun in the north and surrounds Daegu metropolitan city in the south. With Birobong Peak in the middle, it extends to Dongbong Peak – Gwanbong Peak (Gatbawi Stone Buddha) in the east and Seobong Peak – Gasan Fortress in the west (20km long). It also offers many beautiful trails. At Gunwi-gun (Palgongsan Provincial Park), you can find a Grotto of the Three Buddhas and Ingaksa Temple. This park reflects the glory of Korean Buddhist culture, containing numerous statues of the Medicine Buddha.  

Ganwolsan Mountain
 
Ulsan(Ulju-gun) ,
Ganwolsan Mountain is a popular destination for hikers in the Ulsan and Busan area as well as other regions of Gyengsangnam-do Province. In early August, the reeds and lilies near the summit create a splendid view. To the west, the deep Naerijeong and Wangbonggol valleys channel clean water to Baenaegol Valley. From the Ganwol Gogae Ridge, follow the Singallo Path to Wanbonggol towards Paraeso Falls. There you will find a cave called Jungnimgul, which is sacred Catholic ground often visited by the Catholic faithful. The first church built by Catholics in the Yeongnam region to escape persecution is found in Buldanggol (Ganwolgol) Valley in Ganwolsan Mountain area. The tomb of Kim Agatha who died in persecution is also in the Ganwolgol Valley.

Medicinal Herb Tea Therapy Center  (한방 티 테라피 체험장)
 
Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si) ,
Relax your mind and body with a cup of tea Tea therapy is used to relieve the symptoms of diseases or boost one's energy with teas. In the Medicinal Herb Tea Therapy Center, visitors can enjoy teas made with medicinal herbs and can experience aromatherapy by checking their physical condition with aromas. An aroma foot massage and making medicinal herb teas are recommended as well.

Somaemuldo Island (소매물도)
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si) ,
One of the magnificent sights here is the breathtaking combination of bizarre rocks and the stratified bluffs of Deungdaeseom (Lighthouse Island) and Somaemuldo Island. At low tide, one can walk from one island the other. Yong Bawi (Dragon Rock), Buchudae Bawi (Buddha Rock), Geobuk Bawi (Turtle Rock), Chotdae Bawi (Candlestick Rock) and Geulssingi Cave are absolute masterpieces created by Mother Nature. Another must-see is the view of Somaemuldo Island from Deungdaeseom Island. From there, the rock formations look like a sitting dinosaur. Nammae Bawi (brother and sister rock) is made up of two rocks, one at the top and the other at the bottom. The name of the rock was inspired by a folk tale of a twin brother and sister. The upper rock is also known as Sut Bawi (charcoal rock) as it is bigger and darker than the other, while the bottom one is called Am Bawi. Maemuldo Island's name originated from the fact that the area was one of the largest producers of maemul (buckwheat). Somaemuldo Island was named as such since it is a small island sitting right next to Maemuldo Island. In 1904, The Kims from Gimhae moved to the island from the mainland as they heard that the island was so abundant in food that no one would starve. The Kims settled here and established a whole village. A growing number of visitors come to the island every year to enjoy the picturesque view of the island. * Composition: 1 main island, 2 islets * Area: 330,000㎡ (including islets)

Byeokbong Korea Jewelry Museum (벽봉한국장신구박물관)
 
Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si)
Byeokbong Korea Jewelry Museum is dedicated to displaying and promotiong the jewelry work by royalty during the Joseon dynasty. Visitors can learn about the various styles and the meanings behind the designs.

Hangang Eco Learning Center (한강생태학습장)
 
Gyeonggi-do(Yangpyeong-gun) ,
Opened in 2004, the Hangang River Eco Learning Center is situated on the Namhangang Riverside. The site used to be a sandpit before it was turned into a wetland. Effluent from wastewater treatment plants, which in the past was released directly into the Hangang River, now passes through several ponds with various aquatic plants and a one kilometer-long waterway so that it can be naturally purified. This has contributed to an improvement in the water quality of the Hangang River. The learning center was built to restore the Namhangang Riverside area, which was destroyed due to sand extraction, and to restore its natural ecology of willow trees, reeds, and birds. The center organizes a number of ecological excursion programs for children.

Manhae Village
 
Gangwon-do(Inje-gun) ,
한국문학사의 대표적 시인이자 불교의 대선사, 민족운동가로 일제 강점기 암흑시대 겨레의 가슴에 영원히 꺼지지 않을 민족혼을 불어 넣어 주신 만해 한용운 선생의 문학성과 자유사상, 진보사상, 민족사상을 높이 기리고 선양하기 위한 실천의 장으로 설립되었다. The Manhae Village was estabished as a training center, in memory of the national activist Manhae Han Yongun, revered for his literary and philosophical inspiration to the people. The property is organized into five buildings including the Manhae Literature Museum and the House of the Literary Man. This facility has a lodging capacity for up to 400 trainees or guests in 47 rooms. A number of other facilities complete this training institution including the School of Manhae which accommodates up to 250, the former debate venue of Simujang temple and Seowon Bojeon Hall for hands-on experience and practices. Reservations are open to private and group guests by phone and the internet. Nearby tourist destinations include the Manhae Village, Mt. Seoraksan National Park and Naerincheon rafting area among others.

Honbul Literary House
 
Jeollabuk-do(Namwon-si) ,
‘Honbul’ is an epic novel written about three generations of women from the Namwon Lee clan living under the rule of the Japanese in the 1930s. The word ‘Honbul’ literally means ‘a torch of the soul’ and refers to the indomitable spirits of the women that persevered through hard times. The novel was written by the late Choi Myeong-hee over the period of 17 years and remains a much celebrated novel. Sangsin Village and Nobong Village in Namwon-si were the author’s hometown and served as the background of the novel ‘Honbul’. Located inside the village is a traditional Korean house that is an example of yangban (noble class) architecture and the Honbul Literary House, where visitors have an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the novel ‘Hobul’. At the entrance of Nobong Village stands a pair of jangseungs (Korean traditional totem poles), welcoming visitors inside.

Daecheongho Obaengni (500-ri) Road (대청호오백리길)
 
Daejeon(Daedeok-gu) ,
Daecheongho Obaengni (500-ri) Road is a 220km walking path passing through the Daejong (Dong-gu, Daedeok-gu) and Chungcheongbuk-do (Cheongwon, Okcheon, Boeun) areas. The road passes Daecheongho Lake, small streams, trekking roads, a forest trail, an old path, and much more. The "obaengni" (500-ri) from the name of the road comes from the distance from Seoul or Busan to Daecheongho Lake, which is 500-ri. Several mountains at an altitude of 200-300m and lots of greenery surround Daecheongho Lake. The area also has a date course, a meditation course, a trekking course, a family trip course to experience rural culture and cultural exploration, a bike course and other themed courses. The road was awarded an Asian Townscape Award by the UN-Habitat Program. Near the road are tourism attractions like the Daecheong Dam Water Culture Center, Daecheongho Sculture Park, Daecheongho Art Museum, Daecheongho Natural Ecology Center and others. In addition, there are historic cultural tourism spots like Cheongwon Cheongnamdae, Munui Cultural Properities Site, Boeun Songnisan Mountain, Okcheon Dujunbong Peak, and the birthplace of Jeong Jiyong and Yuk Yeongsu.