Located in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Zaha Museum is the highest art gallery in Seoul. Reaching the museum involves a bit of an uphill walk, but the breathtaking scenery that includes Bugaksan and Inwangsan makes it worth the effort. Opened on March 1, 2008, the two-storey museum exhibits experimental works of young artists. There are two exhibition halls and the small garden on the second floor has a great view of the mountains.

Bigeum Valley is also known as “Mulgolan” (literally meaning inside water valley), as clean water flows abundantly in this area. The region is surrounded by the mountains of Seorisan, Chungnyeongsan, Jugeumsan, and Cheonmasan, and has several valleys. Bigeum Valley is located at the upper most region of Sudong National Tourist Park, and stretches for about 2 km. It is a popular vacation site, as thick forests provide cool shade and fresh, clean water runs through the scenic valley.

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.

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.

Located in Naeil-dong in Miryang, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, Aranggak Pavilion sits in a bamboo forest. It is said to have been built to appease the spirit of a young woman named Arang, who met an unfortunate death. According to legend, Arang was mistakenly killed by a low-ranking officer who had loved her and tried to hug her. After her death, she becomes a ghost and appears to every district magistrate (highest-ranking officer in a region) to appeal for the investigation of her unfair death, but each district magistrate dies of a heart attack. Then, a new district magistrate by the name Lee is dispatched to the area. Unlike his predecessors, Lee listens to the story of the ghost and finds the low-ranked officer who had killed her and punishes him. He found Arang’s body and holded a religious ceremony on her behalf. Aranggak was also built in her memory. Every year, an event called Arangje is held on April 16 by the lunar calendar in Aranggak Pavilion. Young maidens dressed in white hanbok perform a religious ceremony to soothe the sorrow of Arang. There is also a saying that the spirit of Arang will preserve the love of those couples who visit the pavilion together.

Green Rich Farm (Formerly, Cheongsan Arboretum) is home to over 200 different kinds of wildflowers, trees, and water plants such as lotuses and water lilies. Bridges and trails in the garden make it a romantic place for couples as well as a good place for children to experience nature up close. Since its opening in 1990, the garden is only open July through August, when the Taean Lotus Festival takes place, welcoming visitors who come to see the lotus flowers. It takes about two hours to tour the garden. The best time to enjoy the lotus flowers in full bloom is between 11:00 and 15:00. After 15:00, the lotus flowers begin to close their petals. To minimize the environmental impact caused by large amounts of visitors, the number of visitors per day is limited to 2,000 people. Prior reservation is not required.

Located about 12㎞ off the southwestern coast of Korea, Bogildo Island is accessible by ferry from both Wando-gun and Haenam-gun in Jeollanam-do Province. The island features fishing villages, hiking trails, beaches, evergreen forests as well as several historic buildings and gardens. Furthermore, nearby attractions include Nohwado Island, which is connected to Bogildo by bridge, and Suando Island. Surrounded by blue sea, Bogildo is considered the gem of all islands in this area. Island History The first people to set foot on Bogildo Island are Confucian scholars during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The relics of two such men, 17th century poet Yun Seon-do and politician Uam Song Si-yeol, still remain on the island. Yun had been on his way to Jeju Island when he stopped on Bogildo, and was so taken aback by its beauty that he ended up living on the island. He built and resided in the Buyongdong gardens, which have been well-preserved to this day. Uam Song had also been on his way to Jeju Island, when the boat stopped on Bogildo. Here, Uam Song carved a famous poem into a rock, which can still be seen today.

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.

The Time & Blade Museum features two floors filled with these items that have shaped the development of humankind. There are many clocks and watches designed over time, including a skeleton-shaped clock. The museum also displays the parts that make up a clock and the tools used to create them.