Waters from the Taebaek Mountains forged Seokcheon Valley (석천계곡), located in Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The valley is wide, shallow, and surrounded by thick pine forests. Broad, flat rocks are scattered throughout, and the valley is a great place for children to play. Next to the valley, you will also find Seokcheonjeong Pavilion, which was built in 1535 (Joseon period). This pavilion, made of Bonghwa red pine trees called Chunyangmok, and mounted on stone, offers a great view of the nearby scenic mountain.

Near the recreation forest are historically-famous sites such as Bongamsa Temple, the relics of Gyeon Hwon, the birthplace of Ungang Lee Kang-nyeon, and Mungyeong Saejae Mountain Pass. Allowing visitors to enjoy sightseeing and leisure sports at the same time, the recreation forest offers various hands-on experience at the ceramics exhibition hall, ecological park, clay shooting range, rafting site, and the drama open set. Located right next to Yongchu Valley, the recreation forest’s facilities include the Forest Culture Recreation Center, Forest Cabin, Woodcraft Experience Center, and forest experience trails along Seonyudong Nadeul-gil.

Opened in 1996, Chilgapsan Recreational Forest (칠갑산자연휴양림) is surrounded by a beautiful natural forest. The facility consists of a camping site, outdoor stage, walking path, health training center, as well as a natural education center for children.

Located in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, this shrine was established to embody the spirit of Admiral “Chungmugong” (honorific title in military) Yi Sun-Sin. He was a great national hero who led the Korean navy to victory in many naval battles using innovative ‘turtle ships’ against the Japanese during their failed invasion of Korea during the 25th year of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty (1592). Situated on the heart of Mt. Gumisan overlooking the city of Jeongeup, the shrine is the location of a memorial ceremony held every 28th of April, the birthday of Admiral Yi. The ceremony is meant to pay tribute to the memory of the naval hero and his irreproachable service to the city. Yi Sun-Sin had been appointed as reeve of Jeongeup in 1589 but soon after in 1591 he left the post to work as the chief naval officer of the Jeolla region.

This fortress was completed in 1675, the first year of the reign of King Sukjong (1674-1720) of the Joseon Kingdom. It was intended that in time of war or other emergency, the portrait of King Taejo enshrined in Gyeonggijeon Hall and the spirit tablet of the Yi Clan founder, kept at Jogyeongmyo Shrine, both in Jeonju, would be brought to the fortress for safekeeping. In fact, they were brought to the safety of the fortress when Jeonju was occupied by the Donghak peasant army in 1894. The original wall was 4m to 5m high, 3m wide and 16km long and had three main gates (East, West, and North) and eight smaller ones. Of the three covered gates of the fortress, only the stone archway of the west gate remains together with part of the stone wall. Inside the fortress are Wibongsa Temple and Wibong Falls, one of the 8 Beauties of Jeonju.

Relics of Park Jesang is also referred to as Chisanseowon Confucian Academy. Park Jesang, a descendent of Park Hyeokgeose, was severly tortured and then burned to death after rescuing two hostages taken by Japan, who were the brothers of King Nulji. The nearby temple and Mangbuseok have a folk tale regarding the story. His wife and two daughters died waiting for him and then his wife is said to have turned into Mangbuseok (faithful wife stone) in the eastern Chisullyeong Mountain in Manhwa-ri, Dudong-myeon. According to the legend, her spirit became a bird, and flew away to hide behind Euneulam (Bird Hidden Rock). After Park Jesang's couragous act, King Nulji gave him a loyal officers position as well as the role of godmother to his wife for her model behavior of wifely duty. Chisanseowon Confucian Academy keeps their ancestral tablets to honor royalty.

Donggok Valley is one of four large valleys on Baegunsan Mountain. The valley opens up towards Gwangyang, with the waters of Dongcheon Stream flowing into Gwangyangman Bay. Donggok Valley is wide, making it convenient for transportation, and perfect for a family get-away location during the holidays. Located along Hanjae Pass between the mountain summit and Ttoaribong Peak on the western side, the valley is also sometimes called Dapgoksimni. The valley stretches a distance of 10km and is especially beautiful in fall when surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage. Donggok Valley is a protected nature reserve, with over 900 various species of vegetation growing here.

Once you reach the Hantijae Peak of Mt. Palgongsan, the Gunwi Buddha Triad Grotto (known as ‘the 2nd Seokgulam Grotto’, 군위삼존석굴) stands to welcome you. This grotto, designated as National Treasure No. 109, is a natural cave on a sheer cliff. Here, you can see the beautiful Amitabul Buddha, the Bodhisattva of Power and the Bodhisattva of Compassion. This 4.25m-wide and 4.3m-long cave is located 20m above the ground. This grotto is the progenitor of the Gyeongju Seokgulam Grotto, preceding the construction of Seokgulam grotto by 100 years. It has been designated as a world cultural heritage. The square-shaped ceiling is highest in the middle of the chamber. The Amitabul Buddha sits in the center with the Bodhisattva of Power and the Bodhisattva of Compassion flanking its left and right sides. The main Buddha is very refined and graceful with short hair and a divine smile on its face, sitting with crossed legs in a full-lotus posture.

The site stretches from North to South on a basin in the Haneuljae mountain pass, which connects Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do provinces. It is said that Mauitaeja, the last prince of the Silla Kingdom, had dream one night as he was traveling to Geumgangsan Mountain where the Goddess Gwanseeumbosal instructed him to erect a statue Buddha. As a result, he built a temple to honor the goddess’ wishes at the current site of Mireuk-ri. Though the temple site has been invaded multiple times, the statue of Buddha has remained intact for over 1,000 years.

Opened on May 4, 2001, Midongsan Arboretum in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do is a provincial arboretum, built to develop and propagate forestry techniques and found ecological education environments. Covering an area of 3,114,049.60㎡ (942,000 pyeong), the arboretum houses almost 873 species of plants and 652,000 plants in 11 exhibition halls including an Oak tree hall, a Maple tree hall, and a genetics hall, which presents plant genetic resources like Jeongipumsong hugyemok (succession of pine tree). In addition to the 11 themed arboretum halls, Midongsan Arboretum also has a forestry educational hall, plant seed bank, research center for wild plants, nature experience camp, and more.