Hongyureung (홍유릉) refers to the two royal tombs, Hongneung and Yureung, which are both located in the same area. Hongneung is the mausoleum of the 26th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, Emperor Gojong (1852-1919, reign 1863-1907), and his wife Empress Myeongseong (1851-1895).Hongneung(홍릉) was first the tomb of Empress Myeongseong, and it was located in Cheongnyangni, Seoul. When Emperor Gojong died, he was buried together with the previously deceased empress and the tomb was moved to its current place.Emperor Gojong was the second son of the regent Heungseon Daewongun and ascended to the throne at the young age of twelve. In 1897, he declared Korea to be the “Daehan Empire” and established himself as the emperor. However, under unrelenting pressure from Japan, he signed the Eulsa Treaty, and as a result, the Daehan Empire was deprived of its diplomatic rights. In 1919, Emperor Gojong died in Deoksugung Palace at the age of 67.Empress Myeongseong became the empress in 1866. However, at that time, Korea was actually governed not by Emperor Gojong, but by his father, who was controlling things from behind the scenes. In 1873, when Emperor Gojong began to administer state affairs, Empress Myeongseong exercised considerable power and deeply participated in political affairs. Her diplomatic policy was in obvious favor of Russia. This angered Japan, and she was killed by Japanese assassins.Yureung (유릉) is both the last royal tomb of the Joseon Dynasty and the tomb of the first Korean emperor. It is the tomb of Emperor Sunjong (1874-1926, reign 1907-1910), the 27th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, his first wife Empress Sunmyeonghyo, and his second wife, Empress Sunjeonghyo. Emperor Sunjong was the second son of Emperor Gojong and Empress Myeongseong. He was the last ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and he struggled to defend the dynasty during that era of turbulence.Empress Sunmyeonghyo died when she was still the crown princess. She was originally buried at the foot of Mt. Yongmasan. After Emperor Sunjong died, the tomb was moved to its current location, and the emperor was buried alongside Empress Sunmyeonghyo. Empress Sunjeonghyo became the second wife of Emperor Sunjong at the age of twelve. It is known that she concealed the Imperial Seal when Japan put pressure on the Joseon Dynasty to sign the Korea (Joseon) -Japan Consolidation Treaty in 1910. However, the treaty was concluded, and the Daehan Empire came to an end after being deprived of its sovereignty. Empress Sunjeonghyo is said to have maintained her dignity right up until the moment she died. She was the last empress of the Daehan Empire.Hongneung and Yureung look different from other royal tombs. When the name of the country changed from the Joseon Dynasty to the Daehan Empire, the rulers of Korea were called emperors. Therefore, the tombs of the two emperors were modeled after the tomb of the Ming Dynasty’s ruler, King Taizu (Zhu Yuanzhang). Surrounding Hongneung and Yureung are statues carved in the shape of animals such as giraffes, elephants, and lions, which can’t be seen at the other royal tombs of the Joseon Dynasty. The stonework of Hongneung tomb was made in a traditional way, while the stonework of Yureung tomb shows a more realistic and advanced technique. 

Jehwangsan Park, located on Jehwangsan Mountain at the heart of Jinhae, is home to the nine-story Jinhae Tower. The tower, which symbolizes a Korean naval warship, stands at the top of a 365-step staircase and commands a splendid view of both the city and the coastline. On the first and second floors of the tower is the Jinhae City Museum, exhibiting folk models and relics excavated from Jinhae.Jinhae is Korea’s representative naval port city and is rife with cultural relics related to Admiral Yi Sun-Shin (1545-1598), a Korean hero who led the nation to victory in naval battles against Japanese forces during the Imjin War (Japanese Invasion of Korea; 1592-1598). The city is also known as the venue of the famous Jinhae Gunhangje Festival, which is widely known as the nation’s largest cherry blossom festival.

Dobongsan Mountain, located northeast of Bukhansan National Park, is known for the magnificent rock formations of the Manjangbong, Seoninbong, Jubong, Obong and Uiam Peaks. The Seoninbong Peak has 37 hiking courses, including the famous Bakjwi (Bat) CourseThe mountain is also home to Cheonchuksa Temple, the oldest temple in the region, and several other temples including Mangwolsa and Hoeryongsa, as well as a number of beautiful valleys called Donong, Songchu, Obong and Yeongeocheon. Furthermore, it is easily accessible by public transportation.

Seongmodo Island (석모도) is located to the west of Ganghwado Island (강화도). Beautiful West Sea, a drive by the shore, and the great scenic view are some of the features of island's highlights. To get to Seongmodo Island, simply take a ferry at Oepo-ri, which takes only 10 minutes. The seagulls that congregate over the sea, fly close to the ferry boat and provide a beautiful sight.  When you arrive at Seongmodo Island, there is a bus terminal and a bicycle rental shop. If you are planning to hike around the island, rent a bicycle. You can tour around Seongmodo Island on a bicycle, by car, or simply by walking. If you want to go to Bomunsa Temple or Minmeoru Beach, ride the bus bound for Bomunsa Temple. If you want to hike or drive, you can visit most places by going along Ilju Road. It will take only 40 minutes by car, and about 2 hours and 30 minutes by bicycle to look around the island.  The most interesting sites in Seongmodo Island are Minmeoru Beach (민머루해수욕장) and Bomunsa Temple. Minmeoru Beach is the only beach in Seongmodo Island; Its shores are elegant and the surrounding scenery is beautiful with a salt farm near the beach. Bomunsa Temple boasts great views of the West Sea and is famous for its sunsets and a Buddhist grotto that was built inside a natural cave. To the rear of Bomunsa Temple, the Nunseop Rock and the Ma-aeseokbuljwa statue engraved on a rock is also worth a look. Telephone  +82-32-930-3563, +82-32-932-6007   

Hwanseongul Cave is the biggest lime stone cave in Korea. Its length is 6.5 km and it features fantastic stalagmites, stalactites, and about 10 lakes and waterfalls. Some spots of interest include stalactites that look like the Great Wall of China and many other uniquely shaped figures.The mercury inside of the cave keeps it at a cool 12-24℃ in the summer and 8-9℃ in the winter. It takes about 30-40 minutes to the entrance and approximately one hour to look around the cave. Keep in mind that the steep slope at the entrance may be difficult for the elderly and young children.

Nestled at the hillside of Chusan-dong where one can see the entire view of Changwon-si, Moonshin Art Museum houses Moon Shin’s art pieces and keeps his spirit intact. The artist resided in France for many years, returning to his hometown in 1980, and worked hard to establish the museum throughout 15 years. The museum finally opened in 1994 after his endless effort. Unfortunately, Moon Shin died one year after opening the museum, donating the museum to his loving hometown in his will. Following his will, the Moonshin Art Museum was donated to Changwon-si in 2003 and has since been operating as a city gallery. Changwon-si also established Moonshin Round Museum in October 2010, exhibiting 116 Moonshin plaster circle art pieces. Moonshin Art Museum is comprised of Exhibition Hall 1 & 2, outdoor exhibition hall and Moonshin Round Museum, showcasing a total of 3,900 pieces, including plaster round pieces, sculptures, drawing, tools, paintings, oil-paintings and keepsakes.

Jisan Country Club offers the most relaxing golfing experience with its beautiful and tranquil courses surrounded by the calming beauty of Mother Nature and the refreshing scent of the woods. One gigantic-sized pond and a number of large and small ponds located around the 36-hole course add to the challenge but this can also be a chance for a high-spirited and adventurous golfer to achieve a more x_heightened sense of victory.

Daegeumgul Cave (대금굴) is believed to be as old as Hwanseongul and Gwaneumgul Caves located nearby. The entrance to the cave was not exposed until 2003 when an excavation project revealed the entrance, and after a long preparatory period, the cave was opened to the public. This newly opened, well-preserved cave is filled with limestone features such as stalactites, and a considerable amount of water flows through the cave, creating waterfalls, both large and small, along with numerous ponds. You can also visit the ecological park, built in harmony with the natural environment of the cave and the surrounding area. Also, take Korea’s first cave monorail 140 meters deep into the cave, and be sure to stop by the Visitor Centre where you can learn about the significance of natural caves. Because of its fascinating features, Daegeumgul Cave is fast becoming a popular tourist attraction in the Donghae area.Sections of Daegeumgul Cave● Artificial Tunnel Section: The 140-meter stretch from the entrance of the cave is a man-made tunnel and the route for the monorail.● Waterfall/Platform Section: There is an 8-meter high, natural waterfall and the platform for the cave monorail.● Stalactite Section: This section contains various subterranean features, such as rim pools, stalactite pillars, bacon sheets, cave shields, cave pearls, deformed stalactites, and helictites. Many stalactites even come together, forming a smaller rounded cavern within the cave's main halls.● Lake Section: There is a cave lake that is 60 meters long, 30 meters wide, and 8 to 9 meters deep, and a considerable amount of clean underground water flows through it.

Jinju National Museum is located within Jinju Castle. After opening in 1984, it reopened in 1998 under the name of “Imjin Waeran Specialty Museum”. The exhibits of the museum are based on Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion in 1594), instead of having a purely local flavor. Jinju is the site of the greatest battle of Imjin Waeran, the battle of Jinju Castle, which is why there are many relics about the war at the museum, such as Chokseokru. On the 1st floor you can see literature, paintings and listen to music about the war. You can see the record of POWs and the progress of the war, in the point-of-view of westerners. The exhibited relics were excavated from around the country, and even include relics from Japan, giving you a more complete picture, and the theme based arrangement of the exhibits make it easier to understand the war as a whole. Along the passage you can see many items depicting the major events of the war. There is an exhibit hall called Du-Am Hall with about 179 relics, mainly paintings, pottery, and craftwork, which were donated by Mr. Du-Am. On the 2nd floor you can actively experience the progression of the events in the war. The relics are arranged chronologically, classified by soldier, class, and weapons, etc. The exhibit hall starts with the exhibit on the outbreak of the war, and ends with the book Ichungmugong, which contains the will of General Yi Sun-Sin. You can also see a large-scale model of Geobukseon (Turtle Ship), which was the pride of the Korean Navy at the time.