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.

This is the house where Empress Myeongseong (Joseon Period) was born, and lived until she was eight years old. She would grow up to be the wife of the dynasty’s 26th ruler, King Gojong. The birthplace and the adjoining Memorial Hall are open to the public.Empress Myeongseong was a brilliant diplomat who pursued openness and reform to maintain the sovereignty of the nation. Unfortunately, her tumultuous life came to an end in the early morning hours of October 8, 1895 when she was murdered by the Japanese army.During Japanese colonial rule, the empress was wrongfully accused of being a jealous and overly ambitious person. Studies of various archives have since revealed what a great person she really was. Recently, numerous television productions and musicals have also corrected those misunderstandings. Renovated in 1995, her birthplace includes three buildings with servants’ quarters, master’s quarters, and a separate house. A commemorative monument now stands at the site of the room where the empress studied as a child. The Memorial Hall in front of the house contains various archives and artifacts related to Empress Myeongseong’s life. There is also a 161-seat theatre.

The Korea National Arboretum (KNA) is situated in Gwangneung forest and contains the Forest Museum where all the information on forestry is exhibited. The construction of the arboretum and museum took place on October 25, 1985 and opened on April 5, 1987. In order to preserve the forests, weekends and holiday entrance were restricted, reservations were required 5 days in advance, and no more than 5,000 visitors were accepted per day. As diverse plants are gaining recognition worldwide, the research department formed the Office of Forestry on May 24, 1999.Korea National Arboretum covers an area of 1,157㏊ and contains 15 specialized forests, including Conifer Garden, the Garden of Ornamental Trees, and the Aroma and Touch Garden. The Forest Museum is the largest in Asia, covering 4628 sq.m² with a traditional Korean design, and the interior and exterior are both constructed of wood and stone. The arboretum facilities consist of 5 exhibition halls (Living Forest, Forest and Man, Forestry of the World, Forestry of Korea, Nature of Korea), a Herbarium, a Special Exhibition Room, and an Audio Visual Hall.

Situated in Tongyeong (Gyeongsangnam-do), Mireuksan (461m) is considered one of the 100 best mountains in Korea. While not as high as other mountains, it is home to a lush forest, valleys with pure water, odd-shaped rocks, rock caves, and ancient temples. Upon climbing to the top of the mountain, visitors can see the breathtaking view of the sea enveloping Tongyeong. Near Tongyeong are a number of large and small islands including Mireukdo.Hiking used to be the only option to climb up the mountain, but a cable car (covering over 2km, the longest in Korea) now carries visitors to a stop that leads to the top of the mountain through wooden decks (400m in length). In clear weather, visitors can even see Tsushima Island (in Japan), Cheongwangbong Peak in Jirisan, and Dolsando in Yeosu. The top of the mountain boasts a dazzling array of flowers in spring and exquisite fall foliage, attracting visitors in droves year-round. At the outskirts of the mountain are two ancient temples, Yonghwasa and Miraesa. 

Originally a normal neighborhood just like any other, Yeonnam-dong recently saw an increase in the number of young artists and designers who call this place home. One by one, the streets began to fill up with unique shops, drawing in more and more visitors with each passing day.

Located near the entrance of the Moaksan Provincial Park, Geumsansa Temple (금산사) was established by King Beop, or Beopwang, of the Baekje period (599AD). The Buddhist temple features over ten designated cultural properties including Mireukjeon, a national treasure, as well as other attached buildings. The country’s only three-story building containing a Buddha statue, Mireukjeon was built with wood and has a single-open floor inside. In spring, cherry blossom trees come into full bloom from the mountain entrance all the way to Geumsansa; and in winter Buddhist adherents come to bow before the statue of Mireuk bodhisattva inside Mireukjeon or walk in circles around the pagoda. The statue is the largest indoor standing Buddha in the world reaching 11.82 meters of x_height. The two other Buddha statues standing on right and left of the Mireuk bodhisattva are 8.8 meters tall each.* Important Cultural PropertiesMireukjeon (National Treasure No. 62)Noju (Treasure No. 22)Seogyeondae (Treasure No. 23)Hyedeogwangsa Jineungtapbi (Treasure No. 24)Geumsansa Ocheungseoktap (Treasure No. 25)Geumsansa Bangdeunggyedan (Treasure No. 26)Geumsansa Yukgak Dacheungseoktap (Treasure No. 27)Geumsansa Dangganjiju (Treasure No. 28)Simwonam Bukgang Samcheungseoktap (Treasure No. 29)Geumsansa Daejangjeon (Treausre No. 827)Geumsansa Seokdeung (Treasure No. 828)

Jirisan-gil is a 300-km walking trail connecting five cities (Namwon, Gurye, Handong, Sancheong, Hamyang) and spanning three provinces (Jeollabuk-do, Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangnam-do). After discovering hidden or deserted paths linking woods, rivers, rice paddies and villages, Jirisan-gil was established to join the paths into one long walking trail.The Jirisan Dullegil runs along the periphery of Jirisan Mountain (1,915m). Comprised of 22 courses, the trail meanders through old villages and forests, and over the hills and along the rivers, thereby connecting nature and humans.Reviving those trails means reviving the history and culture of the villages of Jirisan. Take a slow walk on the path to meditate on the beauty and peacefulness of Jirisan and its surrounding villages.

Anmingogae Hill is a 9 kilometer-long hill that reaches from Taebaek-dong in Jinhae to Anmin-dong in Changwon. Six of the nine kilometers are lined with cherry blossoms, making up the famous Jinhae Cherry Blossom Tunnel. The hill is also known for its view of Jinhaeman Bay, Ungsan Mountain (alt. 703m), Sirubong Peak (alt. 630m) and Cheonjabong Peak (502m). The hill is dotted with benches placed about 100m apart, offering visitors a comfortable way to catch their breath while enjoying the view and cherry trees.Also of note is the Anmin Saengtaegyo Bridge (Anmin Ecology Bridge), which was built as a passageway for wild animals to travel between Jangboksan and Ungsan mountains after the mountains were divided by the Anmin Tourism Road running from Jinhae and Changwon. The hiking trail to Jangboksan Mountain past the Anmin Saengtaegyo Bridge is closed in the spring as part of fire prevention measures.

This resort boasts fine views of magnificent Hallasan Mountain with its clean and ice-cold water. These waters, deep valleys, waterfalls and the thick evergreen forest create beautiful scenery. If you walk 20min from the "Donnaeko Recreational Area," at the entrance you can see the Wonang Pokpo Waterfall (5m high) and a small pond. The walkway that follows the valley is just the place for a relaxing forest experience.Both sides of the "Donnaeko Recreational Area" are covered with dense green forest, and the forest is crowded with cymbidium orchids (Orchids that grow in the evergreen forest on the south part of Jejudo Island, 70~900m above sea level, unique orchids to the island that blossom from December to January). Winter strawberries also grow here.The peak season of this beautiful valley is Baekjung Day (Lunar Calendar: June 15th). On Baekjung Day in Jeju-do, there is a tradition of eating chicken and being splashed with water. This is because there is a saying that you can recover from neuralgia after showering under the cascading water. So many people gather and celebrate on Baekjung Day. The name 'Donnaekko' came about because there are many boars here. But since the 1920's, no boars have been seen.

The word "Dongpirang" is made of two words. One is "Dong", meaning east and the other is "Birang", meaning hill in a Tongyeong dialect. Tongyeong Agenda 21 which is an association in Tongyeong gathered people throughout the nation in order to paint murals on the walls of Dongpirang-gil Street in October 2007. Thanks to the participants' paintings, this hillside village on the sea became a new place, revitalized by the art.  The view overlooking sea of Gangguan Port is fantastic as well.