Deoksan Hot Spa District
 
Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun) ,
Deoksan Hot Spa is conveniently in Sadong-ri, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, only one and a half hours away from Seoul. The spa resort’s hot springs have been known for their efficacy ever since the Joseon Dynasty (1932-1910) and the 45℃ germanium water is widely known for its health benefits. The region has been home to major spa resorts since 1917.Nearby tourist attractions include Chunguisa Temple, which enshrines the spirit of Patriot Yun Bong-Gil, and Sudeoksa Temple, a training site for Buddhist nuns. Within the spa district are 9 major spa facilities, approximately 50 hotels, and numerous restaurants.

Korea Naval Academy Museum
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si) ,
The Korean Naval Academy Museum was opened on January 17, 1976, on the 30th anniversary of the Korean Naval Academy. When it first opened, the museum consisted of only a small exhibition room, but later saw the addition of a life-sized, ironclad Geobukseon (turtle ship) on January 31, 1980. On February 23, 1981, an independent museum building was opened at the site and on April 28, 1990, the museum was expanded to its current size.The museum (2,622 square meters in total area) is housed in two separate buildings (a two-storey building and a three-storey building) and boasts three exhibition halls (Yi Chungmugong Hall, Navy Hall, and Naval Academy Hall). The Yi Chungmugong Hall has on display 212 materials relating to the life of the famous Korean navel leader General Yi. At the Navy Hall, the history of Korea’s Navy is on display. The history of the naval academy itself is celebrated at the Navy Academy Hall through the presentation of 315 artifacts. In the outdoor exhibition area, visitors are met by a life-sized turtle ship, cannons, and old anchors from the Joseon Era, as well as an S2 anti-submarine plane and an amphibious armored car used during the Korean War.

Gayasan National Park
 
Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun) ,
Featuring the highest peak, Sanghwangbong, Mt. Gayasan is composed of many summits each over 1,000m in x_height. From the Taebaek Mountains, the Gayasan stretches from east to west. In 1972, it was designated as National Park No.9 due to its breathtaking scenery. Gayasan is know for its many tourist highlights, namely Haeinsa Temple, which is in the southwestern part of Gayasan. It is one of the three most famous temples in Korea. The Tripitaka Koreana (National Treasures No.32), consisting of over eighty thousand blocks, are found here. The place makes for fantastic scenery with the old temple and the beautiful landscape. In addition, there are other cultural properties such as Jangkyunggak (National Treasure No.52), Stone Buddha Figure (Treasures No. 518) Banya Temple Gyeongwangsa Monument (Treasures No.128) which was designated as a World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Moreover, Gayasan is noted for its graceful mountain landscape. The water flowing from Gayasan valley meets in front of Haeinsa Temple and flows to the southeast where it forms Gayacheon stream. Among the many valleys, Hongryudong valley (its water seems to turn red because of the leaves' autumnal tints) finishes the grandeur scenery with the several thousand year-old pine tree. Namsanjeil-bong, a peak located in southern part of Hongryudong, is called Mt. Cheonbulsan among Buddhists because it seems like thousands of Buddhist statues cover the mountain ridge. Mt. Cheonbulsan is a favorite one-day mountain climbing course for many. Gayasan shows magnificent landscapes every season with the cherry blossoms, azaleas and royal azaleas lined up on the road to Haeinsa Temple in Spring, the clean water and green trees in Summer, the glorious tints of its autumn foliage along the rock ridges in Autumn and a snowy landscape in Winter.  

The Independence Hall of Korea
 
Chungcheongnam-do(Cheonan-si) ,
The Independence Hall of Korea displays Korean historical documents and relics from the past to the present, focusing on the independence movements of the Japanese Colonial Period. Originally the interim Government Building of Korea in China, the building was brought over to Korea after the nation was liberated from Japanese colonial rule on August 15, 1945. The Independence Hall officially opened on the anniversary of Independence Day on August 15, 1987 and now boasts seven exhibition halls, the Circle Vision Theater, and other facilities commemorating Korea’s struggle for freedom.

Seosamneung (Huireung, Hyoreung and Yereung) [UNESCO World Heritage]
 
Gyeonggi-do(Goyang-si)
Seosamneung (서삼릉) is the name of the three royal tombs of Huireung (희릉), Hyoreung (효릉) and Yereung (예릉). It is located in Deokyang-gu in Goyang, Gyeonggi-do province.Huireung (희릉) is the tomb of Queen Janggyeong, the second wife of King Jungjong, the 11th ruler. The tomb is simple, surrounded only by “Nanganseok”, stone railings, but the lotus flowers engraved on the railings make it very pleasant.Hyoreung (효릉) is the name of the tombs of King Injong, the 12th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and Queen Inseong. The two graves are linked by a railing. The mounds are surrounded by “Byeongpungseok”, which is a wide and rectangular stone border that protects the tomb. The tombstones are engraved with clouds and the twelve animals of the Eastern zodiac.Yereung (예릉) is the name of the tombs of King Cheoljong, the 25th ruler of the Joseon dynasty, and Queen Cheorin. The two graves are linked by a railing.

Pyunggang Botanical Garden
 
Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si)
Located at the entrance of Sanjeong Lake, Pyunggang Botanical Garden opened in May 2006, and was designated as a habitat for preservation by the Ministry of Environment. The garden has on exhibit both native plants and around 5,000 species of plants from around the globe. Additionally, the garden features an exquisite collection of 1,000 different alpine plants that normally reside on an altitude of 2,000 meters.The scope of the garden is comprehensive, but it is divided into 12 themed areas, including a Rock Garden, where the largest alpine plants in Asia are concentrated; a Wetland Center, which mimics the natural ecology of a wetland region; a Pond Garden consisting of roughly 50 ponds lined with gorgeous flowers; a Moss Center where moss that grows in deep valleys and forests can be seen; and a Grass Square, which serves as a green common year round. The Pyunggang Botanical Garden, serves an important role in preserving rare plants, but is also creating a new botanical garden culture, and serving as a center for public ecological education.※ Non-smoking area/cooking and drinking is strictly prohibited.Collecting plants, bugs, soil and stone without authorization is banned.

Iksan Godori Standing Stone Buddha
 
Jeollabuk-do(Iksan-si) ,
Iksan Godori Standing Stone Buddha is Treasure No. 46. The two Buddha statues (each measuring 424cm) stand face-to-face at a distance of 200 meters apart and tell the story of an eternal, but unrequited love. According to legend, the two Buddhas (one male, one female) are lovers that can only meet for one night in the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. After the sunset on that special day the lovers are allowed to meet, but must return to their respective positions before the rooster crows at dawn. The two statues are very representative of the Goryeo Era, which produced many stone statues with minimal expression of the physical body. True to the era, each Buddha has almost no curves and is depicted with plain clothing and barely distinguishable arms. On their heads, the Buddhas wear a crown topped with another square hat. With their square faces, small eyes, pug noses, and small lips, the Buddas are reminiscent of guardian deities typically placed at the entrance of villages.

Daecheongho Natural Ecology Center
 
Daejeon(Dong-gu) ,
The Daecheongho Natural Ecology Center in Chu-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon highlights the natural ecosystem of the Daecheongho Lake, which was created by the damming of Geumgang River in 1980. Daecheongho Lake is the third largest lake in Korea and boasts a reservoir measuring a surface area of 72.8 square kilometers, a circumference of 80 kilometers, and a capacity of 1.5 billion tons of water.The Daecheongho Natural Ecology Center stands on a plot of land alongside Daecheongho Lake spanning 8,270 square meters; the building itself (B1-3F) measures 1,488.5 square meters. The first floor houses an event hall, a storage room, and a theater showing videos on the natural ecology of Daecheongho Lake. On the second floor, there is a folk history center and ecology center boasting specimens of fish, insects, and plants native to the lake. The third floor houses an environmental center where participants can learn about the importance of recycling and protecting the lake’s water quality. There is also an observatory from which to view Daecheongho Lake and an outdoor ecology pond, wildflower beds, a small zoo, a mushroom center, an insect center, and a forest classroom.

Cheongnamdae Presidential Villa
 
Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si) ,
The Cheongnamdae (청남대) is a presidential vacation villa located near Daecheong Dam (대청댐) in Cheongwon-gu, Chungcheongbuk-do. The former president Chun Doo-hwan was greatly impressed by the scenic surroundings while attending the ceremony for the completion of Daecheong Dam in 1980. The construction of Cheongnamdae started in June, 1983 and was completed in six months (December). Cheongnamdae, built on a 560,000 pyeong-wide area, means ‘Cheongwadae in a warm southern land’ in Korean. South Korean presidents would stay in this remote vacation villa 4-5 times (or sometimes 7-8 times) a year during summer vacation or national holidays. In total, Korean presidents have stayed here nearly 400 days over 88 visits in two decades.There were four presidential villas including the one in Gimhae in the past. During Kim Young-sam’s administration, however, all but Cheongnamdae were closed. Cheongnamdae, which had been closed to the public for twenty years, was finally opened to the public on April 18, 2003 by former president Roh Moo-hyun. Visitors can view a music fountain inside the ecological wetland garden (990㎡), hike a 3.3km mountain trail and visit the Hoban Promenade (8km), or simply take a pleasant walk along a beautiful trail, and enjoy the scenic landscape of Daecheongho Lake.* Geographical Location Cheongnamdae is located in Munui-myeon, Cheongwon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do. Encircled by mountain peaks including Oksaebong Peak, Wolchulbong Peak, Mt. Jakdusan and Sowibong Peak, it is completely hidden. The beautiful Daecheongho Lake surrounds the presidential vacation villa as well and many feng-shui masters have declared this spot to be the finest in Korea. * Size1) Site area: 330 land parcel area, 558,000 pyeong (1,844,628.1 ㎡)2) Buildings: 46 houses / 3,377 pyeong (11,163.64 ㎡)

Muju Gucheondong Valley
 
Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun) ,
Muju Gucheondong Valley is located within Deogyusan in Jeollabuk-do, and is often referred to as Mujugucheon-dong, meaning the 25km stretch of land and water from Najetongmun to Deogyusan Mountain's Baengnyeonsa Temple. Muju Gucheondong Valley is not a deep valley. However, the valley flows through a lush forest that's quite beautiful. The calm and soothing sounds of the river are very refreshing.The 33 scenic points of Gucheondong are what make it so famous. Of the 33, the most famous are Najetongmun and Sushimdae. Najetongmun, the first scenic point is a huge boulder with a hole through it like a tunnel. During the Samguk era, this spot once served as the border between the Silla and Baekje nations. Because it was the dividing line between the two nations, even to this day, the east and west side's speech and customs are different. No one knows how the hole got there, but the experience of walking through it is quite interesting. Sushimdae, the 12th scenic point, is a valley approximately 400m in length. It is surrounded with mountain cliffs, which makes the area resemble Geumgangsan Mountain, and so it is often referred to as Sogeumgangsan, or little Geumgangsan. The clear water and beautiful scenery makes this spot a must-see.Many people come to Muju Gucheondong Valley for trekking. The trails go from Deogyusan National Park to Baengnyeonsa Temple. It's a 3-hour roundtrip hike for this 6km trail. Though it's a mountain trail, it's not that steep, making it ideal for trekking.