Geumsansa, located in Geumsan-ri, Geumsan-myeon, Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do, is home to a number of cultural assets. The temple offers a temple stay program where you can learn the traditional culture of Korean Buddhism and the way of a Buddhist practitioner while experiencing day-to-day life in the temple. Basic programs include Yebul (Buddhist service), Chamseon (Zen meditation), Barugongyang (formal monastic meal), 108 prostrations, walking in the woods and talking with a monk. On top of these basic programs, special seasonal programs are also provided.

From the seashore of Yeosu to Hongdo Island, Heuksando Island, Geomundo Island and Baekdo Island out west, Dadohaehaesang National Park covers about 1,700 small and large islands and various rocks. In the park, the blue sky and the ocean blend well with white sandy beaches, adding to the picturesque atmosphere.During the Silla period, the King of the Sea, Jang Bogo established the maritime world and during the Goryeo Dynasty, the area was a trading path with the Yuan and Song Dynasties. Also, it was the battlefield where Admiral Yi Sun-shin defeated the invading Japanese navy. Likewise, historical sites remains in many places.Among those islands, Hongdo Island and Heuksando Island are famous for tourists. In particular, one of Korea’s greatest fishery grounds is located in Heuksando Island.

Petroglyphs refer to the paintings in which objects and symbols are carved, pecked, and colored on rocks, huge cliffs and cave walls. Some of these rocky paintings are from as early as the late Paleolithic Era, but mostly they are seen from the New Stone Age, Neolithic Era and Bronze Age in which times these paintings were abundant. The upper part of the rock shows various animals including deer pecked into the rock, and the lower part of the rock has writing and drawings of humans, and animals made by penciling. As for the upper part, it is thought to have been made throughout the New Stone Age and Bronze Age to express their consciousness for abundance. In comparision, the painting of a cavalcade, a sailing boat, a dragon, a horse, and a deer and about 300 writings on the lower part of the rock were considered to be done by people during unified Silla, showing their belief of the area as a holy ground.  

Paroho Lake (파로호) is a manmade lake created when Hwacheon Dam was built in the valley of the Bukhangang River (북한강). The lake is capable of holding up to one billion tons of water and the Dam of Peace is located further upstream. You can enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mt Il and Wolmyeongbong Peak as well as the thick forest and pristine valleys in the surrounding area. As Paroho Lake’s unpolluted water is home to many kinds of freshwater fish such as carp, crucian carp, catfish and mandarin fish, the lake is gaining popularity as an excellent fishing spot.

Guwau Village is located below Pijae Hill (also called Samsuryeong) at the entrance to Maebongsan Mountain. The village got its name because its topography resembles the scenery of nine cows peacefully lying around. The Alpine Botanical Garden is located 800-900 meters above sea level and protects the endangered alpine plant species from disappearing. The botanical garden also offers visitors an opportunity to conveniently observe some rare flowers and plants. In August, when the sunflowers are in full bloom, the Taebaek Sunflower Festival is held at Guwau Village. In addition to celebrating the area’s wide array of colorful flowers, the festival also has a variety of attractions such as a drawing exhibition, a photo exhibition, and an environmental sculpture exhibition using repurposed materials.

Located about 5㎞ southeast of Daecheongdo Island, Socheongdo Island is a quiet, little island resided mainly by the tiny population of elderly people. The only two fishing villages on the island are located on the other side of the hill from the ferry port. Island History The tranquil Socheongdo Island has a rather sad history. Some days after the liberation from Japanese occupation, three mines floated onto the shores of the island, one of them exploding on landing. The islanders began dismantling the remaining two as a means of fuel. After successfully dismantling the first one, the last one exploded, killing 59 people and injuring 8. There is a monument on the pier front in the main village that memorializes the deceased from the tragic accident. Meanwhile, it is said that the majority of the current day elderly population arrived on Socheongdo Island during the Korean War (1950-53).

Haepungbuwongu Yun Taek-yeong Daek Jaesil is a house built by the father-in-law of King Sunjong of Joseon Dynasty. He built this house in 1906 when his daughter was proclaimed the crowned princess of Joseon and entered Changdeokgung Palace to later become Queen Sunjeong. Red pine trees salvaged from the demolition of Gyeongungung Palace were used to construct the house. It was originally located at 224 Jegi-dong Dongdaemun-gu, but was later restored and moved to its present location. The shrine of the house that was destroyed in 1960 was also restored. Additionally, a stone stair of two steps on which flowers were planted was added in front of the shrine. Atop of the house is a tiled, triangle-shaped hip-and-gable roof. Sarangche (men’s quarter) has double-layered eaves, while other eaves are single-layered. Haengrangche (servant’s quarters) has a gabled roof supported with three beams. Because the house is more of a shrine rather than residential living quarters, it has many unique features. For example, unlike other houses, it has Anche (women’s quarters) located across from Sarangbang (men’s quarters) with Daecheong (living room) positioned between them.

Ulsan Munsu Football Stadium is surrounded by a thick forest. There are Marronnier and Byeokcheon Squares near the entrance to the stadium. Rock carvings Bangudae (National Treasure No. 285) and Cheonjeolligakseok (National Treasure No. 147) successfully recreate life as it was many years ago.

Manseongni Black Sand Beach is located 3 kilometers to the north along the coastal road from Yeosu Station. The beach, 540 meters in length and 25 meters in x_width, has an average water temperature of 25 degrees Celsius. The black sand is said to help blood circulation and remove toxins from the body. April 20 by the lunar calendar (around the end of May to early June in the solar calendar) is known as the “day when the black sand opens its eyes.” Visitors flock to Manseongni Beach to enjoy the maximum effects of the black sand bath. Located 2 kilometers from Manseongni Beach is another beach surrounded by excellent scenery. This place is ideal for taking drives and is popular among vacationers as well as anglers in the summer.

Bordering Cheolwon (Gangwon-do Province) and Pocheon (Gyeonggi-do Province), Myeongseongsan Mountain is renowned for its beautiful fall foliage and fields of silver grass. It is also surrounded by a lake that attracts many visitors throughout the year.