Yeonpyeongdo Island is a small island resided by fishing communities. Despite the tragic incident of November 2010 shelling from North Korea, this bucolic island offers many natural and cultural attractions. Island History The earliest known history of Socheongdo Island comes from Chungmin-sa Temple, which was built to commemorate the island's once abundant but now extinct fish species called Yellow corbina (Sciaenidae). This fish was related to the family of fish commonly called drums, croakers, or hardheads for the repetitive throbbing or drumming sounds they make. When the economy flourished thanks to profitable fishing, the Socheongdo port was congested with fishing boats, so much that it was said that one could cross from one island to the next by walking over boats. The species of fish is depleted, and the island remains as quiet with views of North Korea. In November 2010, Socheongdo Island was hit by the fatal shelling from North Korea that killed two civilians and two soldiers. In recent months, the island has made an attempt to recover its tourism industry and to develop security tourism by blending its newer military presence at tourist attractions.

Yeongsangang River (136 kilometers) is one of the four major rivers in Korea. It is the shortest of the four rivers (Hangang River 482 kilometers, Nakdonggang River 522 kilometers, Geumgang River 396 kilometers). The river starts from Yongchubong Peak (560m) located in Yong-myeon in Damyang Country, South Jeolla Province. It runs through Damyang, Gwangju, Naju, and Yeongam and eventually flows into the Yellow Sea at Mokpo through the estuary bank. The river also faces some environmental challenges and extreme weather events have caused flooding that lead to ecosystem loss and habitat degradation. In December 1981, a dam was built and the damage was significantly reduced. The government has also introduced the Four Major Rivers Restoration Project in 2009 with the objective of restoring the rivers while achieving regional development. Under this project, a significant amount of budget was allocated for resolving problems plaguing the Yeongsangang River.

Dangunjeon Shrine was built in honor of Dangun, a legendary figure known to be the founder of Gojoseon, or the ancient Korea. He is known to be the grandson of the heavens and the son of Hwanung. According to the legend, Hwanung was approached by a bear and a tiger who wished to become human beings. Hwanung attended to their plea by instructing them to avoid sunlight for 100 days and live only by consuming garlic and mugwort. Unlike the tiger who gave up, the bear followed the instructions faithfully and transformed into a woman, who then married Hwanung and gave birth to Dangun. Located near Yeonguncheonbyeon in Gokseong-eup, Dangunjeon Shrine was first founded in Hakjeong-ri, Samin-dong in 1916 by Shin Tae-yun, also known as Baekdang, but later moved to its current location and went through reconstruction in 1931. An annual ancestral rite takes place at the shrine on October 3 (National Foundation Day) and March 15 to pay respects to Dangun. Dangunjeon Shrine was also a place where civilians gathered to take an oath of patriotism in action against the Japanese during Japanse colonization period; a stone plaque commemorating the March 1st Independence Movement and Baekdang Memorial Hall dedicated to Shin Tae-yun can also be found within the area. Shin Tae-yun was captured by the Japanese soldiers during the March 1st Independence Movement and served two years in prison.

The Mungyeong Spa is an enormous hot springs complex that first opened in March 2001 and is able to accommodate up to 2,500 visitors at one time.The Mungyeong Spa offers two types of hot springs water. The yellow earth-colored hot springs water comes from 900 meters underground and is effective in treating skin irritations and heart disease. The other hot springs water comes from 750 meters below the ground and is beneficial to healing wounds and respiratory organs.Due to Mungyeong Spa’s two different hot springs waters, you can have several different healing experiences all in one place. 

Goraebul Beach (고래불해수욕장) is located in Yeongdeok, Gyeongsangbuk-do, its fine white sands stretch for 8kms giving way to clean seawaters, and it is shaded by a buttressing pine forest. The name ‘Goraebul’ originated from ‘Goraebbul’ (literally meaning ‘whale horn’ in Korean) referring to coastal sightings of whales spouting. Nearby local tourist attractions include Wijeong mineral spring and Jangyuksa Temple. In Goesi-ri, Yeonghae-myeon, there are many ancient buildings that can be seen throughout the area. Roughly 30 houses that are approximately 200 years old line the coastal drive. If you take the coastal drive and National Road #7 to the north, you can tour almost all of the famous tourist attractions that line the East Sea.  

Gyebaek (? - 660) was a general in the ancient Korean kingdom of Baekje. This historic site is not far from Hwangsanbeol, the last battlefield of General Gyebaek who fell defending Baekje at the end of its days. Allied troops from Silla and Tang attacked Tanhyeon and Baekgang, strategic sites held by Baekje, in 660 (the 20th year of King Uija’s reign). General Gyebaek and his 5,000 soldiers fought against General Kim Yu-sin and his 50,000 soldiers. General Gyebaek successfully defeated the allied troops four times, but was ultimately unable to overcome the insurmountable numbers brought to bear by his foe. The Baekje army was finally defeated, and the last general of Baekje, Gyebaek, died in the battle.

The Kwanak Arboretum of Seoul National University located in Anyang-si, is a central research institution that collects, grows, preserves, exhibits, and studies plants native to Korea and other plants native to the northern hemisphere. The institution focuses on educational exchanges and cooperatives with relevant institutions both home and abroad.

Damyang Changpyeong Samjinae Village was the first Korean place designated as a slow city in 2007. Compared with the fast-changing city life, the village seeks a slow life by experiencing regional cultures and food while surrounded by nature. Visitors can also make Korean traditional sweets & cookies such as Hangwa and Ssalyeot here.

The Jincheon Bell Museum (진천종박물관) was opened in September 2005 with the objective of promoting the unique artistic value of Korean bells. The museum’s Jincheon location itself is also very meaningful, as it is the oldest steel production site in Korea. In the nearby area, Uncheon-dong, Beomjong (a temple bell) of late Tongilsilla Kingdom (the United Silla Kingdom) was discovered along with the remains of the Ongdusaji Cheoldanggan of the Goryeo Dynasty. Since a bell museum focuses especially on the culture of temple bells, which are a culmination of metal craftwork, it seems inevitable that the museum is located in Jincheon where the biggest steel mill was located in ancient times. 

Pohang Airport is located in the city of Pohang, Dogu-ri, Donghae-myeon, Nam-gu, Pohang-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do. The airport is approximately 11.5 km away from Pohang City Hall, and 5 km away from Posco (Pohang Iron and Steel Company) in the direction of Guryongpo. After renovation, the airport offers wider parking area and various subsidiary facilities giving more comfortable service for visitors.