Hwayang Valley, located 32km east from Cheongju, was designated Songnisan National Park in 1975.The vivid green mountains and clear waters make it a highly sought after tourist spot. The nearby Seonnyudong Valley, just 7km away, is also a huge draw for travelers.Hwayang Valley is composed of various shaped rocks such as Cheomseongdae Observatory, Neungundae Observatory, Waryongam Rock and Eupgungam Rock. Well-known statesman from the Joseon Dynasty, Song Si-yeol, visited the valley and wept for King Hyojong offering his final bow. This rock where he cried was then named Eupgungam Rock meaning ‘crying bow’ Rock. Waryongam Rock gets its name from its shape, which is said to look like a wriggly dragon. Cheomseongdae Observatory was used in order to forecast weather patterns.

Gyemyeongsan Recreational Forest (계명산자연휴양림) of Chungju is located east of Chungju Lake and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. In addition, Gyemyeongsan Recreational Forest’s nearby roads are good for driving and the area is very popular among tourists and even Koreans. Within this recreational forest, there are pine trees, and various animals and plants. In addition to a host of therapeutic benefits, a walk through these woods is memorably tranquil. The list of recreational facilities includes mountain passes, sporting facilities, a community kitchen, and campfires. As for lodging facilities there are Forest Cabins and family hotels available. Reservations can be made directly through the Homepage. (Korean)

Cheongnyeongpo Cape (청령포), located on the upper stream of Namhangang River in Gwangcheon-ri, Nam-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, is known as the place of King Danjong’s exile. The area was designated as Scenic Site No.50 in December 2008. King Danjong (r. 1452-1455, 6th King of the Joseon Dynasty) was banished from the kingdom after being overthrown by his uncle, King Sejo. King Danjong was exiled on Cheongnyeongpo Cape, surrounded on three sides by water and a steep, wall-like rock called Yugyukbong on its west side. The cape is so isolated that it can only be reached by ferry. On Cheongnyeongpo Cape, visitors can see Geumpyobi Headstone, created during Danjong's exile; and Danmyoyujibi, set up during the reign of King Yeongjo. Both landmarks help convey the cape’s interesting past. Other historic sites include Manghyangtap Pagoda, Nosandae Observatory, and Gwaneunsong Pine Grove (Natural Monument No. 349). Cheongnyeongpo Cape is where King Danjong, the 16-year-old dethroned king, lived a tragic life in exile filled with tears and heavy sighs. The site however, is now known for its well-preserved scenery and the beauty of the nearby Seogang River.

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.  

The Jungwon Tappyeongni 7-story stone tower (National Treasure No. 6) is often referred to simply as “Jungangtap” (“Central Tower”) because of its location at the center of Korea. Standing at a x_height of 14.5 meters, the tower is presumed to have been built during the Unified Silla Period. An outdoor sculpture park (the first of its kind in Chungcheongbuk-do Province) has been established in the grassy area around the tower and contains 26 sculptures created by Korean sculptors. The larger Jungangtapsajeok Park is accented by gazebos, small fountains, a hiking path, and is home to the Chungju Museum, an outdoor museum, a musical fountain, 10 sculptures and etc. The park’s convenient facilities have made it a popular leisure retreat for the citizens of Chungju as well as an educational site for children. Chungjujojeongji Dam, located north of Jungangtapsajeok Park, is another popular retreat for the locals.

Hwangnyongsa Temple is attached to the Taegojong Order of Buddhism. No information is available on when the temple was built, but it is thought to have been built by the descendants of Hwang Hee (1363-1462), who returned to his hometown to avoid political strife in the mid Joseon era, wishing for national peace and the prosperity of the family clan. The temple had been taken care of by Hwang Hee’s descendants for generations, but at one time became ruined. The temple had been rebuilt in modern days. The current buildings were re-constructed by Monk Beobin in 1985. Inside, there are Buddhist buildings like Daeungjeon, Gwaneumjeon, Samseonggak, and Beomjongnu. New additions include the three-storied stone pagoda and the Three Buddha statues in front of Daeungjeon Hall. The oldest relic from the temple is the standing Gwanseeumbosal Buddha statue in front of the Three Buddha Statues. The statue is considered to be about a hundred years old.

Located at the western end of Jejudo Island, Suwolbong, a small mountaintop, is famous for being a favorite sunset viewing place. The mountain has vertical cliffs spreading out like a scroll painting, created from the sea waves gradually cutting inland. The top the hexagonal pavilion Suwoljeong, from where you can look down on all sides. From this pavilion, you can see all of the West Sea.To the north, off the coast, is the Chagwido (sometimes called Jukdo) Island, where only the top peak area has grass growing, and the rest of the island is made up of dark hyeonmuam rocks and cliffs. Chagwido is famous as a fishing place, and in January, March, June, and December, people come here to fish. Around sunset, Chagwido’s seashore turns crimson red from the sun and is truly an awesome sight to behold.

Yongmunsan Natural Recreation Forest offers, log cabins, camping sites, a multi-purpose playground, walking paths, and hiking trails. The forest offers a great view of downtown Yangpyeong and blends well with the surrounding landscape. The Baegunbong hiking trail inside the forest is recognized as one of the best trails in the area. Baegunbong Peak is 940 meters high and one of the more popular hiking destinations on the mountain. Various rest facilities are provided along the trail. There are several hiking trails, all of which are relatively gentle, and continuous work is underway to improve the trails. The forest is a popular destination in Yangpyeong and a treasure house of natural ecology where visitors can observe various plants all year round.

The ARC is a building that embodies an elegant and geometrical approach to the sky, the earth, culture and river culture. The ARC is an abbreviation of Architecture of River Culture and Artistry of River Culture. With water as it common theme, the multi-purpose space is organized in such a way that the structure itself is a work of art. The interior features a modern, yet simple design concept. The building has exhibition spaces and art galleries on the basement floor, a huge circle theater highlighting the theme of water on the first and second ground floors, and an observatory on the third floor with a view of the surrounding natural landscape.

Samcheok Express Bus Terminal, located in Namyang-dong, Gangwon-do, is a gateway for visitors to Donghae, the east coast of Korea.