A special Incheon trip to enjoy on National Day

Bongha Village is located 4.5km to the east of Jinyeong-eup, on the foot-slopes of Bonghwasan mountain. It is a typical farming village, and its major produce is Jinyeong sweet persimmons and rice. Its name comes from the mound above it on Bonghwasan mountain, where in the past beacons were lit as a method of communication. Bonghwasan mountain is home to Bonghwasa temple and two famous valleys: Doduk (thief) valley on the east side, named because of the many thieves that used to operate in the area, and Yasi (fox) valley on the west side, which looks like a fox lying on its front, looking back at its tail.Birthplace of the former President of Korea, Roh Moo-hyunThe birthplace of the former President of Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, is a brick house with a slate roof that consists of two small rooms and a kitchen. Although it is a shabby house, everything in it seems rare and precious to visitors. The earth, stones, and water, as well as household items, are popular with visitors. Some visitors even take stones and soil from the garden home with them in plastic bags, and some take water, believing that water from the ex-president’s birthplace is almost sacred.

Maaeyeoraejwasang consists of a Maebul (a Buddha carved in a cliff) at the very top of 12 Buddha images carved in natural rock caves located in a steep cliff of Golgulam Rock of Girimsa Valley. A painting of the Maaeyeoraejwasang titled "Golgulseokgul" by Gyeomjae Jeongseon, a famous painter of the era, revealed that there was once a wooden room located in front of the Maebul, but today only a hint of the room remains on the rock. The head of the Buddha (Yukgye) is perched solid and high on the body with a clear profile of the face – sharp eyes, small lips and a long and narrow nose. In contrast to the three-dimensional face, the body is broader and flatter. The neck and upper chest sections have eroded over time. The folds in the clothing are nearly parallel, and the arm area has a v-pattern wrinkle, giving it a more realistic and three-dimensional quality. Around the head of the Buddha is a lotus-shaped halo, while the body is surrounded by a rhythmic flame-like halo. The Maebul is believed to have been created during the late Unified Silla Kingdom, as it shows similar craftsmanship to Birojanabuljwasang (National Treasure No. 995), which was created in the year 876 and is located in Chukseosa Temple.

The White Lotus Pond of Hoesan, known as ‘Hoesan Baengnyeonji’ (회산백련지) in Korean, is the largest habitat of white lotus in Asia, covering an area of approximately 330,000 square meters in Bogyong-ri, Illo-eup, Muan-gun, Jeollanam-do Province. The white lotus flowers in this pond continuously blossom and fall from July until September. A lotus festival is held in August, when the flowers are at their peak. At the side of the road leading to the lotus festival grounds, there is an aquatic plants natural education site spanning an area of over 2,300 square meters.

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.

Gang Seonyeong, who devoted a lifetime to traditional dance, built the Taepyeongmu Initiation Hall (태평무 전수관) at her own expense in 1998 in her hometown of Anseong for the proper initiation into, and the preservation of traditional dance. A traditional dance performance is held every Saturday at the center for visitors and a traditional dance competition is held annually to preserve Korea’s traditional dance and to discover new talent. The center has a large performance hall (430m2) where up to 400 people can enjoy a performance; a museum displaying Taepyeongmu dance-related materials and folk articles from around the world; two practice rooms; and lodging facilities that can accommodate up to 70 individuals. * Taepyeongmu Dance (Korean Intangible Cultural Asset No. 92) Court dancing that embodies the continuing hope for the nation to exist in peace. The dancers are adorned in magnificent regal costumes and execute enthusiastic movements, alternating steps while in serene repose.  

The Crinum Lily Habitat on Jeju-do's Tokkiseom Island (Rabbit Island) is located 50 meters off the coast of Hado-ri, Gujwa-eup in Jeju-si. Crinum lilies grow in an environment where the average temperature is around 15℃ with the lowest temperature no less than minus 3.5℃. The flower is white and blooms from July to September. They bloom at night and have a strong fragrance.

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.

The cradle of Ulsan's cultural renaissance, the art center is the city residents' highly respected multi-purpose facility, holding various generes of quality performances, exhibitions, and other cultural activities. In addition, the space is filled with state-of-art banquet halls and other ancillary spaces, making an ideal destination for visitors of all backgrounds and interests.  * Opening date: October 5, 1995

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.