The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 to preserve the world’s wetlands. The Ramsar Culture Center promotes this mission and exhibits its history and highlights. The center educates visitors on the importance of preserving Junam Wetland Park and the cultural value of wetlands.Here visitors can view around 120 wetland posters from 40 countries, 15 wetland CDs, and 100 books on wetlands. There are also 1,060 stamps from 30 Asian countries and 10 previous Ramsar host countries, and also that feature the migratory birds of Junam Wetlands Park.After exploring the center, you can take one of the free bicycles and go out to the wetlands to see the reservoir and migratory birds. 

Dutayeon Falls (두타연) is located on a branch of the Suip Stream (수입천) that flows through Geonsol-ri (건솔리), Bangsan-myeon (방산면), which is north of the Civilian Control Line. The amount of water that flows into the pond is limited, but the surrounding forest provides superb and almost primeval scenery, while the pollution-free waters offer a habitat for Korea’s largest lenok population. Lenok are a species of freshwater fish under the official monitoring and control of the Korean government. A 20-meter screen of flat rocks surrounds the pond and the east wall features a 10-meter square cave, the floor of which is imprinted with the shape of a comb and horse harness.

Minmeoru Beach is the only beach on Seongmodo Island, a small island to the west of Ganghwado Island. Visitors can enjoy sea-bathing on the vast stretch of sandy beach and watch beautiful sunsets over the West Sea. When the tide goes out, a foreshore of approximately one kilometer in length appears. The foreshore is very smooth and is home to marine life including clams, crabs, and more. The Eoryujeonghang Harbor and Janggothang Harbor are located nearby, so visitors can also enjoy sea fishing. Popular tourist attractions in the vicinity include Maaekseokbul (a Buddha image carved on a cliff) and Bomunsa Temple, which is said to have been constructed by Queen Seondeok during the Silla Era (635 A.D.).

Standing at 1,267m above sea level, Myeongjisan Mountain is the second highest mountain in Gyeonggi-do Province after Hwaaksan Mountain. It is a popular destination all year round, as it offers plenty of resting areas with splendid views of the surrounding nature. In addition, the Myeongji Valley, spanning 30㎞, is a great outdoor picnic spot, while the trail from Sangpalli to Ikgeulli is the most preferred hiking trail on the mountain.

This temple is said to have been built by Great Monk Uisang in the 12th year of King Munmu’s reign (672 AD). It was rebuilt in the 13th year of King Hyeonjong’s reign (1672) after a fire destroyed the original temple complex during the Imjin War against Japanese invaders. During work to renovate Bogwangjeon Hall in 1976, a text that had been put up with the ridge beams was found. Bogwangjeon Hall is a small building and its ceiling is in the form of the sharp symbol (#). A Birojanabul Buddhist statue is enshrined in the hall.

The 250 meter long Hupo Beach is situated right by Hupohang Port. The combination of an expansive sandy beach and indigo blue waters of the East Sea create a splendid view, drawing a large number of vacationers in the summer. Hupohang Port is the main receiving and distributing port for fish caught in the East Sea and in the early morning offers a great chance to not only see fish being hauled from boats to the fish market, but also to purchase fresh raw fish at an affordable price. In the hill north of the Hupo Beach stands the Hupo Lighthouse where one can get an open view of the East Sea and the Uljin area. Hupo Beach is one of the few beaches offering a splendid view of both the port and the lighthouse.

Unmunsa Temple (운문사) in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do belongs to Cheongdo-gun in terms of administrative district. However, it is actually better connected to Daegu. Unmunsa Temple was built in 560 during the Silla period. This ancient temple features seven treasured artifacts including an old pine tree (natural monument) and stone lantern. There are four small temples (Sariam, Naewonam, Bukdaeam and Cheongsinam) around the temple. Meanwhile, the surrounding forest of pine and fir trees only enhances the temple’s beauty. Unmunsa is the largest Buddhist nunnery in Korea, maintaining a capacity of roughly 260 nuns who practice Buddhism for four year periods. But, thanks to its magnificence and lush forest, Mt. Unmunsan, located on the southernmost part of Taebaek Mountains, has become a favorite spot for many tourists.

Bijindo’s shape is often compared to that of a barbell because of the thin strip of land connecting the two ends of the island together. White sand and calm waves can be found along the island’s west coast while on the east coast, bigger waves break against a bed of pebbles on the beach. Thanks to the shape of the island, one can watch the sun rise and set from the same location.Bijindo Island is located just off the coast of Tongyeong in Hansan-myeon. The sandy beach, fresh seafood and the peaceful scenery make this a great weekend getaway. Aside from the beach, there are also hiking trails and fishing sites. As Bijindo is part of Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park, one can also find other beautiful islands nearby.

If you go southeast from downtown Jeongseon all the way to Dong-myeon, you will run into Hwaam Tourist Attraction (화암관광지), which is also known as Sogeumgang River (small diamond) because of its magnificent scenery. Although the road that runs through the site winding, it is perfectly paved and drivers can enjoy the beautiful view of thick forest and fascinating, often curious-looking rock formations and cliffs along the roadside. Hwaam Tourist Attraction is an ideal locale for leaf peeking in autumn. Scenic Beauty 1: Hwaam Mineral Spring At Hwaam Mineral Spring (화암약수), water rises up through a rock crater located in Dong-myeon, Jeongseon. The water is said to be good for stomachaches, eye infections, and skin diseases; and, as it contains nine essential elements such as calcium and fluorine, it tastes crisp and clean. Scenic Beauty 2: Turtle Rock (on the right upper side of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring). Part of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring is buttressed by a cliff, on which there is a rock that resembles the shape of a turtle. Scenic Beauty 3: Yongmaso (on the riverside 500 meters ahead of the entrance to Hwaam Mineral Spring). With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake (용마소) is a popular attraction for vacationers. Scenic Beauty 4: Hwaam Cave Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones. Scenic Beauty 5: Hwapyoju Cliff Hwapyoju (화표주) is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on your way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae (몰운대). The cliff may appear as if a giant sharpened a large sheet of rock and placed it upright, or less imaginatively, as if two pillars are standing side by side. Scenic Beauty 6: Sogeumgang River The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju to Molundae, surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain. Scenic Beauty 7: Molundae Cliff (past Sogeumgang, on the right-hand side of Gubeulgil) ‘Molundae (몰운대)’ literally means ‘the cliff beyond which clouds disappear’. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people. Scenic Beauty 8: Gwangdaegok Valley (past Molundae, on the left) Gwangdaegok Valley (광대곡) is said to be the mysterious place where heaven, earth and clouds meet. The surrounding hills are very rough and bumpy, which makes the area a renowned mountain in Korea. There is a belief among wild-ginseng diggers that they can find great ginseng if they pray in Gwangdaegok, so it is a popular attraction for such prospectors.  

Naju National Museum displays artifacts found near Yeongsangang River region and preserves artifacts excavated from throughout the Jeolla region. While most national museums are found within the city, Naju National Museum is the first national museum to be located in a rural countryside. Its location provides a perfect relaxing atmosphere for visitors to take time and appreciate what the museum has to offer. Although the museum may be isolated from urban cities, it uses modern technology to provide convenient museum experience. Naju National Museum is the first national museum to integrate NFC feature within smart phones with the exhibition guide system for all exhibition halls. This integrated feature acts as a mean to provide communication both ways, as visitors can receive information guides and upload them on social media via smart phones. In addition to the collection of artifacts, the open-type storage rooms and the hands-on activities offered at the experience center provide opportunities to personally witness and experience the process of preservation and storage of cultural assets.