Gwangju Pyeongchon Village, located north of Mudeungsan Mountain, is a cozy farming village made up of four villages Dongrim, Daman, Woosung, and Dangmoe. The village still has an excellence natural preservation, growing environmental-friendly rice in the fields and Punam stream that runs through the middle of the village houses fireflies and otters. Also the village keeps the tradition of making pottery as the village was the place that made grayish-blue-powdered celadon during the Joseon Dynasty. The village street corner offers visitors to Mudeungsan Mountain a place to rest with Mudol-gil shelter and Bandi-lodging.

Baegunsan Recreational Forest (백운산자연휴양림) has Baegunsan Mountain that rises 1,218ms high above the sea level as the highest peak in the forest. Its artificial and natural forests of large pine trees offer a great view as the trees stand in harmony. Visitors are awed to see the beautiful valleys in the forests of Japanese cedars and Japanese cypresses. In early spring (February – March) about 7,000 camellia flowers are in full blossom. Baegunsan Mountain (백운산) is the treasure house of Korea’s eco system. Plenty of rare plants and animals are growing there and the sap of gorosoe trees, which is believed to be good for health, is available in the spring. The Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest is a truly blessed forest.  

Baeksasil Valley in Seoul is a historic site (Baekseokdongcheon, Famous Site No. 36) that rests amid untouched natural surroundings. The valley is a habitat to a diverse amount of animals, including salamanders, frogs, minnows, and crayfish. There are also wild boar sitings from time to time so be careful. The preservation value of this area is especially high as the valley is home to a large colony of salamanders, which are indicator species of the clean water and a protected wildlife species of Seoul. Baeksasil Valley is a tucked away treasure in the bustling city. The path along the area’s thick forest and natural valleys provides an excellent getaway. Since the area is a habitat to several protected species, visitors are asked to refrain from dipping their feet in the valley’s waters while exploring the scenery. The entrance to the valley is located past the Sanmotungi Café.

The ChangPoGo Memorial Hall was constructed to celebrate the achievements and maritime pioneering spirit of Jang Bogo.  The hall is an educational tourism space focusing on historical culture. The outside of the building is designed to embody a scene of moving wave and the wall was covered with natural stonework reminiscent of Cheonghaejin Castle in Jongdo Island. The wetland near the hall is home to reeds and wild flowers every season. There is also a walking path surrounded by various kinds of trees. * Opened on February 29, 2008

Manyeonsa Temple is known to have been built in 1208, the fourth year of King Heejong’s (r. 1204-1211) reign during the Goryeo Dynasty. It is said that Manyeonsa Temple was constructed by Great Monk Manyeon after he dreamt of 16 nahans, Buddha’s disciples, preparing to build a temple to preserve Buddha’s statue when taking a short nap during his journey back to Songwangsa Temple in Jogyesan Mountain from Wonhyosa Temple in Mudeungsan Mountain. When he awoke from his nap, he noticed that snow had completely covered his nearby surroundings except for the exact spot where he lied down, which remained so warm that snow had melted and steam was rising from the ground. He then settled in the area by building a dugout where he continued to practice asceticism and later built Manyeonsa Temple. The temple was partially destroyed during the Korean War (1950) and restoration efforts were made in 1978.

Imjonseong Fortress (also known as Daeheungsanseong Fortress) is located at the top of Bongsusan Mountain between Yesan-gun and Hongseong-gun in Chungcheongnam-do. This stone fortress was designed as a place to launch attacks against enemies. One of the ways in which those in the fortress fended off intruders was to unleash the water from the giant fortress well and let it gush down the mountain towards the oncoming forces. The fortress wall is about 2.5m high and 3.5m wide and has a ditch 7-8 meters that runs alongside the southern wall. Compared with other Korean fortresses, Imjonseong Fortress is higher and about 2 meters thicker. It is the largest fortress of the Baekje Kingdom and has become the subject of much research. History shows that the fortress was the central hub of the Restoration Movement of the Baekje Kingdom (18 BC - 660 AD). In the 20th year of the reign of King Uija (Baekje Dynasty), the kingdom was defeated by the united forces of the Silla Kingdom and the Tang Dynasty (currently, China). Boksin (a cousin of King Uisa), a monk, and Heukchisangji stayed at the fortress for three years while trying to return the king to power. As you walk along the winding trail, you’ll be able to see Daeryeonsa Temple and as you continue to the top, you’ll be treated to spectacular views of Oseosan, Baekwolsan, and Gayasan mountains. Those who come to the fortress from Masa-ri, Gwangsi-myeon, can drive and park their car in the parking lot located right below the fortress.  

Located at the eastern foot of Jirisan Mountain, Daewonsa Temple (대원사) was first built in 548 during the Shilla Dynasty, but it remained closed for over a thousand years until it was renovated and made much bigger and named Daewon. Unfortunately, however, the entire premises were lost to a big fire during the night of 12 January 1914, and all the halls and pavilions, including Yosachae, totaling 184 rooms in 12 buildings, were rebuilt in 1917. They were damaged once again during the Korean War and were abandoned for some time, but when the war was over the temple was rejuvenated and made even bigger. Located nearby are Geoyeonjeong and Gunjajeong Halls that are believed to have been the studying venue of scholars from olden times.* Daewon Temple ValleyThe two-kilometer-long valley that stretches from the parking lot at the entrance to Daewon Temple to the temple itself is surrounded by high hills and curious-looking rocks. The clean water that oozes out through craters between the rocks generates unusual scenery. Associated with Yongso Pond is the legend that a dragon lived in it for a hundred years before it finally flew away. Somakgol Valley is known to be the place where the last king of Garak Kingdom came to feed his cows and horses.

A branch of Magoksa Temple, which is the 6th local temple of the Jogyejong Order, Yeongpyeongsa Temple has six traditional buildings and three small hermitages. Janggunsan Mountain, where the temple is located, is small but full of energy. According to Feng Shui, the mountain is a perfect location for a temple because it is shaped like a dragon curled along the Geumgang River. Yeongpyeongsa is a tranquil place that captures the purity of the temple’s Buddhist practice, with fresh air and clean water that offer a habitat for fireflies, crawfish, and black snails. On the way in, visitors are greeted by a multitude of wildflowers vying for their attention: the columbines and the prairie crocuses in spring, the white lotuses in summer, and the Siberian chrysanthemums in autumn. * Major event – Mount Janggunsan Siberian Chrysanthemum Festival

Samsung Transportation Museum, the nation’s first automobile museum, is located near Everland. It serves as a children’s traffic safety learning space. The museum displays a collection of over 700 world-famous pieces including 50 cars, 15 motorcycles, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and other transportation-related articles such as vehicle prototypes, parts, hood ornaments, souvenirs, and artwork. There are many hands-on programs for visitors to learn about transportation safety.

Located in Odaesan National Park, Sambong Recreational Forest (삼봉자연휴양림) is filled with large acicular trees like fir and broad-leaved trees like birch. Lenoks, a species of fresh-water fish that are considered a Korean natural treasure, found only in the cleanest water, thrive in the waters of the deep valley running through the park. The park is surrounded by three peaks – Gachilbong (1,240m), Mt. Eungboksan (1,155m), and Sasambong (1,107m). In the middle of the area surrounded by the three peaks, rests the Sambong Mineral Spring (삼봉약수), whose waters attract many visitors. The spring’s waters are said to ease stomach complaints. The park is also popular since visitors can go leaf peeking in autumn while enjoying the mountains and sea at the same time in summer.