Gangjin has many scenic landscapes with Wolchulsan Mountain to the north and the sea of Gugangpo dotted with numerous islets and wetlands to the south. It is also home to beautiful mountains, rivers, and plains that add to its scenic beauty and natural features. The Baengnyeonsa Temple and Dasan Chodang to the west of Gangjinman Bay, and the reeds along the coastline are a beautiful sight to behold. Also, the National Highway No. 23 that runs along the eastern border of the Gangjinman Bay, past the town of Gangjin-eup to Maryang, is famous for its many spectacular sights. Above all, it is highly recommended to hike up the Cheonilgak Pavilion in front of the Dasan Chodong Dongam (east hermitage) for a panoramic view of Gugangpo’s coastal waters. The hiking trail that traverses Mandeoksan Mountain leads to Baengnyeonsa, which is a temple with breathtaking ocean view.

Beopheungsa, which was then known as Heungnyeongsa, was created by Jajangyulsa in 647 under the rein of King Jindeok of Silla to enshrine Jinsinsari of Buddha. At the time, Preceptor Jinghyo earned 100 Jinsinsari of Munsubosal and enshrined them at Yangsan Tongdosa Temple, Odaesan Sangwonsa Temple, Seoraksan Bongjeongam, Jeongseon Jeongamsa Temple and Beopheungsa Temple while establishing Jeongmyeolbogung, Hall of Buddha, at each of the places.Beopheungsa Temple is one of the five Jeongmyeolbogung. Preceptor Jinghyo had Jinsinsari of Buddha in the mountain right behind the Jeongmyeolbogung of the temple. Inside the Jeongmyeolbogung there is no statue of Buddha and only a wide open window. This is because they believe the mountain as a whole with the enshrined Jinsinsari is the Buddha himself.Beopheungsa was once a large temple where over 2,000 monks gathered. Today, most of the temple buildings were lost to a number of fires leaving only a few buildings including Jeongmyeolbogung, simujang, yosachae, and Preceptor Jinghyo Bointapbi and a cave where Jajangyulsa meditated.The pine wood path from Beopheungsa Temple to Jeongmyeolbogung is one of the most picturesque sites in the nation. The location was originally named Sajasansa but later changed to Sajasan Jeongmyeolbogung in 1939. In addition to the path, the nine peaks (Gubongdae) lined up one after another forms another charming view.

Bangtaesan Recreational Forest is known for its beautiful scenery like the two-step waterfall at Madangbawi Rock. The autumn foliage in the forest is worth seeing because of the outstanding species of broadleaf trees in the Reserved Forest.Wild animals like rabbits, roe deer, and squirrel inhabits the forest. Various programs like the forest explanation and experience of forest are available.

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

Deokhangsan Mountain (1,071m) is located between Singi-myeon and Hanjang-myeon in Samcheok-si. Hwanseongul Cave, Daeigul Gave and the neighboring area of Deokhangsan Mountain have been designated as Natural Monument No. 178 (Samcheok Daei-ri Cave area). In addition, the surrounding area of the cave is designated as a country park as well as National Important Folk Data No. 221,222 and 223.

Each Sinnobong Peak and Gungmangbong Peak is located at Eastside and Westside of Gungmangbong Recreational Forest. Within the recreation forest there are around 170 kinds of plants including nut pine trees, pine trees, and others. Visitors can enjoy with cool valley in summer and the beautiful snowy landscape of the mountains in winter.

Located at the beginning of Seomjingang River, the steep banks in Gudam Village are covered in maehwa (plum blossoms) in white and red. While strolling along the 3m-path of the riverside, connecting Gudam Village to Cheondam Village, tourists will be impressed by the beautiful scene created by maehwa (plum blossoms) and cherry blossoms. The village became more and more famous thanks to its cozy ambience comprised of Seomjingang River, plum blossoms and Zelkova in the mouth of the village, attracting visitors to enjoy a walking trip. The village has also served as a filming location for movies, including the movie Spring in My Hometown, released in 1998.

On the foot of Mt. Cheomchalsan (485m), bordering Ssangyesa Temple to the North, sits Ullimsanbang. The building was once a home to the famous artist, Heo Yu during his last years, after his master Kim Jeong-hee (1789~1856), a noted scholar, passed away. Ullimsanbang is named after the romantic scenery of the mountain peaks nearby the Mt. Cheomchalsan appearing hazily amidst the foggy mist. According to Heo Yu’s writings, ‘Mongyeonrok’ once had various flowers and trees blossomed, but it had long been abandoned beyond recognition before undergoing restoration by his grandson, Heo Geon (1907~1987) in 1982. Surrounding the Mt. Cheomchalsan, Ullimsanbang has a C-shaped tile-roofed house containing a workroom among numerous bedrooms. It houses a wooden cottage at the rear and the So-Chi (Heo Geon’s pen name) Memorial to the right. Many of Heo family’s artworks are displayed here. At the middle of the courtyard, a crape myrtle stands gracefully on a small six-meter island floating on a pond of lilies. *Ullimsanbang was one of the filming locations for the movie, Scandal(2003). The scene where the three main actors were on a boat ride was shot here.

Seungdong Presbyterian Church was designated Tangible Cultural Asset No. 130 by the Seoul Metropolitan Government on April 6, 2001. Originally known as “Gondanggol Church,” the church was established by Samuel Foreman Moore (1860-1906) in 1893. In those days, the church was known as a “baekjeong church” since it primarily drew Korea’s social underdogs such baekjeong (the butchers), the untouchable class of Joseon society. Following a number of relocations and name changes (called “Gondanggol,” “Jungang,” and finally “Seungdong”) the church was moved to its current location in Insadong. After Moore died in 1906, Charles Allen Clark became the pastor of the church and Mongyang Yuh Woon-hyung, a key figure in the political history of Joseon, became active in the church. The church was attended by many other activists as well. In fact, the large student demonstration that took place during the March 1st Independence Movement in 1919 was organized by a group of young church members. The church once again made its mark on history with the establishment of the Joseon Theological Seminary in 1939. Seungdong Church (B1-2F) covers a total of 660 square meters. No record has been found on its architect or builder, but the building is said to have been one of the more magnificent buildings in the area before its beauty was obscured by newer structures.