Peace Dam was built over the period of 15 months from February 1988 to May 1988 with funds donated by the general public in response to North Korea’s construction of Geumgangsan Dam and a potential flooding attack. The flood control dam has proved its worth during the floods of 1995, 1996, and 1999 and it has become a major tourist destination over the years. Located In the vicinity of Peace Dam is Bimok Park, which is the origin of the famous national song “Bimok.” In addition to the war monuments inside the park, there are around a dozen wooden crosses with rusty iron helmets placed on top within the barbed wire entanglements around the hill, thereby reminding visitors of the national tragedy of the Korean War. The county of Hwancheon hosts the Bimok Cultural Festival from June 3 to June 6 every year at Bimok Park, Bungeoseom Island by the town’s riverside, and the surrounding areas. The four-day festival offers a variety of events such as song contest, memorial ceremony of poetry reading, bimok tree cutting contest, rice ball eating contest, army life experience, military music parade, and more. Crossing over to Yanggu County from Peace Dam, there is a national security education place comprised of attractions like the 4th Underground Tunnel and Eulji Observatory. Paroho Lake Battlefield Tourist Park is also worth a visit after looking around Peace Dam. Also known as the “ocean within mountains,” Paroho is a manmade lake created as a result of Hwacheon Dam constructed in 1944. The lake is home to over 70 different species of freshwater fish such as mandarin fish and carp. It also holds a sorrowful history of burying at sea a whole three divisions of the Chinese Forces in defending the lake during the Korean War. The name Paroho, meaning “enemy breaking lake,” was given after the late president of Korea Rhee Syngman visited the place and designated a plaque in his own handwriting in memory of obtaining victory in fierce battle. There is an observatory, a security hall, and a stone monument engraved with the poetry of Wolha Rhee Taegeuk (1913-2003).

Soyangho Lake (소양호) is a man-made lake that was created when Soyang Dam, the biggest rock-filled dam in Asia, was built in 1973. The lake is a hotspot for marine tourism and the lakeside road is an important route that connects Chuncheon and Yanggu. You can travel overland for an hour to get to the dam or take the Kwaeryongho Boat (쾌룡호), a hovercraft that operates regularly on Soyang Lake, and get there in 30 minutes. The hovercraft travels by ejecting air against the surface below, sending up a spray of water on either side of the boat to the delight of passengers. Once you are in the valley, you can see fish farms floating among the islets. When the water level is high, you can travel on the lake all the way to Inje and Sinnam enjoying the beautiful scenery of Naeseorak. Both tourists and locals regularly make use of the ferry service.

Ulleungdo Lighthouse was first lit in 1958 as a guiding light for boats coming to and from Ulleungdo Island. The lighthouse is a round, white concrete structure rising 7.6 meters high with a light reaching as far as 50 kilometers away. The hiking trail up to the Ulleungdo lighthouse is a natural, narrow path among groves of trees. The gentle slope is surrounded by uniquely shaped cliffs, so it is a popular hiking course for tourists.

The residual mountains of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range form ten tall peaks in the Yeongnam region. Dubbed the ‘Yeongnam Alps,’ these peaks include Chwiseosan (1,092 meters, also called Yeongchwisan), Sinbulsan (1,209 meters), Cheonhwangsan (1,189 meters), Unmunsan (1,188 meters), Goheonsan (1,033 meters), Munboksan (1,013 meters), and Gajisan mountains. This group of mountains is uniquely covered with reeds. Gajisan Mountain is the tallest of this group, rising above mountains almost 1,000 meters high. An attraction of hiking in Gajisan Mountain is that various large, oddly shaped rock peaks can be seen from the mountain trail. To the east of the mountain is Seongnamsa Temple built during the Silla Kingdom. Today, only Buddhist nuns remain, but there are relics like the budo stupa of National Master Doui (Treasure 369) and a three-story stone pagoda.

Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park (한려해상국립공원) is a national sea park that encompasses the most beautiful stretch of Korea’s south coast, covering parts of Sacheon, Geoje, Tongyeong, Hadong and Namhae of Gyeongnam Province and Yeosu of Jeonnam Province. Its 510,323㎢-wide area covers Dadohae Islets, Bijindo Island and Haegeumgang. The Donam Complex in Tongyeong is being continually developed as a world-class marine tourist attraction. The sea-view of the Namehae section of Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park is particularly breathtaking. Here visitors will be captivated by the view of Sejondo Island, the Pipe Organ Valley and Ssangyonggul Cave. Sangju Beach, at two kilometer-long and 150 meter-wide, is the biggest beach on the south coast and is covered with silver-white sand. The pine forest carpeting the surrounding environment also offers visitors a refreshing atmosphere. Located nearby is 681-meter-high Mt. Geumsan, making the beach a place where vacationers can appreciate both the sea and the mountain at the same time. Other attractions available in this area are the 38 Attractions of Mt. Geumsan, and Irak Shrine (Historic Site No.232) and Chungryeol Shrine (Historic Site No.233) dedicated to the great Admiral Sunsin Yi.

The waters that carved Mulhan Valley (물한계곡) in Yeongdong, Chungcheongbuk-do originate in the upper reaches of the Hancheon Village stream. In summer, many tourists visit the valley while the nearby Mt. Minjujisan, Samdobong Peak and Mt. Gakhosan are popular among hikers year-round. The scrub, azaleas and royal azaleas along the ridges display their magnificent beauty throughout the year and beautiful waterfalls flow through the area, including Okso Falls, Uiyonggol Falls and Eumjuam Falls. The harmonious valley contains Janggun Rock, many thick forests and even swamplands, offering a wide array of spectacular and splendid sights.

Hanguk Aengmusae Hakgyo, which literally translate to Korea Parrot School, is located in Pyeongchang and hosts a nightly parrot shows. Visitors can enjoy various performances staged by the parrots such as bicycle riding, rope climbing, and kissing. The café on site provides a very special opportunity for visitors to meet and interact with the animals while enjoying a refreshing drink. The bird house also offers picturesque views of the Gyebangsan Mountain and Nodong Valley.

Sainam Rock, located in Sainam-ri, Daegang-myeon, is one of eight scenic areas in Danyang, and is located in the southeast side of Danyang-gun, along with Sangseonam Rock, Jungseonam Rock, and Haseonam Rock of Seonam Valley. The Sainam Rock is a rugged outcropping with an inspiring x_height of 70 meters, and the deep blue Namjocheon Stream passes in front of it, located in the southern part of Danyang-gun. Most visitors to Danyang Eight Scenic Views tend to come to the rock as their first destination due to the good condition of the road. Also, Unseongugok Valley flows in front of Sainam Rock. The rock was picked as the most picturesque place among the Eight Scenic Views. On the cliff, there is a phrase carved by Utak’s own handwriting, as well as old pine trees on a rock floor that is reminiscent of the Haegeumgang River. Sainam was named after the great scholar Yeokdong Utak during Goryeo Period. He had taken up a public service to assist a king in a position called sain (사인), and then he retired to his hometown of Danyang, starting out teaching young students. For this story, a governor of Danyang named the rock Sainam to commemorate his achievement during King Seongjong of the Joseon Dynasty.

Known as the hometown of Hong Gil-dong (a famous robber known for his chivalry), this area, located in Jangseong, Jeollanam-do, also has a huge man-made lake in the south of Naejangsan National Park called Hangseongho Lake, boasting a fabulous natural scenery, as a prime resort area in Jangseong. Various fresh water fish can be caught here, making the resort popular for those who love fishing. You can go on excursions with motor boats, go water skiing and canoeing. Surrounded by the mountains, the resort has promenades laid around the lake side for relaxing strolls. You can also hike up to Ibamsan and Baegamsan Mountains, and take a look at Baegyangsa and Naejangsa Temples.

Originally built in Geumseong to the north of Sunheungbu administrative district in Yeongju-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Sunheunghyanggyo Confucian School moved to Wiya-dong to the east of the district in 1718 and moved once again in 1750 to its current location. Facing southward, this ancient Confucian school is located at the foot of a mountain with river flowing in the foreground. It can be reached by crossing the Jukgye Jaewolgyo Bridge from Geumseongdan Altar and taking the path on the left before turning left at Cheongdari Village Hall to walk a little further up the road. Currently housed within Sunheunghyanggyo are valuable materials related to Confucian schools.