Gyeongju was the capital city of the ancient kingdom of Silla. The city is often referred to as a “museum without walls” because of the many cultural relics scattered throughout the city. Almost everything in this city, from the streets to the mountains, is rich in history. Gyeongju has roughly 300 sites that have been designated as a cultural heritage, with some of them being UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Sites. The Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone includes the districts of Namsan, Wolseong, Daereungwon, Hwangryongsa and Sanseong. This area has a total of 52 cultural assets registered on the World Heritage list. Many of the hills are actually royal tombs and fields of grass used to be sites of ancient temples. The entire Namsan Mountain can almost be considered a cultural asset because of the many stone pagodas and Buddha statues that can be found here. The Bulguk district is home to many of Gyeongju’s most well-known attractions such as Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju Folk Village, Silla Arts and Science Museum, and Goereung. In the Bomun district, there are plenty of recreation facilities surrounding Bomunho Lake. Other attractions in the area include Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, Gyeongju World and Silla Millennium Park. [Gyeongju Special Tourist Zone] Areas included: Downtown area, Bomun Lake Resort and Bulguksa Temple in Gyeongju-si, Gyeongsangnam-do Area size: 32,650,000㎡ Tourist Attractions: Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Grotto, Daereungwon Tomb Complex, Namsan Mountain, Bomunho Lake, Shilla Millennium Park, Gyeongju World Culture Expo Park, etc. Gyeongju Cultural Tourism Website: guide.gj.go.kr

Danyang is known for its Danyang Palgyeong (eight wonders of Danyang). The scenery around Chungjuho Lake, including Dodamsambong Peak, Gudambong Peak and Oksunbong Peak, can all be enjoyed from a ferry cruise. The meandering stream and the majestic view of Sainam Rock and Sangseonam Rock create a soothing, tranquil ambience. Situated at the center of the Korean Peninsula is Sobaeksan National Park, from which one can admire the beauty of the Baekdudaegan Mountain Range. The mountain’s many trails that lead to Birobong Peak and to other peaks are popular among hikers. Darian, Cheondong and Ondal are great choices for family trips. These places are known for outdoor camping sites and drama filming locations. The Danyang Special Tourist Zone holds special events that promote the county’s nature and history. The Sobaeksan Royal Azalea Festival is held in May, while the Ondal Culture Festival takes place in October. Plenty of accommodation options and facilities are available in the area of Dojeon-ri, Byeolgok-ri, Sangjin-ri and Gosu-ri of Danyang-eup. [Danyang Special Tourist Zone] Areas included: Areas around Danyang and Maepo-eup in Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do Area size: 4,448,737㎡ Tourist attractions: Sobaeksan National Park, Dodamsambong Peak, Sainam Rock, Gosu Cave, Buddhist Museum of the Cheontae Order, Daeseongsan Natural Recreation Forest, etc.

Juheulsan was once considered to be a sacred place and was the site of annual, royal mountain rituals during the Joseon Dynasty. It is situated in Mungyeong (Gyeongsangbuk-do) and surrounded by six large villages (Sangcho-ri, Hacho-ri, Sang-ri, Jigok-ri, Palryeong-ri, and Pyeongcheon-ri). The mountain was believed to have produced talented scholars. Meaning “Chief, Majestic Mountain,” Juheulsan Mt. is still seen as the heart of Mungyeong and Mungyeongsaejae.

Near the recreation forest are historically-famous sites such as Bongamsa Temple, the relics of Gyeon Hwon, the birthplace of Ungang Lee Kang-nyeon, and Mungyeong Saejae Mountain Pass. Allowing visitors to enjoy sightseeing and leisure sports at the same time, the recreation forest offers various hands-on experience at the ceramics exhibition hall, ecological park, clay shooting range, rafting site, and the drama open set. Located right next to Yongchu Valley, the recreation forest’s facilities include the Forest Culture Recreation Center, Forest Cabin, Woodcraft Experience Center, and forest experience trails along Seonyudong Nadeul-gil.

Located in Jeongeup, Jeollabuk-do, this shrine was established to embody the spirit of Admiral “Chungmugong” (honorific title in military) Yi Sun-Sin. He was a great national hero who led the Korean navy to victory in many naval battles using innovative ‘turtle ships’ against the Japanese during their failed invasion of Korea during the 25th year of King Seonjo of the Joseon Dynasty (1592). Situated on the heart of Mt. Gumisan overlooking the city of Jeongeup, the shrine is the location of a memorial ceremony held every 28th of April, the birthday of Admiral Yi. The ceremony is meant to pay tribute to the memory of the naval hero and his irreproachable service to the city. Yi Sun-Sin had been appointed as reeve of Jeongeup in 1589 but soon after in 1591 he left the post to work as the chief naval officer of the Jeolla region.

The Ansan Reed Marsh Park is an environmental treatment facility and Korea’s first large-scale artificial wetland, using reeds and other aquatic plants to improve the water quality of branch streams (the Banwol, Donghwa and Samhwa) flowing into Sihwaho Lake. It is an ecological park where people can rest amid nature and where the interested can observe and learn about the park’s ecosystem.

This fortress was completed in 1675, the first year of the reign of King Sukjong (1674-1720) of the Joseon Kingdom. It was intended that in time of war or other emergency, the portrait of King Taejo enshrined in Gyeonggijeon Hall and the spirit tablet of the Yi Clan founder, kept at Jogyeongmyo Shrine, both in Jeonju, would be brought to the fortress for safekeeping. In fact, they were brought to the safety of the fortress when Jeonju was occupied by the Donghak peasant army in 1894. The original wall was 4m to 5m high, 3m wide and 16km long and had three main gates (East, West, and North) and eight smaller ones. Of the three covered gates of the fortress, only the stone archway of the west gate remains together with part of the stone wall. Inside the fortress are Wibongsa Temple and Wibong Falls, one of the 8 Beauties of Jeonju.

Damyangho Lake is an enormous man-made lake that has a 46 meter high embankment and extends over 316 meters, holding 66.7 million tons of water. It is amidst the picturesque view of Mt. Chuwolsan and Mt. Geumseongsan, and its crystal clear water is the habitat of many different fish species including pond smelt, catfish, snakehead, carp and leather carp. With Damyangho Lake at the center, the area is surrounded by the Mt. Chuwolsan Tourism Area, Gamagol Youth Camping Grounds and the Geumseong Mountain Fortress. The mountain’s lakeside road, which passes through a tunnel at the mid-section of the mountain, is a popular scenic driving road.

Bakdaljae Natural Forest is a dense forest where pine trees and bushes have harmoniously coexisted together with oddly formed rocks and strangely shaped stones for 150 years. At the top of Bakdaljae Pass, there’s a pavilion, a spring, a resting area, and a wood sculpture park. From the top of the mountain, one can admire a view of Sobaeksan Mountain, Wolaksan Mountain and Gamaksan Mountain.

Opened in 1996, Chilgapsan Recreational Forest (칠갑산자연휴양림) is surrounded by a beautiful natural forest. The facility consists of a camping site, outdoor stage, walking path, health training center, as well as a natural education center for children.