Travel/Culture List

The Sorae Ecology Park was once a facility used to produce salt until 1996. It wasn’t until 2009 that it became a park, restoring the mud flat, tidal channel, and making the closed salt field a ecological habitat for various marine life and migratory birds. The Sorae Ecology Park also provides a history to the facility and houses a Nature Learning Center, where visitors can experience sea salt production and learn more about the various wildlife and plants living in the marsh.

Completed in May 2007, Oktokki Space Center houses a space theme park that combines education, exploration, and recreation. The center is divided into two sections: an indoor exhibition hall and an outdoor exhibition hall. The wide-range of exhibits and interactive facilities provide an educational experience for children and the whole family. The center has a collection of 500 pieces of aerospace-related exhibition works, a 3D theater, an outdoor theme park, a dinosaur forest, a year-round sledding slope, a water pool and many more.

Cheongpyeong Temple became more widely known with the opening of Soyang Dam and Waterway in 1973. A thirty-minutes walk from the dock, the temple stands on the southern ridge of Obongsan Mountain. It was first built in 973, during the reign of King Gwangjong (949-975) of the Goryeo Dynasty. It had been closed and opened from time to time, but still remains open today.During the Korean War, Gugwangjeon and Saseongjeon of the temple were damaged, but the Cheongpyeongsa Revolving Door (Treasure No.164), which symbolizes the transmigration of Souls, and Geukrakbojeon remains today. Near Cheongpyeongsa Temple is Cheongpyeongsa Valley, which is known for its clean water and Guseong Waterfall, known to make nine different sounds.Guseong Waterfall stands right next to the path and the water falls from the upright stone. Beyond the waterfall is an artificial pond 'Yeongji'. In the pond there are three big stones, and between those stones reeds were planted to reflect the pasture of Obongsan Mountain. Walk further down Yeongji pond and Cheongpyeongsa Temple can be seen. The path to Cheongpyongsa Temple is a pretty walkway surrounded by the woods and a clean valley.The three story stone pagoda of Cheongpyeongsa Temple has a myth attached to it. Once a young man who loved a princess was killed. He was born again as a snake and he stuck to the princess and would not get off her. The princess went to seek help at various famous temples to pray for the snake to leave her. One day she came to Cheongpyeongsa Temple and after the going through the Buddhist ceremony, the snake left her. In gratification, the princess built the 3-story pagoda above Guseong Waterfall and went back to her kingdom. The pagoda still remains today and is called Gongju Pagoda tower, 'gongju' meaning princess in Korean. In Cheongpyeong Temple, there is a garden that is the oldest garden of the Goryeo Dynasty made by Lee Ja-Hyeon. This garden has stones piled up into a trapezoidal shape, and a stream flows between the stone isles.

Guinsa Temple, located below Yeonhwabong Peak of Sobaeksan Mountain, is the headquarters of the Cheontae Order of Korean Buddhism and now presides over 140 temples across the nation. Standing on a lot measuring a total of 15,014 square meters, the temple has an impressive, 5-story main sanctuary as well as over 50 chambers and is bordered by modern buildings that can accommodate up to 10,000 visitors.The temple was established by Monk Sangwol Wongak, who first created a small cottage of arrowroot vine at the site as a place to practice asceticism. After receiving revelation about the truths of the universe, the monk created Guinsa Temple in the spirit of celebration. Completed in 1945, the temple was renovated in 1966 using a concrete frame, which was a very unique and modern construction practice at the time.Must-see parts of the temple include Deabeopdang Hall (the main sanctuary) and Beopeobi Monument (a Buddhist sermon monument). The 5-story Daebeopdang Hall (est. April 29, 1980) is the largest Buddhist sanctuary in the nation and can seat up to 5,000 people. Beopeobi (full name: Beopeobi of Great Monk Sangwol) is a stone monument engraved with the teachings of the Great Monk Sangwol. The writings on the monument reflect the beliefs of the Tripitaka Koreana, one of the foundational texts of Buddhism.

Geumnam-ro Street used to be in the government office quarters, and is now the center of the city's finacial sphere, with many banks, insurance companies and public offices lining the street. During the May 18 Movement, the citizens gathered at Geumnam-ro Steet and marched together to express their sadness and give support for the sublimation of the nation. In modern times, the street serves as a meeting space for citizens, with an underground shopping mall and a plaza beneath a fountain, where events and performances freely take place. * Total length: 2.3㎞

Travelers to Ulleung-do Island make a point to visit Haengnam Coastal Walking Path as this is the trail that brings out the wonders of the island. Below the bridge that connects a cave and valley is a beautiful coastal area with a path leading to Haengnam Village. When the path meets the coast, it diverts the mountain side with a trekking course that allows one to discover the marine ecosystem and flora of Ulleung-do Island. At the end of the walking path is Haengnam Lighthouse. The nearby observatory offers wide open views of Jeodonghang Port, as well as Jeodong Village (known for its spectacular autumn colors); Chuam Cliff (known as a favorite sunrise spot); Gwaneum-do Island; Bukjeobawi Rock, and even Jukdo Island. The nearby attractions also include Dodong Mineral Spring Park, Dokdo Observatory, Ocean Cruise, Seonginbong Peak, Jukdo Namseo Sunset Observatory, and Dodonghang Port.    

The Chuncheon Museum was first opened in the exhibition room of the Children’s Center in Samcheon-dong in 1995 thanks to the efforts of the Chuncheon Fine Art Association to make Chuncheon a city of culture and arts. The museum offers local artists a venue to actively present their works, serving as a stimulant for expanding the popularity of culture and arts and enriching the lives of citizens. The Chuncheon Museum is a relaxing and easily accessible cultural space to enjoy art in the Chucheon area.

Seogwipo Pleasure Boat offers dazzling scenery on the coastal lines and islands around Seogwipo Port in Jeju. Famous for its scenery worldwide, it has been a definite tour course for international dignitaries and tourists visiting Jeju.

Opened in 1980, Sehwa Beach may not be a big beach, but has beautiful clear cobalt blue waters. The beach stretches for approximately 200 meters with a distance of approximately 30-40 meters from the shore. Its location nearby Sehwa-eup provides visitors with convenient access of accommodations and other facilities. Nearby attractions include Crinum Lily Habitat, Byeolbangjin Fortress, and Seokdawon Park. Length 1km, x_width 30-40m, slope 5 degrees, average depth 1-2m.

Sokch Seorak Sunrise Park stretches over 20,952㎡ with beautiful coastal vistas. This park has become well known for its incredible scenery of the sunrise from the East Sea. Especially, views of the sun rising between the pine trees are famous.Sokch Seorak Sunrise Park has long been called 'naemulchi,' which dates back to the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). The scholar named Song Si-yeol stopped off this area on his way to Geojedo Island for an exile and named the area 'naemulchi' as a village was sunk under water by heavy rain.Inside the park are Jamboree Memorial Tower, an outdoor theater, a tourist information center, and many great places to take a walk along the seashore. Additionally, there are around 30 pieces of sculpture lining the view the of ocean for all to enjoy.