Travel/Culture List

The German Village was built for Korean residents who returned from living in Germany. Many Korean lived in Germany where they earned foreign currency during the modernization of Korea in the 1960's. The area is now a unique tourism spot related to German culture. Since 2001, the area of Mulgeon-ri, Samdong-myeon, Namhae-gun, where the Windbreak Forest (Natural Monument No. 150) is located, 3 billion won ($2 million USD) worth of development by Namhae-gun and eventually the area was able to establish almost 70 buildings throughout the area spanning over 99,174m2 (30,000 pyeong). Korean residents in Germany directly imported materials from Germany to build German-style houses. When residents are not living in the house while in Germany, the houses are used as tourist houses. Also nearby is the Windbreak Forest and one of the most beautiful coastal drives in Korea, the Mulmi Coastal Road.

Daecheong Dam (대청댐) is a multi-purpose dam consisting of a 72m-tall and 495m-long concrete gravity dam and rockfill dam. It is located where Daejeon and Chungcheongbuk-do meet. The observatory, located at Palgakjeong Service Area, offers a great view of Daecheongho Lake (대청호). A variety of fascinating items are displayed in the Water Culture Center (물문화관) on the left bank of Daecheong Dam. A nearby grassy meadow promises a relaxing and comfortable rest, while local delicacies such as freshwater fish stew and marinated grilled eel are a delight to taste.

Bongjeongsa Temple was built in the 12th year of King Munmu, who ruled the Silla Kingdom from 661 to 681. According to legend, the Great Buddist Monk Ui-Sang (625-702) was launched from Buseoksa Temple and landed on this spot. Documents from Geuknakjeon state that Neungin Daedeuk, a disciple of Monk Ui-Sang, established the temple, and it was rebuilt several times during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910).Bongjeongsa Temple is the largest temple in Andong and possesses the oldest wooden building in Korea, called Geuknakjeon. Past the Ilju Gate and the forest path is the Bongjeongsa Temple. Bongjeongsa Temple has a unique and elegant atmosphere. The old trees and hermitages nearby are also worth a look. There are many towers inside, such as the Daeungjeon (National Treasure No. 55), Geuknakjeon (National Treasure No. 15), and many others. There are also important buildings, such as the three-storey Stone Pagoda, the representative pagoda of the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Geuknakjeon from the Goryeo Dynasty and Daeungjeon from the Joseon Dynasty stand next to each other. It is interesting to compare these two types of architecture. Inside both buildings are trees with the complete collection of Buddhist Sutras, Laws, and Treatises.

Situated in Yeongok-myeon (Dongdeok-ri), this spacious beach (56,000m2) stretches over 700m. Surrounded by a lush pine forest, this beach is ideal for camping. Fishing lovers can enjoy catching sweetfish at Yeongokcheon Stream flowing from Sogeumgang (Sogeum River); there are a variety of restaurants offering delicious Korean food along the stream as well. Dongdeok-ri used to be home to a railway station and a traditional market. Trading ships—moving between the Hamgyeong and Gyeongsang areas—used to populate the beach. The beach and its surrounding attractions are great for both hiking and swimming.  

Park Soo Keun (1914-1965) was an artist who devoted his life to drawing the lives of ordinary people with a warm gaze. The Park Soo Keum Museum, which has a floor space of 700 square meters, is built upon the artist’s birthplace in his hometown in Yanggu-gun County, Gangwon-do Province. The museum was founded with the intent to develop into a major cultural space for the region and to honor Park Soo Keun’s life and art. The collection of Park Soo Keun’s artworks exhibited at the museum include: three oil paintings including ‘Two Men Sitting’, a number of prints such as ‘The Tree and Two Ladies’ and ‘Tapdori’, the watercolor painting ‘Watercolors’, and dozens of other drawings.

Pak Kyongni Literature Park is the place to explore the life and works of prominent novelist  Pak Kyongni (박경리). The park's theme was based on Pak Kyongni's well-known novel 'Toji' (토지, The Land). The site used to be her old house before it was converted into a park. Covering an area of 10,578.51㎡ (3,200 pyeong), the park kept the original garden and the house in its original state. There are three Toji-themed parks nearby: Hongidongsan, Pyeongsa-ri Madang, and Yongdurebeol.

Da Vinci Museum, located in Seogwipo-si on Jeju Island is the only museum that has the Da Vinci License in Korea. The museum offers visitors a chance to experience a wide variety of activities and hands-on programs. When you think of Leonardo Da Vinci, a few things that come to mind are the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. However, one of the greatest masterpieces in his life is the Codex, a collection of his writings. Over 7,000 pages of the Codex, A.K.A. a notebook of secrets, survives today, and the museum displays over 200 works created and inspired based on the writings in the Codex. The museum houses information about the life and times of Leonardo Davinci, a superb scientist, anatomist, and inventor.

The Iron Triangle Battlefield is the area that connects Gimhwa, Pyeonggang and Cheorwon. This area had the highest number of casualties during the Korean War with the Baekmagoji Battle and Oseongsan Battle. The Iron Triangle Battlefield was prohibited to the public after 1953 when the war ended in a ceasefire. Yet the reality of the war only began surfacing from November 1989.The Iron Triangle Battlefield was the headquarters and frontline of the North Korean Army. This area had the unique natural advantage of being a difficult target for Allied forces to attack, but remained an easy area for North Koreans to defend. At the old battlefields are the labor headquarters, the 2nd tunnel and the remains of a train with a sign that reads 'The iron horse wants to run'. The Labor Headquarters, a Russian-style 3-story building, was built by compulsory fund raising and labor mobilization. Many people who were here during the anticommunist movement were later tortured and killed. Behind the building remains of people, bullets and iron chains can still be found even to this day.This is also the area where the 2nd tunnel, 108km north from Seoul, was made by North Koreans who were planning to invade South Korea. It is also known as the gathering area of seasonal birds and is a popular bird-watching spot. 

HerbHillz Sled Slope Park is located in HerbHillz, the biggest Eco-Theme Park in the country. With the winter season coming, Herbhillz is getting ready for its own special winter with safe yet thrilling sled slopes, Ice Valley, Snowman Square, Igloo Village, Santa Village, and more. HerbHillz has various themes throughout the year, such as year-around herb gardens and various experience tours as well as characteristic winter recreations. Also with a family-friendly zoo, performances, exhibitions, experience facilities, a water park (summer), sledding slopes (winter) and herbal food, Herbhillz has become one of the area’s most popular tourist spots.  

Hagosudong Beach, often referred to as 'the Saipan of Korea' with its sandy beach and spectacular formation of rocks and cliffs, is located on Udo Island off the coast of Jeju-do. Although all beaches surrounding Jeju-do are beautiful, Hagosudong is more exotic and distinctive in nature. With a fairly shallow sea level and soft sand, visitors of all ages can enjoy relaxing and walking along the shore while gazing out at the pristine ocean vistas. During the peak summer season, the island becomes packed with visitors from the mainland. People can enjoy snacks and BBQ treats near the seaside and also watch a firework-like nighttime view of the fishing boats lighting up the ocean.