Travel/Culture List

Jukseoru Pavilion, estimated to have been built around 1266, is one of the eight major attractions of Gwandong District in middle eastern Korea collectively known as Gwandong Palgyeong (eight famous sites). Sitting on the edge of a cliff overlooking Osipcheon Stream, the pavilion incorporates the rocks on the cliff as cornerstones, with a five-girder paljak (ancient-style roof).Then, there are 26 signboards hanging from the rafters of the pavilion. The signboards contain inscriptions of famous ancient scholars such as 'Jeilgyeongjeong' ('The best riverside pavilion'; 1662) by Heo Mok, 'Jukseoru' and 'Gwandong Jeilru' ('The best pavilion in Gwandong'; 1711) by Yi Seong-jo, and 'Haeseon Yuhui Jiso' ('The place that marine gods enjoy'; 1837) by Yi Gyu-heon. Others who have left their mark include King Sukjong (1674-1720), King Jeongjo (1776-1800) and Yulgok YiYi (1536-1584). Evidently, Jukseoru Pavilion has served as an inspiration since its establishment, and continues to inspire visitors today through the stunning view of its surrounding nature.

Approximately 6km northward from downtown Gangneung, Gyeongpo Provincial Park is surrounded by a slew of both natural and cultural attractions (Gyeongpodae, Gyeongpo Lake, and Gyeongpo Beach). Gyeongpo Lake, in particular, is home to precious species such as swans and mallards. Known as one of the most scenic locations in Gangwon-do for a long time, Gyeongpodae is a fascinating spot to enjoy the first full moon of the year; the serene Gyeongpo Lake used to attract fishing enthusiasts in droves, but fishing is now prohibited due to natural preservation purposes. Within the park are Gyeongpo Beach (one of the cleanest beaches on the East Coast), elegant Gyeongpo Lake, Gyeongpodae, Banghae Pavilion, Hohae Pavilion, Gyeongho Pavilion, and Gyeongyangsa (Gyeongyang Temple). Visitors can enjoy the attractions all year long with cherry blossoms in the spring, swimming in the summer, fishing, and walking on the beach in the winter. Restaurants near the park offer unique local food such as fresh sashimi (including the famous Squid Sashimi), spicy fish stews, and Chodang Tofu.  

Set on approximately 5,000 pyeong of land, the Asan Garden Horticulture Association opened to the public on March 20, 2004 in Asan, Chungcheongnam-do. A newly remodeled greenhouse features roughly 1,000 species of flowers. With over 30 years of experience, floriculture has flourished here with a variety of themes set up throughout the park for visitors to fully enjoy the experience.

Ulsan Grand Park is a high-quality green space that was created to improve the quality of life of Ulsan's residents. Since Ulsan City rapidly developed as a center of national economic development in 1960, its residents have been confronted with the problem of the deteriorating environment quality. Despite Ulsan City's positive "growth" image as an industrial city, especially for heavy industries, the negative image it eventually acquired as that of a "contaminated city" and "a city with a poor-quality life" became more pronounced over the years. Thus, the construction of a park became necessary. For this reason, Ulsan City, which has wanted to construct a park since 1986, finally began the construction of Ulsan Grand Park in 1995, together with SK, which plans to return its profits to the local community. The city invested US$59 million to purchase approximately 36 million㎡ of land in Shinjung-dong and Ok-dong, near the industrial tower rotary in Nam-ku, Ulsan Metropolitan City. SK invested a total of US$102 million for the construction of the park facilities for 10 years, from 1996 to 2005, and donated the park facilities to the city of Ulsan. Ulsan Grand Park is expected to help improve the quality of the residents' lives, to serve as a starting point of balanced growth for the city, and to facilitate the conversion of Ulsan from an industrial city to a city where industry and nature harmoniously co-exist.

Designated as a natural monument, Bijarim Forest is a group of about 2,800 nutmeg trees between 500 and 800 years old. They are 7-14m in x_height and 50-110cm in diameter. This is the largest nutmeg tree forest in the world. In the middle of the forest is an 800-year-old tree, called ‘Ancestor tree of the Bija trees.' The tree is the oldest tree on Jeju-do with a x_height of 25 meters and girth of 6 meters.The trees emit a lot of phytoncide, which is said to strengthen the immune system and natural healing ability of the human body. Nutmeg tree blossoms and the oil are said to have been used as insecticides in the past. There are also rare orchids and plants growing in the forest. A walkway through the forest has been installed for visitors to enjoy a stroll through the wonderful forest.

Daemyung Resort at Byeonsan is located in Byeonsan Bando National Park near Gyeokpo Beach in Buan (Jeollabuk-do). This luxurious resort is patterned after Normandy Beach and its European-style architecture. Aqua World is the resort’s multi-level water park which has an indoor pool (Water Plex, Aqua Play), outdoor pools, slides, sauna and bathing facilities. Lying alongside the beautiful coast, the resort offers the best view of the local scenery and picturesque sunsets. The resort also offers easy access to Chaeseokgang Cliff (Provincial Natural Monument No.28).

Mukho Port was opened on August 11, 1941 and has been a major port for fishing and trading (mainly, coal). Established on June 8, 1963, Mukho Lighthouse has been a guardian of ships and boats ever since. Located 67m up the slopes of Mt. Dongmun, Mukho Lighthouse (12m in x_height) is a white and circular concrete structure with two floors. It is surrounded by a cozy park where forsythias blossom in spring and visitors can overlook the sea. The park is home to the Maritime Fishing Exhibition Hall, where visitors can learn about the history of fishing in the area. The lighthouse and its surrounding area are full of quiet and comfortable spots to relax and enjoy the scenery. Because of its location (on the highest point of Mukho beach), the lighthouse is absolutely crucial to the safety of ships and boats coming into the port. The lighthouse’s large light, installed in October 2003, was developed by Korean scientists and uses a rotating prism lens that can shine beams of light as far as 42km. * Opened: June 8, 1963 * Structure: white and circular concrete structure (12m in x_height) * Lighting: FlW10s * Characteristics: located on Mt. Dongmun next to Mukho Port (the largest port on the East Coast in Gangwon-do)  

Located in the west entrance of Samhwasa Temple, Yongchu Mureung Valley Falls stretches for 2.5 ㎞ and has the shape of a pot with the water falls flowing down. The waters are divided into 3 different sizes, high, mid, and low, descending from the flowing stream Cheongoksan Mountain (1,403 m). The waters coming down from the falls meets the water from Bakdalgyegok Valley. The water in the valley and sandalwood seems as if it represents the harmony and the destiny found in the nature of Yin. These places form the climax of beauty of the Mureung Yongchu Valley.