Travel/Culture List

Situated in a dense forest in Sangwangsan Mountain (altitude: 307m) and located 6km away from Haemi-myeon, Gaesimsa Temple is one of four temples in the province of Chungcheongnam-do. The path from a parking lot to the temple site is quite remote and curved, but beautiful especially in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.The temple was built in 1484 during the 15th year of King Seongjong and designated as Treasure No. 143. Visitors can easily recognize the temple, as it uses bent tree trunks for pillars.

Gwangju Riverside Eco Park (185,124m²) is divided into themed districts and features a natural observation center, an eco-experience center, and more. In the flower district, visitors can see more than 170,000 kinds of wild flowers including azaleas, forsythia, smile rosebay, roses, royal azaleas and hydrangeas. Visitors may also enjoy the picturesque view of over 3000 kinds of trees including snowbells, quince, Chinese parasol trees, Japanese maples, and Metasequoia trees. At the wetlands district, you may actually see how birds hatch and grow! Since the Eco Park is only 30 minutes away from downtown Gwangju, it is a popular place for citizens during the warmer months. Some of the popular places in the park are the Buyeop Botanical Garden, Waterfront Observatory Deck, and rock garden.

Sangnim Park, located in Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsadnam-do, was built to protect the edge of the river and the dry riverbed. This park is an artificial forest preserving a 1,200-year history. It is the representative tourist attraction in Hamyang and designated as Natural Monument No. 154.

The valley between Bukhansan Mountain and Donbongsan Mountain is called "Uidong Valley." It earned the name "Uidong" because the two peaks of Bukhansan Mountain, Baegundae and Insubong, look like cow's ears. One of the trails leading up to Bukhansan Mountain and Dobongsan Mountain also starts here.

Seungilgyo Bridge is unique in that it was jointly built by South and North Korea. The construction began when the land belonged to North Korea, but after the Armstice Agreement the land was given to the South, who then complete the bridge. The bridge was designated as a Registerd Cultural Property No. 26 on May 31, 2002.

The name of Heungguksa Temple means “if the country prospers, the temple does well.” The temple was established to pray for the country to flourish. Located on Yeongchwisan Mountain, Heunaguksa was founded by Bojo Guksa in 1195.Within the compound are other buildings including Wontongjeon, Palsangjeon and Daeungjeon (Main Hall). The temple’s main hall (Treasure 396) is open in its structure and equipped with Korean traditional doors. A Buddhist painting named Hubultaenghwa is designated as Treasure No. 578. At the entrance to the temple is a rainbow-shaped stone bridge called Honggyo Bridge (Treasure No. 563), which is widely known as a distinguished work of art.On Yeongchwisan Mountain, azaleas begin to bloom in early April and completely take over the mountain by the end of the month. Azalea blossoms create an extravagant view along the ridgeline of Yeongchwibong Peak (439m above sea level) and Jillyebong Peak (510m above sea level). During this period, the Mount Yeongchwisan Azalea Festival takes place.

Baran Spa in Hwaseong-si, Gyeonggi-do uses salt springs water from 700m underground. The water is rich in minerals, and is known to have many health benefits. The Spa features several different facilities including a sauna, ultraviolet steam spa, jade spa, and bulgama (fire pot) spa.

Wolbongseowon Confucian Academy (built in 1578, the 11th year of King Seonjo) was established to honor Ki Daeseung's study and virtue by Kim Gyehwi and other confucian scholars through Mangcheonsa Shrine in Sanwol-ri, Bia-myeon, Gwangsan-gun. The location of the confucian academy was moved to its current site in 1646 (the 24th year of King Injo) and the name 'Wolbong' was made by King Hyojong in 1654. In 1671, Bak Sang and Bak Sun's shrines were placed from Deoksansa Shrine by suggestions of Song Siyeol. Also, Kim Jangsaeng and Kim Jip's shrines were additionally placed in 1673. Unfortunately, the confucian academy was abolished due to the abolition policy of Daewongun in 1868 (the 5th year of King Gojong). Later, Bingwoldang Confucian Academy, comprised of five rooms, was built by Jeollanam-do's Confucian scholars in 1983. In addition, Gojiksa Shrine comprised of four rooms in 1972, Jangpangak Pavillion comprised of three rooms and Oesammun Gate in 1978, Sau in 1980 and Naesammun Gate in 1981 were established in order. Bingwoldang is desigated as Gwangju Monument No. 9 and woodblocks of Gobongjip (a collection of works of Gobong) are preserved in Jangpangak Pavilion.      

The Kwanak Arboretum of Seoul National University located in Anyang-si, is a central research institution that collects, grows, preserves, exhibits, and studies plants native to Korea and other plants native to the northern hemisphere. The institution focuses on educational exchanges and cooperatives with relevant institutions both home and abroad.