Travel/Culture List

Jeju Country Club, which was the first club to be opened in Jeju, is located 560m ground above sea level. You can enjoy the uniqueness of the fields blooming with Bo-tree flowers in the spring, eoksae flowers in the fall, as well as enjoying golf in the summer. With Mt. Hallasan in the background, the golfer can enjoy the wide-open grassland in harmony with the ocean. It has also hosted the ‘Johnny Walker Skins game’ in 1995, with the world’s best golfers.

Sambong Beach is located to the south of the bridge that connects Nammyeong and Anmyeon-eup. The beach stretches 3 km long and has a x_width of 120m. The beach gently slopes down at a 2° angle and has an average water depth of 1.5m and temperature of 22°C. The beach is easily accessible to many visitors because of the convenient transportation during the summer. The three Sambong Rocks, the Haedanghwa flower (plena) and the rich pine forests are just a few of the beautiful and magnificent features of this beach. The name Sambong, is derived from the three rocks, however four rocks can be seen from the north facing southward while only three are visible from the south. The sand dune created by natural phenomena is a must see here. 

There are many beaches having the name Myeongsasimi in Korea. While “Myeongsa” refers to “soft sandy beach,” it has a different meaning in Sinji Myeongsasimni Beach; here, it conveys “echoing beach,” because the sound of silvery sand swept by waves is known for spreading over 4km (“Simni” means “4km” in Korean). Befitting its name, the beach (150m in x_width) stretches over 4km. One of the most exquisite beaches along the South Coast, the beach is also shallow, ideal for family tourists. Bathing in the sand here is believed to be effective for neuralgia, arthritis, skin diseases, and athlete’s foot.

Bongha Village is located 4.5km to the east of Jinyeong-eup, on the foot-slopes of Bonghwasan mountain. It is a typical farming village, and its major produce is Jinyeong sweet persimmons and rice. Its name comes from the mound above it on Bonghwasan mountain, where in the past beacons were lit as a method of communication. Bonghwasan mountain is home to Bonghwasa temple and two famous valleys: Doduk (thief) valley on the east side, named because of the many thieves that used to operate in the area, and Yasi (fox) valley on the west side, which looks like a fox lying on its front, looking back at its tail.Birthplace of the former President of Korea, Roh Moo-hyunThe birthplace of the former President of Korea, Roh Moo-hyun, is a brick house with a slate roof that consists of two small rooms and a kitchen. Although it is a shabby house, everything in it seems rare and precious to visitors. The earth, stones, and water, as well as household items, are popular with visitors. Some visitors even take stones and soil from the garden home with them in plastic bags, and some take water, believing that water from the ex-president’s birthplace is almost sacred.

Located at the foot of a mountain, Dodong Mineral Spring Park is 300 meters from Dodong Harbor. Located in the park are the Dokdo Museum, and the Museum of History, as well as a mineral spring. As the name implies (yaksu means “medicinal water”), the spring contains minerals known as effective treatments for anemia and digestive disorders. After tasting the healthy water, one can take a look around this picturesque garden park. There is also a cable car that runs from Dodong Mineral Spring Park to Manghyangbong Peak, and in good weather, one can see Dokdo from Manghyangbong Peak.

Yongmunsan Natural Recreation Forest offers, log cabins, camping sites, a multi-purpose playground, walking paths, and hiking trails. The forest offers a great view of downtown Yangpyeong and blends well with the surrounding landscape. The Baegunbong hiking trail inside the forest is recognized as one of the best trails in the area. Baegunbong Peak is 940 meters high and one of the more popular hiking destinations on the mountain. Various rest facilities are provided along the trail. There are several hiking trails, all of which are relatively gentle, and continuous work is underway to improve the trails. The forest is a popular destination in Yangpyeong and a treasure house of natural ecology where visitors can observe various plants all year round.

The Jincheon Bell Museum (진천종박물관) was opened in September 2005 with the objective of promoting the unique artistic value of Korean bells. The museum’s Jincheon location itself is also very meaningful, as it is the oldest steel production site in Korea. In the nearby area, Uncheon-dong, Beomjong (a temple bell) of late Tongilsilla Kingdom (the United Silla Kingdom) was discovered along with the remains of the Ongdusaji Cheoldanggan of the Goryeo Dynasty. Since a bell museum focuses especially on the culture of temple bells, which are a culmination of metal craftwork, it seems inevitable that the museum is located in Jincheon where the biggest steel mill was located in ancient times. 

Established in 1918, Jumunjin Lighthouse is the first light house in Gangwon-do region. The lighthouse is 3m in max diameter and 10m in x_height with white mortar covered the exterior wall. The building shows the early structure of the country’s lighthouse architecture, which is a great value in terms of the nation’s architectural history. The light signal blinks at 15-second interval and can be identified from 37km away. The lighthouse was once destroyed during Korean War and restored in 1951. Jumunjinhang Harbor, where the lighthouse is located, is 210,000㎡ in size. After becoming a half-way station of Busan-Wonsan Route in 1917, both passenger and freight vessels made an entrance to the harbor.