Travel/Culture List

Mihwangsa, located in Dalmasan Mountain, Seojeong-ri, Songji-myeon, Haenam-gun, Jeollanam-do, is considered as one of the most beautiful temples in the nation. Unlike other temple stay programs, Mihwangsa Temple Stay, which is a year-around program available from January throughout December, offers diverse options from a one-day stay to an 8days/7nights program. The temple stay will be a precious opportunity for busy urbanites to do some soul-searching while learning more about Buddhist culture through various programs such as learning Chinese classics and communal living.  

Jogyesa Temple is the headquarters of the Korea Buddhist Jogye Order. It offers opportunities to learn about Buddhism. Temple stay programs are designed to accommodate foreign visitors traveling from abroad.

Located in Hangu-dong in Pohang, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Pohang Ferry Terminal is where passengers take a ferry to Ulleung-do. Ferries leaving for islands are usually subject to frequent schedule changes due to wind, waves, and other weather conditions, so visitors must confirm the schedule in advance of departure. As there are no foreign language services on board, international visitors are advised to have a local guide or someone who can speak Korean. There are one or two daily departures for Ulleung-do. The distance is about 217 kilometers, roughly a two to three hour journey. When buying a ferry ticket, visitors must also pay for a terminal usage fee of 1,500 won and an automatic ticketing fee of 600 won (Prices are subject to change).

DPIRANG is a digital nighttime theme park in Nammangsan Park that consists of 15 walking paths decorated with lights. It became a popular nighttime attraction due to Nammangsan Park's visual transformation while preserving its original scenery.

Yeongdong Station began operations as an ordinary station on January 1, 1905 and was newly rebuilt on June 1, 1996. Since beginning, the station has played an important role for traveling to nearby tourism spots such as Muju Gucheong-dong resort, Minjujisan Mountain, Mulhan Valleys, and Yangsan eight sightseeing spots, by carrying over 1,200 tourists a year. In addition, Yongdu Park, spanning over 61,000㎡ in area within a 5-minute walking distance, is great for a rest and a walk that attracts a lot of kindergarten students who visit Yeongdong Station for a train experience.

Known for natural bounty, the Haesu Spa Land is a tourist site famous for its fresh seawater that is pumped from the Yongdam-dong beach to operate a 24-hours sauna. With the globaly recognized uniquely shaped Yongduam Rocks, and magnificent natural views of the coast, Yongduam Haesu Spa Land boasts as Jeju Island’s best attraction.Exhibiting a southern exotic atmosphere with tall palm trees, 3-storey building across an area of 7,425㎡, a basement level where a sauna complex of 3,960㎡ area and 1,650㎡ of indoor garden, traditional hot sauna, waterfalls, event plaza, rest shelter, as well as, 120 female-only and 50 free parking lots are available. Taking a simple bath, relieving physiological stress, restoring vitality of yours lives by resting and enjoying in a healthy way.There is also a so-called yoga corner with the concept of ‘Well-Being’ available. Yongduam Spa Land is a place equipped with health facilities for rest and joy with one-stop entertainment programs available such as the green tea spa bath, jjimjil-bang, sports, facial aroma, outdoor hot sauna, and etc.

Namsa Yedamchon, along with Hahoe Village in Andong, is the representative ancient Hanok (Korean traditional house) village in Korea. Located at the foothills of Nigusan Mountain, tucked into a bend of the crystal clear Sasucheon Stream, the village looks like it came right out of a dream. Although no one knows the exact date the town was first founded, it is assumed that the town was created before the Goryeo Dynasty since one of the queens of the Goryeo Era was believed to have been born here. Inside the village by the ancient house of the Ha family clan, there used to be a 670-year old apricot that was well known by nature and apricot flower enthusiasts everywhere. Unfortunately, the tree died a few years ago and a seedling from the original tree is growing in its place. Although historical records verify that the house was built in 1377, the house was burnt down during the Donghak Peasant Revolution and has since been restored. The Ha family clan’s house, though famous, is only one of the numerous traditional houses in the village. The oldest house in the village is the ancient house of the Yi family clan that was built sometime in the 1700s. The house is famous for the 300-year-old trees that stand on the road leading up to the house. The two trees cross trunks to form the letter “X,” and are so unusual that many photographers come here just to take pictures of them. Namsa Yedamchon in Korean means ‘lovely walls village’ in Korean and is exactly the right name for this beautiful town. Stone walls measuring 5.7km long line the road from the village’s entrance and the 3.2km-long traditional stone wall in another part of town was even designated a Cultural Heritage in 2006. In Namsa Yedamchon Village, tourists can not only visit and stay in traditional houses, but can also participate in a variety of hands-on programs. At the end of a long day of touring visitors can even use the nearby charcoal sauna that uses charcoal made from the oak woods of Jirisan Mountain. * Famers’ life experience – Traditional Water Mill Experience, ‘Honeybee Keeping’, ‘One-day Famers’ Life Experience * Traditional game-playing – Samgot, Nori, and Pungmul (folk music) performances & campfire * Educational Programs- Ancient houses, cultural heritages, Sancheong’s Eight Scenic Views, ‘Seodang (Traditional Schoolhouse) Experience’, natural dyeing with Pagoda Trees

Samnyeonsanseong Fortress in surrounded by the gorgeous mountains of Boeun County. The area is considered one of the most magnificent spots in Chungbuk Province, which was also the site of many battles during the Three Kingdom Period.Samnyeonsanseong Fortress was so named because it was completed three years after construction began in 470 A.D. (during the reign of King Jabi Maripgan). The fortress was at the forefront of Silla’s expansion into northwest territories. It was also the site where King Muyeol (654-661 A.D.) welcomed the Dang Dynasty ambassador during the War of the Three Kingdoms.The sprawling stone-built walls stretch over a mile in length with x_heights and x_widths of 13 and 8-10 meters respectively. The compound still has traces of the north, east and west gate locations which give explanation to ancient theories of fortress construction in Korea. 

During the 1950's three leaders, Kim Ilsung, Rhee Syngman and Lee Ki-poong had summer houses built around the lake of Hwajinpo. The villa of Rhee Syngman, Korea's first president, was built in 1954 but fell into a state of disuse by 1961. It was not repaired until July of 1997 by the army, and was fully restored in 1999, opening as an exhibition hall.

Located at the foot of Jongjasan Mountain in Hongcheon, Gangwon-do, Healience Zen Village is considered the Korean first wellness center, surrounded by nature. It is also becoming known as a well-aging healing resort. Owned by Lee Sihyeong who is a noted psychiatrist and a best-seller author, the resort offers various scientific and well-planned programs such as their health experience, menu to strengthen immunity, and professional instructors. There is a digital-detox program which helps to relax one’s brain and body with the removal of the internet, cell-phones and other electronic devices. Ten man-made trekking courses and various eco-friendly facilities are also available on-site.