Travel/Culture List

Punggi Hot Spring is located 3 km away from the town of Punggi-eup. It is regarded as the top hot spring in Korea, and the water is 100% natural, containing minerals like alkali fluorine. The area around the hot spring offers trekking at Sobaeksan National Park and chances to learn about Confucianism and Buddhism while exploring Buseoksa Temple, Sosuseowon Confucian Academy, and Seonbichon Village. The water of Punggi Hot Spring contains minerals like sulfur, fluorine, and bicarbonate, which have health benefits such as relieving chronic arthritis, neuralgia, metal intoxication, arteriosclerosis, diabetes, bronchitis, and other ailments. * H₂content S: 1.725 ppm

Jeonju Station opened in Seonosong-dong, Jeonju-si on November 17, 1914. Jeonju Station moved to its current location in Ua-dong, Jeonju-si, on March 23, 1978, when a section of the Jeolla railway line connecting Buk-Jeonju (North Jeonju) and Sin-ri was moved to the outskirts of the city. The station building was newly-constructed at that time. Jeonju Station has grown to accommodate an average 6,000 passengers per day and is quickly becoming a hub of administration, education, culture, and transportation.

Chilseon Valley (칠선계곡) of Hamyang is the longest and largest valley in Jirisan Mountain (지리산). It is one of the top three valleys along with Cheonbuldong Valley of Seoraksan Mountain and Tamna Valley of Hallasan Mountain. The 16-kilometer valley stretching from Uitang of Macheon-myeon to Cheonwangbong Peak is characterized by very tough topography but beautiful scenery and is the only remaining primeval forest of Jirisan Mountain. It is also dotted with seven waterfalls and 33 ponds. The deeper you walk into the valley, the tougher it becomes to hike. Because the valley has taken many lives some people call it ‘Death Valley’. For that reason you can hike Chilseon Valley only after obtaining permission and must first take a 9.4-kilometer course from Chuseong Village of Macheon-myeon to Cheonwangbong Peak, which lies far from the actual valley. If you begin in Chuseong you will run into all of Yongso Pond, Jujiteo, Chuseongmang Rock, Seonnyeotang Pond, Ongnyeotang Pond, Biseondam, Chilseon Falls, Daeryuk Falls, Samcheung Falls and Ma Falls, until you reach Cheonwangbong Peak.  

Located in Sejong Special Self-Governing City, the Sejong Culture & Arts Center is a multi-purpose cultural space for performances and exhibitions. It offers various creative opportunities for local artists as well as a place to enjoy culture and arts for local residents. The center features a performance stage with 870 seats and exhibition rooms.

Dolsando is the seventh largest island in Korea and is connected to the mainland via Dolsan Bridge. Ever since construction was completed on December 15, 1984, the 450 meter-long, 11.7 meter-wide bridge has become a popular tourist attraction.There is plenty to see on Dolsando Island including numerous scenic spots and historic sites such as Dolsan Park, Musulmok Battlefield, Jeollanam-do Fisheries Exhibition Hall, Bangjukpo Beach, Hyangiram Hermitage, and Eunjeogam Hermitage. Located beneath Dolsan Bridge is a life-sized model of a Geobukseon (Turtle Ship), which played an important role in the Korean Navy’s victories during the Imjinwaeran War (1592-1598). Visitors will also find plenty of seafood restaurants lining the paved coastal road.

There are no sand beaches on Ulleungdo Island. Because the coastline is made up of steep rock walls, all beaches are formed by small pebbles. But the water is very clean and the scenery, strikingly beautiful. In particular, Jugam Mongdol Beach is considered extremely beautiful because of such attractions as Samseonam Rocks (Three Fairy Rocks) and Gwaneumdo Island are nearby. Toilets are available, but to preserve its pristine natural beauty, there are no other facilities for your convenience.  

Namhae in Gyeongsangnam-do, with coastal lines stretching over 302km, is surrounded by 70 beautiful islands. Mulgeon Windbreak Forest (Mulgeon Bangjo Eoburim in Korean) in Mulgeon-ri has protected Namhae from gusty winds and ferocious waves and provided abundant fish for 300 years. Resembling the crescent moon, the spacious forest (23,438m2) along the seashore is owned by the community of Mulgeon-ri. It stretches over 1.5km with a x_width of 30m in x_width; there are approximately 2,000 overwood trees with x_heights varying from 10 to 15m. The forest boasts over 100 difference species of trees—from hackberries to oaks, zelkovas, Fringe trees, Muku trees, and silver magnolias. All in all, 10,000 trees create the feeling of being in an ancient forest, deep in the mountains. The forest was built by people in nearby villages 300 years ago in order to control winds and waves. From above, elegant curvilinear coastal lines are enveloped by lush trees of the forest, as if the latter protects Namhae. Mulgeon-ri is divided into two areas: the port with a lighthouse, and farmlands, with the forest in between the two. From German Village (Neuschwanstein) in Namhae, scenic overlooks provide sweeping views of Mulgeon-ri, the forest, and the port. The forest is called a variety of names; it is called Bangpungrim (Windbreak Forest) because it protects villages from gusty winds; Eoburim (Fish shelter Forest) because its lush trees attract schools of fish; and Bangjorim (Waterbreak Forest) because it lessens the severity of waves and tides. Home to German Village, Mulgeon-ri faces eastward. Naturally, it is a great spot to see the sunrise and sunset. While Jeongdongjin is renowned for its splendid sunrise on the East Coast, Mulgeon-ri shares the acclaim on the South Coast, attracting thousands of visitors at the dawn of New Year every year.  

Suncheon Wild Tea house is a tea experience house as well as a well-being house. It sits in a beautiful forest located on the road to a thousand-year-old Sunamsa Temple, which is located at the skirt of Jogyesan Mountain that is in harmony with the sky, wind, water and the forest. Visitors can experience the beauty and the composure of a traditional Korean style house, delicate flavor and scent of tea while they are surrounded by pine tree scent and the atmosphere of the old times. Available programs are Darye (manners of tea drinking) experience, tea making, tea cookie tasting and education on tea ceremony. Also, mountain meditation, tea tasting, flower pancake making, exhibitions and small music concerts are available. Many families visit here for the tea experience and also for the traditional Korean house overnight stay.  

Situated 1,240 meters above sea level, Mt. Gaji is famous for its beautiful stones and rocky peaks. There are a variety of things to see on the mountain besides the beautiful stones. The delicious strawberries and mountain berries attract many people during the harvest seasons. In the fall, the pampas grass provides a spectacular sight as the whole mountain peak is covered in autumn’s colors. Mt. Gaji was declared a provincial park in 1979 due to its peaceful scenery, encompassing many cultural assets as well as tourist spots.

Hongcheon Ginkgo Forest is only open to the public during the month of October. This private forest was planted and has been maintained by one man for 30 years. He settled down in the area in 1985 with his wife who suffered from chronic indigestion. He started planting the ginkgo tree seeding on his spacious field after he heard about the medicinal effects of the mineral waters from Sambong Yaksu at the foot of Odaesan Mountain. The forest remained private until 2010, when its popularity spread by word of mouth. Since then, the owner has graciously agreed to open his private land up to the public for free during the month of October, when the whole forest takes on a golden hue.