Travel/Culture List

Joohyangro, literally meaning ‘a path of alcoholic flavor,’ is the name of the tour route around Kooksoondang Hoengseong Factory. The traditional liquor produced by the factory captures the clean air & water and the sincere devotion of its producers. The factory is located along the banks of the Jucheongang River. Legend has it that long ago as a Confucian scholar neared the river, he was surprised to see his empty glass suddenly brimming with clear, delicious alcohol.

Byeolbangjin Fortress was designated as Jeju Monument No. 24 on April 13, 1973. The fortress is about 950 meters in circumference. The oval fortress was built in consideration of the location's topography having a higher terrain in the southern part and a lower terrain in the northern part. Of the fortresses in Jeju, Byeolbangjin Fortress is in relatively good shape. The fortress is also an important example of how fortresses in Jeju were built and in what scale.

A walk along Songcheon Stream from Daejin Beach to Yeonghae-eup brings visitors to Yeongdeok Goesi-ri Traditional Village. The village is the birthplace of ‘Mokeun Yisaek’, a Confucianist in the late Goryeo Dynasty. For over four centuries, the Nam family from the Yeongyang region has lived in this village where there are over thirty 200-year-old homes. The place demonstrates the traditions and culture of generations of Koreans. Goesi-ri Traditional Village, famous for its history experience course, has a number of designated cultural sites including a family house for the Nams from Yeongyang Goesi faction. The place is visited by not just tourists but by many history scholars as the village preserves the housing structure of the noble family of late Joseon Dynasty in Gyeongsangbuk-do province. The village also holds ‘Mokeun Culture Festival’ every two years.  

Although the DMZ Museum was established in memory of a painful past, the museum today embraces everything about the latest efforts made to transform the DMZ from a place of political scars to a symbol of peace and ecology.The museum features exhibition halls arranged under a number of different themes that underscore the historical significance of the DMZ and its value as a treasure trove of ecology for the future.

Minmeoru Beach is the only beach on Seongmodo Island, a small island to the west of Ganghwado Island. Visitors can enjoy sea-bathing on the vast stretch of sandy beach and watch beautiful sunsets over the West Sea. When the tide goes out, a foreshore of approximately one kilometer in length appears. The foreshore is very smooth and is home to marine life including clams, crabs, and more. The Eoryujeonghang Harbor and Janggothang Harbor are located nearby, so visitors can also enjoy sea fishing. Popular tourist attractions in the vicinity include Maaekseokbul (a Buddha image carved on a cliff) and Bomunsa Temple, which is said to have been constructed by Queen Seondeok during the Silla Era (635 A.D.).

Chunguisa Temple is home to the tablets of General Chung Ki-ryong (1562-1622), a military official from the mid-Joseon Dynasty era. In 1973, the temple was designated as the Regional Cultural Asset Monument No.13. It also houses a set of five relics, together designated as Treasure No.669, as well as several other cultural assets. Every October, the temple hosts a reenactment of the recovery of Sangjuseong Fortress from the Japanese invasion.

At 790 meters, Oseosan Mountain in Boryeong is one of the highest peaks on Korea’s west coast. Near the meeting point of three localities—Boryeong, Hongseong, and Cheongyang—the mountain is known for its natural beauty boasting a lush forest and pristine waters.From the top of Oseosan, visitors can see waves of silver grass and fantastic sunsets over the West Coast. The mountain is also surrounded by other equally amazing peaks: Seongjusan Mountain to the south, Gayasan Mountain to the north, and Chilgapsan and Gyeryongsan Mountains to the east. Because of its proximity to the sea, Oseosan is one of few spots in Korea where visitors can enjoy both land and water attractions.Oseosan Mountain attracts a variety of mountain hikers & climbers. Some enjoy the jagged cliffs and rock formations, others the winding paths along its ridges, and others the gradual incline leading to the peak. There are also several ancient temples and historic sites nearby such as Naewonsa and Jeongamsa Temples and Boksingul (cave formations near Ulgeum Bawi where General Boksin and his men staged the restoration of the Baekje Dynasty). 

Ganworam is a small hermitage located in Ganwoldo-ri, Buseok-myeon, Soesan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. Ganworam Hermitage was created by the Great Monk Muhak, the monk to King Taejo (Seong-Gye Lee) of the Joseon Dynasty. The name of the hermitage is directly tied with Muhak himself as it is said Muhak became enlightened while meditating under the moon (“wol” means moon in Korean) at the hermitage. At low tide, the Ganworam Hermitage is connected to shore via a natural walkway, but at high tide, the walkway is submerged and the hermitage becomes an island. At night time in particular the hermitage and its surrounding islets create a breathtaking view as the moonlit reflects off the sea.

Located in the eastern section of Wibongsanseong Fortress, Wibong Waterfall is a two-tiered waterfall measuring 60 meters high. The strangely-shaped rocks and thick groves of trees that border the cascading falls make for such a magical scene that it comes as no surprise that the waterfall has long since been counted as one of the Eight Splendid Landscapes of Wansan.Located nearby is the battlefield of the Ungchi War (designated as regional monument of Jeollabuk-do, No. 25) where the local people fought fiercely against Japanese invaders during the Imjin War. Also in the area are Songgwangsa Temple (at the foot of Jongnamsan Mountain), Dongsang Reservoir, Daea Reservoir, and Hwasim Hot Springs.

Covering over 225,000㎡ of land in the southwestern part of Seoul, Seoseoul Lake Park (also known as West Lake Park) was opened in October 2009 to resolve the regional imbalance in the city. The central lake, a fountain that projects a small airplane sound, Mondrian garden where the famous media wall fountain is situated, a large event table that seats 100 people and a recycle garden all carry the themes of ‘water’ and ‘recycling’ that were established through the park development project. Also, Neunggolsan Mountain forest, which separates Seoul and Bucheon, as well as the hiking trails have been restored and added to the park. In addition, there are playgrounds for children, sports facilities including a football field, a basketball court and badminton courts, and a cultural plaza. With its vast space and 24-hour operation, the park provides a relaxing ground for the citizens of Seoul.