Travel/Culture List

Located only 5 minutes from Cheongsong-eup, Dalgi Yaksutang ("yaksu" meaning "medicinal water") is one of the top three "Yaksus" in Korea in terms of water quality. Water springs out of 10 different places along the valley and collects at Dalgi Waterfall on Mt. Juwang. The water runs all year round; it doesn't freeze during the winter and flows freely even during the dry season or during droughts. Even though the water does not have any color and aroma, rice boiled in this special water become bluish and sticky in texture. The water is naturally carbonated and tastes like soda without any sugar or flavor; it contains minerals such as carbon and iron and is said to be effective against anemia, digestive disorders, and skin irritation.One of the major nearby attractions is Mt. Juwangsan National Park, which many tourists visit in order to see the park’s unique rock formations and waterfalls. The area near the springs is also known for its variety of restaurants specializing in Baeksuk (stuffed chicken stew that has broth made of medicinal water).

Located in Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gayasan Wildflower Botanical Garden is Korea’s first wildflower garden. It is a home to nearly 630 different plant species, including wildflowers and trees that are worth preserving, and the wildflower garden serves as a valuable space for botanical research. Outdoor Garden The outdoor garden offers the magnificent scenic landscape of Mt. Gayasan, organized into the following five themes. 1) Shrubbery Nearly 30 different species of shrubs and wild flowers have been planted here. You can enjoy these beautiful plants from early spring to winter. 2) Chrysanthemum Garden Nearly 15 different species of chrysanthemums and wild flowers are in bloom until late fall. 3) Rhizocarp Garden Nearly 50 different species of wild flowers including Bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis), German Iris (Iris nertschinskia), daylilies (Hemerocallis thunbergii) and hostas (Hosta longipes) bloom from spring to fall. 4) Gayasan Native Plant Garden Nearly 120 indigenous species of wild flowers have been planted here. 5) Wildflower Educational Garden Nearly 50 different species of short wildflowers are planted on the roof of the museum, where visitors can view and compare a variety of wildflowers. Greenhouse The greenhouse features warm-temperate trees and wildflowers. Enjoy the sweet fragrance of flowers regardless of the season. 1) Edible Plant Garden Nearly 20 different species of edible plants including tangerine trees and loquats are available. 2) Medicinal Herb Garden Nearly 25 different species of plants that provide medicinal herbs are available. 3) Fragrant Flower Garden Nearly 30 different species of sweet fragrant flowers such as laurel (daphne), Indian oleander (Nerium indicum) and the Gaya or Japanese nutmeg-yew (Torreya nucifera) are planted here. 4) Ornamental Plant Garden Nearly 30 different species of beautiful ornamental plants including coral ardisia (Ardisia crenata), pachysandra (Pachysandra terminalis), Japanese ardisia (Ardisia japonica), poison bulb (Crinum asiatica) and Chinese ground orchid (Bletilla striata) are found in this garden. 5) Aquatic Botanical Garden Nearly 20 different species of aquatic plants, consisting of shallow water plants, free-floating plants, and floating-leaved plants, including water lily, bishop’s weed (Houttuynia cordata) and water snowflake (Nymphoides indica) are found in this garden. 6) Fern Garden Ferns are spore-propagated plants that have no blooming flowers. Nearly 40 different species of fern plants including western brackenfern (Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum) and groundpine (Lycopodium clavatum var. nipponicum) and warm-temperate native plants such as Leveille (Dendropanax morbifera) and Machilus chunbergii make up this garden.

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 to preserve the world’s wetlands. The Ramsar Culture Center promotes this mission and exhibits its history and highlights. The center educates visitors on the importance of preserving Junam Wetland Park and the cultural value of wetlands.Here visitors can view around 120 wetland posters from 40 countries, 15 wetland CDs, and 100 books on wetlands. There are also 1,060 stamps from 30 Asian countries and 10 previous Ramsar host countries, and also that feature the migratory birds of Junam Wetlands Park.After exploring the center, you can take one of the free bicycles and go out to the wetlands to see the reservoir and migratory birds. 

Seokpo Observatory is located in Seokpo village, a small fishing town at the northernmost point of Buk-myeon on Ulleungdo Island. Ulleungdo Island has three popular scenic lookouts, one of which is Seokpo Observatory to the north. Created in 1905, the observatory was used by the Japanese through 1945 to monitor movements of Russian warships. Seokpo Observatory offers views of the East Sea between Ulleungdo and the Korean Peninsula. The observatory has an 8-sided pavilion with lookout deck and telescope from which views of picturesque Jukdo and the majestic coastline of Buk-myeon are available. The area is also nearby the 3 popular attractions of Gongam (an elephant-shaped rock), Gwaneumdo, and Samseonam. Below the observatory is Seokpo Resting Area and a trekking course connecting Seokpo Observatory and Naesujeon Sunrise Observatory.

Yonghwasa Temple is home to two official national treasures, Seokjoyeoraejwasang (Seated stone Buddha statue; National Treasure No.120) and Seokburipsang (Standing stone Buddha statue; National Treasure No.118). Pieces of broken stone pagodas, lanterns and fountains still remain at the site.

After crossing Yeonnyukgyo Bridge on the way to Anymyeondo, you may start to wonder, “Is this really the way to the beach?” Your journey to this beautiful little beach will lead you on a short drive past mountains, rice paddies, and through a small pine grove before you come upon the beach. Once on the beach, you’ll be met by a striking scene of craggy rocks pressed up against the shoreline and a colony of tiny islands dotting the sea. Not just a great place to relax and enjoy time with friends or family, the spot is also a popular site for rock fishing and catching clams and baby crabs.

Munsan Station first began operating as a regular station in April, 1906. The station is the first and the last station for a Commuter Train running from Gyeongui Line, a metropolitan subway line, to Dorasan Station. The station was designated as the last station of the Gyeongui Line in 1953, and has been operating since as a metropolitan railroad, after the Gyeongui Line opened in 2009.