Travel/Culture List

Baegunsan Mountain (1,218m) is believed to hold three diving spirits: phoenix, fox, and boar. Part of the Baekdudaegan mountain range, Baegunsan borders Seomjingang River to the north and Jirisan Mountain to the south, and has four major valleys - Seongbul, Donggok, Eochi, and Geumcheon - with clear waters and lush forests. The forest in the mid-section of the mountain is home to around 900 rare plant species. In fact, Baegunsan houses the largest variety of plant species only after Hallasan Mountain.

Wolchulsan Spa is located five kilometers northwest of the town of Yeongam. The spa overlooks the beautiful scenery of Wolchulsan Mountain, the extensive plain of Yeongam, and Yeongamcheon Stream, a tributary of Yeongsangang River. The source of Wolchulsan Spa’s hot spring waters is red feldspar granite (elvan) that forms the aquifer column of Wolchulsan Mountain. The adhesive and purifying properties of the elvan removes harmful organic matter and pollutants, resulting in pure, natural hot spring waters. Rich in all kinds of minerals, dissolved oxygen, and far-infrared emissivity, the elvan hot spring waters are known to be effective for alleviating various ailments such as fatigue, neuralgia, rheumarthritis, skin trouble, and athlete’s foot. Various tourist attractions are located nearby, including the Wolchulsan Mountain, the reed field in Miwangjae, and Dogapsa Temple, so visitors can enjoy a good rest at Wolchulsan Spa after sightseeing.

Baengnyeonam is part of Daejeonsa Temple and is located opposite the temple. With crystal clear stream running in front and Janggunbong Peak at the back, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Baengnyeonam Hermitage. Although it unknown when this hermitage was built, it is said that it was named after the daughter of King Ju 'Baengnyeon'. During the Imjin War (Japanese invasions of Korea, 1592-1598), the great Buddhist monk Samyeong stayed here in the building named Songunjeongsa. But the building does not exist today and you can find only the site and the board where the name of the building is written. There remains some buildings called Sanwanggak and Yosa in the hermitage and also you can see the portrait of the great Buddhist monk Samyeong.

Okcheon Hyangsu Baengni (100-ri) Bike Road is a bicycle path located along the riverside where one can enjoy the beauty of Daecheong Lake and the spirit of poetry in the hometown of Jeong Jiyong, Korea's modern poet and author of "Nostalgia." Visitors can also visit the Jeong Jiyong Literature Library and Janggye Tourist Park by biking along the national highway Route 37, which is famous for its cherry blossoms. This bicycle path is relatively easy to travel on and is suitable for beginners. It became even more popular after being featured on the TV show "1 Night 2 Days."  

Oksanseowon Confucian Academy (Treasure No. 525) was built to commemorate the scholarly achievements and virtues of Confucian scholar Yi Eon-jeok (1491-1553). Built in 1572 in the fifth year of King Seonjo’s reign, the school was named Oksanseowon in the seventh year of the king’s reign. It is included as one of the 47 Confucian Academies ruled out of the Confucian Academy abolition by Heungseon Daewongun. Even though the building structures don’t carry significant meaning in an architectural aspect, it was built with a distinguished space arrangement method. Dokrakdang, which was Yi Eon-jeok’s house as well as study room, are situated 700m far from the Confucian Academy.

Ssanggok Valley, which is located in Chilseong-myeon, Goesan-gun, is 10.5km long stretching from Ssanggok village to Jesurijae.The valley is surrounded by Mt. Bobaesan, Mt. Gunjasan and Mt. Bihaksan and clear water flows all year down the walls of a series of unique rock formations.Thanks to its scenic beauty, many Confucian scholars used to visit here to enjoy literature and nature.Ssanggok Valley is composed of nine valleys and each has its own unique atmosphere.The first valley, Holongso, flows into a swamp area with many old pine trees nearby creating a picturesque view. The second valley is called Sogeumgang and it is said that its appearance changes with every season. Tteokbawi (rice cake rock) Valley gets its name from the shape it takes on, which is like a sliced rice cake. Similar to the first valley, Munsuam Valley, the fourth valley also has water flowing over uniquely shaped rocks with many old pine trees and flora. The fifth valley has quite a view of parallel rocks on both sides, while the sixth valley offers magnificent vistas of water flowing into a pool formed by the rocks. The water cascading down a huge boulder is said to look like the pleats of a woman’s skirt unfolding at the seventh valley. The eighth valley gathers water into a pond shape from the waterfall; legend says that fairies bathe here. The ninth valley is wide and refreshingly cool even during the hottest summer months. 

Buyeo Naseong, also known as the Outer City Wall, was built to protect the capital of Baekje, Sabi. It has a x_height of about 84km. The wall surrouned Busosanseong Fortress and extended to the city of Buyeo. The wall is one of the oldest walls along with Naseong in Pyeongyang and it is estimated to have been built around 538, when the Baekje capital was changed from Woonjin (current, Gongju) to Sabi (current, Buyeo). The wall of the fortress starts from the site where Dongmun (East gate) was located to the area of Geumgang River, made by piling soil up. However, only a few traces remain of it's former glory. For now, it leaves a blurry trail including a 20m area to the east of Cheongsanseong Fortress, Dongmun Bridge from Seokmok-ri, and an area from Pilseobong Peak to Yeomchang-ri. While the outer wall is sharply sloped, the inner wall was built with a gentle slope to make it easier for horses to reach the guard posts on the top of the wall. Inside the fortress, the palace of Baekje, government offices, houses, temples, stores and protected facilities can be seen. The entire structure of Naseong Fortress features Geumgang River in the south and west sides, providing a natural double-defense system. The wall was one of the important outer defense facilities along with Cheongsanseong and Cheongmasanseong Fortresses. * Area: 554,591㎡

The Pungmi Kimchi Company uses modern production facilities to make and export kimchi.  The company's tour provides detailed information on the history of and materials used for kimchi, along with the hands-on kimchi making programs, which attract many foreign visitors and student groups. The tour starts with making kimchi, followed by a tour of the factory and laboratory. The well-organized Traditional Food Culture Hall on the 3rd floor helps visitors learn the history of traditional Korean food like kimchi, tofu, soybean paste, rice cakes and different kinds of kimchi at a glance.

The Hongcheongang River (홍천강) that flows from Hongcheon to Cheongpyeong (청평) in Gangwon Province offers relatively warm and shallow waters, and wide banks, providing an outstanding spot for waterside excursions. The 143-kilometer stretch of the river offers a series of great tourist attractions. There are over ten riverside locales officially developed as vacationing sites, and have campsites for motor homes, including Gulji-ri, Palbongsan Mountain, Bamgol, Bangok, Tonggok, Gaeya, Susan, and Mogok; the most popular among them is the Bambeol Site in Mogok-ri. Seo-myeon, which boasts a one-kilometer riverside beach covered with pebbles and sand. However, the Magok Site, located at the very end of the river, adjacent to Cheongpyeong Lake, is less busy compared to Mogok and is well known among water skiers and jet skiers for its deeper water. If you travel upstream from Mogok, you will find many vacationing sites, one after another, until you reach the beautiful Palbongsan Mountain, endowed with eight peaks. The river is shallow near the Palbong Site and you can try the 2-hour hiking course as well. Bamgol Site is good for those who like to camp in the chestnut woods, while Gulji-ri and Janghang-ri Sites are known for deeper water and are also visited less frequently.