Travel/Culture List

Baegunsan Recreational Forest (백운산자연휴양림) has Baegunsan Mountain that rises 1,218ms high above the sea level as the highest peak in the forest. Its artificial and natural forests of large pine trees offer a great view as the trees stand in harmony. Visitors are awed to see the beautiful valleys in the forests of Japanese cedars and Japanese cypresses. In early spring (February – March) about 7,000 camellia flowers are in full blossom. Baegunsan Mountain (백운산) is the treasure house of Korea’s eco system. Plenty of rare plants and animals are growing there and the sap of gorosoe trees, which is believed to be good for health, is available in the spring. The Baegunsan Natural Recreation Forest is a truly blessed forest.  

The origin of Biamsa Temple is unknown, but the temple's architectural features suggest that it was built during the mid Goryeo Dynasty period (918-1392). The Geungnakbojeon Hall and the three-storied pagoda inside the temple have been designated as Cultural Properties of Chungcheongnam-do Province. The flamboyang and delicately crafted datjip (canopy) inside the Geungnakbojeon Hall was restored in 1657 during the 8th year of King Hyojong's reign. In the yard in front of the Geungnakbojeon Hall stands the three meter-high Samcheungseoktap (three-storied stone pagoda). With the discovery of Samyeongunsang stone statues near the top of the pagoda, Biamsa Temple became more widely known to the public. Among the stone statues, Gyeyumyeongjeonssi-amitabul-samjonseoksang (three Buddha statues) has been named as National Treasure No. 106, and Gichukmyeong-amitayeorae-jebulbosalseoksang (statue of Amitabha bodhisattva) and Mireukbosal-bangaseoksang (statue of Maitreya bodhisattva) have been designated as National Treasures No. 367 and No. 368, respectively. The stone statues are preserved in National Museum of Korea. Meanwhile, the three-storied stone pagoda was designated as Tangible Cultural Property No. 119 of Chungcheongnam-do Province on July 19, 1985.

Imjingang River starts from Pyeonggang-gun and Icheon-gun in North Korea and flows south crossing the demarcation line between the two Koreas. Imjingang River then passes Yeoncheon-gun and Paju-si before finally reaching the Yellow Sea. Although the history has separated the two nations geographically, people from both nations equally enjoy fishing near Imjingyo Bridge and Gunnamgyo Bridge. Around the time of Kogu (곡우; One of the 24 seasonal divisions of the lunar calendar that occurs around April 20 every year.), people near these bridges to take part in catching nuchi-gari (누치가리). Plug casting is a commonly used method here as the water moves quickly.

Opened in August 1966, the Yeongi Folk Museum showcases relics found in the old site of Sejong Special Self-Governing City. Over 1,000 relics, including Buddhist statues, weapons, pagodas, earthenware, porcelain, bronze ware, roof tiles, paintings, letters, houseware, kitchenware, farming tools, and others are arranged by era.

Located to the west of Byeonsan Peninsula, Wido Island was once the lonely destination of exiled government officials during the Goryeo Dynasty (AD 918-1392). Wido is more famous for its salt-water fishing than for its sightseeing, and has maintained its pristine beauty because it has few visitors. Most impressive is the vast sand beach known as Wido Beach. Among other attractions are Chido Village, where “Moses Miracle” occurs twice a day, as well as other splendid coastal scenery little known to the public. For those who bring their cars, the coast road offers a stunning drive along the blue sea.

Maegoe Museum is located on the grounds of Gamgok Maegoe Virgin Mary Catholic Cathedral and showcases the Catholic history of the area over a span of more than 100 years. The museum displays items important to the early Church in Korea, as well as items used by the first priest. The museum serves as a complete education center for visitors to Gamgok Maegoe Virgin Mary Catholic Cathedral.

Sejoong Museum consists of 14 exhibition chambers (1 indoor and 13 outdoor exhibition venues) and over 10,000 stone sculptures excavated from across the nation.Main types of statues include: stone Mun/Muin Seok (generals/scholars) that guard the spirits of the deceased at the graveyard; the comical Seoksu, which protect the King’s tomb; Jangseung & Beoksu, guardian spirits that prevent evil spirits and enemies from invading the village; Sotdae that are tall enough to look out for the safety of a village; Mangbuseok (faithful wife stone), a legendary faithful wife who became a stone after waiting and waiting for her never-returning husband; Dongjaseok, a cute child monk that grabs the eyes of passersby; Dol Hareubang, a symbolic stone sculpture of Jeju Island; and Hyojaseok, which commemorates a filial son.Other pieces include Buddhist relics such as stone pagodas and lamps, a horse-pulled millstone, well stones, stone pots, and other daily items used by Koreans from ancient times.

Unjusanseong Fortress (운주산성, also known as ‘Gosansanseong Fortress’) is a cultural heritage of the Baekje Dynasty. This is a mountain fortress built along the surrounding three mountain peaks in the westernmost and southernmost parts of Mt. Unjusan (460m in elevation). The fortress, which borders 3 villages in Jeondong-myeon and 2 villages in Jeonui-myeon, consists of a 3,098m-long outer fortress wall and 543m-long inner fortress wall. Both the outer and inner fortress walls are built with stone. Considering the number of formerly inhabited sites that have been unearthed, it is obvious that there were many buildings in the fortress and the surrounding hills. In the fortress, many broken pieces of earthenware from the Baekje period, porcelain from the Goryeo and Joseon periods, and broken tile from the Baekje, Goryeo and Joseon periods have been discovered. Mountain trails have been improved for family hikers. The mountain peak has a great view of the Independence Hall of Korea, Asan Bay, and the downtown areas of Cheonan and Cheongju. It takes about 2 hours to reach the peak.  

Four kilometers northeast of Huibang Station is Huibangsa Temple, which is located at the foot of Sobaeksan Mountain 850 m above sea level. The temple was built by the Great Monk Duwun in the 12th year (643) of Queen Seondeok’s reign during the Silla Kingdom. The temple used to preserve a wooden printing block for Weolinseokbo vol.1 & 2 (a biography of Buddha), but it was destroyed when the temple burned down during the Korean War. Recently, the wooden printing block has been recreated. Near the entrance of the temple is a natural forest that creates beautiful shadows when the sunlight hits the trees. Also near the temple, one can find Huibang Falls (28 m in x_height), which is the largest waterfall in the central inland region of Korea. * Huibang Falls Four kilometers northeast of Huibangsa Temple Station on the Jungang Subway Line is Huibang Falls, which is located at the foot of the Sobaeksan Mountain. The waterfall is on the way to Yeonhwabong Peak (1,383 m in x_height) of Sobaeksan Mountain, and it is the largest water fall in the central inland region of Korea. The valley where the water falls has trees and rocks, and right above the water fall is the recently rebuilt Huibangsa Temple. Other tourist attractions nearby include Buseoksa Temple, and Sosuseowon Confucian Academy located along the hiking course of Sobaeksan Mountain.

The ChangPoGo Memorial Hall was constructed to celebrate the achievements and maritime pioneering spirit of Jang Bogo.  The hall is an educational tourism space focusing on historical culture. The outside of the building is designed to embody a scene of moving wave and the wall was covered with natural stonework reminiscent of Cheonghaejin Castle in Jongdo Island. The wetland near the hall is home to reeds and wild flowers every season. There is also a walking path surrounded by various kinds of trees. * Opened on February 29, 2008