Travel/Culture List

Located in Odaesan National Park, Sambong Recreational Forest (삼봉자연휴양림) is filled with large acicular trees like fir and broad-leaved trees like birch. Lenoks, a species of fresh-water fish that are considered a Korean natural treasure, found only in the cleanest water, thrive in the waters of the deep valley running through the park. The park is surrounded by three peaks – Gachilbong (1,240m), Mt. Eungboksan (1,155m), and Sasambong (1,107m). In the middle of the area surrounded by the three peaks, rests the Sambong Mineral Spring (삼봉약수), whose waters attract many visitors. The spring’s waters are said to ease stomach complaints. The park is also popular since visitors can go leaf peeking in autumn while enjoying the mountains and sea at the same time in summer.  

Chorakdang (초락당), a resort that specializes in Oriental medicine treatments, is located in a mountain village next to Ulsan Metropolitan City. Guests can stay in hanoks (traditional Korean-style houses) with front yards that serve as a perfect setting for rest, relaxation, and medical treatments. Chorakdang offers Hanbang Tours (Oriental medicine tours) designed especially for foreigners, that last for one-night and two-days. Guests will receive health consultations, hwangto face packs (made from yellow earth), medicinal herb baths, as well as meals and teas made from various medicinal herbs. In addition, there is a 2-night/3-day course where guests will be taken on a tour of Gyeongju with the Oriental medicine experience. Reservations for all tours must be made by phone at least 3 to 4 days in advance (please note the resort is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays).

With a scenic view overlooking the West Sea, Songam Art Museum is a French-style building located along the coastal road at the foot of Cheongryangsan Mountain in Incheon. The gallery was built to house a private collection of antiques collected by the late Chairman Lee Hoerim. The gallery, together with all its relics and real-estate, was later donated to Incheon Metropolitan City and introduced as Songam Art Museum. Even before being donated, the gallery has been making contributions to the progress of research regarding the art and culture of Korea and China by displaying both Korean and Chinese antiques related to Korean culture. After its renovation and conversion into a museum, Songam Art Museum added a repository of Korean paintings and ceramic wares. Through continuous investment and research work, the museum is now a cultural space well-appreciated by citizens and tourists alike.

A branch of Magoksa Temple, which is the 6th local temple of the Jogyejong Order, Yeongpyeongsa Temple has six traditional buildings and three small hermitages. Janggunsan Mountain, where the temple is located, is small but full of energy. According to Feng Shui, the mountain is a perfect location for a temple because it is shaped like a dragon curled along the Geumgang River. Yeongpyeongsa is a tranquil place that captures the purity of the temple’s Buddhist practice, with fresh air and clean water that offer a habitat for fireflies, crawfish, and black snails. On the way in, visitors are greeted by a multitude of wildflowers vying for their attention: the columbines and the prairie crocuses in spring, the white lotuses in summer, and the Siberian chrysanthemums in autumn. * Major event – Mount Janggunsan Siberian Chrysanthemum Festival

Kim Yun-sik was born on this site on January 16, 1903 as the first-born of two sons and three daughters. Under the pen name Yeongnang, he was active in literature until his death on September 29, 1950. Among the 80 poems he published, more than 60 were written in this place where he lived a life resisting Japanese imperialism and refusing to change his name to a Japanese name. After he moved to Seoul in 1948, his birthplace was resold several times, but the county of Gangjin-gun bought it in 1985 to restore it to its original state with a thatched-roof. The site features many of the poet’s writing materials and the site has a small well, camellia trees, jangdokdae (a platform where large clay pots used for storing food are kept), persimmon trees, and a peony garden.

Located at the beginning of Seomjingang River, the steep banks in Gudam Village are covered in maehwa (plum blossoms) in white and red. While strolling along the 3m-path of the riverside, connecting Gudam Village to Cheondam Village, tourists will be impressed by the beautiful scene created by maehwa (plum blossoms) and cherry blossoms. The village became more and more famous thanks to its cozy ambience comprised of Seomjingang River, plum blossoms and Zelkova in the mouth of the village, attracting visitors to enjoy a walking trip. The village has also served as a filming location for movies, including the movie Spring in My Hometown, released in 1998.

Kohwun Garden opened on April 28, 2003, following the collection, planting, and cultivation of a wide range of plants and trees. The garden is about 200,000㎡, and the half of the area is used for educational purposes. It is home to at least 15 rare or endangered plant species including Miseonnamu (Abeliophyllum distichum Nakai) and Euryale ferox Salisbury, in addition to nearly 4,500 species of plant genetic resources. The garden also runs education programs and hands-on activities for professionals and non-professionals alike.

Beopheungsa, which was then known as Heungnyeongsa, was created by Jajangyulsa in 647 under the rein of King Jindeok of Silla to enshrine Jinsinsari of Buddha. At the time, Preceptor Jinghyo earned 100 Jinsinsari of Munsubosal and enshrined them at Yangsan Tongdosa Temple, Odaesan Sangwonsa Temple, Seoraksan Bongjeongam, Jeongseon Jeongamsa Temple and Beopheungsa Temple while establishing Jeongmyeolbogung, Hall of Buddha, at each of the places.Beopheungsa Temple is one of the five Jeongmyeolbogung. Preceptor Jinghyo had Jinsinsari of Buddha in the mountain right behind the Jeongmyeolbogung of the temple. Inside the Jeongmyeolbogung there is no statue of Buddha and only a wide open window. This is because they believe the mountain as a whole with the enshrined Jinsinsari is the Buddha himself.Beopheungsa was once a large temple where over 2,000 monks gathered. Today, most of the temple buildings were lost to a number of fires leaving only a few buildings including Jeongmyeolbogung, simujang, yosachae, and Preceptor Jinghyo Bointapbi and a cave where Jajangyulsa meditated.The pine wood path from Beopheungsa Temple to Jeongmyeolbogung is one of the most picturesque sites in the nation. The location was originally named Sajasansa but later changed to Sajasan Jeongmyeolbogung in 1939. In addition to the path, the nine peaks (Gubongdae) lined up one after another forms another charming view.