Travel/Culture List

The 1,200-meter-high Cheongtaesan Mountain is a mountain where planted and naturally growing trees flourish in harmony, creating dense forests that provide a habitat for woodland creatures. In the summer, the forest is a convenient stopover for vacationers headed for the East Coast and both children and adults can enjoy learning about the local ecology at the Forest Education Facility.

Baeksasil Valley in Seoul is a historic site (Baekseokdongcheon, Famous Site No. 36) that rests amid untouched natural surroundings. The valley is a habitat to a diverse amount of animals, including salamanders, frogs, minnows, and crayfish. There are also wild boar sitings from time to time so be careful. The preservation value of this area is especially high as the valley is home to a large colony of salamanders, which are indicator species of the clean water and a protected wildlife species of Seoul. Baeksasil Valley is a tucked away treasure in the bustling city. The path along the area’s thick forest and natural valleys provides an excellent getaway. Since the area is a habitat to several protected species, visitors are asked to refrain from dipping their feet in the valley’s waters while exploring the scenery. The entrance to the valley is located past the Sanmotungi Café.

Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park (한려해상국립공원) covers Gyeongsangnam-do Province’s Sacheon, Geoje, Tongyeong, Hadong and Namhae, and Jeonnam Province’s Yeosu. The 510,323㎢-wide sea park encompasses Dadohae Islets, Bijindo Island and Haegeumgang. The Donam Complex in Tongyeong is being developed as a world-class marine tourist attraction. On Hansando Island there are many historical sites dedicated or related to the great Admiral Sunsin Yi such as battlefields where the Admiral defeated Japanese naval forces. Other sites include those related to the Imjinwaeran War such as Jeseungdang, Chungryeolsa and the turtle lighthouse. The Sanyang Road is a great driving course along which you can look around the entire Mireukdo Island and appreciate the scenery. From Dalma Park you can enjoy the great view of Dadohae Islets. Major attractions include Hansando Island (main island), Bijindo Island and Maemuldo Islands; the latter two are often said to be the focal point of this scenic sea park.

Unmunsan Recreational Forest (운문산자연휴양림) in Cheongdo, Gyeongsangbuk-do is located at the foot of Mt. Unmunsan (1,188m, elevation) which is also called ‘Mt. Hogeosan.’ Because it is surrounded by taller mountains (more than 1,000 meters above sea level) such as Mt. Munboksan (1,014m) and Mt. Gajisan (1,240m), and it is a great place to spend time in summer. Yongmi Falls (20m) and Byeokgyesu Valley, in which the waters flow across the sandless rock bed, are famous locales in the forest. Located in a thick broadleaf forest, inhabited by many diverse species such as Korean mountain camellia, Unmunsan Recreational Forest offers lush greenery in summer, beautiful foliage in autumn, and cozy, splendid snowscapes along with the Yongmi Ice Wall in winter. In Unmunryeong, located 2.5km to the east, you can watch the spectacular sunrise above the Donghae Sea (East Sea, 동해).

Wando Passenger Terminal is a departure point for the many islands surrounding Wando.

Pocheon Valley, located in Gacheon-myeon, Seongju-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, is approximately 7 km long. This place used to be a learning place for scholars of Seongju in the old days. Eungwa Lee Wonjo, who was the civil minister during the late Joseon period and a great scholar of those days, used to live at the upper stream in Mangwijong Pavilion (만귀정). Mangwijong gives the valley a more outstanding atmosphere. Pocheon Valley is well-known for its crystal-clear waters flowing through the woods.

Woljeongni Station (Iron Triangle Battlefield) is the last stop before reaching the DMZ. With the sign "The iron horse wants to run again," there stand remains of a train that was used to make frequent trips to North Korea. Located at the spot where the fiercest battle was held during the Korean War, this train marks the partition line of the Korean peninsula. These days Woljeongni Station is under the control of the Cheorwon-gun Office and hundreds of thousands of people visit this unique tourist area every year.

Seonyudong(선유동, 仙遊洞) means the place where fairies come down from heaven to play.It has been said that fairies would often come down to the valley to make liquor and store them in flagons. There are some leftover depressions in the boulders which demonstrate there may be some truth to the legend.Near Seonyudong Valley, they say that the bamboos and pine trees stay green all year long and wood nymphs fly down to play with each other under the Suweol Waterfall at the Suweol Village. 

In Uiseong, Gyeongsangbuk-do, there is a mountain called Mt. Bingsan. The stream running down the mountain is called ‘Binggye,’ and the nearby village is called ‘Binggye-ri.’ In this mysterious and perplexing valley, you can find amazing ice formations in the heat of summer and a hot stream in the dead of winter. Tall sheer cliffs rise up across from the village, and many fascinating stones are found in a clear stream that runs under the cliff. The valley also contains a five-story granite pagoda (8.15m) from the early Goryeo period.  

Waryong Recreational Forest is a clean natural resort created by clearing a portion of a lush forest near the source of Geumgang River at an elevation of 650-1,200m. The trees and valleys with clear water make the place an excellent home for animals and wild flowers. The place also has a swimming pool, a water sled park for children, hiking trails and forest paths.