Travel/Culture List

Cheonsaseom Bunjae Park (1004 Island Park) is a place for people to relax and enjoy nature. This eco-friendly ecological park has a spacious sea garden covering an area of 50 million pyeong, a relaxation space surrounded by nature, and a learning space. The park hopes to attract more visitors as it continues to hold various exhibits about potted plants and sculptures.

Chuncheon’s Jipdarigol Recreation Forest sits atop Chokdaebong peak, separating Gangwon chuncheon and Gyeonggi Gapyeong. Natural forest is formed along the valley, which attracts many visitors who want to spend their summer cooling off.Lodging facilities include the forest lodge, condo styled lodging, and small bungalow-style facilities. Subsidiary facilities include sporting equipment, a promenade, and camping site (high season: 3,000won). What is good about Jipdarigol Natural Recreation Forest is that it is located along a stream, which means its environment is clear and pure. Lodging facilities reservation can be made through the homepage.* Forest Cabin Lodging Fee (day of the check in 14:00 / check out the next day 12:00)Party of 5 – high season (7.1~8.31) 50,000won / weekend 40,000won / weekday 30,000wonParty of 7 – high season (7.1~8.31) 90,000won / weekend 70,000won / weekday 50,000wonParty of 10 – high season (7.1~8.31) 130,000won / weekend 110,000won / weekday 90,000won

Designated Scenic Site No. 6, Buryeongsa Valley spans 15 kilometers in length. Due to a lack of convenient transportation infrastructure leading to this site, it has not been visited much in the past. However, with the opening of national road 36, it became a popular summer vacation spot. Near the valley, there are about 30 tourist sites, including the old Buryeongsa Temple from the Silla Kingdom, Gwangdaeko Bawi Rock, Jujeori Bawi Rock, Changokbyeok, Myeonggyeongdae, Uisangdae, Santaegeuk, and Sutaegeuk.Follow the valley and you will find Sarang Bawi (or Love Rock) by the road. It is said that those passing by the rock will see their love come true. The white granite cliffs are in odd shapes as they were weathered over time. The cliffs and the valley waters combine to create splendid scenery. The view from Seonyujeong and Buryeongjeong, which are two-story octagonal pavilions, are even better. The landscape is set against Cheonchuksan Mountain.

If you travel along Geumsan Route 29 from Gimje you’ll soon come upon the city of Mangyeong. Continue along 12.3km west of the city and you’ll be rewarded by the sight of Manghaesa Temple sitting atop a cliff on the crest of Jinbongsan Hill. True to its name, which comes from the phrase ‘mang mang dae hae’ (roughly meaning ‘a boundless sea’), the temple commands a sweeping view of the ocean below.The temple was established by the great monk Buseol Geosa during the 2nd year of King Uija of Baekje (642 AD). Years later, Dobeopsa (a Chinese monk from the Tang dynasty) renovated the temple. The temple was altered again during the reign of King Injo of the Joseon Dynasty when the great monk Jinmuk Daesa built Nakseojeon Hall.

Deokjusa Temple is a branch temple of Beopjusa, the head temple of the 5th district of the Jogye Order. The temple is believed to have been established by Princess Deokju, the last princess of the Silla Kingdom, in 586 AD (9th year of King Jinpyeong of Silla). According to legend, Princess Deokju stayed at the site with Prince Maui and built the temple, naming it “Deokjusa” after herself. The temple once stood in front of the Deokjusa Maaebul Rock-carved Buddha (Treasure No. 406), but was burned down during the Korean War. The present temple building stands about 1.7 kilometers from the original temple site and is the result of reconstruction efforts conducted in the 1970s.

Hyangcheonsa Temple is an old temple that was founded by Monk Euigak in the late Baekje period under King Uija's rule. The temple is easily accessble from downtown despite its location deep within a valley at the foot of Geumosan Mountain, serving as a landmark for visitors enjoying a light stroll or a hike up to the mountain. Serving as a home to several relics and a nine-story-pagoda, the temple site and buildings are well maintained and neatly cleaned on a daily basis. According to legends, Monk Euigak originally had planned on building a temple in Sinam-myeon in Yesan. He went to China and brought a Buddha statue, praying earnestly on his way back aboard a boat. Upon his arrival, he sighted a pair of golden crows flying above the boat and followed the birds before they disappeared. He found the birds at the temple's current location, drinking from a puddle of water that had an aromatic smell. From then on the mountain was called Geumosan, meaning "the mountain of golden crow," and the temple was named Hyangcheonsa, meaning "the temple of fragrant water."

Surrounded by majestic pine trees, Huirisan (or Mt. Huiri) boasts an outstanding landscape; there is a reservoir at the foot of the mountain. Upon climbing to the top of the mountain, visitor can overlook the scenic West Sea. There are also numerous attractions near Huirisan: Chunjangdae Beach, Geumgang River Banks, and Hansan Mosi Town (“Mosi” referring to “Ramie,” the predominant fabric used for traditional Korean clothing)The top of the mountain (329m in x_height) is called Munsubong (or Munsu Peak). To the northwest of the Huirisan Pine Tree Recreational Forest is Saindae. Legend goes that four generals used to play there. Indeed, there is a cliff (140m in x_height) just below Saindae where they were believed to do chin-ups. Naturally, people call the area Teokgeolijang (Chin-Up Spot). Traces of Munsusa Temple still remain below Munsubong although it was said to have been destroyed by a huge number of bedbugs. 500m from Munsubong to the south, horse riding trails of the four generals are dotted along the ridge; Malttongbawi (Horse Dung Rock), resembling horse droppings, is 500m from the peak to the southeast.Below Munsubong are four large peaks where the four generals lived and 100 small rocks beneath them that were home to low ranking men commanded by the generals. Because of their unique shapes, those rocks form a scenic sight while hiking in Huirisan. 

For those hoping for a view of the winter sea, or those longing for the engulfing embrace of the clear dark-blue waves crashing into huge rocks, this is the place to be. When one thinks about Shin-myung Jeong-ja Beach, most people are reminded of Sokcho, Gangneung, Donghae and Samcheok in Gangwon-do. Nevertheless, many tourists seek the east coast that spreads from Jujeon in Uljin to Gampo. The costal road, with its beautiful scenery of sea and mountains, is a popular driving route. With diverse attractions nearby, many vacationers are attracted to this beach during the winter.

Enjoy Korean craft beer in a cultural place Korea Craft Brewery is the first craft brewery in Korea established with 100% domestic capital. The brewery produces craft beers in partnership with Hitachino Nest Beers, also known as Owl Beers. The brewery is a cultural space as well. It runs three kinds of tour programs: "Tour with a Brew Master," "You Drink, We Drive" Tour, and the "Classic Tour." The brewery is planning various cultural activity programs as well as beer tasting and promotions.

Located in Jindo-gun (Jeollanam-do), Jangjeon Art Museum (Formerly, Namjin Art Museum) was founded by a calligrapher named Ha Nam Ho in 2003. It is a three-story building with five exhibit halls that display various genres of art such as Korean paintings, Western paintings, calligraphy and sculpture. Over 350 pieces of work are on display, all of which are part of the collection of founder Ha Nam Ho. The artwork includes creations by deceased artists, veteran artists, and modern artists and includes Goryeo celadon, Joseon porcelain and much more. The name “Namjin” is made up of the founder’s middle name “Nam” and his wife’s name “Jin.” The little hill next to the museum is thick with pine trees, and the clear water in the nearby valleys adds to the peaceful museum atmosphere. The museum is closed on Mondays; Opening hours are from 10am to 6pm.