Travel/Culture List

Muan Tidal Wetland Research in Muan, Jeollanam-do was established in an effort to raise awareness of the ecology and importance of natural wetlands. It is the nation’s largest educational center for natural ecology. The center consists of a three-story indoor exhibition hall as well as a wetland ecology park spanning 48,100㎡. Inside the exhibition hall is a multi-purpose theater that plays 3D educational videos. A tour of diverse facilities including the wetland eco-center and the tidal wetland exploration center is also available inside the hall. Outside the exhibition hall is a wetland ecology park and experience zone, where visitors may observe various ocean creatures and salt water plants.

Hansan Mosi (Ramie Fabric) Museum, where you can experience Hansan ramie fabric and Hansan Sogokju The Hansan Mosi (Ramie Fabric) Museum opened in August 1993 to preserve and promote the tradition and techniques of weaving ramie fabric. The 85,000 m2 area consists of Mosigak (a shrine), workshops, an education center, the Hansan Sogokju brewery, the Folklore Exhibition Hall, etc. In the exhibition hall inside the education center are books about the history of ramie fabric, looms, tools for weaving ramie fabric, ramie fabric items, etc. The workshops demonstrate the process of making ramie cloth including making raw ramie thread called 'taemosi,' splitting thick raw ramie thread, connecting and aligning split ramie thread, starching it, and weaving it on a traditional loom. About 250 local cultural artifacts displayed in the exhibition hall show what the life of Koreans was like in the past. Every year, the exhibition hall displays new Hansan ramie clothes designed in modern styles. There is a shop that sells various ramie fabric products including ramie cloth. You can enjoy the Hansan Ramie Fabric Festival in May or June every year.  

Located at the base of Heukseoksan Mountain, Gahaksan Recreational Forest is a recommended vacation spot for forest and valleys and has beautiful azaleas on display during the azalea festival held every March. There are also new nice lakes near the valley. In addition, the general mountain cottage was remodeled to add a red-clay room and there is also a water park facility.

Situated in the upper Bulyeongsa Valley, Tonggosan Recreation Forest, rarely visited by people in the past, still preserves much of its ancient beauty. Weathered white granite envelops the valley while a variety of waterfalls forms what looks like uniquely shaped water pots. Next to the valley is Bulyeongsa Temple built by Monk Uisang (during the reign of King Jindeok of the Silla Period). Visitors can enjoy beautiful fall foliage in the Tonggosan Recreation Forest, and there are a variety of nearby attractions from Bulyeongsa Valley, beaches on the East Coast, and Deokgu/Baekam Hot Springs. Fall foliage tends to peak between October 10th and October 20th. Visitors need to bring their own tents, utensils, toiletries, and other necessary items. The cafeteria in Tonggosan Recreation Forest is run between mid July and August.  

Naju Geumseonggwan Hall was a state-run guesthouse for government officials during the Joseon period. It was the venue for ceremonial praise rituals for the king, taking place on the first and 15th of each month, as well as banquets held in honor of visiting dignitaries. The building was constructed sometime between 1475 and 1479. The building was remodeled during the Japanese occupation, but was restored to its original design in 1977. It is currently registered as Jeollanam-do Important Cultural Heritage No. 2. There are a number of other cultural heritages located in the nearby vicinity.

Dosun Dawon Tea Plantation is Korea's first tea plantation to build and operate a modern tea-manufacturing factory. The plantation is an eco-tourism destination that aims to contribute in reducing carbon dioxide and improve the local economy through green tea production. Despite the large field that covers an area of approx. 264,400 ㎡, Dosun Dawon Tea Plantation is not very well known among tourists. However, the plantation is frequented by photographers who visit to take snapshots of the vast field against the backdrop of Hallasan Mountain or Jeju's beautiful ocean.

Geumiseong is a mountain fortress built on the summit of Geumseongsan Mountain, which rises 430 meters above sea level. It overlooks Jeonui and Cheonan to the north and Geumgang River to the south. The architecture style of Geumiseong Fortress is a combination of the styles of the Baekje Dynasty and the early Unified Silla. Based on the relics found inside the fortress, it is thought to have been built in the Goryeo period. The robustness of the fortress takes advantage of the rugged topography, so much so that it had been known as ironclad bastion among common people. The eastern side of the fortress has considerably collapsed, but the southern part is in a relatively good condition. The western and northern walls are also in bad conditions. Some earthenware pieces were found where there once stood a watchtower. Also, some pieces of roof tiles were found where there was a fortress building in the central part of the fortress on mountain summit. The earthenware pieces are hard porcelain and soft glass wares like bowls and pots. The tile pieces mostly feature fishbone patterns in dark gray color.

Sokcho Culture Center is a cultural facility located in Yeongrang-dong, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do Province. The center was formerly known as Ilbok Cultural Center, and first opened its doors to the public in 1977 with a 342-seat capacity. The cultural center currently consists of a main building and an annex building. The main building houses a grand theatre with fully-equipped lighting and sound systems, and practice rooms. The annex building has a small conference room, exhibition chamber, cultural room and administrative office.

The name Nurimaru APEC House is created by combining the Korean words nuri (“world”) and maru (“summit”), and “APEC House,” which refers to an APEC conference hall. Collectively, it means “a house where the world summits gather together for an APEC meeting.” Located on Dongbaekseom Island, which is noted for its beautiful, natural landscape accented by dense camellia and pine trees, Nurimaru APEC House has been used as a memorial hall and a prestigious international conference hall since the APEC summit meeting. Nurimaru, a 3-story building, is a modernistic expression of “jeongja,” a pavilion in traditional Korean architectural style. Its roof shape symbolizes the ridgeline of Dongbaekseom Island. Its interior design is a visual display of Korea’s creative traditional culture. The terrace, which has a Korean wooden floor concept, towers over Oryukdo Island, Gwangan Bridge and Dallmaji Hill. Located near Haeundae Beach, it not only offers a spectacular view of the beach, but also has the appearance of a reputable international conference hall featuring both modern and natural beauty.