Travel/Culture List

Innisfree is a natural brand that embodies the natural beauty of clean Jeju Island. At Innisfree Jeju House, visitors can experience everything about the brand with a variety of activities that satisfy the five senses, as well as spending a relaxing time surrounded by the beautiful nature on Jeju Island. Innisfree Jeju House was built to preserve the natural environment of the area. Visitors can feel as if they have become part of nature while they enjoy Innisfree's cosmetics made with quality ingredients harvested from Jeju, as well as organic food made with fresh local ingredients.

Followed by Sangsangmadang Hongdae, KT&G Sangsangmadang Nonsan is now open in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do. The facility has guest rooms, a cafe, restaurant, multipurpose hall, photo studio, dark room, seminar room, media room, an atelier, a mini swimming pool, and a nurse's office. The place offers an array of hands-on programs at the original site of Hancheon Elementary School which was the educational institute for 30 years in Hancheon-ri, Sangwol-myeon, Nonsan-si before being remodeled as a multi-cultural art space in June, 2011.

Soyanggang Lake is also referred to as an inland sea. The lake is served by high-speed tourist ferries connecting the 27km stretch from Soyanggang Dam to Yanggu-eup in just 30 minutes, and the 64km stretch to Bupyeongri Pier in Inje-gun in two hours. There is also a high-speed cruise to see the landscape of Naeseorak Mountain two times a day from May to October. In between sparsely dotted islands, there are enclosed fish farms and in the valleys near the lake, people can enjoy fishing over 50 species of freshwater fish like leather carp, trout, eel, and smelt.

With an elevation of 1,573 meters above sea level, Hambaeksan Mountain is the tallest mountain in the eastern part of Gangwon-do Province. The main ridge of the mountain stretches between the city of Taebaek to the east and Yeongwol and Jeongseon counties to the west. The mountain offers a fine vantage point from which to get a sweeping look at the entire region (including Taebaeksan and Baegunsan mountains) and commands a striking view of the sunrise over East Sea. The three starting points for hiking Hambaeksan Mountain are Dumundongjae Pass, Manhangjae Pass, and the entrance to the Jeokjoam Hermitage. The hiking path that begins at Dumundongjae Pass and leads to the peak is especially recommended for its scenic views. Hambaeksan Mountain is particularly well known for its breathtaking snowscapes and extensive wildflower beds. Hambeaksan Mountain is also home to Jeongamsa Temple, which was built by Buddhist monk Jajangyulsa in the year 636 during the reign of Queen Seondeok of the Silla Kingdom. The temple is home to the Sumanotap Pagoda (Treasure No. 410) and is bordered by a stream that provides a natural habitat for the Brachmystax lenok (Natural Monument No. 73), a member of the trout family.

The Egret Habitat in Gamgseong-ri covers a small mountain located in Yuseong-gu District. Existing since the Joseon Dynasty era, the habitat is home to common herons and cattle egrets. Up to 5,000 birds have been observed at one time. The best time to visit the habitat and see the egrets is between April and May.

Busan Gyeongnam Horse Racing Park, officially opened to the public in September of 2005, was host to the horseback riding events of the 2002 Busan Asian Games. The park spans an area of over 1,243,101㎡, reaching into both Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do, and boasts stands seating up to 300,000 people, 98 sports facilities, 3 sand race tracks, and a parking facility. Race tracks are wider than the lanes on a highway, providing viewers with fast and thrilling races. Races are held every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and a total of 12 races take place each racing day. Not just a favorite spot for horse-racing, the park also contains an ecological park, a children's horseback riding site, flower beds, and the largest in-line skating park and cycling lanes in the country, making it a favorite leisure spot for citizens of all ages.

One of the most well known sites to rafting maniacs is the Geumdang Valley of Pyeongchanggang River. It is a 5km course along Mt. Geumdangsan and Mt. Geomunsan from the Deungmaeji Village, which is at the upper stream, to Baegam-dong. The current of water is strong enough from the beginning that one does not necessarily have to row, and the water volume is high. The launching point of a proper Geumdang rafting course is from where you can see Mt. Geumdangsan rising behind the riverside, and finish at Baegam-dong. The water is clean and there are sandbanks sporadically, which are adequate for taking breaks. The water stream of Geumdang Valley joins with that of Pyeongchanggang River past Gaesuri. Pyeongchanggang River is a perfect fishing site for Mandarin fish, Korean piscivorous chubs, and Daces.

Located close to Munpilbong Peak, Yeonjabong Peak is named for its resemblance to the tip of a brush. Legend has it that writers who visit the peak will receive inspiration and become famous. Visitors can take a 5-minute cable car ride to reach the peak, where they will find a two-storey octagonal observatory.

Hangnimsa Temple was built to serve Buddhist nuns. While its origin is unknown, it is said to have been built undernear the Hakbawi Rock on Seohaksan Mountain about 600 years ago. The temple had deteriorated over time, but was rebuilt in April 1965 and renamed Anyangsa. The name changed again to Hangnimsa after the Daeungjeon Hall and the dormintory were rebuilt in 1985.