Travel/Culture List

Hani Lavender Farm was opened on a 33,000㎡ plot of land in 2006 by Ha Deok-ho, the "lavendar missionary." Mr. Ha originally operated an herb shop in Gyeonggi-do but moved to Goseong to grown his own lavendar for use in products. The area of the farm has the ideal condition for lavender to grow.

Birosa is a temple located at the southern foot of Birobong, the highest peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. It was founded by revered Buddhist monk Uisang Daesa in the 20th year of King Munmu’s reign (680 A.D.) during the Silla Kingdom. The temple’s Buddha statue and the flagpole supports reveal the long history of this ancient temple. To the left of the entrance to Birosa Temple stand a pair of flagpole supports that are official called Yeongju Samgadong Dangganjiju. The 4.8 meter-high flagpole supports facing each other have a meticulous structure. Inside the temple precincts is Jingongdaesa Bobeoptapbi, a stele with a stone turtle base erected in honor of the great monk Jingong Daesa. The temple enshrines the Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha statues, which were created during the Silla Kingdom in the late 9th century. Both of these Buddha statues realistically depict the human form, and show similar characteristics, which reveal that they were crafted by the same artisan. Preserving such valuable cultural heritages, Birosa Temple also has a serene view of Birobong Peak on Sobaeksan Mountain. * Major cultural properties: Yeongpung Birosa Amitabha and Vairocana Buddha Statues (Treasure No. 997), Yeongju Samgadong Dangganjiju (Provincial Tangible Cultural Property No. 7)

Joryeongsan Mountain divides Mungyeong (Gyeongsangbuk-do) and Goesan (Chungcheongbuk-do), and is situated at the far end of Baekdudaegan (the mountain range connecting Baekdusan and Jirisan). The mountain is picturesque with its surroundings of dense forest, steep rocky areas, strangely shaped peaks and old trees. It has a grand scale of mountain ridge and high altitude. However, as the hiking trail starts at 529m on Ihwaryeong, it is not that tough. Nearby locations include Sinseongbong Peak and Mapaebong Peak, as well as Joryeongsan Recreational Forest.

Gangneung Culture & Art Center is a cultural facility located in Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do Province. The center opened on Jan 30th, 1992 through the local municipal office in order to provide cultural events for local residents and to advance local culture & art. The facility has a grand theater, small theater, exhibition hall, and outdoor show room. Every year, a variety of programs such as theater, music, dance and other cultural performances are held along with diverse exhibitions and educational and training programs.

Palgongsan Mountain (1,192m in elevation), in the outlying reaches of the Taebaek Range, stands sentinel over the spot where the Nakdonggang and Geumhogang Rivers converge. In the past, Palgongsan Mountain was regarded as a sacred mountain because it resembles the shape of the Three Buddhas. This mountain has magnificent granite formations at higher elevations, and the beautiful valleys, seamlessly interwoven with rock formations and thick forests, make for a spectacular view. Palgongsan Mountain borders Gyeongsan, Yeongcheon, Gunwi-gun and Chilgok-gun in the north and surrounds Daegu metropolitan city in the south. With Birobong Peak in the middle, it extends to Dongbong Peak – Gwanbong Peak (Gatbawi Stone Buddha) in the east and Seobong Peak – Gasan Fortress in the west (20km long). It also offers many beautiful trails. At Gunwi-gun (Palgongsan Provincial Park), you can find a Grotto of the Three Buddhas and Ingaksa Temple. This park reflects the glory of Korean Buddhist culture, containing numerous statues of the Medicine Buddha.  

Cheonsuman Bay emerged as a habitat for migratory birds as a result of a reclamation project that was undertaken in 1984. A breakwater was built around this area, which created Ganwolho Lake and Bunamho Lake. Moreover, a vast agricultural land spanning 6,400 hectares was formed on what used to be a mud flat. The monthly average temperature of Cheonsuman Bay area between October and March is about 1.2 degree Celsius higher than inland areas with same latitude because of its oceanic climate. Such geographical conditions have made Cheonsuman Bay an ideal wintering site for migratory birds. Cheonsuman Bay is located midway along the migration route of birds migrating from northern Siberia or Manchuria to Southeast Asia. As a result, Cheonsuman Bay has become home to nearly 200 different species of migratory birds that can be watched all year round. In the winter, the area becomes a wintering site for over 300 thousand ducks and wild geese, as well as a wide variety of endangered species like storks, spoonbills, mute swans, and white-naped cranes. Lucky birdwatchers might be able to witness the great spectacle created by tens of thousands of migratory birds flying in a flock over the Cheonsuman Bay area. The annual Cheonsuman International Bird Watching Fair is held between mid-October and late-November.

Narodo (나로도) consists of Oe-narodo and Nae-narodo, located 25kms southeast of Goheung-eup. Oe-narodo, is a part of Dadohae National Marine Park (다도해해상국립공원). Fresh seafood at a low price is readily available at Narodo Port (Chukjeong Port) in Oe-narodo. All of Narodo is famous for its’ fishing places. Every season a variety of fish can be caught. The beaches in Narodo have a gentle decline and are skirted by a forest of evergreen trees aged hundreds of years, which offer great shade from the summer heat. Haban Village, the most remote village in Oe-narodo, is the best place for a family summer retreat since it has a small forest and a beach. It also has Korea’s first space center.  

The construction of this huge hot spring complex started in Yeongil Bay in 1988 after it was found out that the Yeongil Bay has the highest geothermal heat in Korea while drilling for oil in 1974. The water’s main ingredients contain healthy minerals such as calcium, natrium, fluorine, magnesium, chlorine, sulfuric acid, fluorine, zinc, germanium and radium. Yeongil Bay Hot Springs maintains its water with alkali bicarbonate at a pH of 9.43. The temperature of the water is somewhat low though at 35℃. The hot springs help to recover from fatigue, to help beauty care, anti-aging, neuralgia, heart disease, and liver functions. The water here also has a very unique texture.

Gangneung Bau-gil Road is a 150-km walking trail from Baekdudaegan Mountain Range to Gyeongpo and Jeongdongjin. The 10 walking courses that make up Bau-gil Road wind around mountains and seas, offering a scenic view to anyone taking any of the courses. “Bau” means “rock” in Gangwon-do dialect. When the people of Gangwon-do refer to Gangwon-do in a friendly way, they call it “Gamjabau.” Like the name, Gangneung Bau-gil features nature and human-friendly trekking courses surrounded by nature. By traveling on foot, people can enjoy the tranquil scene and the scent of pine trees from the forest that make up almost 70% of the routes. [Gangneung Bau-gil Course 5] This 16 km-long route along the coast includes tourist attractions such as Sacheonjin-ri Haebyeon (Beach) Park, Gyeongpo Beach, Gyeongpo Lake, Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park, and Namhangjin Beach. Collect shells near the beach, enjoy the view from the deck, and take leisurely stroll on Korea's longest and lushest pine grove path. The lakeroad in Gyeongpo, as well as the Chodang Solbat-gil (pine grove road) at Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon Memorial Park makes this a beloved trekking attraction.

High 1 Country Club is located 1,100m above the sea level, making it the highest golf course in Korea. Due to the lower air pressure, golfers may enjoy longer and farther-reaching golf drives. In addition, the temperature never goes over 25 degrees Celsius even in the middle of summer, offering a cool and pleasant condition for summer golfers. Taking nature conservation into account, most of the area was formed using recycled rocks and debris from an abandoned mine, preventing acidic wastewater leaking from abandoned mines or dumps from contaminating the environment with heavy metals. At the same time, plants and wildflowers are planted around the surrounding areas to promote sustainable ecological stability. Golfers who want to stay for more than just a day can experience warm hospitality with a lovely ambiance at the High 1 Country Club which has 197 rooms in total and also offers a great view of the 18-hole golf course.