Travel/Culture List

Nadeul-gil means a leisurely outing (nadeuri) road. Comprised of 19 courses in total, the Ganghwa Nadeul-gil Trail offers a variety of historical assets and cultural sites to see. Each Nadeul-gil course connects Ganghwa Fortress outposts that are located every 1.3 km on high ground along the walking paths. The trails are on the island of Ganghwa which holds many Goryeo Dynasty remains that are important to Korean history. Fortresses that stood against Mongolian invasions are still standing and many of the Goryeo Kingdom’s palaces and royal tomb sites are also found in Ganghwa region. Exploring the major cultural heritage sites dispersed throughout the town can be just as fun as exploring Ganghwa’s natural beauty. The sunset on the Seohae (West coast), expansive open mud flats, views from Marisan and Goryeosan Mountains and the peaceful farming villages are just a handful of the sights along this walking trail. The establishment of Ganghwa Nadeul-gil’s begins with the ancient scholar Go Jae-hyeong (pen name Hwanam), who left his hometown Ganghwa on a spring day in 1906 when the peach trees were in full bloom. He walked through more than 100 villages around the whole island. Back home, he composed poems about his journey and published them under the title of “Simdo Gihaeng (Simdo Travels),” Simdo being another name for Ganghwa. During his travels, he sang songs of his home Ganghwa. Thanks to his work, people can now follow in the footsteps of Hwanam and his appreciation of the beautiful scenery and great people of Ganghwa Island.

Daejeon is the center of state-of-the-art science and technology in Korea, where the nation’s top-tier venture enterprises, including Daedeok Special Research and Development Zone, run their business. As the representative city of science and technology for the nation, it is comparable to Silicon Valley in the United States. Yuseong Special Tourist Zone, which is located in Daejeon Metropolitan City, has won a nationwide reputation as a tourism and resort district rich in hot springs and tourism resources. Yuseong Special Tourist Zone includes a hot springs water source that yields high quality water in copious streams; therefore, there is no need to dilute the water or raise the temperature. With its healing effect proven, Yuseong Hot Springs has been the place for treatment and recuperation since the Three Kingdoms Period, and today, it is a travel destination for the middle-aged to get some rest. The water is supplied to the hotels and other hot springs in the zone, and there are many restaurants serving a variety of dishes. There is also a facility where visitors can take a foot bath for free. Since Gyeryongsan National Park is near Yuseong-gu District, after a long hike, it is a good idea to take the opportunity to immerse ones tired body in the hot water. Science museums and pavilions, including Expo Science Park, around Yuseong Special Tourist Zone are popular destinations for families with children. Bordered by Gongju-si City which was the capital of Baekje during the period of Three Kingdoms, visitors can see the cultural heritage of Baekje. * Current State of Yuseong Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: Areas around Yuseong Hot Springs and Expo Science Park (Jangdae, Guam, Gung, Eoeun, Doryong and Bongmyeong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon) 2) Area: 5,858,972㎡ * Tourist Attractions Yuseong Hot Springs, Daedeok Science Complex, Kumdori Land, Expo Science Park, Art Museum, museums, ferry tour, amusement park, etc.

The Silsangsa Temple was constructed by monk Jeunggak, as one of nine special temples in the year 828. The temple was established because of the theory of divination, based on topology. The belief held that Korea’s good spirit would be taken away to Japan, bringing bad luck if the temple was not constructed on this particular location. The temple was reconstructed in the 26th year of Joseon Sukjong’s reign (1700) after it was completely destroyed by the Japanese invasion in 1597. However, it was almost burnt down in the 19th year of King Gojong’s reign (1882). It is presently preserved just as it belonged to the Unified Silla Kingdom, with its three-story pagoda and its 11 treasures with a total of 17 cultural assets. The entrance of the temple lies in the middle of a rice field and the temple has a pastoral view, surrounded by trees. From the entrance, you can cross the half-moon shaped stone bridge, and just beyond that a remarkable totem pole.

Yongamsa Temple is a branch of the Beopjusa temple. It was built during the Silla period. Unlike the more common temple arrangements, the stone pagoda in Yongamsa is uniquely situated on a low peak in the north with a view on all sides. The twin three-story stone pagodas, which are designated Treasure no. 1338, can be found here, as well as the Baaebulsang Buddha statue, and the Mokjoamitayeoraejwasang seated Buddha in Daeseongjeon Hall.

Uiamho Lake Skywalk is the largest skywalk in Korea, stretching a length of 190 meters over the waters of Uiamho Lake. Located in the midpoint of a bicycle road, the skywalk serves as a great observation deck as well as a photo spot. The round deck is built with a transparent glass floor made up of three separate panes of glass, each 1 centimeter thick.

Chilgok Dogae Hot Springs opened on June 1, 1998. Its Grand Hot Springs Bath is capable of accommodating almost 2,000 people at once. The Chilgok Dogae Hot Springs has several facilities such as accommodations, convenience stores, a Korean restaurant, and more. Chilgok Dogae Hot Springs uses alkali sulfur spa water that contains 12.3mg of sulfur, 0.01mg germanium, 30.6mg sodium, 3.11mg chlorine, and 3.09mg fluorine and the water is around 35℃. Prior to first use, the water does not undergo any filtering so that it maintains all its natural benefits. There are several tourism attractions near the hot springs like the Songjeong Natural Recreation Forest, Dabudong War Memorial Museum, and Waegwan War Memorial Museum.

Najeong Beach is situated on the shores of the East Sea. The beach offers many facilities as well as a seawater hot spring. The parking lot and pine tree forest by the hot spring are open to the public. Various water sports are also available in the area.

Opened in 2004, the Hangang River Eco Learning Center is situated on the Namhangang Riverside. The site used to be a sandpit before it was turned into a wetland. Effluent from wastewater treatment plants, which in the past was released directly into the Hangang River, now passes through several ponds with various aquatic plants and a one kilometer-long waterway so that it can be naturally purified. This has contributed to an improvement in the water quality of the Hangang River. The learning center was built to restore the Namhangang Riverside area, which was destroyed due to sand extraction, and to restore its natural ecology of willow trees, reeds, and birds. The center organizes a number of ecological excursion programs for children.

Located in Buam-dong, Jongno-gu, Zaha Museum is the highest art gallery in Seoul. Reaching the museum involves a bit of an uphill walk, but the breathtaking scenery that includes Bugaksan and Inwangsan makes it worth the effort. Opened on March 1, 2008, the two-storey museum exhibits experimental works of young artists. There are two exhibition halls and the small garden on the second floor has a great view of the mountains.

Located in Sacheon, Gyeongnam Province, and home to the huge Elephant Rock that resembles an elephant drinking water, Namildae Beach (남일대해수욕장) is a popular vacationing spot all year round thanks to its clean water and soft sand. The thick surrounding forests and Jinneol Observation Deck, as well as many fishing spots, add to its popularity. During the summer season, the beach is the site of both a singing competition and a film festival. Vacationers can also visit Changseon-Samcheonpo Bridge (창선-삼천포대교), the biggest bridge in Asia, and see Hallyeohaesang National Marine Park (한려해상국립공원) on a ferry cruise.