Travel/Culture List

Songido Island, the second largest island in Nagwol-myeon District, is home to Korea's one and only white pebble beach, several different species of trees, sea caves and joints created by coastal erosion. Moreover, it features various leisure activities such as fishing, camping and swimming. Chilsando, an affiliated islet of the Songido, is home to a yellow-billed egret, designated as Natural Monument No. 361, and a black-tailed gull. The sound of the black-tailed gull was selected as the most beautiful sound that a living creature can make in the competition sponsored by the Ministry of Environment in 1999. Moreover, the islet has been named as the most beautiful island in the nation by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in 2003.

The word "eong" means "a hill" in the Jeju dialect. The name "Namwon Keuneong" means "a huge hill shaped like a mouth opened toward and ready to swallow up the sea." The flatlands on the cliffs are covered with soft green grass.Visitors will be inspired by the area’s untouched nature and two naturally-made caves.While walking along the seashore cliff, visitors will come across 2 km-walking path, an observatory, a simple resting place, a fishing site and restrooms.

Hanguk Aengmusae Hakgyo, which literally translate to Korea Parrot School, is located in Pyeongchang and hosts a nightly parrot shows. Visitors can enjoy various performances staged by the parrots such as bicycle riding, rope climbing, and kissing. The café on site provides a very special opportunity for visitors to meet and interact with the animals while enjoying a refreshing drink. The bird house also offers picturesque views of the Gyebangsan Mountain and Nodong Valley.

Cheongsando Island has beautiful scenery made by mountains, ocean, and the sky, all matching in shades of blue and deep green. The island is located 19.2km from Wando Island, reachable in approx. 50 minutes by way of ferry. The island is often visited by travelers who enjoy trekking, as well as photographers seeking to capture the eye-catching vistas of this southern island. Anyone can now take a day-trip to the island, thanks to more ferry travels made between Wando and Cheongsando Passenger Terminals. The island was designated as Dadohaehaesang (Marine Archipelago) National Park on December 23, 1981, and became the first Asian Slow City (or 'Cittaslow Town') on December 1, 2007. Not only that, the Korea Tourism Organization and CNN Broadcast Network have also selected Cheongsando Island for inclusion in the "50 Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Korea."

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.

Established in 1979 in Haenam, Jeollanam-do Province by the Bohae Brewery, Bohae Plum Farm (Bohae Maesil Nongwon) is the largest green plum farm in Korea. Every spring, as maehwa (apricot flower) blossoms begin to bloom on maesil (green plum) trees, the brewery opens the farm to the public, providing an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful blossoms, and also to purchase fresh plums. To this day, the brewery produces and sells various maesil products made with the plums harvested from the farm.

Jirisan National Park spans from Daeseong-ri, Hwagae-myeon, Hadong-gun to Byeoksoryeong (벽소령), where the Jirisan History Museum is. A guide map of North Korean red guerrilla routes on Jirisan Mountain can be seen in front of the museum and the museum explains the history of North Korean fighters in the area. The North Korean partisans didn’t surrender even after the Korean War ended. The Jirisan History Museum shows the guns used at the time and visitors can also get to know the life of slash-and-burn farmers living in the area of Jirisan Mountain. Specialty regional products from Hadong are on displays as well. * Size - Site area: 4,806㎡ - Building area: 149.4㎡ - Floor: 1 story - Main facility: Exhibition hall

Songgangjeong is a pavilion located in Wongang-ri, Goseo-myeon, Damyang-gun, Jeollanam-do Province. It was registered as Jeollanam-do Provincial Monument No. 1 on January 29, 1972. Joseon Dynasty poet Jeong Cheol (pen name, Songgang) composed his famed poem “Samiingok” from this pavilion. Next to it presently stands the Samingok memorial stone. The two structures at this site, Hwanbyeonkdang and Sigyeongjeong, are collectively referred to as the “Relics of Jeong Songgang.”

Located approximately 16 kilometers northeast of Cheongju-si City, Chojeong Mineral Spring is acknowledged as one of the three major mineral springs in the world along with Shasta Spring of the U.S. and Napolinas Spring of the U.K. Chojeong Mineral Spring was discovered around 600 years ago and became nationally known ever since as the source of naturally carbonated water that has a piquant and cool taste. It is said that King Sejong (1397-1450, reign 1418-1450) visited the springs in 1444 and stayed here for 60 days to treat his eye infection. The daily yield of carbonated water here is 458 tons, which is used for producing natural soda drinks. There are presently two mineral water plant facilities in the area. The healing effects of Chojeong Mineral Spring are presumed to come from the abundant radium contained in the water, which is effective in treating eye infections and skin ailments.

Mubongsa means “A sacred place where phoenix used to dance,” and is a small and Buddhist temple. It is conveniently and accessibly located near one of the city’s top attractions, Yeongnamnu Pavilion, which has a spectacular view of the Miryanggang River, the bamboo forest below, and the park and the downtown area on the other side of the river. Perched high on the cliffs above the upper reaches of the river is Aranggak Pavilion. Take the flight of stairs from this pavilion to reach the famous Yeongnamnu Pavilion and Mubongsa Temple. Enshrining the Seokjoyeoraejwasang (seated stone Buddha statue; Treasure No. 493), the temple has long been a popular site among poets and painters for its picturesque landscape. * Mubongsa Seokjoyeoraejwasang, a well-known relic of Mubongsa Temple Mubongsa Seokjoyeoraejwasang (seated stone Buddha statue of Mubongsa Temple) is a well-preserved statue of the Buddha from the late Unified Silla Era. The 97-cm-tall statue was designated as National Treasure No. 493 on June 24, 1969.