Travel/Culture List

Jeodo Island derives its name from the abundance of paper mulberry (a fiber crop largely used for papermaking) growing on the island. The Sino-Korean character "楮" (jeo) refers to paper mulberry, while "島" (do) refers to island. The native Korean word for paper mulberry is “daknamu”. Hence, the island is also called Dakseom. Hanji, a Korean handcrafter paper, is made from the inner back of paper mulberry. On Jeodo Island, one can get a glimpse of what daily life in a small fishing village is like. The island can also be seen just behind the bamboo weirs from Siran Dock. The view is a combination of a lighthouse, fishing site, lush meadows, and lodgings with the ocean in the background. * Area: 38,216㎡

Gayasan Mountain has easy and enjoyable hiking trails connecting Gayabong Peak, the main peak with other 5 picks and mountains including Wonhyobong Peak (677m), Ongnyangbong Peak (621.4m), Illaksan Mountain (521.4m), Sujeongbong Peak (453m), and Sangwangsan Mountain. The trails are as easy, and suitable for all hikers including the elderly, and young hikers. A distant view of the west sea is even visible from the top f the mountain. Gayasan Mountain offers amazing scenery all year round, and most notably in the spring, when azaleas, royal azaleas, and an array of wildflowers are in full bloom. The mountain also contains the Seosan Rock-carved Buddha Triad (National Treasure No.84), which is considered the best rock-carved Buddha from the Baekje Period. The mountain is also home to three Buddhist temples including Bowonsaji Temple site, Gaesimsa Temple, and Illaksa Temple. With 1 national treasure, 6 treasures, and 4 cultural assets preserved on the mountain, it is safe to say that the mountain is the heart of the Naepo Culture Zone (northwestern region of the province of Chungcheongnam-do), making the entire mountain a cultural asset.

Bidulginangpokpo Falls, Natural Monument No. 537, is located within a small valley. The waterfall is surrounded by grand columnar joints. The landscape appears quite mysterious and serene, earning it a spot as a poplar filming site for historical dramas. The falls gets it's name ("Pigeon Falls" in Korean) from the story of many wild pigeons nesting in the caves around the waterfall. Other say the name comes from the area's shape. During heavy rainfall, the road to the waterfall is closed, so checking the weather before visiting is recommended.

Along with the Nammangsan Sculpture Park, the Tongyeong Civic Center is a local cradle for creativity and provides a space for artists and citizens of the region. As a recognized venue for culture and arts, the multi-purpose center presents a wide range of performances and exhibitions that share artwork from other parts of the country and contributes to the overall development of art and culture in the region.

The origin of the city name, Joan, comes from the meaning "a place where birds dwell peacefully." Namyangju Joan was designated a "slow city" in 2010 and was the first "slow city" in the Seoul metropolitan area. The city has a well-paved bike road along the Namhangang Riverbank connecting Paldang to Yangpyeong through Daeseongri. The city also has the Slow City Trail, starting from Ungilsan Station and passing through Majin Fortress and Sujeongsa Temple before arriving at Songchon Independence Park.Each of the twelve villages in Namyangju is known for a different local treasure, ranging from lotus fields to cultural heritages. Joan-myeon in particular has received compliments for its local communities, eco-friendly and organic farming, natural environment, traditional culture, and well-managed fisheries.

The Gyeongnam Art Museum was established to contribute to local culture development by collecting art works and materials, conducting related research, and holding exhibitions and educational events.Brief History:Apr 4, 2001 - Ground-breaking ceremony for the museumDec 27, 2002 - Public hearing to establish the goals of the museum Mar 27, 2003 - Gyeongnam Art Museum was confirmed as the name of the museumOct 10, 2003 - Installation of "Unlimited Place," a relief art work by Eun-Sang Park, on the façade of the museum Dec 11, 2003 - Promulgation of an ordinance for the Gyeongnam Art Museum Dec 15, 2003 - CIP development for the museum was completed Jan 15, 2004 - Establishment of an ordinance for managing the Gyeongnam Art Museum and its enforcement regulations Mar 31, 2004 - Construction of the Gyeongnam Art Museum was completedJun 23, 2004 - Opening of the Gyeongnam Art Museum

Located near Seogwipo-si on Jeju-do Island, Gogeunsan Mountain (altitude of 396m, relative x_height of 171m, a circumference 4,324m) is a parasitic cone volcano and an oreum with a nondeep circle crater on the top. Although it is not high in elevation, its expansive presence offers outstanding views overlooking nearby areas including Marado Island and Jigwido Island. The mountain is also an ideal location to see the nighttime sea and Seogwipo Chilsimni nightscape. It is a new area for daytime and nighttime walking and exercise.

The name Sanji derives from is the designation is recorded as ‘sanjichon’ literally translated the mountainous village (山 地 村). Under the reign of King Sukjong, the 19th king of the Joseon Dynasty, Jeju province governor at that time, Lee Hyeong-sang dispatched a painter Kim Nam-gil to write tamna Sullyeokdo (a book of paintings depicting various events held in 1702). Known initially as sanjeo, meaning at the foot of the mountain, the name was later changed to its current name as the upstream of sanji stream that originates from Hallasan Mountain empties itself into the sea. Sitting on half-way up the sarabong peak, one of the signature parks in Jeju-do island, the sanji light house overlooks the port of Jeju.

Originally called Jungjido Island until the 1950s, Nodeulseom Island was a sandy plain used for recreational purposes until the areas of Hangang River underwent development in the '60s and '70s. The sand was used to create what seems like an island floating in the middle of the Hangang River. Nodeulseom Island was left abandoned for the next 50 years until 2005, when the Seoul Metropolitan Government purchased the property. After a series of planning and changes, the island was open to the public in 2019 as a recreational area while preserving most of its original form. Nodeulseom Isand's main attractions consist of a live house, bookstore, music lounges, garden, and more, serving as a cultural entertainment spot to the public. 

Hagye-ri in Okcheon-eup, Okcheon-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, is the hometown of Jeong Jiyong, the poet who wrote the poem "Hyangsu" (Nostalgia). The Jeong Jiyong Literature Gallery is located next to Jeong Jiyong's birthplace. The gallery has a Literature Exhibition Hall, which is divided  of four parts: Jeong Jiyong's Chronological History, Jiyeong's Life and Literature, Jiyong Literature Map, and Exhibition of his Original Copy of Prose and Poem. At the Literature Experience Center, visitors can learn more about literature through various multimedia platforms. The Video Room shows a documentary about Jiyong's life and literature while the Literature Class is the venue for lectures, poem discussions, seminars, and other literature club activities.