Travel/Culture List

Donamseowon Confucian Academy was built in 1634, originally 1.5 km away from its current location. It received a royal charter in 1660 and relocated to its current location in 1880 due to flooding issues. The seowon's main gate, Ipdeokmun Gate, is made up of three entrance doors. Once inside, Yangseongdang Hall can be seen facing the main gate, with Eungdodang Hall to the left. Ancestral rites take place every February and August at Jungjeong Hall. Inside the seowon is a temple that enshrines the ancestral tablets of four prominent scholars who taught at this institution - Kim Jang-saeng, Kim jip, Song Jun-gil, and Song Si-yeol. Among the academies that served Kim Jang-saeng and his teachings, Donamseowon is considered the most important and influencial.

The Namhae German Exhibition Hall was opened on June 28, 2014 to display the history and artifacts of the Korean miners and nurses who were sent to Germany for work in the 1960s. At that time, Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world, with an unemployment rate of 30%. The exhibition hall shows the sad and lonely reality these workers lived through while working in a far place in order to send money home to their families.

Peace Dam was built over the period of 15 months from February 1988 to May 1988 with funds donated by the general public in response to North Korea’s construction of Geumgangsan Dam and a potential flooding attack. The flood control dam has proved its worth during the floods of 1995, 1996, and 1999 and it has become a major tourist destination over the years. Located In the vicinity of Peace Dam is Bimok Park, which is the origin of the famous national song “Bimok.” In addition to the war monuments inside the park, there are around a dozen wooden crosses with rusty iron helmets placed on top within the barbed wire entanglements around the hill, thereby reminding visitors of the national tragedy of the Korean War. The county of Hwancheon hosts the Bimok Cultural Festival from June 3 to June 6 every year at Bimok Park, Bungeoseom Island by the town’s riverside, and the surrounding areas. The four-day festival offers a variety of events such as song contest, memorial ceremony of poetry reading, bimok tree cutting contest, rice ball eating contest, army life experience, military music parade, and more. Crossing over to Yanggu County from Peace Dam, there is a national security education place comprised of attractions like the 4th Underground Tunnel and Eulji Observatory. Paroho Lake Battlefield Tourist Park is also worth a visit after looking around Peace Dam. Also known as the “ocean within mountains,” Paroho is a manmade lake created as a result of Hwacheon Dam constructed in 1944. The lake is home to over 70 different species of freshwater fish such as mandarin fish and carp. It also holds a sorrowful history of burying at sea a whole three divisions of the Chinese Forces in defending the lake during the Korean War. The name Paroho, meaning “enemy breaking lake,” was given after the late president of Korea Rhee Syngman visited the place and designated a plaque in his own handwriting in memory of obtaining victory in fierce battle. There is an observatory, a security hall, and a stone monument engraved with the poetry of Wolha Rhee Taegeuk (1913-2003).

Open since 1974, Eunha Bnc is an outstanding hair salon with a loyal customer base, including many international patrons. It is one of the most exquisite hair salons in Seoul, employing only the top stylists who are experienced in a wide variety of salon services. In 2004, the shop stepped up its efforts to attract international tourists and has since then trained employees in basic English skills.

Palbongsan Mountain stretches out like a folding screen and stands high with great spirit, embracing nine villages. It is named Palbong (“eight peaks” in Korean) because of its eight peaks in a row. The third peak is the highest, standing at 362m with a beautiful view and crisp air, making it ideal for hiking (about a 3 hour course) and resting at the top. There is also another popular Palbongsan Mountain in Hongcheon, so this mountain is usually referred to as “Seosan Palbongsan.” Seosan is the name of the city where the mountain belongs. In fact, there are nine peaks here, but the smallest one was not included in the name, so there smallest one weeps over its exclusion at the end of each December.

Munheon Confucian School was established to pay tribute to the memory of Lee Gok (1298-1351) and Lee Saek (1328-1396) who were well-respected for their writings and character. The school was originally built in the 27th year of the reign of King Seonjo (1594) of the Joseon Dynasty, but was burnt down during the Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion of Korea 1592-1598). It was rebuilt in Hansan Gochon in the 3rd year of King Gwanghaegun (1610) and in 1611 was awarded the “Munheon” sign by the government, thereby becoming a legislated private institute. Mortuary tablets of five Confucian scholars including Lee Jong-hak, Lee Ja, Lee Gae as well as Lee Gok and Lee Saek were enshrined at the school. The school recently added the tablet of one more scholar, named Lee Jong-deok, and holds a service annually for the 6 Confucian scholars in March and September (according to the lunar calendar). Muheon Confucian school consists of two parts: an educational area and a shrine. When you walk in the school through Oesammun Gate, you’ll see a garden and an auditorium and library at the far end where training takes places. The shrine is located past Naesammun Gate behind the auditorium and is surrounded by a wall.

Jijok Strait flows between Jijok Village in the towns of Samdong-myeon and Changseon-myeon. Fishing on Jijok Strait is done by using traditional bamboo weirs called jukbangnyeom. Along the tidal flats where the water is deep and the current is fast, some 300 oak-wood beams as high as 10 meters are driven into the sea bed with bamboo screens to form V-shaped traps. The fish caught in the incoming tide get trapped in the narrow “V” end, which are then retrieved with a scoop net. The seafood products from this area are known for their exceptional quality because the surrounding waters are clean. The anchovies and seaweed caught from Jijok Strait are among the most highly sought-after in Korea. Changseondaegyo Bridge (440m) links Changseondo Island to the city of Sacheon. Following its collapse in 1992, the bridge underwent repairs and reopened in December, 1995. Fishing from this bridge will yield a catch big enough to feed the whole family. Along with Jukbangryeom, Amsubawi Rock in Gacheon Village is also regarded as one of Namhae’s valuable cultural assets.

The building for Salt Gallery is the original stone-built salt storage in 1945, which remained intact. Previously a wooden storage for salt, it was later used as a warehouse for materials, and it is now transformed into a Salt Gallery after remodeling in 2007. The gallery was thought to a source of important historical data for salt farms since it remains the old scene from the past. Also, it offers a modern stone-built storage at this exhibition hall. The gallery exhibits everything about salt, from stories to anthropological aspects. In particular, the exhibition tries to break down the misunderstanding in which salt is thought to be the principal factor of diabetes and high blood pressure, and acknowledge the useful health benefits of salt by explaining the different types of salt uses. Beyond the general information on salt, the history behind salt is also explained. Also, daily lives of the people living in Taepyeong Salt Farm, the process of making salt and information about Hamcho (Salicornia herbacea salt) are also showcased in this gallery. - Modern Cultural Heritage No. 361 - Opening Date: July 14, 2007

Standing at 1,352 meters above sea level, Dutasan Mountain is a major mountain amid the Taebaeksanmaek Mountain Range. It is especially known for the Swinumjeong Pavilion, plunge basin, azalea trees, nut pines, and colorful fall foliage. In the Samcheok-si region, there is Cheoneunsa Temple where Lee Seung-Hyu resided during his exile. Lee was the author of Jewang Ungi, a historical poem written in the late Goryeo period. The name “Duta” is a Buddhist term that means "retiring from the world to go on a Buddhist retreat."

Designated as Scenic Site No. 76, Seondol refers to the 70m-high rocky cliff beside the Seogang River in Bangjeol-ri, Yeongwol. The cliff offers beautiful views and a korean legends states that if one makes their wish looking at Seondol, also known as Sinseonam Rock, then their wishes will become true.