Travel/Culture List

Godaesan Mountain (832 meters) is located next to Sintalli Station, which is the railroad disconnection point of the Gyeongwon Line. It is also on the way to Geumgangsan Mountain. Godaesan is ideal for mountain hiking because of its natural beauty and well-preserved ecosystem. Moreover, this is the only mountain in South Korea on which the North Korean territory can be seen. There are several theories about the origin of the mountain's name. One is that the mountain had been referred to as "keungore" (big whale) in the past by local residents. Another is that the mountain looks like the banggorae (smoke duct) of a Korean traditional heating system when seen from the Sintan area; this is because the mountain's deep valleys resemble the furrows under that house that facilitate the passage of hot air to heat the room above. On a topographic map, the mountain was also marked as "Gotae" (like the constellations high above). Godaesan also has a dense forest, making it a suitable source of timber and charcoal. Because of its abundant forest resources, a jumak (a tavern or inn that served food and liquor and provided lodging to travelers) village was formed here. The place was well-known for charcoal production prior to the Korean War. On November 4, 1907, 150 soldiers from the Korean militia fought a fierce battle with the 8th Company of the Japanese Army's 20th Infantry Regiment in Yeoncheon. After the fight, the Korean militia were scattered throughout the jumak village. Later on, 60 of them engaged in a fierce battle again with the Japanese soldiers on Godaesan. This is a place imbued with the brave spirit of the Korean people.

Tohamsan Mountain Natural Recreation Forest is home to various broad leaf and needle leaf trees, animals, and plants. It is close to Bulguksa Temple, Seokguram Cave, and other famous tourism sites that make the area a nice natural and resting area. Cabin House is a suitable camping site. Group accommodations are available and reservations can be made through the homepage.

The Korean Financial History Museum was established by Shinhan Bank in 1997 with the purpose of helping the general public gain a deeper understanding of the development and history of Korea's finance industry. The museum features displays on financial history, Korean money, and the history of Shinhan Bank, as well as educational programs.

During the Japanese invasion of 1592, many of the National Archives in Seoul and the surrounding area were burned down. After this, the archives were duplicated and stored in a variety of locations thoughout the county. The National Archives of Jeoksangsan Mountain was founded in 1614, when important national archives were moved from Myohyang Confucian Academy, with others being added in 1641. This national archives site served a very important role throughout over 300 years of Korea’s history, until it was closed by the Japanese during the Japanese occupation.

Gildong Ecological Park was built by the Seoul Government by restoring the wetland on the roadside of Cheonho-daero. The park maintains and preserves a wide range of flora and fauna in their natural habitats, allowing park visitors to observe plants, animals and insects in a natural ecosystem, and to learn about the importance of nature conservation.

The Hanteo Pony Farm (한터조랑말농장) is a farm where visitors experience farm aspects of farm life, and can even plant crops, touch and ride the animals, and feel the soil, thereby realizing how precious nature is. During weekdays the farm hosts learning activities specifically for groups of children from kindergartens and elementary schools. During weekends it is a popular destination for families to come and enjoy farm life.

In search of a great place to build a Buddhist Temple invoking national security, Great Monk Uisang travelled around the country and reached this place. He built a small thatched hut here for a temporary stay and continued his search. Finally, he found a perfect place and built Buseoksa Temple. He also set up another temple in the site where his small thatched hut was and called it Choamsa Temple. Choamsa Temple is located below the valley in the south of Gungmangbong Peak of Sobaeksan Mountain. After the Korean War, the temple building had to be rebuilt, but it managed to preserve some of Provincial Tangible Cultural Asset including Samcheung Seoktap (a three-storied stone pagoda; Tangible Cultural Property 126), Dongbudo (East Stupa; Tangible Cultural Property 128) and Seobudo (West Stupa; Tangible Cultural Property 129). * Jukgyegugok Valley The valley stretching from Baejeom-ni to Choamsa Temple is called Jukgyegugok which Sobaeksan Mountain surrounds like a folding screen. Near the valley, one can find famous tourist attractions such as the Sosuseowon Confucian Academy and Buseoksa Temple. Toegye Yi Hwang came up with the name Jukgyegugok inspired by the fantastic scenery of the valley and the beautiful sound of the flowing water.

Seogang River flows gently from Seonam Village in Yeongwol-gun, Gangwon-do, around Cheongnyeongpo Cape, and into Namhangang River. It is inhabited by fresh water fish, otters, mergansers and mandarin ducks. Meanwhile, Seonam Village is famous for its shape resembling the Korean Peninsula. Nearby tourist attractions include Seonam Hermitage, Seondol Rock, Cheongnyeongpo Cape, Dangmeoru, and Gwallanjeong Pavilion.

Daejeo Ecological Park is located along the riverbanks of Nakdonggang River next to Gimhae Airport. The park is a habitat for migratory birds, designated Natural Memorial No. 179. The park is made up of various marshs and waterways, flowers and grasses, and exercise facilities. The exercise equipment is located at both ends of the park, making it easy to use before and after exploring the various walking paths through the park. The park is also the venue of the annual Nakdong Canola Festival that takes place in April.

Historically the forest was called Orijangnim (오리장림) but nowadays it is also widely known as the Jacheon Forest (자천숲). The name Orijangnim originates from the fact that in olden days, before roads were established, there was a thick forest that stretched as far as "O-ri (five-ri or 1963m)"surrounding Jacheon-ri. As the national road was developed, the forest was divided into two parts, and afterwards major parts of the forest were lost to school buildings, wider roads and Typhoon Sara. It’s surely a pity that only the remaining settlements near Jacheon village can give us a feeling on what life was like in the forest long ago. However, as you drive down the un-crowded road, surely you will be able to feel the tranquility of the region. Around 400 years ago when the forest was first created, villagers annually held a ritual at midnight on the 15th of January of the lunar year to pay tribute to their ancestors and wish for peace and safety in the village. The forest houses more than 10 species of trees that come in a variety of fantastic shapes looking just like potted plants. In the summer, the cool wind of Gohyeoncheon Stream, flows in front of Jacheon Village and keeps visitors cool and refreshed, while shade from the trees of Orijangnim seem to completely blot out the the sun. Composition of Orijangnim The forest has a total of 12 species of trees made up of 9 species of 231 broadleaf trees including a gingko tree, Glandulosa willow; oriental oak; Hemipteleae davidii; Zelkova serrata; and Celtis Sinensis, to name a few. As for evergreen trees, there are 3 species of them including pine trees, black pine trees; and the Himalayan Cedar. Most of the trees in the forest are huge with an average age ranging from 20 to 350 years and a x_height of six to 24 meters.