Seoul(Mapo-gu)

Located in the Hongdae area, the Modern Design Museum is one of the first design museums in Korea. It opened in March 2008 and exhibits historical records that are dedicated to Korea’s design development, featuring more than 15,000 items. The items displayed are mostly from the private collection of Park Arm-Jong, who is a Seonmun University professor as well as the museum’s director. He has gathered items for over 20 years and has arranged them in such a way that visitors can get a very good idea of Korea’s modern design history. Under the theme of “The Big Dipper, 7 stars lighting up the night sky,” exhibitions are categorized into different periods of time. Section 1: Inception Stage (Introduction of Modern Western Culture. 1876-1910), Section 2: Stationary Stage (Slump of Traditional Korean Culture and the Beginning of the Corporate Era. 1910-1945), Section 3: Incubating Stage (Beginning of Understanding the Utility of Design. 1945 – 1961), Section 4: Early Developing Stage (1961 – 1976), Section 5: Developing Stage (Systemizing Design and Development through International Sports. 1976 – 1988), Section 6: Take-off stage (1988 – 2000), and Section 7: Maturing stage (2000s and after).


Gwangju(Nam-gu)

With the slogan “Yeongsangang River, where Nature and Life Coexist,” Yeongsangang River Culture Pavilion consists of an open space that blends well with the surrounding natural environment. The center provides a variety of educational programs and hands-on events, through which visitors can increase their understanding of the Yeongsangang River restoration project, the history of Namdo region, and the cultural and ecological environment of the area.


Gyeonggi-do(Dongducheon-si)

Soyosan Mountain (소요산) on the outskirts of Dongducheon City is the most treasured mountain north of the Hangang River. Although it is relatively small, only standing 587m tall, it is covered by a lush forest, and dotted by waterfalls and peaks. On the slopes of Soyosan Mountain rest shrines commemorating Wonhyo and Uisang, two renowned Buddhist monks from the Silla Kingdom, and the Jajae Hermitage, a small temple where Wonhyo practiced asceticism. There are many small waterfalls including Wonhyo Falls, Uisang Falls, Cheongnyang Falls, and Seonnyeotang Falls, which are popular destinations for visitors in the summer. Although Nahanjeon, a natural stone cave, and Geumsonggul Cave, halfway up the mountain, still maintain an air of mystery. Moving from the base of the mountain, past the parking lot and shops, and following the flat path, you will find Jajae Hermitage; and, after going a bit further, you will find Wonhyo Falls cascading down between the rocky cliffs. Below the fall is Songni Bridge, which leads straight to the Uisangdae site (587m) at the top of the mountain. The left path off of the bridge leads to a cliff that is the Wonhyodae site; and by following a forest path between rising rock walls, you can trek to the Jajae Hermitage, next to which is a small cave called Nahanjeon. Very tasty spring water wells in the cave and it is called Wonhyo Spring, and its waters are famous for making excellent tea.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

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. 


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Located in both Seungju-eup and Songgwang-myeon of Suncheon-si, Jeollanam-do, Jogyesan Mountain (조계산, 884.3m) has two famous Buddhist temples on it, Seonamsa Temple and Songgwangsa Temple. This is a relatively low mountain with rounded corners and a soft tranquility. Around Seonamsa Temple you’ll find several peaks such as Wolchulbong Peak, Janggunbong Peak and Gitdaebong Peak as well as the Ilweolseok boulder. This area is always crowded with visitors all year round due to the famous temples of Songgwangsa Temple and Seonamsa Temple. There are hikers as well coming purely to walk up Jogyesan Mountain which has gentle paths with short hills and flat paths, making it great even a picnic.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jeungpyeong-gun)

Jwagusan Natural Recreation Forest is located at the foot of Jwagusan Mountain (alt. 657m). The name of mountain “Jwagusan” comes from the Chinese characters “jwa” meaning sitting down and “gu” referring to a turtle, because the shape of the mountain resembles a turtle sitting down. The lush forest along the hiking trail offers a refreshing stroll through the woods and the nearby Samgi Reservoir adds to the picturesque beauty of the mountain on misty days. The recreation forest offers easy access to many recreational facilities in the area including a resort village, Samgi Reservoir, a woodland park, and a mountain bike course. Because of its natural beauty and recreational facilities, it is becoming more popular as a tourist spot.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

Gangneung Boksa Village blooms with peach blossoms each spring. The village is criss-crossed by Hacheon and Sillicheon Streams, which can be crossed by log bridges built long ago by the residents. These precious log bridges are sometimes removed for protection during the rainy summer season, and then put back out when the streams calm down. Boksa Village provides a wonderful glimpse into the rural agricultural lifestyle of Korea. Visitors can pick their own fruit directly from the tree to enjoy right away, as well as make a scarecrow or spread green tea fertilizer around the trees to help them grow. The festival is also the venue for an annual peach blossom festival in April, and a scarecrow festival in August.


Incheon(Gyeyang-gu)

Gyeyangsan Mountain, which reaches an altitude of 395m, is considered a guardian and holy mountain that is representative of Incheon. The mountain’s name changed several times, according to the name changes of the region. It was previously called "Sujuak" as part of the Suju-Dohobu administrative region of the Goryeo Dynasty, "Annamsan Mountain" during Annam-Dohobu, and finally was renamed "Gyeyangsan Mountain" during Gyeyang-Dohobu.Gyeyangsan’s name originates from the area that is home to the Korean box tree, which produces cassia bark used to make cinnamon. Gyeyang Park was designated as Incheon’s first urban natural park on January 8, 1944, and since then, the mountain has gone on to become the city’s top municipal park.


Jeollanam-do(Hwasun-gun)

Selected by CNN as one of the 50 beautiful places to visit in South Korea, Seryangji Reservoir offers amazing scenery not to be missed. The best time to visit is during spring when the cherry blossoms bloom along the lakeside. The reservoir on misty mornings and when the waters mirror the cherry blossoms are the most popular views. The site is especially popular among photographers.


Chungcheongnam-do()

Musangsa Temple (est. March 2000) is an international Zen Temple created by Monk Sungsan exclusively for foreigners. The temple aims at promoting Korean Zen Buddhism among foreign monks and nuns while encouraging non-Buddhist priests and religious leaders to experience Zen. Located at the foot of Gyeryong Mountain, the temple is surrounded by a forest of pine trees, giving visiting Zen practitioners a chance to experience the genuine natural beauty of Korea. To date, over 600 foreigners from 30 different countries have visited the temple to learn more about Zen meditation. Twice a year (once in the summer and once in the winter) a 3-month program is held for foreign monks and nuns to come and practice Ganhwaseon, a type of Zen Buddhism. Travelers and other foreigners are also welcome to participate in shortened versions of the program, which are typically one week in length. During meditation/program periods, public visits are limited. Buddhist services are held every week. Services presided over by monk Musim are open to the general public and are held in English.