Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Da Vinci Museum, located in Seogwipo-si on Jeju Island is the only museum that has the Da Vinci License in Korea. The museum offers visitors a chance to experience a wide variety of activities and hands-on programs. When you think of Leonardo Da Vinci, a few things that come to mind are the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. However, one of the greatest masterpieces in his life is the Codex, a collection of his writings. Over 7,000 pages of the Codex, A.K.A. a notebook of secrets, survives today, and the museum displays over 200 works created and inspired based on the writings in the Codex. The museum houses information about the life and times of Leonardo Davinci, a superb scientist, anatomist, and inventor.


Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun)

The Sudeoksa Temple, which has played an important role in the history of Korea’s Buddhism, is located in the Deoksungsan Mountains. The main building of the Sudeoksa Temple, the Daeunjeon, has been preserved in its original condition. This was first constructed in 1308 and has been designated a national treasure. Between 1528 and 1803 it was repaired four times, but fortunately kept its original beauty. As well as the Deungjeon, the Sudeoksa Temple houses many cultural treasures, such as the Sudeoksa 3-storey stone pagoda.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongju-si)

Buseoksa Temple is considered a 'masculine' temple. It differentiates itself from other temples by its huge size and the scenery is refreshing and beautiful. Buseoksa Temple was built in 676, when King Munmu (661~681) ruled the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C. ~ A.D. 935), by the founder Uisang (625~702) after he received orders from the King. Later in the 7th year (1016) of the Goryeo Dynasty (918~1392) was in the reign of King Hyeonjong (reign 1010 to 1031) Great Buddhist Monk Wonyung (964~1053) renovated Muryangsujeon (National Treasure No.18). It was renovated several times afterwards.The legend of lady Seonmyo and Uisang is famous. The two met when Priest Uisang went to Dang (Dynasty of China) to study. When Uisang told Seonmyo he would go back to his country, Seonmyo jumped into the sea and drowned. After death, she became a dragon. Seonmyo followed Uisang to Silla to protect and be with him. When Uisang ran against a crowd that had gathered to stop him from building Buseoksa Temple, Seonmyo brought up stones in the air three times. The stone that floated stands on the left side of Muryangsujeon. Because a wide, flat stone had floated above the ground, the temple was named Buseoksa Temple.At the entrance of Buseoksa you will see 108 steps between Cheonwangmun gate and Anyangmun gate. The number of steps represents redemption from agony and evil passions through 108 cycles. You will find Buseoksa Temple's Three Story Tower when you pass the Iljumun and Cheonwangmun gates. Above the tower you will see Beomjongru. When you pass Beomjongru, you can see a pavilion called Anyang, which means 'entrance to Heaven'. Go past Anyang Pavillion and you will reach the main building of Buseoksa Temple, Muryangsujeon, which boasts beautiful curved lines of the building structure.Muryangsujeon is a wooden building made in the Goryeo Dynasty. Inside you will find National Treasure No.45, Sojo Yeorae Seated Figure. There are more National Treasures and relics inside such as the Josadang (National Treasure No.19), Josadang Wall Painting (National Treasure No.46) and the Stone Lantern (National Treasure No.17) in front of Muryangsujeon.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun)

Seongmodo Island (석모도) is located to the west of Ganghwado Island (강화도). Beautiful West Sea, a drive by the shore, and the great scenic view are some of the features of island's highlights. To get to Seongmodo Island, simply take a ferry at Oepo-ri, which takes only 10 minutes. The seagulls that congregate over the sea, fly close to the ferry boat and provide a beautiful sight.  When you arrive at Seongmodo Island, there is a bus terminal and a bicycle rental shop. If you are planning to hike around the island, rent a bicycle. You can tour around Seongmodo Island on a bicycle, by car, or simply by walking. If you want to go to Bomunsa Temple or Minmeoru Beach, ride the bus bound for Bomunsa Temple. If you want to hike or drive, you can visit most places by going along Ilju Road. It will take only 40 minutes by car, and about 2 hours and 30 minutes by bicycle to look around the island.  The most interesting sites in Seongmodo Island are Minmeoru Beach (민머루해수욕장) and Bomunsa Temple. Minmeoru Beach is the only beach in Seongmodo Island; Its shores are elegant and the surrounding scenery is beautiful with a salt farm near the beach. Bomunsa Temple boasts great views of the West Sea and is famous for its sunsets and a Buddhist grotto that was built inside a natural cave. To the rear of Bomunsa Temple, the Nunseop Rock and the Ma-aeseokbuljwa statue engraved on a rock is also worth a look. Telephone  +82-32-930-3563, +82-32-932-6007   


Seoul(Jungnang-gu)

Mangusan Mountain spans across Mangu-dong and Myeonmok-dong of Seoul, and Guri-si of Gyeonggi-do. It is 281.7 meters above sea level. Located on the mountain is Mangu Cemetery, which was designated as public cemetery in 1933. Since its designation, many popular people have been buried here including children’s literature author Bang Jeong-hwan (penname: Sopa), independence activists Oh Se-chang and Han Yong-un, and Ji Seok-young who pioneered the use of the smallpox vaccination in Korea and was also a Korean linguist. In addition, tombstones bearing chronological listings of seven popular poets and one educator were installed at the park, making the cemetery a venue for historical education. The poets includes Park In-hwan, Mun Il-pyeong, Seo Byeong-ho, Seo Ong-il, Oh Jae-young, Seo Gwang-jo, and Yu Sang-gyu and the educator is O Geung-seon. The park also has Sin Gyeong-jin Sindobi, a cultural asset designated as Seoul Tangible Cultural Property No. 95. It is a monument of Sin Gyeong-jin, an official scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Also in the park is a 5.2km long circular road. It was named the “Thinking path”. The name was selected as a public competition held in May 1998. There are other facilities including the urban environment and nature observation road, a wooden gazebo, and a mineral-water spring. Thanks to the well managed trees and clean air, the park is visited by many citizens who are seeking for place to rest in a natural park.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Asia's largest green pasture on a plateau. This ancient and vast meadow is where milking cows feed. The view from the plateau is remarkable as well. If you go up to Daegwallyeong Observatory early in the morning, you can witness the spectacular sunrise from the East Sea beyond the peaks of Odaesan Mountain. The lake where cows drink water is called Samjeongho Lake. In order to get around this grand ranch, you should take a car or bicycle. By car, it will take about 2 hours while bicycles will take about 5~6 hours. It would be too much to try to walk the entire ranch.


Busan(Geumjeong-gu)

Beomeosa Temple, located in Geumjeongsan Mountain in Busan, is one of the three major temples in Korea, together with Haeinsa and Tongdosa. Up until today, the passion of practitioners of this temple continues, a passion that did not waver even during the war. The temple stay program has two types: the experience program and the relaxation program. Centering on chamseon (Zen meditation), the experience program includes yebul, 108 prostrations, and dado (tea ceremony). With the relaxation program, you may choose to take chamseon (Zen meditation) or have conversation with a monk over a cup of tea. The temple is close to downtown and you can use a city tour bus with departure/final stop in Busan Station to take a tour around the city.  


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

Camellia Hill is a camellia arboretum that was created on a plot of land in Sangchang-ri, Andeok-myeon, Jeju-do that spans 172,000 square meters. The arboretum is home to 6,000 camellia trees of 500 different species including species that are known to produce the world’s largest and earliest blossoms. In addition to camellia trees, the arboretum also boasts palm trees, wildflowers, and other plants as well as a sprawling grass plaza and an ecological pond. Auxiliary facilities include a gallery exhibiting camellia-themed handicrafts and a multipurpose seminar room. Camellia Hill also offers a variety of lodging facilities ranging from thatched cottages and wooden cottages to steel houses and a condominium-type resort.


Incheon(Seo-gu) , Incheon Center

The Nokcheongja (Green Celadon) Kiln Site in the Geomam-dong area of Incheon dates back to the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392). Celadon was produced on this kiln site between the 10th and 11th centuries. It has been designated as Historic Site No. 211 in May 1970. The ground around the kiln site slopes gently into the sea. Currently, the remains of the kiln are preserved within a protective pavilion, but unfortunately, the rest of the site has been transformed into golf courses.A great number of green celadon fragments and tools for pottery were discovered from the kiln at the time of excavation. The kiln applies natural slope and does not have any divisions inside.The celadon fired in this kiln has a dark green or brownish green glaze with an uneven surface. Most of the celadon artifacts are made without a pattern, but a few of the bottles have wrinkled patterns on the body. The types of the celadon are mostly bowls, plates, and bottles.Until the excavation of this kiln site, green celadon had been considered to have evolved from earthenware before the appearance of celadon. However, it is now presumed that green celadon had been influenced by the initial celadon ware and mass-produced for local supply. The kiln site in Geomam-dong is estimated to have been built sometime between the late 9th century and the middle of the 10th century.