Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)

Located along the national highway between Jecheon and Wonju, Baeron Holy Ground has great spiritual significance as it served as the fountainhead of the spread of Catholicism in Korea. During the early years of Catholicism in Korea, Catholics fleeing from the Sinhae Persecution (1791) came to this place, formed a community, and made their faith deeper. A man named Hwang Sa-yeong (Alexander, 1775–1801) hid in a tunnel and wrote letters about the situation of the Joseon Catholic Church on silk fabrics, but was captured and martyred in 1801. Baeron is a historic place where Joseon’s first theological school, St. Joseph Theological School, was founded, but the school was eventually shut down. The graves of Fr. Tomas Choe Yang-eop (1821–1861), Korea’s second Roman Catholic priest, and the Martyr Hwang Sa-yeong Memorial Tower can be seen at Baeron Holy Ground. Baeron Holy Ground is surrounded by rugged mountains such as Guhaksan Mountain and Baegunsan Mountain and Chiaksan Mountain. The mountain path from the holy ground eventually leads to Bakdaljae Natural Forest.


Seoul(Mapo-gu) , Yeouido・Yeongdeungpo・Mapo

After being used as an oil tank for 41 years, the culture tank was reborn by recycling the tanks that was left over. The 5 tanks were transformed into a performance hall, an exhibition hall, and pavillions, while one newly transformed tank became an information center. With a temporary parking lot turned into a culture yard, where visitors can enjoy various activities while exploring the area.


Busan(Jung-gu)

Yongdusan Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone covers the area around Gwangbok-dong in Busan, which includes Yongdusan Park and the well-known traditional markets such as Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market and Bupyeong Market, which are filled with life and energy. Gwangbok-dong area is always crowded with young tourists as well as young locals enjoying the vibrant shopping street and affordable street food. At Yongdusan Park, visitors can enjoy a panoramic sight of Busan, and the night view from the park should not be missed. There is an escalator to take visitors up to Yongdusan Park. Jagalchi Market and Gukje Market retain some traces of what Busan used to be like in the 1970s and 1980s, and that is why these markets are popular among the middle-aged as well as young people. There are a lot of marine products and food to eat. In particular, Gomjangeo (inshore hagfish) street in Jagalchi Market is well known, along with the restaurants that serve the grilled fish at affordable prices. The Busan International Film Festival and the Busan Jagalchi Festival take place in the autumn. There are dozens of secondhand bookstores in Bosu-dong Book Alley where people can freely purchase, sell, read or browse secondhand books. Apart from Jagalchi Market and Film Street, the area around Nampo-dong, together with Haeundae Special Tourist Zone, is famous for holding the Busan International Film Festival. On the Food Street, which spans from Film Street to Gukje Market via Arirang Street, are street vendors selling food such as ssiat hotteok (seed-stuffed Korean-style pancake), bibim dangmyeon (spicy sweet potato noodles) and patbingsu (shaved ice with sweetened red beans). There are also restaurants serving jokbal (steamed pig trotters,) dwaejigalbi (grilled spareribs) and gopchang (grilled beef or pork intestine). It is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy unique Korean food. Current State of Yongdusan and Jagalchi Special Tourist Zone 1) Districts Covered: Areas around Gwangbuk, Nampo and Bupyeong-dong, parts of Donggwang, Daecheong, Bosu and Jungang-dong, Jung-gu, Busan 2) Area: 1,079,836㎡ * Tourist Attractions Yongdusan Park, Sumireu Park, Jagalchi Market, Gukje Market, Bupyeong Market, Bosu-dong Book Alley, etc.


Gangwon-do(Goseong-gun)

The villa of Kim Ilsung, former leader of North Korea, is perhaps better known as the Castle of Hwajinpo, for its fortress-like exterior. The villa was used as a summer house not only by the Kim family, but also by high-level members of the Communist Party from 1948 to 1950. The interior of the castle keeps history alive through a set-up of personal items and materials used by the Kim family. There is one photo in particular of a young Kim Jongil standing at the foot of the stairs that brings a sense of intimacy to this secretive family.


Seoul(Jungnang-gu)

Bonghwasan Mountain (alt. 160m) in Jungnang-gu, Seoul offers scenic views of Buramsan, Dobongsan, and Namsan mountains. From the mountain, hikers can even see as far as the Yangju area of Gyeonggi-do Province to the north. Officially designated a “neighborhood park” in July 1977, Bonghwasan Mountain has a variety of convenience facilities, not least of which is the beacon tower of Achasan Bongsudae (remolded in 1994) perched on the mountain summit. Also near the summit is Sansingak Shrine, which is the site of the annual Bonghwasan Dodanggut (Intangible Cultural Property of Seoul No. 34), a shamanistic rite performed on the third day of the third lunar month.


Busan(Suyeong-gu)

Located on Geumnyeonsan Mountain in the heart of Busan, Geumnyeonsan Youth Training Institute is a youth center managed directly by Busan Metropolitan City. Surrounded by a wonderful natural landscape, the institute also functions as a place to relax for the general public. Its main facilities include a youth campground, dormitories, an astronomy observatory, an auditorium, and a fitness center. There is also a promenade and a wisteria-lined path, so the institute is a place of both learning and relaxation. The institute consistently provides a variety of programs designed to develop the mind and body such as summer and winter camps, writing contests, drawing competitions, and more.


Chungcheongnam-do(Yesan-gun)

Deoksan Hot Spa is conveniently in Sadong-ri, Deoksan-myeon, Yesan-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, only one and a half hours away from Seoul. The spa resort’s hot springs have been known for their efficacy ever since the Joseon Dynasty (1932-1910) and the 45℃ germanium water is widely known for its health benefits. The region has been home to major spa resorts since 1917.Nearby tourist attractions include Chunguisa Temple, which enshrines the spirit of Patriot Yun Bong-Gil, and Sudeoksa Temple, a training site for Buddhist nuns. Within the spa district are 9 major spa facilities, approximately 50 hotels, and numerous restaurants.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

The Gasa Poetry Hall is located in Damyang in Jeollanam-do Province, an area which is famous for its fertile land and rich historical heritage. During the Joseon Dynasty, when Chinese classical literature had great influence, some scholars wrote poems in Korean called "Gasa." A total of 18 representative Gasa poems such as "Gwandongbyeolgok" and "Samiingok" are housed in the Gasa Poetry Hall, earning Damyang the title of "the heart of Gasa poetry." Damyang-gun County established the Gasa Poetry Hall in order to pass down the important cultural heritage of Gasa to future generations. In the museum, historical literature such as “Myeonangjip” (a collection of Gasa poems by Song Sun) and “Songgangjip,” (a collection of Gasa poems by Jeong Cheol) are on display. In the auxiliary facilities, local specialties are exhibited and traditional teas are available for purchase. Other major tourist attractions in the area are Soswaewon Garden and Sigyeongjeong Pavilion, whose beauty has been source of inspiration for Gasa poets throughout history.  


Gangwon-do(Sokcho-si)

At 1,708 meters high, Daecheongbong is the highest peak in Seoraksan National Park and the third highest peak in Korea following Hallasan Mountain (1,950 meters) and Jirisan Mountain (1,915 meters). It marks the point where Nae-Serok (inner Serok) meets Oe-Serok (outer Serok). Due to irregular climate and low temperatures, it is home to various stunted high mountain plants and about 50 rare plants, as well as a variety of wild birds. From Daecheongbong Peak you can view the fascinating landscape of Seoraksan Mountain in all four directions.The most popular hiking trail to Daecheongbong Peak starts from Sogongwon and passes the Biseondae and Hoeungak Pavilions. From Daecheongbong Peak, the trail continues to Seorak Waterfalls and Osaek Mineral Spring. The one-way span is about 16 kilometers and takes about 11 hours and 20 minutes. About 10 minutes from Oryeon Falls is the Yangpok Shelter where visitors can stay the night on a first-come first-served basis. The website offers more information on shelters and reservation. 


Busan(Geumjeong-gu)

Geumjeongsan has historically been considered as a mountain conducive to the defense of the country. For this reason, Beomeosa, a leading temple believed to defend and protect the country, was built along Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, the nation’s largest fortress, built in The Three Kingdoms period. Geumjeongsan Mountain contains Godangbong Peak, the main peak rising 801.5 meters above sea level, as well as Janggunbong Peak (727 meters) to the north, Sanggyebong Peak (638 meters) in the south, and Baegyangsan Mountain (642 meters) behind Seongjigok Valley. In between these peaks are numerous other smaller peaks like Wonhyobong, Uisangbong, Mireukbong, Daeryukbong, Paryubong, and Dongjebong. The mountain is not startlingly tall, but has a graceful shape with dense forest and clear water fountains throughout the exquisite rocky cliffs, proudly representing itself as a famous mountain in Busan. There are 14 mineral springs in Geumjeongsan Mountain. The springs are used by hikers and serve as a water source for people living nearby. With 2,300 types of trees and 600 or so types of animals, the mountain is a habitat for wild life. Nearby, there are various tourist sites, such as Dongnae Spa, Geumgang Gongwon Park, Beomeosa Temple, Gukcheongsa Temple, Geumjeongsanseong Fortress, and Sanseong Maeul Village.