Chungcheongnam-do(Cheonan-si)

The Korea History and Culture Park was created 200,000 square meters of land in Jisanri Gukhagwon, Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. It is based on the creation myth Dangun’s Gaechoen & Hongik spirit that encompasses and embraces every ideology, religion and culture.At the center of the park is a 33 meter high statue of the founder of Korea, Dangun, holding a globe. The statue is the largest of its kind in Korea.At the entrance is a monument of Cheonbugyeong, a scripture of Daejonggyo, and at the Square of Liberalization History are statues built to remember the spirits of independent movement activists who sacrificed their lives for the nation, including Yu Gwan-Sun, Ahn Jung Geun, and Yun Bong-Gil. There are statutes of five internationally beloved religious and philosophical figures: Buddha, Confucius, Jesus, Socrates and Indian Saint. As a symbol of sacred love, there’s also a statue of the Mother Mary.By the year 2013, the Korea History and Culture Park will include facilities to provide visitors with a valuable experience of the nation’s history and culture: Korea History & Culture Center, Damul Exhibition Hall, Seondo Cultural Experience Field (including Ungnyeo cave, waterfall and a gazebo), the Jangseung totem pole, Sotdae Park, Sculpture Park, Traditional Seondo Folk Village, National archery place, and a stable for horseback riding.In collaboration with Gukhagwon Inc. the Korea History and Culture Park offers a tour program where you may take a special lecture on Gukhak and visit the exhibition area. It is a great opportunity for visitors to experience first hand Korean history and cultural tradition. 


Jeollabuk-do(Gunsan-si)

Seonyudo (선유도), one of the most popular tourist destinations on the west coast during the summer, lies in the heart of the Gogunsan-Yeoldo archipelago and consists of some 20 islands in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do. Visitors to the island can also see Munyeodo, Jangjado and Daejangdo nearby in one trip as there are bridges linking the four islands. The starting point of the tour is a small town named ‘Jin-ri’ located adjacent to Seonyudo Beach. On the island you’ll find convenience facilities including lodgings and restaurants. The town often becomes crowded during peak times in the summer so if you want to avoid the crowds you may want to rent a bicycle and cross the bridge to Munyeodo or Jangjado or ride over to Jinwol-ri on the other side of Mangjubong (hill). Munyeo is a peaceful town and port with a sprawling reed and pebble field that can be enjoyed in Jinwol-ri. You can also go fishing on Jangjagyo (bridge) or take in the breathtaking view of the archipelago from the top of Mangjubong, the emblem of Seonyudo. You can witness the awe-inspiring sunset in Seonyudo from anywhere on the beach, but it is even more spectacular when viewed from the top of Mangjubong.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Girimsa Temple is located in Mount Hamwolsan in Yangbuk-myeon, Gyeongju. The temple was built in the Silla era and, with 16 buildings, is the second largest temple after Bulguksa.Legend has it that the temple was originally built by the Venerable Gwang-yu, a sage from India, in the early part of the Silla Kingdom. The temple was reportedly called ‘Imjeongsa’ at first, but was later changed to ‘Girimsa’ after undergoing expansive renovations by Monk Wonhyo. It is still unclear exactly what year the temple was built in.Girimsa is divided into two main areas. The first is the area around Daejeokgwangjeon Hall where the statue of Birojanabul is enshrined. The second is the area around the majestic 500-year-old bo tree (a kind of large fig tree) that is home to a wooden pagoda, the Seongbo Museum, Samsingak, Mangbujeon, and Gwaneumjeon halls. The Daejeokgwangjeon Hall was first built during Queen Seondeok's reign, and was rebuilt six times since its original construction. Its simple but majestic architecture is characterized by baeheullim (aka, entasis columns) and a Dapoyangsik (Dapo-style) single-tiered gabled roof.Girimsa is famous for Ojongsu, water that is said to have five different tastes. It consists of gamrosu, which is best for making tea; hwajeongsu, which supposedly gives comfort to the drinker; janggunsu, which makes the body stronger; myeongansu, which gives clear vision; and otaksu, which is said to sparkle so brightly that it attracts all the birds of the air. During Japanese colonial rule, the source of janggunsu, literally meaning ‘water of a general,’ was reportedly blocked off by Japanese soldiers, who were afraid the water would give the Korean people the strength to overthrow them. Except for janggunsu, water still continues to flow from each source.On the way to Girimsa temple is the Golgulsa Temple, well known for its 12 grottos. Golgulsa was originally a hermitage (monastery) of Girimsa. After becoming an independent institution, it became the center of Seonmudo practice in Korea. The temple aims to promote the art of seonmudo on a national and international level.* Major Cultural Properties Lacquered Seated Mercy Bodhisattva of Girimsa Temple (Treasure No. 415)Daejeokgwangjeon Hall (Treasure No. 833)Sojo Birojana Samjonbul (Treasure No. 958)Sutras kept inside the Vairocana Buddha of Girimsa (Treasure No. 959) 


Busan(Geumjeong-gu)

Beomeosa Temple is located at the edge of Mt. Geumjeongsan, a famous mountain in Busan. About 1,300 years ago it was constructed by monk Ui Sang in the 18th year (678) of King Munmu (reign 661~681) of the Silla Kingdom (the kingdom mainly occupied the Gyeongsang-do Province region in 678A.D.). In the geography book 'Donggukyeojiseungram' the origin of Beomeosa Temple is written as follows: "There is a well on the top of Mt. Geumjeongsan and the water of that well is gold. The golden fish in the well rode the colorful clouds and came down from the sky. This is why the mountain is named Geumsaem (gold well) and the temple is named 'fish from heaven'." The original Beomeosa Temple building was lost during Imjinwaeran Invasion (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592) but was renovated in 1713, which remains as it now is. Daeungjeon is one of the most delicate and luxurious architectures of the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910). There is Iljumun, the three-story pagoda with four pillars, built in the 9th century, and seven royal palace wings, pavilions, three gates, and eleven hermitages. Designated as a natural monument, the wisteria woods and valleys are most beautiful in May.


Gangwon-do(Samcheok-si)

Saecheonnyeon Road in Gangwon-do Province is a 4.8㎞ road along the eastern coast of Korea. It features unique rock formations, a pine tree forest, and the Tower of Wishes, built with thousands of stones that have been engraved with names of over 30,000 people. Every New Year's Day, a sunrise festival takes place on the Road, and people pray their wishes upon the Tower.


Gyeonggi-do(Gapyeong-gun) , Yangpyeong

Chi-ong Art Hall is a cultural complex center, established to support local artists and also citizens’ various artworks who lives in north-east of Gyeonggi-do, with Gapyeong as the central region. They operate schools that offer a variety of cultural programs such as making of earthenware, pottery, natural soap, natural dye, tea ceremony, traditional songs and samulnori. Also, they hosts exhibitions, outdoor performances, and a regular Youth Art Festival. Moreover, visitors can learn the process of how a hanok is built through the outstanding skills and knowledge acquired through over 20 years of research, as well as a whole representation of traditional hanok structure.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

The Hansan Mosi (Ramie Fabric) Museum (한산모시관) in Seocheon was founded to publicize Hansan ramie fabric, pass down the craft and develop its long tradition. One can view the entire ramie fabric manufacturing process, and watch as women weave ramie products on looms. Every spring, the Hansan Ramie Fabric Festival is held at the Hansan Mosi(Ramie Fabric) Museum. During the festival, visitors can weave a ramie product themselves. Also, because nearly 250 local cultural resources are on display, guests can take a look at and gain an understanding of the lifestyle and culture of Koreans of old.


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

Muju Gucheondong Valley is located within Deogyusan in Jeollabuk-do, and is often referred to as Mujugucheon-dong, meaning the 25km stretch of land and water from Najetongmun to Deogyusan Mountain's Baengnyeonsa Temple. Muju Gucheondong Valley is not a deep valley. However, the valley flows through a lush forest that's quite beautiful. The calm and soothing sounds of the river are very refreshing.The 33 scenic points of Gucheondong are what make it so famous. Of the 33, the most famous are Najetongmun and Sushimdae. Najetongmun, the first scenic point is a huge boulder with a hole through it like a tunnel. During the Samguk era, this spot once served as the border between the Silla and Baekje nations. Because it was the dividing line between the two nations, even to this day, the east and west side's speech and customs are different. No one knows how the hole got there, but the experience of walking through it is quite interesting. Sushimdae, the 12th scenic point, is a valley approximately 400m in length. It is surrounded with mountain cliffs, which makes the area resemble Geumgangsan Mountain, and so it is often referred to as Sogeumgangsan, or little Geumgangsan. The clear water and beautiful scenery makes this spot a must-see.Many people come to Muju Gucheondong Valley for trekking. The trails go from Deogyusan National Park to Baengnyeonsa Temple. It's a 3-hour roundtrip hike for this 6km trail. Though it's a mountain trail, it's not that steep, making it ideal for trekking.


Gyeonggi-do(Paju-si) , Paju(Heyri Art valley)

This park was built in Bongseo-ri, Paju-eup, in June 1973 to pay tribute to the soldiers who fought in the defense of the South during the Korean War, as well as to pray for unification. It is situated near Munsan station where the UN War Correspondent Center was located during the armistice talks. A monument rests within the park that pays tribute to the 18 Korean and foreign war correspondents who died trying to share their, often tragic, stories of the war. They include Han Gyu-ho of the Seoul Shinmun as well as journalists from the U.S. (10 people), Britain (4 people), France (2 people) and the Philippines (1 person). There is also a tower built to commemorate the loyalty and courage of 10 brave soldiers who sacrificed themselves in a bomb attack after a bloody struggle, a memorial tower dedicated to anticommunist guerilla units from the Gaema Plateau, and a statue of Colonel Lee Yu-jung and Second Lieutenant Kim Man-sul.  


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

Yeongdeungpo Station is located in Yeongdeungpo-dong 1-ga, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul-si, and runs between Singil Station and Sindorim Station. It began operating as an ordinary station on September 18, 1899, and was included as part of the Gyeongbuseon Line from the Gyeonginseon Line in 1936. In 1971, it was the first station where the special train made a stop. The station sells tickets for passengers carrying luggage, and visitors can use the station to take the Saemaeul Line, the Mugunghwa Line, and the metropolitan subway as well.