Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

The architectural style of Yakcheonsa Temple is reminiscent of that of Buddhist temples of the early Joseon Dynasty. Measuring an impressive 30m high and spanning a total area of 3,305 meters squared, it is the largest temple in the East. Upon entering Yakcheonsa Temple, guests will be greeted by a 5m-tall statue of Vairocana, the tallest of such statues in Korea, on a 4m high pedestal. The walls on both the right and left have been sculpted into large altar portraits of Buddha and in front of the Dharma Hall is a giant Buddhist temple bell, weighing 18 tons. Beloved for its size and grandeur, the temple consists of a main temple (2,652 meters squared) and a 3-story residential structure for the Buddhist monks. Other notable sites are the Gulbeopdang (the Dharma Hall, built inside a natural cave), the Samseonggak Shrine, and the Sarira Pagoda. Yakcheonsa Temple is not only popular among Buddhists but is also a well sought after tourist destination.


Busan(Seo-gu)

Located in Songdo Beach, Busan Air Cruise was restored after 29 years to revive the reputation of the first public beach in Korea. From Songlim Park on the east to Amnam Park on the west, 39 cabin cars provide an amazing view including crystal cabin that offers a glass bottom view for extra thrill. Visitors can also enjoy the first cable car museum in the nation at Songdo Doppelmayr World, Asia's first midair swing "Sky Swing", theme park photo services and more.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Tongyeong-si)

Chungnyeolsa Temple was built by 7th Admiralty Commander Lee Un-nyong in 1606 upon the order of King Seonjo during his 39th year of rule in 1606. The temple, which was meant to commemorate Admiral Lee Sun-sin's loyalty and brilliant exploits, houses the memorial tablet of Admiral Lee. The temple has five gates: Naesammun, Jungmun, Oesammun, Jeongmun, and Hongsalmun. There are other significant structures inside the temple as well. Dongjae and Seojae, the place where food for ancestral rituals were prepared can be found inside Jungmun Gate. Located inside Oesammun Gate are Sungmudang (administrative office) and Gyeongchungjae (lecture hall). On both sides of the gate are six pavilions housing memorial tablets, including the tablet of Admiral Lee. Outside the gate are Ganghallu Pavilion and the exhibition hall. The sign with the words "忠烈祠" hanging on Jeongchim and Oesammun was written by Munjeonggong Song Sun-gil and bestowed by King Hyunjong. Total area: 9,067.8m², Building area: 727m² Exhibition hall: 115.7m²


Gyeonggi-do(Bucheon-si) , Bucheon

Reflected by the outstanding performance of Korean archers at recent Olympic games, Koreans have an esteemed reputation for their skills in archery and craftsmanship. But this undoubted skill has historical precedent, as bows were an important weapon of war throughout Korean history. The Bucheon Bow Museum (부천 활박물관) was established to show visitors the spirit of the Korean archery, and demonstrate its ancestral traditions of bowyer craftsmanship. The museum houses traditional bows (gukgung, 국궁), which are considered, prized cultural pieces, and have been made by a Bucheon family, which has fostered a lineage of bowyers across five generations for over than 160 years. In addition, the museum exhibits various pieces and articles such as gukgung, arrows, and other military technologies.  


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Yeongchwisan Mountain is not very tall, rising just 510 meters above sea level, but the mountain has long been deemed as a spiritual guardian of the Yeosu peninsula. During the old days, people held rituals for rain or offered wishful prayers here. Geumseongdae and Dosolam Hermitage are two Buddhist places of worship on the mountain. As Yeongchwisan Mountain is not very tall, taking any hiking course will lead you to the peak within about four hours. The mountain is a perfect place for family travelers to go hiking. Yeongchwisan Mountain is also widely known as the first place in Korea where azaleas begin to bloom in the spring, and is one of the top three most famous places in Korea for azalea blossoms. In April each year, the azalea festival is held in the mountain. The festival offers a variety of programs including a ritual for the god of the mountain, a writing contest for students, a photo contest, and Miss Azalea beauty pageant. During the festival, visitors can enjoy various events and local foods.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

The town of Goryeong is four hours outside of Seoul, and features many relic sites of Daegaya around the whole district of Goryeong-gun. Around the first century, Daegaya was formed in the Nakdonggang River’s downstream area in the lower Korean peninsula, flourished independently for 520 years (AD 42~562), and declined after the 6th century. After its decline, part of it was annexed by Silla (57 BC ~ AD 935), and the rest annexed by Baekjae (18 BC~AD 60), and became a forgotten tribal kingdom.On King Jinheung’s (reign 540~576) 23rd year of reign it became the district of Daegaya, and the name was changed to the district of Goryeong on King Gyeongdeok’s (reign 742~765) 16th year of reign.This is the place where you can view the country’s first Sunjangmyo (tomb where many dead people were buried together), called Jisandong Gobungun, Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, and Treasure No. 605, the pre-eminent relics site of the Prehistoric Period called Yangjeondong Amgakhwa, and other various cultural assets.There is a large, ancient tomb with a diameter of 20m, built on the ridgeline of the mountain, and as you go down the mountain, there are 159 other tombs of smaller scale. The largest tomb in the south side is called the Geumrim Royal Tomb, and the other large tombs near it are presumed to be tombs of royalty or aristocrats.At the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall, site of the restored No. 44 tomb, you can see the ancient custom of burying the living with the dead (Royalty buried with their retainers). The dome-style exhibit hall displays Sunjangseokgwak, ironware, pottery and other various excavated relics.


Jeollanam-do(Damyang-gun)

The Damyang Resort Spa is well equipped for large groups of people since it possesses 1,260 lockers in its men’s/women’s hot springs spa. Here there are a variety of event spas, an open-air spa so people can enjoy the outdoors, a jjimjilbang, a skincare beauty center, and a massage center. The nutrients found in Damyang Spa’s hot spring waters are said to cleanse the blood, effectively relieves stress, treat arthritis, and are great for your skin.  


Jeollanam-do(Jangseong-gun)

Founded during the reign of King Mu of the Baekje Dynasty (632), Baekyangsa Temple is located within Naejangsan National Park. The combination of the mountain and valleys on both sides creates beautiful scenery. Nature reveals its beauty throughout all seasons here especially the red maple leaves during the fall. Daeungjeon, Geukrakbojeon and Sacheonwangmun have been designated as cultural assets. Pass the wood path of lined-up white oaks and maple trees, through the entrance of Baekyangsa Temple, and you will first spot Ssanggyeru. You will appreciate the breathtaking view of Ssangyeru shimmering in the pond.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Boeun-gun)

Songnisan Mountain Maltijae, Songnisan Mountain gateway is a steep, zigzagging uphill path located 8km from Chungbuk Boeun in the direction of Songnisan. During the Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910) while Sejo King was climbing Songnisan Mountain he mounted a horse (mal) because of the mountain’s steep gradient, thus giving the mountain its name. Located here, Songnisan Maltijae Recreational Forest (속리산 말티재 자연휴양림) is harmoniously mingled with Jangjae reservoir creating a beautiful scene. It is a good place to experience nature.For its main facilities there are promenades, mountain paths, Water Parks, public kitchens, and for its lodging facilities there are Forest Cabins divided into 16 villages. Reservations can be made through the homepage.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Mungyeong-si)

Mungyeong Confucian Museum is located right next to Mungyeong Ceramics Center at the entrance of Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park. It's a great place to learn all about Confucian culture. The hall consists of two floors with four exhibition halls, as well as a Confucian Culture Experience Room and Archive Library. Exhibition Hall No.1 represents the main space called Sarangbang (a room for male guests in the past) where Confucian scholars worked on poems, paintings, and writings; Exhibition Hall No.2 displays exquisite embroidery pieces that symbolized the culture of women in the past; Exhibition Hall No.3 showcases local Confucian scholars and their works in Mungyeong along with a formative art piece reproducing a Confucian school. Focusing on the culture and art of Confucian scholars, Exhibition Hall No.4 displays the Confucian Culture of Mungyeong and its history; this hall also shows two replicas of Juamjeong (Juam Pavillion) and a local-drinking ritual (called Hyangeumjurye). Visitors can also try their hand at wooden blook printmaking and rubbed copy at Confucian Culture Experience Room. Overall, visitors can really get a feeling for the essence of Confucian culture at Mungyeong Confucian Museum. The area around the center offers outstanding tourist attractions: Mungyeong Campground, Mungyeong Saejae Provincial Park (film set for the show King Sejong the Great), Mungyeong Coal Museum, Mungyeong Ceramics Center, and Mungyeong Hot Spring. As a transport hub linking the Yeongnam in Korea’s southeast with Seoul, Mungyeong was a renowned Confucian town with dedicated Confucian scholars. During the reign of King Taejong in the early Joseon Period, Mungyeong Confucian School was established to educate students in Mungyeong-eup, and Geunam Seowon (a Confucian academy) was also built in 1655 during the 6th year of King Hyojong's reign.