Chungcheongnam-do(Gongju-si)

Located in Gongju-si, Chungcheongnam-do, Seokjangni Museum introduces extensive relics from paleolithic era. The museum was established in September 2006, for continuous preservation of the stone age culture. There are a variety of educational and technical programs available for visitors to learn more on the exhibition on excavated relics and the paleolithic age culture. Also, a series of hands-on activities are open for anyone who is interested in the ancient culture, and is provided by the museum, including permanent exhibitions, planned exhibitions and outdoor exhibitions. Overall, visitors can understand the history better through the exhibition halls, prehistoric park, and Gonju Seokjangni paleolithic site.    


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Located at the foot of Mt. Hamwol, Gulgulsa is the only temple cave in Korea. The temple was built out of solid rock during the 6th century by Saint Gwang Yoo and some accompanying monks, and was designed according to the architectural structure of India.On the top of the temple stands a sculpture of the Maya Tathagata Buddha and surrounding the sculpture are twelve rock caves used as a prayer sanctuary. Seven of the twelve rock cave sanctuaries are still standing today. Golgulsa’s main attractions are the sculpture of the Maya Tathagata Buddha and the Gwaneum Cave.The Buddha sculpture displays the characteristics of the Shilla Buddha, and is 4 meters high. The Buddha has his hair in a topknot, has a calm smile, narrow eyes, small lips, and a long narrow nose. To protect the sculpture of any damage from the wind or rain, a glass ceiling has been installed in the Gwaneum Cave, which is the largest sanctuary of the seven still existing caves.The main Buddha of this cave is the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and the cave walls are dedicated to the 108 meditations of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. The Gwaneum Cave has a wall with tiles in front of it, which makes it look like an ordinary sanctuary. But once inside, the entire interior from ceiling to walls is carved all from stone. Golgulsa is unlike any other temple. The road to the temple offers an exciting thrill similar to that of rock climbing. Safety ropes and railings surround Golgulsa. A risky climb up a long set of stairs finally leads up to the caves, including Gwaneum Cave, Jijang Cave, and Yaksa Cave.The Maya Tathagata Buddha can only be seen after climbing the rock walls and holding on tightly to the safety ropes, but only past the cave-like rock that juts out.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Sancheong-gun)

Along with Geumgansan Mountain and Hallasan Mountain, Jirisan Mountain (지리산) is known to be one of the most sacred mountains in Korea. It was named ‘Jiri’ because it was believed to be a place that turns the innocent into the wise. Jirisan Mountain, located in the south, is one of the five mountain peaks that surround the capital of old Shilla, On December 29, 1957 Jirisan National Park was declared the nation’s first and biggest national park. Its 440.517㎢ area covers Hadong, Sancheon and Hamyang in Gyeongnam; Gurye in Jeonnam; and Namwon in Jeonbuk region. The total area is seven times that of Gyeryong National Park and 52 times that of all of Yeouido.At 1,915.4 meter-high, Cheonwangbong Peak (천왕봉) is the second highest peak in Jirisan Mountain. From Cheonwangbong Peak begin several valleys such as Chilseon, Tongsin, Cheonwang and Jungsan. The big sheet of rock on the very top of the peak looks as if it is supporting heaven. Sunrise observed from Cheonwangbong Peak is extremely beautiful so much that the old Korean lore says it is a view reserved for people whose family conducted good deeds for three consecutive generations.


Jeju-do(Seogwipo-si) , Seogwipo

The Jeju Horse Park offers a venue to understand Jeju’s horse culture in an easy and fun way. The park has kept intact a 600-year nomadic cultural history of nomadic cultures at the site of the Gasi-ri village which used to house Gammajang, the place for raising the best horse during Joseon Dynasty. The park includes the Jeju Horse Museum, Ttarabi horseback riding place, Maeum Cafe, Mongol Ger Guesthouse, camping site, art shop, and an experience place to focus on the Project for a New Cultural Space Creation through the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. The Jeju Horse Museum was the first national museum created by a village and its main theme covers the history and culture of the village is also regarded as a new kind of community business model. * Opened on September 8, 2012


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Located approximately halfway between Yeosu-si City and Jeju Island, Geomundo Island is part of the Dadohae Maritime National Park. It is divided into Dongdo, Seodo, and Godo Islands, all of which offer scenic views of quaint towns and surrounding nature. Also, Geomundo is the access point for the famous Baekdo Island group, a spectacular array of uninhabited rock pinnacles attached with numerous legends. Island History Geomundo Island's history dates back to the bronze era with the discovery of a stone sword on one of the islands. Subsequent discoveries of coins from the Han Dynasty (206BC-220AD) that were used for more than 700 years up to 621AD have also been found. Discoveries of celadon from the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392) have also been located on Geomundo’s islands. Geomundo had been commonly known as Godo until the British sailors arrived on the island in 1885, and put claim to the island in order to construct a naval port to fight off the Russian fleets. They named it Port Hamilton. Soon, Admiral Jeong Yeochang came to Geomundo to challenge the audacity of the British, and, in turn, was struck by the high literacy level of the islanders. He recommended to the then ruler that the island be renamed ‘Geomun,’ meaning ‘great literacy.’ The British sailors eventually perished, but their graves can be found in a well-preserved cemetery on the island.


Gyeonggi-do(Namyangju-si) , Namyangju

The Jupil Spider Museum was founded on September 1, 1985 and named after Dr. Kim Ju-pil, a Dongguk University biology professor who travels all around the world to collect and study spiders. The museum aims to be a fundamental education center for students by offering them various hands-on scientific activities.The museum has two buildings: a main building and an annex. The first floor of the main buliding houses arachnid specimens, a spider breeding room, and fossils. The second floor has about 1,000 specimens of insects, including butterflies, moths and beetles. Inside the annex, rare minerals, fish and shellfish specimens are on display. At the observation station on the second floor of the annex, visitors can view the spider anatomy through the microscope.


Gangwon-do(Wonju-si)

Guryongsa Temple (구룡사) is located 6km from Birobong Peak on Chiaksan Mountain, in the direction of Hakkok-ri. Monk Ui Sang (625~702) of the Silla Kingdom (BC 57~AD 935) built and named the temple Guryongsa in 668 (during the reign of King Moon Mu: reign 661 ~ 681). However, it is now known that the temple was built after King Sukjong, the 19th King of Joseon Dynasty (1392~1910), who reigned from 1674 to 1720, because of the architectural style of the Daewoongjeon Shrine. There is a legend that the Guryongsa Temple site was originally a lake where nine dragons lived. The name Guryong comes from the story that the lake was filled up to build the temple on it. There are many shrines such as Daewoongjeon, Bogwangnu, Samseonggak, Simgeomdang and Seolseondang. Daewoongjeon has maintained its original shape though it was repaired many times. Daewoongjeon is a wooden building with the basic Dapojip style in the Joseon Era. The shape of the building is a Chinese character (八), with three rooms in the front and two rooms on the side and built without any nails. It is designated as Tangible Cultural Property No.24. We can see the characteristics of the Buddhist statues in the Joseon Period though the Samjonmokbul inside Daewoongjeon. With the Seokgamuni figure in the center and two Bosal statues on each side harmonize the structure of the building, and there are many other Buddhist artifacts in the temple such as Bogwangru and others.


Seoul(Gangnam-gu) , Gangnam・Samseongdong(COEX)

The Yangjaecheon stream (15.6km long) is one of the tributaries of the Hangang River, originating from Cheonggyeosan and Gwanaksan mountains and flowing through the Gwacheon region to Gangnam. The small road and path that run from Dogok-dong to Daechi-dong along Yangjaecheon Stream is known as the ‘Yangjaecheon Stream Gil’.The Trail is the perfect place to take a drive since the road is lined with around 830 stately metasequoia trees. The walking path that runs along the banks of the stream (known as the ‘streetlight walk’) is a particularly popular date spot, since the trees backlit by the streetlights provide a wonderfully romantic atmosphere. The ‘Yangjaecheon Stream Trail’ area is famous as well for its bike course that runs all the way from Gwacheon to Gangnam.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Hapcheon-gun)

Cheongnyangsa Temple, located in Gayasan National Park, is famous for its stone lanterns, pagodas, and images of Buddha. The exact date of the temple's foundation is unknown (estimated to be in the 9th century), but was recorded by Choi Chi-won in the Three Kingdoms Period and is believed to have been built during the Silla Dynasty.