Busan(Geumjeong-gu)

Geumjeongsanseong Fortress (금정산성) is located on the peak of Mt. Geumjeongsan (801.5m) in Busan. Its original name was Dongrae Mountain Fortress, but it was changed because of its location.Its length is 17,377m, and 1.5m~3m high; it is the largest fortress in Korea. But now there is only a 4 km section remaining from the original. The exact time of the fortification is not recorded, but in reference to the location and size, it is presumed to have been built during the Three Kingdoms Era (when Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, the three dynasties, were fighting against each other). The present fortress was built in 1703, during the reign of Suk-Jong. It was built after Imjin Waeran (Japanese Invasion of Korea from 1592~1598) to prepare for any further invasions from Japan. It was first built with stones and was renovated in 1707. During the dark years under Japanese sovereignty it was damaged and devastated.In 1971, it was designated as private property. The West, East and South Gates have been reintegrated, and it is still undergoing the restoration process. On the fortress barbican there is Munru (watch tower). There is another watch tower called Mangru to watch for enemies. Different from other mountains, it is easy to find spring water here, and because it is a granite area, you can easily see rock caves and small and big rock peaks at Mt. Geumjeongsan.


Busan(Dongnae-gu)

Dongnaeeupsong Fortress Site is a representative fortress that combined the mountain and flatland. Built around late Goryo and early Joseon period, the fortress was a fierce battleground during Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. After the battle the fortress was abandoned until being renovated in 1731, making the fortress bigger than before. The fortress had many gates with additional half circle rock wall to protect the gate. During the Japanese occupation, most of the wall was damage with only the walls along Naansan Mountain remaining. After year 2000, Busan-si has attempted to excavate the remains and conserve and restore the fortress site.


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

One of 8 scenic views of Seocheon, the Maryang-ri Camellia Forest is designated as Natural Monument No. 169. Almost 500 years worth of camellia trees cover an area of 8,265㎡ in this forest. The best time to enjoy the camellias is from the late March to the early May. If one goes to the top of Camellia Pavilion (Dongbaekjeong), there is a beautiful view of the blue sea and also is home to great sunset views.    


Chungcheongnam-do(Seocheon-gun)

A small harbor town in Seocheon County on the west coast, Maryangpogu is the only place in Korea where visitors can see the sunrise and sunset on the same day. Sunrise here can only be seen for about 50 days around mid-December, which attracts many visitors around that time. There is a beautiful camellia forest alongside the sea, which has been designated as National Monument No. 169. There are about 80 camellia trees and some of them are 500-years old. The camellia flowers are in bloom from late-March to early-May and reach their peak around mid-April. Dongbaekjeong Pavilion in the forest offers a splendid view of the sunset. There are many attractions visitors can easily get to from Maryangpogu such as Chunjangdae Beach (춘장대 해수욕장), Hongwonhang Harbor (홍원항), Busa Embankment (부사방조제), Geumgang Estuary Bank (금강하구둑) and Hansan Mosi Town (한산모시타운). Hongwonhang Harbor (홍원항) is rich in marine products and the Geumgang Estuary Bank (금강하구둑) is a well-known place to watch winter migratory birds.


Seoul(Yongsan-gu) , Itaewon・Yongsan

Located in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu in Seoul, the Seoul Central Masjid was the first Islamic mosque in Korea. Construction of the mosque began in October 1974 on a piece of land (5,000 square meters) that was donated by the Korean government. Funded by the Islamic countries, the mosque officially opened on May 21, 1976 and now stands proudly halfway between the Hangang River and Namsan Mountain. The first floor of the mosque houses meeting rooms and the office of the Korea Muslim Federation; on the second floor is the men’s musalla (prayer hall) measuring 427 square meters; and on the third floor is the women’s musalla (prayer hall). The Islamic Center, originally a 2-story building (1,362 square meters) attached to the mosque, saw the addition of a third floor on July 20, 1990 thanks to generous funding from the Islamic Development Bank of Saudi Arabia. The Islamic Center now features a madrasah (educational institution for Muslim children), the Islamic Culture Research Institute, and more.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Located about 70㎞ southwest of Yeosu Port, Chodo Island is part of the ferry route from Yeosu to the more popular Geomundo Island. Major attractions on the island include small fishing villages, emerald green beaches, and the 500-year-old hackle berry tree. Island History In 1950, Chodo Island was defended by the brave local youth from the invasion of a small fleet of boats. The hackle berry tree is said to be occupied by the spirit that saved the life of an ailing local.


Gangwon-do(Chuncheon-si)

The Animation Museum is the only animation museum in Korea. The exhibition hall on the first floor shows the origin, development and types of animation, techniques and process of making amination, history of the development of animation-related equipment, and the history of Korean animation. On the second floor are Chuncheon Hall, US Hall, Japan Hall, Europe Hall, and Other Regions Hall (Asia and other regions), where visitors can get to know the history of animation throughout the world. In addition, various activity programs await visitors, like watching 3D animation films, experiencing audio effects/dubbing and shooting stop-motion animation.


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.  


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Goryeong was the old capital of Daegaya (42-562 AD), a city-state of the Gaya confederacy that once spanned the region now occupied by Gyeongsangnam-do Province to the south of the Korean peninsula. The city of Goryeong played such a central role in the development of the confederacy that many artifacts and historic sites of the Daegaya period can still be found there today. Some of the most prominent landmarks are the 200 gobuns (ancient tombs) that lie along the southeastern slope of Jusan Mountain in Goryeong. In ancient times, the higher and larger a tomb, the higher the social status of the person buried inside. Given this tradition and historical evidence, the largest tomb in the south has been identified as Geumnim Wangneung (Royal Tomb of King Geumnim); the other large tombs are also presumed to be those of the kings of Daegaya. The large royal tombs (over 20m in diameter) dominate the mountain ridge (the highest point) while mid-sized and smaller tombs can be found on the mountain slopes and foothills. Historical research on Daegaya began with the excavation and partial identification of the ancient tombs of Goryeong by research teams from Kyungpook National University and Keimyung University in 1977. Excavators discovered a great number of relics—gilt-bronze crowns, swords, armor, and trinkets of gold, silver, and jade—that shed light on the flourishing culture of Gaya. To continue to encourage interest in the history and culture of Daegaya, officials of Goryeong-gun County established the Daegaya Royal Tomb Exhibit Hall at the foot of Jusan Mountain in Gobun-gun, Jisan-dong. The exhibition hall depicts the social structure of the era through ancient customs such as burying servants alive with their dead masters.


Incheon(Ongjin-gun) , Incheon Center

Baemikkumi Sculpture Park rests on Modo Island, one of the nearest islets to Yeongjongdo Island where Incheon International Airport is located.The name 'baemikkumi' comes from the local dialect, as people say the island resembles the shape of a hole normally seen from the bottom of a ship as 'baemit' translates to the bilge, and 'kkumi' is most closely translated to mean 'a hole' in English.The entire island has now become a beautiful exhibition hall of art works thanks to sculptor Lee Il-ho, who originally started and donated his talents for visitors coming to the island. The art displayed on the island makes for an inspiring contrast to Seohae (west sea, or yellow sea) in the background.