Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

The Jungwon Tappyeongni 7-story stone tower (National Treasure No. 6) is often referred to simply as “Jungangtap” (“Central Tower”) because of its location at the center of Korea. Standing at a x_height of 14.5 meters, the tower is presumed to have been built during the Unified Silla Period. An outdoor sculpture park (the first of its kind in Chungcheongbuk-do Province) has been established in the grassy area around the tower and contains 26 sculptures created by Korean sculptors. The larger Jungangtapsajeok Park is accented by gazebos, small fountains, a hiking path, and is home to the Chungju Museum, an outdoor museum, a musical fountain, 10 sculptures and etc. The park’s convenient facilities have made it a popular leisure retreat for the citizens of Chungju as well as an educational site for children. Chungjujojeongji Dam, located north of Jungangtapsajeok Park, is another popular retreat for the locals.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

Gyemyeongsan Recreational Forest (계명산자연휴양림) of Chungju is located east of Chungju Lake and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. In addition, Gyemyeongsan Recreational Forest’s nearby roads are good for driving and the area is very popular among tourists and even Koreans. Within this recreational forest, there are pine trees, and various animals and plants. In addition to a host of therapeutic benefits, a walk through these woods is memorably tranquil. The list of recreational facilities includes mountain passes, sporting facilities, a community kitchen, and campfires. As for lodging facilities there are Forest Cabins and family hotels available. Reservations can be made directly through the Homepage. (Korean)


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Solmarugil Road, an ‘eco path of Ulsan’ that connects the people with mother nature, is a 24-km urban circuit walk that starts from Seonam Lake Park and connects with Sinseonsan Mountain, Daegongwonsan Mountain, Munsu International archery range, Solmaru Haneul-gil, Samhosan Mountain and Namsan Mountain. Climbing up to the top of Sinseonjeong Pavilion on Sinseonsan Mountain, you may enjoy the wide, breathtaking view of Seonam Lake Park. The route to Daegongwosan Mountain is gradual, rather than steep, and the thick pine tree forest offers a great spot for a forest bath. Since the road connects mountains with the city, it offers easy access and diverse walking routes to urbanites.


Gyeonggi-do(Pocheon-si) , Pocheon

Jainsa Temple in Pocheon (Gyeonggi-do) lies deep within the rugged cliffs of Myeongseongsan Mountain. Located nearby Sanjeong Lake, the two sites are often enjoyed together by visitors to this majestic area.The path leading to the temple is lined with an impressive array of towering pine trees. Just inside the temple grounds is a Buddhist statue resembling Maitreya, or a ‘future Buddha’ surrounded by an elaborate Buddhist sanctuary known as Geuknakbojeon. Behind the sanctuary is a valley with steep cliffs from which visitors can look down upon beautiful Sanjeong Lake. The temple is also home to a variety of stone pagodas, a statue resembling Avalokitesvara (the Buddhist goddess of mercy), and a water spring, the latter of which attracts visitors for its rumored medicinal powers.Nearby tourist attractions include Myeongseongsan Mountain, Sanjeong Lake, Hantangang River, Hwajeokyeon, Sambuyeon Falls, Sundam Valley, and Geumsu Jeongji.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jincheon-gun)

The Jincheon Bell Museum (진천종박물관) was opened in September 2005 with the objective of promoting the unique artistic value of Korean bells. The museum’s Jincheon location itself is also very meaningful, as it is the oldest steel production site in Korea. In the nearby area, Uncheon-dong, Beomjong (a temple bell) of late Tongilsilla Kingdom (the United Silla Kingdom) was discovered along with the remains of the Ongdusaji Cheoldanggan of the Goryeo Dynasty. Since a bell museum focuses especially on the culture of temple bells, which are a culmination of metal craftwork, it seems inevitable that the museum is located in Jincheon where the biggest steel mill was located in ancient times. 


Jeollabuk-do(Namwon-si)

Located in Namwon, Jeollabuk-do, Baemsagol is a 9-km grand valley, situated at the northern foot of Jirisan Mountain. Stretching from Banyabong Peak and Tokkibong Peak toward Sannae-myeon of Namwon-si, the valley is renowned for its beautiful autumn foliage. Baemsagol Valley is popular as a summer vacation destination because there’s always an abundance of water and forest trees. In the fall, the hills become ablaze with autumn tints, small streams flow over rock beds, and small pools of clear water from under the rocks give tourists a nice reason to linger. Other notable places nearby include Seonindae, Seoksil, Yoryongdae, Tagyongso, Byeongso, Byeongpungso, Jeseungdae and Ganjangso.


Chungcheongnam-do(Taean-gun)

Sambong Beach is located to the south of the bridge that connects Nammyeong and Anmyeon-eup. The beach stretches 3 km long and has a x_width of 120m. The beach gently slopes down at a 2° angle and has an average water depth of 1.5m and temperature of 22°C. The beach is easily accessible to many visitors because of the convenient transportation during the summer. The three Sambong Rocks, the Haedanghwa flower (plena) and the rich pine forests are just a few of the beautiful and magnificent features of this beach. The name Sambong, is derived from the three rocks, however four rocks can be seen from the north facing southward while only three are visible from the south. The sand dune created by natural phenomena is a must see here. 


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Ulleung-gun)

Located 87.4km away from Ulleungdo Island, and formed entirely from volcanic rock, Dokdo is an isolated island off the east coast of Korea bearing a latitude of 37°14' north and a longitude of 131°52' east. Collectively, both Ulleungdo Island and Dokdo once belonged to a country named Usanguk. According to geographical records, Usanguk became part of the Silla Kingdom (57B.C. ~ 935 A.D.) in June of the 13th year that King Jijeung ruled Silla. Isabu (a general and politician of Silla) gained significant strength during this period to overtake Usanguk.In the Seongjong Memoir of the Joseon Dynasty, there are passages by Kim Jaju describing Dokdo, which was referred to as Sambongdo at the time. Dokdo was initially called 'Sambongdo', 'Gajido' or 'Usando', but the name was later changed to Dokdo in 1881. The name 'Dokdo' was first used in 1906 by the Headman of Ulleung County Sim Heungtaek. In 1914, Dokdo officially became an administrative district of the Gyeongsangbuk-do.After The Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, Japanese fishermen often came near Ulleungdo and Dokdo. Sukjong Sillok, the Annals of King Suk Jong (1674-1720), records that An Yong-bok went to Japan twice in order to protest against Japanese nationals trespassing into Korean territory. He asked the Japanese authorities to recognize Korea's sovereignty over these islands and to forbid Japanese nationals to sail to Dokdo.Dokdo is comprised of two main islands: Dongdo, or East Island which sits 98m above sea level, and Seodo, or West Island, which sits 168m above sea level, together with 36 smaller rock formations. Seperating Dongdo and Seodo is the Hyeongjegul Cave, together with Cheonsanggul Cave on Dongdo. Over time, other caves and topographic features of the island formed due to weathering and erosion.Japan acknowledged the value of Dokdo after the Russo-Japanese War of 1905. Japan unilaterally transferred Dokdo to Shimane Prefecture, Japan and renamed it "Dakesima". Several authorities in Japan have continuously declared their dominion, over the island, which led to diplomatic conflicts between Korea and Japan. Such conflicts have yet to be resolved.Presently there are security guards on Dokdo that protect several houses that were built onto the rocks as well as a small harbor. For more information on traveling Dokdo, click here!


Chungcheongnam-do(Boryeong-si)

Situated in Boryeong (Chungcheongnam-do), spacious Gaehwa Art Park (181,819m2) is a theme art park that houses a variety of parks and attractions: to name a few, Mosan Fine Arts Museum, Birim Park, Yukpilsi Park, Hwain Music Hall, and Herb Land. Herb Land, in a large greenhouse, is home to a wide array of foliage plants, aquatic plants, freshwater fish, amphibians, and insects, an excellent learning center for children; Yukpilsi Park displays stone statues on which works of famous Korean poets are inscribed, making it an ideal place for couples and family visitors. The park boasts over 1,000 sculptures, statues, and monuments as well as seven ponds on which stone sculptures and lotus flowers float. It is a fascinating place to take pictures. A walking trail enveloping park, stretching over 2.5km, is flanked by endless monuments displaying famous Chinese poems. The park, in addition, offers various programs through which to make herbal soap, wooden crafts, or ceramics, ride a banana boat, or go rowing.  


Daejeon(Yuseong-gu)

Jinjamhyanggyo Confucian School was established to enshrine and orient the ancestral tablet of excellent classical scholars in 1405 (the 5th year of King Taejong's reign) and to educate people. More detailed information is not available in the record. The remaining building is called Daeseongjeon, and the ancestral tablets are 5 Seong, Songju 6 hyeon, and Korean 18 hyeon. One instructor, who received a plot of land and slaves from the nation, taught 30 students during the Joseon period, but after the Gapo Reform, the educational function disappeared and Seokjeon, a religious ceremony, was served in summer and fall with offerings of incense on the first day of each month and at the half-moon instead. Daeseongjeon (Cheongju Daeseong High School (Former Main Building of Cheongju Commercial High School) is designated as Registered Cultural Heritage No. 6.