Chungcheongbuk-do(Cheongju-si)

Munui Cultural Properties Site offers overlooks of Daecheongho Lake. Attracting many visitors, the place was created to preserve and promote the local traditional culture of Cheongwon (Chungcheongbuk-do); it is a great place to learn about local history, culture, and arts.The spacious complex (132,232m2) is home to ten traditional houses (Munsangwan, houses by aristocrats, a museum, and a tavern), showing a form of a traditional village. It is also full of dolmens, stones (symbolizing abundant procreation), Jangseung (totem poles at the entrance of villages or temples), and Yeonjabanga (millstones worked by horses or oxen), providing visitors with opportunities to learn about traditional culture and life.With the theme of roof tiles, a relics gallery in the complex boasts over 774 local items, categorized in each historical period (e.g. the Silla Period, Baekje Period, etc.). Munsan-ri Stone Bridge, believed to have been built during the Goryeo Period, was restored in front of the gallery.The complex also offers a wide array of amenities including mineral spring sites, playgrounds, and Munui Movie Village (a drive-in movie theater in the parking lot). Nearby notable attractions include Artificial Falls, Yangseongsan Mountain, Jakdusan Mountain, Daecheongho Lake, Nosan Pine Forest, Donghwasa Temple, and Bugang Mineral Springs. 


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

If you go southeast from downtown Jeongseon all the way to Dong-myeon, you will run into Hwaam Tourist Attraction (화암관광지), which is also known as Sogeumgang River (small diamond) because of its magnificent scenery. Although the road that runs through the site winding, it is perfectly paved and drivers can enjoy the beautiful view of thick forest and fascinating, often curious-looking rock formations and cliffs along the roadside. Hwaam Tourist Attraction is an ideal locale for leaf peeking in autumn. Scenic Beauty 1: Hwaam Mineral Spring At Hwaam Mineral Spring (화암약수), water rises up through a rock crater located in Dong-myeon, Jeongseon. The water is said to be good for stomachaches, eye infections, and skin diseases; and, as it contains nine essential elements such as calcium and fluorine, it tastes crisp and clean. Scenic Beauty 2: Turtle Rock (on the right upper side of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring). Part of the path leading to Hwaam Mineral Spring is buttressed by a cliff, on which there is a rock that resembles the shape of a turtle. Scenic Beauty 3: Yongmaso (on the riverside 500 meters ahead of the entrance to Hwaam Mineral Spring). With its clean water and wide sheets of rock, Yongmaso Lake (용마소) is a popular attraction for vacationers. Scenic Beauty 4: Hwaam Cave Hwaam Cave (화암동굴) used to be a gold mine that was commercially operated from 1922 to 1945. The nation’s 5th largest goldmine was, however, found to have natural stalactites, and later the cave was developed as the only theme-based cave that combined gold and nature. The stalactite area is an open space of 2,800㎡ and the length of the path open to visitors is 1,803 meters. The entire area consists of 5 chapters, which in turn constitute 41 zones; it takes about an hour and a half to see all of the zones. Scenic Beauty 5: Hwapyoju Cliff Hwapyoju (화표주) is a cliff facing the entrance of Hwapyo-dong, which can be seen on your way from Hwaam-dong to Molundae (몰운대). The cliff may appear as if a giant sharpened a large sheet of rock and placed it upright, or less imaginatively, as if two pillars are standing side by side. Scenic Beauty 6: Sogeumgang River The four-kilometer stretch from Hwapyoju to Molundae, surrounded with 100 to 150-meter high rock cliffs and thick forest, is called Sogeumgang River (small Geumgang River), meaning that its beautiful scenery is reminiscent of that of the breathtaking Geumgangsan Mountain. Scenic Beauty 7: Molundae Cliff (past Sogeumgang, on the right-hand side of Gubeulgil) ‘Molundae (몰운대)’ literally means ‘the cliff beyond which clouds disappear’. The tip of the steep cliff is adorned with three specimens of 500-year-old pine trees. Legend has it that gods would perch on the cliff’s top and enjoy the beautiful view. At the foot of the cliff lies a large sheet of rock that can accommodate hundreds of people. Scenic Beauty 8: Gwangdaegok Valley (past Molundae, on the left) Gwangdaegok Valley (광대곡) is said to be the mysterious place where heaven, earth and clouds meet. The surrounding hills are very rough and bumpy, which makes the area a renowned mountain in Korea. There is a belief among wild-ginseng diggers that they can find great ginseng if they pray in Gwangdaegok, so it is a popular attraction for such prospectors.  


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Seosaengpo Waeseong Fortress (Seosaengpo Japanese Fortress) is a stone fortress typical of the Japanese style popular in the later part of the 16th century. It was built under the leadership of Japanese General Kato Kiyomasa in 1592-1593 at the beginning of the Imjinwaeran War (Japanese invasion, 1592-1598). The main fortress is located on a mountaintop 200 meters above sea level, a second fortress is halfway down the mountain, and a third fortress is located at the bottom of the mountain. The whole fortress is rectangular shaped. The fortress wall is 6 meters high and slants at an angle of 15 degrees. In 1594, a Buddhist monk named Samyeong-daesa came to Seosaengpo Waeseong Fortress four times to negotiate for peace, but he failed each time. In 1598, the fortress was taken over by Korea with the assistance of General Magwi of the Ming Dynasty. A year later, Changpyodang Shrine was built in honor of the 53 Koreans who died during battles against the Japanese invading forces. However, the shrine was destroyed during the Japanese imperialism period and no trace of it remains. It is possible to tell from Seosaengpo Jinseongdo (a map drawn up in 1872) that the fortress was also partially used by Korean forces.


Chungcheongbuk-do(Jecheon-si)

The O-Train derives its name from the word "One," as the three provinces (Gangwon-do, Chungcheongbuk-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do) in the country's central inland region are connected by this one circular route. The train was designed with the theme of the four picturesque seasons of Baekdudaegan, Korea's biggest and longest mountain range that stretches from Baekdusan Mountain to Jirisan Mountain. The four-cabin train carries up to 205 people and includes separate seating options for families and couples to accommodate the needs of different passengers. There are also individual observatory seats for people traveling on their own. The train is well-equipped with various convenience facilities including a café, children's play area, toilets, etc. The train moves at the 165km per hour of speed, allowing passengers to reach Seoul to inland region quicker and easier than before. The exterior of the train is decorated with the pictures representing the beautiful scenery of Korea's four seasons, whereas the insides are dotted with highlights taken from Baekdudaegan mountain range.


Seoul(Jongno-gu)

The Africa Museum of Art was established with the purpose of hosting various art festivals and providing the grounds for researching various art themes. A major principle of the gallery is to promote works of art that actively attempt to explore the human mind.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Changwon-si)

The Ramsar Convention is an international treaty signed in 1971 to preserve the world’s wetlands. The Ramsar Culture Center promotes this mission and exhibits its history and highlights. The center educates visitors on the importance of preserving Junam Wetland Park and the cultural value of wetlands.Here visitors can view around 120 wetland posters from 40 countries, 15 wetland CDs, and 100 books on wetlands. There are also 1,060 stamps from 30 Asian countries and 10 previous Ramsar host countries, and also that feature the migratory birds of Junam Wetlands Park.After exploring the center, you can take one of the free bicycles and go out to the wetlands to see the reservoir and migratory birds. 


Jeollabuk-do(Muju-gun)

As the only temple in Jeoksangsan (or Mt. Jeoksang), Anguksa Temple was built in 1227 (during the 3rd year of King Chungryeol’s reign) by Monk Wolin. A secret historical archives, called Sagak, was built to store Joseonwangjo Sillok (annals of the Joseon Dynasty) in 1614 (during the 6th year of King Gwanghaegun’s reign) within the mountain, while Seonukgak was built in 1641 (during the 19th year of King Injo’s reign) to store Seonwonrok (royal genealogical records). The two sites were designated as Jeoksangsan Historical Archives during the Joseon Dynasty. Hoguksa Temple was also built at that time to prevent accidents from affecting the archives. The temple, along with the existing Anguksa Temple, was used to house monk soldiers who protected the archives.Because of the construction of Muju Power Plant, Anguksa Temple was relocated to the Hoguksa Temple site and rebuilt in 1995. Consisting of 15 buildings, the temple is surrounded by Sanjeong Lake. Boasting exquisite fall foliage, the temple can be easily reached by vehicle along a paved road. The nearby attractions include Muju Resort and Muju Gucheondong Valley. 


Jeollabuk-do(Gochang-gun)

Gochangeupseong Fortress is a natural fortress built by civilians in 1453. A government office building of the Joseon era was then rebuilt within the walls. Here, visitors can see an example of Korea’s traditional fortress architecture and take a stroll nearby amidst beautiful natural scenery.


Gangwon-do(Yanggu-gun)

Opened June 20, 2000, the War Memorial Museum in Yanggu was built to commemorate the sacrifice and heroism of those who fought during the Korean War at the nine battlefields located in Yanggu: Dosolsan, Daeusan, Bloody Ridge, Baekseoksan, Punch Bowl, Gachilbong, Danjang Ridge, 949 Hill, and Christmas Hill. The museum also reminds the current and future generations of the real cost of war and the sacrifices that were made. The exhibition hall is divided according to themes: freedom, welcoming, meeting, understanding, experience, assurance, tribute, rooftop, and contemplation. Exhibition facilities include a high-quality imaging system and a three-way multi imaging room that combines battle scene dioramas, videos, and slides.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Oksanseowon Confucian Academy (Treasure No. 525) was built to commemorate the scholarly achievements and virtues of Confucian scholar Yi Eon-jeok (1491-1553). Built in 1572 in the fifth year of King Seonjo’s reign, the school was named Oksanseowon in the seventh year of the king’s reign. It is included as one of the 47 Confucian Academies ruled out of the Confucian Academy abolition by Heungseon Daewongun. Even though the building structures don’t carry significant meaning in an architectural aspect, it was built with a distinguished space arrangement method. Dokrakdang, which was Yi Eon-jeok’s house as well as study room, are situated 700m far from the Confucian Academy.