Jeollanam-do(Jindo-gun)

Modo Island was once called Ttiseom because of the Ttipul grasses on the island. Ttipul is type of grass native to Korea. It was also called Ttiseom because there were many houses with thatched roofs made with dried Ttipul on the island. The name Modo means Ttiseom in Chinese characters. Every year when the sea parts to reveal a path betwen Modo Island and Jindo Island, the Yeongdeungje ritual is held to wish for a good catch and blessings. It is also a local tradition for people from Jindo and Modo to meet on the sea path to catch clams, seaweed, and octopus. At the starting point of the path, there is statue of Grandma Ppong whom the legend of the Jindo sea-parting phenomenon was based on. * Size: 0.21 ㎢ * Length of the coastline: 2.5 km


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Cheongsong-gun)

This temple is said to have been built by Great Monk Uisang in the 12th year of King Munmu’s reign (672 AD). It was rebuilt in the 13th year of King Hyeonjong’s reign (1672) after a fire destroyed the original temple complex during the Imjin War against Japanese invaders. During work to renovate Bogwangjeon Hall in 1976, a text that had been put up with the ridge beams was found. Bogwangjeon Hall is a small building and its ceiling is in the form of the sharp symbol (#). A Birojanabul Buddhist statue is enshrined in the hall.


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.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Minmeoru Beach is the only beach on Seongmodo Island, a small island to the west of Ganghwado Island. Visitors can enjoy sea-bathing on the vast stretch of sandy beach and watch beautiful sunsets over the West Sea. When the tide goes out, a foreshore of approximately one kilometer in length appears. The foreshore is very smooth and is home to marine life including clams, crabs, and more. The Eoryujeonghang Harbor and Janggothang Harbor are located nearby, so visitors can also enjoy sea fishing. Popular tourist attractions in the vicinity include Maaekseokbul (a Buddha image carved on a cliff) and Bomunsa Temple, which is said to have been constructed by Queen Seondeok during the Silla Era (635 A.D.).


Jeollanam-do(Naju-si)

Naju National Museum displays artifacts found near Yeongsangang River region and preserves artifacts excavated from throughout the Jeolla region. While most national museums are found within the city, Naju National Museum is the first national museum to be located in a rural countryside. Its location provides a perfect relaxing atmosphere for visitors to take time and appreciate what the museum has to offer. Although the museum may be isolated from urban cities, it uses modern technology to provide convenient museum experience. Naju National Museum is the first national museum to integrate NFC feature within smart phones with the exhibition guide system for all exhibition halls. This integrated feature acts as a mean to provide communication both ways, as visitors can receive information guides and upload them on social media via smart phones. In addition to the collection of artifacts, the open-type storage rooms and the hands-on activities offered at the experience center provide opportunities to personally witness and experience the process of preservation and storage of cultural assets.


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.


Jeollanam-do(Yeosu-si)

Geomundo Lighthouse, completed on April 12, 1905, was the first lighthouse to be built on the southern coast of Korea. The white, 6.4 meter-high lighthouse shines a beam of light every 15 seconds that is visible for up to 42 kilometers away. In January 2006, a 33-meter high lighthouse top was added to replace obsolete facilities. The previous hundred-year-old lighthouse top was partially restored and is on display as a maritime relic. While at the lighthouse, don’t forget to visit the Gwanbaekejong Pavilion next to the lighthouse for an exquisite view of the southern sea.


Jeollanam-do(Haenam-gun)

Containing many Buddhist temples and ruins as well as spectacular scenery, the 703m high Mt. Duryunsan is located at the southern most point of the Korean peninsula. Formed by subtropical green broadleaves and temperate deciduous broadleaf trees, the mountain is valued highly for observing plant chorology. Moreover, the Aegean Sea in the western and southern sea can be seen at a glance at the summit of eight mountains, although wide fields of reeds cover many areas. During the fifth year of King Jinheung's reign (514), Buddhist priest, Ado, built Daedunsa Temple, which is a place of great historical value as it is also related to the Buddhist priest, Seosan. The temple is proudly among dense woodlands, consisting of maple trees and camellias. Breathtaking scenery of valleys and luxuriant trees can be seen on both sides of the 2km road leading to the temple.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Uljin-gun)

Jukbyeonhang Port is a fishing port in northern Uljin. The port is guarded by a 15.6m-tall lighthouse. The port is surrounded by restaurants serving seafood. In addition to squid, mackerel, and king crabs, seaweed is another specialty item of the region.