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.


Gangwon-do(Jeongseon-gun)

Auraji is the name of a lake located in Yeoryang-myeon in Jeongseon-gun. It is here that Jeongseon Arirang, the No. 1 Intangible Cultural Asset of Gangwon-do, originated. The area has long been famous for its beautiful, clean mountains and rivers. Its name is derived from the Korean word ‘eoureojida,’ meaning ‘to meet’ as the waters of Pyeongchang and Samcheok unite in this area. Part of the upper stream of Namhangang River, Auraji was a famous starting point of log rafts transporting timber to Hanyang, the original name of Seoul. In the old days, one could always hear the singing of boatmen who came from all over the nation. The lyrics of Jeongseon Arirang reveal the sadness and longing of a woman awaiting her husband who left for business to a far-away place or left to transport timber. Today, numerous tourists visit Auraji to enjoy its great scenic views or to see the symbol of a maid who, gazing into the river, seems to be waiting for her lover to return.


Incheon(Ganghwa-gun) , Ganghwado Island

Gyodongdo Island is located northwest of the larger Ganghwado Island, and was made more accessible with the opening of Gyodongdaegyo Bridge in July 2014. The name changed with different dynasties, being Gomokgeunhyeon during the Goguryeo Era and Gyodonghyeon by Silla King Gyeongdeok. The island served as an important stopover point for ambassadors and envoys heading to China. Popular attractions on the island now include Daeryong Market, an alleyway market decorated with colorful murals and statues, and Manghyangdae Memorial, a gathering place for refugees for fled from the nearby Hwanghaedo Island during the Korean War.


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(Sangju-si)

Chunguisa Temple is home to the tablets of General Chung Ki-ryong (1562-1622), a military official from the mid-Joseon Dynasty era. In 1973, the temple was designated as the Regional Cultural Asset Monument No.13. It also houses a set of five relics, together designated as Treasure No.669, as well as several other cultural assets. Every October, the temple hosts a reenactment of the recovery of Sangjuseong Fortress from the Japanese invasion.


Chungcheongnam-do(Cheongyang-gun)

The Jangseung Park on Chilgapsan Mountain is the largest preservation area for "jangseungs," the ancient wooden or stone totem poles that were usually placed at the village entrance to ward off evil spirits. It was established in May 1999 to counter the dwindling awareness of the artifacts, and houses some of Korea's tallest jangseungs (11.5m) as well as replicas of indigenous totem poles from across the world. Today, it continues to host the Annual Mt. Chilgap Jangseung Festival, and serves as an important site of Korean history learning.


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.  


Jeollanam-do(Naju-si)

Naju Pear Museum (나주배박물관) in Naju, Jeollnam-do opened in 1992 to study and promote the renowned Naju Pear. Known as the birthplace of Korean pears, Naju even has a museum dedicated to the fruit. The Naju Pear Museum has everything you’ll need to know about pears, including the history of various kinds, storing methods and the process of growing them. Visitors can also buy Naju pears in the Naju Pear Distribution Center adjacent to the museum.


Jeollabuk-do(Gimje-si)

The largest irrigation facility in Korea, Byeokgolje Reservoir (Historic Site No. 111) is considered the birthplace of Korea’s rice-farming culture. All that remains of the reservoir today are a three-kilometer long embankment that spans from Sinyong-ri to Wolseung-ri in Buryang-myeon, Gimje-si and a monument that was erected in 1415. The Byeokgolje Museum of Agricultural Culture exhibits around 250 artifacts related to rice farming; located within the same complex is an experience center where visitors can discover the many properties of irrigation facilities first-hand.


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.