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.  


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Located in Pyeongchang-gun of Gwangwon-do Province, Baengnyong Cave is a 1.8㎞-long, natural limestone cave. Its entrance, located 10-15㎞ above sea level, is surrounded by rocks and was once accessible only by boat. In 1976, local residents expanded a small lane in the middle of the main corridor to allow easier exploration. Alongside Donggang River, the cave harbors mysteries of the past 500 million years including a piano-shaped stalactite, a huge stone pillar, and a stalagmite looking just like a fried egg. The cave was designated as Natural Monument No. 260 in 1979, and it also opened Baengnyong Cave Eco Experience Center in 2010. Visitors may also venture out to nearby tourist sites for trekking, rafting, and studying nature at Donggang Fresh Water Fish Center.


Chungcheongnam-do(Nonsan-si)

Gwanchoksa Temple (관촉사) in Nonsan, Chungcheongnam-do is located at the foot of Mt. Banyasan (100m in elevation). This temple enshrines a Seokjomireukbosalipsang Buddha (Treasure No. 218), which was built over the course of 38 years, beginning in 967 during the Goryeo period. According to a legend, while a lady was picking fernbrake on Mt. Banyasan, she heard a baby crying. When she went to the spot from which from which the crying was coming, there was no baby but instead was a large rock sticking out from the ground. Upon hearing this story, the government ordered a Buddha statue to be made from the rock. This Buddha statue, widely known as ‘Eunjimireuk Buddha,’ is the largest stone Buddha in Korea (18.12m in x_height, 9.9m in girth, 1.8m in the length of ears, 2.43m at the x_height of crown). There are many other cultural heritages in this temple and every April, a splendid cherry blossom tunnel strecthing from Nonsan to Gwanchoksa Temple is at its peak.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yecheon-gun)

Astro-Space Center in Yecheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do is the first public facility in Korea to be dedicated to the theme of stars and space. At the center, visitors can study the celestial bodies at the Yecheon Star Observatory, undergo astronaut training simulations at the Yecheon Space Experience Center, and learn about the history of astronomy and the heavens at the Astronomy Park. At the Yecheon Star Observatory, you can observe the sun by day or by night and view planets, nebula, star clusters, and galaxies through a high-powered telescope. At the planetarium, you can also enjoy films about the constellations projected on the observatory’s dome-shaped ceiling. At the Yecheon Space Experience Center, take the ride of your life on the G-force Simulator, bounce around in the Moon Walk Chair, experience the vertigo of zero-gravity on the Multi-Axis Trainer, or float in space using the MMU (Manned Maneuvering Unit). For a calmer experience, check out the center’s 4D movies. On the second floor of the Star Observatory and Space Experience Center is an accommodation facility where you can extend your stay for the ultimate outer space experience. An overnight stay gives you the chance to take full advantage of space observations, telescope assembly and operations, astronomy lectures, and more! In addition to its range of indoor space-related experiences, the space center also provides the rare opportunity to fly in a helicopter. There are as many as four helicopters in operation for this ongoing program. The Astro-Space Center also plans to unveil a private space travel program in 2014: the second private space travel program worldwide! Coinciding with this exciting new program, the center will be introducing Lynx, a two-person Suborbital Spaceship produced by the U.S. company Xcor.


Gangwon-do(Yangyang-gun)

Hangyeryeong, Misiryeong and Jinburyeong are the three ridges that represent Mt. Seoraksan, and Hangyeryeong long with the Misiryeong. It was called Sodongraryeong as the connecting path between the east coast and the inland. In December 1971, a large paved road was made to connect Yangyang and Inje, which became the tourist road between inner Mt. Seoraksan and outer Mt. Seoraksan. If you go down Hangyeryeong path you will reach Osaek District. Everything in this district are said to be related to a factor of five as “O” in Osaek means “five” in Korean. They even say the carbonated water spring from the base rock here has 5 flavors. The 3-story pagoda (National Treasure No.497) that stands in Seongguksa Temple is called Osaek Stone pagoda because the rock is said to shine in 5 colors.The Osaek flower myth says that the village name 'Osaek' was given because there was a tree that bloomed flowers of 5 different colors.


Gyeongsangnam-do(Geochang-gun)

Designated as National Park in 1975, Deogyusan National Park (덕유산국립공원, 1,614m) covers four counties. The ridgeline from the Hyangjeokbong peak of Mt. Bukdeogyusan to Mt. Namdeogyusan is 17.5km, and the altitude is 1,200m high. There are five peaks over 1,330m above sea level and eight large valleys. Mt. Deogyusan is one of Korea's tourist highlights and boasts temples, relics as well as a ski resort. Of the many wonderful sites, Mujuguchon-dong, the 25km valley range from Najetong gate to Baekryeonsa Temple, is especially noted as one of the 10 best tourist areas of Korea. Every valley has scenic spots and Gucheon-dong is particularly famous. Baekryeonsa Temple is located at the end of Gucheon-dong Valley. It is famous for the Stone Samjon Buddha, cerated during the Goryeo Dynasty and many monks came from this temple before and after the Injinwaeran War (1592~1598). Also, Jeoksangsanseong Fortress, Anguksa Temple, Guebul and many other relics are scattered throughout the park. Mt. Deogyusan boasts an abundance of beauty throughout all four seasons, and the 600 species of animals and plants, including the unique landscape of the yew trees are especially eye-catching. 


Chungcheongbuk-do(Chungju-si)

The water at Angseong Carbonate Hot Springs comes from 700 meters underground. This water contains about 2.800㎎/L of carbonic acid and is beneficial in many ways. It is known to be effective in preventing high and low blood pressures, diabetes, arthritis, neuralgia, depression, lifestlye diseases, obesity caused by lack of exercise, stiff shoulder, back pain, colds, constipation, and hemorrhoids. Carbonic acid hot springs are also good for stress relief, increasing metabolism, stimulating blood circulation, and for the treatment of hypersensitive skin, cosmetics allergies, freckles, age spots, athelete’s foot and eczema. The water temperature at the hot spring stays between 25-38 degrees Celcius. A separate pool is available for people who prefer a warmer temperature than that. Known for promoting physical and psycological health, a carbonic acid hot spring bath also softens the skin and helps fatigue recovery. For added benefits, Angseong Carbonate Hot Springs also uses oak wood for heating its jjimjilbang (Korean sauna) and the water.


Chungcheongnam-do()

Gobok Reservoir is a large farm reservoir covering 770,000 square meters. It was constructed to provide water for agricultural use, but an abundant amount of fish attracted many fishermen from across the country. This resulted in it being appointed as a provincial park. The park spans an area of 1,840,000 square meters and its nearby attractions include a forest, Yonggul Cave, and Sinheungsa Temple on Obongsan Mountain. The neighboring village is home to orchards for growing grapes, peaches, and pears. The park has a large meeting square and an outdoor sculpture park for added leisure activities. The Millakjeong Pavilion offers a panoramic view of the reservoir. Food lovers will be delighted to find that there are many restaurants around the reservoir area specializing in hanbang-ori (herb duck meat) and megi-maeuntang (spicy catfish stew).


Jeollanam-do(Mokpo-si)

At a length of 150 meter and highest x_height at 70 meters, Dancing Sea Fountain is the biggest sea fountain in the world. With various shows such as music, video, and laser show, visitors can enjoy exciting fountain shows while looking out at the ocean.