Gangwon-do(Cheorwon-gun)

After the fall harvest season, the fields on the Cheorwon Plain are littered with fallen grains, providing an abundant source of food for migratory birds. Meanwhile, the well-preserved ecosystem of the Demilitarized Zone provides clean water and a healthy habitat, making the Cheorwon area a paradise for migratory birds.Cranes stalking around the fields and birds taking off en masse from the reservoir make bird watchers exclaim in awe. In Cheorwon, which boasts the biggest white-fronted goose population in Korea, you can see over 110 species of birds, some of which are protected as national treasures. Examples include red-crowned cranes, vultures, white-tailed sea eagles, and golden eagles as well as mallards and spot-billed ducks, which migrate to Korea for the winter.The most spectacular views are generally at sunrise, between noon and 2pm, and at sunset, and for the rest of daylight hours you can choose from a wide variety of attractions located near the demarcation line. North Korean infiltrating the second tunnel, Woljeong Station Observation Deck, the former Labour Party building, Baekmagoji highland and Dopiansa Temple all reside nearby. Since the Cheorwon Plain is located north of the Civilian Control Line and normally not opened to civilian access, the ecosystem is very well preserved.


Jeollanam-do(Suncheon-si)

Created near the Juam Lake of Songgwang-myeon, Goindol Park (고인돌공원) is a relocation site for prehistoric excavations saving them from flooding when construction of the Juam Reservoir (주암저수지, 1984-1991) started. The park covers a land area of 18,000 pyeong. It’s a gathering place for all the dolmens and serves as an educational and leisure area. Some 140 pieces of dolmens are on display, along with prehistoric huts, homes from the Paleolithic age, dolmen models, sotdae (wooden poles) and menhirs, all exhibited outdoors. There is also an exhibition hall that displays the prehistoric relics excavated around the dolmen sites. Another exhibition hall on memorial services has a screening room and shows the evolution of memorial practices in the Jeollanam-do region. The entire area of the park is designated cultural asset material No.154 of Jeollanam-do.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongsan-si)

Nestled under Gwanbong Peak sits Seonbonsa Temple, under the administration of traditional Korean Buddhists. This temple is widely known as the ‘Palgongsan Gatbawi Stone Buddha.’ Despite nearby precipitous drops, the Gatbawi Stone Buddha is very popular. The Gatbawi Stone Buddha from the United Silla Kingdom is roughly 6 meters tall. The name ‘Gatbawi’ comes from the traditional cylindrical Korean hat that the Buddha wears upon his head.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Gyeongju-si)

Namsan Mountain, located in the southern part of Gyeongju-si, is a registered UNESCO site referred to as Gouisan for its highest peak, Cheollyongsan and also Surimoe (수리뫼) in pure Korean. Korean Traditional Food Experience Education Institute, Surime, is owned by Park Mi-suk who studied under Hwang Hye-seong, holder of the Intangible Cultural Property No. 38 for Royal Cuisine of the Joseon Dynasty. The institute operates various traditional cooking experience programs open for all to participate. Surime shares the walls of the Choi family home, designated as a cultural asset, spanning over 500 pyeong (1,652.89㎡) with well-preserved traditional hanok buildings built over 100 years ago. The center is comprised of various experiential facilities.


Gangwon-do(Pyeongchang-gun)

Pyeongchang Donggang Freshwater Ecology Fish Center opened to the public in July 2009 in an effort to provide the general public with a chance to observe the indigenous fish of Donggang River and learn more about the local ecology. Along with Hemibarbus mylodon, Natural Monument No. 259, the center presents 45 unique species of freshwater fish including Rhynchocypris kumganensis, Coreoleuciscus splendidus, Zacco temminckii, and Ssoragi. At the center there are a variety of hands-on experience programs. Walk through a gigantic model of a fish’s stomach and explore its internal organs. Or, check out the 3D theater, virtual rafting program, or the huge tank where you can observe and touch an array of freshwater fish. There is also an outdoor training center where you can try your hand at rock climbing.  


Jeollabuk-do(Buan-gun)

Located in Byeonsan Peninsula National Park in Buan-gun, Jeollabuk-do, Monkey School is a theme park where visitors can learn about monkeys and nature. Thirty-one monkeys (all with different names and personalities) show off their tricks by standing on their hands or riding bikes on a set decorated like a classroom. Monkey school also has a crocodile area with live crocodiles, a Museum of Natural History complete with fossils, and a Nature Learning Center where visitors will find unique ways to learn about and experience nature.


Gangwon-do(Gangneung-si)

The Gangneung Dano Cultural Center is located in Noam-dong, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do. The center promotes the Danoje (Dano rite and festival) of Gangneung. On exhibit at the center are customs related to ancestral rites, danogut (shaman ritual), and nori (folk games) to preserve the folk culture of the Joseon Dynasty. The construction of the center began in 2000 when the Gangneung Danoje Festival was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Since its opening on February 19, 2004, the center has served a key role in helping visitors better understand the tradition of Dano. The center consists of an exhibition hall and a performance hall across from it. The exhibition hall has an exhibition room, a video room, a gallery, and a corner for hands-on activities. Also located here are the offices of the Gangneung Danoje Preservation Council and the Gangneung Danoje Committee, the main organizers of the Gangneung Danoje Festival. There is also a shaman music exercise room, so visitors can easily learn more about the Dano traditions from key personnel.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Yeongcheon-si)

Eunhaesa Temple, located on Palgongsan mountain in Youngcheon city, Gyeongsangbuk-do province, is one of two major temples on the mountain along with Donghwasa Temple. It was built by monk Hyecheol in the first year of King Heondeok’s reign during the Silla Kingdom (AD 809), but was moved to the current site in the Joseon Dynasty in 1546 (the first year of King Myeongjong). At the time, it was named Eunhaesa temple and King Injong of the Joseon Dynasty was commemorated with a lecture hall and monument built where his umbilical cord was buried. The temple houses the main shrine, Bohwaru pavilion, Seolseondan Hall, Shimgeondang Hall, eight small hermitages, as well as Baegeungam Temple, Jungangam Temple, and a professional Buddhist education institution: ‘Eunhaesa Buddhist University.’ Eunhaesa Temple is home to national treasure No. 14, Geojoamyongsanjeon hall, and treasure number 790, Baekheungamgeukrakjeon Hall. It also contains treasure No. 486, the Sunidan Buddha Platform; treasure No. 514, the Wunbuamcheongdongbosal Seated Buddha Statue; and treasure No. 1270, the Eunhaesa Temple Gwaebultaeng hanging Buddha picture. The area is also close to the Seongbu Museum, which exhibits cultural assets from Eunhaesa Temple and the neighboring areas, as well as popular tourist attractions such as Geukrakgul grotto of Jungangam temple (Hwaeomgul Grotto), Geondeul Rock, Manyeonsong Pine Tree, Ganggunsu Waters, and Anheung Falls of Gigiam Temple.  


Gangwon-do(Inje-gun)

Sibiseonnyeotang Valley (Valley of the Twelve Angels’ Bath) is located at the base Seoraksan Mountain. It is also referred to as Tangsugol or Tangsudong Valley. The valley got its name from a myth that angels once came down to bathe in its flowing rivers. However, there are only eight baths.Due to fluvial erosion, there is a steep hole in this valley, and many baths and waterfalls of various shapes are stretched over an 8 km distance. Pass Ungbong Waterfall and the first bath and Dok-tang appear. Then walk past Buk-tang, Rainbow-tang, Peach-tang, and the path will end with the last bath, Yong-tang.Of these baths, the 7th bath is called Peach-tang, named after the traditional shape of the bath. The deeply delved rock behind the back of the waterfall is more beautiful than the bath under the waterfall. Past the Peach-tang is another clean, steep bath. From there, a 5-minute walk to the right will lead you to another waterfall and a pool. The water from Daeseungryeong and Mt.Ansan is connected to Namgyo-ri, Buk-myeon. This is an 8-km valley, which takes approximately two hours from the baths to Namgyo-ri. There are iron bridges over the baths for visitors to cross.


Gyeongsangbuk-do(Goryeong-gun)

Gaesil Village (개실마을), located in Goryeong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do, faces Jeopmubong Peak, which is shaped like a fluttering butterfly. Many legends about etiquette and filial piety have come from this village. One legend concerns a family in which the children had been devoted to their parents for over 5 generations. When the mother got sick, a pheasant flew into the kitchen. In winter, carp jumped out of a nearby pond. Based on this legend, this village has also been called, ‘Ingeobaemi Village’ (잉어배미 마을). Unlike other villages, the descendents in Gaesil Village have maintained their traditions, and the village’s traditions of etiquette and filial piety can be experienced during a farm stay in this village.